• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.179-193
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• 2024

The bending and buckling effect for carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams can be evaluated by developing the theory of third shear deformation (TSDT). This study examines beams supported by viscoelastic foundations, where single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are dispersed and oriented within a polymer matrix. Four patterns of reinforcement are used for the CNTRC beams. The rule of mixtures is assessed for the material properties of CNTRC beams. The effective functionally graded materials (FGM) properties are studied by considering three different uneven distribution types of porosity. The damping coefficient is considered to investigate the viscosity effect on the foundation in addition to Winkler's and Pasternak's parameters. The accuracy of the current theory is inspected with multiple comparison works. Moreover, the effects of different beam parameters on the CNTRC beam bending and buckling over a viscoelastic foundation are discussed. The results demonstrated that the O-beam is the weakest type of CNTRC beam to resist buckling and flexure loads, whereas the X-beam is the strongest. Moreover, it is indicated that the presence of porosity in the beams decreases the stiffness and increases deflection. In comparison, the deflection was reduced in the presence of a viscoelastic foundation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.247-265
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• 2024

Measuring the fracture toughness of concrete in laboratory settings is challenging due to various factors, such as complex sample preparation procedures, the requirement for precise instruments, potential sample failure, and the brittleness of the samples. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop innovative and more effective tools to overcome these limitations. Supervised learning methods offer promising solutions. This study introduces seven machine learning algorithms for predicting concrete's effective fracture toughness (K-eff). The models were trained using 560 datasets obtained from the central straight notched Brazilian disc (CSNBD) test. The concrete samples used in the experiments contained micro silica and powdered stone, which are commonly used additives in the construction industry. The study considered six input parameters that affect concrete's K-eff, including concrete type, sample diameter, sample thickness, crack length, force, and angle of initial crack. All the algorithms demonstrated high accuracy on both the training and testing datasets, with R² values ranging from 0.9456 to 0.9999 and root mean squared error (RMSE) values ranging from 0.000004 to 0.009287. After evaluating their performance, the gated recurrent unit (GRU) algorithm showed the highest predictive accuracy. The ranking of the applied models, from highest to lowest performance in predicting the K-eff of concrete, was as follows: GRU, LSTM, RNN, SFL, ELM, LSSVM, and GEP. In conclusion, it is recommended to use supervised learning models, specifically GRU, for precise estimation of concrete's K-eff. This approach allows engineers to save significant time and costs associated with the CSNBD test. This research contributes to the field by introducing a reliable tool for accurately predicting the K-eff of concrete, enabling efficient decision-making in various engineering applications.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.213-230
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• 2024

The use of waste tires and industrial wastes such as fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in concrete is an important issue in terms of sustainability. In this study, the effect of parameters affecting the physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of FA/GGBS-based geopolymer concretes with waste rubber fiber was investigated. For this purpose, the effects of rubber fiber percentage (0.6%, 0.9%, 1.2%), binder (75FA25GGBS, 50FA50GGBS, 25FA75GGBS) and curing temperature (75 ℃, 90 ℃ and 105 ℃) were investigated. The Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis (TGRA) method was used to obtain optimum parameter levels of rubber fiber geopolymer concrete (RFGC). The slump, fresh and hardened density, compressive strength, flexural strength, static and dynamic modulus of elasticity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed on the produced concretes. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used to statistically determine the effects of the parameters on the experimental results. A confirmation test was performed to test the accuracy of the optimum values found by the TGRA method. With the increase of GGBS percentage, the compressive strength of RFGC increased up to 196%. The increase in rubber fiber percentage and curing temperature adversely affected the mechanical properties of RFGC. As a result of TGRA, the optimum value was found to be A1B3C1. ANOVA results showed that the most effective parameter on the experimental results was the binder with 99% contribution percentage. It is understood from the SEM images that the optimum concrete had a denser microstructure and less capillary cracks and voids. For this study, the use of the TGRA method in multiple optimization has proven to provide very useful and reliable results. In cases where many factors are effective on its strength and durability, such as geopolymer concrete, using the TGRA method allows for finding the optimum value of the parameters by saving both time and cost.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2024

This study proposes the recycling of MVS as a value-added product for the removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions. By comparing the phosphate adsorption capacity of each calcined adsorbent at each temperature of MVS, it was determined that the optimal heat treatment temperature of MVS to improve the phosphate adsorption capacity was 800 ℃. MVS-800 suggests an adsorption mechanism through calcium phosphate precipitation. Subsequent kinetic studies with MVS-800 showed that the PFO model was more appropriate than the PSO model. In the equilibrium adsorption experiment, through the analysis of Langmuir and Freundlich models, Langmuir can provide a more appropriate explanation for the phosphate adsorption of MVS-800. This means that the adsorption of phosphate by MVS-800 is uniform over all surfaces and the adsorption consists of a single layer. Thermodynamic analysis of thermally activated MVS-800 shows that phosphate adsorption is an endothermic and involuntary reaction. MVS-800 has the highest phosphate adsorption capacity under low pH conditions. The presence of anions in phosphate adsorption reduces the phosphate adsorption capacity of MVS-800 in the order of CO 3 2-, SO 4 2-, NO 3- and Cl-. Based on experimental data to date, MVS-800 is an environmentally friendly adsorbent for recycling waste resources and is considered to be an adsorbent with high adsorption capacity for removing phosphates from aqueous solutions. This paper combines the advantages of gray predictor and AI fuzzy. The gray predictor can be used to predict whether the bear point exceeds the allowable deviation range, and then perform appropriate control corrections to accelerate the bear point to return to the boundary layer and achieve.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.181-195
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• 2024

This study introduces a novel functionally graded material model, termed the "Coated Functionally Graded Graphene-Reinforced Composite (FG GRC)" model, for investigating the free vibration response of plates, highlighting its potential to advance the understanding and application of material property variations in structural engineering. Two types of coated FG GRC plates are examined: Hardcore and Softcore, and five distribution patterns are proposed, namely FG-A, FG-B, FG-C, FG-D, and FG-E. A modified displacement field is proposed based on the higher-order shear deformation theory, effectively reducing the number of variables from five to four while accurately accounting for shear deformation effects. To solve the equations of motion, an analytical solution based on the Galerkin approach was developed for FG GRC plates resting on a viscoelastic Winkler/Pasternak foundation, applicable to various boundary conditions. A comprehensive parametric analysis elucidates the impact of multiple factors on the fundamental frequencies. These factors encompass the types and distribution patterns of the coated FG GRC plates, gradient material distribution, porosities, nonlocal length scale parameter, gradient material scale parameter, nanoplate geometry, and variations in the elastic foundation. Our theoretical research aims to overcome the inherent challenges in modeling structures, providing a robust alternative to experimental analyses of the mechanical behavior of complex structures.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.381-395
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• 2024

With the wide application of urban subway tunnels, the foundation pits of new stations and existing subway tunnels are becoming increasingly close, and even zero-distance close-fitting construction has taken place. To optimize the construction support scheme, the existing tunnel's vertical displacement is theoretically analyzed using the two-stage analysis method to understand the action mechanism of the construction of zero-distance deep large foundation pits on both sides of the existing stations; a three-dimensional numerical calculation is also performed for further analysis. First, the additional stress field on the existing tunnel caused by the unloading of zero-distance foundation pits on both sides of the tunnel is derived based on the Mindlin stress solution of a semi-infinite elastic body under internal load. Then, considering the existing subway tunnel's joints, shear stiffness, and shear soil deformation effect, the tunnel is regarded as a Timoshenko beam placed on the Kerr foundation; a sixth-order differential control equation of the tunnel under the action of additional stress is subsequently established for solving the vertical displacement of the tunnel. These theoretical calculation results are then compared with the numerical simulation results and monitoring data. Finally, an optimized foundation pit support scheme is obtained considering the pit corner effect and external corner failure mode. The research shows a high consistency between the monitoring data,analytical and numerical solution, and the closer the tunnel is to the foundation pit, the more uplift deformation will occur. The internal corner of the foundation pit can restrain the deformation of the tunnel and the retaining structure, while the external corner can cause local stress concentration on the diaphragm wall. The proposed optimization scheme can effectively reduce construction costs while meeting the safety requirements of foundation pit support structures.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.71-86
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• 2024

In this study, to reduce the amount of cement consumed in the production of cementitious composites, the effects of partial replacement of cement weight with nano-silica, silica fume, and copper slag on the mechanical properties of polypropylene fiber-reinforced cementitious composites are investigated. For this purpose, the effect of replacing cement weight by each of the aforementioned materials individually and in combination is studied. A total of 34 mix designs were prepared, and their compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths were obtained for each mix. Among the mix designs with one cement replacement material, the highest strength is related to the sample containing 2.5% nano-silica. In this mix design, the compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths improve by about 33%, 13%, and 15%, respectively, compared to the control sample. In the ones with two cement replacement materials, the highest strengths are related to the mix made with 10% silica fume along with 2% nano-silica. In this mix design, compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths increase by about 42%, 18%, and 20% compared to the control sample, respectively. Furthermore, in the mixtures containing three cement substitutes, the final optimal mix design for all three strengths has 15% silica fume, 10% copper slag, and 2% nano-silica. This mix design improves the compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths by about 57%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, compared to the control sample. Finally, two relationships have been presented that can be used to predict the values of tensile and flexural strengths of cementitious composites with very good accuracy only by determining the compressive strength of the composites.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.125-136
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• 2024

In the present research the durability and geotechnical properties of an expensive clayey soil stabilized by two different compositions of additives were investigated and compared. The first composition consisted of environmentally and ecofriendly materials: BOF steel slag ranging from 0-20% as well as rice husk ash (RHA) ranged 0-16%wt of dry soil. The other composition consisted of relatively new generation of materials including nanomaterials: nano-CaCO3 as well as nano-SiO2. Atterberg limits test, free swell percent test, swelling pressure test and unconfined compressive test were used to assess the stabilizers influences upon expansive soil geotechnical characteristics. Also, the recurrent wet-dry cycles test was exerted on experimental and non-experimental samples for estimating stabilizers effects on durability. According to the results, each of the BOF slag and RHA enhances the expansive soil properties individually, while combination of slag-RHA led to better improvement of the soil properties. Also, the composition of nano-CaCO3 and SiO2 dramatically improved the clay soil operation. The optimum values of slag+RHA were suggested as 20% slag+12% RHA to enhance percent of swelling, pressure of swelling in addition to UCS as much as 95%, 96%, and 370%, respectively. The optimum value for the second stabilizer in this study was found to be 2%nano-SiO2+2% nano-CaCO3 which led to 318% increase in UCS and 86% decrease in swelling pressure.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.101-126
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• 2024

To avoid irregularities in buildings, design codes worldwide have introduced detailed guidelines for their check and rectification. However, the criteria used to define and identify each of the plan and vertical irregularities are specific and may vary between codes of different countries, thus making their implementation difficult. This short communication paper proposes a novel approach for quantifying different types of structural irregularities using a common parameter named as unified identification factor, which is exclusively defined for the columns based on their axial loads and tributary areas. The calculation of the identification factor is demonstrated through the analysis of rectangular and circular reinforced concrete models using ETABS v18.0.2, which are further modified to generate plan irregular (torsional irregularity, cut-out in floor slab and non-parallel lateral force system) and vertical irregular (mass irregularity, vertical geometric irregularity and floating columns) models. The identification factor is calculated for all the columns of a building and the range within which the value lies is identified. The results indicate that the range will be very wide for an irregular building when compared to that with a regular configuration, thus implying a strong correlation of the identification factor with the structural irregularity. Further, the identification factor is compared for different columns within a floor and between floors for each building model. The findings suggest that the value will be abnormally high or low for a column in the vicinity of an irregularity. The proposed factor could thus be used in the preliminary structural design phase, so as to eliminate the complications that might arise due to the geometry of the structure when subjected to lateral loads. The unified approach could also be incorporated in future revisions of codes, as a replacement for the numerous criteria currently used for classifying different types of irregularities.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.249-260
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• 2024

In order to study the mechanical propertied and change rules of undrained shear behavior of saline soil under the freeze-thaw cycles, an improved constitutive model reflecting the effects of freeze-thaw cycles was proposed based on the traditional Duncan-Chang model. The saline soil in Qian'an County, western Jilin Province, was selected as the experimental object. Then, a set of freeze-thaw cycles (0, 1, 10, 30, 60, 90, 120) tests were conducted on the saline soil specimens, and conventional consolidated undrained triaxial shear tests were conducted on the saline soil specimens that underwent freeze-thaw cycles. The stress-strain relationship was obtained by the triaxial shear test. The model parameters have a corresponding regression relationship with the number of freeze-thaw cycles. Finally, based on the function expression of the model parameters, the modified Duncan-Chang model with the number of freeze-thaw cycles as the influence factor was established, whilst the calculation program of the modified model is compiled. Based on the test results, the stress-strain relationship of the saline soil specimen shows strain hardening. The shear strength gradually decreases with the increase of freeze-thaw cycle. The 10 freeze-thaw cycles are the turning point in the trend of changes of the mechanical properties of saline soils. The calculated and experimental stress-strain relationship are compared, and the comparison between the calculated value of the model and the experimental value showed that the two had a good consistency, which verified the validity of the modified Duncan-Chang model in reflecting the effects of the freeze-thaw cycle.