• Computers and Concrete
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.199-213
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• 2015

The residual fracture toughness of post-fire normal-strength concrete subjected up to $600^{\circ}C$ is considered by the wedge splitting test. The initial fracture toughness $K_I^{ini}$ and the critical fracture toughness $K_I^{un}$ could be calculated experimentally. Their difference is donated as the cohesive fracture toughness $K_I^c$ which is caused by the distribution of cohesive stress on the fracture process zone. A comparative study on determining the residual fracture toughness associated with three bi-linear functions of the cohesive stress distribution, i.e. Peterson's softening curve, CEB-FIP Model 1990 softening curve and Xu's softening curve, using an analytical method is presented. It shows that different softening curves have no significant influence on the fracture toughness. Meanwhile, comparisons between the experimental and the analytical calculated critical fracture toughness values further prove the validation of the double-K fracture model to the post-fire concrete specimens.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제2권6호
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• pp.481-498
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• 2005

A wavelet based approach is proposed for structural damage detection in beams, plate and delamination of composite plates. Wavelet theory is applied here for crack identification of a beam element with a transverse on edge non-propagating open crack. Finite difference method was used for generating a general displacement equation for the cracked beam in the first example. In the second and third example, damage is detected from the deformed shape of a loaded simply supported plate applying the wavelet theory. Delamination in composite plate is identified using wavelet theory in the fourth example. The main concept used is the breaking down of the dynamic signal of a structural response into a series of local basis function called wavelets, so as to detect the special characteristics of the structure by scaling and transformation property of wavelets. In the light of the results obtained, limitations of the proposed method as well as suggestions for future work are presented. Results show great promise of wavelet approach for damage detection and structural health monitoring.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.19-30
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• 2005

We study the kinetics of absorption of water in Portland cement concretes added with 60, 70 and 80% of granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) cured in water and at open air and preheated at 50 and $100^{\circ}C$. A mathematical model is presented that allows describing the process not only in early ages where the capillary sorption is predominant but also for later and long times where the diffusive processes through the finer and gel pores are considered. The fitting of the model by computerized methods enables us to determine the parameters that characterize the process: i.e., the sorptivity coefficient (S) and diffusion coefficient (D). This allows the description of the process for all times and offers the possibility to know the contributions of both, the diffusive and capillary processes. The results show the influence of the curing regime and the preheating temperature on the behavior of GGBS mortars.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제3권2_3호
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• pp.91-102
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• 2006

To place concrete overlays has become a standard application in the strengthening and rehabilitation of concrete structures such as bridges, tunnels, parking decks and industrial buildings. In general, connectors are used to ensure a monolithic behavior of the two concrete layers. Within the framework of the development of a new connector wedge splitting tests and shear tests were performed, in addition nonlinear finite element analyses were applied to investigate the load transfer behavior of the connectors for different prototypes. The numerical simulation results were compared to experimental data. The computed load-displacement curve demonstrates good correspondence with the curves obtained in the experiments, and the experimental crack patterns are reasonably simulated by the computed crack propagation. Both numerical and experimental investigations on the wedge splitting test and on the shear test served as basis for the development of new type of connectors.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제3권2_3호
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• pp.177-195
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• 2006

Slipforming is a construction method in which the forms move continuously during the placement of concrete. This paper presents the development of a computer aided program designated as "CADSLIPFORM" for slipforming operations. The program incorporates maturity methods for the prediction of initial setting times of slipform concrete layers using laboratory data (time-temperature histories and setting times of concrete mixtures at different temperatures) and generates slipform mock-up times. The performance of CADSLIPFORM is validated by comparing simulated mock-up times with those estimated in the field through conventional hard front by rod (R) method. Moreover, the program versatility is demonstrated by illustrating mock-up simulations for different cases with variable slipform parameters such as: number and thickness of concrete layers, concrete temperature (simulating variable setting times) and slipform speed. The program also incorporates the choice of Freiesleben Hansen & Pederson (FHP) and Carino & Tank (CT) maturity functions. CADSLIPFORM can assist user to develop reliable schedule of slipforming operation suitable for a specific project by optimizing various slipform parameters.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제3권2_3호
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• pp.145-161
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• 2006

This article involves architecting prototype-fuzzy expert system for designing the nominal cover thickness by means of fuzzy inference for quantitatively representing the environment affecting factor to reinforced concrete in chloride-induced corrosion environment. In this work, nominal cover thickness to reinforcement in concrete was determined by the sum of minimum cover thickness and tolerance to that defined from skill level, constructability and the significance of member. Several variables defining the quality of concrete and environment affecting factor (EAF) including relative humidity, temperature, cyclic wet and dry, and the distance from coast were treated as fuzzy variables. To qualify EAF the environment conditions of cycle degree of wet-dry, relative humidity, distance from coast and temperature were used as input variables. To determine the nominal cover thickness a qualified EAF, concrete grade, and watercement ratio were used. The membership functions of each fuzzy variable were generated from the engineering knowledge and intuition based on some references as well as some international codes of practice.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.55-77
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• 2005

The closed form solution of the equilibrium equations in the ultimate design of reinforced concrete sections under biaxial bending is presented. The stresses in the materials are described by the Model Code 1990 equations. Computation of the integral equations is performed generally in terms of all variables. The deformed shape of the section in the ultimate conditions is defined by Heaviside functions. The procedure is convenient for the use of mathematical manipulation programs and the results are easily included into nonlinear analysis codes. The equations developed for rectangular sections can be applied for other sections, such as T, L, I for instance, by decomposition into rectangles. Numerical examples of the developed model for rectangular sections and composed sections are included.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.135-154
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• 2008

This paper presents a nonlinear finite element analysis procedure for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete bridge piers with unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bars. A computer program named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology) is used to analyze reinforced concrete structures; this program was also used in our study. Tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and models of reinforcing and prestressing steel were used account for material nonlinearity of reinforced concrete. The smeared crack approach was incorporated. To represent the interaction between unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bar and concrete, an unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bar element based on the finite element method was developed in this study. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete bridge piers with unbonded reinforcing or prestressing bars is verified by comparison of its results with reliable experimental results.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.155-174
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• 2008

A new approach for nonlinear finite element analysis of corroded reinforcements in RC structures is elaborated in the article. An algorithmic procedure for producing the tension-stiffening curve of RC elements taking into consideration most of effective parameters, e.g.: the rate of steel bar corrosion, bond-slip behavior, concrete cover and amount of reinforcement, is illustrated. This has been established on both experimental and analytical bases. This algorithm is implemented into a nonlinear finite element analysis program. The abilities of the resulted program have been studied by modeling some experimental specimens showing a reasonable agreement between the analytical and experimental findings.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.89-100
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• 2008

This research examines the engineering properties and color intensities of mortar containing different amounts of fly ash (0, 5, 10 and 20%) mixed at different water-to-binder ratios (w/b = 0.23, 0.47 and 0.59) and exposed at different temperatures (T = 25, 100, 200, 400, 600 and $800^{\circ}C$). Results show that there is greater mass loss on ignition with high w/b and higher temperatures. In addition, the color channel image analyzer (Windows software written in Delphi) is utilized to study the relationship between the curing temperature and intensity of three primary colors, red, green and blue (RGB), of the fly ash mortar specimens. The results show that the RGB intensities on the specimen surface increases from that at $25^{\circ}C$. The mortar specimen becomes white with increase in w/b but without the addition of fly ash. Moreover, for mortar specimens with greater content of fly ash, red on the specimen surface has the greatest increase in intensity at elevated temperature. Observation the variations in color on the specimen surface may help estimate the highest elevated temperatures that concrete structures can withstand.