Performance updating of concrete bridges using proactive health monitoring methods

Uncertainties associated with modelling of deteriorating bridges strongly affect management decisions, such as inspection, maintenance and repair actions. These uncertainties can be reduced by the effective use of health monitoring systems, through which information regarding in situ performance can be incorporated in the management of bridges.The objectives of this paper are twofold; first, an improved chloride induced deterioration model for concrete bridges is proposed that can quantify degradation in performance soon after chlorides are deposited on the bridge, rather than when initiation of corrosion at the reinforcement level takes place. As a result, the implications of introducing proactive health monitoring can be assessed using probabilistic durability criteria. Thus, the second objective of the paper is to present a methodology for performance updating of deteriorating concrete bridges fitted with a proactive health monitoring system.This methodology is illustrated via a simple example of a typical bridge element, such as a beam or a part of a slab. The results highlight the benefits from introducing ‘smart’ technology in managing bridges subject to deterioration, and quantify the reduction in uncertainties and their subsequent effect on predictions of future bridge performance.     

Identification and Validation of a Discrete Element Model for Concrete

The use of a three-dimensional discrete element method (DEM) is proposed to study concrete structures submitted to dynamic loading. The aim of this paper is to validate the model first in the quasistatic domain, and second in dynamic compression, at the sample scale. A particular growing technique is used to set a densely packed assembly of arbitrarily sized spherical particles interacting together, representing concrete. An important difference from classical DEMs where only contact interactions are considered, is the use of an interaction range. First, the correct identification of parameters of the DEM model to simulate elastic and nonlinear deformation including damage and rupture is made through quasistatic uniaxial compression and tension tests. The influence of the packing is shown. The model produces a quantitative match of strength and deformation characteristics of concrete in terms of Young’s modulus, Poisson’s coefficient, and compressive and tensile strengths. Then, its validity is extended through dynamic tests. The simulations exhibit complex macroscopic behaviors of concrete, such as strain softening, fractures that arise from extensive microcracking throughout the assembly, and strain rate dependency.     

Environmental Fatigue and Static Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Many countries around the world have tremendous needs to repair and strengthen their transportation infrastructure. Almost everywhere, traffic loads have reached levels largely exceeding design expectations. Northern countries also experience severe winter conditions that are combined with an extensive use of deicing salts and accelerate structural deterioration. In Canada, the extent of deterioration has prompted many authorities, including the federal and provincial governments, to investigate the potential use of fiber-reinforced polymer products to extend the life of their existing structures. However, it is widely recognized that the large-scale implementation of these products is often impaired by the lack of data on their durability. This paper presents an experimental project undertaken in order to assess the durability of reinforced concrete beams externally strengthened with two types of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The beams were first exposed to either wet-dry cycles or continuous immersion in water and then were loaded in fatigue. Finally, they were tested quasi-statically under four-point bending up to failure. The test results presented here provide some insights on the potential long-term performance of CFRP-strengthened beams exposed to severe environmental conditions.     

Advances in micro assembly injection moulding for use in medical systems

In micro systems technology, the process of micro assembly injection moulding is used for the generation of hybrid micro systems. With this process, more functions are integrated in less space. In the field of medical technology, miniaturisation also means new methods of treatment with fewer side effects on the patient. New cures are developed by the miniaturisation of medical instruments, such as keyhole surgery. For detailed investigations a specific demonstration was developed to display the potential of micro assembly injection moulding in medical science. This part consists of a carbon-fibre reinforced PEEK puncture needle, which incorporates three lumens. The selected materials allow use of the needle during magnetic resonance imaging. In order to attach additional equipment a plastic connector needs to be overmoulded on the needle. The investigations focus on the injection moulding process by characterising the influences of temperature, moulding parameters and material combinations on the resulting bond strength between needle and connector.     

三点弯曲试件塑性转动因子的试验研究

通过试验及理论分析,讨论了屈服强度对三点弯曲试件塑性转动因子的影响．试验结果表明：随着屈服强度的增加,塑性转动因子增大．     

钢筋混凝土简支深梁受剪承载力的极限分析

本文讨论了钢筋混凝土简支深梁的剪切破坏形态和主要影响因素,假定钢筋和混凝土均为刚塑性材料,引用混凝土双向受压的破坏条件,求出了集中和均布荷载作用下钢筋混凝土简支深梁受剪承载力的塑性解。根据试验结果给出了考虑混凝土强度和剪跨比影响的深梁混凝土塑性有效抗压系数,所获得的理论公式与国内外试验结果符合良好。     

絮凝体的物理特性

从絮凝体的密度,空隙率、絮凝体的粒径分布,絮凝体的强度以及絮凝体的分形维数五个方面综述了絮凝体的物理特性及结构特性,分析了影响絮凝体物理特性的因素。     

S8型变压器10 Kv侧线圈匝间短路事故分析

通过对江西某变电站2号主变10kV侧线圈匝间短路事故分析，针对国产变压器普遍存在抗短路能力不足的问题，提出了从设计、工艺等方面提高变压器产品结构强度的具体措施．     

聚脲改性聚酰胺多胺环氧氯丙烷涂布抗水剂的研究

制备了高含固量，稳定性好的聚脲改性聚酰胺多胺环氧氯丙烷，通过实验研究了其作为涂布抗水剂的应用工艺及作用机理，分析了多种因素对产品性能和贮存稳定性的影响。     

环口板加固T型方钢管节点在轴压作用下极限承载力的参数分析

为了研究环口板加固对T型方钢管节点在支管承受轴向压力作用下的极限承载力的影响,本文运用前期工作中所采用的有限元模型建立方法,对320个环口板加固T型方钢管节点进行了参数分析。参数包括支管和主管的宽度比β,主管的宽度与厚度比2γ,环口板与主管厚度比τc和环口板与支管宽度比lc/d1。参数分析结果表明:通过对环口板的宽度和厚度进行适当的组合,可以显著提高节点的承载力。然后将有限元模拟得到的极限承载力结果与前期工作中推导出的极限承载力公式的计算结果进行对比,给出了极限承载力计算公式的适用范围。