• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.549-565
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• 2022

Severe acid rains can be a major source for geotechnical and environmental problems in any soil depending on the acid type and concentration. Hence, this study investigates the individual severe effects of sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids on the geotechnical properties of real field soil through a series of experimental laboratory tests. The laboratory program consists of experimental tests such as consistency, compaction, unconfined compression, pH determination, electrical conductivity, total dissolved salts, total suspended solids, gypsum and carbonates contents. The experimental tests have been performed on the untreated soil and individual acid treated soil for acid concentrations range of 0% to 20% by weight. In addition, a unique hyperbolic mathematical model has been used to predict significant geotechnical characteristics for acid treated soil. The plastic and liquid limits and optimum moisture content have been increased under the effect of all the used acids whereas the maximum dry density and unconfined stress-strain behavior have been decreased with increasing the acid concentrations. Moreover, the used hyperbolic mathematical model has predicted all the geotechnical characteristics very well with a very high coefficient of determination (R²) value and lowest root mean square error (RMSE) estimate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.129-134
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• 2003

The importance of understanding the response of structural composites to impact and CAI cannot be overstated to develop analytical models for impact damage and CAI strength predictions. This paper presents experimental findings observed from quasi-static lateral load tests, low velocity impact tests, CAI strength and open hole compressive strength tests using 3mm thick composite plates ($[45/-45/0/90]_{3s}$ - IM7/8552). The conclusion is drawn that damage areas for both quasi-static lateral load and impact tests are similar and the curves of several drop weight impacts with varying energy levels (between 5.4 J and 18.7 J) fallow the static curve well. In addition, at a given energy the peak force is in good agreement between the static and impact cases. From the CAI strength and open hole compressive strength tests, it is identified that the failure behaviour of the specimens was very similar to that observed in laminated plates with open holes under compression loading. The residual strengths are in good agreement with the measured open hole compressive strengths, considering the impact damage site as an equivalent hole. The experimental findings suggest that simple analytical models for the prediction of impact damage area and CAI strength can be developed on the basis of the failure mechanism observed from the experimental tests.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2016

This paper considers the tensile strength of concrete samples in direct, CTT, modified tension, splitting and ring tests using both of the experimental tests and numerical simulation (particle flow code 2D). It determined that which one of indirect tensile strength is close to direct tensile strength. Initially calibration of PFC was undertaken with respect to the data obtained from Brazilian laboratory tests to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. Furthermore, validation of the simulated models in four introduced tests was also cross checked with the results from experimental tests. By using numerical testing, the failure process was visually observed and failure patterns were watched to be reasonable in accordance with experimental results. Discrete element simulations demonstrated that the macro fractures in models are caused by microscopic tensile breakages on large numbers of bonded discs. Tensile strength of concrete in direct test was less than other tests results. Tensile strength resulted from modified tension test was close to direct test results. So modified tension test can be a proper test for determination of tensile strength of concrete in absence of direct test. Other advantages shown by modified tension tests are: (1) sample preparation is easy and (2) the use of a simple conventional compression press controlled by displacement compared with complicate device in other tests.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1521-1542
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• 2015

The use of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in dynamical systems has an increasing importance in engineering especially due to their capacity to provide vibration reductions. In this regard, experimental tests are essential in order to show all potentialities of this kind of systems. In this work, SMA springs are incorporated in a dynamical system that consists of a one degree of freedom oscillator connected to a linear spring and a mass, which is also connected to the SMA spring. Two types of springs are investigated defining two distinct systems: a pseudoelastic and a shape memory system. The characterisation of the springs is evaluated by considering differential calorimetry scanning tests and also force-displacement tests at different temperatures. Free and forced vibration experiments are made in order to investigate the dynamical behaviour of the systems. For both systems, it is observed the capability of changing the equilibrium position due to phase transformations leading to hysteretic behaviour, or due to temperature changes which also induce phase transformations and therefore, change in stiffness. Both situations are investigated by promoting temperature changes and also pre-tension of the springs. This article shows several experimental tests that allow one to obtain a general comprehension of the dynamical behaviour of SMA systems. Results show the general thermo-mechanical behaviour of SMA dynamical systems and the obtained conclusions can be applied in distinct situations as in rotor-bearing systems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.511-529
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• 2023

This paper aims to better understand the bonding behavior in Reinforced Concrete beams strengthened with an Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (RCUHPFRC) layer on the compression side using experimental tests and numerical analyses. The UHPFRC mix design was obtained through an optimization procedure, and the characterization of the materials included compression and slant shear tests. Flexural tests were carried out in RC beams and RC-UHPFRC beams. The tests demonstrated a debonding of the UHPFRC layer. In addition, 3D finite element analyses were carried out in the Abaqus CAE program, in which the interface is modeled considering a zero-thickness cohesive-contact approach. The cohesive parameters are investigated, aiming to calibrate the numerical models, and a sensitivity analysis is performed to check the reliability of the assumed cohesive parameters and the mesh size. Finally, the experimental and numerical values are compared, showing a good approximation for both the RC beams and the RC strengthened beams.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2017

This study evaluates the reliability of present European codes in predicting the collapse load of columns made with perforated cold-formed steel (CFS) profiles under combined axial load and bending. To this aim, a series of experimental tests on slender open-section specimens have been performed at varying load eccentricity. Preliminarily, stub column tests have also been performed to calculate the effective section properties of the investigated profile. By comparison of experimental data with code-specified M-N strength domains, the authors demonstrate that present code formulations may underestimate the collapse load of thin-walled perforated open sections. The study is the first step of a wider experimental and numerical study aimed at better describing strength domains of perforated CFS open sections.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.132-139
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• 1997

It is difficult for most of passenger cars to attach various types of suspensions. The modular experimental vehicle, which is designed to exchange suspension systems, has been developed to evaluate the effect of design changes of a suspension upon ride and handling characteristics of a vehicle. In order to enable the assemblage between modules, the experimental vehicle design is based on a space frame construction through finite element analysis. Moreover, module frames and brackets are designed using three-dimensional solid modeler to check the interference between each part of a vehicle. Steady-state and transient road tests were performed. Multibody dynamic model and simplified linear vehicle model are made to compare with the tests. The results of simulations and tests show the performance and validity of this experimental vehicle.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.803-818
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• 2013

In this study, analytical and experimental modal analyses of a scaled bridge model are carried out to extract the dynamic characteristics such as natural frequency, mode shapes and damping ratios. For this purpose, a scaled bridge model is constructed in laboratory conditions. Three dimensional finite element model of the bridge is constituted and dynamic characteristics are determined, analytically. To identify the dynamic characteristics experimentally; Experimental Modal Analyses (ambient and forced vibration tests) are conducted to the bridge model. In the ambient vibration tests, natural excitations are provided and the response of the bridge model is measured. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed to collect signals from the measurements. The signals collected from the tests are processed by Operational Modal Analysis; and the dynamic characteristics of the bridge model are estimated using Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods. In the forced vibration tests, excitation of the bridge model is induced by an impact hammer and the frequency response functions are obtained. From the finite element analyses, a total of 8 natural frequencies are attained between 28.33 and 313.5 Hz. Considering the first eight mode shapes, these modes can be classified into longitudinal, transverse and vertical modes. It is seen that the dynamic characteristics obtained from the ambient and forced vibration tests are close to each other. It can be stated that the both of Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods are very useful to identify the dynamic characteristics of the bridge model. The first eight natural frequencies are obtained from experimental measurements between 25.00-299.5 Hz. In addition, the dynamic characteristics obtained from the finite element analyses have a good correlation with experimental frequencies and mode shapes. The MAC values obtained between 90-100% and 80-100% using experimental results and experimental-analytical results, respectively.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.475-494
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• 2020

Presented are experimental results from 24 full-scale push test specimens to study the behaviour of composite beams with trapezoidal profiled sheeting laid transverse to the beam axis. The tests use a single-sided horizontal push test setup and are divided into two series. First series contained shear loading only and the second had normal load besides shear load. Four parameters are studied: the effect of wire mesh position and number of its layers, placing a reinforcing bar at the bottom flange of the deck, normal load and its position, and shear stud layout. The results indicate that positioning mesh on top of the deck flange or 30 mm from top of the concrete slab does not affect the stud's strength and ductility. Thus, existing industry practice of locating the mesh at a nominal cover from top of the concrete slab and Eurocode 4 requirement of placing mesh 30 mm below the stud's head are both acceptable. Double mesh layer resulted in 17% increase in stud strength for push tests with single stud per rib. Placing a T16 bar at the bottom of the deck rib did not affect shear stud behaviour. The normal load resulted in 40% and 23% increase in stud strength for single and double studs per rib. Use of studs only in the middle three ribs out of five increased the strength by 23% compared to the layout with studs in first four ribs. Eurocode 4 and Johnson and Yuan equations predicted well the stud strength for single stud/rib tests without normal load, with estimations within 10% of the characteristic experimental load. These equations highly under-estimated the stud capacity, by about 40-50%, for tests with normal load. AISC 360-16 generally over-estimated the stud capacity, except for single stud/rib push tests with normal load. Nellinger equations precisely predicted the stud resistance for push tests with normal load, with ratio of experimental over predicted load as 0.99 and coefficient of variation of about 8%. But, Nellinger method over-estimated the stud capacity by about 20% in push tests with single studs without normal load.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.83-99
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• 2022

The two, NBD and SCB tests using gypsum circular discs each containing a single notch have been experimentally accomplished in a rock mechanics laboratory. These specimens have also been numerically modelled by a two-dimensional particle flow which is based on Discrete Element Method (DEM). Each testing specimen had a thickness of 5 cm with 10 cm in diameter. The specimens' lengths varied as 2, 3, and 4 cm; and the specimens' notch angles varied as 0°, 45° and 90°. Similar semi-circular gypsum specimens were also prepared each contained one edge notch with angles 0° or 45°. The uniaxial testing machine was used to perform the experimental tests for both NBD and SCB gypsum specimens. At the same time, the numerical simulation of these tests were performed by PFC2D. The experimental results showed that the failure mechanism of rocks is mainly affected by the orientations of joints with respect to the loading directions. The failure mechanism and fracturing patterns of the gypsum specimens are directly related to the final failure loading. It has been shown that the number of induced tensile cracks showing the specimens' tensile behavior, and increases by decreasing the length and angle of joints. It should be noted that the fracture toughness of rocks' specimens obtained by NBD tests was higher than that of the SCB tests. The fracture toughness of rocks usually increases with the increasing of joints' angles but increasing the joints' lengths do not change the fracture toughness. The numerical solutions and the experimental results for both NDB and SCB tests give nearly similar fracture patterns during the loading process.