• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.217-229
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• 2024

This paper presents results of visual analysis of cracks formation and propagation of concretes made of quaternary binders (QBC). A composition of the two most commonly used mineral additives, i.e. fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) in combination with nanosilica (nS), has been proposed as a partial replacement of the cement. The principal objective of the present study is to achieve information about the effect of simultaneous incorporation of three pozzolans as partial replacement to the OPC on the fracture processes in concretes made from quaternary binders (QBC). The modern and precise non-contact measurement method (NCMM) via digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used, during the studies. In the course of experiments it was established that the substitution of OPC with three pozzolans including the nanoadditive in FA+SF+nS FA+SF+nS combination causes a clear change of brittleness and behavior during fractures in QBCs. It was found that the shape of cracks in unmodified concrete was quasi-linear. Substitution of the binder by SCMs resulted in a slight heterogeneity of the structure of the QBC, including only SF and nS, and clear heterogeneity for concretes with the FA additive. In addition, as content of FA rises throughout each of QBC series, material becomes more ductile and shows less brittle failure. It means that an increase in the FA content in the concrete mix causes a significant change in fracture process in this composite in comparison to concrete with the addition of silica modifiers only.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.213-229
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• 2013

Although performance based assessment procedures are mainly developed for reinforced concrete and steel buildings, URM (Unreinforced Masonry) buildings occupy significant portion of buildings in earthquake prone areas of the world as well as in IRAN. Variability of material properties, non-engineered nature of the construction and difficulties in structural analysis of masonry walls make analysis of URM buildings challenging. Despite sophisticated finite element models satisfy the modeling requirements, extensive experimental data for definition of material behavior and high computational resources are needed. Recently, nonlinear equivalent frame models which are developed assigning lumped plastic hinges to isotropic and homogenous equivalent frame elements are used for nonlinear modeling of URM buildings. The equivalent frame models are not novel for the analysis of masonry structures, but the actual potentialities have not yet been completely studied, particularly for non-linear applications. In the present paper an effective tool for the non-linear static analysis of 2D masonry walls is presented. The work presented in this study is about performance assessment of unreinforced brick masonry buildings through nonlinear equivalent frame modeling technique. Reliability of the proposed models is tested with a reversed cyclic experiment conducted on a full scale, two-story URM building at the University of Pavia. The pushover curves were found to provide good agreement with the experimental backbone curves. Furthermore, the results of analysis show that EFM (Equivalent Frame Model) with Dolce RO (rigid offset zone) and shell element have good agreement with finite element software and experimental results.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2022

In this paper, the non-linear mathematical problem is solved via numerical scheme by utilizing shooting method. Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis along mass and heat transfer are accounted for. Non-linear expression is reduced via non-dimensional variables. The simplified ordinary differential equations are tackled by shooting technique. Behavior of distinct influential parameters is investigated graphically and analyzed for temperature and concentration profile. Our finding indicates that temperature profile is enhanced for the thermophoresis, Brownian motion coefficient, Prandtl number, Eckert number and temperature slip parameter. Comparison of numerical technique with the extant literature is made and an acceptable agreement is attained. Graphs are plotted to examine the influence of these parameters.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

In this paper, non-linear analysis was performed for Reinforced Concrete (RC) walls using different macroscopic models subjected to cyclic loading, and the analytical results were compared with previous experimental studies of RC walls. ASCE41-06 (American Society of Civil Engineers) specifies that the hysteresis behaviors of RC walls are different due to the aspect ratio of the walls. For a comparison between analytical and experimental results, a slender wall with an aspect ratio exceeding 3.0 and a squat wall with an aspect ratio of 1.0 were selected among previous research works. For the non-linear analysis, each test specimen was modeled using two different macroscopic methods: the first representing the flexural behavior of the RC wall, and the second considering the diagonal shear in the web of the wall. Through nonlinear analysis of the considered RC walls, the analytical difference of a slender wall was negligible due to the different macroscopic modeling methods. However, the squat wall was significantly affected by the considered components of the modeling method. For an accurate performance evaluation of the RC building with squat walls, it would be reasonable to use a macroscopic model considering diagonal shear.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.401-409
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• 2020

Artificial neural networks are used as a useful tool in distinct fields of civil engineering these days. In order to control long-term quality of Self-Compacting Semi-Lightweight Concrete (SCSLC), the 90 days compressive strength is considered as a key issue in this paper. In fact, combined artificial neural networks are used to predict the compressive strength of SCSLC at 28 and 90 days. These networks are able to re-establish non-linear and complex relationships straightforwardly. In this study, two types of neural networks, including Radial Basis and Multilayer Perceptron, were used. Four groups of concrete mix designs also were made with two water to cement ratios (W/C) of 0.35 and 0.4, as well as 10% of cement weight was replaced with silica fume in half of the mixes, and different amounts of superplasticizer were used. With the help of rheology test and compressive strength results at 7 and 14 days as inputs, the neural networks were used to estimate the 28 and 90 days compressive strengths of above-mentioned mixes. It was necessary to add the 14 days compressive strength in the input layer to gain acceptable results for 90 days compressive strength. Then proper neural networks were prepared for each mix, following which four existing networks were combined, and the combinatorial neural network model properly predicted the compressive strength of different mix designs.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to predict fracture movements accurately and reliably by nonlinear analysis of the response of RC shear wall or RC flange sections. Hognestad's and Vallenas's theories are used for concrete model and Ramberg-Osgood's theory is used for steel model. Non-linear analysis considering confined concrete and unconfined concrete is performed. Mander's Fiber Approach Section analysis, new strain profile considering the Gamma factor are used to this section analysis. The section analysis considering cases of precracked, uncracked, boundary warping and shear warping is performed.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.411-436
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• 2015

In this work, a comprehensive approach to model the structural behaviour of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams subjected to reinforcement corrosion is proposed. The coupled environmental - mechanical damage model developed by some of the authors is enhanced for considering the main effects of corrosion on concrete, on composite interaction between reinforcement bars and concrete and on steel reinforcement. This approach is adopted for reproducing a set of experimental tests on RC beams with different corrosion degrees. After the simulation of the sound beams, the main parameters involved in the relationships characterizing the effects of corrosion are calibrated and tested, referring to one degraded beam. Then, in order to validate the proposed approach and to assess its ability to predict the structural response of deteriorated elements, several corroded beams are analyzed. The numerical results show a good agreement with the experimental ones: in particular, the proposed model properly predicts the structural response in terms of both failure mode and load-deflection curves, with increasing corrosion level.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.125-142
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• 2017

Extensive research work has been performed on shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in form of strips. However, most of this research work is experimental and very scarce studies are available on numerical modelling of such beams due to truly challenging nature of modelling concrete shear cracking and interfacial interaction between components of such beams. This paper presents an appropriate model for RC beam and to simulate its cracking without numerical computational difficulties, convergence and solution degradation problems. Modelling of steel and CFRP and their interfacial interaction with concrete are discussed. Finally, commercially available non-linear finite element software ABAQUS is used to validate the developed finite element model with key tests performed on full scale T-beams with and without CFRP retrofitting, taken from previous extensive research work. The modelling parameters for bonding behavior of CFRP with special anchors are also proposed. The results presented in this research work illustrate that appropriate modelling of bond behavior of all the three types of interfaces is important in order to correctly simulate the shear behavior of RC beams strengthened with CFRP.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-49
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• 2019

In this study, the shear behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) beams that were retrofitted using precast panels of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is presented. The precast UHPFRC panels were glued to the side surfaces of RC beams using epoxy adhesive in two different configurations: (i) retrofitting two sides, and (ii) retrofitting three sides. Experimental tests on the adhesive bond were conducted to estimate the bond capacity between the UHPFRC and normal concrete. All the specimens were tested in shear under varying levels of shear span-to-depth ratio (a/d=1.0; 1.5). For both types of configuration, the retrofitted specimens exhibited a significant improvement in terms of stiffness, load carrying capacity and failure mode. In addition, the UHPFRC retrofitting panels glued in three-sides shifted the failure from brittle shear to a more ductile flexural failure with enhancing the shear capacity up to 70%. This was more noticeable in beams that were tested with a/d=1.5. An approach for the approximation of the failure capacity of the retrofitted RC beams was evolved using a multi-level regression of the data obtained from the experimental work. The predicted values of strength have been validated by comparing them with the available test data. In addition, a 3-D finite element model (FEM) was developed to estimate the failure load and overall behaviour of the retrofitted beams. The FEM of the retrofitted beams was conducted using the non-linear finite element software ABAQUS.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.677-687
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• 2017

The nonlinear buckling response of nano composite anti-symmetric functionally graded polymeric microplate reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) rested on orthotropic elastomeric foundation with temperature dependent properties is investigated. For the carbon-nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) microplate, a uniform distribution (UD) and four types of functionally graded (FG) distribution are considered. Based on orthotropic Mindlin plate theory, von Karman geometric nonlinearity and Hamilton's principle, the governing equations are derived. Generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is employed to calculate the non-linear buckling response of the plate. Effects of FG distribution type, elastomeric foundation, aspect ratio (thickness to width ratio), boundary condition, orientation of foundation orthotropy and temperature are considered. The results are validated. It is found that the critical buckling load without elastic medium is significantly lower than considering Winkler and Pasternak medium.