Reinforcing a Dangerous Rock Mass Using the Flexible Network Method

Because the main failure type of a dangerous rock mass is collapse, the treatment of such a mass should focus on controlling collapse failure. When treating dangerous rock masses, disturbing the mass （e. g. by blasting） needs to be avoided, as this new damage could cause collapse. So the self-bearing capacity of the mountain mass must be used to treat the dangerous rock mass. This article is based on a practical example of the control of a dangerous rock mass at Banyan Mountain, Huangshi, Hubei Province. On the basis of an analysis of damage mechanism and the stability of the dangerous rock mass, a flexible network reinforcement method was designed to prevent the collapse of the rock mass. The deformations of section Ⅱ w of the dangerous rock mass before and after the flexible network reinforcement were calculated using the two-dimensional finite element method. The results show that the maximum deformation reduced by 55 % after the application of the flexible network reinforcement, from 45.99 to 20.75 ram, which demonstrates that the flexible network method is effective, and can provide some scientific basis for the treatment of dangerous rock masses.

Finite Element Method for Design of Reinforced Concrete Offshore Platforms

A design method of reinforced concrete (R. C.) offshore platforms with nonlinear finite element analysis is proposed. According to the method, a computer program is developed. In this program nonlinear constitutive relationships and strength criteria of concrete and steel bars are included, and the progressive cracking and crushing of the concrete are taken into account. Based on the stress distribution obtained by the nonlinear finite element analysis, the amount of reinforcement in the control sections can be computed and adjusted automatically by the program to satisfy the requirement of the design. The amount of reinforcement required in the control sections, which are obtained with the nonlinear finite element analysis, is agreeable to that obtained in the experiment. This shows that the design method of R. C. offshore platform with the nonlinear finite element method proposed by the authors is reliable for practical use.

Comparison of K_(IC) Values for SiC Whisker Reinforced Ceramic Composites Obtained by Using Various Methods

The fracture toughness (KIC) values determined by indentation microfracture method (IM ) for SiC whisker reinforced Al2O3 and ZrO2 based composites were calculated with different IM equations and compared with those obtained by singte edge notched beam (SENB) technique. Experimental results show that the KIC (IM) values calculated with different equations are quite different one from another. For composites without phase transformable components the KIC (IM) and KIC (SENB) values are practically on the same level, but for composites with phase transformable components (partially stabilized zirconia) the KIC (SENB) values are always higher than KIC (IM). This is because that the IM method can not reveal sensitively the toughening effect due to dynamic t-m transformation of ZrO2 as the SENB method does. The accuracy of the IM method depends on the Suitability of the IM equations and was evaluated for the materials used in this investigation. Two new IM equations are suggested with which the KIC (IM ) values can be obtained very close to KIC (SENB) values for composites having phase transformable components.

Layout optimization of steel reinforcement in concrete structure using a truss-continuum model

Owing to advancement in advanced manufacturing technology,the reinforcement design of concrete structures has become an important topic in structural engineering.Based on bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(BESO),a new approach is developed in this study to optimize the reinforcement layout in steel-reinforced concrete(SRC)structures.This approach combines a minimum compliance objective function with a hybrid trusscontinuum model.Furthermore,a modified bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization(M-BESO)method is proposed to control the level of tensile stress in concrete.To fully utilize the tensile strength of steel and the compressive strength of concrete,the optimization sensitivity of steel in a concrete–steel composite is integrated with the average normal stress of a neighboring concrete.To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedures,reinforcement layout optimizations of a simply supported beam,a corbel,and a wall with a window are conducted.Clear steel trajectories of SRC structures can be obtained using both methods.The area of critical tensile stress in concrete yielded by the M-BESO is more than 40%lower than that yielded by the uniform design and BESO.Hence,the M-BESO facilitates a fully digital workflow that can be extremely effective for improving the design of steel reinforcements in concrete structures.

Nitric Oxide Signaling Molecules in Acupoints:Toward Mechanisms of Acupuncture

Recent clinical trial studies have demonstrated that the effects of acupuncture on pain improvement are small and no difference between acupoints and non-points. Whether acupuncture needles must be inserted in specific points depends on whether acupoint specificity exists that is still not resolved, and is now urgent. Previous anatomical studies have demonstrated that acupoints exist higher number of nerve fibers/trunks, blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands as well as density of the gap junction. Recent evidence shows that nitric oxide（NO） level is elevated in the acupoints/meridians and is associated with an enhanced expression of NO synthase endowed with transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1. There is growing evidence from international groups showing that acupuncture induces NO-mediated vasodilatation, which increases local blood flow and allows for a flush of algesic or sensitizing substances, leading to pain relief. Previous studies, using a novel biocapture system, have demonstrated that NOx–（total nitrite and nitrate） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate（c GMP） concentrations are consistently increased over skin acupoints compared to non-meridian control regions（NMCR） in humans. Dermal microdialysis in humans showed that NO-c GMP releases in the subcutaneous tissue of acupoint are higher than those in NMCR and increased by electroacupuncture（EA）. Recent studies have demonstrated that low-frequency electrical stimulation and manual acupuncture with low stimulating force and rate produce an elevation of NO release predominantly over acupoints. In contrast, NO levels over the areas of the skin regions are moderately reduced by high-frequency EA stimulation. The results from anatomical and biochemical studies consistently show that acupoints exist higher levels of NO signaling molecules, and stimulus-evoked NO release is also with a higher level at acupoints. Results suggest that NO signaling molecules contribute to the specificity of acupoints, and selecting well-trained acupuncturetists for using correct acupoints and appropriate parameters should improve acupuncture clinical trial studies.