Seismic ductility of very-high-strength-concrete short columns subject to combined axial loading and cyclic lateral loading

The seismic ductility of reinforced very-high-strength-concrete (VHSC) short columns was studied by combinatively applying axial load and low cyclic lateral load on specimens to simulate seismic impact. Twelve specimens with concrete compressive strength ranging from 95.6 MPa to 118.6 MPa and a shear-span ratio of 2.0 were tested for shear failure pattern and fear force-displacement hysteretic responses. Combinative application of axial load and low cyclic lateral load to VHSC short columns incurs shear failure. The displacement ductility is much smaller when the axial load ratio is larger;whereas a larger stirrup ratio is accompanied with a better displacement ductility. The relationship of displacement ductility factor, μ?, with stirrup characteristic value, λv, and test axial load ratio, nt, is μ?=(1+8λv)/(0.33+nt). By this relationship and relevant codes for aseismatic design, the axial load ratio limits for aseismatic design of reinforced VHSC (C95 to C100) short columns for frame construction are respectively 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7 for seismic classes I, II, and Ⅲ;corresponding minimum characteristic values of stirrups are calculated according to the required characteristic values of at least 1.273 times of experimental results. These data are very useful to aseismatic engineering.

Coupling Mechanism of Saturated Concrete Subjected to Simultaneous Fatigue Loading and Freeze-thaw Cycles

The coupling mechanism of saturated concrete subjected to simultaneous 4-point fatigue loading and freeze-thaw cycles was, for the first time, experimentally studied by strain technology. The coupling strain, temperature strain and fatigue strain of concrete specimens were measured at the same time from one sample with stain analysis method and the relationship among these three kinds of strains was studied by fitting data to present coupling mechanism at macro level. The results showed that there was no interaction between fatigue strain and temperature strain and the coupling strain could be written by linear superposition of temperature strain and fatigue strain.

Performance of Concrete Subjected to Severe Multiple Actions of Composite Salts Solution under Wet-Dry Cycles and Flexural Loading in Lab

Several action regimes were employed, namely, those exposed to solutions containing single and/or composite chloride and sulfate salts, and under wet-dry cycles and/or flexural loading. The variations in dynamic modulus of elasticity（Erd values） were monitored, as well as the key factor impacting on the chloride ingress when concrete subjected to multiple action regimes was identified by the method of Grey Relation Analysis（GRA）. The changes in micro-structures and mineral products of interior concrete after different action regimes were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction（XRD）, mercury intrusion technique（MIP）, and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The test results showed that the cyclic wet-dry accelerated the deterioration of OPC concrete more than the action of 35% flexural loading based on the results of Erd values and the GEA. The analyses from micro-structures could give certain explanations to the change in Erd values under different action regimes.

Degradation of Pore Structure and Microstructures in Hardened Cement Paste Subjected to Flexural Loading and Wet-dry Cycles in Sea Water

Hardened cement paste was subjected to the flexural loading and wet-dry cycles in sea water. The degradation of microstructures was obtained using scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and the energy dispersive spectrum （EDS） analysis was carried to analyze the local composition. Mercury intrusion porosimetry （Poremaster GT-60） was used to analyze the degradation of pore structures. The experimental results show that the synergistic action of the flexural loading, wet-dry cycles and sea water leads to significant deterioration of hardened cement paste. The degradation of microstructures in the tensile region is more serious than that in the compressive region. The flexural loading and wet-dry cycles accelerate the chemical attack of sea water.

Investigation of Excavator Performance Factors in an Open-Pit Mine Using Loading Cycle Time

This study presents the effect of excavator model, loading operation location, shift availability and truck-shovel combination on loading cycle time and productivity of an open-pit mine. The loading cycle time was used to assess the material loading system performance which is one of the key components of the total cycle time for material transportation in an open-pit mine. Loading is among the components of cycle time during which material is being handled. The data analyzed?was?collected from a computerized dispatch system at GGM from which 62,000 loading dispatches per month involving several shifts, 14 excavators and 49 trucks were loaded. About 4465 dispatches per excavator and 1276 dispatches per truck were assessed using loading cycle time data for each dispatch for a period of four months (between August and December). Under fixed tonnage loaded and waste type (33 t of non-acid forming waste rock),?it was observed that loading cycle time depends on excavator model, location and truck being loaded. Average cycle times, PDFS?and CDFS of loading cycle time series were used to identify differences in performance under different situations. It was concluded that shift availability for excavators, loading location, excavator model and truck-shovel combinations strongly affect the productivity during loading process in an open-pit mine.

Dynamic performance of angle-steel concrete columns under low cyclic loading-I:Experimental study

This paper describes low cyclic loading testing of nine angle-steel concrete column （ASCC） specimens. In the tests, the influence of the shear-span ratio, axial compression ratio and shear steel plate ratio on the hysteretic behavior, energy dissipation, strength degradation, stiffness degradation, skeleton curve and ductility of the ASCCs is studied. Based on the test results, some conclusions are presented. The P-A and sectional M -φ hysteretic models for the ASCCs are presented in a companion paper （Zheng and Ji, 2008）.

Development and application of an instrument for simulating wetting-drying cycles of expansive soils under loads

Alternating rainfall and evaporation in nature severely impact the shear strength of expansive soils. This study presents an instrument for simulating the effect of wetting–drying cycles on the strength of expansive soils under different loads, and its testing error is verified. With this instrument,direct shear tests were performed on samples experiencing 0-6 cycles under vertical loads of 0 kPa,5 kPa, 15 kPa, and 30 k Pa. The results found that this instrument provides a new method for evaluating the effects of wetting–drying cycles on soils, and this method represents actual engineering conditions more accurately than do preexisting methods. It accurately controls the water content within 1% while simulating the specified loads at different soil depths.Cohesion is significantly affected by wetting–drying cycles, while the friction angle is not as sensitive to these cycles. Decrease in shear strength can be attributed to the fissures in soils caused by wetting–drying cycles. The existence of vertical loads effectively restricts shrinkage fissuring and cohesion attenuation, consequently inhibiting the attenuation of shear strength.

Theoretical models of void nucleation and growth for ductile metals under dynamic loading: A review

Void nucleation and growth under dynamic loading are essential for damage initiation and evolution in ductile metals.In the past few decades,the development of experimental techniques and simulation methods has helped to reveal a wealth of information about the nucleation and growth process from its microscopic aspects to macroscopic ones.Powerful and effective theoretical approaches have been developed based on this information and have helped in the analysis of the damage states of structures,thereby making an important contribution to the design of damageresistant materials.This Review presents a brief overview of theoretical models related to the mechanisms of void nucleation and growth under dynamic loading.Classical work and recent research progress are summarized,together with discussion of some aspects deserving further study.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for the Beam-Column Joint Subjected to Cyclic Loading Was Performed Using ANSYS

This paper analyses the seismic performance of exterior beam-column joints strengthened with unconventional reinforcement detailing. The beam-column joint specimens were tested with reverse cyclic loading applied at the beam end. The samples were divided into two groups based on the joint reinforcement detailing. The first group (Group A) of three non-ductility specimens had joint detailing in accordance with the construction code of practice in India IS456-2000, and the second group (Group B) of three ductility specimens had joint reinforcement detailed as per IS13920-1993, with similar axial load cases as the first group. The experimental studies are proven with the analytical studies carried out by finite element models using ANSYS. The results show that the hysteresis simulation is satisfactory for both un-strengthened and ferrocement strengthened specimens. Furthermore, when ferrocement strengthening is employed, the strengthened beam-column joints exhibit better structural performance than the un-strengthened specimens of about 31.56% and 38.98 for DD-T1 and DD-T2 respectively. The analytical shear strength predictions were in line with the test results reported in the literature, thus adding confidence to the validity of the proposed models.

EFFECT OF LOADING RATE AND TEMPERATURE ON DUCTILE-BRITTLE TRANSITION OF A CARBON STEEL

The dynamic fracture toughness of a mild steel has been studied at different loading rates and temperatures.The material exhibits a transition from tough to brittle fracture with the chang- ing loading rate alone.Analysis of the fracture process by the theory of thermal activation suggests that the fracture activation energy approximates to the bond energy of the{100}of a unit cell.The toughness can be resolved into two parts,J-(fd)=J_a+J_l,where J_a is the athermal part,being independent on temperature and loading rate,while J_l=(K/K_o)^(1/n)exp(Q_f/nkT),which controls the fracture process is temperature and load- ing rate dependent.The transition of fracture mechanism caused by both temperature and loading rate is associated with the thermal movement of atoms.

Seismic Behavor of RC Beam-Column Joint with Additional Bars under Cyclic Loading

The behavior of Beam-Column Joints in moment resisting frame structures are susceptible to damage caused by seismic effects due to poor performance of the joint.A good number of researches were carried out to understand the complex mechanism of RC joints which are considered in seismic design code practices presently adopted.The traditional construction detailing of transverse reinforcement have shown serious joint failure. This paper introduces a new design philosophy involving the use of additional diagonal bars within the joint particularly suitable for low to medium seismic effects in earthquake zones throughout the world.In lieu to this study,ten(10) full-scale interior beam-column specimens were constructed with various additional reinforcement details and configurations as will be discussed in the later.The experiment provided adequate results to proof the idea of additional bars as suitable approach in reinforced concrete structures where earthquake is eminent.While compared with overall cracking observation during the test,the specimen with additional bars (diagonal and straight) had shown few cracks on the column than the ones without.Furthermore,concrete confinement is certainly an important design method as recommended by certain international codes.

Variations in organic carbon loading of surface sediments from the shelf to the slope of the Chukchi Sea,Arctic Ocean

The content of organic carbon （OC） normalized to the specific surface area （SSA） of sediment is widely used to trace variations in OC loading （OC/SSA）. This study presents observations of OC/SSA of surface sediments collected in the Chukchi Sea, a typical Arctic marginal sea. Shelf sediments exhibit much higher OC/SSA values than slope sediments in the study area. Compared with OC/SSA values reported from the East Siberian Shelf and Mackenzie River, the slope sediments possess lower OC loading. This abrupt decrease in OC/SSA is mostly related to the lower primary production on slope as well as possible oxidization processes. The results of linear regression analysis between OC and SSA indicate a sedimentary source rock for the OC in the Chukchi Sea sediments. Moreover, shelf sediments with low SSA possess a larger rock OC fraction than slope sediments do. The dataset of the present study enables a more thorough understanding of regional OC cycling in the Chukchi Sea.

Effect of electrode Pt-loading and cathode flow-field plate type on the degradation of PEMFC

The electrode Pt-loading has an effect on the number of active sites and the thickness of catalyst layer,which has huge influence on the mass transfer and water management during dynamic process in PEMFCs. In this study, membrane electrode assemblies with different Pt-loadings were prepared, and PEMFCs were assembled using those membrane electrode assemblies with traditional solid plate and water transport plate as cathode flow-field plates, respectively. The performance and electrochemical surface area of cells were characterized to evaluate the membrane electrode assemblies degradation after rapid currentvariation cycles. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to investigate the decay of catalyst layers and Pt/C catalyst. With the increase of Pt-loading, the performance degradation of membrane electrode assemblies will be mitigated. But higher Pt-loading means thicker catalyst layer, which leads to a longer pathway of mass transfer, and it may result in carbon material corrosion in membrane electrode assemblies. The decay of Pt/C catalyst in cathode is mainly caused by the corrosion of carbon support, and the degradation of anode Pt/C catalyst is a consequence of migration and aggregation of Pt particles. And using water transport plate is beneficial to alleviating the age of cathode Pt/C catalyst.

Axial Mechanical Properties of Timber Columns Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles

The behaviour of timber columns subjected to freeze-thaw cycles under axial compression is presented in this paper.A total of forty specimens,including twenty circular timber columns and twenty square timber columns,were tested under axial compression.The failure modes,ultimate bearing capacity,ductility coefficient,load-displacement curves and load-strain curves were obtained and analyzed.The number of freeze-thaw cycles(from 0 to 80)and the specimens’height(from 225 mm to 360 mm)were considered as the main parameters.After freeze-thaw cycles,there was no obvious change on the surface of the timber columns.The test results showed that freeze-thaw cycles could reduce the ultimate bearing capacity of the timber columns,and the average reduction of the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimen reached 28%.The ductility coefficient of the square specimens subjected to freeze-thaw cycles almost remains constant compared with that of the square timber columns left untreated.While the ductility coefficient of the circular timber columns increases after freeze-thaw cycles.In addition,based on the extensive experimental analysis,a regression formula is derived to predict the ultimate bearing capacity of the timber columns after being subjected to freeze-thaw cycles,which is proved to be reasonable accurate.

Fatigue Property of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V under Nonproportional Multiaxial Loading

The low cycle fatigue strength properties of the additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy are experimentally investi-gated under proportional and nonproportional multiaxial loading.The fatigue tests were conducted using hollow cylinder specimens with and without heat treatments,at room temperature in air.Two fatigue tests were conducted:one for proportional loading and one for nonproportional loading.The proportional loading was represented by a push-pull strain path(PP)and the nonproportional loading by a circle strain path(Cl).The failure lives of the additively manufactured specimens were clearly reduced drastically by internal voids and defects.However,the sizes of the defects were measured,and the defects were found not to cause a reduction in fatigue strength above a critical size.The fracture surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy to investigate the fracture mechanisms of the additively manufactured specimens under the two types of strain paths.Different fracture patterns were recognized for each strain paths;however,both showed retention of the crack propagation,despite the presence of numerous defects,probably because of the interaction of the defects.The crack propagation properties of the materials with numerous defects under nonproportional multiaxial loading were clarified to increase the reliability of the additively manufactured components.

Calculation of salt-frost heave of sulfate saline soil due to long-term freeze−thaw cycles

Based on salt-frost heave tests of sulfate saline soil under repeated freeze−thaw cycles,this paper discusses the mechanism of the salt-frost heave under long-term freeze−thaw cycles.The results show that the salt-frost heave can be restricted considerably by loads,and there is a critical load for the salt-frost heave cumulative effect.Under this load,peak values of salt-frost heave approach a constant,and the residual values become 0.There is no longer structure heave or cumulative effect of saline soil exposed to freeze−thaw cycles under the critical load.Taking cumulative effect into account in calculations of salt-frost heave,a salt-frost heave model under freeze−thaw cycles is developed.

Analysis of Waste-Rock Transportation Process Performance in an Open-Pit Mine Based on Statistical Analysis of Cycle Times Data

In this paper, the performance of a waste rock transportation process in an open pit mine was assessed by using cycle time data. A computerized truck-excavator dispatch system was used to record the cycle times. The process was broken into seven steps (or components of the total cycle), durations of which were recorded for a period of 1 month, leading to N = 60,690 data points or dispatches. The open pit mine studied consisted of 12 waste types loaded by 14 excavators and hauled by 49 trucks (at a trucks-to-excavator ratio of 3.5:1) in 75 changing locations. The string-type data was coded using integers to allow a FORTRAN code to extract process performance parameters using statistical analysis. The study established a wide range of parameters including: the waste material generation rate (about 1.73 million t/month, 81% comprising waste rock), truck fill factor, f, total cycle time (Tct), production capacity, theoretical cycle time, non-productive cycle time Tnp, and cycle time performance ratio (CTPR), denoted as Tpr. The factors affecting the process performance include: truck model, excavator model, location (haul distance and road conditions) and material type. For a fixed material type and tonnage, the PDFs of the cycle time components were logarithmic in nature, capable of differentiating performance variations under different factors. It was concluded that the performance of the waste material transportation system in this mine was determined to be acceptable due to mean value of Tpr = 2.432 being closer to unity. Reduction measures were suggested to minimize the cycle time for the process bottlenecks determined from Pareto analysis (that is, full haul, empty haul and loading processes).

Energy Efficient Predictive Control for Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Systems

Vapor compression refrigeration cycle(VCC) system is a high dimensional coupling thermodynamic system for which the controller design is a great challenge. In this paper, a model predictive control based energy efficient control strategy which aims at maximizing the system efficiency is proposed. Firstly,according to the mass and energy conservation law, an analysis on the nonlinear relationship between superheat and cooling load is carried out, which can produce the maximal effect on the system performance. Then a model predictive control(MPC)based controller is developed for tracking the calculated setting curve of superheat degree and pressure difference based on model identified from data which can be obtained from an experimental rig. The proposed control strategy maximizes the coefficient of performance(COP) which depends on operating conditions, in the meantime, it meets the changing demands of cooling capacity.The effectiveness of the control performance is validated on the experimental rig.

Nonproportional Low Cycle Fatigue for 316L Stainless Steel

A series of tests are performed for 316L stainless steel under multiaxial nonproportional low cycle fatigue(LCF). The microstructures of the steel in the process of nonproportional LCF are observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on macroscopic and microscopic experiments, the micromechanism of additional hardening and the decrease in LCF life under nonproportional cyclic loading are studied. The results of the tests indicate that 316L stainless steel obviously exhibits nonproportional cyclic additional hardening, which is mainly due to rotation of maximum shear stress plane during the LCF under nonproportional cyclic loading.

Deformation at low and high stress-loading rates

In an extensional shear zone in the Talea Ori, Crete, quartz veins occur in high-pressure low-temperature metamorphic sediments at sites of dilation along shear band boundaries, kink band boundaries and boudin necks. Bent elongate grains grown epitactically from the host rock with abundant fluid inclusion trails parallel to the vein wall indicate vein formation by crack-seal increments during dissolutionprecipitation creep of the host rock. The presence of sutured high-angle grain boundaries and subgrains shows that temperatures were sufficiently high for recovery and strain-induced grain boundary migration, i.e. higher than 300 -350℃, close to peak metamorphic conditions. The generally low amount of strain accumulated by dislocation creep in quartz of the host rock and most veins indicates low bulk stress conditions of a few tens of MPa on a long term. The time scale of stress-loading to cause cyclic cracking and sealing is assumed to be lower than the Maxwell relaxation time of the metasediments undergoing dissolution-precipitation creep at high strain rates(10^(-10) s^(-1) to 10^(-9) s^(-1)), which is on the order of hundred years. In contrast, some veins discordant or concordant to the foliation show heterogeneous quartz microstructures with micro-shear zones, sub-basal deformation lamellae, shortwavelength undulatory extinction and recrystallized grains restricted to high strain zones. These microstructures indicate dislocation glide-controlled crystal-plastic deformation(low-temperature plasticity) at transient high stresses of a few hundred MPa with subsequent recovery and strain-induced grain boundary migration at relaxing stresses and temperatures of at least 300 -350℃. High differential stresses in rocks at greenschist-facies conditions that relieve stress by creep on the long term, requires fast stress-loading rates, presumably by seismic activity in the overlying upper crust. The time scale for stress loading is controlled by the duration of the slip event along a fault, i.e. a few seconds to minutes.This study demonstrates that microstructures can distinguish between deformation at internal low stress-loading rates(to tens of MPa on a time scale of hundred years) and high(coseismic) stress-loading rates to a few hundred MPa on a time scale of minutes.