• Advances in materials Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.83-103
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• 2018

In this paper, the problem of interfacial stresses in damaged reinforced concrete beams strengthened with bonded prestressed functionally graded material plate and subjected to a uniformly distributed load, arbitrarily positioned single point load, or two symmetric point loads is developed using linear elastic theory. The adopted model takes into account the adherend shear deformations by assuming a linear shear stress through the depth of the damaged RC beam. This solution is intended for application to beams made of all kinds of materials bonded with a thin FGM plate. The results show that there exists a high concentration of both shear and normal stress at the ends of the functionally graded material plate, which might result in premature failure of the strengthening scheme at these locations. Finally, numerical comparisons between the existing solutions and the present new solution enable a clear appreciation of the effects of various parameters of the beams on the distributions of the interfacial stresses.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2022

Major engineering requirements and technological developments in the steel construction industry are discussed to support a new innovative system, namely corrugated web beams, for future structural projections. These new-generation steel beams, fabricated as welded plate girders with corrugated webs, are designed to combine large spans with very low weight. In the present study, the flexural capacity of optimally designed trapezoidal and sinusoidal corrugated web beams was aimed at. For this purpose, the new metaheuristic methods, specifically hunting search and firefly algorithms, were used for the minimum weight design of both beams according to the rules of Eurocode EN 1193 15 and DASt-Ri 015. In addition, the strengthening effects of the corrugation geometry at the web posts on the load capacity of fabricated steel beams were tested in a reaction frame. The experimental tests displayed that the lateral capacity of trapezoidal web beams is more durable under flexural loads compared to sinusoidal web beams. These thin-walled beams were also simulated using a 3-D finite element model with plane strain to validate test results and describe the effectiveness of the ABAQUS software.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2023

Organic clays are ideal habitat for flora and fauna. From a geotechnical perspective, organic clays are soft, weak, variable, heterogeneous and flocculated. Portland cement is a universally common stabiliser. However, some organic acids in soil inhibit full hydration and expose cementation products to rapid dissolution. This paper investigates scopes for use of C₃S cement to enable durable cementation. Prospects of using PP fibre alongside with C₃S cement, scopes for partial replacement of C₃S cement with a plant-based nanosilica and evolution of binders are then investigated. Binding mixtures here mimic the natural functions of rhizoliths, amorphous phases, and calcites. Testing sample population include natural and fibre-reinforced clays, compact mixes of clay - C₃S cement, clay - nanobiosilica, and clay, C₃S cement and nanobiosilica. Benefits and constraints of C₃S cement and fibres for retaining the naturally flocculated structure of organic clays are discussed. Nanobiosilica provides an opportunity to cut the C₃S content, and to transition of highly compressive organic clays into an engineered, open-structured medium with >0.5 MPa compressive strength across the strains spanning from peak to 1.5-times peak.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.131-143
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• 2023

The CFRP bar was used to achieve more ductile and durable headed-stud shear connectors in composite components. Three series of push-out tests were firstly conducted, including specimens reinforced with pure steel fibers, steel and CFRP bars. The distributed stress was measured by the commercial PPP-BOTDA (Pre-Pump-Pulse Brillouin optical time domain analysis) optical fiber sensor with high spatial resolution. A series of numerical analyses using non-linear FE models were also made to study the shear force transfer mechanism and crack response based on the test results. Test results show that the CFRP bar increases the shear strength and stiffness of the large diameter headed-stud shear connection, and it has equivalent reinforcing effects on the stud shear capacity as the commonly used steel bar. The embedded CFRP bar can also largely improve the shear force transfer mechanism and decrease the tensile stress in the transverse direction. The parametric study shows that low content steel fibers could delay the crack initiation of slab around the large diameter stud, and the CFRP bar with normal elastic modulus and the standard reinforcement ratio has good resistance to splitting crack growth in headed stud shear connectors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.6
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• pp.583-588
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• 2023

Total hip replacement is a crucial intervention for patients with fractured hips who face challenges in natural recovery. The design of durable prostheses requires a comprehensive understanding of the natural processes occurring in bone. This article focuses on static loading analysis, specifically during stumbling activity, aiming to enhance the longevity of prosthetic implants. Three distinct implants, Charnley, Osteal, and Thompson, were selected for a detailed study to determine the most appropriate model. The results revealed critical insights into the distribution of Von Mises stresses on the components of femoral arthroplasty, including the cement, implant, and cortical bone. Furthermore, the examination of shear stress within the cement emerged as a pivotal aspect for all three implants, playing a crucial role in evaluating the performance and durability of hip prostheses. The conclusions drawn from this study strongly suggest that the Thompson model stands out as the most suitable choice for hip joint implants.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.345-362
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• 2018

In this paper, mechanical and short-term durability properties of fly ash and slag based geopolymer concretes (FAGPC-SGPC) were investigated. The alkaline solution was prepared with a mixture of sodium silicate solution ($Na_2SiO_3$) and sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) for geopolymer concretes. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete was also produced for comparison. Main objective of the study was to examine the usability of geopolymer concretes instead of the ordinary Portland cement concrete for structural use. In addition to this, this study was aimed to make a contribution to standardization process of the geopolymer concretes in the construction industry. For this purpose; SGPC, FAGPC and OPC specimens were exposed to sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$), magnesium sulfate ($MgSO_4$) and sea water (NaCl) solutions with concentrations of 5%, 5% and 3.5%, respectively. Visual inspection and weight change of the specimens were evaluated in terms of durability aspects. For the mechanical aspects; compression, splitting tensile and flexural strength tests were conducted before and after the chemical attacks to investigate the residual mechanical strengths of geopolymer concretes under chemical attacks. Results indicated that SGPC (100% slag) is stronger and durable than the FAGPC due to more stable and strong cross-linked alumina-silicate polymer structure. In addition, FAGPC specimens (100% fly ash) showed better durability resistance than the OPC specimens. However, FAGPC specimens (100% fly ash) demonstrated lower mechanical performance as compared to OPC specimens due to low reactivity of fly ash particles, low amount of calcium and more porous structure. Among the chemical environments, sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$) was most dangerous environment for all concrete types.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.993-1014
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• 2014

In civil engineering, revolving structures (RS) are a unique structural form applied in innovative architecture design. Such structures are able to revolve around themselves or along a certain track. However, few studies are dedicated to safety design or health monitoring of RS. In this paper, a wireless dynamic sensing system is developed for RS, and field tests toward a large revolving auditorium are conducted accordingly. At first, a wheel-rail problem is proposed: The internal force redistributes in RS, which is due to wheel-rail irregularity. Then the development of the sensing system for RS is presented. It includes system architecture, network organization, vibrating wire sensor (VWS) nodes and online remote control. To keep the sensor network identifiable during revolving, the addresses of sensor nodes are reassigned dynamically when RS position changes. At last, the system is mounted on a huge outdoor revolving auditorium. Considering the influence of the proposed problem, the RS of the auditorium has been designed conservatively. Two field tests are conducted via the sensing system. In the first test, 2000 people are invited to act as the live load. During the revolving process, data is collected from RS in three different load cases. The other test is the online monitoring for the auditorium during the official performances. In the end, the field-testing result verifies the existence of the wheel-rail problem. The result also indicates the dynamic sensing system is applicable and durable even while RS is rotating.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2018

This study presents a new beam-column model comprising material nonlinearity and joint flexibility to predict the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete structures. The nonlinear behavior of connections has an outstanding role on the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete structures. In presented research, the joint flexibility is considered applying a rotational spring at each end of the member. To derive the moment-rotation behavior of beam-column connections, the relative rotations produced by the relative slip of flexural reinforcement in the joint and the flexural cracking of the beam end are taken into consideration. Furthermore, the considered spread plasticity model, unlike the previous models that have been developed based on the linear moment distribution subjected to lateral loads includes both lateral and gravity load effects, simultaneously. To confirm the accuracy of the proposed methodology, a simply-supported test beam and three reinforced concrete frames are considered. Pushover and nonlinear dynamic analysis of three numerical examples are performed. In these examples the nonlinear behavior of connections and the material nonlinearity using the proposed methodology and also linear flexibility model with different number of elements for each member and fiber based distributed plasticity model with different number of integration points are simulated. Comparing the results of the proposed methodology with those of the aforementioned models describes that suggested model that only uses one element for each member can appropriately estimate the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete structures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.357-369
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• 1989

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment temperature and time on the, of easy-care and strength properties of the wet fixation processed rayon fabrics. Viscose rayon fabrics were treated with mixed resins of melamine formaldehyde (MF) and DMDHEU by one bath and two bath wet fixation processes. The MF/DMDHEU mixed resin concentrations were 50/100, 50/150, 100/100 and 100/150(g/1). Magnasium chloride was used as a catalyst. The wet fixation conditions were 24hrs at room temperature,20 mins at $75^{\circ}C$ and 5 mins at $105^{\circ}C$ Wet fixation processed fabrics did not show the difference in the resin add-one, DP ratings and wrinkle recovery angles by the different treatment temperatures and times. DP ratings were in the order of $105^{\circ}C>75^{\circ}C>room$ temp, in one bath and two bath wet fixation. Breaking and tearing strength of one bath processed fabrics showed in the order of $75^{\circ}C>room\;temp>105^{\circ}C$ The breaking strength of two bath processed fabrics showed in the order of $105^{\circ}C>75^{\circ}C>room$ temp. Tearing strength showed in the order of $75^{\circ}c>105^{\circ}C>room$ temp. Abrasion resistances were in the order of $75^{\circ}C>105^{\circ}C>room$ temp. in one bath and two bath processes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.243-257
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• 2017

Investigating the properties and durability of high-strength concrete exposed to sulfuric acid attack for the purpose of its application in structures exposed to this acid is of outmost importance. In this research, the resistance and durability of high-strength concrete containing macro-polymeric or steel fibers together with the pozzolans of silica fume or nano-silica against sulfuric acid attack are explored. To accomplish this goal, in total, 108 high-strength concrete specimens were made with 9 different mix designs containing macro-polymeric and steel fibers at the volume fractions of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0%, as well as the pozzolans of silica fume and nano-silica with the replacement levels of 10 and 2%, respectively. After placing the specimens inside a 5% sulfuric acid solution in the periods of 7, 21, and 63 days of immersion, the effect of adding the fibers and pozzolans on the compressive properties, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and weight loss of high-strength concrete was investigated and the respective results were compared with those of the reference specimens. The obtained results suggest the dependency of the resistance and durability loss of high-strength concrete against sulfuric acid attack to the properties of fibers as well as their fraction in concrete volume. Moreover, compared with using nano-silica, using silica fume in the fibrous concrete mix leads to more durable specimens against sulfuric acid attack. Finally, an optimum solution for the design parameters where the crushing load of high-strength fibrous concrete is maximized was found using response surface method (RSM).