To retrofit and strengthen existing unreinforced masonry (URM) structures to resist the potential earthquake damages has become an important issue in Australia. In order to secure the performance of URM under seismic ...To retrofit and strengthen existing unreinforced masonry (URM) structures to resist the potential earthquake damages has become an important issue in Australia. In order to secure the performance of URM under seismic loading in the future, a research project was carried out aimed at developing a simple and high strength seismic retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. The results indicated that both the strength and ductility of the tested speci-mens were significantly enhanced with the technique. An analytical model which is based on Dis-tinct Element Method (DEM) has also been developed to simulate the behaviour of URM walls be-fore and after retrofitting. The model is then further developed by applying a seismic wave to the wall to simulate the wall behavior under earthquake loads before and after retrofitting.展开更多
Since 1990s, the use of deicing salts （i.e., chlorides） has dramatically increased in areas with heavy snowfall in Japan. As a result, the water mixed with salts has accelerated the damage of the reinforced concrete...Since 1990s, the use of deicing salts （i.e., chlorides） has dramatically increased in areas with heavy snowfall in Japan. As a result, the water mixed with salts has accelerated the damage of the reinforced concrete （hereafter, RC） structures. Recently conducted inspection results of RC bridges have reported that many of the damages or deteriorations are observed at the girder ends and abutments This is caused from the water leakage due to the aged expansion joints. In general, the cost for repairing the damaged RC structures is much higher than that for renewing the expansion joints. Therefore, to prevent these damages, we developed a new highly durable jointless system, named RC plug joint, for existing RC bridges with a bridge length less than 40 meters. The RC plug joint connects the abutment＇s backwall to the superstructure＇s deck using reinforcing steel bars and fiber reinforced concrete. The newly developed RC plug joint system can prevent water leakage and allow for a smooth ride of vehicles at the joint. This paper will explore and discuss the development of the RC plug joint, analysis of conducted investigations, and future installation methods.展开更多
The Australian love of 'heritage' buildings (most of them are unreinforced masonry (URM)) means that greater attention is required to secure their performance under seismic or impact loading in the future. A r...The Australian love of 'heritage' buildings (most of them are unreinforced masonry (URM)) means that greater attention is required to secure their performance under seismic or impact loading in the future. A research project has been carried out to develop a new, economic and high strength retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. In this paper, an analytical model which is based on distinct element method (DEM) is developed to simulate the behaviour of retrofitted walls. In DEM, a solid is represented as an assembly of discrete blocks. Joints are modelled as interface between distinct bodies. It is a dynamic process and specially designed to model the behaviour of discontinuities. In order to assist the practising engineers to design this new retrofitted wall system, a simple mechanical model was also developed to predict the strength of the retrofitted walls. The results obtained from this simple mechanical model are compared with those from both experiments and distinct element model.展开更多
This paper deals with flexural concrete members reinforced longitudinally but without transverse reinforcement. The conducted experimental investigations have shown that beams without web reinforcement may fail withou...This paper deals with flexural concrete members reinforced longitudinally but without transverse reinforcement. The conducted experimental investigations have shown that beams without web reinforcement may fail without attaining their full flexural capacity and then shear governs their failure. In the paper, there are presented recent results of the author＇s own experiments, which aimed at disclosing some aspects of the propagation of cracks in longitudinally reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. The experimental program has been designed especially to investigate the influence of the shear span-to-depth ratio on diagonal crack propagation and load carrying capacity of tested beams.展开更多
Usage of fiber reinforced concrete to replace shear reinforcement has become more common in the precast industry in recent years. In some cases, the use of steel fibers could be problematic because of corrosion, hence...Usage of fiber reinforced concrete to replace shear reinforcement has become more common in the precast industry in recent years. In some cases, the use of steel fibers could be problematic because of corrosion, hence, synthetic material could be a suitable alternative material solution. Thus, it would appear logical to undertake a comparison of these fibers＇ load bearing capacity to determine suitability in each case. In this paper, the bending and the shear tests of four large-scale and prestressed beams made of steel or synthetic fiber reinforced concrete without stirrups are presented. The post-cracking residual tensile strength diagram of the fibers, according to RILEM （International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures） TC162, is given and the experimental behavior of the fiber solutions is compared. The modified fracture energy method is used to define an advanced material model for the fiber reinforced concrete in the finite element analysis. The numerical calculations and the test results are compared in terms of crack propagation and the loading-deflect＇ion process. As a consequence, both steel and synthetic fibers seem to be good alternatives to replace the stirrups. However, the behavior of each fiber is not the same. The numerical calculation provided a good approximation for the real scale tests.展开更多
文摘To retrofit and strengthen existing unreinforced masonry (URM) structures to resist the potential earthquake damages has become an important issue in Australia. In order to secure the performance of URM under seismic loading in the future, a research project was carried out aimed at developing a simple and high strength seismic retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. The results indicated that both the strength and ductility of the tested speci-mens were significantly enhanced with the technique. An analytical model which is based on Dis-tinct Element Method (DEM) has also been developed to simulate the behaviour of URM walls be-fore and after retrofitting. The model is then further developed by applying a seismic wave to the wall to simulate the wall behavior under earthquake loads before and after retrofitting.
文摘Since 1990s, the use of deicing salts （i.e., chlorides） has dramatically increased in areas with heavy snowfall in Japan. As a result, the water mixed with salts has accelerated the damage of the reinforced concrete （hereafter, RC） structures. Recently conducted inspection results of RC bridges have reported that many of the damages or deteriorations are observed at the girder ends and abutments This is caused from the water leakage due to the aged expansion joints. In general, the cost for repairing the damaged RC structures is much higher than that for renewing the expansion joints. Therefore, to prevent these damages, we developed a new highly durable jointless system, named RC plug joint, for existing RC bridges with a bridge length less than 40 meters. The RC plug joint connects the abutment＇s backwall to the superstructure＇s deck using reinforcing steel bars and fiber reinforced concrete. The newly developed RC plug joint system can prevent water leakage and allow for a smooth ride of vehicles at the joint. This paper will explore and discuss the development of the RC plug joint, analysis of conducted investigations, and future installation methods.
文摘The Australian love of 'heritage' buildings (most of them are unreinforced masonry (URM)) means that greater attention is required to secure their performance under seismic or impact loading in the future. A research project has been carried out to develop a new, economic and high strength retrofitting technique for masonry structures. A series of experimental testing on URM walls retrofitted with an innovative technique by cable system have been conducted. In this paper, an analytical model which is based on distinct element method (DEM) is developed to simulate the behaviour of retrofitted walls. In DEM, a solid is represented as an assembly of discrete blocks. Joints are modelled as interface between distinct bodies. It is a dynamic process and specially designed to model the behaviour of discontinuities. In order to assist the practising engineers to design this new retrofitted wall system, a simple mechanical model was also developed to predict the strength of the retrofitted walls. The results obtained from this simple mechanical model are compared with those from both experiments and distinct element model.
文摘This paper deals with flexural concrete members reinforced longitudinally but without transverse reinforcement. The conducted experimental investigations have shown that beams without web reinforcement may fail without attaining their full flexural capacity and then shear governs their failure. In the paper, there are presented recent results of the author＇s own experiments, which aimed at disclosing some aspects of the propagation of cracks in longitudinally reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. The experimental program has been designed especially to investigate the influence of the shear span-to-depth ratio on diagonal crack propagation and load carrying capacity of tested beams.
文摘Usage of fiber reinforced concrete to replace shear reinforcement has become more common in the precast industry in recent years. In some cases, the use of steel fibers could be problematic because of corrosion, hence, synthetic material could be a suitable alternative material solution. Thus, it would appear logical to undertake a comparison of these fibers＇ load bearing capacity to determine suitability in each case. In this paper, the bending and the shear tests of four large-scale and prestressed beams made of steel or synthetic fiber reinforced concrete without stirrups are presented. The post-cracking residual tensile strength diagram of the fibers, according to RILEM （International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures） TC162, is given and the experimental behavior of the fiber solutions is compared. The modified fracture energy method is used to define an advanced material model for the fiber reinforced concrete in the finite element analysis. The numerical calculations and the test results are compared in terms of crack propagation and the loading-deflect＇ion process. As a consequence, both steel and synthetic fibers seem to be good alternatives to replace the stirrups. However, the behavior of each fiber is not the same. The numerical calculation provided a good approximation for the real scale tests.
