Non-destructive Testing Robots （NDTBOTs） for In-Service Storage Tank Inspection

Petrochemical storage tanks are generally inspected when the tank is offline mostly to assess the extent of underside corrosion on the tank floor. Emptying, cleaning and opening a tank for inspection take many months and are very expensive. Inspection costs can be reduced significantly by inserting robots through manholes on the tank roof to pertbrm non-destructive testing （NDT）. The challenge is to develop robots that can operate safely in explosive and hazardous environments and measure the thickness of floor plates using ultrasound sensors. This paper reports on the development of a small and inexpensive prototype robot （NDTBOT） which is designed to be intrinsically safe for zone zero operation. The robot ＂hops＂ across the floor to make measurements, without any external moving parts. The paper describes the design, experimental testing of the NDTBOT and presents results of steel plate thickness measurements made under water.

Life-Cycle Bearing Capacity for Pre-Stressed T-beams Based on Full-Scale Destructive Test

To investigate the evolution of load-bearing characteristics of pre-stressed beams throughout their service life and to provide a basis for accurately assessing the actual working state of damaged pre-stressed concrete T-beams,destructive tests were conducted on full-scale pre-stressed concrete beams.Based on the measurement and ana-lysis of beam deflection,strain,and crack development under various loading levels during the research tests,combined with the verification coefficient indicators specified in the codes,the verification coefficients of bridges at different stages of damage can be examined.The results indicate that the T-beams experience complete,incom-plete linear,and non-linear stages during the destructive test process.In the complete linear elastic stage,both the deflection and bottom strain verification coefficients comply with the specifications,indicating a good structural load-bearing capacity no longer adheres to the code’s requirements.In the non-linear stage,both coefficients exhi-bit a sharp increase,resulting in a further decrease in the structure’s load-bearing capacity.According to the pro-visions of the current code,the beam can be in the incomplete linear stage when both values fall within the code’s specified range.The strain verification coefficient sourced from the compression zone at the bottom of theflange is not recommended for assessing the bridge’s load-bearing capacity.

Natural Ageing Tests to Study In-service Different Facade Solutions--ETICS and Premixed One-Coat Rendered Walls

In situ testing provides accurate characterization of existing degradation mechanisms of materials and building systems which helps reducing the subjectivity of visual inspections especially when ageing under natural ageing conditions is carried out over significant periods of time. In this work, data collected from field experimental campaigns over 10 years after construction using several premixed one-coat rendered walls and over 4 and 6 years after construction in the case of ETICS （external thermal insulation composite systems） are presented and discussed. The influence of hydrophobic agents on the performance of both types of facades in terms of surface condition and water penetration was assessed by visual inspections, Karsten test and capillary tests. Additionally, adhesion tests and subsequent evaluation of porosity were also carried out for premixed one-coat mortars. The results obtained have shown that ageing of the rendering solutions, especially after 5 or 6 years in-service, results from the loss of resistance to liquid water penetration, especially at the surface. Yet, additional mechanisms such as leaching of hydrophobic agents and photochemical degradation are thought to be involved, too. Moreover, the results obtained using the Karsten test proved to be the most reliable method to determine the loss of water penetration resistance and predict the ageing of facade solutions. The information collected and the correlations established can help developing solutions to prevent early ageing and implement appropriate maintenance plans to delay their effect.

Study on Test Methods for Mechanical Properties of Semi-rigid Base Cores of In-service Pavements

Compressive strength and compressive resilience modulus are two important parameters to measure the mechanical properties of semi-rigid base.The test methods of semi-rigid base cores are different from those of the laboratory samples in terms of sample acquisition,sample selection and humidity requirements.Core-drilling location,size of core sample,smoothness and humidity conditions were analyzed.The test methods of compressive strength and compressive resilience modulus were proposed.The research results show that compressive strength of lime fly-ash stabilized gravels base has a tendency of increasing during a long period.The compressive resilience modulus increases significantly with compressive strength of semi-rigid base.The compressive resilience modulus generally is 3-4 times than the recommended range of asphalt pavement design specifications.The fluctuation range of compressive resilience modulus is obviously higher than the compressive strength.The compressive resilience modulus is more sensitive to the construction variability.The overall trend between the compressive resilience modulus and the back-calculation modulus is consistent.FWD(falling weight deflectometer)back-calculation modulus can reflect the stiffness and bearing capacity of asphalt pavement.

Research of in-service sipping test device

Sipping test device is used to identify the tightness of the irradiated fuel assembly during refuelling campaign. The gas is selected as the medium and the xenon-133 as the indicating nuclide. The device consists of the gas system, the γ-activity detection and measurement system, the power supply and signal system, the mechanical components and parts.The device has satisfactory functions, e.g. easy operation, indication in instrumentation, chart record and acoustic alarm, which can meet the operation demand of the nuclear reactor.

Rapid seismic analysis methodology for in-service wind turbine towers

The wind energy industry has been growing rapidly during the past decades.Along with this growth,engineering problems have gradually emerged in the wind power industry,including those related to the structural reliability of turbine towers.This study proposes a rapid seismic analysis methodology for existing wind turbine tower structures.The method is demonstrated and validated using a case study on a 1.5 MW tubular steel wind turbine tower.Three finite element(FE)models are developed first.Field tests are conducted to obtain the turbine tower’s vibrational characteristics.The tests include(1) remotely measuring the tower vibration frequencies using a long range laser Doppler Vibrometer and(2) monitoring the tower structural vibration by mounting accelerometers along the height of the tubular structure.In-situ measurements are used to validate and update the FE models of the wind turbine tower.With the updated FE model that represents the practical structural conditions,seismic analyses are performed to study the structural failure,which is defined by the steel yielding of the tubular tower.This research is anticipated to benefit the management of the increasing number of wind energy converters by providing an understanding of the seismic assessment of existing tubular steel wind turbine towers.

Investigation on welding procedures for in-service pipelines

Some research results are given in this paper about burnthrough and hydrogen cracking with a flowing chamber and a loop. Many factors including plate thickness, running rate, heat input and so forth have been studied. By experiments it can be found that occurrence of hydrogen cracking can be effectively reduced by properly increasing heat input and using the tempering bead technique.

Study on the microstructure and hardness of in-service welded joint of X70 pipeline steel

Hydrogen induced cracking （HIC） is one of the main problems of in-service welding onto active pipeline. Microstructure and hardness of welded joint have a vital effect on hydrogen induced cracking. The microstructure and hardness of welded joint of XTO pipeline steel were studied using simulation in-service welding device. The results show that the main microstructures of in-service welded seam are grain boundary ferrite , intracrystalline acicular ferrite , as well as small amount of widmanztatten structure. The main microstructures of coarse grain heat-affected zone （CGHAZ） are coarse granular bainite, lath ferrite and martensite. Metastable phases such as martensite and lath ferrite are found in CGHAZ because of the too quick cooling velocity a＇nd the hardness of the CGHAZ is high.

FAILURE ANALYSIS AND INSPECTION OF CRACKING OF IN-SERVICE CATALYTIC REGENERATOR

The special subject 'research on life prediction technology of important in-service pressure' mainly analyzes the failure mechanism of large-sized important and criticalin-service pressure vessels under the action of working medium and investigates safety assessmentand life prediction technology with a view to enhance the operation reliability of in-servicepressure vessels in China. Based on a series of accident investigation and test & measuringresearch, the cause of cracking of catalytic regenerator is analyzed and the in-line non-destructiveexamination method and failure prevention measures for the cracking of catalytic regenerator areproposed.

Influence of cooling conditions on X70 pipeline steel in-service welding HAZ

The chamber device was designed and set up to simulate the in-service welding. The results show ： the t8/5 , t8/3 and inner wall peak temperature Tp decrease with the cooling rate increases. The welding energy is carried off by flowing medium, the cooling rate increases, and many unbalanced microstructures such as granular bainite, martensite and M-A generate ; it worsens the properties of HAZ. Under air-cooling, the cooling rate is slow, the austenite grain grows obviously, the lath ferrite crosses the whole austenite, and it causes the hardness value is also big. The change of HAZ width is not obvious with the increase of cooling rate; and burn-through is not susceptible to the cooling rate. The quench microstructures increase and the hydrogen does not outflow from the HAZ easily when increase the cooling rate, so the susceptibility of hydrogen cracking increases.

昆明烟区土壤线虫数量与环境因子的Mantel Test分析

为进一步明确昆明烟区影响线虫的环境因素,于2022年采集云南昆明烟区8个县(市、区)64个乡镇的320个植烟土壤样品,调查与测定样品采集地的海拔、土壤线虫数量以及土壤理化性质(pH值及有机质、水解性氮、速效钾和有效磷含量),并探讨土壤线虫数量与植烟土壤环境因子之间的潜在关系。结果表明,昆明烟区土壤线虫数量一定程度上受到海拔及土壤理化性质的影响,海拔与有机质、水解性氮和速效钾呈显著正相关,pH值与有效磷呈极显著负相关,相关系数为-0.850;土壤线虫数量与土壤有效磷呈正相关,与海拔、pH值、有机质、水解性氮、速效钾呈负相关,其中与海拔、有机质和水解性氮的相关系数较大,分别为-0.751、-0.651和-0.568。通过Mantel test分析确定海拔、有机质和水解性氮含量是影响昆明烟区土壤线虫数量的重要因子。本结果可为有效防治土壤线虫提供科学依据。

Failure characterization of fully grouted rock bolts under triaxial testing

Confining stresses serve as a pivotal determinant in shaping the behavior of grouted rock bolts.Nonetheless,prior investigations have oversimplified the three-dimensional stress state,primarily assuming hydrostatic stress conditions.Under these conditions,it is assumed that the intermediate principal stress(σ_(2))equals the minimum principal stress(σ_(3)).This assumption overlooks the potential variations in magnitudes of in situ stress conditions along all three directions near an underground opening where a rock bolt is installed.In this study,a series of push tests was meticulously conducted under triaxial conditions.These tests involved applying non-uniform confining stresses(σ_(2)≠σ_(3))to cubic specimens,aiming to unveil the previously overlooked influence of intermediate principal stresses on the strength properties of rock bolts.The results show that as the confining stresses increase from zero to higher levels,the pre-failure behavior changes from linear to nonlinear forms,resulting in an increase in initial stiffness from 2.08 kN/mm to 32.51 kN/mm.The load-displacement curves further illuminate distinct post-failure behavior at elevated levels of confining stresses,characterized by enhanced stiffness.Notably,the peak load capacity ranged from 27.9 kN to 46.5 kN as confining stresses advanced from σ_(2)=σ_(3)=0 to σ_(2)=20 MPa and σ_(3)=10 MPa.Additionally,the outcomes highlight an influence of confining stress on the lateral deformation of samples.Lower levels of confinement prompt overall dilation in lateral deformation,while higher confinements maintain a state of shrinkage.Furthermore,diverse failure modes have been identified,intricately tied to the arrangement of confining stresses.Lower confinements tend to induce a splitting mode of failure,whereas higher loads bring about a shift towards a pure interfacial shear-off and shear-crushed failure mechanism.

Numerical simulation of mechanical properties of straight pipe and elbow during in-service welding

Elbows are the most vulnerable parts in pipeline network systems. The residual stress for in-service welding repair has significant impacts on the mechanical properties of straight pipes and elbows. In this paper,the thermal elastic-plastic finite element method is employed to investigate the mechanical field during the in-service welding. The prediction of residual stress and deformation in the straight pipe and elbow is performed based on the validation of the numerical models. And the effects of the curvature radius and defects on the elbow are investigated. The results show that the residual stress distribution is uneven along various directions after welding. And the mechanical properties of the elbow decrease when the curvature radius is small. Compared to the intact elbow,the residual stress of the elbow with defects concentrates in the defective area. The depth of defect is the main factors affecting the mechanical properties of the elbow. A systematic analysis of the mechanical properties of straight pipes and elbows is proposed to provide guidance to the in-service welding.

Unbound^(28)O,the heaviest oxygen isotope observed:a cutting-edge probe for testing nuclear models

The beyond-dripline oxygen isotopes^(27,28)O were recently observed at RIKEN,and were found to be unbound decaying into^(24)O by emitting neutrons.The unbound feature of the heaviest oxygen isotope,^(28)O,provides an excellent test for stateof-the-art nuclear models.The atomic nucleus is a self-organized quantum manybody system comprising specific numbers of protons Z and neutrons N.

Numerical simulation of stress and deformation of in-service welding onto gas pipeline

SYSWELD was used to simulate in-service welding process of gas pipeline of X70 pipeline steel. Welding thermal cycle, stress and deformation of in-service welded joint were studied. The results show that peak temperature of coarse grain heat-affected zone （CGHAZ） of in-service welding onto gas pipeline is the same with routine welding, but ts/5, ts/3 and ts/1 decrease at certain degree. For the zone near welded seam, axial stress and hoop stress in the inner pipe wall are compressive stress when welding source passes through the cross-section that is studied, but residual axial stress and residual hoop stress after welded are all tensile stress. Transient deformation and residual deformation are all convex deformation compared with the original pipe diameter size. Deformation achieves maximum when welding thermal source passes through the cross-section that is studied and then decreases during the cooling process after welding.

Influence of pipe parameters and heat input on thermal cycle of in-service welding onto active gas pipeline

The software of SYSWELD was used to build model and simulate thermal cycle of in-service welding onto active gas pipeline. Influence of pipe diameter, wall thickness and heat input on thermal cycle was studied. The results show that t8/5 , t8/3 and peak temperature of inner surface decrease when wall thickness increases from 5 mm to 12 mm. But t8/1 will increases with the increase of wall thickness and will decrease after the wall thickness is larger than 7 mm. Pipe diameter has little influence on thermal cycle and that influence can be ignored when pipe diameter is greater than 273 mm. t8/5 , t8/3 , t8/1 and peak temperature of inner surface will increase with the increase of heat input.

Effect of In-Service Training Program on the Practice of Healthcare Workers toward Malaria Prevention and Treatment Guidelines during Pregnancy in Health Facilities in Jowhar District, Somalia

Malaria is generally considered a major public health problem in Somalia. Providing early diagnosis and effective treatment is the key element of malaria control strategies in malaria-endemic countries, including Somalia. This required to advocate and ensure health worker’s adherence to the national malaria guidelines at all levels of health care service. A well-designed in-service training program may improve the level of health worker’s adherence to national malaria treatment guidelines, although results have been inconsistent. This is an interventional health facility-based pre and post comparative study aimed to assess the effect of an in-service training program on the practice of healthcare workers toward malaria prevention and treatment guidelines, during in pregnancy in health facilities in Jowhar district, Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. The study was implemented in three phases: pre-intervention phase, intervention phase and post-intervention phase. The sample size consisted of (n = 150) health workers who were selected from ten public health facilities using proportional to size sampling;the data collection adopted in this research is composed of a structured interview questionnaire and observational checklist. Data was analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis that includes frequency and percentage and the Chi-square (x2) test was used to test the associations among variables using SPSS software version 25. The study showed that the level of health workers’ awareness of the national malaria guidelines in the treatment and prevention of malaria in pregnancy was found to be good before the intervention 89 (59.3%) and this proportion increased to 150 (100%) post-intervention of the training program. A significance difference has been observed between health workers’ awareness and their adherence to the malarial guidelines at pre-test and post-test with a p-value 0.000. The proportion of health workers who attended previous training on national malaria guidelines in the treatment and prevention of malaria in pregnancy increased from 46 (30.7%) at the pre-test to 150 (100%) after the post-test. A significant difference was observed in the training status among different categories of health worker and their adherence to the guidelines during the pre- and post-intervention of the training program, with a p-value of 0.000. The result showed that health workers were adhering to the guidelines at the pre-test 33 (22%), this increased after the post-test to 87 (58%). The knowledge of the need to adhere led to an increase in the adherence rate after the training program intervention. The study reveals that inadequate awareness was most reason for the non-adherence in the majority of the health workers as indicated by 89 (59.3%) at the pre-test and 56 (37.3%) in the post-test. However, difference was not significant between the availability of anti-malaria drugs in the facilities and the health workers’ adherence to the guidelines p-value 0.355 at the pretest and p-value 0.258 at post-test. The study concluded that the in-service training program significantly improved health workers’ knowledge and practice to the national malaria guidelines in the treatment, and prevention of malaria in pregnancy. The researcher recommends that the national malaria control programme (NMCP) of the Federal Ministry of Health should provide continuous regular in-service training to frontline healthcare workers at (facility and Community-based) to upgrade their skills and knowledge towards the malaria guidelines, disseminate job aids to the health facilities and undertake regular monitoring to ensure effective implementation of the national malaria treatment guidelines in the treatment and prevention of malaria in pregnancy in achieving desired proper case-management practices of malaria in pregnancy at all levels of health care service.

Electrochemical biosensors for point-of-care testing

Point-of-care testing(POCT)is the practice of diagnosing and monitoring diseases where the patient is located,as opposed to traditional treatment conducted solely in a medical laboratory or other clinical setting.POCT has been less common in the recent past due to a lack of portable medical devices capable of facilitating effective medical testing.However,recent growth has occurred in this field due to advances in diagnostic technologies,device miniaturization,and progress in wearable electronics.Among these developments,electrochemical sensors have attracted interest in the POCT field due to their high sensitivity,compact size,and affordability.They are used in various applications,from disease diagnosis to health status monitoring.In this paper we explore recent advancements in electrochemical sensors,the methods of fabricating them,and the various types of sensing mechanisms that can be used.Furthermore,we delve into methods for immobilizing specific biorecognition elements,including enzymes,antibodies,and aptamers,onto electrode surfaces and how these sensors are used in real-world POCT settings.

Aquifer Test求群孔抽水试验水文地质参数

在水文地质条件复杂的地区,往往采用大型的群孔抽水试验充分揭露含水层特征,获取水文地质参数。用Aquifer Test软件求解水文地质参数,则方便实用、简捷高效,可快速输出拟合图形和求参结果。Aquifer Test提供了丰富的求参方案,求参必须结合当地当时的水文地质条件实际情况考虑,选择适合的方案和时空数据求取水文地质参数。

Micromechanical testing and property upscaling of planetary rocks:A critical review

Knowledge of the mechanical behavior of planetary rocks is indispensable for space explorations.The scarcity of pristine samples and the irregular shapes of planetary meteorites make it difficult to obtain representative samples for conventional macroscale rock mechanics experiments(macro-RMEs).This critical review discusses recent advances in microscale RMEs(micro-RMEs)techniques and the upscaling methods for extracting mechanical parameters.Methods of mineralogical and microstructural analyses,along with non-destructive mechanical techniques,have provided new opportunities for studying planetary rocks with unprecedented precision and capabilities.First,we summarize several mainstream methods for obtaining the mineralogy and microstructure of planetary rocks.Then,nondestructive micromechanical testing methods,nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy(AFM),are detailed reviewed,illustrating the principles,advantages,influencing factors,and available testing results from literature.Subsequently,several feasible upscaling methods that bridge the micro-measurements of meteorite pieces to the strength of the intact body are introduced.Finally,the potential applications of planetary rock mechanics research to guiding the design and execution of space missions are environed,ranging from sample return missions and planetary defense to extraterrestrial construction.These discussions are expected to broaden the understanding of the microscale mechanical properties of planetary rocks and their significant role in deep space exploration.