• Computers and Concrete
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.87-98
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• 2017

In recent year, the coat layer drops and the rebar rust of bridge parapets, which caused the structural performance degradation. In order to achieve the comprehensive rehabilitation, ultra high performance cementitious composites is proposed to existing RC parapet rehabilitation. The influence factors of UHPCC rehabilitation includes two parts, i.e., internal factors related with material, such as UHPCC layer thickness, corrosion ratio of rebars, fiber volume fraction, and external factors related with the load, such as impact speeds, impact angles, vehicle mass. The influence of the factors was analyzed in this paper based on the nonlinear finite element. The analysis results of the maximum dynamic deformation and the peak impact load of parapets revealed the influence of the internal factors and the external factors on anti-collision performance and degree degradation. This research may provide a reference for the comprehensive multifunctional rehabilitation of existing bridge parapets.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.33-39
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• 2017

In this study, two types of aggregate were used for making self-compacting concrete. Standard cubic specimens were exposed to different temperatures. Seventy-two standard cylindrical specimens ($150{\times}300mm$) and Seventy-two cubic specimens (150 mm) were tested. Compressive strengths of the manufactured specimens at $23^{\circ}C$ were about 33 MPa to 40 MPa. The variable parameters among the self-compacting concrete specimens were of sand stone type. The specimens were exposed to 23, 100, 200, 400, 600, and $800^{\circ}C$ and their mechanical specifications were controlled. The heated specimens were subjected to the unconfined compression test with a quasi-static loading rate. The corresponding stress-strain curves and modulus of elasticity were compared. The results showed that, at higher temperatures, Scoria aggregate showed less sensitivity than ordinary aggregate. The concrete made with Scoria aggregate exhibited less strain. The heated self-compacting concrete had similar slopes before and after the peak. In fact, increasing heat produced gradual symmetrical stress-strain diagram span.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.41-49
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• 2017

The use of external carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) wraps is one of the most effective techniques existing for the confinement of the circular concrete columns. Currently, several researches have been made to develop models for predicting the behavior of this type of confinement. The disadvantage of the most models, is to not take into account the contribution of the transverse steel reinforcements (TSR) effect, However, very limited models have been recently developed that considers this combined effect and gives less accurate results. This paper presents the development of a new model for the axial behavior of circular concrete columns confined by combining external CFRP warps-and-internal TSR (hoops or spirals) based on the existing experimental data. The comparison between the proposed model and the experimental results showed good agreement comparing to the several existing models. Moreover, the expressions of estimating the ultimate strength and the corresponding strain are simple and precise, which make it easy to use in the design applications.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.99-112
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• 2016

Since the preservation of monuments is very important to human societies, different methods are required to preserve historic structures. In this paper, 3D model of arch stone bridge at Pont Saint Martin, Aosta, Italy, was simulated by 1660 integrated separate stones using ABAQUS$^{(R)}$ software to investigate the seismic susceptibility of the bridge. The main objective of this research was to study a method of preservation of the historical stone bridge against possible earthquakes using FRP techniques. The nonlinear behavior model of materials used theory of plasticity based on Drucker-Prager yield criterion. Then, contact behavior between the block and mortar was modeled. Also, Seismosignal software was used to collect data related to 1976 Friuli Earthquake Italy, which constitutes a real seismic loading. The results show that, retrofitting of the arch stone bridge using FRP techniques decreased displacement of stones of spandrel walls, which prevents the collapse of stones.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.69-97
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• 2016

Performance-based remaining life assessment of reinforced concrete bridge girders, subject to chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement, is addressed in this paper. Towards this, a methodology that takes into consideration the human judgmental aspects in expert decision making regarding condition state assessment is proposed. The condition of the bridge girder is specified by the assignment of a condition state from a set of predefined condition states, considering both serviceability- and ultimate- limit states, and, the performance of the bridge girder is described using performability measure. A non-homogeneous Markov chain is used for modelling the stochastic evolution of condition state of the bridge girder with time. The thinking process of the expert in condition state assessment is modelled within a probabilistic framework using Brunswikian theory and probabilistic mental models. The remaining life is determined as the time over which the performance of the girder is above the required performance level. The usefulness of the methodology is illustrated through the remaining life assessment of a reinforced concrete T-beam bridge girder.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.139-154
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• 2016

Since the concrete strength around the reinforcement rebar affects the tension stiffening, the tension stiffening effect of ultra high performance concrete on the concrete members reinforced by steel rebar is examined by testing the specimens with circular cross section with the length 850 mm reinforced by a steel rebar at the center of a specimen's cross section in this research. Conducting a tensile test on the specimens, the cracking behavior is evaluated and a curve with an exponential descending branch is obtained to explain the post-cracking zone. In addition, this paper proposes an equation for this branch and parameters of equation is obtained based on the ratio of cover thickness to rebar diameter (c/d) and reinforcement percentage (${\rho}$).

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.87-106
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• 2016

This paper deals with the reliability analysis of design formulations derived for predicting the punching shear capacity of FRP-reinforced two-way slabs. Firstly, a new design code formulation was derived by means of gene expression programming. This formulation differs from the existing ones as the slab length (L) was introduced in the equation. Next, the proposed formulation was tested for its generalization capability by a parametric study. Then, the stochastic analyses of derived and existing formulations were performed by Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, the reliability analyses of these equations were carried out based on the results of stochastic analysis and the ultimate state function of ASCE-7 and ACI-318 (2011). The results indicate that the prediction performance of new formulation is significantly higher as compared to available design equations and its reliability index is within acceptable limits.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.67-86
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• 2016

Strengthening as well as correcting unsightly deflections of reinforced concrete (RC) beam may be accomplished by retrofitting. An innovative way to do this retrofitting that is proposed in this study utilizes turnbuckle to apply external post-tensioning. This Turnbuckle External Post-Tensioning (T-EPT) was experimentally proven to improve the serviceability and load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete beams. The T-EPT system comprises a braced steel frame and a turnbuckle mechanism to provide the prestressing force. To further develop the T-EPT, this research aims to develop a numerical scheme to analyze the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams with this kind of retrofitting. The fiber method analysis was used as the numerical scheme. The fiber method is a simplified finite element method that is used in this study to predict the elastic and inelastic behavior of a reinforced concrete beam. With this, parametric study was conducted so that the effective setup of doing the T-EPT retrofitting may be determined. Different T-EPT configurations were investigated and their effectiveness evaluated. Overall, the T-EPT was effective in improving the serviceability condition and load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete beam.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2020

The premise for the study reflected in this article is the need to dispose of industrial waste, which is increasingly being used in the construction materials industry. Also, dynamically developing building industry demands attention of scientists and a direction of their works on improvement of the technology of carrying out construction works. Thus, the article is devoted to studying the influence of various chemical additives and fine fillers (industrial wastes) available in Kazakhstan on self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures and its rheological, physical, and technical properties. According to the studies, revealed the most efficient type of fine-dispersed filler and the most optimal type of chemical additive to enable obtaining a high-quality SCC mixture based on local raw materials. As a result, the use of microsilica in comparison with other industrial wastes resulted in a conglomerate with high compressive strength of SCC at early terms of curing. In terms of economic efficiency and quality improvement, the results of study are of practical value for the manufacturers of ready-mixed concrete operating in Kazakhstan.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.111-123
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• 2011

Severe element distortion problem is observed in finite element mesh while performing numerical simulations of high velocity steel projectiles penetration/perforation of concrete targets using finite element method (FEM). This problem of element distortion in Lagrangian formulation of FEM can be resolved by using element erosion methodology. Element erosion approach is applied in the finite element program by defining failure parameters as a condition for element elimination. In this study strain parameters for both compression and tension at failure are used as failure criteria. Since no direct method exists to determine these values, a calibration approach is used to establish suitable failure strain values while performing numerical simulations of ogive-nose steel projectile penetration/perforation into concrete target. A range of erosion parameters is suggested and adopted in concrete penetration/perforation tests to validate the suggested values. Good agreement between the numerical and field data is observed.