Cost-optimization based target reliabilities for design of structures exposed to fire

Adequacy of structural fire design in uncommon structures is conceptually ensured through cost-benefit analysis where the future costs are balanced against the benefits of safety investment.Cost-benefit analyses,however,are complicated and computationally challenging,and hence impractical for application to individual projects.To address this issue,design guidance proposes target reliability indices for normal design conditions,but no target reliability indices are defined for structural fire design.We revisit the background of the cost-optimization based approach underlying normal design target reliability indices then we extend this approach for the case of fire design of structures.We also propose a modified objective function for cost-optimization which simplifies the evaluation of target reliability indices and reduces the number of assumptions.The optimum safety level is expressed as a function of a new dimensionless variable named“Damage-to-investment indicator”(DII).The cost optimization approach is validated for the target reliability indices for normal design condition.The method is then applied for evaluating DII and the associated optimum reliability indices for fire-exposed structures.Two case studies are presented:(i)a one-way loaded reinforced concrete slab and(ii)a steel column under axial loading.This study thus provides a framework for deriving optimum(target)reliability index for structural fire design which can support the development of rational provisions in codes and standards.

Multi-criteria comparative analysis of the pressure drop on coal gangue fly-ash slurry at different parts along an L-shaped pipeline

Disposing of coal gangue and fly-ash on the surface is a risky method with tremendous potential catastrophic consequences for the environment.Backfill mining is a promising practice for turning those hazardous wastes into functional backfill materi-als.Unfortunately,how to efficiently deliver the slurry to the desired places remains under-researched.To address this issue,the computational fluid dynamics software Fluent was used in the current study in addition to a laboratory rheological test to simulate the impact of various parameters on the evolution of pressure at a particular section of the pipeline.Furthermore,the response surface method was employed to investigate how the various components and their corresponding influencing weights interact to affect the pressure drop.This study demonstrates that the pressure drop of the slurry is highly influenced by slurry concentration,speed,and pipe diameter.While conveying speed is the main component in the bend section,pipe diameter takes over in the horizontal and vertical pipe sections.

Adhesion performance of alkali-activated material for 3-dimensional printing of tunnel linings at different temperatures

Robotic-based technologies such as automated spraying or extrusion-based 3-dimensional(3D)concrete printing can be used to build tunnel linings,aiming at reducing labor and mitigating the associated safety issues,especially in the high-geothermal environment.Extrusion-based 3D concrete printing(3DCP)has additional advantages over automated sprayings,such as improved surface quality and no rebound.However,the effect of different temperatures on the adhesion performance of 3D-printed materials for tunnel linings has not been investigated.This study developed several alkali-activated slag mixtures with different activator modulus ratios to avoid the excessive use of Portland cement and enhance sustainability of 3D printable materials.The thermal responses of the mixtures at different temperatures of 20 and 40℃ were studied.The adhesion strength of the alkali-activated material was evaluated for both early and later ages.Furthermore,the structural evolution of the material exposed to different temperatures was measured.This was followed by microstructure characterization.Results indicate that elevated temperatures accelerate material reactions,resulting in improved early-age adhesion performance.Moreover,higher temperatures contribute to the development of a denser microstructure and enhanced mechanical strength in the hardened stage,particularly in mixtures with higher silicate content.

Influence of curing conditions on the shrinkage behavior of three-dimensional printed concrete formwork

The use of three-dimensional(3D)printed concrete as formwork is becoming more widely applied within the industry.However,the technology is still not optimized and there are many reports of preliminary cracking during the curing of cast concrete.This is believed to result from differential shrinkage between the printed and cast concrete.These cracks(in the printed concrete or at the interface between the infill and printed concrete)form a preferential path for aggressive substances and can reduce the durability of the combined concrete element.To ensure the desired service life of the structure,it is important that the differential shrinkage between cast and printed concrete is understood.This study investigated the effect of curing conditions on the differential shrinkage behavior of 3D and cast concrete.The influence of prewetting of the dry-cured 3D printed formwork was also determined.In the experimental program,a vibrated and self-compacting concrete were used as cast material.Linear 3D printed formwork was produced and combined with cast concrete to simulate a concrete structure.Printed formwork was cured for 1,7,or 28 d exposed to the air(relative humidity:60%or 95%)or submerged in water.The length change of the combined elements was observed over 56 d after concrete casting and throughout the thickness of the materials.Results show that increasing the curing period in dry conditions of the printed concrete leads to an expansion of the formwork on the first day after casting.The expansion leads to a non-uniform strain evolution throughout the curing period of the combined element.Printed concrete formwork stored in wet conditions does not expand after the casting process but tends to show a decreasing linear deformation within the whole elements.

Geometric quality evaluation of three-dimensional printable concrete using computational fluid dynamics

The importance of geometrical control of three dimensional(3D)printable concrete without the support of formwork is widely acknowledged.In this study,a numerical model based on computational fluid dynamics was developed to evaluate the geometrical quality of a 3D printed layer.The numerical results were compared,using image analysis,with physical cross-sectional sawn samples.The influence of printing parameters(printing speed,nozzle height,and nozzle diameter)and the rheological behavior of printed materials(yield stress),on the geometrical quality of one printed layer was investigated.In addition,the yield zone of the printed layer was analyzed,giving insights on the critical factors for geometrical control in 3D concrete printing.Results indicated that the developed model can precisely describe the extrusion process,as well as the cross-sectional quality.