Shaking table tests of tunnel linings in progressive states of damage

Tunnels have long been assumed to be able to withstand earthquakes and suffer little damage. However, investigations of tunnels after the Wenchuan earthquake in China revealed that over 30 tunnel linings were cracked. Different types of cracks were found in almost all the tunnel linings. In this study, a series of shaking table tests were conducted on scaled tunnel models under seismic excitations with increasing intensities. White noise sweep tests were interlaced with the seismic excitations to identify the damage in the tunnel linings. The accelerations and strains of the tunnel lining were measured. The test results are discussed based on the dominant frequencies, amplification factor, and lining strains. Furthermore, this paper presents the results of damage identification for various states of damage using the white noise sweep method. The dominant frequencies decreased with an increase of the input peak ground acceleration (PGA), which also reflected the damage of the tunnel lining. The dominant frequencies decreased by approximately 32% for an input PGA intensity of approximately 0.6 g, but the first cracks could still be visually detected. The cracks gradually propagate with the PGA increasing from 0.6 to 0.8 g. The effect of lining damage on the seismic performance of tunnel linings should be considered in the seismic design of tunnels.     

不同级配粗骨料对橡胶混凝土构件力学性能的分形研究

基于材性试验研究了粗骨料级配对橡胶混凝土构件强度及弹性模量的影响;通过三根不同级配粗骨料橡胶混凝土梁探讨了粗骨料级配对试验梁受弯承载力、挠度等方面的影响,并研究了三根橡胶混凝土梁在集中荷载下损伤演化过程的分形行为。用分形几何学研究橡胶混凝土梁的损伤演化过程,为橡胶混凝土结构的健康检测和安全性评估提供新的方法。     

Two-dimensional strain-based interactive failure theory for multidirectional composite laminates

A 2-D strain-based interactive failure theory is developed to predict the final failure of composite laminates subjected to multi-axial in-plane loading. The stiffness degradation of a laminate during loading is examined based on the individual failure modes of the maximum strain failure theory, and a piecewise linear incremental approach is employed to describe the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the laminate. In addition, an out-of-plane failure mode normal to the laminate is also investigated to more accurately predict the failure of multidirectional laminates. The theoretical results of the failure model presented are compared with the experimental data provided by the World-Wide Failure Exercise, and the accuracy of the model’s predictive capabilities is investigated.     

Ductility Evaluation of Concrete-Encased Steel Bridge Piers Subjected to Lateral Cyclic Loading

An experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate the ductility of concrete-encased steel piers, referred to as “steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) construction.” Based on the cyclic lateral loading tests of SRC column specimens, the restorable and ultimate limit states are defined as the point when concrete cover spalling occurs (equivalent to longitudinal bar buckling) and the point when flange buckling of the H-shaped steel occurs, respectively. To estimate the lateral displacement capacity at both the restorable and ultimate limit states, the curvature distribution of the column was calculated based on the buckling analysis of the longitudinal bar, which was restrained by a concrete cover and transverse reinforcement, and of the steel flange encased in concrete. The lateral displacement was obtained by integrating the curvature distribution. Comparison of the computed results with experimental results, including other writers’ reports, confirmed that the proposed method can appropriately estimate the lateral displacement at the restorable and ultimate limit states, and it can accurately evaluate the buckling characteristics of the longitudinal bar and steel flange components of SRC column specimens.     

Damage Assessment and Ductility Evaluation of Post Tensioned Beams with Hybrid FRP Tendons

The study presented in this article concentrated on investigating the ductility and characterization of damage in concrete beams post tensioned with hybrid carbon-glass fiber-reinforced polymer (HFRP) composites. The investigation included an approach for design of flexural members with HFRP tendons and characterization of damage, load deformation response, ultimate strength, and failure modes. Direct tensile tests of hybrid FRP rods in a previous study had indicated elastoplastic response, enhanced ductility, and increased strain capacity. In this context, the current study focused on design and fabrication of post tensioned beams using glass or steel rebars for partial prestressing. All the beams were tested in flexure under four-point bending configuration. Results of the study are presented in terms of ductility index and enhanced load-deflection response in comparison with the conventional FRP materials. Damage characterization involved evaluating the specific features of the acoustic emissions for detecting the elastoplastic transition in the hybrid tendons. The method involved use of a high-resolution fiber-optic interferometer for detection and separation of acoustic emissions. By using the time domain response, it was possible to spatially localize the damage at various stages of the loading. Spectral energy of the acoustic emissions facilitated separation of carbon and glass fiber fractures.     

Concurrent Delays and Apportionment of Damages

This paper focuses on the subject of concurrent delay from a general contractor (GC)-subcontractor perspective. When there is a concurrent delay by multiple subcontractors, or between the GC and other subcontractor(s), there has not been a uniform approach as to how the liquidated damages are apportioned. Previous research seems to ignore this issue. This paper first reviews some relevant court cases. Using a warehouse project as a case study, it then examines different practices that the GC could take in apportioning damages of concurrent delays to both himself/herself as well as to the responsible subcontractors. Results are very inconsistent between and within the apportionment practices. This supports an alternative hypothesis that apportionment is an important issue. Practitioners should specify which apportionment practice will be used and under what circumstances it will be applied in their subcontracts. Researchers may develop a more consistent and reliable approach for this type of apportionment.     

基于非线性连续损伤的机床轴结构疲劳研究

运用MINER线性累积损伤理论对机床轴结构进行疲劳研究时,由于不能连续描述损伤与载荷之间的关系,在高周疲劳寿命预测过程中其计算结果不能令人满意。为此,基于CHABOCHE提出的单轴非线性连续累积损伤理论,通过对45钢进行疲劳试验获得了轴结构材料的S-N曲线,在对机床载荷谱简化处理的基础上,建立了适于机床轴结构寿命预测的多轴非线性连续损伤累积模型。实例计算证明,该模型能准确描述机床轴结构损伤累积过程,计算结果更符合工程实际。     

Evaluating the strengths of thick aluminum-to-aluminum joints with different adhesive lengths and thicknesses

Composite joints are often the weakest elements in composite structures. In this paper, we propose a modified version of the damage zone theory based on the yield strain ratio. We use this framework to predict failure loads for various adhesive joints. Thick aluminum-to-aluminum joint specimens with eight different adhesive lengths and four adhesive thicknesses were manufactured and tested. The strengths of different adhesive lengths could be predicted to within 15.4% using the damage zone ratio method. In addition, the strengths of joints that feature different adhesive thicknesses were predicted to within 16.3% using the damage zone ratio method.