Probabilistic seismic performance assessment of lap-spliced RC columns retrofitted by steel wrapping jackets

In this study, the seismic fragility curves of two reinforced concrete（RC） columns that were lap-spliced at the bottom and retrofitted with steel wrapping jackets were generated. Their seismic performance was probabilistically assessed in comparison to that of lap-spliced or continuous reinforcement RC columns. This study used two types of steel wrapping jackets, a full jacket and a split jacket. Analytical models of the four types of columns were developed based on the experimental results of the columns using Open SEES, which is effective in conducting nonlinear time history analyses. A suite of ten artificial ground motions, modified from recorded ground motions, was used to perform nonlinear time history analyses of the analytical models with scaling of the peak ground acceleration from 0.1 g to 1.0 g in increments of 0.1 g. The steel wrapping jackets did not increase the medians for yield（slight damage state） of the lap-spiced column and did not exceed the corresponding median of the continuous reinforcement column. However, the two steel jackets increased the medians for failure by 1.872 and 2.017 times, respectively, and exceeded the corresponding median of the continuous reinforcement column by 11.8% and 20.5%, respectively.

A New Method to Quickly Assess the Inhibitor Efficiency

A new method to quickly assess the efficiency of corrosion inhibitor was developed by electrically accelerating chloride ions diffusing onto the surface of the embedded steel bar in concrete and inducing corrosion.Potentiodynamic polarization scanning and linear polarization method were used to evaluate the corrosion states which were compared with the direct observation of the bar surface by breaking the sample.The test duration was about two days and the results clearly show the differences in efficiency of the inhibitors tested.

Research of Step-down Stress Accelerated Degradation Data Assessment Method of a Certain Type of Missile Tank

The performance degradation rates of the missile tank are generally time-varying functions uneasily evaluated by general classical evaluation methods. This paper develops a segmented nonlinear accelerated degradation model （SNADM） based on the equivalent method of accumulative damage theory, which tackles the problem that product life is difficult to be determined with degradation rate being a function of the variable of time. A segmented expression of the function of population accumulative degradation is derived. And combined with nonlinear function, an accelerated degradation function, i.e., SNADM is obtained. The parameters of the SNADM are identified by numerical iteration, and the statistical function of degradation track is extrapolated. The reliability function is determined through the type of random process of the degradation distribution. Then an evaluation of product storage life is undertaken by combining the statistical function of degradation track, reliability function and threshold. An example of a missile tank undergoes a step-down stress accelerated degradation test （SDSADT）, in which the results with the SNADM and the classical method are evaluated and compared. The technology introduced is validated with the resultant coincidence of both evaluated and field storage lives.

Approaches for a 3D assessment of pavement evenness data based on 3D vehicle models

Pavements are 3D in their shape. They can be captured in three dimensions by modern road mapping equipment which allows for the assessment of pavement evenness in a more holistic way as opposed to current practice which divides into longitudinal and transversal evenness. It makes sense to use 3D vehicle models to simulate the effects of 3D surface data on certain functional criteria like pavement loading, cargo loading and driving comfort. In order to evaluate the three criteria mentioned two vehicle models have been created： a passenger car used to assess driving comfort and a truck-semitrailer submodel used to assess pavement and cargo loading. The vehicle models and their application to 3D surface data are presented. The results are well in line with existing single-track （planar） models. Their advantage over existing 1D/2D models is demonstrated by the example of driving comfort evaluation. Existing ＂geometric＂ limit values for the assessment of longi- tudinal evenness in terms of the power spectral density could be used to establish corre- sponding limit values for the dynamic response, i.e. driving comfort, pavement loading and cargo loading. The limit values are well in line with existing limit values based on planar vehicle models. They can be used as guidelines for the proposal of future limit values. The investigations show that the use of 3D vehicle models is an appropriate and meaningful way of assessing 3D evenness data gathered by modern road mapping systems.