Aluminium Foam Sandwich (AFS) Ready for Market Introduction

A novel production process for aluminium foam sandwich panels (AFS) is described. As an example for a serial application of AFS a support for a mobile telescope arm on a small lorry is presented and discussed.     

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.     

世界核电设备与结构将长期面临的一个问题--微动损伤

核电设备至仍面临许多不易解决的问题,经过对核电和结构部件多例事故的分析可知,核电设备中微动是不可避免的现象,核能工程中的相当一部分结构损伤事故与和微动损伤有着直接的关系;在反应力集中,腐蚀部位,微动又是许多核电设备提前损伤失效的直接原因。     

循环荷载作用下钢结构滞回性能的数值模型

提出了“塑性铰有限分布”的数值模型用以分析钢结构在循环荷载作用下的滞回性能。经与试验结果比较表明模型简单、易于实施，待进一步完善后，可直接用于对梁及压弯构件的模拟。     

Non-Gaussian Model for Ringing Phenomena in Offshore Structures

Significant interest has been shown in identifying the nonlinear mechanisms that induce a ringing type response in offshore structural systems. This high frequency transient type response has been observed in offshore systems, particularly in tension leg platforms (TLPs). Given the implications of this behavior on the fatigue life of TLP tendons, it is essential that ringing be considered in the overall response evaluation. This study presents two non-Gaussian probabilistic models of nonlinear viscous hydrodynamic wave forces that induce ringing. The response of a single-degree-of-freedom system exposed to these non-Gaussian wave force models is then evaluated using analytical and numerical studies based on the It? differentiation rule and the Monte Carlo simulation procedure, respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed models induce ringing type response in a simplified structure. This study provides a probabilistic framework for modeling ringing type phenomenon which will serve as a building block for more refined hydrodynamic load models.     

A_Ⅰ型多元固溶体价电子结构的计算

利用“固体与分子经验电子理论”提出:1)A(?)型多元置换、间隙式固溶体价电子结构计算的模型;z)末知键距结构的键距差(BLD)分析方法;3)BLD分析中解的不唯一性的处理。