Unraveling the Stray Current-Induced Interfacial Transition Zone(ITZ)Effect on Sulfate Corrosion in Concrete

The rail transit in sulfate-rich areas faces the combined effects of stray current and salt corrosion;however,the sulfate ion transport and concrete degradation mechanisms under such conditions are still unclear.To address this issue,novel sulfate transport and mesoscale splitting tests were designed,with a focus on considering the differences between the interfacial transition zone(ITZ)and cement matrix.Under the influence of stray current,the ITZ played a pivotal role in regulating the transport and mechanical failure processes of sulfate attack,while the tortuous and blocking effects of aggregates almost disappeared.This phenomenon was termed the“stray current-induced ITZ effect.”The experimental data revealed that the difference in sulfate ion transport attributed to the ITZ ranged from 1.90 to 2.31 times,while the difference in splitting strength ranged from 1.56 to 1.64 times.Through the real-time synchronization of splitting experiments and microsecond-responsive particle image velocimetry(PIV)technology,the mechanical properties were exposed to the consequences of the stray currentinduced ITZ effect.The number of splitting cracks in the concrete increased,rather than along the central axis,which was significantly different from the conditions without stray current and the ideal Brazilian disk test.Furthermore,a sulfate ion mass transfer model that incorporates reactivity and electrodiffusion was meticulously constructed.The embedded finite element calculation exhibited excellent agreement with the experimental results,indicating its reliability and accuracy.Additionally,the stress field was determined utilizing analytical methods,and the mechanism underlying crack propagation was successfully obtained.Compared to the cement matrix,a stray current led to more sulfates,more microstructure degradation,and greater increases in thickness and porosity in the ITZ,which was considered to be the essence of the stray current-induced ITZ effect.

ANALYSIS MODEL ON GRADUAL CHANGE PRINCIPLE OF EFFECT ZONES OF LAYER FACE FOR ROLLED CONTROL CONCRETE DAM

The effect zones of layer face for RCC （rolled control concrete） dam have gradual change characteristics. Based on the analysis thought of complex material, a model was built to analyze above principle of RCC dam by use of series-wound and shunt-wound connection. Some methods were proposed to determine the instantaneous Young＇s modulus, delayed Young＇s modulus and viscosity coefficient of effect zones of layer face. Above models and methods were used to mine the principle of gradual change of key calculation parameters which can response the characteristics of effect zones. The principle of gradual change was described. A model was established to analyze the threedimensional viscoelastic problem of RCC dam. Above programs were developed. The examples show that the proposed models and methods to determine the key calculation parameters of effect zones can reflect the status of RCC dam accurately.

The effects of the intertropical convergence zone on the easterly jet stream during Northern summer

In this paper, a strong 1TCZ process and an 1TCZ - absent process during FGGE in 1979 were selected for comparison to explore how they were subject to the influence of the evolution of the upper easterly jets.

Prediction of the position of coal particles in an air dense medium fluidized bed system

An air dense medium fluidized bed separator(ADMFBS) is used for dry beneficiation of coal using ultrafine magnetite particles as a pseudo-fluid medium. In this process, the coal particle gains additional weight due to coating on its surface and deposition at dead zone area by fine magnetite particles.Hence, the effective density of coal particle increases and the position of coal particle changes accordingly. In this work, an attempt was made to predict the position of coal particle in non-bubbling condition dense medium fluidized bed system. Coal particles of different shape such as cubical, rectangular prism,spherical and triangular prism with different projected area and density were used. The results show that the position of coal particle in air dense medium fluidized bed follows descending order with respect to the increase of density, projected area of coal particle and different shapes(i.e., triangular prism, cubical,rectangular prism and spherical). Empirical mathematical correlations were developed to predict the position of coal particle.

Test Method to Simulate the Influence of the Interface on the Concrete Carbonation Process

A trial test method is introduced to form and magnify regular interface. Through researching on the carbonation of the magnifying interfacial transition zone （ITZ）, the practical carbonation of the concrete can be simulated. Because the diffusion rate of CO2 in the ITZ is several times greater than that in the bulk paste, the diffusion rate and direction of CO2 will change and form a new carbonation front line. An interfacial effect zone caused by the ITZ will change the distribution of the complete carbonation zone and the partial carbonation zone. One of the important reasons for the formation of the partial carbonation zone was the existence of the interfacial effect zone. Consequently, the method mentioned in this paper provides a new way for researching on the microstructure of the cement based materials during the carbonation process.

Ecosystem assessment and protection effectiveness of a tropical rainforest region in Hainan Island, China

Ecosystem services have become one of the core elements of ecosystem management and evaluation. As a key area of ecosystem services and for maintaining national ecological security, ecosystem changes and implementation effect evaluation are important in national key ecological function zones, for promoting the main function zone strategy and for improving the construction of an ecological civilization. This article studies the ecological zone of a tropical rainforest region in the central mountain area of Hainan Island, China. Multi-source satellite data and ground observation statistics are analyzed with geo-statistics method and ecological assessment model. The core analysis of this paper includes ecosystem patterns, quality and services. By means of spatial and temporal scale expansion and multidimensional space-time correlation analysis, the trends and stability characteristics of ecosystem changes are analyzed, and implementation effect evaluation is discussed. The analysis shows a variety of results. The proportion of forest area inside the ecological zone was significantly higher than the average level in Hainan Island. During 1990–2013, settlement gradually increased inside the ecological zone. After implementation of the zone in 2010, human activity intensity increased, with the main land use being urban construction and land reclamation. Water conservation in the ecological function zone was higher than that outside the zone. In general, it increased slightly, but had obvious fluctuations. Soil conservation inside the zone was also better than that outside. However, it demonstrated dramatic fluctuations and relatively poor stability during 1990–2013. The human disturbance index inside the zone was significantly lower than that outside, and had a lower biodiversity threat level. Especially in 2010–2013, the increased range of the human disturbance index inside the zone was significantly less than that outside.

Structural Evolution of RMB Exchange Rate Reform: Historical Review, Experience and Prospect

The Renminbi(RMB)exchange rate regime reform has gone through three stages roughly once every decade since 1994.It is a structural evolution through the unification of dual exchange rates,increased fluctuations and central parity rate reform in response to the dynamic macro environment in China and abroad.This paper unpacks leading and supporting reforms for each stage and reviews the effects.The reform has developed historical experience in adopting progressive strategies,avoiding sharp exchange rate fluctuations in the near term,maintaining appropriate capital controls,and guaranteeing the reform through domestic structural reforms.Achieving a free-floating exchange rate will be the ultimate goal,but it will not be made easily in the short run.During the transitional period,it is recommended that an annual target zone for RMB's effective exchange rate be arranged for the CFETS currency basket,along with necessary capital controls.