• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 2010

Vinyl ester (VE) resins, introduced in the late 1960s, have made large strides in reinforced plastics applications as adhesive and matrix materials on their appropriate mechanical performance characteristics in the glassy state. Generally, VE resins are a group of dimethacrylate resins based on bisphenol A type epoxy resin. They exhibit easy handling properties as well as good resistance to most chemical agents due to their mechanical and thermal properties. In this study, the effects of curing methods of vinyl ester resins on gel contents, flexural strength and dynamic mechanical properties were investigated. Thermal curing (room temperature, $80^{\circ}C$) and electron beam curing were used to crosslink a VE resin/styrene complex (65/35 wt%) with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) as a catalyst and an 8 wt% cobalt naphthenate in styrene solution as a accelerator. For the samples, gel contents as well as flexural strength and dynamic mechanical properties were characterized and compared by soxhlet apparatus, universal testing machine (UTM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). As a result, the electron-cured VE resin was confirmed as a better condition than those for gel contents, flexural strength and dynamic mechanical properties, respectively.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-48
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• 2017

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) have turned out to be a vital portion of extraordinary strength and performance concrete. Metakaolin (MK) is one of SCM material is acquired by calcinations of kaolinite. Universally utilised as pozzolanic material in concrete to enhance mechanical and durability properties. This study investigates the fresh and hardened properties of conventional concrete (CC) and self compacting concrete (SCC) by partially replacing cement with MK in diverse percentages. In CC and SCC, partial replacement of cement with MK varies from 5-20%. Fresh concrete properties of CC are conducted by slump test and compaction factor tests and for SCC, slump flow, T500, J-Ring, L-Box, V-Funnel and U-Box tests. Hardened concrete characteristics are investigated by compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths at age of 7, 28 and 90 days of curing under water. Carbonation depth, water absorption and density of MK based CC and SCC was also computed. Fresh concrete test results indicated that increase in MK replacement increases workability of concrete in a constant w/b ratio. Also, outcomes reveal that concrete integrating MK had greater compressive, flexural and split tensile strengths. Optimum replacement level of MK for cement was 10%, which increased mechanical properties and robustness properties of concrete.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.705-716
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• 2021

An innovative partially precast partially encased composite beam (PPECB) is put forward based on the existing research. In order to study the flexural performance of the new composite beam which has precast part and cast-in-place part, six prefabricated specimens and one cast-in-place specimen are designed with considering the influence of the production method, the steel flange thickness, the concrete strength grade and the stirrup process on the behavior of the composite beam. Through four points loading and test data collection and analysis, the behavior of partially prefabricated specimen is similar to that of cast-in-place specimen, and the casting method, the thickness of the steel flange, the concrete strength grade and the stirrup process have different influence on the crack, yield and peak load bearing capacity of the component. Finally, the calculation theory of plastic bending of partially precast partially encased concrete composite beams is given. The calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental results, which can be used for practical engineering theory guidance. This paper can provide reference value for further research and engineering application.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.447-458
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• 2022

Cold-formed steel (CFS) sections are thin-walled, therefore, more susceptible to different types of geometric imperfections. Global type of geometric imperfections has a significant impact on the load-carrying capacity of flexural members. This paper reports an experimental study that discusses the influence of global imperfections on the flexural response of CFS built-up I-beams composed of two lipped channels, with simply supported ends, under four-point loading. Global imperfections of magnitude over eight times the maximum permissible ones were induced in the specimens, leading to their distress. Using various simple stiffening schemes, the capacity and stiffness of the distressed specimens were improvised. The performance comparisons were made based on the maximum loads resisted, flexural stiffnesses offered, and failure modes experienced by the specimens. As experimental data on such distressed specimens are currently lacking in the literature, the test results of the present study will provide the necessary data needed by future researchers to numerically extend this study further, which will help in the development of necessary design guidelines for the same. The stiffening schemes significantly improved the structural efficiency of distressed specimens in terms of strength and stiffness, by over 60%. As a result, an effective and time-saving solution to such realistic structural engineering problems is given.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.173-184
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• 2023

In this study, the flexural behaviors of one- and two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs strengthened with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips under impact loads were investigated. The flexural strengthening of RC slabs under simulated static monotonic loads has been comprehensively studied. However, the flexural behavior of RC slabs strengthened with CFRP strips has not been investigated extensively, particularly those conducted numerically. Nonlinear three-dimensional finite element models were developed, executed, and verified against previous experimental results, producing satisfactory models with approximately 4% error. The models were extended to a parametric study, considering three geometric parameters: the slab rectangularity ratio, CFRP strip width, and CFRP strip configuration. Finally, the main results were used to derive a new formula for predicting the total deflection of RC slabs strengthened with CFRP strips under impact loads with an error of approximately 10%. The proposed equation reflected the slab rectangularity, CFRP strip width, equivalent slab stiffness, and dropped weight. Results indicated that the use of CFRP strips enhanced the overall impact performance, the wider the CFRP width, the better the enhancement. Moreover, the application of diagonally oriented CFRP strips diminished the cracking zone compared to straight strips. Additionally, the diagonal orientation of CFRP strips was more efficient for two-way slabs while the vertical orientation was found to be better in the case of one-way slabs.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2023

A bending experiment was conducted to verify the structural performance of the U-flange truss hybrid bean using rebars or steel pipes to reinforce the upper compression zone. As a result of evaluating the bending strength of the truss hybrid beam according to the Structural Design Standard (KDS 14 2020: 2022) by introducing the lattice member as a tensile resistance element, the following conclusions were obtained. Considering the lattice element as a tensile resistance element, the nominal bending strength was increased by 38.57 to 47.90 kN.m. As a result of reviewing the experiment as to whether the flexural member has proper ductility, it was found that it is desirable to place appropriate rebars, steel quality plans, and lateral restraints on the upper and lower parts of the hybrid beam to have sufficient ductility ratio.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2023

The reinforced concrete (RC) structures might need strengthening or upgradation due to adverse environmental conditions, design defects, modification requirements, and to prolong the expected lifespan. The RC beams have been efficiently strengthened using the near surface mounted (NSM) approach over the externally bonded reinforcing (EBR) system. In this study, the performance of RC beam elements strengthened with NSM-steel rebars was investigated using an experimental program and nonlinear finite element modeling (FEM). Nine medium-sized, rectangular cross-section RC beams total in number made up for the experimental evaluation. The beams strengthened with varying percentages of NSM reinforcement, and the number of grooves was assessed in four-point bending experiments up to failure. Based on the experimental evaluation, the load-displacement response, crack features, and failure modes of the strengthened beams were recorded and considered. According to the experimental findings, NSM steel greatly improved the flexural strength (up to about 84%) and stiffness of RC beams. The flexural response of the tested beams was simulated using a 3D non-linear finite element (FE) model. The findings of the experiments and the numerical analysis showed good agreement. The effect of the NSM groove and reinforcement on the structural response was then assessed parametrically.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.255-267
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• 2023

The production of ultra-early-strength concrete (UESC) traditionally involves complexity or necessitates high-temperature curing conditions. However, this study aimed to achieve ultra-early-strength performance solely through room-temperature curing. Experimental results demonstrate that under room-temperature (28℃) curing conditions, the concrete attained compressive strengths of 20 MPa at 4 hours and 69.6 MPa at 24 hours. Additionally, it exhibited a flexural strength of 7.5 MPa after 24 hours. In contrast, conventional concrete typically reaches around 20.6 MPa (3,000 psi) after approximately 28 days, highlighting the rapid strength development of the UESC. This swift attainment of compressive strength represents a significant advancement for engineering purposes. Small amounts of steel fibers (0.5% and 1% by volume, respectively) were added to address potential concrete cracking due to early hydration heat and enhance mechanical properties. This allowed observation of the effects of different volume contents on ultra-early-strength fiber-reinforced concrete (UESFRC). Furthermore, the compressive strength of 0.5% and 1% UESFRC increased by 16.3% and 31.3%, respectively, while the flexural strength increased by 37.1% and 47.9%. Moreover, toughness increased by 58.2 and 69.7 times, respectively. These findings offer an effective solution for future emergency applications in public works.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.299-314
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• 2023

Long-gauge carbon fiber line (CFL) sensors have received considerable attention in the past decade. However, there is still a need for an in-depth investigation of their measuring accuracy. This study investigates the accuracy of carbon fiber line sensors to monitor and differentiate the flexural behavior of two beams, one reinforced with steel bars alone and the other reinforced with steel and basalt fiber-reinforced polymer bars. A distributed set of long-gauge carbon fiber line, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), and traditional strain gauge sensors was mounted on the tensile concrete surface of the studied beams to compare the results and assess the accuracies of the proposed sensors. The test beams were loaded monotonically under four-point bending loading until failure. Results indicated the importance of using long-gauge sensors in providing useful, accurate, and reliable information regarding global structural behavior, while point sensors are affected by local damage and strain concentrations. Furthermore, long-gauge carbon fiber line sensors demonstrated good agreement with the corresponding Fiber Bragg Grating sensors with acceptable accuracy, thereby exhibiting potential for application in monitoring the health of large-scale structures.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Three small scale hollow circular reinforced concrete columns with aspect ratio 4.5 were tested under cyclic lateral load with constant axial load. Diameter of section is 400 mm, hollow diameter is 200 mm. The selected test variable is transverse steel ratio. Volumetric ratios of spirals of all the columns are 0.302~0.604% in the plastic hinge region. It corresponds to 45.9~91.8% of the minimum requirement of confining steel by Korean Bridge Design Specifications, which represent existing columns not designed by the current seismic design specifications or designed by seismic concept. The longitudinal steel ratio is 2.017%. The axial load ratio is 7%. This paper describes mainly crack behavior, load-displacement hysteresis loop, seismic performance such as equivalent damping ratio, residual displacement and effective stiffness and flexural over-strength of circular reinforced concrete bridge columns with respect to test variable. The regulation of flexural over-strength is adopted by Korea Bridge Design Specifications (Limited state design, 2012). The test results are compared with nominal strength, result of nonlinear moment-curvature analysis and the design specifications such as AASHTO LRFD and Korea Bridge Design Specifications(Limited state design).