Clinical application of liver stiffness measurement using transient elastography in chronic liver disease from longitudinal perspectives

Accurate determination of the presence and degree of fibrosis in liver is of great importance, because the prognosis and management strategies for chronic liver disease depend mainly on these factors. To date, liver biopsy (LB) remains the "gold standard" for assessing the severity of liver fibrosis; however, LB is often limited by its invasiveness, sampling error, and intra/ inter-observer variability in histological interpretation. Furthermore, repeated LB examinations within a short time interval are indeed ineligible in a real clinical practice. Thus, due to the pressing need for non-invasive surrogates for liver fibrosis, transient elastography (TE),as a novel ultrasound based technology, has allowed a noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness and has gained in popularity over recent years. In the past few years, additional roles for transient TE beyond the initial purpose of a non-invasive surrogate for LB have included the prediction of the most two critical consequences of fibrosis progression: the development of portal hypertension-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma. This indicates that the role of transient TE is not merely limited to reducing the need for LB, but transient TE can enable the establishment of tailored management strategies by providing more detailed prognostic information. In particular, under the concept in which the clinical course of liver fibrosis is dynamic and bidirectional, especially when appropriate intervention is commenced, transient TE can be used to track the dynamic changes in fibrotic burden during antiviral or antifibrotic treatment. This review discussed extended applications of transient TE in prediction of the development of real clinical endpoints from a longitudinal perspective.

Deformation-based longitudinal equivalent stiffness beam model for shield tunnel and its application in seismic deformation method

In the longitudinal seismic deformation method for shield tunnels,one of the most commonly used is the longitudinal equivalent stiffness beam model(LES)for simulating the mechanical behavior of the lining.In this model,axial deformation and bending deformation are independent,so the equivalent stiffness is a constant value.However,the actual situation is that axial deformation and bending deformation occur simultaneously,which is not considered in LES.At present,we are not clear about the effect on the calculation results when axial deformation and bending deformation occur simultaneously.Therefore,in this paper,we improve the traditional LES by taking the relative deformation as a load and considering the coordinated deformation of axial and bending degrees of freedom.This improved model is called DNLES,and its neutral axis equations are an explicit expression.Then,we propose an iterative algorithm to solve the calculation model of the DNLES-based longitudinal seismic deformation method.Through a calculation example,we find that the internal forces based on LES are notably underestimated than those of DNLES in the compression bending zone,while are overestimated in the tension bending zone.When considering the combined effect,the maximum bending moment reached 13.7 times that of the LES model,and the axial pressure and tension were about 1.14 and 0.96 times,respectively.Further analysis reveals the coordinated deformation process in the axial and bending directions of the shield tunnel,which leads to a consequent change in equivalent stiffness.This explains why,in the longitudinal seismic deformation method,the traditional LES may result in unreasonable calculation results.

Analysis of longitudinal forces of coupler devices in emergency braking process for heavy haul trains

To reduce the longitudinal coupler forces of heavy haul trains and improve the running safety, the velocity method and New-mark method were used for the coupler simulation and numerical integration, and a numerical model on the longitudinal dynamics of heavy haul trains was established. Validation was performed against the experimental data. Using this model, the emergency braking process for a combined marshalling heavy haul train was investigated to obtain the distributions of the longitudinal compressive forces and strokes of coupler devices. Then, the influences of the initial braking velocity, the synchronization time of master and slave locomotives, the coupler stiffness and the vibrator mass on the longitudinal forces and strokes were analyzed. The results show that it should be avoided that the emergency braking starts at a low initial speed. Keeping synchronism between master locomotive and slave locomotives effectively helps to reduce the longitudinal forces. Reducing the coupler stiffness appropriately and adding rigid arm connections, the longitudinal vibration frequency can be brought down and the longitudinal forces will be decreased, which improves the running safety of heavy haul trains. All of these research results can provide a reference for the operation and development of heavy haul trains.

Finite Element Calculation of the Flexural Stiffness of Corroded RC Eccentric Compressive Members

A finite element calculation model of corroded RC eccentric compressive members was build using finite element software ANSYS. The model considers the decline of mechanical properties and the effective section of a corroded steel bar,as well as the deterioration of bond character between corroded reinforcement and concrete. The reliability of the finite element model was evaluated by comparing the results of the finite element calculation with the data from experiments. Based on the finite element analysis results,the influence of corrosion degree,the diameter change of the longitudinal reinforcing bars and the spacing change of stirrups on the flexural stiffness were calculated and analyzed.

大直径盾构隧道纵向刚度增强措施研究

为研究不同环缝接头结构对盾构隧道纵向刚度的增强效果,采用等效连续化模型计算得到断面直径对隧道纵向拉压、纵向抗剪和纵向抗弯刚度的影响规律,将隧道纵向刚度增强措施与管片环缝接头结构相联系,采用数值模拟深入探究了9种环缝接头结构的力学性能,对比得到增强隧道纵向刚度效果最优的环缝接头结构。结果表明:直径对纵向拉压和纵向抗弯刚度影响较小,对纵向抗剪刚度影响较大;环缝接头刚度增强措施能够显著减小管片位移,提高隧道纵向刚度,提升效果为:斜螺栓>弯螺栓,定位榫>剪力销>凹凸榫;螺栓型式和纵向刚度增强措施均对螺栓最大剪切应力有较大影响,竖向荷载下受螺栓型式影响较大,水平向荷载下受管片环缝接头刚度增强措施影响较大;结合经济性和有效性,当接头螺栓为弯螺栓时,设置定位榫是一种相对较优的选择。

不同因素导致的差异沉降对盾构隧道受力特性影响研究

盾构隧道在下卧地层软硬突变、局部堆载等因素影响下易产生不均匀沉降,可能诱发管片环间错台、螺栓断裂和接缝渗水等病害,危及隧道安全。然而,现有试验研究在隧道模型上多将纵向接头简化处理,难以反映盾构隧道纵向受力变形特性,对于隧道下卧软硬突变地层等工况的模拟也较为缺乏。为此,提出一种可同时模拟抗拉、抗弯刚度的“弹簧+螺栓型”接头,并以此接头制作可满足纵向力学性能相似的隧道模型,对盾构隧道进行下卧软硬突变、局部堆载等工况下的模型试验,进一步探明不同因素导致的差异沉降对盾构隧道的影响机理,并采用数值模拟验证了试验的可行性。研究结果表明:1)较单一地层而言,隧道下卧软硬突变时纵向沉降曲线呈现明显的非线性,其隧道沉降及差异沉降最值显著增大,软土侧隧道沉降较硬土侧更为显著,最大沉降、沉降差均出现在突变区软土侧衬砌处;2)下卧地层突变导致隧道横向收敛变形在纵向上分布不均,使软土侧衬砌收敛变形减小,硬土侧衬砌收敛变形显著增大;3)局部堆载对管片弯矩分布影响较小,对弯矩最值影响较大;4)下卧软土区隧道结构内力分布明显变异,隧道衬砌正弯矩区域显著增大,负弯矩区域略有减小,且弯矩最值提升显著。因此针对软硬突变地层,必要时在硬土侧隧道可采用粘钢法等方法提升衬砌横向刚度,以控制其收敛变形;软土侧隧道建议对管片进行螺栓复紧,并加强接缝防水,以减小下卧地层弱化对隧道结构产生的不利影响。

基于螺栓拉伸刚度的地铁盾构隧道纵向刚度计算

针对现有盾构隧道纵向刚度计算方法缺乏试验验证且未考虑螺栓拉伸刚度等因素影响的不足,首先,理论推导盾构隧道纵向刚度的解析计算方法;然后,以上海地铁盾构隧道为背景,设计并开展缩尺模型试验,通过实测结果验证解析计算方法;最后,以珠三角地区盾构隧道为工程背景,计算盾构隧道纵向刚度。结果表明:由于螺栓预紧力的存在,跨中加载较小时的实测隧道纵向刚度偏大,但随着跨中加载的增加,实测结果与理论计算结果趋于接近,验证了解析计算方法的合理性;珠三角地区盾构隧道在弹性阶段、塑性阶段和塑性变形后的纵向螺栓拉伸刚度依次为2.1255×10^(6),0.9859×10^(6)和3.1856×10^(6) N·m^(-1),纵向刚度依次为3.3068×10^(8),1.5345×10^(8)和4.9543×10^(8) N·m^(2);考虑到地铁盾构隧道发生纵向变形时,一定范围内的纵向螺栓所处变形阶段存在差别,在实际纵向刚度取值时应根据隧道最大变形导致的纵向螺栓拉伸量来具体分析确定。

纵向槽钢和轴力共同作用的盾构隧道等效刚度解析解

为准确快速地预测纵向槽钢加固技术对盾构隧道等效刚度的影响,开展了纵向槽钢加固技术的理论研究。解析地提出了纵向槽钢和纵向轴力耦合作用的盾构隧道等效刚度理论解,并与经典理论、模型试验和数值模拟对比验证了本方法的可靠性。结果表明盾构隧道的中性轴φ随槽钢、纵向轴压力的增加而减小,其大小直接改变了隧道管片间的接触状态,从而影响了隧道的等效刚度;盾构隧道的等效刚度与纵向轴压力呈S曲线正相关,与弯矩呈非线性反相关,与隧道管片宽度、槽钢截面面积、数量、弹性模量呈线性正比关系;盾构隧道的等效刚度贡献大小顺序依次为纵向槽钢数量、截面面积、弹性模量。从理论上诠释了纵向槽钢等敏感性参数对隧道等效刚度的影响机理,可准确快速地预测纵向槽钢加固效果。

轴箱内置地铁车辆在小半径曲线上的运行稳定性研究

轨道车辆技术的发展对转向架轻量化提出了更高的要求,采用轴箱内置转向架技术实现轻量化将是我国未来轨道车辆发展的重要手段之一。为了提升轴箱内置地铁车辆在曲线轨道上的运行稳定性,针对地铁小半径曲线多、曲线过渡段短的特点,建立了采用内置轴箱的地铁车辆曲线轨道通过动力学模型;针对不同轴箱布置方式,对比分析了地铁车辆在曲线运行时的特性,并探讨了一系纵向刚度对轴箱内置地铁车辆运行稳定性的影响;进一步解决轴箱内置地铁车辆的曲线通过性和运行稳定性的矛盾,指出了安装抗蛇行减振器的必要性。研究结果表明:与轴箱外置地铁车辆相比,轴箱内置地铁车辆在曲线轨道上具有较好的曲线通过能力,但运行稳定性较差;安装抗蛇行减振器并选取适当的一系纵向刚度,能够解决轴箱内置地铁车辆在曲线通过时容易失稳的问题。论文工作对于发展轴箱内置转向架技术、实现转向架轻量化具有重要的参考价值。

地铁车站矩形顶管壳-接头理论模型及纵向变形

针对矩形顶管隧道易受影响产生纵向变形、进而引发接头破坏的问题,提出一种矩形顶管隧道壳-接头理论模型,并以此研究隧道在不均匀沉降作用下的纵向变形。首先,通过室内模型试验,探究矩形顶管隧道接头力学特性;其次,建立壳-接头理论模型,给出接头力学元件的刚度矩阵及其计算方法;然后,建立数值模型,并与室内模型试验结果进行对比;最后,依托20环管节的矩形顶管隧道工程实例,研究不均匀沉降作用下的隧道纵向变形。结果表明:接头破坏表现为闭合间隙、钢套环受力和变形破坏3个阶段,接头的抗剪和抗弯均由钢套环承担;壳-接头理论模型的模拟计算结果与模型试验结果较吻合,验证了模型的实用性和准确性;矩形顶管隧道的纵向变形受地基刚度影响显著,砾砂、粉砂和黏土3种地层对应的隧道最大附加沉降分别为3.72,7.66和12.14 mm,随着地基刚度的减小,隧道接头受不均匀沉降的影响将会增大。

纵向压力和加固钢板对隧道力学性能影响的解析解

为快速准确地评估纵向压力和加固钢板对盾构隧道力学性能的影响,基于隧道衬砌接缝面建立考虑纵向压力、弯矩和加固钢板耦合作用下的应力平衡方程,推导出了隧道力学性能的解析解。通过与经典抗弯刚度理论和数值模拟的计算结果对比,验证了该方法的可靠性。研究表明:隧道中性轴随纵向压力、加固钢板厚度和弹性模量增加而减小;隧道抗弯刚度随弯矩增大而减小(最大和最小隧道抗弯刚度与弯矩大小无关),与纵向压力呈S曲线正相关,与加固钢板厚度和弹性模量呈非线性正相关。有加固钢板的隧道抗弯刚度是无加固钢板的6.58倍;弯矩承载力与纵向压力、加固钢板厚度和弹性模量呈非线性正相关;衬砌接缝张开量与纵向压力、加固钢板厚度和弹性模量呈非线性反相关,与弯矩呈非线性正相关。该计算方法解析地诠释了纵向压力与加固钢板对盾构隧道力学性能的影响机制。

孟加拉38 m简支梁桥墩纵向水平刚度限值研究

研究目的:孟加拉帕德玛大桥铁路连接线为“一带一路”重点工程项目之一,在高架桥上铺设跨区间无砟轨道无缝线路,且高架桥主要采用38 m混凝土简支箱梁。为指导孟加拉38 m混凝土简支箱梁桥上无缝线路及桥墩设计,建立轨道-桥梁-墩台一体化仿真分析模型,研究桥墩纵向水平刚度对无缝线路力学性能的影响规律,基于钢轨强度、梁轨相对位移和钢轨断缝限值,提出满足38 m混凝土简支箱梁桥上无缝线路铺设的桥墩纵向水平刚度限值。研究结论:(1)钢轨伸缩力和挠曲力随桥墩纵向水平刚度的增大而增大,钢轨制动力、梁轨相对位移和钢轨断缝值均随桥墩纵向水平刚度的增大而减小;(2)采用UIC规范参数时,桥墩纵向水平刚度限值受梁轨相对位移控制;(3)采用中国规范参数时,桥墩纵向水平刚度限值受钢轨强度、梁轨相对位移、钢轨温度变化幅度和机车牵引类型共同控制;(4)采用UIC规范时的桥墩纵向水平刚度限值小于中国规范的规定值,综合考虑钢轨强度、梁轨相对位移、机车牵引类型的影响,钢轨温度变化幅度分别为50℃、40℃和30℃,采用UIC规范时,建议38 m混凝土简支箱梁的桥墩纵向水平刚度限值取200 kN/cm;采用中国规范时,建议38 m混凝土简支箱梁的桥墩纵向水平刚度限值取550、250和250 kN/cm;(5)本研究成果可为相关客货共线铁路混凝土简支箱梁桥上无缝线路及桥墩设计提供参考和借鉴。

子午线轮胎静态力学特性的有限元仿真

以205/55R18子午线轮胎为例,采用有限元仿真方法分析子午线轮胎的静态力学特性。建立有限元模型,并验证该模型的可靠性,在此基础上分析径向负荷、充气压力和接地摩擦因数对轮胎接地压力、纵向刚度和横向刚度的影响。结果表明:轮胎的径向负荷增大时,轮胎的接地压力、纵向刚度和横向刚度相应增大;轮胎的充气压力增大时,轮胎的接地面积减小,接地压力和刚度增大;通过增大摩擦因数可以提高轮胎的接地性能和操控性能,但摩擦因数的影响程度相比于径向负荷和充气压力较小。

Recent Construction Technology Innovations and Practices for Large-Span Arch Bridges in China

Arch bridges provide significant technical and economic benefits under suitable conditions.In particular,concrete-filled steel tubular(CFST)arch bridges and steel-reinforced concrete(SRC)arch bridges are two types of arch bridges that have gained great economic competitiveness and span growth potential due to advancements in construction technology,engineering materials,and construction equipment over the past 30 years.Under the leadership of the author,two record-breaking arch bridges—that is,the Pingnan Third Bridge(a CFST arch bridge),with a span of 560 m,and the Tian’e Longtan Bridge(an SRC arch bridge),with a span of 600 m—have been built in the past five years,embodying great technological breakthroughs in the construction of these two types of arch bridges.This paper takes these two arch bridges as examples to systematically summarize the latest technological innovations and practices in the construction of CFST arch bridges and SRC arch bridges in China.The technological innovations of CFST arch bridges include cable-stayed fastening-hanging cantilevered assembly methods,new in-tube concrete materials,in-tube concrete pouring techniques,a novel thrust abutment foundation for nonrocky terrain,and measures to reduce the quantity of temporary facilities.The technological innovations of SRC arch bridges involve arch skeleton stiffness selection,the development of encasing concrete materials,encasing concrete pouring,arch rib stress mitigation,and longitudinal reinforcement optimization.To conclude,future research focuses and development directions for these two types of arch bridges are proposed.

类矩形装配式地铁车站纵向等效抗弯刚度研究

类矩形装配式地铁车站纵向等效抗弯刚度是衡量其力学行为的重要参数,对于构件结构设计、抗弯承载能力验算具有重要作用。为了分析地铁车站纵向抗弯性能及其影响因素,根据等效连续梁的转角计算公式,得出了纵向等效抗弯刚度(EI)eq及纵向等效抗弯刚度有效率η的隐式表达式。通过截面参数分析,探讨了构件长度对中性轴距离c值、等效抗弯刚度有效率η值、截面最大应力的影响;研究了上下圆弧块厚度、曲率半径、圆心角及半短轴长b值对装配式构件截面上的最大应力的影响规律;为了反映装配式车站环缝实际作用范围,引入了环缝影响系数λ,拓展了类矩形装配式衬砌纵向等效连续化模型。研究结果表明:不同构件长度下截面应力分布状态及η值保持不变,且弯矩方向对其影响较小。在弯矩不变的前提下截面最大应力受半短轴长b值影响较大。当顶板块厚度t1处于0.6~2 m范围时,截面最大拉应力随半短轴长b增加而降低6.8%~9.3%;当底板块厚度t3处于0.6~2 m范围时,随着半短轴长b增加,截面最大压应力降低62.5%~63.6%。随着λ由0增加到1,纵向等效抗弯刚度有效率η由1降低到0.05%且变化趋势逐渐降低,与纵向等效连续化模型计算结论一致。本文研究结论对于装配式地铁车站预制构件结构设计及抗弯承载能力验算可提供有效参考。

刚度修正法预测盾构下穿对既有隧道沉降的影响

在城市地铁隧道施工中常会遇到新建隧道下方穿越已建隧道的情况,提前预测已建隧道沉降是工程实施的关键。本文提出了刚度修正简易计算方法,利用隧道与土体纵向相对刚度,以土体自由变形为基础,建立了已建隧道沉降曲线的沉降槽宽度修正系数和地层损失率修正系数,借此预测已建隧道的沉降发展;并利用数值模拟方法建立了相对刚度与各修正系数的定量关系,实现了刚度修正法的工程应用。然后将刚度修正法计算结果与基于弹性地基梁的解析方法进行了对比,验证了本文方法的可行性和有效性。最后,给出了刚度修正法在工程实例中的应用案例。

盾构隧道凹凸榫-斜螺栓形式环缝径向顺剪抗剪刚度研究

为研究盾构隧道环缝径向顺剪的抗剪性能,针对凹凸榫-斜螺栓形式的环缝,建立环缝径向顺剪抗剪刚度模型;将环缝的径向顺剪过程分解为静摩擦作用、螺栓锚固、螺栓弯曲变形以及凹凸榫咬合4个阶段,分析不同阶段环缝的受力特点及抗剪刚度的主要构成,并通过解析方法得到4个阶段抗剪刚度的显式解答。选取足尺环缝径向剪切试验的试验结果对螺栓作用阶段抗剪刚度理论模型进行验证并分析误差来源,结果表明,由于螺栓的装配方式、环缝剪切试验中结构的受力变形原理等因素,理论模型与试验结果存在差异,但变形阶段存在一定的相似性,理论模型能够较正确地描述环缝剪切过程中螺栓的力学行为。选取带榫管片环缝剪切试验对分布式凹凸榫在咬合阶段的抗剪刚度进行验证,结果表明,当纵向力较大时(达到2000 kN),凹凸榫抗剪刚度的试验结果与理论模型计算结果接近,说明该模型能够较准确地描述在纵向力较大的情况下环缝剪切过程中凹凸榫的力学行为。

钢筋锈蚀对RC固端梁振动特性的影响

为了揭示钢筋锈蚀对钢筋混凝土(reinforced concrete,简称RC)固端梁振动特性的影响,制作了纵筋直径分别为14 mm和16 mm的2组梁S‑14和S‑16,每组4片,一共8片。以0%,5%,10%和15%为目标锈蚀率对2组梁开展电化学加速锈蚀试验,基于受迫振动法测试了2组梁的振动特性,分析了交流电和环境振动两个干扰因素对测试准确性的影响,研究了纵筋锈蚀率、直径对RC固端梁振动特性的影响规律,探讨了荷载、截面刚度与频率之间的关联。结果表明:干扰因素对固端梁频率的影响可忽略,但对阻尼比有一定的影响,尤其是环境振动最大可产生43.62%的偏差;随着纵筋锈蚀率的增大,固端梁的频率不断下降,S‑14和S‑16梁的最大降幅分别达16.89%和8.13%,且纵筋直径越小,频率的降幅和降速越大;2组梁的阻尼比随纵筋锈蚀率的变化规律不一样,从测试结果的可重复性、稳定性和规律性来看,频率均优于阻尼比;随着锈蚀率的增大,固端梁荷载和频率表现出类似的下降规律,两者表现出良好的指数关系,固端梁截面刚度的变化率是其振动频率变化率的2倍。

推进轴系纵向振动负刚度动力吸振器试验研究

[目的]针对推进轴系一阶纵向振动控制难题,采用碟簧负刚度动力吸振器进行振动控制并进行试验验证。[方法]建立推进轴系纵向振动负刚度动力吸振器试验台架,根据所需控制的轴系一阶纵振模态,设计并研制负刚度动力吸振推力轴承,然后开展不同转速、不同静推力、不同负刚度下的振动传递试验,从而获得推力轴承基座和轴系上的振动加速度响应数据。[结果]结果显示,所研制的负刚度动力吸振推力轴承能以1.6%的吸振器质量使轴承座上一阶纵振轴系的振动响应下降7.8 dB;在轴系固有频率变化5%、静推力变化40%的情况下,负刚度动力吸振器仍能保证3.3 dB的控制效果;在非最优负刚度下,不会恶化轴系和轴承座的振动响应。[结论]研究表明负刚度动力吸振可有效抑制不同转速下轴系一阶纵振处的振动传递。

纵向力作用下的盾构隧道管片结构纵向弯曲变形性能研究

为探明盾构隧道在纵向力作用下的纵向弯曲变形性能,以武汉两湖隧道工程(东湖段)为背景开展了管片结构纵向模型试验,对隧道的竖向位移与纵向应变进行了研究,探明了纵向力对盾构隧道纵向弯曲变形性能的影响。研究结果表明:纵向力能够提高隧道的纵向抗弯刚度,其对纵向抗弯刚度的提升作用随竖向荷载的增加呈先增大后减小的趋势。以竖向荷载分别为3200 kN、9600 kN、16000 kN为例,当隧道从无纵向力作用到竖纵荷载比K分别为0.56、1.67、2.78时,隧道的最大竖向位移分别减少了45.5%、56.8%、62.7%,而竖向荷载为22400 kN、K为3.89时仅减小了23.5%。管片结构纵向刚度有效率随竖向荷载的增加而减小,根据减小的程度可分为3个阶段:第一阶段为刚度弱化阶段;第二阶段为刚度稳定阶段;第三阶段恢复至刚度弱化阶段。纵向刚度有效率同时受竖向荷载与纵向力共同的影响,且当竖向荷载一定时,竖纵荷载比越小,隧道的纵向刚度有效率越大,当竖向荷载为22400 kN、竖纵荷载比K从35减小至3.89时,隧道的纵向刚度有效率减小了16.2%。以跨中横截面为例,隧道横截面的中性轴在竖向荷载的作用下会随着隧道的变形而上移,增加纵向力能使中性轴下移并趋近于拱腰位置。该文试验所得纵向刚度有效率在无纵向力时与现有模型试验结果相近,在考虑纵向力后大于现有研究结果,纵向刚度有效率应考虑残余纵向力的影响,建议取值为0.218~0.696。