• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.227-248
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• 2004

A combined experimental-computational study of a double edge-notched stone specimen subjected to tensile loading is presented. In the experimental part, the load-deformation response and the displacement field around the crack tip are recorded. An Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) is used to obtain the local displacement field. The experimental results are used to validate a numerical model for the description of fracture using finite elements. The numerical model uses displacement discontinuities to model cracks. At the discontinuity, a plasticity-based cohesive zone model is applied for monotonic loading and a combined damage-plasticity cohesive zone model is used for cyclic loading. Both local and global results from the numerical simulations are compared with experimental data. It is shown that local measurements add important information for the validation of the numerical model. Consequently, the numerical models are enhanced in order to correctly capture the experimentally observed behaviour.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.37-60
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• 2008

Structural health monitoring of existing infrastructure is currently an important field of research, where elaborate experimental programs and advanced analytical methods are used in identifying the current state of health of critical and important structures. The paper outlines two methods of system identification of beam-like reinforced concrete structures representing bridges, through static measurements, in a distributed damage scenario. The first one is similar to the stiffness method, re-cast and the second one to flexibility method. A least square error (LSE) based solution method is used for the estimation of flexural rigidities and damages of simply supported, cantilever and propped cantilever beam from the measured deformation values. The performance of both methods in the presence of measurement errors is demonstrated. An experiment on an un-symmetrically damaged simply supported reinforced concrete beam is used to validate the developed method. A method for damage prognosis is demonstrated using a generalized, indeterminate, propped cantilever beam.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 2008

Digital image processing algorithms for the analysis and characterization of grains and voids in cemented materials were developed using toolbox functions of a mathematical software package. Utilization of grayscale, color and watershed segmentation algorithms and their performances were demonstrated on artificially prepared self-compacting concrete (SCC) samples. It has been found that color segmentation was more advantageous over the gray scale segmentation for the detection of voids whereas the latter method provided satisfying results for the aggregate grains due to the sharp contrast between their colors and the cohesive matrix. The watershed segmentation method, on the other hand, appeared to be very efficient while separating touching objects in digital images.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2018

With the increase in industrialization and urbanization, growing demand has enhanced rate of new constructions and old demolitions. To avoid serious environmental impacts and hazards recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) is being adopted in all over the world. This paper investigates successive recycled coarse aggregates (SRCA) in which old concrete made with RCA in form of concrete cubes was used. The cubes were crushed to prepare new concrete using aggregates from crushing of old concrete, used as SRCA. The mechanical behavior of concrete was determined containing SRCA; the properties of SRCA were evaluated and then compared with natural aggregates (NA). Replacement of NA with SRCA in ratio upto 100% by weight was studied for workability, mechanical properties and microstructural analysis. It was observed that with the increase in replacement ratio workability and compressive strength decreased but in acceptable limits so SRCA can be used in low strength concretes rather than high strength concrete structures.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2018

This paper deals with the stability analysis of concrete pipes mixed with nanoparticles conveying fluid. Instead of cement, the $Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles are used in construction of the concrete pipe. The Navier-Stokes equations are used for obtaining the radial force of the fluid. Mori-Tanaka model is used for calculating the effective material properties of the concrete $pipe-Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles considering the agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used for mathematical modeling of the structure. The motion equations are derived based on energy method and Hamilton's principal. An exact solution is used for stability analysis of the structure. The effects of fluid, volume percent and agglomeration of $Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles, magnetic field and geometrical parameters of pipe are shown on the stability behaviour of system. Results show that considering the agglomeration of $Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles, the critical fluid velocity of the concrete pipe is decreased.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-25
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• 2018

A numerical approach for the evaluation of the flexural response of Steel Fibrous Concrete (SFC) cross-sections with arbitrary geometry, with or without conventional steel longitudinal reinforcing bars is proposed. Resisting bending moment versus curvature curves are calculated using verified non-linear constitutive stress-strain relationships for the SFC under compression and tension which include post-peak and post-cracking softening parts. A new compressive stress-strain model for SFC is employed that has been derived from test data of 125 stress-strain curves and 257 strength values providing the overall compressive behaviour of various SFC mixtures. The proposed sectional analysis is verified using existing experimental data of 42 SFC beams, and it predicts the flexural capacity and the curvature ductility of SFC members reasonably well. The developed approach also provides rational and more accurate compressive and tensile stress-strain curves along with bending moment versus curvature curves with regards to the predictions of relevant existing models.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2018

Various systems for simulating particulate matter are developed and used in concrete technology for producing virtual cementitious materials on the different levels of the microstructure. Basically, the systems can be classified as two distinct families, namely random sequential addition systems (RSAs) and discrete element methods (DEMs). The first type is hardly being used for this purpose outside concrete technology, but became popular among concrete technologists. Hence, it is of utmost relevance to compare the two families in their capabilities, so that the reliability of produced data can be estimated. This paper pursues to do this on the basis of earlier published material of work performed by a succession of PhD students in the group of the second author. Limited references will be given to external sources.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 2018

The use of nanotechnology materials and applications in the construction industry should be considered for enhancing material properties. However, in this paper, the technical and economical assessment of applying silica nanoparticles for construction of concrete structure is studied. In order to obtain the equivalent material properties of the structure, the Mori-Tanaka model is used considering agglomeration of nanoparticles. The effect of using these nanoparticles on mechanical properties of concrete, such as the modulus of elasticity, compressive strength, as well as its indirect effect on armature percentage is investigated. Finally, the price of silica nanoparticles and its effect on the price increase of concrete structure is investigated. The results show that increasing the volume percent of silica nanoparticles up to 10% improves elastic modulus 111% and reduces amateur percentage up to 72%.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2018

This study introduces a new algorithm to determine size independent values of fracture energy, fracture toughness, and fracture process zone length in three-point bending specimens with shallow to deep notches. By using the exact beam theory, a concept of equivalent notch length is introduced for specimens with no notches in order to predict the peak loads with acceptable precisions. Moreover, the method considers the variations of fracture process zone length and effects of higher order terms of stress field in each specimen size. In this paper, it was demonstrated that the use of some recently developed size effect laws raises some concerns due to the use of nonlinear regression analysis. By using a comprehensive fracture test data, provided by Hoover and Bazant, the algorithm has been assessed. It could be concluded that the proposed algorithm can facilitate a powerful tool for size effect study of three-point bending specimens with different notch lengths.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 2014

The paper is concerned with the analytical description of a resistance mechanism, not considered in previous models, by which the hoops contribute to the shear capacity of RC columns with circular cross sections. The difference from previous approaches consists in observing that, because of deformation, the hoops change their original shape and, as a consequence, their slope does not match anymore the original one in the neighborhood of a crack. The model involves two parameters only, namely the crack inclination and the hoop strain in the neighborhood of a crack. A closed-form analytical formulation to correlate the average value of the crack width and the hoop strain is also provided. Results obtained using the proposed model have been compared with experimental data, and a satisfactory agreement is found.