Predicting the performance of concrete structures exposed to chemically aggressive environment—Field validation

The behavior of two series of concrete slabs exposed to sulfate-bearing soils was investigated by a numerical model called STADIUM. In addition to the diffusion of ions and moisture, the model also accounts for the effects of dissolution/precipitation reactions on the transport mechanisms. The simulations yielded by the model were compared to the actual degradation of the slabs after 8 years of exposure. The microstructural alterations of concrete resulting from the penetration of magnesium, chloride and sulfate ions were studied by backscatter mode scanning electron microscope observations and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The comparison of both series of data indicates that the model can reliably predict the various features of the microstructural alterations of concrete.

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Résumé Le comportement de deux séries de dalles sur sol en béton exposées à des sols chimiquement agressifs a été étudié à l'aide d'un code de calcul numérique appelé STADIUM. Ce modèle permet de décrire le transport couplé de l'eau et des ions dans des matériaux poreux non-saturés en prenant en considération l'influence des réactions chimiques. Les résultats des simultations de la dégradation du béton après huit ans d'exposition à des ions chlore, sulfate et magnésium. Les observations ont été réalisées par microscopie électronique à balayage. Des analyses par dispersion des rayons X ont également été effectuées. Les données démontrent clairement que le modèle perment de prédire avec précision le comportement du béton soumis à différents types d'agression chimique.

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Editorial Note Laval University (Canada) is a RILEM Titular Member. Prof. J. Marchand was awarded the 2000 Robert L'Hermite Medal. He is Editor in Chief for Concrete Science and Engineering and Associate Editor for Materials and Structures. He participates in RILEM TC 186-ISA ‘Internal Sulfate attack’.     

Failure analysis of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ACSR) conductor of the transmission line crossing the Paraná River

The failure of the conductor of the 460 kV overhead transmission line located along the crossing of the Paraná River was investigated. As a result of this failure, a blackout took place in the southern states of Brazil in January of 2002, reaching approximately 67 million inhabitants. Investigation of the external aluminium layer of the ACSR conductor near the fracture showed typical static deformation marks and dynamic fretting wear tangential marks, both associated with the presence of Al₂O₃ debris. Additionally, encrusted silicon particles were observed on the external surface of the strands. The internal Al layer showed elliptical deformation marks also associated with Al₂O₃ debris. Both Al₂O₃ and Si particles are efficient abrasive material, which associated with slight relative motion of metallic surfaces (clamp/strand and strand/strand) can promote fretting wear. Two types of fracture surface of the Al strands were identified: 45° and quasi-normal surfaces, the former being the predominant type. Delamination and particle detachment were the mechanisms of superficial degradation observed on the Al strands, indicating that the rupture of the strands occurred under a gross slip fretting regime induced by sub-conductor oscillation. Inspection of the internal surface of as-cast Al–10%Si spacer clamps revealed different stages of intense circumferential wear caused by the preferential cracking and particle detachment of the eutectic constituent of the as-cast microstructure. This intense wear reduces the clamping contact pressure, which allows higher displacement amplitude and leads to the critical fretting regime. Finally, a few suggestions are discussed to minimise the occurrence of future failures.     

Coarse filters for shape matching

This article describes the coarse shape filters that support the 3D, Internet-based search engine ShapeSifter, which aims to locate parts already in production that have a shape similar to a desired new part. The search engine analyzes the target model's shape characteristics and performs a similarity match on the database's contents. Our main challenge is identifying shape metrics that produce effective characterizations of 3D models for similarity comparison. We focus on using three novel convex hull-based indices to carry out a preliminary coarse filtering of candidates prior to more detailed analysis. We also describe the crucial role played by two databases of benchmark objects. Unlike other shape-matching systems, we chose ShapeSifter's architecture (multistep query), 3D representation (triangulated mesh), and implementation (Java3D) to allow deployment online once it matures     

Eliminating memory for fragmentation within partitionable SIMD/SPMDmachines

Efficient data layout is an important aspect of the compilation process. A model for the creation of perfect memory maps for large-scale parallel machines capable of user-controlled partitionable single-instruction-multiple data/single-program-multiple data (SIMD/SPMD) operation is developed. The term perfect implies that no memory fragmentation occurs and ensures that the memory map size is kept to a minimum. A major constraint on solving this problem is based on the single program nature of both the SIMD and SPMD modes of parallelism. It is assumed that all processors within the same submachine used identical addresses to access corresponding data items in each of their local memories. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for being able to create perfect memory maps, and results are applied to several partitionable interconnection networks     

The evolution of RFID security

As RFID technology progresses, security and privacy threats also evolve. By examining RFID's history, we can learn from past mistakes, rediscover successful solutions, and inspire future research.     

Symmetry-breaking transitions in equilibrium shapes of coherent precipitates: Effect of elastic anisotropy and inhomogeneity

We examine the symmetry-breaking transitions in equilibrium shapes of coherent precipitates in two-dimensional (2-D) systems under a plane-strain condition with the principal misfit strain components ε* _xx and ε* _yy . For systems with cubic elastic moduli, we first show all the shape transitions associated with different values of t=ε* _yy /ε* _xx . We also characterize each of these transitions, by studying its dependence on elastic anisotropy and inhomogeneity. For systems with dilatational misfit (t=1) and those with pure shear misfit (t=−1), the transition is from an equiaxed shape to an elongated shape, resulting in a break in rotational symmetry. For systems with nondilatational misfit (−1<t<1; t ≠ 0), the transition involves a break in mirror symmetries normal to the x- and y-axes. The transition is continuous in all cases, except when 0<t<1. For systems which allow an invariant line (−1≤t<0), the critical size increases with an increase in the particle stiffness. However, for systems which do not allow an invariant line (0<t≤1), the critical size first decreases, reaches a minimum, and then starts increasing with increasing particle stiffness; moreover, the transition is also forbidden when the particle stiffness is greater than a critical value.     

Discussion influence of yield surface curvature on flow localization in dilatant plasticity

The results of finite element calculations for a hollow sphere micromodel are used to examine the underlying assumptions and the specific yield functions in the dilatant plasticity theories of Gurson (1977) and Mear and Hutchinson