GA-based decision support system for housing condition assessment and refurbishment strategies

Refurbishment work involves improvement, upgrading, renovation, retrofit, and repair of existing housing. With limited land usage and being aware of sustainability, the refurbishment market has faced increasing needs worldwide. During the long life cycle period of housing, most residents are undoubtedly faced with refurbishment requirements. However, it is not easy to make assessment and refurbishment related decisions due to the lack of knowledge and experience. This study presents Genetic algorithm-based on-line decision support system (DSS) to help residents easily conduct the housing condition assessment and offers optimal refurbishment actions considering the trade-off between cost and quality. Two refurbishment models are developed to explore the relationship among the life cycle cost, restoration cost and improved quality. The result reveals the proposed DSS solves the problems arising from asymmetric information and conflicting interests between residents and contractors, as well as improves traditional housing condition assessment to be more effective and efficient.     

Nanotube morphology changes for Ti-Zr alloys as Zr content increases

Nanotube morphology changes in Ti-Zr alloys as Zr content increases have been investigated. Ti-Zr (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%) alloys were prepared by arc melting and heat treated for 24 h at 1000 °C in an argon atmosphere. TiO₂ nanotubes were formed on the Ti-Zr alloys by anodization in H₃PO₄ containing 0.5 wt.% NaF. Electrochemical experiments were performed using a conventional three-electrode configuration with a platinum counter electrode and a saturated calomel reference electrode. Samples were embedded in epoxy resin, leaving an area of 10 mm² exposed to the electrolyte. Anodization was carried out using a scanning potentiostat, and all experiments were conducted at room temperature. Microstructures of the alloys were examined by optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The Ti-Zr alloy microstructures observed by OM and FE-SEM changed from a lamellar structure to a needle-like structure with increasing Zr content. The microstructures also changed from β phase to increasing amounts of α phase as the Zr content increased. The number of large nanotubes formed by anodization decreased, and the number of small nanotubes increased, as the Zr content increased. The mean inner diameter ranged from approximately 150 to 200 nm with a tube-wall thickness of about 20 nm. The interspace between the nanotubes was approximately 60, 70, 100 and 130 nm for Zr contents of 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%, respectively.     

Equivalent multi-phase similitude law for pseudodynamic test on small scale reinforced concrete models

Small scale models have been frequently used to experimentally investigate the seismic performance of structures because capacities of testing facilities are limited and because they are more economically viable. However, not enough studies have been carried out on the development of similitude laws for accurately analogizing prototype structures with small scale models. Furthermore, conventional similitude requirements based on geometry may not be suitable in the inelastic range. When a small scale model of a prototype reinforced concrete structure is fabricated from a similar material to the prototype, an added mass would generally be required due to the volumetric variation, while the scale factor, as a ratio of the scale model to the prototype, cannot be sufficiently reduced due to the limitation of aggregate size. As an alternative, for small scale models it is desirable to use materials that are dissimilar to those of the prototype. Thus, a modified similitude law can be derived that depends on the geometric scale factor, equivalent modulus ratio and peak strain ratio. In this study, compressive strength tests were carried out to analyze the equivalent modulus ratio of micro-concrete to normal-concrete. The equivalent modulus ratios could then be divided into multi phases of strain level, which are basically dependent on the peak strain level at ultimate strength. An algorithm adaptable to the pseudodynamic test was therefore developed that considers an equivalent multi-phase similitude law based entirely on strain levels. Prior to carrying out the physical experiments, a numerical simulation was performed by idealizing the designed specimens to a single degree of freedom system with a bilinear model, and the pseudodynamic testing algorithm was numerically verified from seismic responses. A prototype and a 1/5 scale model of reinforced concrete columns as a test specimen was designed and fabricated based on the equivalent modulus ratios already defined. As a preliminary test, quasi-static tests on test specimens were carried out and their experimental results were compared using the constant and variable modulus ratios. Furthermore, in the pseudodynamic test on small scale models, it was verified that the modified pseudodynamic testing algorithm that considers the developed equivalent multi-phase similitude law may offer better simulation of the prototype structures than the conventional pseudodynamic testing algorithm. Therefore, it is found that the equivalent multi-phase similitude law would be applicable to the pseudodynamic test on small scale models.