Effect of Partial Replacement of Fly Ash by Decoration Waste Powder on the Fresh and Mechanical Properties of Geopolymer Masonry Mortar

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using decoration waste powder(DWP)as a partial replacement for fly ash(FA)in the preparation of geopolymer masonry mortar,and to examine the effect of different DWP replacement rates(0%-40%)on the fresh and mechanical properties of the mortar.The results showed that each group of geopolymer masonry mortar exhibited excellent water retention performance,with a water retention rate of 100%,which was due to the unique geopolymer mortar system and high viscosity of the alkaline activator solution.Compared to the control group,the flowability of the mortar containing lower contents of DWP(10%and 20%)was higher.However,as the DWP replacement rate further increased,the flowability gradually decreased.The DWP could absorb the free water in the reaction system of geopolymer mortar,thereby limiting the occurrence of geopolymerization reaction.The incorporation of DWP in the mortar resulted in a decrease in compressive strength compared to the mortar without DWP.However,even at a replacement rate of 40%,the compressive strength of the mortar still exceeded 15 MPa,which met the requirements of the masonry mortar.It was feasible to use DWP in the geopolymer masonry mortar.Although the addition of DWP caused some performance loss,it did not affect its usability.

Hydrodynamic Assessment of A New Nature-Based Armour Unit on Rubble Mound Breakwater for Coastal Protection

This research proposes a novel nature-based design of a new concrete armour unit for the cover layer of a rubblemoundbreakwater. Armour units are versatile with respect to shape, orientation, surface condition details, and porosity.Therefore, a detailed analysis is required to investigate the exact state of their hydraulic interactions and structuralresponses. In this regard, the performance results of several traditional armour units, including the Antifer cube,Tetrapod, X-block and natural stone, are considered for the first step of this study. Then, the related observed resultsare compared with those obtained for a newly designed (artificial coral) armour unit. The research methodology utilizesthe common wave flume test procedure. Furthermore, several verified numerical models in OpenFOAM code areused to gain the extra required data. The proposed armour is configured to provide an effective shore protection as anenvironmental-friendly coastal structure. Thus it is designed with a main trunk including deep grooves to imitate thetypical geometry of a coral type configuration, so as to attain desirable performance. The observed results and ananalytic hierarchy process (AHP) concept are used to compare the hydraulic performance of the studied traditionaland newly proposed (artificial coral) armour units. The results indicate that the artificial coral armour unit demonstratesacceptable performance. The widely used traditional armour units might be replaced by newer designs for betterwave energy dissipation, and more importantly, for fewer adverse effects on the marine environment.

Thermomechanical Modelling of Industrial Vessels that Contain Refractory Masonry Linings

Some refractory linings that protect metallic vessels from the hot temperature of the products they contain are made of masonries with or without mortar.The joints play an important role,reducing the stresses in the masonries during heating.Furthermore,the presence of these joints makes the behaviour of the masonry nonlinear and orthotropic.To perform a thermomechanical simulation using a finite element method of an industrial vessel that contains hundreds or thousands of bricks and joints,microscopic models are not suitable due to the high computational time and the management of the behaviour of the joints(opening/closing)which affects the convergence.To overcome these problems,it is proposed to replace the masonry by a homogeneous material that has a behaviour equivalent to the set of bricks and joints,using a periodic homogenization technique.Since the joints can be closed or open,the equivalent material will have a different behaviour according to the joint state.Furthermore,refractory materials have an elastic-viscoplastic behaviour at high temperatures.So,the equivalent material will have an orthotropic elastic-viscoplastic behaviour,requiring a nonlinear homogenisation technique.An overview of this approach developed at University of Orléans is presented with two industrial applications(blast-furnace and steel ladle).

Influential aspects on seismic performance of confined masonry construction

Recent earthquakes around the world have resulted in loss of human lives and high economic losses due to poor performance of unreinforced masonry constructions as well as poorly-built reinforced concrete framed buildings. This has necessitated alternative building technologies with improved seismic performance. Confined masonry (CM) construction, has shown excellent behavior during past earthquakes across the world and requires similar skill at a marginally higher cost than that of unreinforced masonry. This paper summarizes the main features of generic construction and gains insight into the behavior of CM elements under earthquake excitations, representing a viable alternative for safe and economical construction in seismic areas.?The paper discusses various influential aspects like sequence of construction, properties and type of masonry material, structural configuration, reinforcement detailing in tie column/beam and masonry, panel aspect ratio, interface between concrete and masonry, axial stress, multiple confining column, opening in wall panels and damage pattern etc. along with solution to overcome the limitations.

Impact of Earthquake Action on the Design and Sizing of Jointed Masonry Structures in South Kivu, DRC

This article deals with the investigation of the effects of seismic impacts on the design and dimensioning of structures in South Kivu. The starting point is the observation of an ambivalence that can be observed in the province, namely the non-consideration of seismic action in the study of structures by both professionals and researchers. The main objective of the study is to show the importance of dynamic analysis of structures in South Kivu. It adopts a meta-analytical approach referring to previous researches on South Kivu and proposes an efficient and optimal method. To arrive at the results, we use Eurocode 7 and 8. In addition, we conducted static analysis using the Coulomb method and dynamic analysis using the Mononobe-Okabe method and compared the results. At Nyabibwe, the results showed that we have a deviation of 24.47% for slip stability, 12.038% for overturning stability and 9.677% for stability against punching through a weight wall.

秸秆石膏渣空心砌块墙体轻质节能

目前,我国的建筑内外墙体仍以粘土砖为主,混凝土空心砌块为辅。混凝土空心砌块属非粘土质新型墙材产品,用于建筑围护结构热工性能差,容重大是较突出的问题。秸杆石膏渣墙体空心砌块容重450-1000kg/m3,导热系数为0.12-0.135W/m·k,作为建筑围护结构不仅容重轻,节约基础用材,且单一材料即可满足建筑节能50%的要求。为小城镇绿色住宅建设就近提供了环保墙材,既可降低生产成本,又能保护耕地,节约能源。其技术、经济、社会效益均十分显著。

Influence of Choice of Structural System &In-Fill Masonry on the Embodied Energy &Cost of a Low-Rise Residential Urban-Building Indian Case Study

In the urban residential building stock, a major proportion is constituted by low-rise individual buildings. In addition to cost, quality and duration, energy consumed for the project needs to be accounted in the decision making process. Minimizing the cost of construction without compromising on the architectural and structural requirements is the primary objective of the residential buildings of stake-holders, especially the owners. The choice of structural system and the materials used for construction play a crucial role in this effort. This means that the use of expensive and/or voluminous materials such as cement, steel, masonry etc. is optimized. This could lead to significant reduction in embodied energy as well, if the choice of the structural system is prudently made. In this paper, an attempt has been made to quantify the cost and embodied energy benefits for a low-rise residential building by choosing two different structural systems, namely moment resisting framed (MRF) construction system and the partly load-bearing (PLB) system. The influence of choice of materials, contributing to reduction of cost and/or energy is discussed. It is clearly noticed that, when the structural system is re-configured as a PLB system from the existing MRF system there is significant reduction in cost and embodied energy without changing the architectural form.

The contribution of steel wallposts to out-of-plane behavior of non-structural masonry walls

For years,non-structural masonry walls have received little attention by code developers and professional engineers.Recently,significant efforts have been made to shed more light on out-of-plane(OOP)behavior of non-structural masonry walls.In updated provisions of the Iranian seismic code,bed joint reinforcements(BJRs)and steel wallposts have been suggested for use.BJRs are horizontal reinforcements;steel wallposts are vertical truss-like elements intended to provide additional OOP restraints for a wall.The contribution of BJRs has previously been investigated by the authors.This study is devoted to investigating the contribution of steel wallposts to the OOP behavior of non-structural masonry walls.Using pre-validated 3D finite element(FE)models,the OOP behavior of 180 non-structural masonry walls with varying configurations and details are investigated.The OOP pressure-displacement curve,ultimate strength,the response modification factor,and the cracking pattern are among the results presented in this study.It is found that steel wallposts,especially those with higher rigidity,can improve the OOP strength of the walls.The contribution of wallposts in the case of shorter length walls and walls with an opening are more pronounced.Results also indicate that masonry walls with wallpost generally have smaller modification factors compared to similar walls without wallpost.

外廊式砖混结构加固计算方法

通过上海市某四层外廊式砖混结构教学楼加固实例,介绍了利用PKPM计算软件PMCAD模块,对外加钢筋混凝土构造柱、板墙及圈梁加固砌体结构房屋进行计算的方法。在墙体抗震承载力计算时,将钢筋混凝土柱折算成等效墙体参与整体分析并进行截面承载力验算。在墙体抗压承载力计算时,按考虑二次受力影响进行构造柱与砌体组合构件的承载力验算。此外介绍了用交叉钢拉杆加固预制楼板整体性的计算方法和构造措施。

Wave Force on the Crown Wall of Rubble Mound Breakwaters at Intermediate Depths

Rubble mound breakwaters with a crown wall are a common coastal engineering structure.The wave force on crown walls is an important parameter for the practice engineering design.Particularly,the wave force on crown walls under intermediate depths has been studied through physical model tests and numerical simulations.In this study,a three-dimensional numerical wave flume was developed to investigate monochromatic wave interactions in a rubble mound breakwater with a crown wall.Armor blocks were modeled in detail.The Navier-Stokes equations for two-phase incompressible flows,combined with shear stress transport k-ωturbulence model and volume of fluid method for tracking the free surface,were solved.A set of laboratory experiments were performed to validate the adopted model.Subsequently,a series of numerical simulations were implemented to examine the impacts of different hydrodynamic parameters(including wave height,incident wave period,and water depth)and the berm width on the wave force of the crown wall.Finally,a comparison of the experimental results and Martin method shows that the latter method is not suitable for this experimental scope.New empirical formulas are proposed to predict the wave force on crown walls under intermediate depth.The results can provide a basis for the design of crown wall of rubble mound breakwaters at intermediate depths.

Triaxial elastoplastic damage constitutive model of unreinforced clay brick masonry wall

Due to differences in the properties of composition materials and construction techniques,unreinforced masonry is characterized by low strength,anisotropy,nonuniformity,and low ductility.In order to accurately simulate the mechanical behavior of unreinforced brick masonry walls under static and dynamic loads,a new elastoplastic damage constitutive model was proposed and the corresponding subroutine was developed based on the concrete material constitutive model.In the proposed constitutive model,the Rankine strength theory and the Drucker-Prager strength theory were used to define the tensile and compressive yield surface function of materials,respectively.Moreover,the stress updating algorithm was modified to consider the tensile plastic permanent deformation of masonry materials.To verify the accuracy of the proposed constitutive model,numerical simulations of the brick masonry under monotonic and cyclic uniaxial tension and compression loads were carried out.Comparisons among the numerical and theoretical and experimental results show that the proposed model can properly reflect the masonry material mechanical properties.Furthermore,the numerical models of four pieces of masonry walls with different mortar strengths were established.Low cyclic loadings were applied and the results show that the proposed constitutive model can properly simulate the wall shear failure characteristics,and the force-displacement hysteretic curves obtained by numerical simulation are in good agreement with the tests.Overall,the proposed elastic-plastic damage constitutive model can simulate the nonlinear behavior of unreinforced brick masonry walls very well,and can be used to predict the structural response of masonry walls.

Numerical simulation on the seismic performance of retrofitted masonry walls based on the combined finite-discrete element method

Due to the long construction life,improper design methods,brittle material properties and poor construction techniques,most existing masonry structures do not perform well during earthquakes.The retrofitting method using an external steel-meshed mortar layer is widely used to retrofit existing masonry buildings.Assessing the seismic performance of masonry walls reinforced by an external steel-meshed mortar layer reasonably and effectively is a difficult subject in the research field of masonry structures.Based on the combined finite-discrete elements method,the numerical models of retrofitted brick walls with four different masonry mortar strengths by an external mortar layer are established.The shear strength of mortar and the contact between the retrofitted mortar layer and the brick blocks are discussed in detail.The failure patterns and load-displacement curves of the retrofitted brick walls were obtained by applying low cycle reciprocating loads to the numerical model,and the bearing capacity and the failure mechanism of the retrofitted walls were obtained by comparing the failure patterns,ultimate bearing capacity,deformability and other aspects with the tests.This study provides a basis for improving the seismic strengthening design method of masonry structures and helps to better assess the seismic performance of masonry structures after retrofitting.

考虑非结构构件的木结构古建筑抗震性能研究综述

木结构古建筑是我国文物建筑的主体,它以木材为主要承重构件,具有深厚的历史文化价值。本文根据已有研究,从结构试验、数值模拟、抗震性能评估方法 3个方面,总结了含有隔墙、隔扇、雀替等非结构构件的古木建筑抗震性能研究现状。研究表明,非结构构件可以限制榫卯节点拔榫,改善节点受力,不同程度提高结构的强度、刚度和耗能能力,降低了结构在地震作用下坍塌的概率。最后结合我国木结构古建筑的研究现状以及与其他国家的研究差异,给出了未来木结构古建筑抗震性能的可能研究方向。

Experimental study on the seismic performance of masonry wall reinforced by cement mortar and polypropylene band

Since masonry structures are prone to collapse in earthquakes,a novel joint reinforcement method with a polypropylene band(PP-band)and cement mortar(CM)has been put forward.Compared with the common reinforcement methods,this method not only facilitates construction but also ensures lower reinforcement cost.To systematically explore the influence of joint reinforcement on the seismic performance of masonry walls,quasi-static tests were carried out on six specimens with different reinforcement forms.The test results show that the joint action of PP-band and CM can significantly improve the specimen′s brittle failure characteristics and enhance the integrity of the specimen after cracking.Compared with the specimen without reinforcement,each of the seismic performance indexes of the joint reinforced specimen had obvious improvement.The maximum increased rate about peak load and ductility of the joint reinforced specimen is 100.6%and 233.4%,respectively.

基于双重注意力U-Net的砌体结构震害裂缝检测

【目的】砌体结构震害裂缝严重影响结构安全。在震后应急响应阶段,对结构各部位进行裂缝检测是结构安全鉴定的重要依据。为提高检测效率,提出一种改进的多目标语义分割算法,即双重注意力UNet(dual attention U-Net,DA U-Net)。【方法】首先,为支持模型的训练,创建一个手工标记的数据集,并采用数据增强策略保证网络学习到更多的裂缝细节特征;其次,使用VGG16(visual geometry group 16-layer)网络替换U-Net主干特征提取网络,并且在跳层连接处嵌入卷积块状注意力模块和非局部注意力机制,有利于改善裂缝边缘分割不完整和全局特征信息利用不充分的问题,以及有效利用浅层特征信息来加强特征表示;最后,用亚像素卷积取代原上采样操作,补充低分辨率像素缺失的语义信息。【结果】改进DA U-Net网络在分类准确率和分割精度上均达到最佳表现。精度评价指标F_(1)分数(F_(1) score)指标E_(F_(1))、平均像素精度(mean pixel accuracy,MPA)指标E_(MPA)和平均交并比(mean intersection over union,MIOU)指标E_(MIOU)达到84.66%、91.57%和81.50%,相比U-Net网络的分割精度均提高5.00%以上。选择合适的主干网络能更好地捕捉和表征数据的复杂特征,同时对全局空间位置信息关注度也更高。【结论】改进算法可显著提升对裂缝识别和定位的准确性,以及对裂缝的整体形态、走向和交融情况的分割完整性,增强多组合裂缝分割精度,为震后砌体结构房屋安全鉴定提供一种有效的检测方法。

Case Study-Performances of a Masonry House-Energy Consumption and Air-Tightness

Air-tightness and energy consumption was measured in a one-family house built in 2009 and 2010.The air-tightness fulfilled the goals,which was set to 0.3 L/s·m^(2).The energy consumption was measured from the start in May 2010.The figures in this report refer to measurements between May 2010 and October 2013 and are well below the authority demand of 55 kWh/m^(2)·year.

基于无线传感技术的多层砌体结构抗震自动化监测

自动化监测多层砌体结构抗震能力能够最大程度降低地震带来的损失,然而砌体结构的承受负荷和下沉量难以准确监测。为了解决上述问题,提升多层砌体结构抗震自动化监测效果,对基于无线传感技术的多层砌体结构抗震自动化监测模型进行设计。首先分析二维状态的砌块等效体积单元的应力-应变关系,进而判断得到的砌体受压应力-应变关系,确定监测点,再通过无线传感分析建立监测数学模型,利用信息采集对数据进行控制,实现抗震自动监测。实验结果表明,设计模型在受力超过临界值后,能够精准地判断出多层砌体结构所受荷载,监测的下沉量准确率在99.8%以上,具有一定的应用价值。

Experimental investigation of engineered geopolymer composite for structural strengthening against blast loads

The recent increase in blast/bombing incidents all over the world has pushed the development of effective strengthening approaches to enhance the blast resistance of existing civil infrastructures.Engineered geopolymer composite(EGC)is a promising material featured by eco-friendly,fast-setting and strain-hardening characteristics for emergent strengthening and construction.However,the fiber optimization for preparing EGC and its protective effect on structural elements under blast scenarios are uncertain.In this study,laboratory tests were firstly conducted to evaluate the effects of fiber types on the properties of EGC in terms of workability,dry shrinkage,and mechanical properties in compression,tension and flexure.The experimental results showed that EGC containing PE fiber exhibited suitable workability,acceptable dry shrinkage and superior mechanical properties compared with other types of fibers.After that,a series of field tests were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of EGC retrofitting layer on the enhancement of blast performance of typical elements.The tests include autoclaved aerated concrete(AAC)masonry walls subjected to vented gas explosion,reinforced AAC panels subjected to TNT explosion and plain concrete slabs subjected to contact explosion.It was found that EGC could effectively enhance the blast resistance of structural elements in different scenarios.For AAC masonry walls and panels,with the existence of EGC,the integrity of specimens could be maintained,and their deflections and damage were significantly reduced.For plain concrete slabs,the EGC overlay could reduce the diameter and depth of the crater and spallation of specimens.

Non-Linear Analysis of Masonry Structures Subjected to External Settlements

This article describes a methodology for the non-linear analysis of existing masonry structures subjected to external yielding constraints, with particular attention to the historical and cultural heritage constructions. It is well known, indeed, that most of the arch and wall damages are often due to settlement of abutments, in the former case, and to settlement of foundations, in the latter one. The ability to observe and correctly analyze the cracking failure pattern, visible on such structures, is the main “diagnostic tool” for identifying its origin: the modification of load conditions over time, foundation settlements and earthquakes. The objective of this work is to identify a numeric modelling of masonry structures (such as walls, arches, vaults, ruins) under any load condition and subjected to inelastic settlements impressed to some external constraints. The purpose of the numerical procedure is to interpret the behaviour of such structures in order to assess both the peak settlement value and their specific failure mode in correspondence to a geometry which is very often compromised. Therefore, this procedure allows one to estimate the degree of the structures’ vulnerability, in order to prevent any future damage, both local and global. The iterative algorithm proposed in this article, developed in a calculation software, processes the structure considering, not only the properties of constitutive material, non-homogeneous and anisotropic, but also the change of the structure’s shape during the settlements increase. In this way a non-linear analysis is performed both materically and geometrically. Through a direct comparison between numerical and experimental results, obtained by testing some simple structural models in a laboratory, it was ascertained, both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view, the correctness and the efficacy of the proposed procedure, which will be explained below. Therefore, this numerical procedure demonstrates to be a useful “diagnostic tool” by which, starting from the input of the masonry structure to be studied and simulating a presumable event, one can trace the source of the causes that have generated a certain failure, comparing the cracking pattern of real structure with that plotted by the software.

砌体轴心和局部受压离散元仿真在教学中的应用

砌体是块体和砂浆的黏结组合材料,为了让学生更好地理解砖块体和砂浆对外力的分担作用,运用离散元方法建立了砖块体团簇模型、砂浆团簇模型,进而“砌筑”了普通砖砌体数值试件,对砖砌体分别开展轴心受压和局部受压仿真。仿真复现了砌体受压时的应力-应变关系和破坏模式,应力峰值处伴随大量砖颗粒-砖颗粒胶结接触破坏。砌体应力主要由胶结接触承担,其中砖-砖胶结接触>砖-砂浆胶结接触>砂浆-砂浆胶结接触,砂浆主要起到连接块体的作用;法向接触力承力大于切向接触力。通过仿真教学,有助于学生建立砌体宏观力学表现受控于微观结构和微观力学的认知,加深了学生对砌体受力机理和强度的理解。