Uplift of Symmetrical Anchor Plates by Using Grid-Fixed Reinforced Reinforcement in Cohesionless Soil

Uplift response of symmetrical anchor plates with and without grid fixed reinforced （GFR） reinforcement was evaluated in model tests and numerical simulations by Plaxis. Many variations of reinforcement layers were used to reinforce the sandy soil over symmetrical anchor plates. In the current research, different factors such as relative density of sand, embedment ratios, and various GFR parameters including size, number of layers, and the proximity of the layer to the symmetrical anchor plate were investigated in a scale model. The failure mechanism and the associated rupture surface were observed and evaluated. GFR, a tied up system made of fiber reinforcement polymer （FRP） strips and end balls, was connected to the geosynthetic material and anchored into the soil. Test results showed that using GFR reinforcement significantly improved the uplift capacity of anchor plates. It was found that the inclusion of one layer of GFR, which rested directly on the top of the anchor plate, was more effective in enhancing the anchor capacity itself than other methods. It was found that by including GFR the uplift response was improved by 29%. Multi layers of GFR proved more effective in enhancing the uplift capacity than a single GFR reinforcement. This is due to the additional anchorage provided by the GFR at each level of reinforcement. In general, the results show that the uplift capacity of symmetrical anchor plates in loose and dense sand can be significantly increased by the inclusion of GFR. It was also observed that the inclusion of GFR reduced the requirement for a large L/D ratio to achieve the required uplift capacity. The laboratory and numerical analysis results are found to be in agreement in terms of breakout factor and failure mechanism pattern.

Experimental study on a pre-damaged scaled tunnel model strengthened with CFRP grids

The effectiveness of carbon fiber reinforced polymer（CFRP） grids as the strengthening materials for a pre-damaged scaled tunnel model is experimentally investigated. First, the bond performances between the CFRP grid and the concrete under different types of adhesive and surface treatment were tested. The most efficient anchoring system was adopted for the subsequent scaled tunnel strengthening. Test results show that when the epoxy structural adhesive was used as the bonding material, the failure mode was CFRP grids rupturing,and the anchorage performance was optimal. When the polymer mortar was used as the adhesive, the surface treatments with anchored bolts and grooves can improve the bond performance, and the failure mode was sliding failure with the polymer mortar peeled off. After strengthening with CFRP grids, both the stiffness and the load capacity of the pre-damaged scaled tunnel model were improved. Additionally,the results obtained by fiber bragg grating（FBG） sensors indicate that the strains across tunnel segments were reduced,and the overall performance of the tunnel was improved.

Structural Analysis of a RC Shear Wall by Use of a Truss Model

Purpose of present work is to develop a reliable and simple method for structural analysis of RC Shear Walls. The shear wall is simulated by a truss model as the bar of a truss is the simplest finite element. An iterative method is used. Initially, there are only concrete bars. Repeated structural analyses are performed. After each structural analysis, every concrete bar exceeding tensile strength is replaced by a steel bar. For every concrete bar exceeding compressive strength, first its section area is increased. If this is not enough, a steel bar is placed at the side of it. For every steel bar exceeding tensile or compressive strength, its section area is increased. After the end of every structural analysis, if all concrete and steel bars fall within tensile and compressive strengths, the output data are written and the analysis is terminated. Otherwise, the structural analysis is repeated. As all the necessary conditions (static, elastic, linearized geometric) are satisfied and the stresses of ALL concrete and steel bars fall within the tensile and compressive strengths, the results are acceptable. Usually, the proposed method exhibits a fast convergence in 4 - 5 repeats of structural analysis of the RC Shear Wall.

Flexural Behavior of Cross-Connected Brick Masonry Infill Wall Panels Supported on Reinforced Concrete Beam Grids

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the flexural behavior of cross-connected brick masonry infill wall panels supported on reinforced concrete beam grids above and below the walls.The experimental program was comprised of six wall systems.The effect of change in lower beam stiffness relative to the wall and the geometry of the main walls were investigated.From the results of the experimental tests,the increase in the depth of the lower beam grid reduces the deflection,resulting in an increase in the load carrying capacity of the wall.Further,the stiffness of the main walls affects the deflection and the failure load of the cross walls.