Experimental investigation of ultra-early-strength cement-based selfcompacting high strength concrete slabs(URCS)under contact explosions

In this paper,UR50 ultra-early-strength cement-based self-compacting high-strength concrete slabs(URCS)have been subjected to contact explosion tests with different TNT charge quality,aiming to evaluate the anti-explosive performance of URCS.In the experiment,three kinds of ultra-early-strength cement-based reinforced concrete slabs with different reinforcement ratios and a normal concrete slab(NRCS)were used as the control specimen,the curing time of URCS is 28 days and 24 h respectively.The research results show that URCS has a stronger anti-explosion ability than NRCS.The failure mode of URCS under contact explosion is that the front of the reinforced concrete slab explodes into a crater,and the back is spall.With the increase of the charge,the failure mode of the reinforced concrete slab gradually changed to explosive penetration and explosive punching.The experiment results also show that the reinforcement ratio of URCS has little effect on the anti-blast performance,and URCS can reach its anti-blast performance at 28 days after curing for 24 h.On this basis,the damage parameters of URCS for different curing durations were quantified,and an empirical formula for predicting the diameter of the crater and spalling was established.

Lead spall velocity of fragments of ultra-high-performance concrete slabs under partially embedded cylindrical charge-induced explosion

When an explosion occurs close to or partially within the face of a concrete structure, fragments are rapidly launched from the opposite face of the structure owing to concrete spalling, posing a significant risk to nearby personnel and equipment. To study the lead fragment velocity of ultra-high-performance concrete(UHPC), partially embedded explosion experiments were performed on UHPC slabs of limited thickness using a cylindrical trinitrotoluene charge. The launch angles and velocities of the resulting fragments were the determined using images collected by high-speed camera to document the concrete spalling and fragment launching process. The results showed that UHPC slabs without fiber reinforcement had a fragment velocity distribution of 0-118.3 m/s, which are largely identical to that for a normal-strength concrete(NSC) slab. In addition, the fragment velocity was negatively correlated to the angle between the velocity vector and vertical direction. An empirical Eq. for the lead spall velocity of UHPC and NSC slabs was then proposed based on a large volume of existing experimental data.

Damage analysis of POZD coated square reinforced concrete slab under contact blast

High efficiency, environmental protection and sustainability have become the main theme of the development of the protection engineering, requiring that the components not only meet the basic functions, but also have chemical properties such as acid and alkali corrosion resistance and aging resistance. Polyisocyanate-oxazodone(POZD) polymer has the above characteristics, it also has the advantages of strong toughness, high strength and high elongation. The concrete slab sprayed with POZD material has excellent anti-blast performance. In order to explore the damage characteristics of POZD sprayed concrete slabs under the action of contact explosion thoroughly, the contact explosion test of POZD concrete slabs with different charges were carried out. On the basis of experimental verification,numerical simulation were used to study the influence of the thickness of the POZD on the blast resistance of the concrete slab. According to the test and numerical simulation results that as the thickness of the coating increases, the anti-blast performance of the concrete slab gradually increases,and the TNT equivalent required for critical failure is larger. Based on the above analysis, empirical expressions on normalized crater diameter, the normalized spall diameter and normalized spall diameter are obtained.

Sensor location in concrete slabs with various layout of opening using modified ‘FEMS-COMAC’ approach

Two-way concrete slabs are widely used around the world for the construction of many types of infrastructures and common buildings. The optimal sensor placement(OSP) in slabs with various opening positions is the most important issue in structural health monitoring(SHM) to increase reliability. In this study, a novel approach of OSP was evaluated to obtain the number and placement of sensors using examination of the closed loop performance. The nonlinear finite element(NFE) was used to discretize the mechanism behavior of slab. Multi-Objective Optimization based on the coordinate modal assurance criterion(COMAC) and cost considerations was considered in the optimization processes. All of the analysis, discretization and optimization process was designed and developed as a novel approach in Matlab by the author under the name ‘FEMS-COMAC’(FEM analysis of slab with COMAC). The points in the finite element method(FEM) mesh were classified as line by line information along the slab. The OSP in each line was optimized according to the objective function. The slabs with various width, thickness, aspect ratio and opening position were selected as case studies. The results of the OSP using the COMAC algorithm around the slab openings were compared with the novel ‘FEMS-COMAC’ method. The statistical analysis according Mann-Whitney criteria shows that there were significant differences between them in some of the case studies(mean P-value=0.54).

Influence of Heat Exchange Coefficients on Both Optimized Thermal Contact (OTCR) and Critical (CTCR) Resistances at the Contact Interface of a Flat Concrete Slab and a Rice Straw Board

The study is carried out in imperfect contact with a concrete slab wall attached to a panel based on rice straw compressed in a dynamic frequency regime. We will propose the characterization of thermal insulation for thermal resistance of contact (x = 0.05 m). The impact of heat exchange coefficients on the front face (x = 0 m) and the rear face (x = 0.1 m) on these resistors is shown.

Precast system and assembly connection of cement concrete slabs for road pavement: A review

Prefabricated pavement is increasingly applied worldwide due to the rapid construction on-site.This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the precast systems and assembly connection of concrete slabs,as well as the precast pavement features.The previous research indicates that:(1)both super-slab and Michigan systems are recommended with the satisfied road performance close to the cast-in-place;(2)flexible base material is suggested for the fabricated pavement for the satisfied leveling and stress distribution;(3)to prevent the voiding phenomenon of the fabricated pavement,the sand cushion course,dry mixed mortar or self-leveling mortar,and other flowable materials could be used for the secondary leveling of the base after the pavement splicing;(4)two-direction dowel bars are recommended for slab connections of the fabricated pavement,which helps to improve the load transfer capacity of the joints and enhance the durability of the fabricated pavement structure;(5)the sealing treatment of precast slab joints needs strengthening to reduce the impact of surface runoff on the base course;(6)the further research focuses are designing with functional,composite,mechanized,intelligent,lightweight,and flexible pavement slabs.Besides,pavement mechanical properties induced by temperature overlapping traffic loads need to be revealed.

Refined mathematical model for the breaching of concrete-face sand-gravel dams due to overtopping failure

Overtopping is one of the main reasons for the breaching of concrete-face sand-gravel dams(CFSGDs).In this study,a refined mathematical model was established based on the characteristics of the overtopping breaching of CFSGDs.The model characteristics were as follows:(1)Based on the Renormailzation Group(RNG)k-εturbulence theory and volume of fluid(VOF)method,the turbulent characteristics of the dam-break flow were simulated,and the erosion surface of the water and soil was tracked;(2)In consideration of the influence of the change in the sediment content on the dam-break flow,the dam material transport equation,which could reflect the characteristics of particle settlement and entrainment motion,was used to simulate the erosion process of the sand gravels;(3)Based on the bending moment balance method,a failure equation of the concrete face slab under dead weight and water load was established.The proposed model was verified through a case study on the failure of the Gouhou CFSGD.The results showed that the proposed model could well simulate the erosion mode of the special vortex flow of the CFSGD scouring the support body of the concrete face slab inward and reflect the mutual coupling relationship between the dam-break flow,sand gravels,and concrete face slabs.Compared with the measured values,the relative errors of the peak discharge,final breach average width,dam breaching duration,and maximum failure length of the face slab calculated using the proposed model were all less than 12%,thus verifying the rationality of the model.The proposed model was demonstrated to perform better and provide more detailed results than three selected parametric models and three simplified mathematical models.The study results can aid in establishing the risk level and devising early warning strategies for CFSGDs.

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.

Vibration Control of a Gym Floor Using Tuned Mass Dampers: A Numerical Analysis

This work presents a study on excessive vibration problem occurring on concrete slabs, usually used on residential and commercial building floors. Even well designed slabs, according to ultimate and serviceability limit states criteria, can be vulnerable to undesirable vibrations that lead to user discomfort. A gym floor, that presented real excessive vibrations, located in a commercial building situated in the city of Brasilia,Brazil, was analyzed via Finite Element Method using ANSYS software. The first step in this analysis was to obtain natural frequencies and vibration modes, the structure presented low natural frequencies representing its flexible behavior. Then it was simulated a dynamic loading of people jumping, characteristic of this type of building occupation. Since it was observed the occurrence of excessive vibrations also in the numerical analysis, a Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) control system was proposed, looking for the best set of dampers to improve the control performance. The parameters for the best vibration reduction were obtained via a parametric study considering four different slabs varying dimensions and support conditions. Different models considering one and more TMDs, varying its placements and parameters, besides the frequency reference value to tune the damper were considered. An efficient control solution to this practical problem is presented to reduce its undesirable vibrations.

Performance of insulated FRP-strengthened concrete flexural members under fire conditions

This paper presents the results of fire resistance tests on carbon fiber-reinforced polymer(CFRP)strengthened concrete flexural members,i.e.,T-beams and slabs.The strengthened members were protected with fire insulation and tested under the combined effects of thermal and structural loading.The variables considered in the tests include the applied load level,extent of strengthening,and thickness of the fire insulation applied to the beams and slabs.Furthermore,a previously developed numerical model was validated against the data generated from the fire tests;subsequently,it was utilized to undertake a case study.Results from fire tests and numerical studies indicate that owing to the protection provided by the fire insulation,the insulated CFRP-strengthened beams and slabs can withstand four and three hours of standard fire exposure,respectively,under service load conditions.The insulation layer impedes the temperature rise in the member;therefore,the CFRP-concrete composite action remains active for a longer duration and the steel reinforcement temperature remains below 400°C,which in turn enhances the capacity of the beams and slabs.

Mechanical behavior of concrete-filled rectangular steel tubular composite truss bridge in the negative moment region

Concrete-filled rectangular steel tubular(CFRST)composite truss bridge is a new type of structure composed of a CFRST truss and concrete deck slab.This new type of bridge has the advantages of high structural force-transferring efficiency,rapid assembly construction speed and excellent total life cycle,which meets the construction concept of green,recyclable and sustainable development.Due to the broad application prospects,experiment on the flexural behavior of CFRST composite truss bridge in the negative moment region was reported by authors previously.This paper thus presents a finite element analysis(FEA)modelling verified by the reported test data to further investigate the detailed analytical behavior of this structure.The structural response and failure mechanism of CFRST composite truss beam in the negative moment region are studied.In addition,the important structural design parameters on the flexural performance of the CFRST composite truss beam are also investigated,including the height to span ratio,the brace-to-chord wall thickness ratio,the reinforcement ratio of steel reinforcements and prestressed tendons and the strength grade of concrete infill in chords.Finally,the reasonable structural design parameters range are proposed for the optimum design of the CFRST composite truss bridge.

Long-range laser ranging using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

We demonstrate laser-ranging results for non-cooperative targets at ranges of 237 m and 19 km using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors （SSPD）. We upgrade the kilohertz rate laser-ranging system with a newly developed SSPD module, and the equivalent detection diameter is enlarged to 50 gm with a fiber and micro-lenses. Both retroreflectors and non-cooperative surfaces of aluminum foil, a solar panel, and a concrete panel at distances of 237 m and 19 km, whose echoes are of single-photon level, are ranged with sub-centimeter precision. Experimental signal-to-noise ratio curves with the product of quantum efficiency and system transmittance are obtained, which indicates that our system, with an average laser power of 0.8 W and a receiving aperture of 1.2 m, may be capable for space debris ranging at a distance of 800 km. This work suggests that SSPDs have the potential to be used for space debris surveillance.

Applying the spectral stochastic finite element method in multiple-random field RC structures

This paper uses the spectral stochastic finite element method(SSFEM)for analyzing reinforced concrete(RC)beam/slab problems.In doing so,it presents a new framework to study how the correlation length of a random field(RF)with uncertain parameters will affect modeling uncertainties and reliability evaluations.It considers:1)different correlation lengths for uncertainty parameters,and 2)dead and live loads as well as the elasticity moduli of concrete and steel as a multi-dimensional RF in concrete structures.To show the SSFEM’s efficiency in the study of concrete structures and to evaluate the sensitivity of the correlation length effects in evaluating the reliability,two examples of RC beams and slabs have been investigated.According to the results,the RF correlation length is effective in modeling uncertainties and evaluating reliabilities;the longer the correlation length,the greater the dispersion range of the structure response and the higher the failure probability.