Influence of Binder Composition and Concrete Pore Structure on Chloride Diffusion Coefficient in Concrete

The influence of binder composition and pore structure of concrete on chloride diffusion coefficient in concrete were investigated by the natural immersion test, MIP test, SEM and EDS test, respectively. The experimental results showed that the effect of binder composition on chloride diffusion coefficient was the comprehensive result of concrete pore structure and binder hydration products, and the porosity and pore size distribution were the main factors that influence the changes of diffusion coefficient. The chloride diffusion coefficient decreased with increasing the curing temperature and the relative humidity. The hydration degree were promoted by improving curing temperatures, and then the porosity of concrete decreased and the proportion of gel pore and transitional pore increased, respectively. But the water evaporation decreased with increasing the relative humidity and then decreased porosity and increased the proportion of gel pore and transitional pore. Additionally, The chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete got the lower value when the appropriate replacement of fly ash in the ranges of 10%-20%, when the double-adding fly ash and slag content was 50%. The porosity increased and the ratio of C/S in C-S-H decreased with further increasing the fly ash content, which led to increase the chloride diffusion coefficient in concrete.

Internal Force Distribution in Steel-Concrete Composite Structure for Pylon of Cable-Stayed Bridge

Adopting a steel-anchor beam and steel corbel composite structure in the anchor zone on pylon is one of the key techniques for the design of Jintang bridge, a cable-stayed bridge in Zhoushan, China. In order to ensure the safety of the steel-concrete composite structure, a stud connector model for the joint section was put forward. Experiments were conducted to obtain the relation between load and slip of specimen, the failure pattern of stud connector, the yield bearing capacity and ultimate bearing capacity of a single stud, etc. The whole process of the structural behavior of the specimen was comprehensively analyzed. The features of the internal force distribution in the steel-concrete composite structure and the strain distribution of stud connector under different loads were emphatically studied. The test results show that the stud connector is applicable for the steel-concrete composite structure for pylon of Jintang bridge. The stud has a good ductility performance and a obvious yield process before its destruction. The stud connector basically works in a state of elasticity under a load less than the yield load.

Development of high performance and high strength heavy concrete for radiation shielding structures

Heavy concrete currently used for construction contains special materials that are expensive and difficult to work with.This study replaced natural aggregate（stones） in concrete with round steel balls,which are inexpensive and easily obtainable.The diameters of the steel balls were 0.5 and 1 cm,and their density was 7.8 kg/m3.Dense packing mixture methods were used to produce heavy concrete with densities of 3500 and 5000 kg/m3.The various properties of this concrete were tested according to the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials（ASTM）.The results indicated that the construction slump of the concrete could reach 260-280 mm and its slump flow could reach 610-710 mm.More important,its compressive strength could reach 8848 MPa.These results will significantly alter traditional construction methods that use heavy concrete and enhance innovative ideas for structural design.

Impacts of Wood Poaching on Vegetation Structure and Composition in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe

Our study focused on the effects of wood poaching on the vegetation structure and composition in Mukuvisi Woodland, Zimbabwe. Mukuvisi Woodland, located within the precincts of Harare urban area, Zimbabwe, suffers from high illegal wood utilization pressure stemming from the need to fulfill alternative energy demands created by persistent electricity shortages and an unstable economic environment, particularly between 2000 and 2008. This results in a continuous flux of vegetation and a disturbed animal habitat driven mainly by anthropogenic activities. Due to the heterogeneity in vegetation utilisation trends, we used the stratified systematic random sampling technique, where the site was divided into two strata, central and boundary. Twelve 30 × 20 m permanent plots were established in which species name, species diversity, height, basal area, plant status, fire evidence, number of stems and saplings were recorded and assessed in April and May 2012. A total of 968 woody plants were assessed representing 47 woody plant species. All woody vegetation variables recorded and assessed showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two strata, i.e., central and boundary, in Mukuvisi Woodland, except sapling density (P = 0.022). Principal Component Analysis indicated evidence of fire impacts on vegetation structure. The study concludes that illegal wood harvesting in Mukuvisi Woodland has not yet reached alarming proportions and can be contained. The study recommends collaborative arrangements with key stakeholders, promotion of the use of alternative energy sources and increased environmental education and awareness campaigns.

Mode-I fracture and durability of FRP-concrete bonded interfaces

In this study, a work-of-fracture method using a three-point bend beam （3PBB） specimen, which is commonly used to determine the fracture energy of concrete, was adapted to evaluate the mode-I fracture and durability of fiber-reinforced polymer （FRP） composite-concrete bonded interfaces. Interface fracture properties were evaluated with established data reduction procedures. The proposed test method is primarily for use in evaluating the effects of freeze-thaw （F-T） and wet-dry （W-D） cycles that are the accelerated aging protocols on the mode-I fracture of carbon FRP-concrete bonded interfaces. The results of the mode-I fracture tests of F-T and W-D cycle-conditioned specimens show that both the critical load and fracture energy decrease as the number of cycles increases, and their degradation pattern has a nearly linear relationship with the number of cycles. However, compared with the effect of the F-T cycles, the critical load and fracture energy degrade at a slower rate with W-D cycles, which suggests that F-T cyclic conditioning causes more deterioration of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer （CFRP）-concrete bonded interface. After 50 and 100 conditioning cycles, scaling of concrete was observed in all the specimens subjected to F-T cycles, but not in those subjected to W-D cycles. The examination of interface fracture surfaces along the bonded interfaces with varying numbers of F-T and W-D conditioning cycles shows that （1） cohesive failure of CFRP composites is not observed in all fractured surfaces; （2） for the control specimens that have not been exposed to any conditioning cycles, the majority of interface failure is a result of cohesive fracture of concrete （peeling of concrete from the concrete substrate）, which means that the cracks mostly propagate within the concrete; and （3） as the number of F-T or W-D conditioning cycles increases, adhesive failure along the interface begins to emerge and gradually increases. It is thus concluded that the fracture properties （i.e., the critical load and fracture energy） of the bonded interface are controlled primarily by the concrete cohesive fracture before conditioning and by the adhesive interface fracture after many cycles of F-T or W-D conditioning. As demonstrated in this study, a test method using 3PBB specimens combined with a fictitious crack model and experimental conditioning protocols for durability can be used as an effective qualification method to test new hybrid material interface bonds and to evaluate durability-related effects on the interfaces.

Evaluation of Current Design Practices on Estimation of Axial Capacity of Concrete Encased Steel Composite Stub Columns： A Review

This paper presents the design assessment of concrete encased I-sections composite column based approaches given in Eurocode, ACI Code, BS Code and AISC-LRFD. This study includes comparison of various design parameters and evaluation of design strength based on the procedures predicted in the various codes of practices. A practical example has been assumed and calculation has been shown to evaluate their potentiality in understanding in predicting the potentiality of various procedures. The obtained results based on the methods varies widely, because of the different design considerations adopted by the different codes. As such, they have hardly considered the effect of confinement of the concrete due to the presence of longitudinal reinforcements as well as lateral ties. The study has attempted to throw light on critical review and their potentiality in assessing the strength of such concrete encased composite column under purely axial loads.

Static behavior of semi-rigid thin-walled steel-concrete composite beam-to-column joints with bolted partial-depth flush end plate:experimental study

A new type of semi-rigid thin-walled steel-concrete composite beam-to-column joint has been proposed in this paper.Five semi-rigid composite beam-to-column joint specimens subjected to hogging moments under monotonic loading were tested to study the static behavior of this new type of joint.The main variable parameters for the five joint specimens were the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the joint type.The experimental results designated that the magnitude of extension of the longitudinal reinforcement is the most important factor that influenced the moment-rotation characteristic of the new type of joint.The concrete slabs could resist 3.8%-19.1% of the total shear load applied to the cross-sections near the beam-to-column connection.The edge stiffened elements,such as the flange of the lipped I-section thin-walled steel beam,were capable of having considerable inelastic deformation capacity although they had comparatively large width-to-thickness ratios.The shear failure of the concrete cantilever edge strip must be taken into account in practical design because it has significant influence on the anchorage of the longitudinal reinforcement in the new type of external joints.

Recent progress of seismic research on tall buildings in China Mainland

As a result of rapid economic growth and urbanization in the past two decades,many tall buildings have been constructed in China Mainland,offering researchers and practitioners an excellent opportunity for research and practice in the field of structural engineering. This paper reviews progress by researchers throughout China Mainland on the seismic research of tall buildings,focusing on three major topics that impact the seismic performance of tall buildings. These are:(1) new types of steel-concrete composite structural members such as steel-concrete composite shear walls and columns,(2) earthquake resilient shear wall structures such as shear walls with replaceable structural components,self-centering shear walls and rocking walls,and(3) performance-based seismic design,including seismic performance index,performance level and design method. The paper concludes by presenting future research needs and directions in this field.

A decision making model for investment and development of construction panels

A study was conducted to select the best alternative for the development of construction panels as well as investment in its manufacturing in Iran.Three alternatives are considered,cement-bonded wood composite product,substituted products（such as concrete panel） sandwich panel and a mixture of them.We apply the analytic network process（ANP） to achieve this goal.A hierarchy is designed to prioritize benefits,opportunities,costs and risks（BOCR） by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process（AHP） ratings approach.To evaluate the ＂control criteria＂ of the system,a control hierarchy is also created and prioritized by applying the Analytic Network Process（ANP）.A total of four major control criteria in the system are prioritized where each one controls a decision network evaluated using ANP.The final synthesis of the system shows cement-bonded wood composite product is the best choice among three potential alternatives for the investment and development.

Behavior of eccentrically loaded concrete-filled GFRP tubular short columns

The glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) tube is an effective material that can increase the bearing capacity and ductility of concrete.To study the mechanical behavior of this composite structure,twenty-one concrete-filled GFRP tubular short columns were tested under an eccentric load.The principle influencing factors,such as the eccentricity ratio,concrete strength and ratio of longitudinal reinforcement were also studied.In addition,the course of deformation,failure mode,and failure mechanism were analyzed by observing the phenomena and summarizing the data.The test results indicated that the strength and deformation characteristics of core concrete increase as a result of the addition of the GFRP tube.However,the gain in strength due to the addition of the GFRP tube decreases as the ratio of e /d increases.An increase in the longitudinal steel ratio can improve the bearing capacity of the composite short column effectively.Furthermore,the study showed that the constraint effect of the GFRP tube on high-strength concrete is not as effective as that on common concrete.The reason is that the lateral deformation of the high-strength concrete is less than that of the common concrete when the concrete column was tested under the same axial compression ratio.

Identification of Connection Flexibility Effects Based on Load Testing of a Steel-Concrete Bridge

In the case of composite girders, an effective cooperation of both parts of the section is influenced by deformability of connectors. Limited flexural stiffness of welded studs, used commonly in bridge structures, does not provide full interaction of a steel beam and a concrete slab. This changes strain distribution in cross-sections of a composite girder and results in redistribution of internal forces in steel and concrete element. In the paper partial interaction index defined on the basis of a neutral axis position, which can be used for verification of steel-concrete interaction in real bridge structures rather than in specimens is proposed. The range of the index value changes, obtained during load testing of a typical steel-concrete composite beam bridge, is presented. The investigation was carried out on a motorway viaduct, consisting of two parallel structures. During the testing values of strains in girders under static and quasi-static loads were measured. The readings from the gauges were used to determine the index, characterizing composite action of the girders. Results of bridge testing under movable load, changing position along the bridge span is presented and obtained in-situ influence functions of strains and index values are commented in the paper.

Technological development and engineering applications of novel steel-concrete composite structures

In view of China's development trend of green building and building industrialization,based on the emerging requirements of the structural engineering community,the development and proposition of novel resourcesaving high-performance steel-concrete composite structural systems with adequate safety and durability has become a kernel development trend in structural engineering.This paper provides a state of the art review of China's cutting-edge research and technologies in steel-concrete composite structures in recent years,including the building engineering,the bridge engineering and the special engineering.This paper summarizes the technical principles and applications of the long-span bi-directional composite structures,the long-span composite transfer structures,the comprehensive crack control technique based on uplift-restricted and slip-permitted (URSP)connectors,the steel plate concrete composite (SPCC)strengthen technique,and the innovative composite joints.By improving and revising traditional structure types, the comprehensive superiority of steel-concrete composite structures is well elicited.The research results also indicate that the high-performance steel-concrete composite structures have a promising popularizing prospect in the future.

双壁波纹钢管混凝土构件短柱轴压力学性能

为改善空心钢筋混凝土柱(HRC)的使用与受力性能,提出一种双壁波纹钢管混凝土(CFDCST)构件。本文共进行了4个大尺寸双壁波纹钢管混凝土短柱与2个空心钢筋混凝土短柱的轴压试验,关键试验参数为试件类型与波纹钢管类型。分析构件的破坏模式,对比不同参数下构件的承载力、峰值应变、延性系数等关键力学指标,获得荷载-波纹钢管应变关系曲线以揭示试件的约束机理并验证外波纹钢管类型的影响。试验结果表明:外波纹钢管可为夹层混凝土提供约束作用,且螺旋角越小,外波纹钢管的约束作用越强;内波纹钢管则主要为夹层混凝土内壁提供有效支撑,以保持截面的完整性。名义约束效应系数与空心率相近时,由于咬口滑移影响,大螺旋角双壁波纹钢管混凝土比小螺旋角双壁波纹钢管混凝土的峰值应力、峰值应变与延性系数分别降低15.5%、21.8%与16.7%。在总用钢量相近的情况下,小螺旋角双壁波纹钢管混凝土柱的承载力、峰值应变与延性系数分别比空心钢筋混凝土柱提高10.6%、36.2%与50.0%。基于试验结果,检验了3种典型承载力公式的适用性,并提出了相应设计建议。

主体结构荷载可控的新型组合式防护结构(Ⅱ):影响因素及设计理念

为明确泡沫混凝土厚度和强度对组合式防护结构抗爆性能的影响,充分发挥和合理利用泡沫混凝土良好的消波特性,首先通过试验及数值模拟探讨不同泡沫混凝土厚度和强度对组合式防护结构抗爆性能的影响,并分析分层梯度泡沫混凝土在爆炸波作用下的消波特性。然后将组合式防护结构与采用中粗砂为分配层的传统成层式结构进行对比分析验证其优越性,在此基础上,总结凝练出组合式防护结构的主体结构荷载可控的设计理念。结果表明,利用泡沫混凝土材料较长的屈服平台和较低的波阻抗,以泡沫混凝土作为能量调控层,通过设计泡沫混凝土强度等级(密度等级)和厚度以及采用多层梯度泡沫混凝土,可使得作用于主体结构上的爆炸荷载峰值恰为泡沫混凝土屈服强度,实现对主体结构上荷载的可控设计,有效解决了中粗砂为分配层的传统成层式结构不易控制作用于主体结构上荷载的问题。研究结果可为抗新型钻地弹的防护设计提供重要参考。

轨道交通钢混组合连续梁及剪力件设计探讨

由于钢混组合梁结构可以充分发挥混凝土和钢结构的性能优势,因此在轨道交通桥梁设计中逐步得到推广。目前对于轨道交通组合梁上部结构构造设计及计算参考较少,不同设计标准、规范针对剪力件的计算仍存在区别,因此有必要对上述问题进行分析探讨。本文结合国内某轨道交通项目(45+70+45)m钢混组合连续梁的设计,通过有限元软件建模计算,分析钢混组合梁的受力特点,并针对国内外不同规范对于钢混组合梁剪力件的抗剪承载力计算公式进行比较及探讨,以期为同类型桥梁设计计算提供一定参考。

Forest Biodiversity Assessment in Peruvian Andean Montane Cloud Forest

Cloud forests are unusual and fragile habitats, being one of the least studied and least understood ecosystems. The tropical Andean dominion is considered one of the most significant places in the world as regards biological diversity, with a very high level of endemism. The biodiversity was analysed in an isolated remnant area of a tropical montane cloud forest known as the "Bosque de Neblina de Cuyas", in the North of the Peruvian Andean range. Composition, structure and dead wood were measured or estimated. The values obtained were compared with other cloud forests. The study revealed a high level of forest biodiversity, although the level of biodiversity differs from one area to another: in the inner areas, where human pressure is almost inexistent, the biodiversity values increase. The high species richness and the low dominance among species bear testimony to this montane cloud forest as a real enclave of biodiversity.

Wood plastic composites based wood wall’s structure and thermal insulation performance

In order to solve the problem of poor thermal insulation in the current wood-plastic building,two kinds of structural wood wall integrated with wood plastic composite(WPC)are designed,and the thermal insulation performances of the walls are studied.The results show that the WPC integrated wall with frame-shear structure has a good stability,and the excellent performance of the WPC can be fully realized.Wall studs and wall panels are important factors affecting the thermal performance of the walls.Wood plastic materials can meet the thermal performance requirements of the walls.The single-layer frame walls and double-layer frame walls integrated with the WPC both have a good thermal performance.According to‘Design Standard for Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings(GB 50189-2015)’,the heat transfer coefficient of the single-layer frame wall integrated with 20 mm thick WPC wall boards and WPC wall studs is 0.414 W/(m^(2)•K),which can meet the standard of wall thermal levelⅡt and is suitable for cold areas.The heat transfer coefficient of the double-layer frame wall integrated with 50 mm thick WPC wall panel and WPC wall studs is 0.207 W/(m^(2)•K),which can meet the standard of wall thermal levelⅠt and is suitable for severe cold areas.

3D fracture modelling and limit state analysis of prestressed composite concrete pipes

In this manuscript,we study fracture of prestressed cylindrical concrete pipes.Such concrete pipes play a major role in tunneling and underground engineering.The structure is modelled fully in 3D using three-dimensional continuum elements for the concrete structure which beam elements are employed to model the reinforcement.This allows the method to capture important phenomena compared to a pure shell model of concrete.A continuous approach to fracture is chosen when concrete is subjected to compressive loading while a combined continuous-discrete fracture method is employed in tension.The model is validated through comparisons with experimental data.

Analysis and design of steel-concrete composite sandwich systems subjected to extreme loads

This paper presents the design guide based on analytical,numerical and experimental investigation of Steel-concrete-steel(SCS)sandwich structural members comprising a lightweight concrete core with density ranged from 1300 to 1445 kg/m3 subjected to static,impact and blast loads.The performance of lightweight sandwich members is also compared with similar members with normal weight concrete core and ultra high strength concrete core(fc=180 MPa).Novel J-hook shear connectors were invented to prevent the separation of face plates from the concrete core under extreme loads and their uses are not restricted by the concrete core thickness.Flexural and punching are the primary modes of failure under static point load.Impact test results show that the SCS sandwich panels with the J-hook connectors are capable of resisting impact load with less damage in comparison than equivalent stiffened steel plate panels.Blast tests with 100 kg TNT were performed on SCS sandwich specimens to investigate the key parameters that affect the blast resistance of SCS sandwich structure.Plastic yield line method is proposed to predict the plastic capacity and post peak large deflection of the sandwich plates.Finally,an energy balanced model is developed to analyze the global behavior of SCS sandwich panels subjected to dynamic load.

Function-Integrative Textile Reinforced Concrete Shells

This paper presents the development and technological implementation of textile reinforced concrete (TRC) shells with integrated functions, such as illumination and light control. In that regard the establishment of material, structural and technological foundations along the entire value chain are of central importance: From the light-weight design idea to the demonstrator and reference object, to the technological implementation for the transfer of the research results into practice. The development of the material included the requirement-oriented composition of a high-strength fine grained concrete with an integrated textile reinforcement, such as carbon knitted fabrics. Innovations in formwork solutions provide new possibilities for concrete constructions. So, a bionic optimized shape of the pavilion was developed, realized by four connected TRC-lightweight-shells. The thin-walled TRC-shells were manufactured with a formwork made of glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP). An advantage of the GFRP-formwork is the freedom of design concerning the formwork shape. Moreover, an excellent concrete quality can be achieved, while the production of the precast concrete components is simple and efficient simultaneously. After the production the new TRC-shells were installed and assembled on the campus of TU-Chemnitz. A special feature of the research pavilions are the LED light strips integrated in the shell elements, providing homogeneous illumination.