• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.713-730
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• 2003

This paper contains the results of the study on the development of fracture and crack propagation in quasi-brittle materials, such as concrete or rocks, using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). A new discrete element numerical model is proposed as the basis for analyzing the inelastic evolution and growth of cracks up to the point of gross material failure. The model is expected to predict the fracture behavior for the quasi-brittle material structure using the elementary aggregate level, the interaction between aggregate materials, and bond cementation. The algorithms generate normal and shear forces between two interfacing blocks and contains two kinds of contact logic, one for connected blocks and the other one for blocks that are not directly connected. The Mohr-Coulomb theory has been used for the fracture limit. In this algorithm the particles are moving based on the connected block logic until the forces increase up to the fracture limit. After passing the limit, the particles are governed by the discrete block logic. In setting up a discrete polygon element model, two dimensional polygons are used to investigate the response of an assembly of different shapes, sizes, and orientations with blocks subjected to simple applied loads. Several examples involving assemblies of particles are presented to show the behavior of the fracture and the failure process.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2013

One of the biggest problems affecting bridges is the transverse cracking and deterioration of concrete bridge decks. The causes of early age cracking are primarily attributed to plastic shrinkage, temperature effects, autogenous shrinkage, and drying shrinkage. The cracks can be influenced by material characteristics, casting sequence, formwork, climate conditions, geometry, and time dependent factors. The cracking of bridge decks not only creates unsightly aesthetic condition but also greatly reduces durability. It leads to a loss of functionality, loss of stiffness, and ultimately loss of structural safety. This investigation consists of field, laboratory, and analytical phases. The experimental and field testing investigate the early age transverse cracking of bridge decks and evaluate the use of sealant materials. The research identifies suitable materials, for crack sealing, with an ability to span cracks of various widths and to achieve performance criteria such as penetration depth, bond strength, and elongation. This paper also analytically examines the effect of a wide range of parameters on the development of cracking such as the number of spans, the span length, girder spacing, deck thickness, concrete compressive strength, dead load, hydration, temperature, shrinkage, and creep. The importance of each parameter is identified and then evaluated. Also, the AASHTO Standard Specification limits liveload deflections to L/800 for ordinary bridges and L/1000 for bridges in urban areas that are subject to pedestrian use. The deflection is found to be an important parameter to affect cracking. A set of recommendations to limit the transverse deck cracks in bridge decks is also presented.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.47-56
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• 2015

At the present, the mechanized form roads pavement was constructed with plain concrete. Mostly, it was used by welded wire mesh for preventing crack. Cellulose fibers for the reinforcement of concrete offer relatively high levels of elastic modulus, fiber count (per unit weight), specific surface, and bond strength to cement-based materials. The construction of concrete pavement confirmed that cellulose fiber reinforced concrete was applicable to mechanized form roads pavement. In the study, cellulose fibers were used here at 0.08 % volume fraction, which is equivalent to a fiber content of $1.2kg/m^3$. Cellulose fiber reinforced concrete were compared with plain concrete. Field test results indicated that cellulose fiber reinforced concrete showed slightly to increase of 28 days compressive strength and improved the initial strength. it tended to increase of splitting tensile strength. Test results showed that the slump and air content tend to decreased. but, the variation of air contends is very little. Also, construction cost of cellulose fiber reinforced concrete is less than about 25.7 % the case of welded wire mesh previously used. Therefore, The cost reduction is expected to be possible in construction site by mechanized form roads pavement.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.409-426
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• 2007

Following previous work carried out in Building Research Institute in Japan, finite element analyses of conceptual column designs are performed in this paper. The effectiveness of the numerical model is evaluated by experimental tests and parametric studies are conducted to determine influential factors in conceptual column designs. First, three different column designs are analysed: bonded, un-bonded, and un-bonded with additional reinforcing bars. The load-displacement curves and cracking patterns in concrete are obtained and compared with experimental ones. The comparisons indicate that the finite element model is able to reflect the experimental results closely. Both numerical and experimental results show that, the introduction of un-bonded zones in a column end can reduce cracking strains, accordingly reduce the stiffness and strength as well; the addition of extra reinforcement in the un-bonded zones can offset the losses of the stiffness and strength. To decide the proper length of the un-bonded zones and the sufficient amount of the additional reinforcing bars, parametric studies are carried out on their influences. It has been found that the stiffness of un-bonded designs slightly decreases with increasing the length of the un-bonded zones and increases with the size of the additional reinforcing bars.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.391-401
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• 2018

Locally available Stainless Steel Wire Mesh (SSWM) bonded on a concrete surface with an epoxy resin is explored as an alternative method for the torsional strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beam in the present study. An experiment is conducted to understand the behavior of RC beams strengthened with a different configuration of SSWM wrapping subjected to pure torsion. The experimental investigation comprises of testing fourteen RC beams with cross section of $150mm{\times}150mm$ and length 1300 mm. The beams are reinforced with 4-10 mm diameter longitudinal bars and 2 leg-8 mm diameter stirrups at 150 mm c/c. Two beams without SSWM strengthening are used as control specimens and twelve beams are externally strengthened by six different SSWM wrapping configurations. The torsional moment and twist at first crack and at an ultimate stage as well as torque-twist behavior of SSWM strengthened specimens are compared with control specimens. Also the failure modes of the beams are observed. The rectangular beams strengthened with corner and diagonal strip wrapping configuration exhibited better enhancement in torsional capacity compared to other wrapping configurations. The numerical simulation of SSWM strengthened RC beam under pure torsion is carried out using finite element based software ABAQUS. Results of nonlinear finite element analysis are found in good agreement with experimental results.

• Architectural research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2020

In this study, side-face blowout failure strength of high strength headed reinforcing bar, which is vertically anchoring between RC or SFRC members, is evaluated throughout pullout test. The major test parameters are content ratio of high strength steel fibers, strength of rebar, length of anchorage, presence of shear reinforcement, and the side concrete cover thickness planned to be 1.3 times of the rebar. In pullout test, tensile force was applied to the headed reinforcing bar with the hinged supports positioned 1.5 and 0.7 times the anchorage length on both sides of the headed reinforcing bar. As a result, the cone-shaped crack occurred where the headed reinforcing bar embedded and finally side-face blowout failure caused by bearing pressure of the headed reinforcing bar. The tensile strength of specimens increased by 13.0 ~26.2% with shear reinforcement. The pullout strength of the specimens increased by 3.6 ~15.4% according to steel fiber reinforcement. Increasing the anchoring length and shear reinforcement were evaluated to reduce the stress bearing ration of the total stress.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2016

In this study, a quantitative review was performed on the mechanical performance, permeation resistance of concrete, and durability of surface-modified coarse aggregates (SMCA) produced using low-quality recycled coarse aggregates, the surface of which was modified using a fine inorganic powder. The shear bond strength was first measured experimentally and the interface between the SMCA and the cement matrix was observed with field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that a reinforcement of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), a weak part of the concrete, by coating the surface of the original coarse aggregate with surface-modification material, can help suppress the occurrence of microcracks and improve the mechanical performance of the aggregate. Also, the use of low-quality recycled coarse aggregates, the surfaces of which were modified using inorganic materials, resulted in improved strength, permeability, and durability of concrete. These results are thought to be due to the enhanced adhesion between the recycled coarse aggregates and the cement matrix, which resulted from the improved ITZ in the interface between a coarse aggregate and the cement matrix.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2017

The seismic performance of steel beam to concrete-encased composite column with unsymmetrical steel section joints is investigated and reported within this paper. Experimental and analytical evaluation were conducted on a total of 8 specimens with T-shaped and L-shaped steel section under lateral cyclic loading and axial compression. The test parameters included concrete strength, stirrup ratio and axial compression ratio. The response of the specimens was presented in terms of their hysterisis loop behavior, stress distribution, joint shear strength, and performance degradation. The experiment indicated good structural behavior and good seismic performance. In addition, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element analysis simulating was conducted to simulate their seismic behaviors. The finite-element analysis incorporated both bond-slip relationship and crack interface interaction between steel and concrete. The results were also compared with the test data, and the analytical prediction of joint shear strength was satisfactory for both joints with T-shaped and L-shaped steel section columns. The steel beam to concrete-encased composite column with unsymmetrical steel section joints can develop stable hysteretic response and large energy absorption capacity by providing enough stirrups and decreased spacing of transverse ties in column.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.1083-1104
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• 2015

This paper provides the results of an experimental investigation into the flexural behavior of continuous two-span unbonded post-tensioned high strength concrete (HSC) beams, strengthened by end-anchored CFRP laminates of different configurations in the hogging region. Implementing two different configurations of end-anchorage systems consisting of steel plates and bolts and carefully monitoring the development of strains throughout the load history using sufficiently large number of strain gauges, the response of beams including the observed crack propagations, beam deflection, modes of failure, capacity enhancement at service and ultimate and the amount of moment redistribution are measured, presented and discussed. The study is appropriate in the sense that it covers the more commonly occurring two span beams instead of the simply supported beams investigated by others. The experiments reconfirmed the finding of others that proper installation of composite strengthening system is most important in the quality of the bond which is essential for the internal transfer of forces. It was also found that for the tested two span continuous beams, the capacity enhancement is more pronounced at the serviceability level than the ultimate. This is an important finding as the design of these beams is mostly governed by the serviceability limit state signifying the appropriateness of the suggested strengthening method. The paper provides quantitative data on the amount of this capacity enhancement.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.397-400
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• 2009

Ozone caused the crack on the surface of a rubber article by oxidation of double bond at room temperature. Wax migrates to the surface of a rubber article and makes a physical barrier to prevent process of ozonation. We investigated change of molecular weight distribution of waxes in unfilled NR, SBR, and BR vulcanizates before and after aging at room temperature for 6 months. Migration and evaporation behaviors of wax in a rubber article at ambient conditions help understand a role of wax as an antidegradant and appearance contamination of a rubber article. The relative intensity distribution of n-alkanes of the NR specimen after the aging was shifted to higher molecular weight compared with the relative intensity distribution before the aging, while those of the SBR specimen before and after the aging did not show a big difference.