• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.143-159
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• 2016

Cargo, such as a Tension Leg Platform (TLP), Semi-submersible platform (Semi), Spar or a circular Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), are frequently dry-transported on a Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV) from the point of construction to the point of installation. The voyage can span months and the overhanging portions of the hull can be subject to frequent wave slamming events in rough weather. Tie-downs or sea-fastening are usually provided to ensure the safety of the cargo during the voyage and to keep the extreme responses of the cargo, primarily for the installed equipment and facilities, within the design limits. The proper design of the tie-down is dependent on the accurate prediction of the wave slamming loads the cargo will experience during the voyage. This is a difficult task and model testing is a widely accepted and adopted method to obtain reliable sea-fastening loads and extreme accelerations. However, it is crucial to realize the difference in the inherent stiffness of the instrument that is used to measure the tri-axial sea fastening loads and the prototype design of the tie-downs. It is practically not possible to scale the tri-axial load measuring instrument stiffness to reflect the real tie-down stiffness during tests. A correlation method is required to systematically and consistently account for the stiffness differences and correct the measured results. Direct application of the measured load tends to be conservative and lead to over-design that can reflect on the overall cost and schedule of the project. The objective here is to employ the established correlation method to provide proper high-frequency responses to topsides and hull design teams. In addition, guidance for optimizing tie-down design to avoid damage to the installed equipment, facilities and structural members can be provided.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.449-468
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• 2015

Current wind-resistance designs of large-scale indirect dry cooling towers (IDCTs) exclude an important factor: the influence of the ventilation rate for radiator shutter on wind loads on the outer surfaces of the tower shell. More seemingly overlooked aspects are the effects of various ventilation rates on the wind pressure distribution on the tower surfaces of two IDCTs, and the feature of the flow field around them. In order to investigate the effects of the radiator shutter ventilation rates on the aerodynamic interference between IDCTs, this paper established the numerical wind tunnel model based on the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) technology, and analyzed the influences of various radiator shutter ventilation rates on the aerodynamic loads acting upon a single and two extra-large IDCTs during building, installation, and operation stages. Through the comparison with the results of physical wind tunnel test and different design codes, the results indicated that: the influence of the ventilation rate on the flow field and shape coefficients on the outer surface of a single IDCT is weak, and the curve of mean shape coefficients is close to the reference curve provided by the current design code. In a two-tower combination, the ventilation rate significantly affects the downwind surface of the front tower and the upwind surface of the back tower, and the larger positive pressure shifts down along the upwind surface of the back tower as the ventilation rate increases. The ventilation rate significantly influences the drag force coefficient of the back tower in a two-tower combination, the drag force coefficient increases with the ventilation rate and reaches the maximum in a building status of full ventilation, and the maximum drag coefficient is 11% greater than that with complete closure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.703-721
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• 2017

The experimental study of the behavior of dry medium and loose sandy soil under the action of a single impulsive load is carried out. Different falling masses from different heights were conducted using the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) to provide the single pulse energy. The responses of soils were evaluated at different locations (vertically below the impact plate and horizontally away from it). These responses include; displacements, velocities, and accelerations that are developed due to the impact acting at top and different depth ratios within the soil using the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) and accelerometers (ARH-500A Waterproof, and Low capacity Acceleration Transducer) that are embedded in the soil and then recorded using the multi-recorder TMR-200. The behavior of medium and loose sandy soil was evaluated with different parameters, these are; footing embedment, depth ratios (D/B), diameter of the impact plate (B), and the applied energy. It was found that increasing footing embedment depth results in: amplitude of the force-time history increases by about 10-30%. due to increase in the degree of confinement with the increasing in the embedment, the displacement response of the soil will decrease by about 25-35% for loose sand, 35-40% for medium sand due to increase in the overburden pressure when the embedment depth increased. For surface foundation, the foundation is free to oscillate in vertical, horizontal and rocking modes. But, when embedding a footing, the surrounding soil restricts oscillation due to confinement which leads to increasing the natural frequency, moreover, soil density increases with depth because of compaction, that is, tendency to behave as a solid medium.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2017

In this study, the strength properties of alkali-activated silica fume (SF) mortars were investigated. The crushed limestone sand with maximum size of 0-5 mm and the sodium meta silicate ($Na_2SiO_3$) used to activate the binders were kept constant in the mortar mixtures. The mortar specimens using the replacement ratios of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% SF by weight of cement together with $Na_2SiO_3$ at a constant rate were produced in addition to the control mortar produced by only cement. Moreover, the mortar specimens using the replacement ratio of 4% titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) by weight of cement in the same mixture proportions were produced. The prismatic specimens produced from eleven different mixtures were de-moulded after a day, and the wet or dry cure was applied on the produced specimens at laboratory condition until the specimens were used for flexural strength ($f_{fs}$) and compressive strength ($f_c$) measurement at the ages of 7, 28 and 56 days. The $f_{fs}$ and $f_c$ values of mortars applied the wet or dry cure were compared with the results of control mortar. The findings revealed that the $f_c$ results of the alkali activated 50% SF mortars were higher than that of mortar produced with Portland cement only. It was found that the $f_{fs}$ and $f_c$ of alkali-activated SF mortars cured in dry condition was averagely 4% lower than that of alkali-activated SF mortars cured in wet condition.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.545-555
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the flexural behavior of precast concrete (PC) wall - steel shoe composite assemblies with various dry connection details at mid-span. Flexural tests were performed for five scenarios. Test parameters included the width of test specimens, arrangement of steel shoe connectors, and use of structural adhesive or waterproof tape at the mid-span joint. The test results showed that the PC wall - steel shoe composite assemblies joined at mid-span showed flexural damage patterns combined with rotational deformation, and the structural performance was satisfactory regardless of the arrangement of steel shoe connectors. Considering the two deformation components (flexural deformation by bending and rotational deformation due to joint opening), a theoretical model was proposed to analyze flexural strength and joint opening, and the simple model gave good predictions with acceptable accuracy.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2014

A study was conducted to determine the phytotoxic effect of mercury on seed germination and seedling growth of an important arid legume tree Albizia lebbeck. The seeds germination and seedling growth performance of A. lebbeck responded differently to mercuric chloride treatment (1 mM, 3 mM, 5 mM and 7 mM) as compared to control. Seed germination of A. lebbeck was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by mercury treatment at 1 mM. Root growth of A. lebbeck was not significantly affected by mercury treatment at 1 mM, and 3 mM. Shoot and root length of A. lebbeck were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by 5 mM concentration of mercury treatment. Increase in concentration of mercury treatment at 5 mM and 7 mM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced seedling dry weight of A. lebbeck. The treatment of mercury at 1 mM decreased high percentage of seed germination (22%), seedling length (10%), root length (21.85%) and seedling dry weight (9%). Highest decrease in seed germination (51%), seedling (34%), root length (48%) and seedling dry weight (41%) of A. lebbeck occurred at 7 mM mercury treatment. A. lebbeck showed high percentage of tolerance (78.14%) to mercury at 1 mM. However, 7 mM concentration of mercury produced lowest percentage of tolerance (51.65%) in A. lebbeck. The seed germination potential and seedling vigor index (SVI) clearly decreased with the higher level of mercury. Plantation of A. lebbeck in mercury-polluted area will help in reducing the burden of mercury pollution. A. lebbeck can serve better in coordinating in land management programs in metal contaminated areas. The identification of the toxic concentration of metals and tolerance indices of A. lebbeck would also be helpful for the establishment of air quality standard.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2019

This paper presents an experimental study to evaluate the effect of palm oil on the selected basic physical-chemical and geotechnical properties of kaolin. The experimental findings are further compared with literature outcomes investigating similar properties of fine grained soils subjected to contamination by different types of oils. To this end, palm oil was mixed with oven dried kaolin samples-aiding oil's interaction (coating) with dry particles first, in anticipation to emphasize the effect of oil on the properties of kaolin, which would be difficult to achieve otherwise. Oil content was limited to 40% by dry weight of kaolin, supplemented at intervals of 10% from clean kaolin samples. Observations highlight physical particle-to-particle bonding resulting in the formation of pseudo-silt sized clusters due to palm oil's interaction as evinced in the particle size distribution and SEM micrographs. These clusters, aided by water repellency property of the oil coating the kaolin particles, was analyzed to show notable variations in kaolin's consistency-measured as liquid and plastic limits. Furthermore, results from compaction tests indicates contribution of oil's viscosity on the compaction behavior of kaolin - showing decrease in the maximum dry unit weight (${\gamma}_{d,max}$) and optimum moisture content ($w_{opt}$) values with increasing oil contents, while their decrease rates were directly and inversely proportional in ${\gamma}_{d,max}$ and $w_{opt}$ values with oil contents respectively. Comparative study in similar terms, also validates this lower and higher decrease rates in ${\gamma}_{d,max}$ and $w_{opt}$ values of the fine grained soils respectively, when subjected to contamination by oil with higher viscosity.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2019

This study was conducted to analyse the application of pollutant build-up model on various urban landuses and to characterize pollutant build-up on urban areas as a source of stormwater runoff pollution. The monitored data from impervious surfaces in urban areas such as commercial (8 sites), industrial (10 sites), road (8 sites), residential (10 sites), recreational (5 sites) from 2008 to 2016 were used for the analysis of pollutant build-up model. Based on the results, the average runoff coefficients vary from 0.35 to 0.61. In all landuses except recreational landuse, the runoff coefficient is 0.5 or more, which is the highest in the commercial area. Commercial landuse where pollutants occur at the highest EMC in all landuse, and it is considered that NPS management is necessary compared with other landuses. The maximum build-up load for organic matter (BOD) was highest in the commercial area ($4.59g/m^2$), and for particular matter (TSS) in the road area ($5.90g/m^2$) while for nutrient (TN and TP) in the residential area ($0.40g/m^2$, $0.14g/m^2$). The rate constants ranged from 0.1 to 1.3 1/day depending on landuse and pollutant parameters, which means that pollutant accumulation occurs between 1 and 10 days during dry day. It is clear that these build-up curves can generally be classified based on landuse. Antecedent dry day (ADD) is a suitable and reasonable variable for developing pollutant build-up functions. The pollutant build-up curves for different landuse shows that these build-up curves can be generally categorized based on landuse.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.139-154
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• 2023

Red-bed soft rock is a common stratum and it is necessary to evaluate the mechanical properties and bearing capacity of red-bed soft rock mass affected by different environmental effects. This paper presents a complete procedure for evaluating the bearing capacity of red-bed soft rock by means of geophysical exploration and in-situ rock mechanics tests. Firstly, the thickness of surface loosened rock mass of red-bed soft rock was determined using geophysical prospecting method. Then, three environmental effects, including natural weathering effect, dry-wet cycling effect and concrete sealing effect, were considered. After each effect lasted for three months, in-situ rock mass mechanical tests were conducted. The test results show that the mechanical properties of rock mass considering the sealing effect of concrete were maintained. After considering the natural weathering effect, the mechanical parameters decrease to a certain extent. After considering the effect of dry-wet cycling, the decreases of mechanical parameters are the most significant. The test results confirm that the red-bed soft rock dam foundation rock mass will be significantly affected by various environmental effects. Therefore, combined with the mechanical test results, some useful implementations are proposed for the construction of a red-bed soft rock dam foundation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.11 no.3 s.25
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• pp.57-65
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• 1987

The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimum treatment [condition for the Durable press finish of viscose rayon fabrics. Three types of commercial N-methylol crosslinking agents were applied to the fabric utilizing the pad-dry-cure technique. Changes in physical properties were evaluated for the various resin and catalyst concentrations. For DMU, the effect of different catalysts, $MgCl_2$ and $NH_4Cl$, were also compared. DMU treated fabrics showed in crease recovery angle, tensile strength and tearing strength but drastic decrease in abrasion resistance. DMDHEU and MDMDHEU treated fabrics were similar in most physical properties. However, DMDHEU treated fabrics were better in crease recovery angle and stiffness, and MDMDHEU treated fabrics were better in tensile strength, tearing strength and abrasion resistance. For a given resin system, crease recovery angle, tensile strength and stiffness increased with a increase in resin concentration. Tearing strength showed very little change, while abrasion resistance was decreased significantly as the crease recovery angle was increased. For the treatment of DMU, $MgCl_2$ catalyst was much better than $NH_4Cl$ in all physical properties. When $NH_4Cl$ catalyst was used, strength reduction and discoloration were observed. As the catalyst concentration increased, crease recovery angle, stiffness were increased. Tensile strength and tearing strength were increcased than control but at high catalyst concentration, the strength were decreased and abrasion resistance was significantly lowered. DMDHEU and MDMDHEU were more sensitive to catalyst concentrations than DMU.