• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.207-215
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• 2020

This paper describes the experimental studies carried out to determine the properties of fresh and hardened concrete with Recycled Plastic Waste (RPW) as a partial replacement material for fine aggregates. In the experimental study, RPW was used for replacing river sand and manufactured sand (M sand) aggregates in concrete. The replacement level of fine aggregates was ranging from 5% to 20% by volume with an increment of 5%. M40 grade of concrete with water cement ratio of 0.40 was used in this study. Two different types of RPW were used, and they are (i) un-activated RPW and (ii) activated RPW. The activated RPW was obtained by alkali activation of un-activated RPW using NaOH solution. The hardened properties of the concrete determined were dry density, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). The properties of the concrete with river sand, M sand, activated RPW and un-activated RPW were compared and inferences were drawn. The effect of activation using NaOH solution was investigated using FT-IR study. The micro structural examination of hardened concrete was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The test results show that the strength of concrete with activated RPW was more than that of un-activated RPW. From the results, it is evident that it is feasible to use 5% un-activated RPW and 15% activated RPW as fine aggregates for making concrete without affecting the strength properties.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.455-466
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• 2020

This paper presents analysis of the interaction between tunnel and Qanat with a particular interest for the optimization of Qanat shape using the discrete element code, PFC2D, and the results will be compared with the FEM results of PLAXIS2D. For these concerns, using software PFC2D based on Discrete Element Method (DEM), a model with dimension of 100m ^⁎ 100 m was prepared. A circular tunnel with dimension of 9 m was situated 20 m below the ground surface. Also one Qanat was situated perpendicularly above the tunnel roof. Distance between Qanat center and ground surface was 8 m. Five different shapes for Qanat were selected i.e., square, semi-circular, vertical ellipse, circular and horizontal ellipse. Confining pressure of 5 MPa was applied to the model. The vertical displacement of balls situated in ground surface was picked up to measure the ground subsidence. Also two measuring circles were situated at the tunnel roof and at the Qanat roof to check the vertical displacements. The properties of the alluvial soil of Tehran city are: γ_dry=19 (KN/㎥), E= 750 (kg/㎠), ν=0.35, c=0.3(kg/㎠), φ=34°. In order to validate the DEM results, a comparison between the numerical results (obtained in this study) and analytical and field monitoring have been done. The PFC2D results are compared with the FEM results. The results shows that when Qanat has rectangular shape, the tensile stress concentration at the Qanat corners has maximum value while it has minimum value for vertical ellipse shape. The ground subsidence for Qanat rectangular shape has maximum value while it has minimum value for ellipse shape of Qanat. The vertical displacements at the tunnel roof for Qanat rectangular shape has maximum value while it has minimum value for ellipse shape of Qanat. Historical shape of Qante approved the finding of this research.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• 제2권3호
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• pp.225-240
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• 2017

This paper presents the application of multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques for developing the models to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) of the fiber reinforced cement stabilized fly ash mixes. UCS and BTS is a highly nonlinear function of its constituents, thereby, making its modeling and prediction a difficult task. To establish relationship between the independent and dependent variables, a computational technique like ANN is employed which provides an efficient and easy approach to model the complex and nonlinear relationship. The data generated in the laboratory through systematic experimental programme for evaluating UCS and BTS of fiber reinforced cement fly ash mixes with respect to 7, 14 and 28 days' curing is used for development of the MLR and ANN model. The data used in the models is arranged in the format of four input parameters that cover the contents of cement and fibers along with maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture contents (OMC), respectively and one dependent variable as unconfined compressive as well as Brazilian tensile strength. ANN models are trained and tested for various combinations of input and output data sets. Performance of networks is checked with the statistical error criteria of correlation coefficient (R), mean square error (MSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). It is observed that the ANN model predicts both, the unconfined compressive and Brazilian tensile, strength quite well in the form of R, RMSE and MAE. This study shows that as an alternative to classical modeling techniques, ANN approach can be used accurately for predicting the unconfined compressive strength and Brazilian tensile strength of fiber reinforced cement stabilized fly ash mixes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

With the increasing number of underground projects, the problem of rock-water coupling catastrophe has increasingly become the focus of safety. Grouting reinforcement is gradually applied in subway, tunnel, bridge reinforcement, coal mine floor and other construction projects. At present, cement-based grouting materials are easy to shrink and have low strength after solidification. In order to overcome the special problems of high water pressure and high in-situ stress in deep part and improve the reinforcement effect. In view of the mining conditions of deep surrounding rock, a new type of cement-based reinforcement material was developed. We analyses the principle and main indexes of floor strengthening, and tests and optimizes the indexes and proportions of the two materials through laboratory tests. Then, observes and compares the microstructures of the optimized floor strengthening materials with those of the traditional strengthening materials through scanning electron microscopy. The test results show that 42.5 Portland cement-based grouting reinforcement material has the advantages of slight expansion, anti-dry-shrinkage, high compressive strength and high density when the water-cement ratio is 0.4, the content of bentonite is 4%, and the content of Nano Silica is 2.5%. The reinforcement effect is better than other traditional grouting reinforcement materials.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권5호
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• pp.449-457
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• 2020

The influence of subsequent curing on the performance of fly ash contained mortar under steam curing was studied. Mortar samples incorporated with different content (0%, 20%, 50% and 70%) of Class F fly ash under five typical subsequent curing conditions, including standard curing (ZS), water curing(ZW) under 25℃, oven-dry curing (ZD) under 60℃, frozen curing (ZF) under -10℃, and nature curing (ZN) exposed to outdoor environment were implemented. The unsteady chloride diffusion coefficient was measured by rapid chloride migration test (RCM) to analyze the influence of subsequent curing condition on the resistance to chloride penetration of fly ash contained mortar under steam curing. The compressive strength was measured to analyze the mechanical properties. Furthermore, the open porosity, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were examined to investigate the pore characteristics and phase composition of mortar. The results indicate that the resistance to chloride ingress and compressive strength of steam-cured mortar decline with the increase of fly ash incorporated, regardless of the subsequent curing condition. Compared to ZS, ZD and ZF lead to poor resistance to chloride penetration, while ZW and ZN show better performance. Interestingly, under different fly ash contents, the declining order of compressive strength remains ZS>ZW>ZN>ZD>ZF. When the fly ash content is blow 50%, the open porosity grows with increase of fly ash, regardless of the curing conditions are diverse. However, if the replacement amount of fly ash exceeds a certain high proportion (70%), the value of open porosity tends to decrease. Moreover, the main phase composition of the mortar hydration products is similar under different curing conditions, but the declining order of the C-S-H gels and ettringite content is ZS>ZD>ZF. The addition of fly ash could increase the amount of harmless pores at early age.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.147-162
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• 2020

This paper presents a novel precast energy dissipation shear wall (PEDSW) structure system that using mild steel dampers as dry connectors at the vertical joints to connect adjacent wall panels. Analytical studies are systematically conducted to investigate the seismic performance of the proposed PEDSW under sequence-type ground motions. During earthquake events, earthquake sequences have the potential to cause severe damage to structures and threaten life safety. To date, the damage probability of engineering structures under earthquake sequence has not been included in structural design codes. In this study, numerical simulations on single-story PEDSW are carried out to validate the feasibility and reliability of using mild steel dampers to connect the precast shear walls. The seismic responses of the PEDSW and cast-in-place shear wall (CIPSW) are comparatively studied based on nonlinear time-history analyses, and the effectiveness of the proposed high-rise PEDSW is demonstrated. Next, the foreshock-mainshock-aftershock type earthquake sequences are constructed, and the seismic response and fragility curves of the PEDSW under single mainshock and earthquake sequences are analyzed and compared. Finally, the fragility analysis of PEDSW structure under earthquake sequences is performed. The influences of scaling factor of the aftershocks (foreshocks) to the mainshocks on the fragility of the PEDSW structure under different damage states are investigated. The numerical results reveal that neglecting the effect of earthquake sequence can lead to underestimated seismic responses and fragilities, which may result in unsafe design schemes of PEDSW structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.589-603
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• 2020

This paper presents an investigation of the thermal performance of composite floor slabs with profiled steel decking exposed to fire effects from floor. A detailed finite-element model has been developed by representing the concrete slab with steel decking under of it and steel beam both steel parts protected by intumescent coating. Although this type of floor systems offers a better fire resistance, passive fire protection materials should be applied when a higher fire resistance is desired. Moreover, fire exposed side is so crucial for composite slab systems as the total fire behaviour of the floor system changes dramatically. When the fire attack from steel parts, the temperature rises rapidly resulting in a sudden decrease on the strength of the beam and decking. Herein this paper, the fire attack side is assumed from the face of the concrete floor (top of the concrete assembly). Therefore, the heat is transferred through concrete to the steel decking and reaching finally to the steel beam both protected by intumescent coating. In this work, the numerical model has been established to predict the heat transfer performance including material properties such as thermal conductivity, specific heat and dry film thickness of intumescent coating. The developed numerical model has been divided into different layers to understand the sensitivity of steel temperature to the number of layers of intumescent coating. Results show that the protected composite floors offer a higher fire resistance as the temperature of the steel section remains below 60℃ even after 60-minute Standard (ISO) fire and Fast fire exposure. Obtaining lower temperatures in steel due to the great fire performance of the concrete itself results in lesser reductions of strength and stiffness hence, lesser deflections.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.307-314
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• 2018

Strength of loess that experienced cyclic freeze and thaw is of great significance for evaluating stability of slopes and foundations in loess regions. This paper takes the frequently encountered loess in the Northwestern China as the study object and carried out three kinds of laboratory tests including freeze-thaw test, direct shear test and SEM test to investigate the strength behaviors of loess after cyclic freeze and thaw, and the correlation with meso-level changes in soil structure. Results show that for loess specimens at four dry densities, the cohesion decreases with freeze-thaw cycles until a residual value is reached and thus an exponential equation is proposed. Besides, little change in the angle of internal friction was observed as freeze-thaw proceeds. This may depend on the varying of soil structure, based on which a clue can be found from the surface morphology and mesoscopic scanning of loess specimens. Clearly we observed significant changes in surface morphology of loess and it tends to aggravate at higher water contents or more cycles of freeze and thaw. Moreover, freeze-thaw cycling leads to obvious changes in the meso-structure of loess including lowering the particle aggregates and increasing both the proportion of fine particles and porosity area ratio. A damage variable dependent on the ratio of porosity area is introduced based on the continuum damage mechanics and its correlation with cohesion is discussed.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.50-56
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• 2020

Ceramic tile is widely used as a floor or interior decoration of buildings. The main processes are raw material blending, molding, drying, firing, etc., and since dimensional and quality stability are very important, they are generally molded by a dry press method. In ceramic tile molds, there is a liner that can be easily replaced in case of wear. The liner is constantly abrasion due to a continuous pressing process during tile forming, and it is required to be replaced every certain period. Even in the liner, use a wear-resistant fitting material only in areas where wear is concentrated. However, there was a risk that the fitting material was applied to large-sized tile molding due to problems such as damage to the molding machine and decrease in productivity when detached during the actual tile molding process due to weak fitting strength with the liner. Therefore, in this study, thermal-structural analysis for fitting tolerance analysis and structural analysis for fitting force analysis were performed for the shrink fit process of the fitting material.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.839-856
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• 2012

To enable remodeling of the exterior of buildings more convenient, such finishing materials as curtain walls, metal panels, concrete panels or dry stones need to be easily detached. In this respect, this study proposed a new design of the slab for the purposes. In the new design, the sides of the slab were properly modified, and the capabilities of anchors fixed in the modified slab were experimentally tested. In details, a number of concrete specimens with different sizes and compressive strengths were prepared, and the effect of anchors with different diameters and embedment depths applied in the concrete specimens were tested. The test results of the maximum capacities of the anchors were compared with the number of current design codes and the stress distribution was identified. This study found that the embedment depth specified in the current design code (ACI318-08) should be revised to be more than 1.5 times the edge distance. However, with the steel sheet reinforcement, the experiment acquired higher tensile strength than the design code proposed. In addition, for two types of specimens in the tensile strength experiment, the current design code (ACI 318-08) is overestimated for the anchor depth of 75 mm. This study demonstrated that the ideal breakout failure was attainable for the side slot details of a slab with more than 180 mm of a slab thickness and less than 75 mm of an anchor embedment depth. It is expected that these details of the modified slab can be specified in the upgraded construction design codes.