Evaluation of damage to light structures erected on a fill material rich in expansive soil

The paper reports a study of the cause of defects in light structures and the toppling of a wall constructed on a fill material rich in Ankara clay. Laboratory tests were carried out on vertical and horizontal samples from boreholes and a trial pit was excavated near the damaged structures. The results showed that in the vicinity of the toppled wall, swelling pressures in the horizontal direction were greater than those measured in the vertical direction. The swelling properties of the fill material were higher than those of original Ankara clay as determined previously by other investigators, suggesting that breakdown of the cementing bonds and a change in the fabric are the main factors affecting the swelling pressure of disturbed and compacted expansive soils. The calculations to predict uplift showed a good agreement with the observations in the damaged structures. It is concluded that swelling was the main cause of the damage to the light structures at the study site and resulted from the highly expansive nature of the fill material, poor drainage, the semi-arid climate, poor construction methods and ineffective precautions. Some recommendations for minimizing the effects of swelling at the study site are briefly outlined.     

Numerical Model of Polydispersed Silica Grain Dissolution in Glass Melting Furnaces

The objective of this paper is to report on a numerical methodology addressing the defect problem in glass-melting furnaces. Specifically, given a furnace, through use of the proposed models one can predict the individual grain dissolution behavior and global size distribution curves of the undissolved silica grains at every point in the glass melt and, of course, in the final glass. Through some illustrative results, the utility of the proposed models is illustrated.     

Assessment of deformation modulus of weak rock masses from pressuremeter tests and seismic surveys

The deformation modulus of intact rock can be determined through standardized laboratory tests for heavily jointed rock masses but this is very difficult, while in situ tests are time-consuming and expensive. In this study, the deformation modulus of selected heavily jointed, sheared and/or blocky, weathered, weak greywacke, andesite and claystone were assessed, based on pressuremeter tests, geo-engineering characterization and seismic surveys. Empirical equations based on GSI and RMR values are proposed to indirectly estimate the deformation modulus of the greywackes. For the andesites, the spacing of the discontinuities is greater than the length of the pressuremeter probe hence the intact rather than rock mass deformation modulus is obtained. The pressuremeter test results from the claystones could not be correlated with the field data; the relationship between the ratio of rock mass modulus to intact rock modulus and RQD appears to give a better estimation of the deformation modulus.      

Empirical correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for ground shaking assessments

Prediction of the ground shaking response at soil sites requires knowledge of the soil, expressed in terms of shear wave velocity. Although it is preferable to measure this dynamic soil parameter in situ, this is often not economic at all locations. Existing correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance have been assessed in this study and compared with correlations with SPT values obtained based on geotechnical and geoseismic data collected from a first-degree earthquake zone in Turkey. The results obtained support the findings of earlier studies that blow-count is a significant parameter in these correlations while type of soil has no important influence. The regression equations developed in this study compare well with most of the previous equations and exhibit good prediction performance. It is noted that better correlations are obtained when uncorrected blow-counts are used.      

Reduction of greensand emissions by minimum 25%―Case study

This paper describes the development of an inorganic alternative to coal or coal replacement for bentonite bonded molds(greensand molding)and the realization in an operating foundry.Through a time period of 1.5 years,Cornponenta Foundry changed in many steps from a classical green sand system to a coal free system,based on ENVIBOND(R)developed in the GO-APIC project and further development as an S&B project.At Componenta Foundry,the percentage of casting defects or scrap did not increase.There was a tendency of an increase in stress(scabbing)defects and of a decrease in penetration defects.Benzene emission is reduced by40%,odor emission has lower values(not statistically proven).Visible is less smoke in the foundry,especially at the cooling line.The benefits for health and emissions are clearly seen.     

Structural models of algorithms in problems of applied programming. I. Formal algorithmic structures

A structural approach to modelling algorithms is proposed. The concept of an algorithmic structure with operations over algorithms is introduced. Models of algorithms constructed from algorithmic structures reflect aspects of algorithm representation and execution. Examples of structural and path models of algorithms are considered. Translated from Kibernetika i Sistemnyi Analiz, No. 3, pp. 3–14, May-June 2009.     

The Effect of the Geometrical Non-Linearity on the Stress Distribution in the Infinite Elastic Body with a Periodically Curved Row of Fibers

In the framework of the piecewise homogeneous body model with the use of the three-dimensional geometrically non-linear exact equations of the theory of elasticity, the method for determination of the stress-strain state in the infinite body containing periodically located row of periodically curved fibers is developed. It is assumed that the midlines of the fibers are in the same plane. With respect to the location of the fibers according to each other the sinphase and antiphase curving cases are considered. Numerical results on the effect of the geometrical non-linearity to the values of the self balanced shear and normal stresses are presented. In particular, it is established that this effect causes to increase (to decrease) the absolute values of these stresses in compression (in tension) along the fibers.     

Constructive-Synthesizing Structures and Their Grammatical Interpretations. i. Generalized Formal Constructive-Synthesizing Structure

Capabilities of various formal grammars are generalized, and a framework for constructive-synthesizing structures is proposed. Its tools make it possible to formalize processes and results of formation of constructions on the basis of elements with attributes. Possibilities of specialization, specification of constructive-synthesizing structures, and also interpretation based on algorithmic structures modeling an executor are considered.