Material Mechanical Properties Necessary for the Structural Intervention of Concrete Structures

Structural intervention involves the restoration and/or upgrading of the mechanical performances of structures. In addition to concrete and steel, which are typical materials for concrete structures, various ber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), cementitious materials with bers, polymers, and adhesives are often applied for structural intervention. In order to predict structural performance, it is necessary to develop a generic method that is applicable to not only to steel, but also to other materials. Such a generic model could provide information on the mechanical properties required to improve the structural performance. External bonding, which is a typical scheme for structural intervention, is not applied for new structures. It is necessary to clarify material properties and structural details in order to achieve better bonding strength at the interface between the substrate concrete and an externally bonded material. This paper presents the mechanical properties of substrate concrete and relevant intervention material for the fol- lowing purposes: ① to achieve better shear strength and ultimate deformation of a member after struc- tural intervention;and ② to achieve better debonding strength for external bonding. This paper concludes that some of the mechanical properties and structural details for intervention materials that are necessary for improvement in mechanical performance in structures with structural intervention are new, and differ from those of structures without intervention. For example, high strength and stiff- ness are important properties for materials in structures without structural intervention, whereas high fracturing strain and low stiffness are important properties for structural intervention materials.

Massive inferior wall aneurysm presenting with ventricular tachycardia and refractory cardiomyopathy requiring multiple interventions:A case report

BACKGROUND Inferior wall left ventricular aneurysms are rare,they develop after transmural myocardial infarction(MI)and may be associated with poorer prognosis.We present a unique case of a large aneurysm of the inferior wall complicated by ventricular tachycardia(VT)and requiring surgical resection and mitral valve replacement.CASE SUMMARY A 59-year-old male was admitted for VT one month after he had a delayed presentation for an inferior ST-segment elevation MI and was discovered to have a large true inferior wall aneurysm on echocardiography and confirmed on coronary computed tomography(CT)angiography.Due to the sustained VT,concern for aneurysm expansion,and persistent heart failure symptoms,the patient was referred for surgical resection of the aneurysm with patch repair,mitral valve replacement,and automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion with significant improvement in functional and clinical status.CONCLUSION Inferior wall aneurysms are rare and require close monitoring to identify electrical or contractile sequelae.Coronary CT angiography can outline anatomic details and guide surgical intervention to ameliorate life-threatening complications and improve performance status.