A modified fiber‐reinforced plastics concrete interface bond‐slip law for shear‐strengthened RC elements under cyclic loading

The objective of this article is to realistically analyze fiber‐reinforced plastics (FRP) retrofitted reinforced concrete structures under cyclic loading taking into account FRP–concrete bond‐slip law with cyclic bond degradation. In literature, even though numerous studies have been conducted in FRP–concrete interface bond‐slip modeling under cyclic loads, a small number of them consider the influence of cyclic degradation on FRP–concrete interface bond behavior. Within this framework, the bond‐slip law for carbon fiber‐reinforced plastics–concrete interface is revised by utilizing Harajli's and Ko‐Sato's approaches. The procedure is distinct from others because it develops existing deficiencies of these approaches, whereas a more reliable modeling process is proposed for use in practice. Conventional bond‐slip law of Lu et al. is compared with this interface relationship stated in this investigation and the difference is clearly shown in terms of structural parameters. Experimental tests are conducted at the same time for verification. It is proved that cyclic bond degradation affects the interface behavior; thus, the structural response cannot be omitted in structural evaluations. Structural performance measures are obtained in good agreement for each level of cycles. The technique proposed clearly exhibits structural response difference between monotonic and cyclic loadings while good agreement is reached with experimental results. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3373–3383, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Exergoeconomic analysis of a vehicular PEM fuel cell system

In this study, we deal with the exergoeconomic analysis of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell power system for transportation applications. The PEM fuel cell performance model, that is the polarization curve, is previously developed by one of the authors by using the some derived and developed equations in literature. The exergoeconomic analysis includes the PEM fuel cell stack and system components as compressor, humidifiers, pressure regulator and the cooling system. A parametric study is also conducted to investigate the system performance and cost behaviour of the components, depending on the operating temperature, operating pressure, membrane thickness, anode stoichiometry and cathode stoichiometry. For the system performance, energy and exergy efficiencies and power output are investigated in detail. It is found that with an increase of temperature and pressure and a decrease of membrane thickness the system efficiency increases which leads to a decrease in the overall production cost. The minimization of the production costs is very crucial in commercialization of the fuel cells in transportation sector.     

Preparation and characterization of light curable hybrid coating: Its potential application for dental restorative material

The objective of this study was to synthesize a dual-functional light curable resin by the reaction between acrylated cycloaliphatic epoxy resin and 3-isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane and investigate the performance of this oligomer in the preparation of resin-based composite restoratives. FT-IR and ²⁹Si-NMR were used to characterize the structure of the hybrids. The char yields of the hybrids increased with inorganic content comes from TEOS (tetraethylorthosilicate) and synthesized SiUA oligomers. Gel content of polymeric films was found to be between 95% and 98%. Swelling was found to be between 3.1% and 3.8%. Weight loss of coated human teeth in synthetic saliva solution was found to be among 1% and 2%. There was a systematic increase in the modulus and tensile strength with the increase of inorganic content. On the other hand, elongation at break did not changed. Prepared hybrid coating materials exhibited improvement in tensile properties and hardness, when photo chemically cured.     

Numerical study on the cyclic response of AFRP reinforced columns with externally unbonded energy dissipaters

Fiber-reinforced polymer bars are gaining increased use in the construction market as a replacement to steel reinforcement for concrete structures. However their use as compression members is limited due to their mechanical properties, typically low flexural rigidity, so that local buckling may occur relatively at low stress levels. Their premature rupture in reinforced concrete (RC) columns could be eliminated by enhancing the columns’ response elastically and concentrating damage to the externally installed, replaceable post-tensioned structural fuses. This paper is part of a larger numerical and experimental investigation to develop and validate design methods for a rocking aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP) reinforced concrete column. The numerical study, implemented using the Extreme Loading for Structures software, consists of a total of thirteen columns. The columns were subjected to axial load followed by cyclic lateral load up to failure to examine the effectiveness of the rocking connection and overall response. The effect of key variables such as longitudinal bar ratio, structural fuse sizes and tie spacing was investigated. Ductility and energy dissipation gains of the rocking AFRP RC columns were compared to that of the conventionally reinforced steel column, and expected performance of the rocking connection was achieved.     

Strategies for ideal indoor environments towards low/zero carbon buildings through a biomimetic approach

Biomimicry is a relatively new discipline of applied science that seeks inspiration from natural systems for innovative solutions to human problems. Taking nature as ‘model, mentor and measure’ receives wide acceptance in the field of architecture but predominantly in conceptualising novel forms. The biomimicry concept is comprehensively analysed for its ability to provide more sustainable and possibly even regenerative built environments. As part of this study, first, various frameworks for approaching ‘biomimicry’ in general are discussed and then relevant examples pertaining to architecture are evaluated. Case studies are critiqued with respect to varied levels of sustainability achieved and its causative factors. In the second part, an approach model for ‘biomimetic architecture’ in the context of Mumbai is presented and applicable strategies based on climatic adaptation are suggested using local biodiversity as a library of organisms. The generic example of ‘human skin’ addressing the same adaptation is analysed and complemented by a state-of-the-art case study on similar lines. The results achieved clearly reveal that biomimicry is a successful approach to design and operate the sustainable built environments for the buildings of the future.     

Heat transfer enhancement in cylindrical fins through longitudinal parabolic perforations

In our previous works, it is clearly addressed that optimisation of fin profile is of vital importance in terms of the rate of heat transfer from a hot surface, and the optimisation procedure depends on several factors. Within the scope of this research, a longitudinal cylindrical fin profile is under interest for the optimisation research. The purpose is to investigate the effects of longitudinal parabolic perforations on the fin parameters such as temperature distribution, effectiveness and efficiency, in which the fin surface is cooled by natural convection and radiation. Different concavity levels are considered to form parabolic perforations. The rate of heat transfer from fin surface is numerically correlated with the fin mass with respect to different concavity levels. According to results, heat transfer from unit fin mass is enhanced with the new designs. The outcome of the study can be used to optimise the needs for particular applications by making a decision between heat loss and weight options. That is, the increase in the concavity level of the perforation results in a lighter and cheaper design, but yielding a lower heat loss. However, heat transfer from unit mass is still enhanced.     

Bacterial and fungal microbiota of mould-ripened cheese produced in Konya

Bacterial and fungal diversities of 24 mould-ripened cheeses originating from Konya-Türkiye were examined by metagenomic analysis. Firmicutes phylum, Enterococcus, Clostridium sensu stricto and Lactobacillus (Levilactobacillus) genera were the dominant bacteria. Ascomycota phylum and Penicillium and Pichia genera and Penicillium roqueforti and Pichia membranifaciens species were dominant fungi. Enterococcus faecium (n = 30) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 6) were identified, and all strains were susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, chloramphenicol and linezolid. The highest resistance (n = 14) was against rifampin. Tetracycline resistance was determined in two strains. Biofilm-forming ability was found in nine E. faecium and 1 E. faecalis. E. faecium strains revealed 40–88.9%, and E. faecalis showed 59.2–100% homology by pulsed field gel electrophoresis.