Experimental tests of a new hysteretic damper made of buckling inhibited shear panels

Metal shear panels represent a highly performing anti seismic system for medium–high rise buildings located in strong earthquake prone zones. A new configuration of dissipative shear panel is presented in the current paper. The base shear plate is made of a low-strength material, namely the heath treated EN-AW-1050A aluminium alloy, which has been already used by the authors for other types of dissipative shear panels. In this proposed new system, the main buckling modes are inhibited by the application of external devices placed in parallel to the base plate and not directly loaded by the external forces. Two shear panel samples are tested as prototypes, which are based on two different plate buckling inhibition strategies. In the former the out-of-plane displacements of only some parts of the base plate are restrained, whereas in the latter the restraining action of the external device is extended to the whole base plate. Experimental tests are presented in order to prove the performance of the proposed devices in terms of dissipative capacity and stiffness. In addition, the obtained results are compared with the ones related to other more conventional shear panel typologies, characterized by the same geometry and material, but in which buckling phenomena were mitigated by means of welded stiffeners, according to a more traditional practice.     

Improved fatigue performance for wood-based structural panels using slot and tab construction

This paper presents static and fatigue bending behavior for a wood-based structural panel having a slot and tab (S/T) construction technique. Comparisons were made with similarly fabricated panels without the S/T construction technique. Experimental results showed that both types of panels had similar bending properties in the static tests. However, the panels with S/T construction had better fatigue results. The failure modes were different for the two fabrication techniques. The panels without S/T debonded at the core:face interface. Whereas, the panels with S/T had cracks that propagated within the rib of the core after debonding damage at the core:face interface. The fatigue deflection-life relationship indicated that the S/T construction improved the connection between the faces and core. The S/T construction decreased the deflection growth rate that delayed panel failure. The fatigue stress-life relationship or degradation was better for the panels with S/T construction than the panels without the S/T construction.     

Quasi-static indentation tests on aluminium foam sandwich panels

Mechanical response and energy absorption of aluminium foam sandwich panels subjected to quasi-static indentation loads were investigated experimentally. These sandwich panels consisted of two aluminium face-sheets and a closed cell aluminium foam core (ALPORAS®). Quasi-static indentation tests were conducted using an MTS universal testing machine, with sandwich panels either simply supported or fully fixed. Force–displacement curves were recorded and the total energy absorbed by sandwich panels was calculated accordingly. Videos and photographs were taken to capture the deformation of top face-sheets, foam cores and bottom face-sheets. Effects of face-sheet thickness, core thickness, boundary conditions, adhesive and surface condition of face-sheets on the mechanical response and energy absorption of sandwich panels were discussed.     

A new safety device for hemodialysis

Accidental venous needle dislodgement during hemodialysis may cause serious bleeding including a sometimes fatal outcome. The venous pressure gauge of the dialysis monitor does not react when dislodgement occurs. A sensor patch put as an adhesive over the venous needle puncture site connected to an alarm unit by an optic fiber has been clinically tested in 5 dialysis departments. A small amount of blood on the sensor activates a light and sound alarm. A simple questionnaire was filled out by the nurses at each dialysis concerning their feeling of safety when the new device was used. Forty-one patients, mean age 65 years, have tested the new safety device. Two hundred test dialyses were studied, after exclusion of 13 tests. One hundred seventy-nine tests reacted positively on blood. In another 6 dialyses, a warning light appeared on the alarm unit indicating a failure in the sensor patch. Thus, the alarm functioned in 92.5% of all tests. After a small modification of the sensor patches there were only 2 dialyses (2/71) without an activated alarm on blood, i.e., 97.2% positive alarm reactions. The answers of the nurses indicated that they had an increased feeling of safety when using the new safety device, with a mean value of 3.4 points on a visual scale from 0 to 5 where 5 meant very much increased safety. In a situation when the dialysis monitors today do not react on bleedings from venous needle dislodgements, the new alarm safety device fulfils a known shortage in routine dialysis safety. In situations where supervision during a dialysis session may be insufficient as, for example, in home hemodialysis and self-care dialysis or in other situations when the patient is sleeping, the device may be life saving.     

Cutout reinforcements for shear loaded laminate and sandwich composite panels

This paper presents the numerical and experimental studies of shear loaded laminated and sandwich carbon/epoxy composite panels with cutouts and reinforcements aiming at reducing the cutout stress concentration and increasing the buckling stability of the panels. The effect of different cutout sizes and the design and materials of cutout reinforcements on the stress and buckling behaviour of the panels are evaluated. For the sandwich panels with a range of cutout size and a constant weight, an optimal ratio of the core to the face thickness has been studied for the maximum buckling stability. The finite element method and an analytical method are employed to perform parametric studies. In both constant stress and constant displacement shear loading conditions, the results are in very good agreement with those obtained from experiment for selected cutout reinforcement cases. Conclusions are drawn on the cutout reinforcement design and improvement of stress concentration and buckling behaviour of shear loaded laminated and sandwich composite panels with cutouts.     

Experimental bond tests on masonry panels strengthened by FRP

The results of an experimental campaign on bond between Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) sheets and single clay brick or masonry panel is presented. Four different types of clay bricks (new and ancient) are considered, where the difference between bricks is not only due to their mechanical properties but also to their surface texture. Another focus point of the experimental campaign is the effect of mortar joints on the GFRP-masonry panel bond. Moreover, the effects of different surface preparations on the debonding load were investigated, concerning both bricks and masonry panels. A total number of 38 specimens was tested and results in terms of debonding force, strain along the GFRP and failure modes are here reported. The experimental results were also compared to design formula proposed by the new version of Italian Guidelines. Furthermore, in order to numerically describe the bond behaviour of the specimens tested, non-linear interface laws were calibrated starting from the debonding load and the measured strains along the GFRP for various loading levels.     

A new planar microtransformer for use in micro-switching converters

A planar microtransformer for use in microswitching converters of portable equipment is described. This microtransformer, consisting of planar coils and CoZrRe amorphous magnetic layers on a Si substrate, is fabricated by a dry process. It is about 0.3-mm thick, and 3×4 mm ². Its coils provide a relatively high inductance of 33 nH/mm ². This microtransformer is implemented in a forward converter, which operates well at 32 MHz     

A new mesh generation scheme for arbitrary planar domains

This paper describes a new algorithm to generate interior nodes within any arbitrary multi-connected regions. The boundary nodes and the interior nodes are then linked up to form the best possible triangular elements by a completely revised technique in an efficient and stable manner. Owing to the generality of the central generation program, the global domain is allowed to be divided into as many irregular subdomains as desired, in order to model closely the actual physical situation. Moreover, the boundaries of the sub-domains are updated from time to time when necessary to include the possibilities of progressive refinement around a sharp corner, generating radiating mesh from a prescribed node, generating mesh between two circular arcs, etc. Despite its flexibility and capabilities, data for triangulation have been kept to a minimum by a logical input module; no connectivity information between subregions is needed, and common boundaries are defined once only. All these features have contributed to a powerful method to generate 3-node or 6-node triangular element meshes of great variety within the most irregular heterogeneous regions.     

振动台试验新型叠层剪切模型箱的设计与性能测试

振动台模型试验是开展地震作用下土-地下结构动力相互作用研究的重要手段,而模型箱的性质将直接影响到试验结果的准确性。基于结构动力学的基本原理,设计研制了设有可调节弹簧和阻尼装置的层状剪切模型箱,并对其有效性进行了试验验证;同时,基于ANSYS软件对模型箱的动力性能开展了模拟分析。试验和分析结果表明,研制的设有可调节弹簧和阻尼装置的全仿真层状剪切模型箱具有良好的真实场地无限边界条件的模拟效果,可体现土-地下结构相互作用体系的动力反应是由速度和位移控制的特点;针对不同试验中所选择的模型土种类的不同,该模型箱可调整其自身性能,以满足试验对降低模型箱边界效应的要求。该模型箱的研制为今后其他岩土地震工程问题研究中试验箱的选择提供了新思路。     

In-plane shear behaviour of thin low reinforced concrete panels for earthquake re-construction

Low reinforced thin concrete panels have been used for the re-construction of living buildings in the devastated zone of L’Aquila. A structural characterization of these types of panels is presented in this paper, paying particular attention to the fact that these panels are subjected mainly to shear forces. Refined compression-field theory (RCFT) has recently been proposed in order to better predict the behaviour of reinforced concrete members subjected to in-plane shear and axial stresses. This theory is based on continuum mechanics, i.e. satisfying compatibility, equilibrium and formulating the constitutive equations in terms of average (i.e. “smeared”) stresses and strains. The improvement of RCFT in comparison with the two most famous theories for reinforced concrete member subjected to shear [i.e. the modified compression-field theory (MCFT), and the rotating-angle softened-truss model (RA-STM)], deals with an embedded bar model based on the tension stiffening model in concrete. After an ad-hoc calibration procedure, the RCFT is employed in order to reproduce the envelope of the experimental load-deflection response of three full-scale thin low reinforced concrete panels subjected to cyclic loading. The predictions provided by RCFT are compared with the experimental data as well as with those provided by MCFT and RA-STM. This paper presents the necessary parameters for the design of thin low reinforced concrete panels using the RCFT. The preliminary numerical validations seem very promising. However, additional experimental data are required for calibrating and validating the parameters of the proposed RCFT theory.     

A new indentation model for sandwich circular panels with gradient metallic foam cores

A new analytical model is presented to predict indentation behavior of the sandwich circular panel with gradient foam cores under a flat-end cylindrical indenter. In the model, a displacement field of the upper face sheet of the sandwich panel is assumed to be a cosine function and plateau stress of the gradient foam core varies with the mass density along the thickness direction of the sandwich panel. The sandwich panel is modeled as an infinite, isotropic, plastic membrane on a rigid-plastic foundation. The explicit solutions of the relation between the indentation force and maximum plastic regions of the upper face sheet are derived based on the principle of minimum work. The analytical results are validated using the finite element code ABAQUS^®. The influences of the gradient foam core on the maximum plastic region, the indentation force and the plastic strain energy of the sandwich panel are also investigated.     

A new boundary element formulation for shear deformable shells analysis

A new domain‐boundary element formulation to solve bending problems of shear deformable shallow shells having quadratic mid‐surface is presented. By regrouping all the terms containing shells curvature and external loads together in equilibrium equation, the formulation can be formed by coupling boundary element formulation of shear deformable plate and two‐dimensional plane stress elasticity. The boundary is discretized into quadratic isoparametric element and the domain is discretized using constant cells. Several examples are presented, and the results shows a good agreement with the finite element method. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.