• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.303-321
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• 2022

The current design equations for predicting the torsional capacity of RC members underestimate the torsional strength of under-reinforced members and overestimate the torsional strength of over-reinforced members. This is because the design equations consider only the yield strength of torsional reinforcement and the cross-sectional properties of members in determining the torsional capacity. This paper presents an analytical model to predict the thickness of shear flow path in RC beams subjected to pure torsion. The analytical model assumes that torsional reinforcement resists torsional moment with a sufficient deformation capacity until concrete fails by crushing. The ACI 318 code is modified by applying analytical results from the proposed model such as the average stress of torsional reinforcement and the effective gross area enclosed by the shear flow path. Comparison of the calculated and observed torsional strengths of existing 129 test beams showed good agreement. Two design variables related to the compressive strength of concrete in the proposed model are approximated for design application. The accuracy of the ACI 318 code for the over-reinforced test beams improved somewhat with the use of the approximations for the average stresses of reinforcements and the effective gross area enclosed by the shear flow path.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.323-334
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• 2022

In order to study the axial compression performance of basalt-fiber reinforced recycled concrete (BFRRC) filled circular steel tubular short columns, the axial compression performance tests of seven short column specimens were conducted to observe the mechanical whole-process and failure mode of the specimens, the load-displacement curves and the load-strain curves of the specimens were obtained, the influence of design parameters on the axial compression performance of BFRRC filled circular steel tubular short columns was analyzed, and a practical mathematical model of stiffness degradation and a feasible stress-strain curve equation for the whole process were suggested. The results show that under the axial compression, the steel tube buckled and the core BFRRC was crushed. The load-axial deformation curves of all specimens show a longer deformation flow amplitude. Compared with the recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio and the basalt fiber dosage, the BFRRC strength has a great influence on the peak bearing capacity of the specimen. The RCA replacement ratio and the BFRRC strength are detrimental to ductility, whereas the basalt fiber dosage is beneficial to ductility.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2022

The vibrational characteristic of three-layered cylindrical shell (CS) submerged in fluid with the ring support has been studied. The inner and outer layer is supposed to construct by isotropic layer. The composition of central layer is of functionally graded material type. Acoustic Wave condition has been utilized to present the impact of fluid. The central layer of cylindrical shell (CS) varies by volume fraction law that has been expressed in terms of polynomial. The main shell frequency equation has been obtained by theory of Love's shell and Rayleigh-Ritz technique. The oscillation of natural frequency has been examined under a variety of end conditions. The dependence of axial model has been executed with the help of characteristic beam function. The natural frequencies (NFs) of functionally graded material (FGM) shell have been observed of cylindrical shell along the shell axial direction. Different physical parameters has been used to examine the vibration characteristics due to the effect of volume fraction law. MATLAB software has been used to get result.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2022

For long underground box utility tunnels, post-tensioned precast concrete is often used. Between precast tunnel segments, sealed waterproof flexible joints are often specified. Fault displacement can lead to excessive deformation of the joints, which can lead to reduction in waterproofing due to diminished contact pressure between the sealant strip and the tunnel segment. This paper authenticates utilization of a finite element model for a prefabricated tunnel fault-crossing founded on ABAQUS software. In addition, material parameter selection, contact setting and boundary condition are reviewed. Analyzed under normal fault action are: the influence of fault displacement; buried depth; soil friction coefficient, and angle of crossing at the fault plane. In addition, distribution characteristics of the utility tunnel structure for vertical and longitudinal/horizontal relative displacement at segmented interface for the top and bottom slab are analyzed. It is found that the effect of increase in fault displacement on the splice joint deformation is significant, whereas the effects of changes in burial depth, pipe-soil friction coefficient and fault-crossing angle on the overall tunnel and joint deformations were not so significant.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.335-346
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• 2022

Geopolymers are an important alternative material supporting recycling, sustainability, and waste management. Durability properties are among the most critical parameters to be investigated; in this study, the durability of manufactured geopolymer samples under the attack of 10% magnesium sulfate and 10% sodium sulfate solution was investigated. 180 cycles of freezing and thawing were also tested. The experimentally obtained results investigate the durability of geopolymer mortar prepared with fly ash (class F) and alkali activator. Three different quarry dust wastes replaced the river sand aggregate: limestone, marble, and basalt powder as fine filler aggregate in three different replacement ratios of 25%, 50%, and 75% to produce ten series of geopolymer composites. The geopolymer samples' visual appearance, weight changes, UPV, and strength properties were studied for up to 12 months at different time intervals of exposure to sulfate solutions to investigate sulfate resistance. In addition, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDS, and XRD were used to study the microstructure of the samples. It was beneficial to include quarry waste as a filler aggregate in durability and mechanical properties. The compact matrix was demonstrated by microstructural analysis of the manufactured specimens. The geopolymer mortars immersed in sodium sulfate showed less strength reduction and deterioration than magnesium sulfate, indicating that magnesium sulfate is more aggressive than sodium sulfate. Therefore, it is concluded that using waste dust interrogation with partial replacement of river sand with fly ash-based geopolymers has satisfactory results in terms of durability properties of freeze-thaw and sulfate resistance.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.347-360
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• 2022

Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) have emerged as a response to the calls for strong, ductile and sustainable concrete mixes. FRCC has shown outstanding mechanical properties and ductility where special fibres are used in the mixes to give it the strength and the ability to exhibit strain hardening. With the possibility of designing the FRCC mixes to include sustainable constituents and by-products materials such as fly ash, FRCC started to emerge as a green alternative as well. To be able to design mixes that achieve these conflicting properties in concrete, there is a need to understand the composition effect on FRCC and optimize these compositions. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the influence of FRCC compositions on the properties of fresh and hardened of FRCC and then to optimize these mix compositions using factorial design approach. Three factors, water-to-binder ratio (w/b), mineral admixtures (total of fly ash and metakaolin by cement content (MAR)), and metakaolin content (MK), were investigated to determine their effects on the properties of fresh and hardened FRCC. The results show the importance of combining both FA and MK in obtaining a satisfactory fresh and mechanical properties of FRCC. Models were suggested to elucidate the role of the studied factors and a method for optimization was proposed.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.469-484
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• 2023

The response mechanism of simply supported two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs under fire was numerically studied from the view of stress redistribution using the finite element software ABAQUS. Results show that: (1) Simply supported two-way RC slabs undergo intense stress redistribution, and their responses show four stages, namely elastic, elastic-plastic, plastic and tensile membrane stages. There is no cracking in the fire area of the slabs until the tensile membrane stage. (2) The inverted arch effect and tensile membrane effect improve the fire resistance of the two-way slabs. When the deflection is L/20, the slab is in an inverted arch effect state, and the slab still has a good deflection reserve. The deformation rate of the slab in the tensile membrane stage is smaller than that in the elastic-plastic and plastic stages. (3) Fire resistance of square slabs is better than that of rectangular slabs. Besides, increasing the reinforcement ratio or slab thickness improves the fire resistance of the slabs. However, an increase of cover thickness has little effect on the fire resistance of two-way slabs. (4) Compared with one-way slabs, the time for two-way slabs to enter the plastic and tensile cracking stage is postponed, and the deformation rate in the plastic and tensile cracking stage is also slowed down. (5) The simply supported two-way RC slabs can satisfy with the requirements of a class I fire resistance rating of 90 min without additional fire protection.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.545-559
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• 2023

In this study, an experimental investigation was conducted to assess the influence of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and silica fume (SF) on the fresh and hardened properties of grout specimens and preplaced aggregate concrete (PAC). Grout proportions were optimized statistically using a factorial design and were applied to 10 mm and 20 mm coarse aggregates to produce PAC. The results demonstrate that GGBS has a more significant effect on the compressive strength of grout compared to SF, with a small increase or decrease in the GGBS content having a greater influence on the compressive strength of grout than SF. The water to binder ratio had the most significant effect on the compressive strength of PAC, followed by the coarse aggregate size and sand to binder ratio. An empirical relationship to predict the compressive strength of PAC was proposed through an experimentally derived factorial design along with a statistical analysis of collectively obtained data and a deep literature review. The results predicted by the empirical relationship were in good agreement with those of PAC produced for verification.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.501-511
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• 2023

The strengthening efficiency of biopolymer treated soil depends on biopolymer type, concentration ratio, soil type, initial water content, curing time and mixing method. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of xanthan gum (XG) treated kaolinite were investigated through compaction test, Atterberg limit test, triaxial test and unconfined compression test. The results indicated that the optimum water content (OWC) increased from 30.3% of untreated clay to 33.5% of 5% XG treated clay, while the maximum dry density has a slight increase from 13.96 kg/m³ to 14 kg/m³ of 0.2% XG treated clay and decrease to 2.7 kg/m³ of 5% XG treated clay. Meanwhile, the plastic limit of XG treated clay increased with the increase of XG concentration, while 0.5% XG treated clay can be observed the maximum liquid limit with 79.5%. Moreover, there are the ideal water content about 1.3-1.5 times of the optimum water content achieving the maximum dry density and curing time to obtain the maximum compressive strength for different XG contents, which the UCS is 1.52 and 2.07 times of the maximum UCS of untreated soil for 0.5% and 1% XG treated clay, respectively. In addition, hot-dry mixing can achieve highest UCS than other mixing methods (e.g., dry mixing, wet mixing and hot-wet mixing).

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.561-570
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• 2023

In this paper, the structural performance of RC and HPFRCC slabs exposed to a TNT explosion were numerically investigated. A finite element model was established using the MM-ALE method in the LS-DYNA program to simulate a near-ground TNT explosion at a scaled distance of 1.08 m/kg³. The K&C model was calibrated to exactly reflect the material properties of HPFRCCs that were developed in KICT and KNU. Numerical and experimental results were compared for the damage distribution and failure shape of the slabs. Based on the verified numerical model, a parametric study was carried out to demonstrate the effects of compressive strength and thickness of the slab on the blast resistance. In particular, the spallation failure on the back side of the slab is greatly dependent on the thickness. Finally, additional numerical simulations were conducted to explore the variation in blast pressure characteristics according to the scaled distance and explosive shape. It was confirmed that the pressure induced by cubic TNT was more destructive to the slab than cylindrical and spherical TNT in a nearfield explosion.