A New Approach to Robust and Fault Tolerant Control

In this paper, we shall summarize a new approach to robust and fault tolerant control proposed recently by the author. This approach is based on a variation of all controller parametrization. This robust and fault-tolerant control design consists of two parts: a nominal performance controller and a robustness controller, and works in such a way that when a component (sensor,actuator, etc.) failure is detected, the controller structure is reconfigured by adding a robustness loop to compensate the fault. We shall illustrate how this strategy works under various situations.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CONTINUOUS CARBON FIBER SHEET USED IN STRENGTHENING REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS IN BENDING

This paper discusses the method of determining the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of continuous carbon fiber sheet.Five simply supported beams strengthened by CFS were tested.Based on th experiment,a computer analysis program is developed and a simplified formula is proposed.The calculated results agree well with the experimental results.The design method suggested by this paper can meet the engineering requirements.

Mechanical performance of a double-face reinforced retaining wall in an area disturbed by mining

The application of a double-face reinforced retaining wall during road construction can reduce engineering costs, speed road paving and have a good influence on environment. An ABAQUS numerical model of a double-face reinforced retaining wall was built. The influence of surface subsidence induced by mining was considered. A physical model test was also performed in the laboratory on a reinforced retaining wall. The influence of subsidence induced by mining was observed. The numerical results match measurements in the laboratory very well. The vertical pressure on the base of the retaining wall, the horizontal displacement of the wall and the horizontal soil pressure acting on the wall were analyzed. The differential settlement of the reinforced belt and axial forces in the wall were also studied.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti−Nb−Fe−Zr alloys with high strength and low elastic modulus

Zr was added to Ti−Nb−Fe alloys to develop low elastic modulus and high strengthβ-Ti alloys for biomedical applications.Ingots of Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(2,4,6,8,10)Zr(at.%)were prepared by arc melting and then subjected to homogenization,cold rolling,and solution treatments.The phases and microstructures of the alloys were analyzed by optical microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and transmission electron microscopy.The mechanical properties were measured by tensile tests.The results indicate that Zr and Fe cause a remarkable solid-solution strengthening effect on the alloys;thus,all the alloys show yield and ultimate tensile strengths higher than 510 MPa and 730 MPa,respectively.Zr plays a weak role in the deformation mechanism.Further,twinning occurs in all the deformed alloys and is beneficial to both strength and plasticity.Ti−12Nb−2Fe−(8,10)Zr alloys with metastableβphases show low elastic modulus,high tensile strength,and good plasticity and are suitable candidate materials for biomedical implants.

Ultimate Load Capacity and Reinforcement of Circular-Hollow-Section N-Joint

Experimental research and numerical analysis were applied to study the ultimate load capacity(ULC) and reinforcement of circular-hollow-section N-joint.Four specimens were tested under static load.The ULC of each specimen was obtained and the detailed failure conditions were discussed.Based on the results, both welding a plate on the chord member and filling concrete in the chord member are effective to reinforce the N-joint, but it is suggested that these two methods should not be applied simultaneously.Mo...

Investigation on high-volume fly ash pastes modified with micro-size metakaolin subjected to high temperatures

Portland cement(PC) containing high-volume fly ash(HVFA) is usually used to obtain economical and more sustainable merits, but these merits suffer from dramatically low compressive strength especially at early ages. In this work, the possibility of using micro-size metakaolin(MSK) particles to improve the compressive strength of HVFA paste before and after subjecting to high temperatures was studied. To produce HVFA paste, cement was partially substituted with 70% fly ash(FA), by weight. After that, FA was partially substituted with MSK at ratios fluctuating from 5% to 20% with an interval of 5%, by weight. The effect of MSK on the workability of HVFA mixture was measured. After curing, specimens were subjected to different high temperatures fluctuating from 400 to 1000 ℃ with an interval of 200 ℃ for 2 h. The results were analyzed by different techniques named X-ray diffraction(XRD), thermogravimetry(TGA) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The results showed that the incorporation of MSK particles into HVFA mixture exhibited a negative effect on the workability and a positive effect on the compressive strength before and after firing.

Shear Behavior of Novel Prestressed Concrete Beam Subjected to Monotonic and Cyclic Loading

Prestressed steel ultrahigh-strength reinforced concrete(PSURC) beam is a new type of prestressed concrete beam, which not only has a considerable compressive strength attributed to the ultrahigh strength concrete, but also ensures a certain degree of ductility at failure due to the existence of structural steel. Five of these beams were monotonically tested until shear failure to investigate the static shear performance including the failure pattern, loaddeflection behavior, shear capacity, shear crack width and shear ductility. The experimental results show that these beams have superior shear capacity, crack control ability and shear ductility. To study the shear performance under repeated overloading, seven PSURC beams were loaded in cyclic test simultaneously. The overall shear performance of cycled beams is similar to that of uncycled beams at low load level but different at high load level. The shear capacity and crack control ability of cycled beams at high load level are reduced, whereas the shear ductility is improved. In addition, the influences of variables including the degree of prestress, stirrup ratio and load level on the shear performance of both uncycled and cycled beams were also discussed and compared, respectively.

Bond Performance of Fiber Reinforced Polymer （FRP） Bars in Autoclaved Aerated Concrete （AAC）

This paper concerns the bond strength of FRP bars in AAC by the concentric pullout test. Specimens were subjected to compare with mild steel bars. The bond performance including the mode of failure and bond strength was investigated with varying embedment length and surface treatment. Regarding the bond performance, embedment depth has influenced on bond strength as well as the sanded surface. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer （CFRP） pronounced the most promising results with the highest bond strength attained.