Methodology for development of live load models for refined analysis of short and medium-span highway bridges

Abstract

The accuracy of bridge system safety evaluations and reliability assessments obtained through refined structural and finite element analyses depends not only on the accuracy of the structural model itself but also on the proper modelling of the maximum traffic loads. While current code-specified live load models were calibrated to properly reflect the safety levels of bridge structures analysed using the simplified methods adopted in bridge design and evaluation manuals, these load models may not lead to accurate results when implemented during refined structural analysis procedures. This paper describes a method to calibrate appropriate live load models that can be used for advanced analyses of bridges. The calibration procedure is demonstrated using actual traffic data collected at a representative weigh-in-motion station in New York State. The proposed calibration methodology is applicable for developing live load models for different bridge service periods, bridge types and design/assessment codes or standards. Live load models obtained using the proposed calibration procedure are readily implementable for deterministic refined analyses of highway bridges to produce similar results to those of complex traffic load simulations. Examples are presented that describe how results of such calibrated live load models would be used in engineering practice.     

The ecology of vertebrate olfaction: by D. M. Stoddart,Chapman and Hall,London, 1980, 234 pp. Price: £15.00; US $29.95

In a coal-fired power station burning coal which contained between 14–100 ppm U, ²¹⁰Pb was detected in the urine of an exposed group of individuals. Chromosome aberrations (complex, numerical and the percentage of total aberrations) were also registered.     

面板堆石坝变形监测研究(英文)

面板堆石坝的安全依赖于良好的设计、施工和在大坝施工及运行期的实时监测,土工监测技术和测绘技术可以用来监测大坝位移,并对大坝的非正常变形提供预警。面板堆石坝一般在施工期和蓄水期会发生较大变形:在施工期,堆石体和上游面板会因为自重而相互积压发生变形;在蓄水期,堆石体和上游面板会在水压力的作用下发生变形。为了保证面板的整体性和大坝安全,特别要防止面板的变形超过其最大允许变形。由于对筑坝材料参数的不完全可知性和计算理论的不完善,必须对大坝及其周边变形进行严密监测以预防大坝发生较大变形。应用有限元方法对中国某面板堆石坝位移变化进行研究。     

Aide in decision-making: contribution to uncertainties in three-dimensional measurement

The authorities of the standards organization International Organization of Standardization (ISO) advocate mastering any uncertainties in all parts of the industrialization process. In the three-dimensional (3D) measurement process, uncertainty is usually obtained at the end of a battery of tests. It is defined as a whole because it includes several types of errors, known systematic components, unknown systematic components and random components. Automated calculations of uncertainty can be made based on statistics. This method is based on statistical concepts, which are in accordance with “The Guide to the expression of the uncertainty in measurement” (GUM). It also enables us to generate uncertainties on the verification of ISO specifications (or specs in the ISO directives). In the course of this article, a usage will be presented that takes the knowledge of uncertainties into account: this usage will help the operator to take a decision on the conformance of a mechanical part in reference to its conformance to geometric tolerance.     

Synergistic effects in binary systems of lubricant additives: a chemical hardness approach

Tribochemical interactions between antiwear zinc dithiophosphate (Zndtp), friction modifier molybdenum dithiocarbamate (Modtc) and detergent overbased calcium borate (CB) lubricant additives have been investigated by coupling analytical TEM and micro‐spot XPS in the tribotester Optimol of SRV GmbH (mild wear conditions in boundary lubrication). Synergistic effects have been observed on both friction and wear data, especially in the Modtc/Zndtp combination. Results have been interpreted on the basis of a chemical hardness concept: the hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) principle, stabilisation of hard–hard pairs and the maximum hardness principle. The performance of the Modtc/Zndtp mixture is mainly due to the generation of MoS₂ single sheets and the digestion of MoO₃, which is also formed, by the zinc polyphosphate glass. The final result of the tribochemical reaction is a tribofilm composed of MoS₂ sheets embedded in a mixed Mo/Zn polyphosphate glass. The CB/Modtc mixture has a similar mechanism except that the oxide is not completely eliminated, due to the softer borate anion compared with the phosphate one. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Flow patterns and sediment deposition in rectangular shallow reservoirs

This work involves the experimental investigation of flow patterns, preferential regions of deposition and trapping efficiency in rectangular shallow reservoirs. The main flow patterns that can be encountered in rectangular shallow reservoirs are described: symmetrical flows without any reattachment point (S0), asymmetrical flows with one reattachment point (A1) and asymmetrical flows with two reattachment points (A2). The influence of geometrical and hydraulic parameters on reattachment lengths is intensively investigated. A shape parameter is introduced to classify symmetrical and asymmetrical flows. For each flow pattern, the preferential regions of deposition are studied. To conclude, a number of practical recommendations are given. Reservoirs with a shape parameter lower than 6.2 limit sediment deposition. Reservoirs with a shape parameter greater than 6.8 are favourable for sediment deposition. Finally, perspectives for maximizing and minimizing deposition are given, respectively by exploiting the great trapping potential of the flow pattern A1 and the poor trapping potential of the flow pattern S0.     

A numerical method for nonlinear complex modes with application to active–passive damped sandwich structures

In this paper, a numerical method is proposed for determining complex vibrations modes of sandwich structures with piezoelectric and viscoelastic layers. Based on homotopy and asymptotic numerical techniques, this method leads to the damping properties calculation (loss factor and natural frequency per mode) of the hybrid sandwich structure. The numerical results of the loss factor and natural frequency are compared to those obtained from analytical beam model and from numerical studies the modal strain energy method.     

Chlorobenzenes, chlorinated pesticides, coplanar chlorobiphenyls and other organochlorine compounds in Greenland biota

This paper summarises the levels and composition of chlorobenzenes, chlorinated pesticides, coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the chlorinated compounds octachlorostyrene (OCS), hexachlorocyclobutadiene (HCBD) and pentachloro-anisole (PCA) in biota from the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environment of Greenland. The data were obtained during the second phase of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). Of the chlorobenzenes, hexachlorobenzene was the main constituent detected in almost all samples. The chlorobenzenes accumulate in the marine food web in a similar manner to the better-studied persistent organic pollutants, with maximum concentrations in beluga, minke whale and narwhal. However, concentrations in ringed seals and kittiwakes were lower than in marine fish, contradicting biomagnification. Of the organochlorine pesticides, the drin pesticides (aldrin, endrin, dieldrin) and heptachlor had increasing concentrations along the food chain, whilst biomagnification was less pronounced for endosulfan, methoxychlor and mirex. Endosulfan and methoxychlor are pesticides still in use and considered less persistent than other organochlorine pesticides. Their occurrence in Arctic biota is of particular concern, also given the high acute toxicity of endosulfan to fish. Chlorobenzene and pesticide concentrations tended to be lower in the Greenland samples than in the same animals from the Canadian Arctic, whilst their concentrations were similar to samples from Svalbard and Iceland. However, temporal trends might overlap the geographical differences. Coplanar chlorobiphenyls (CBs) were found in all samples analysed, with the maximum concentrations found in marine mammals such as beluga and narwhal. Biota from the terrestrial environment appeared to be less contaminated. The main contributor on a TEQ basis was CB126. OCS, HCBD and PCA were detected in biota from Greenland, although at very low concentrations. OCS seems to have the widest occurrence and the highest potential for biomagnification of the three compounds analysed.