Reliability algorithms applied to reinforced concrete structures durability assessment

This paper addresses the analysis of probabilistic corrosion time initiation in reinforced concrete structures exposed to ions chloride penetration. Structural durability is an important criterion which must be evaluated in every type of structure, especially when these structures are constructed in aggressive atmospheres. Considering reinforced concrete members, chloride diffusion process is widely used to evaluate the durability. Therefore, at modelling this phenomenon, corrosion of reinforcements can be better estimated and prevented. These processes begin when a threshold level of chlorides concentration is reached at the steel bars of reinforcements. Despite the robustness of several models proposed in the literature, deterministic approaches fail to predict accurately the corrosion time initiation due to the inherently randomness observed in this process. In this regard, the durability can be more realistically represented using probabilistic approaches. A probabilistic analysis of ions chloride penetration is presented in this paper. The ions chloride penetration is simulated using the Fick's second law of diffusion. This law represents the chloride diffusion process, considering time dependent effects. The probability of failure is calculated using Monte Carlo simulation and the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) with a direct coupling approach. Some examples are considered in order to study these phenomena and a simplified method is proposed to determine optimal values for concrete cover.

Short steel and concrete columns under high temperatures

The growing demand for knowledge about the effect of high temperatures on structures has stimulated increasing research worldwide. This article presents experimental results for short composite steel and concrete columns subjected to high temperatures in ovens with or without an axial compression load, numerically analyzes the temperature distribution in these columns after 30 and 60 minutes and compares them with experimental results. The models consist of concrete-filled tubes of three different thicknesses and two different diameters, and the concrete fill has conventional properties that remained constant for all of the models. The stress-strain behavior of the composite columns was altered after exposure to high temperatures relative to the same columns at room temperature, which was most evident in the 60-minute tests due to the higher temperatures reached. The computational analysis adopted temperature rise curves that were obtained experimentally.

Effects of cryogenic and stress relief treatments on temper carbide precipitation in AISI D2 tool steel

The effects of cryogenic and stress relief treatments on temper carbide precipitation in the cold work tool steel AISI D2 were studied. For the cryogenic treatment the temperature was −196°C and the holding time was 2, 24 or 30 h. The stress relief heat treatment was carried at 130°C/90 min, when applied. All specimens were compared to a standard thermal cycle. Specimens were studied using metallographic characterisation, X-ray diffraction and thermoelectric power measurements. The metallographic characterisation used SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and SEM-FEG (SEM with field emission gun), besides OM (optical microscopy). No variation in the secondary carbides (micrometre sized) precipitation was found. The temper secondary carbides (nanosized) were found to be more finely dispersed in the matrix of the specimens with cryogenic treatment and without stress relief. The refinement of the temper secondary carbides was attributed to a possible in situ carbide precipitation during tempering.

Thermal analysis of the chip formation in austenitic stainless steel

The most important property of austenitic stainless steels is corrosion resistance. In these steels, the transition between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic conditions occurs at low temperatures. Therefore, the use of austenitic stainless steels in conditions in which ferromagnetism absence is important can be considered. On the other hand, the formation of strain-induced martensite is detected when austenitic stainless steels are deformed as well as machined. The strain-induced martensite formed especially in the machining process is not uniform through the chip and its formation can also be related to the Md temperature. Therefore, both the temperature distribution and the gradient during the cutting and chip formation are important to identify regions in which martensite formation is propitiated. The main objective here is evaluate the strain-induced martensite formation throughout machining by observing microstructural features and comparing these to thermal results obtained through finite element method analysis. Results show that thermal analysis can give support to the martensite identified in the microstructural analysis.

Impact of thermal bridging on the performance of buildings using Light Steel Framing in Brazil

The Light Steel Framing building technology was introduced in Brazil in the late 1990s for the construction of residential houses. Because the design system was imported from the United States and is optimised to work well in that temperate climate, some modi fi cations must be made to adapt it for the Brazilian climate. The objective of this paper was to assess the impact of thermal bridging across enclosure elements on the thermal performance of buildings designed with Light Steel Framing in Brazil. The numerical simulation program EnergyPlus and a speci fi c method that considered the effects of metallic structures in the hourly simulations were used for the analysis. Two air-conditioned commercial buildings were used as case studies. The peak thermal load increased approximately 10% when an interior metal frame was included in the numerical simulations compared to non-metallic structures. Even when a metal frame panel was used only for vertical elements in the facade of a building with a conventional concrete structure, the simulations showed a 5% increase in annual energy use.

Photocatalytic activity of nanostructured anatase coatings obtained by cold gas spray

[EN] This article describes a photocatalytic nanostructured anatase coating deposited by cold gas spray (CGS) supported on titanium sub-oxide (TiO22x) coatings obtained by atmospheric plasma spray (APS) onto stainless steel cylinders. The photocatalytic coating was homogeneous and preserved the composition and nanostructure of the starting powder. The inner titanium sub-oxide coating favored the deposition of anatase particles in the solid state. Agglomerated nano-TiO2 particles fragmented when impacting onto the hard surface of the APS TiO22x bond coat. The rough surface provided by APS provided an ideal scenario for entrapping the nanostructured particles, which may be adhered onto the bond coat due to chemical bonding; a possible bonding mechanism is described. Photocatalytic experiments showed that CGS nano-TiO2 coating was active for photodegrading phenol and formic acid under aqueous conditions. The results were similar to the performance obtained by competitor technologies and materials such as dip-coating P25 photocatalysts. Disparity in the final performance of the photoactive materials may have been caused by differences in grain size and the crystalline composition of titanium dioxide.

Experimental Data on Fire-Resistance Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Structures with Example Calculations

This thesis selects concrete, steel and their relation as research subjects, mainly commentary and discusses the property changes of steel and concrete materials under and after high temperature.The differences and comparisons of reasearch methods and ways between different researchers and different papers,particularly for chinese researches and chinese papers,and partly for comparison between chinese papers methods and Euro-Amercian papers methods about Fire Resistance Behavior of Reinforced Concrete will be summarized and analyzed.The researches on fire-resistance behavior of reinforced concrete become more and more important all over the world. And I would find differences between Chinese researches results, between Chinese researches results and other countries researches results.

Seismic mitigation of existing masonry structures by means of added damping and stiffness

In this work seismic upgrading of existing masonry structures by means of hysteretic ADAS dampers is treated. ADAS are installed on external concrete walls, which are built parallel to the building, and then linked to the building's slab by means of steel rod connection system. In order to assess the effectiveness of the intervention, a parametric study considering variation of damper main features has been conducted. To this aim, the concepts of equivalent linear system (ELS) or equivalent viscous damping are deepen. Simplified equivalent linear model results are then checked respect results of the yielding structures. Two alternative displacement based methods for damper design are herein proposed. Both methods have been validated through non linear time history analyses with spectrum compatible accelerograms. Finally ADAS arrangement for the non conventional implementation is proposed.

Fiber beam-columns models with flexure-shear interaction for nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete structures

The aim of this study was to develop a model capable to capture the different contributions which characterize the nonlinear behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. In particular, especially for non slender structures, the contribution to the nonlinear deformation due to bending may be not sufficient to determine the structural response. Two different models characterized by a fibre beam-column element are here proposed. These models can reproduce the flexure-shear interaction in the nonlinear range, with the purpose to improve the analysis in shear-critical structures. The first element discussed is based on flexibility formulation which is associated with the Modified Compression Field Theory as material constitutive law. The other model described in this thesis is based on a three-field variational formulation which is associated with a 3D generalized plastic-damage model as constitutive relationship. The first model proposed in this thesis was developed trying to combine a fibre beamcolumn element based on the flexibility formulation with the MCFT theory as constitutive relationship. The flexibility formulation, in fact, seems to be particularly effective for analysis in the nonlinear field. Just the coupling between the fibre element to model the structure and the shear panel to model the individual fibres allows to describe the nonlinear response associated to flexure and shear, and especially their interaction in the nonlinear field. The model was implemented in an original matlab® computer code, for describing the response of generic structures. The simulations carried out allowed to verify the field of working of the model. Comparisons with available experimental results related to reinforced concrete shears wall were performed in order to validate the model. These results are characterized by the peculiarity of distinguishing the different contributions due to flexure and shear separately. The presented simulations were carried out, in particular, for monotonic loading. The model was tested also through numerical comparisons with other computer programs. Finally it was applied for performing a numerical study on the influence of the nonlinear shear response for non slender reinforced concrete (RC) members. Another approach to the problem has been studied during a period of research at the University of California Berkeley. The beam formulation follows the assumptions of the Timoshenko shear beam theory for the displacement field, and uses a three-field variational formulation in the derivation of the element response. A generalized plasticity model is implemented for structural steel and a 3D plastic-damage model is used for the simulation of concrete. The transverse normal stress is used to satisfy the transverse equilibrium equations of at each control section, this criterion is also used for the condensation of degrees of freedom from the 3D constitutive material to a beam element. In this thesis is presented the beam formulation and the constitutive relationships, different analysis and comparisons are still carrying out between the two model presented.

Origin of cold gas and dust in massive elliptical galaxies

The recent availability of multi-wavelength data revealed the presence of large reservoirs of warm and cold gas and dust in the innermost regions of the majority of massive elliptical galaxies. To prove an internal origin of cold and warm gas, the investigation of the spatially distributed cooling process which occurs because of non-linear density perturbations and subsequent thermal instabilities is of crucial importance. The first goal of this work of thesis is to investigate the internal origin of warm and cold phases. Numerical simulations are the powerful tool of analysis. The way in which a spatially distributed cooling process originates has been examined and the off-centre amount of gas mass which cools when different and differently characterized AGN feedback mechanisms operate has been quantified. This thesis demonstrates that the aforementioned non-linear density perturbations originate and develop from AGN feedback mechanisms in a natural fashion. An internal origin of the warm phase from the once hot gas is shown to be possible. Computed velocity dispersions of ionized and hot gas are similar. The cold gas as well can originate from the cooling process: indeed, it has been estimated that the surrounding stellar radiation, which is one of the most feasible sources of ionization of the warm gas, does not manage to keep ionized all the gas at 10^4 K. Therefore, cooled gas does undergo a further cooling which can lead the warm phase to lower temperatures. However, the gas which has cooled from the hot phase is expected to be dustless; nonetheless, a large fraction of early type galaxies has detectable dust in their cores, both concentrated in filamentary and disky structures and spread over larger regions. Therefore a regularly rotating disk of cold and dusty gas has been included in the simulations. A new quantitative investigation of the spatially distributed cooling process has therefore been essential: the contribution of the included amount of dust which is embedded in the cold gas does have a role in promoting and enhancing the cooling. The fate of dust which was at first embedded in cold gas has been investigated. The role of AGN feedback mechanisms in dragging (if able) cold and dusty gas from the core of massive ellipticals up to large radii has been studied.

Coating of surfaces of composite materials with enzymatically formed biosilica

Die Bildung kieselsäurehaltiger Spicula in marinen Schwämmen ist nur möglich durch die enzymatische Aktivität des Silicatein- in Verbindung mit der stöchiometrischen Selbstassemblierung des Enzyms mit anderen Schwammproteinen. Die vorliegende Arbeit basiert auf einem biomimetischen Ansatz mit dem Ziel, unterschiedliche Oberflächen für biotechnologische und biomedizinische Anwendungen mit Biosilica und Biotitania zu beschichten und zu funktionalisieren. Für biotechnologische Anwendungen ist dabei das Drucken von Cystein-getaggtem Silicatein auf Gold-Oberflächen von Bedeutung, denn es ermöglichte die Bildung definierter Biotitania-Strukturen (Anatas), welche als Photokatalysator den Abbau eines organischen Farbstoffs bewirkten. Des Weiteren zeigte sich die bio-inspirierte Modifikation von Tyrosin-Resten an rekombinantem Silicatein-(via Tyrosinase) als vielversprechendes Werkzeug zur Beschleunigung der Selbstassemblierung des Enzyms zu mesoskaligen Filamenten. Durch eine solche Modifikation konnte Silicatein auch auf der Oberfläche von anorganischen Partikeln immobilisiert werden, welches die Assemblierung von anorganisch-organischen Verbundwerkstoffen in wäßriger Umgebung förderte. Die resultierenden supramolekularen Strukturen könnten dabei in bio-inspirierten und biotechnologischen Anwendungen genutzt werden. Weiterhin wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit die Sekundärstruktur von rekombinantem Silicatein- (Monomer und Oligomer) durch Raman Spektroskopie analysiert, nachdem das Protein gemäß einer neu etablierten Methode rückgefaltet worden war. Diese Spektraldaten zeigten insbesondere Änderungen der Proteinkonformation durch Solubilisierung und Oligomerisierung des Enzyms. Außerdem wurden die osteoinduzierenden und osteogenen Eigenschaften unterschiedlicher organischer Polymere, die herkömmlich als Knochenersatzmaterial genutzt werden, durch Oberflächenmodifikation mit Silicatein/Biosilica verbessert: Die bei der Kultivierung knochenbildender Zellen auf derart oberflächenbehandelten Materialien beobachtete verstärkte Biomineralisierung, Aktivierung der Alkalischen Phosphatase, und Ausbildung eines typischen zellulären Phänotyps verdeutlichen das Potential von Silicatein/Biosilica für der Herstellung neuartiger Implantat- und Knochenersatzmaterialien.

Characterization of vascular cavity coatings and microscopic tube-shaped structures from Upper Cretaceous dinosaur bone: evidence of a bacterial origin for dinosaur blood vessels""

Recent claims of blood vessels extracted from dinosaur fossils challenge classical views of soft-tissue preservation. Alternatively, these structures may represent postdepositional,diagenetic biofilms that grew on vascular cavity surfaces within the fossil. Similar red, hollow, tube-shaped structures were recovered from well-preserved and poorly-preserved (abraded, desiccated, exposed) Upper Cretaceous dinosaur fossils in this study. Integration of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was used to compare these vessel structures to the fossils from which they are derived. Vessel structures are typically 100-400 μm long, 0.5-1.5 μm thick, 10-40 μm in diameter and take on a wide range of straight, curved, andbranching morphologies. Interior surfaces vary from smooth to globular and typically contain spheres, rods, and fibrous structures (< 2 μm in diameter) incorporated into the surface. Exterior surfaces exhibit 2-μm-tall converging ridges, spaced 1-3 μm apart, that are sub-parallel to the long axis of the vessel structure. Fossil vascular cavities are typically coated with a smooth or grainy orange layer that shows a wide range of textures including smooth, globular, rough, ropy, and combinations thereof. Coatings tend to overlay secondary mineral crystals and framboids, confirming they are not primary structures of the fossil. For some cavity coatings, the surface that had been in contact with the bone exhibits a ridged texture, similar to that of vessel structures, having formed as a mold of the intravascular bone surface. Thus, vessel structures are interpreted as intact cavity coatings isolated after the fossil is demineralized. The presence of framboids and structures consistent in size and shape with bacteria cells, the abundance of iron in cavity coatings, and the growth of biofilms directly from the fossil that resemble respective cavity coatings support the hypothesis that vessel structures result from ironconsuming bacteria that form biofilms on the intravascular bone surfaces of fossil dinosaur bone. This also accounts for microstructures resembling osteocytes as some fossil lacunae are filled with the same iron oxide that comprises vessel structures andcoatings. Results of this study show that systematic, high-resolution SEM analyses of vertebrate fossils can provide improved insight on microtaphonomic processes, including the role of bacteria in diagenesis. These results conflict with earlier claims of dinosaurblood vessels and osteocytes.

Structural capacity of steel tubular cast-in-place piling

Steel tubular cast-in-place pilings are used throughout the country for many different project types. These piles are a closed-end pipe with varying wall thicknesses and outer diameters, that are driven to depth and then the core is filled with concrete. These piles are typically used for smaller bridges, or secondary structures. Mostly the piling is designed based on a resistance based method which is a function of the soil properties of which the pile is driven through, however there is a structural capacity of these members that is considered to be the upper bound on the loading of the member. This structural capacity is given by the AASHTO LRFD (2010), with two methods. These two methods are based on a composite or non-composite section. Many state agencies and corporations use the non-composite equation because it is requires much less computation and is known to be conservative. However with the trends of the time, more and more structural elements are being investigated to determine ways to better understand the mechanics of the members, which could lead to more efficient and safer designs. In this project, a set of these piling are investigated. The way the cross section reacts to several different loading conditions, along with a more detailed observation of the material properties is considered as part of this research. The evaluation consisted of testing stub sections of pile with varying sizes (10-¾”, 12-¾”), wall thicknesses (0.375”, 0.5”), and testing methods (whole compression, composite compression, push through, core sampling). These stub sections were chosen as they would represent a similar bracing length to many different soils. In addition, a finite element model was developed using ANSYS to predict the strains from the testing of the pile cross sections. This model was able to simulate the strains from most of the loading conditions and sizes that were tested. The bond between the steel shell and the concrete core, along with the concrete strength through the depth of the cross section were some of the material properties of these sections that were investigated.

A cold blizzard was raging, but the light shone brightly' : social networks presented in stained glass within an industrial community

Historical stained glass in Calumet and Laurium revealed the complex structures of these industrial communities. Creating an Industrial Archaeology-focused approach, I examined stained glass as material culture. Sacred glass revealed ethnic and religious values of a congregation through the style, iconography, and quality of the glasswork. Residential glass showed how owners represented themselves within cultural settings by meeting social expectations. Commercial glass indicated community status of owners through discreet and artistic shows of wealth and taste. Corporate glass displayed prosperity and belonging through the superior quality and cost of the glasswork. Viewing stained glass as material culture opened new methods of looking at both stained glass and industrial communities. Findings from my research can teach the public about the importance of preserving and conserving stained glass, and that can lead to greater public appreciation for the material culture found within these industrial communities.

PROPERTIES AND STRUCTURES OF Li-N BASED HYDROGEN STORAGE MATERIALS

Traditional transportation fuel, petroleum, is limited and nonrenewable, and it also causes pollutions. Hydrogen is considered one of the best alternative fuels for transportation. The key issue for using hydrogen as fuel for transportation is hydrogen storage. Lithium nitride (Li3N) is an important material which can be used for hydrogen storage. The decompositions of lithium amide (LiNH2) and lithium imide (Li2NH) are important steps for hydrogen storage in Li3N. The effect of anions (e.g. Cl-) on the decomposition of LiNH2 has never been studied. Li3N can react with LiBr to form lithium nitride bromide Li13N4Br which has been proposed as solid electrolyte for batteries. The decompositions of LiNH2 and Li2NH with and without promoter were investigated by using temperature programmed decomposition (TPD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. It was found that the decomposition of LiNH2 produced Li2NH and NH3 via two steps: LiNH2 into a stable intermediate species (Li1.5NH1.5) and then into Li2NH. The decomposition of Li2NH produced Li, N2 and H2 via two steps: Li2NH into an intermediate species --- Li4NH and then into Li. The kinetic analysis of Li2NH decomposition showed that the activation energies are 533.6 kJ/mol for the first step and 754.2 kJ/mol for the second step. Furthermore, XRD demonstrated that the Li4NH, which was generated in the decomposition of Li2NH, formed a solid solution with Li2NH. In the solid solution, Li4NH possesses a similar cubic structure as Li2NH. The lattice parameter of the cubic Li4NH is 0.5033nm. The decompositions of LiNH2 and Li2NH can be promoted by chloride ion (Cl-). The introduction of Cl- into LiNH2 resulted in the generation of a new NH3 peak at low temperature of 250 °C besides the original NH3 peak at 330 °C in TPD profiles. Furthermore, Cl- can decrease the decomposition temperature of Li2NH by about 110 °C. The degradation of Li3N was systematically investigated with techniques of XRD, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy. It was found that O2 could not affect Li3N at room temperature. However, H2O in air can cause the degradation of Li3N due to the reaction between H2O and Li3N to LiOH. The produced LiOH can further react with CO2 in air to Li2CO3 at room temperature. Furthermore, it was revealed that Alfa-Li3N is more stable in air than Beta-Li3N. The chemical stability of Li13N4Br in air has been investigated by XRD, TPD-MS, and UV-vis absorption as a function of time. The aging process finally leads to the degradation of the Li13N4Br into Li2CO3, lithium bromite (LiBrO2) and the release of gaseous NH3. The reaction order n = 2.43 is the best fitting for the Li13N4Br degradation in air reaction. Li13N4Br energy gap was calculated to be 2.61 eV.