Nachweiskonzepte zur Bemessung ermüdungsbeanspruchter Bauteile unter Berücksichtigung von Schweißnahtnachbehandlungsverfahren durch höherfrequentes Hämmern

Die Anwendung von höherfrequenten Hämmerverfahren zur Erhöhung der Ermüdungsfestigkeit von dynamisch beanspruchten Bauteilen gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Dies hängt zum einen damit zusammen, dass bei Neukonstruktionen durch den Einsatz von höherfesten Stählen die Frage der Materialermüdung verstärkt die Bauteilauslegung bestimmt, und zum anderen, dass bei vielen bestehenden Bauwerken vermehrt Maßnahmen zur Verlängerung der Restlebensdauer erforderlich werden. Die Anwendung von Schweißnahtnachbehandlungsverfahren in Form von höherfrequentem Hämmern stellt hierfür eine geeignete Maßnahme dar, die Ermüdungsfestigkeit von Neukonstruktionen zu erhöhen bzw. die Restlebensdauer bestehender Anlagen zu verlängern. Eine zuverlässige baupraktische Anwendung setzt jedoch die Existenz anerkannter Regeln für die Bemessung voraus, wie auch eine darauf abgestimmte Vorgehensweise für die Ausführung. Der vorliegende Beitrag widmet sich vor allem der Darstellung bisher existierender Nachweiskonzepte für die Bemessung ermüdungsbeanspruchter Bauteile bei Anwendung von Schweißnahtnachbehandlungsverfahren in Form von höherfrequentem Hämmern. Fatigue design concepts for post‐weld treated joints improved by high frequency hammer peening methods. Post‐weld improvement methods have been widely investigated and have in most cases been found to give substantial increases in the fatigue strength. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in using such methods in order to either improve the fatigue resistance of new structures built e.g. by high strength steel and/or to enlarge the lifetime of existing structures suffering from fatigue problems. With regard to this, post‐weld improvement using high frequency hammer peening methods lately showed very good and promising results in combination with simple operation conditions. However, the successful application of post‐weld improvement methods always requires the existence of profound fatigue design concepts as well as relevant execution and quality standards. The following paper refers predominately to the first aspect, in trying to summarise and compare existing design concepts and their application range for high frequency hammer peening methods.     

Stabilitätsnachweis für Tragpfähle von kombinierten Stahlspundwänden nach EC 3

Dieser Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse einer Kurzstudie [17] vor, in der das Stabilitätsverhalten der Tragpfähle von kombinierten Stahlspundwänden untersucht wurde. Zunächst werden die neu entwickelten Bemessungsregeln für Stabstabilität nach Eurocode 3 vorgestellt. Erste Beispielberechnungen zeigen, dass mit dessen Anwendung nicht nur der Berechnungsaufwand ansteigt, sondern auch das Bemessungsniveau konservativer wird. Wird die Stützwirkung des Bodens in Form einer Federhalterung angesetzt, ist ein großer Anstieg der rechnerischen Tragfähigkeit zu verzeichnen. Für die Spezifizierung der Federsteifigkeit des Baugrunds wurden beispielhaft Momenten‐Verdrehungsbeziehungen ermittelt. Die erforderlichen Drehfedersteifigkeiten, die notwendig sind, um das alte Bemessungsniveau zu erreichen, können von den Werten für die vorhandene Steifigkeit überschritten werden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Entwicklung eines Verfahrens für die effiziente Stabilitätsbemessung der Tragpfähle von Stahlspundwänden sowohl notwendig als auch möglich ist. Stability verification of H‐Sections used in combined quay walls according EC 3. This contribution presents results of a small research project [17] analysing the stability aspects of king‐piles of combined steel sheet piles. First of all the, new design rules according to Eurocode·3 are explicated. Exemplified calculations have shown that with the use these rules not only the effort for design increases but also the verification level will be more conservative. The embedment of the surrounding soil being considered in the form of a spring support, a big rise of the bearing load is observed. For the specification of the spring stiffness derived from the soil embedment exemplified moment‐rotation relations were developed. The stiffness exceeds the required rotational stiffness necessary for reaching the old level of bearing load respectively based on the existing codes. Thus, it was possible to show, that the development of a procedure for the efficient stability design of combined steel sheet pile walls is necessary as well as feasible.     

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta during the second trimester of pregnancy

A 36-year-old woman in the second trimester of pregnancy underwent emergent operative repair of a traumatic aortic disruption caused by a motor vehicle accident. Left atrial-to-femoral artery bypass was used to maintain fetal circulation during the cross-clamp period. Her healthy, full-term child was subsequently delivered 3 months later by normal vaginal delivery.     

Use of a DNA probe for the rapid detection of group B streptococci in obstetric patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of a DNA probe as a rapid diagnostic test for detecting colonization of the female genital tract by group B streptococci during pregnancy. METHODS: Two rayon-tipped applicators were used to collect secretions from the posterior vaginal wall of 440 pregnant women. One of the applicators was inoculated into selective Todd-Hewitt broth and used as the reference standard for identification of group B streptococci. The other applicator was used for analysis with the DNA probe, preceded by either 2.5 hours of incubation for the initial 75 patients, or 3.5 hours' incubation for the remaining women. Following hybridization with an acridinium-labeled probe, chemiluminescence was measured with a luminometer. RESULTS: The prevalence of positive cultures was 20%. For the initial 75 patients whose cultures were amplified by incubation for 2.5 hours, the DNA probe had a sensitivity of 44%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 79%, and negative predictive value 77%. For the cultures that were incubated for 3.5 hours, respective values were 71, 90, 61, and 94%. All vaginal specimens that had an average initial cell count of 1.5 x 10(3) cells/mL were accurately detected by the probe after 3.5 hours' growth amplification. False-positive results occurred primarily when the specimens were grossly contaminated with blood (26 of 39). The mean time required to perform the assay, including 3.5 hours of growth amplification, was 4.3 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA probe demonstrated good overall sensitivity and gave no false-negative results when group B streptococci were present in concentrations of 1 x 10(4) cells/mL or greater. Sensitivity improved significantly with 3.5 hours' growth amplification as compared with 2.5 hours (P < .05), reflecting better identification of lightly colonized patients.     

Economic management estimate of different environmentally-friendly animal husbandry systems

This contribution compares conventional and ecological animal production systems. This financial analysis considers dairy farming and pig production and takes into account the individual options and aims of the farms. The profitability changing a conventional animal production system to an ecological system depends on many different parameters. A general statement with regard to all farms and farm systems is not possible. In addition to the farmers qualification, the marketing options, the location of the farm, the mode of operation and the financial situation when change to ecological production is envisaged determine prospects for success and profitability.     

Percutaneous creation of acute type-B aortic dissection: an experimental model for endoluminal therapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a percutaneously created type-B aortic dissection as an experimental model for percutaneous therapy. This model was used to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of single-balloon fenestration of the intimal flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute type-B dissections were created in descending aortae of 15 swine via a femoral (n = 6) or carotid (n = 9) approach. The initial subintimal tear was made with use of a Colapinto needle. The dissections were extended to a predefined position in the aorta. The proximal and distal tears were balloon dilated. The mural flap was balloon fenestrated in six animals, just above the celiac artery. Aortograms were obtained to establish the presence and extent of the dissection. Manometry was performed in both lumina to evaluate the hemodynamics of the dissected aorta and the effects of balloon fenestration in this model. Pathologic specimens were also examined. RESULTS: Creation of dissection was successful in 11 of 15 animals, with six developing true lumen narrowing (group A). The other five animals (group B) had flow in both lumina without evidence of true lumen narrowing. After the creation of a single-balloon fenestration in the group A swine, the arteriograms revealed no evidence of blood admixture between the true and false lumina, and there was no change in the intravascular pressures. Examination of the explanted aortae showed a more extensive circumferential dissection in group A animals as compared with group B. CONCLUSION: The percutaneously created acute type-B aortic dissection is a feasible model for experimentation. The hemodynamics of the aorta did not change after single-balloon fenestration in this model.     

Induction chemotherapy, surgery, and concomitant chemoradiotherapy for carcinoma of the esophagus: a long-term analysis

OBJECTIVE: To examine intrarater reliability in measurements of active range of motion and passive range of motion of shoulder flexion and abduction when motions are assessed in sitting, as compared with supine. DESIGN: Thirty adult subjects were measured eight times, in random order, for each of the two shoulder motions: two passive and two active measurements while sitting, and two passive and two active measurements while supine. Data were analyzed to determine intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and paired t values between trials 1 and 2 for measurements in the same position, and between sitting and supine trials for each type of measurement. SETTINGS: Rehabilitation facility and university. STUDY POPULATION: Volunteer sample: 11 rehabilitation inpatients; 19 university students. RESULTS: ICCs between trials 1 and 2 on comparable measurements in the same position indicated high intrarater reliability for active and passive measurements, regardless of testing position. ICCs between comparable measurements in the two testing positions indicated only a moderate level of agreement. Paired t tests between comparable readings taken in sitting versus supine revealed no significant differences for flexion, but significantly higher measurements of abduction when testing in the supine position. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements in sitting or supine yield similarly high intrarater reliability. Lowered reliability between measurements taken in different positions indicates that test position should be routinely recorded, and repeated clinical measures of individual subjects should be administered in a consistent position.