• Computers and Concrete
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-31
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• 2024

This study explores the failure mechanisms of 'I' shaped non-persistent cracks under uniaxial loads through a combination of experimental tests and numerical simulations. Concrete specimens measuring 200 mm×200 mm×50 mm were manufactured, featuring 'I' shaped non-persistent joints. The number of these joints varied from one to three, with angles set at 0, 30, 60, and 90 degrees. Twelve configurations, differing in the placement of pre-existing joints, were considered, where larger joints measured 80 mm in length and smaller cracks persisted for 20 mm with a 1 mm crack opening. Numerical models were developed for the 12 specimens, and loading in Y-axis direction was 0.05 mm/min, considering a concrete tensile strength of 5 MPa. Results reveal that crack starting was primarily influenced by the slope of joint that lacks persistence in relation to the loading direction and the number of joints. The compressive strength of the samples exhibited variations based on joint layout and failure mode. The study reveals a correlation between the failure behavior of joints and the number of induced tensile fracture, which increased with higher joint angles. Specimen strength increased with decreasing joint angles and numbers. The strength and failure processes exhibited similarities in both laboratory testing and numerical modeling methods.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2023

This study focused on understanding the relationship between the design of a tunnel boring machine disc cutter ring and its rock-breaking efficiency, as well as the applicable conditions of different cutter ring types. The discrete element method was used to establish a numerical model of the rock-breaking process using disc cutters with different ring types to reveal the development of rock damage cracks and variation in cutter penetration load. The calculation results indicate that a sharp-edged (V-shaped) disc cutter penetrates a rock mass to a given depth with the lowest load, resulting in more intermediate cracks and few lateral cracks, which leads to difficulty in crack combination. Furthermore, the poor wear resistance of a conventional V-shaped cutter can lead to an exponential increase in the penetration load after cutter ring wear. In contrast, constant-cross-section (CCS) disc cutters have the highest quantity of crack extensions after penetrating rock, but also require the highest penetration loads. An arch-edged (U-shaped) disc cutter is more moderate than the aforementioned types with sufficient intermediate and lateral crack propagation after cutting into rock under a suitable penetration load. Additionally, we found that the cutter ring wedge angle and edge width heavily influence cutter rock-breaking efficiency and that a disc cutter with a 16 to 22 mm edge width and 20° to 30° wedge angle exhibits high performance. Compared to V-shaped and U-shaped cutters, the CCS cutter is more suitable for soft or medium-strength rocks, where the penetration load is relatively small. Additionally, two typical case studies were selected to verify that replacing a CCS cutter with a U-shaped or optimized V-shaped disc cutter can increase cutting efficiency when encountering hard rocks.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.37-39
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• 2010

In this study, with new office construction site of S Construction company as subject, to solve all the problems according to reduced hydration heat and temperature crack of mass concrete used mat foundation and placing time difference, low heat combination of coarse particle cement and fly-ash and setting time difference applied AE water reducing agent, and to prevent the early frost damage caused by low outdoor temperature, a heat insulation method using double bubble sheet was conducted. As a result, it was found that hydration heat and setting time difference was reduced by applying a low heat combination and setting time difference construction method, and that the high insulation capability of the double bubble sheet was able to not only prevent the early frost damage but also reduce temperature difference between the central part and the upper part of mass concrete.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.1412-1422
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• 2016

Austenitic stainless steels (ASSs) are widely used for nuclear pipes as they exhibit a good combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. However, high tensile residual stresses may occur in ASS welds because postweld heat treatment is not generally conducted in order to avoid sensitization, which causes a stress corrosion crack. In this study, round robin analyses on stress intensity factors (SIFs) were carried out to examine the appropriateness of structural integrity assessment methods for ASS pipe welds with two types of circumferential cracks. Typical stress profiles were generated from finite element analyses by considering residual stresses and normal operating conditions. Then, SIFs of cracked ASS pipes were determined by analytical equations represented in fitness-for-service assessment codes as well as reference finite element analyses. The discrepancies of estimated SIFs among round robin participants were confirmed due to different assessment procedures and relevant considerations, as well as the mistakes of participants. The effects of uncertainty factors on SIFs were deducted from sensitivity analyses and, based on the similarity and conservatism compared with detailed finite element analysis results, the R6 code, taking into account the applied internal pressure and combination of stress components, was recommended as the optimum procedure for SIF estimation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.713-737
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• 2006

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of 56 reinforced concrete beams subjected to pure torsion. The reported results include the behaviour curves, the failure modes and the values of the pre-cracking torsional stiffness, the cracking and ultimate torsional moments and the corresponding twists. The influence of the volume of stirrups, the height to width ratios and the arrangement of longitudinal bars on the torsional behaviour is discussed. In order to describe the entire torsional behaviour of the tested beams, the combination of two different analytical models is used. The prediction of the elastic till the first cracking part is achieved using a smeared crack analysis for plain concrete in torsion, whereas for the description of the post-cracking response the softened truss model is used. A simple modification to the softened truss model to include the effect of confinement is also attempted. Calculated torsional behaviour of the tested beams and 21 beams available in the literature are compared with the experimental ones and a very good agreement is observed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.53-56
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• 2005

This paper investigates the effect of ductile deformation behavior of high performance hybrid fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPHFRCCs) on the shear behavior of coupling beams to lateral load reversals. The matrix ductility and the reinforcement layout were the main variables of the tests. Three short coupling beams with two different reinforcement arrangements and matrixes were tested. They were subjected to cyclic loading by a suitable experimental setup. All specimens were characterized by a shear span-depth ratio of 1.0. The reinforcement layouts consisted of a classical scheme and diagonal scheme without confining ties. The effects of matrix ductility on deflections, strains, crack widths, crack patterns, failure modes, and ultimate shear load of coupling beams have been examined. The combination of a ductile cementitious matrix and steel reinforcement is found to result in improved energy dissipation capacity, simplification of reinforcement details, and damage-tolerant inelastic deformation behavior. Test results showed that the HPFRCC coupling beams behaved better than normal reinforced concrete control beams. These results were produced by HPHFRCC's tensile deformation capacity, damage tolerance and tensile strength.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.70-73
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• 2007

The forming characteristics of cup-rod combined extrusion process were investigated with process parameter change. Simultaneous forward rod extrusion and backward cup extrusion was conducted with magnesium alloy, AZ31B. Process parameters such as forward extrusion ratio, backward extrusion ratio, and working temperature were controlled in a specific region and the effects of the parameter change were examined. Surface crack was developed in a certain state of the process parameters combination. The crack-free forming limit of the alloy in the combined process was disclosed by the parameter study. The microstructures of the initial and extruded workpieces were observed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2000.10b
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• pp.1095-1100
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• 2000

Concrete structure often exhibit cracks due to the combination of material construction and design error. Minor crack can be tolerated depending on exposure condition, but major cracks are aesthetically unpleasant and affect the durability and safety of the structure. All of the reinforced concrete structure have many inevitable cracks for various reason such as drying shrinkage, heat liberation of cement and over loads. Epoxy resin injection widely used for repairing cracks in concrete is too sensitive to high temperature. Besides, the problem in the epoxy resin injection is the difficulty of quality control after execution. Whereas, Ultra Fine Cement is similar in coefficient of thermal expansion and modulus of elasticity to concrete. The objective of the study is to find out that it is possible for Ultra Fine Cement to be used for repairing cracks in reinforced concrete.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2017

An experimental work was carried out to study the effect of hybrid fiber on the tension stiffening and cracking characteristics of geopolymer concrete (GPC). A total of 24 concentrically reinforced concrete specimens were cast and tested under uniaxial tension. The grade of concrete considered was M40. The variables mainly consist of the volume fraction of crimped steel fibers (0.5 and 1.0%) and basalt fibers (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%). The load deformation response was recorded using LVDT's. At all the stages of loading after the first cracking, crack width and crack spacing were measured. The addition of fibers in hybrid form significantly improved the tension stiffening effect. In this study, the combination of 0.5% steel fiber and 0.2% basalt fiber gave a better comparison than the other combinations.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.419-423
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• 2018

A newly conceived geopolymer composite was fabricated by a combination of the geopolymer and polyurethane sponge. The density and porosity of hardened geopolymer composite, corresponded to different pore sizes of polyurethane sponge, exhibited no significant differences from each other. However, the mechanical behavior, the compressive strength and flexural strength, showed slight differences accordingly. Fracture of the geopolymer composite exposed to high compressive load was not observed from all specimens containing polyurethane sponge. The toughness enhancement of the geopolymer composite, due to spontaneous elasticity of polyurethane sponge, crack spread, and crack diffraction, was identified through the stress-strain curve and microstructure of fracture surface. The newly designed geopolymer composite having a 3-dimensional sponge skeleton showed relatively higher flexural strength of 8.0 MPa than other conventional geopolymer composites.