Strength criterion for crystalline rocks considering grain size effect and tensile-compressive strength ratio

The macroscopic mechanical properties of rocks are significantly influenced by their microstructure.As a material bonded by mineral grains,the grain morphology of crystalline rock is the primary factor influencing the strength.However,most strength criteria neglect the strength variations caused by different grain characteristics in rocks.Furthermore,the traditional linear criteria tend to overestimate tensile strength and exhibit apex singularity.To address these shortcomings,a piecewise strength criterion that considers the grain size effect has been proposed.A part of an ellipse was employed to construct the envelope of the tensive-shear region on the meridian plane,to accurately reproduce the low tensile-compressive strength ratio.Based on the analysis of experimental data,both linear and exponential modification functions that account for grain size effects were integrated into the proposed criterion.The corresponding finite element algorithm has been implemented.The accuracy and applicability of the proposed criterion were validated by comparing with the experimental data.

Relationships between Quadriceps:Hamstring Strength Ratio and Lower Extremity Injuries in Netball Players

Background: Netball is a popular sport. Due to high impact and quick movement, there is an enormous load on the lower extremities which increases the risk for injury. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the quadricep and hamstring strength and the prevalence of lower extremity injuries in netball players. Setting: Twenty-five female netball players (age: 20.8 ± 1.4 years) voluntarily participated. Methods: The Cybex Isokinetic dynamometer was used to determine concentric knee torques. Quadriceps:hamstring strength ratio was determined. Occurrence of lower extremity injuries was documented bi-weekly. Results: Medium effect sizes were noted for flexion torque:work for the left leg and for the quadriceps:hamstring ratio (≥60%) for the right leg. All the other measured variables have a small effect size. 18.75% of lower extremity injuries and ConQ:ConH of Conclusion: Injuries to the ankle and knee are especially common among netball players. Hamstring and quadriceps muscle asymmetry (>10%) were found to be a potential indicator of lower extremity injury. Contribution: This study highlights awareness on lower extremity injuries and the strength ratio between the quadriceps and hamstrings. This can aid coaches and netball players to lower the risk for injuries and thus improve individual- and team performance.

Estimation of residual shear strength ratios of liquefied soil deposits from shear wave velocity

For sites susceptible to liquefaction induced lateral spreading during a probable earthquake, geotechnical engineers often need to know the undrained residual shear strength of the liquefied soil deposit to estimate lateral spreading displacements, and the forces acting on the piles from the liquefied soils in order to perform post liquefaction stability analyses. The most commonly used methods to estimate the undrained residual shear strength （Su~） of liquefied sand deposits are based on the correlations determined from liquefaction induced flow failures with SPT and CPT data. In this study, 44 lateral spread case histories are analyzed and a new relationship based on only lateral spread case histories is recommended, which estimates the residual shear strength ratio of the liquefiable soil layer from normalized shear wave velocity. The new proposed method is also utilized to estimate the residual lateral displacement of an example bridge problem in an area susceptible to lateral spreading in order to provide insight into how the proposed relationship can be used in geotechnical engineering practice.

Influence of yield-to-tensile strength ratio(Y/T) on failure assessment of defect-free and corroded X70 steel pipeline

The effect of yield-to-tensile strength ratio(Y/T) on failure pressure of X70 pipeline without and with corrosion defects was investigated.The stress-strain response of materials was characterized by a power-law hardening curve.Two formulas to estimate the strain hardening exponent n for a special Y/T were obtained by least squared regression method and the influence of Y/T on n was analyzed.As an application of n-Y/T expression,the analytical solutions of burst pressure for X70 pipeline without and with corrosion defects were also obtained.The results indicate that the burst pressure of defect-free X70 pipe without corrosion defects is a function of the Y/T,pipe geometry t0/D0 and engineering tensile strength,and increases as Y/T or t0/D0 increases; whilst the burst pressure of corroded X70 pipe decreases with the increase of defect depths,d/t.Comparisons indicate that the present analytical solutions closely match available experimental and numerical data.

Influence of the column-to-beam flexural strength ratio on the failure mode of beam-column connections in RC frames

The column-to-beam flexural strength ratio(CBFSR)has been used in many seismic codes to achieve the strong column-weak beam(SCWB)failure mode in reinforced concrete(RC)frames,in which plastic hinges appear earlier in beams than in columns.However,seismic investigations show that the required limit of CBFSR in seismic codes usually cannot achieve the SCWB failure mode under strong earthquakes.This study investigates the failure modes of RC frames with different CBFSRs.Nine typical three-story RC frame models with different CBFSRs are designed in accordance with Chinese seismic codes.The seismic responses and failure modes of the frames are investigated through time-history analyses using 100 ground motion records.The results show that the required limit of the CBFSR that guarantees the SCWB failure mode depends on the beam-column connection type and the seismic intensity,and different types of beam-column connections exhibit different failure modes even though they are designed with the same CBFSR.Recommended CBFSRs are proposed for achieving the designed SCWB failure mode for different types of connections in RC frames under different seismic intensities.These results may provide some reference for further revisions of the SCWB design criterion in Chinese seismic codes.

Effects of binder strength and aggregate size on the compressive strength and void ratio of porous concrete

To test the influence of binder strength, porous concretes with 4 binder strengths between 30.0-135.0 MPa and 5 void ratios between 15%-35% were tested. The results indicated that for the same aggregate, the rates of strength reduction due to the increases in void ratio were the same for binders with different strengths. To study the influence of aggregate size, 3 single size aggregates with nominal sizes of 5.0, 13.0 and 20.0 mm （Nos. 7, 6 and 5 according to JIS A 5001） were used to make porous concrete. The strengths of porous concrete are found to be dependent on aggregate size. The rate of strength reduction of porous concrete with small aggregate size is found to be higher than that with larger aggregate size. At the same void ratio, the strength of porous concrete with large aggregate is larger than that with small aggregate. The general equations for porous concrete are related to compressive strength and void ratio for different binder strengths and aggregate sizes.

Mechanical characteristics of tensile strength ratio method compared to other parameters used for moisture susceptibility evaluation of asphalt mixtures

In this study,mechanical characteristics of tensile strength ratio(TSR)were evaluated by comparing it to other methods in evaluating moisture sensitivity of asphalt mixtures.Twenty types of asphalt mixtures with and without anti-stripping additives were prepared and tested in the laboratory.Uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)and indirect tensile(IDT)testing were conducted to determine the mixture’s tensile strength ratio and cohesion ratio(CR).Determining TSR alone was found to be insufficient when evaluating moisture resistance.There is a need to consider both TSR and wet IDT strength to properly evaluate moisture behavior of asphalt mixtures.Moreover,it was found that the cohesion and the IDT strength have a good relation in which the minimum condition of the slope,must be met.However,it was observed thatβvalues change depending on material type and temperature.Hence,there is a need to evaluate theseβvalues for varying material and testing temperature.In addition,it was found that the TSR and CR results are highly correlated with an average difference of 1.5%.Furthermore,other tests such as Marshall stability and dynamic immersion were also conducted.It was found that Marshall stability ratio(MSR)and Marshall stability to flow ratio(MSFR)values are less sensitive to moisture effect when measuring moisture resistance compared to TSR values.Finally,the 48 h testing result of the dynamic immersion test showed better correlation with TSR values.

Equal Volumes of Sand and Gravel Concrete Mix Ratios in Cameroon and Its Effect on Concrete Compressive Strength

In recent years, the rationalization of concrete mix ratios which batches equal volumes of sand and gravel in building projects has been gaining grounds in the Cameroon construction industry. The main objective of this study is therefore to investigate if the concrete produced with rationalized mix ratio can be adopted as conventional mix ratio in terms of minimum required compression strength of concrete for buildings. Specifically this work compared the conventional mix ratio of 350 kg of cement: 400 liters of sand: 800 liters of gravel for a cubic meter and the rationalized batch of 350 kg of cement: 600 liters of sand: 600 liters of 5/15 gravel, 15/25 gravel and a combination of 5/15 + 15/25 gravel. Average compressive tests’results for both the conventional and the rationalized mix ratios were found to meet the minimum compressive strength of 65% at 7 days, 90% at 14 days and 99% at 28 days for gravel size combination 5/15 + 15/25. Single size gravel of 5/15 and 15/25 did not meet the minimum required compressive strength of 20 N/mm2 for the rationalized mix ratio at 28 days curing based on the minimum compressive strength required, this study arrives at the conclusion that the equal volumes of sand and gravel mix ratio of 350 kg/m3 of cement: 600 liters of sand: 600 liters of gravel mix ratio can be adopted as a conventional concrete mix ratio for gravel size 5/15 + 15/25.

Detection of Thermophysical Properties for High Strength Concrete after Exposure to High Temperature

Using the detection principle of infrared thermal imaging technique and the detection principle of DRH thermal conductivity tester laboratory,we investigated the infrared thermal image inspection,coefficient of thermal conductivity,apparent density,and compressive strength test on C80 high-strength concrete（HSC） in the presence and absence of polypropylene fibers under completely heated conditions.Only slight damages were detected below 400 ℃,whereas more and more severe deterioration events were expected when the temperature was above 500 ℃.The results show that the elevated temperature through infrared images generally exhibits an upward trend with increasing temperature,while the coefficient of thermal conductivity and apparent density decrease gradually.Additionally,the addition of polypropylene fibers with appropriate length,diameter,and quantity contributes to the improvement of the high-temperature resistance of HSC.

Computing in-situ strength of rock masses based upon RQD and modified joint factor: Using pressure and damage sensitive constitutive relationship

In th is study, a n e w m odel w as p re se n te d for com p u tin g stre n g th o f rock m asses based u p o n in -situo bservations o f RQD p o pularly kno w n as rock quality d esignation. This m odel links u p th e rock m assp aram eters from in -situ investigations w ith th e stre n g th p a ram eters o f jo in ted rocks obtain ed fromlaboratory scale ex p erim en tal observations. Using th e co n stitu tiv e relation, th e a u th o r derived a p ressu reand d am age sensitive plastic p a ra m e te r to d ete rm in e stre n g th o f rock m asses for varied ex te n ts ofd isco n tin u ity an d p ressu re induced dam age. The te s t results show th a t plasticity characterized byhard en in g an d softening inclusive o f dam ag e invariably d e p en d s u p o n m ean p ressu re an d e x te n t ofdefo rm atio n s alread y experien ced by rock m asses. The p re se n t w ork explores th e te s t d a ta th a t revealth e d ep en d en c e o f in -situ stren g th on increm ental jo in t p ara m e te rs o b tain ed from th e jo in t num ber,jo in t orien tatio n , jo in t roughness, gouge p a ram eters an d w a te r pressure. S ubstituting th e relationshipb e tw e e n th e RQD and m odified jo in t factor w ith th a t b e tw e e n m odulus ratio an d stren g th ratio, th em odel show s successfully th a t using d am age inclusive plastic p a ra m e te r an d RQD provides a relationshipfor estim atin g th e stre n g th o f rock m asses. One o f th e m ain objectives o f this w ork is to illustrate th a t th ep re se n t m odel is sensitive to p la s tic ity a n d dam ag e to g e th e r in estim atin g in -situ stre n g th o f rock m assesin foundations, u n d e rg ro u n d excavation an d tunnels.

高强度混凝土结构施工技术及性能优化

结合工程案例,介绍了高强度混凝土材料的特性表现,从强度提升、收缩变形、抗渗性能、抗裂性能等方面论述了高强度混凝土结构的优化策略,从配合设计、搅拌工艺、浇筑及养护技术等方面探讨了施工技术的改进措施,从而保证高强度混凝土结构的整体性能和施工质量。

Seismic stability safety evaluation of gravity dam with shear strength reduction method

A new method of numerical seismic stability safety evaluation for a rock slope is proposed based on the analysis of a gravity dam foundation subjected to earthquake loading. The shear strengths of the weak discontinuities are divided by different shear strength reduction ratios （K） and numerical seismic analysis is carried out after the static analysis is completed. With different K values, the curves of the permanent horizontal displacement of key points of the dam foundation （K-displacement curves） are studied. According to the curve change, the distribution of plastic zones in the foundation, and the slow convergence of the finite element method （FEM）, the seismic stability safety factor is defined as Kwhen the gravity dam is in the limit equilibrium state subjected to earthquake loading. These concepts were applied to the evaluation of seismic stability safety of a gravity dam for a hydropower project. The analysis of the example shows that the proposed method is feasible and is an effective method of seismic stability safety evaluation.

Influence of Characteristics on Bending Strength of Layered Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

The influence of two main characteristics of steel fiber, the aspect ratio （Df） and volume fraction （ρf）, on the bending strength of Layered Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete （LSFRC） is investigated by using orthogonal test. Via the variance analysis on the experimental results and trend analysis on the two characteristics, Df is found significantly related to the bending strength of LSFRC. The influence ratio is 63.3%. The bending strength of LSFRC increases if Df increases, makes better when Df reaches 100. ρf has ordinary influence on the bending strength of LSFRC. The influence ratio is 29.2%. Other characteristics, such as the shape of steel fiber and the mix proportion, have less influence. The best ρf contributing to the bending strength of LSFRC is 1.5 %. If ρf is greater than 1.5%, it has negative influence on the bending strength of LSFRC. So, ρf makes a limited contribution to the bending strength of LSFRC.

Nonlinear regression model for peak-failure strength of rockfill materials in general stress space

A nonlinear regression model for peak-failure strength prediction of rockfill materials is proposed. It is based on the relationship between the peak-failure stress ratio and the normalized confining pressure as well as the relationship between the normalized peak-failure stress ratio and the exponent function of the intermediate principal stress ratio. This model can well predict the variations of the peak-failure stress ratio with the initial confining pressure and the intermediate principal stress ratio for different rockfill materials under different general stress paths. Comparisons of the measured and predicted results show that the peak-failure strength under the constant-p' and constant-b path is larger than that under the constant-σ'_3 and constant-b path. The predictive capacity of the proposed model for the peakfailure stress ratio is better than that for the peak-failure friction angle.

Behavior of High Water-cement Ratio Concrete under Biaxial Compression after Freeze-thaw Cycles

The high water-cement ratio concrete specimens under biaxial compression that completed in a triaxial testing machine were experimentally studied. Strength and deformations of plain concrete specimens in two loading direction under biaxial compression with stress ratio of a=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 were obtained after 0, 25, 50 cycles of freeze-thaw. Influences of freeze-thaw cycles and stress ratio on the peak stress and deformation of this point were analyzed according to the experimental results, Based on the test data, the failure criterion expressed in terms of principal stress after different cycles of freeze-thaw, and the failure criterion with consideration of the influence of freeze-thaw cycle and stress ratio were proposed respectively.

Effects of Water/Binder Ratio on the Properties of Engineered Cementitious Composites

The effects of water/binder ratio （w/b） on the toughness behavior, compressive strength and flexural strength of engineered cementitious composites （ECC） were investigated. The w/b ratios of 0.25, 0.31, 0.33 and 0.37 were selected and the specimens were tested at the ages of 7 d and 28 d. The experimental results showed that there was a corresponding increase in first cracking strength, modulus of rupture, compressive strength and flexural strength with the decrease of w/b. Within the w/b range of 0.25-0.37, higher w/b was found to have improved effects on deflection, strain hardening index and toughness index of ECC. In the permission of meeting the requirement of compressive strength grade, selecting higher w/b in mix design will help to obtain robust ECC.

Change of the mode of failure by interface friction and width-to-height ratio of coal specimens

Bumps in coal mines have been recognized as a major hazard for many years. These sudden and violent failures around mine openings have compromised safety, ventilation and access to mine workings.Previous studies showed that the violence of coal specimen failure depends on both the interface friction and width-to-height（W/H） ratio of coal specimen. The mode of failure for a uniaxially loaded coal specimen or a coal pillar is a combination of both shear failure along the interface and compressive failure in the coal. The shear failure along the interface triggered the compressive failure in coal. The compressive failure of a coal specimen or a coal pillar can be controlled by changing its W/H ratio. As the W/H ratio increases, the ultimate strength increases. Hence, with a proper combination of interface friction and the W/H ratio of pillar or coal specimen, the mode of failure will change from sudden violent failure which is brittle failure to non-violent failure which is ductile failure. The main objective of this paper is to determine at what W/H ratio and interface friction the mode of failure changes from violent to non-violent. In this research, coal specimens of W/H ratio ranging from 1 to 10 were uniaxially tested under two interface frictions of 0.1 and 0.25, and the results are presented and discussed.

Acute effects of static stretching on peak and end-range hamstring-to-quadriceps functional ratios

AIM: To evaluate if static stretching influences peak and end-range functional hamstring-to-quadriceps(H/Q) strength ratios in elite women athletes. METHODS: Eleven healthy female athletes in an elite competitive level participated to the study. All the participants fulfilled the static stretching or non-stretching(control) intervention protocol in a randomized design on different days. Two static unassisted stretching exercises, one in standing and one in sitting position, were used to stretch both the hamstring and quadriceps muscles during these protocols. The total time for the static stretching was 6 ± 1 min. The isokinetic peak torque measurements for the hamstring and quadriceps muscles in eccentric and concentric modes and the calculations for the functional H/Q strength ratios at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s were made before(pre) and after(post) the control or stretching intervention. The strength measurements and functional strength ratio calculations were based during the entire- and end-range of knee extension.RESULTS: The pre-test scores for quadriceps and hamstring peak torque and end range values were not significantly different between the groups(P > 0.05). Subsequently, although the control group did notexhibit significant changes in quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength(P > 0.05), static stretching decreased eccentric and concentric quadriceps muscle strength at both the 60°/s and 180°/s test speeds(P < 0.01). Similarly, static stretching also decreased eccentric and concentric hamstring muscle strength at both the 60°/s and 180°/s test speeds(P < 0.01). On the other hand, when the functional H/Q strength ratios were taken into consideration, the pre-intervention values were not significant different between the groups both during the entire and end range of knee extension(P > 0.05). Furthermore, the functional H/Q strength ratios exhibited no significant alterations during the entire and end ranges of knee extension both in the static stretching or the control intervention(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to our results, static stretching routine does not influence functional H/Q ratio. Athletes can confidently perform static stretching during their warm-up routines.

EFFECT OF SPECIMEN ASPECT RATIO ON FATIGUE LIFE OF CLOSED CELL Al-Si-Ca ALLOY FOAM

Quasi-static and compressive fatigue tests on the closed cell Al-Si-Ca alloy foam specimens with three different aspect ratios were performed. It turned out that the onset of cyclic shortening of foam with a lower aspect ratio took place earlier and the fatigue strength was lower compared with the specimen with a higher aspect ratio, although all the dimensions of specimen satisfied the seven times the cell size criterion, while the quasi-static stress-strain curves were almost same having same Young＇s modulus, yield stress and plateau stress. Therefore, the seven times the cell size criterion for the quasi-static compression behavior was not applicable to the fatigue analysis of Al-Si-Ca alloy foam.

The Permeability and Strength of Green High Performance Concrete

The permeability,alkali silica reaction,workability and strength of GHPC(green high performance concrete) were studied in this paper.The results show that GHPC has an excellent durability and the effects of mass ratio of flyash to high calcium slag,water binder ratio,content of water reducer,and crushed coarse aggregate type on the workability and strength of GHPC were considerably evident.A new path for the concretes continuous development was put forward.