• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제87권6호
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• pp.585-599
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• 2023

Geopolymer concrete (GC) can be competently utilized as a practical replacement for cement to prevent a high carbon footprint and to give a direction toward sustainable concrete construction. Moreover, previous studies mostly focused on the axial response of glass fiber reinforced polymer (glass-FRP) concrete compressive elements without determining the effectiveness of repairing them after their partial damage. The goal of this study is to assess the structural effectiveness of partially damaged GC columns that have been restored using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (carbon-FRP). Bars made of glass-FRP and helix made of glass-FRP are used to reinforce these columns. For comparative study, six of the twelve circular specimens-each measuring 300 mm×1200 mm-are reinforced with steel bars, while the other four are axially strengthened using glass-FRP bars (referred to as GSG columns). The broken columns are repaired and strengthened using carbon-FRP sheets after the specimens have been subjected to concentric and eccentric compression until a 30% loss in axial strength is attained in the post-peak phase. The study investigates the effects of various variables on important response metrics like axial strength, axial deflection, load-deflection response, stiffness index, strength index, ductility index, and damage response. These variables include concentric and eccentric compression, helix pitch, steel bars, carbon-FRP wrapping, and glass-FRP bars. Both before and after the quick repair process, these metrics are evaluated. The results of the investigation show that the axial strengths of the reconstructed SSG and GSG columns are, respectively, 15.3% and 20.9% higher than those of their original counterparts. In addition, compared to their SSG counterparts, the repaired GSG samples exhibit an improvement in average ductility indices of 2.92% and a drop in average stiffness indices of 3.2%.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제13권 2호
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• pp.199-213
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• 2022

Experimental and discrete element approaches were used to examine the effects of F shape non-persistent joints on the failure behaviour of concrete under uniaxial compressive test. concrete specimens with dimensions of 200 cm×200 cm×50 cm were provided. Within the specimen, F shape non-persistent joint consisting three joints were provided. The large joint length was 6 cm, and the length of two small joints were 2 cm. Vertical distance between two small joints change from 1.5 cm to 4.5 cm with increment of 1.5 cm. In constant joint lengths, the angle of large joint change from 0° to 90° with increments of 30°. Totally 12 different models were tested under compression test. The axial load rate on the model was 0.05 mm/min. Concurrent with experimental tests, numerical simulation (Particle flow code in two dimension) were performed on the models containing F shape non-persistent joint. Distance between small joints and joint angles were similar to experimental one. the results indicated that the failure process was mostly governed by both of the Distance between small joints and joint angles. The axial loading rate on the model was 0.05 mm/min. The compressive strengths of the samples were related to the fracture pattern and failure mechanism of the discontinuities. Furthermore, it was shown that the compressive behaviour of discontinuities is related to the number of the induced tensile cracks which are increased by increasing the joint angle. In the first, there were only a few acoustic emission (AE) hits in the initial stage of loading, and then AE hits rapidly grow before the applied stress reached its peak. Furthermore, a large number of AE hits accompanied every stress drop. Finally, the failure pattern and failure strength are similar in both approaches i.e., the experimental testing and the numerical simulation approaches.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.1-22
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• 2022

In cold-formed steel (CFS) structures, such as trusses, transmission towers and portal frames, the use of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections are becoming increasingly popular. In such an arrangement, intermediate welds or screw fasteners are required at discrete points along the length, preventing the angle sections from buckling independently. Limited research is available in the literature on axial strength of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections. The issue is addressed herein. This paper presents an experimental investigation reported by the authors on back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections with intermediate stiffeners under axial compression. The load-axial shortening behaviour along with the deformed shapes at failure are reported. A nonlinear finite element (FE) model was then developed, which includes material non-linearity, geometric imperfections and modelling of intermediate fasteners. The FE model was validated against the experimental test results, which showed good agreement, both in terms of failure loads and deformed shapes at failure. The validated finite element model was then used for the purpose of a parametric study comprising 96 models to investigate the effect of longer to shorter leg ratios, stiffener provided in the longer leg, thicknesses and lengths on axial strength of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections. Four different thicknesses and seven different lengths (stub to slender columns) with three overall widths to the overall depth (B/D) ratios were investigated in the parametric study. Axial strengths obtained from the experimental tests and FE analyses were used to assess the performance of the current design guidelines as per the Direct Strength Method (DSM); obtained comparisons show that the current DSM is conservative by only 7% and 5% on average, while predicting the axial strengths of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections with and without the stiffener, respectively.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.161-180
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• 2023

In the previous research, the axial compressive capacity models for the glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP)-reinforced circular concrete compression elements restrained with GFRP helix were put forward based on small and noisy datasets by considering a limited number of parameters portraying less accuracy. Consequently, it is important to recommend an accurate model based on a refined and large testing dataset that considers various parameters of such components. The core objective and novelty of the current research is to suggest a deep learning model for the axial compressive capacity of GFRP-reinforced circular concrete columns restrained with a GFRP helix utilizing various parameters of a large experimental dataset to give the maximum precision of the estimates. To achieve this aim, a test dataset of 61 GFRP-reinforced circular concrete columns restrained with a GFRP helix has been created from prior studies. An assessment of 15 diverse theoretical models is carried out utilizing different statistical coefficients over the created dataset. A novel model utilizing the group method of data handling (GMDH) has been put forward. The recommended model depicted good effectiveness over the created dataset by assuming the axial involvement of GFRP main bars and the confining effectiveness of transverse GFRP helix and depicted the maximum precision with MAE = 195.67, RMSE = 255.41, and R2 = 0.94 as associated with the previously recommended equations. The GMDH model also depicted good effectiveness for the normal distribution of estimates with only a 2.5% discrepancy from unity. The recommended model can accurately calculate the axial compressive capacity of FRP-reinforced concrete compression elements that can be considered for further analysis and design of such components in the field of structural engineering.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.511-525
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• 2024

Underground openings significantly affect the mechanical stability of underground spaces and create damaged zones. This study investigated the acoustic emission (AE) characteristics associated with the formation of damaged zones around circular openings. Uniaxial compression experiments were conducted on three types of rock specimens, namely, granite (GN-1 and GN-2), gabbro (GB), and slate (SL), containing a circular opening. AE and digital image correlation (DIC) techniques were used to monitor and evaluate the damaged zones near the circular openings. The AE characteristics were evaluated using AE parameters, including count, energy, amplitude, average frequency, and RA value. The DIC results revealed that the estimated diameters of the damaged zones of GN-1, GN-2, GB, and SL were 1.66D, 1.53D, 1.49D, and 1.9D, respectively. The average displacements at the surface of the damaged zones for these specimens were 0.814, 0.786, 0.661, and 0.673 mm, respectively, thus demonstrating a strong correlation with Young's modulus. The AE analysis with DIC revealed that tensile failure occurred in the direction parallel to the maximum compression axis as the load increased. Thus, this study provides fundamental data for a comprehensive analysis of damaged zones in underground openings and will facilitate the optimization of rock engineering projects and safety assessments thereof.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제89권6호
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• pp.557-570
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• 2024

Due to interfacial ageing, chemical action and interfacial damage, the interface debonding may appear in the interfaces of composite laminates. Particularly, the laminates display a side-dependent effect at small scale. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) and anisotropic thick nanoplate model is proposed to investigate the effects of imperfect interface and nonlocal parameter on the bending deformation, vibrational response and buckling stability of one-dimensional (1D) hexagonal quasicrystal (QC) layered nanoplates. By combining the linear spring model with the transferring matrix method, exact solutions of phonon and phason displacements, phonon and phason stresses of bending deformation, the natural frequencies of vibration and the critical buckling loads of 1D hexagonal QC layered nanoplates are derived with imperfect interfaces and nonlocal effects. Numerical examples are illustrated to demonstrate the effects of the imperfect interface parameter, aspect ratio, thickness, nonlocal parameter, and stacking sequence on the bending deformation, the vibrational response and the critical buckling load of 1D hexagonal QC layered nanoplate. The results indicate that both the interface debonding and nonlocal effect can reduce the stiffness and stability of layered nanoplates. Increasing thickness of QC coatings can enhance the stability of sandwich nanoplates with the perfect interfaces, while it can reduce first and then enhance the stability of sandwich nanoplates with the imperfect interfaces. The biaxial compression easily results in an instability of the QC layered nanoplates compared to uniaxial compression. QC material is suitable for surface layers in layered structures. The mechanical behavior of QC layered nanoplates can be optimized by imposing imperfect interfaces and controlling the stacking sequence artificially. The present solutions are helpful for the various numerical methods, thin nanoplate theories and the optimal design of QC nano-composites in engineering practice with interfacial debonding.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.93-122
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• 2024

One well-known reason for using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites is to improve concrete strength and strain capacity via external confinement. Hence, various studies have been undertaken to offer a good illustration of the response of FRP-wrapped concrete for practical design intents. However, in such studies, the strength and strain of the confined concrete were predicted using regression analysis based on a limited number of test data. This study presents an approach based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) to develop models to predict the strength and strain at maximum stress enhancement of circular concrete cross-sections confined with different FRP types (Carbone, Glass, Aramid). To achieve this goal, a large test database comprising 493 axial compression experiments on FRP-confined concrete samples was compiled based on an extensive review of the published literature and used to validate the predicted artificial intelligence techniques. The ANN approach is currently thought to be the preferred learning technique because of its strong prediction effectiveness, interpretability, adaptability, and generalization. The accuracy of the developed ANN model for predicting the behavior of FRP-confined concrete is commensurate with the experimental database compiled from published literature. Statistical measures values, which indicate a better fit, were observed in all of the ANN models. Therefore, compared to existing models, it should be highlighted that the newly developed models based on FRP type are remarkably accurate.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제8권6호
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• pp.859-872
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• 2015

Pebble matrix filtration (PMF) is a water treatment technology that can remove suspended solids in highly turbid surface water during heavy storms. PMF typically uses sand and natural pebbles as filter media. Hand-made clay pebbles (balls) can be used as alternatives to natural pebbles in PMF treatment plants, where natural pebbles are not readily available. Since the high turbidity is a seasonal problem that occurs during heavy rains, the use of newly developed composite clay balls instead of pure clay balls have the advantage of removing other pollutants such as natural organic matter (NOM) during other times. Only the strength properties of composite clay balls are described here as the pollutant removal is beyond the scope of this paper. These new composite clay balls must be able to withstand dead and live loads under dry and saturated conditions in a filter assembly. Absence of a standard ball preparation process and expected strength properties of composite clay balls were the main reasons behind the present study. Five different raw materials from industry wastes: Red Mud (RM), Water Treatment Alum Sludge (S), Shredded Paper (SP), Saw Dust (SD), and Sugar Mulch (SM) were added to common clay brick mix (BM) in different proportions. In an effort to minimize costs, in this study clay balls were fired to $1100^{\circ}C$ at a local brick factory together with their bricks. A comprehensive experimental program was performed to evaluate crushing strength of composite hand-made clay balls, using uniaxial compression test to establish the best material combination on the basis of strength properties for designing sustainable filter media for water treatment plants. Performance at both construction and operating stages were considered by analyzing both strength properties under fully dry conditions and strength degradation after saturation in a water bath. The BM-75% as the main component produced optimum combination in terms of workability and strength. With the material combination of BM-75% and additives-25%, the use of Red Mud and water treatment sludge as additives produced the highest and lowest strength of composite clay balls, with a failure load of 5.4 kN and 1.4 kN respectively. However, this lower value of 1.4 kN is much higher than the effective load on each clay ball of 0.04 kN in a typical filter assembly (safety factor of 35), therefore, can still be used as a suitable filter material for enhanced pollutant removal.

• 한국지반환경공학회 논문집
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.5-11
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• 2020

최근 도심지에서 많이 발생되는 지반함몰은 교통흐름에 방해가 될 뿐만 아니라 재산적인 손실과 함께 인명피해도 심각하게 발생되는 등 시민들의 안전을 위협하는 요인이 되고 있다. 따라서 함몰된 지반을 긴급하게 복구하여 추가 피해에 대비하여야 하는데 현재 국내의 지반 함몰에 대한 구체적인 기준이 미흡하고 함몰 원인의 정확한 규명 및 재발생에 대한 대책이 미흡한 실정이다. 함몰된 지반의 복구방법으로는 함몰된 흙을 재사용하여 되메우기를 하거나 기타 성토재료를 사용하여 되메움 한 후 도로를 포장하는 방법을 가장 많이 사용하고 있는데 이는 지반함몰을 일시적으로 방지하는 방법에 불과할 뿐 근본적인 해결책으로 볼 수 없다. 또한 이러한 방법으로 보강된 지반은 되메움재의 불량 및 다짐불량 등으로 인하여 추가적인 지반함몰이 발생될 가능성을 배제할 없다. 이 연구에서는 지반 침하로 발생된 지하공동의 복구에 활용할 수 있는 복구재료로써 개량된 준설점토의 공학적 특성을 분석하기 위하여 친환경고화재(EHSM) 및 화강풍화토의 혼합비율을 변화시켜 제작한 공시체에 대한 일축압축강도시험을 수행하였으며, 복구재료의 환경변화에 따른 강도 특성을 규명하기 위하여 동결융해시험을 수행하고 각 단계별 시험이 종료되면 강도분석을 위하여 일축압축강도 시험 및 동탄성시험을 수행하였다. 또한 복구된 지반의 강도특성을 평가하기 위하여 동평판재하시험을 실시하여 복구된 지반의 개량효과를 검증하였다.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.511-518
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• 1999

This study was performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of light-cured restorative composites by compression and indentation tests. Five commercially available light-activated composites (Heliomolar : HM, Aelitefil : AF, Amelogen : AG, Clearfil AP-X : CF, Z100 ZH) were used Disc specimens of 12mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness and Cylindrical specimens of 3mm in diameter and 6mm in length were prepared for the indentation and compressive test, respectively. All specimens were immersed in distilled water at $37^{\circ}C$ for 30 days. An indentation test of 68-degree trigonal diamond pyramid was made under 10 g load for 15 seconds and an Knoop indentation test was made under 50 g load for 15 seconds. Hardness numbers, characteristic indentation depths and permanent deformation were measured during indentation of the 68-degree trigonal diamond pyramid compressive test was carried out at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. The results obtained were summarized as follows, 1. The highest hardness value was obtained in the CF group and the lowest value was obtained in the HM group. Hardness values showed no significant, difference between AG group and HM group but other groups showed the significant differences in each group(p<0.05). 2. Hardness number by Knoop pyramid were higher than those of 68-degree trigonal diamond pyramid. 3. Plastic deformation during the indentation of 68-degree trigonal diamond pyramid was the lowest in the CF group and the largest in the HM group. Results of Tukey test showed the significant difference between CF group and others; also between ZH and AF groups and AG and HM groups(p<0.05) 4. The highest compressive strength was obtained in the CF group and the lowest compressive strength was obtained in the ZH group. Compressive strength values showed no significant difference between CF group and ZH group but other groups showed the significant differences in each group(p<0.05).