Performance of geosynthetic-reinforced flexible pavements in full-scale field trials

The paper presents the results of a series of full-scale trials carried out in Thailand examining the performance of geosynthetics as reinforcement for flexible pavements. The geosynthetics were embedded at different pavement depths and the structural response was monitored across four test sections by means of strain gauges, pressure sensors, deflection points and deflection plates. The results show that all reinforcement configurations helped reduce the vertical static stresses developed at the base of the pavement by up to 66% and by up to 72% for dynamic stresses. The performance enhancement expected to prolong the lifespan of the base layers. The reinforcement layers closer to the base experienced the highest lateral strains of up to 0.13%, providing evidence that geosynthetics can also effectively reduce lateral spreading. All reinforcement configurations helped enhance rut resistance with maximum traffic benefit ratio (TBR) of 13.70, effectiveness ratio (EF) of 12.70 and minimum rutting reduction ratio (RRR) of 0.74. The best configuration included a geotextile within the asphalt concrete layer and a geogrid under the base layer. Non-linear finite element analyses of the test sections predicted very well the strains and stresses in the pavement. The study provides a benchmark for future studies in this field and concludes that geosynthetics can help increase maintenance periods and extend the lifetime of flexible pavements.     

Axial compressive behavior of concrete actively confined by metal strips; part A: experimental study

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the application of strapping technique for retrofit of concrete compressive specimens. In this technique, standard strapping devices, which are used in the packaging industry, are applied to post-tension high strength metal strips around the concrete columns. Experimental program included axial compressive tests on 72 cylindrical and prismatic compressive specimens, which were actively confined by pre-stressed metal strips. The effects of various parameters on strength and ductility of confined concrete were studied including compressive strength of concrete, mechanical volumetric ratio of confining strips, post-tensioning force in the strip, number of strip layers wrapped around the specimens and details of strip joint. The effects of strength and ductility of confining strips on the behavior of confined specimens were also studied. Longitudinal and lateral strains of concrete and strain of the strips were monitored. Test results showed significant increase in the strength and ductility of specimens due to active confinement by metal strips. It was observed that ductility of confining material plays the most important role in enhancement of concrete ductility. The gain in strength is strongly dependent to the effective mechanical volumetric ratio of confining strips. It was also observed that the active confinement of concrete by post-tensioning the confining element results in stiffer pre-peak response of concrete specimens than the usual passive confinement.     

The Intratumor Bacterial and Fungal Microbiome Is Characterized by HPV,Smoking, and Alcohol Consumption in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor phenotypes and clinical outcomes are significantly influenced by etiological agents, such as HPV infection, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Accordingly, the intratumor microbiome has been increasingly implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. However, few studies characterize the intratumor microbial landscape of HNSCC with respect to these etiological agents. In this study, we aimed to investigate the bacterial and fungal landscape of HNSCC in association with HPV infection, smoking, and alcohol consumption. RNA-sequencing data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) regarding 449 tissue samples and 44 normal samples. Pathoscope 2.0 was used to extract the microbial reads. Microbe abundance was compared to clinical variables, oncogenic signatures, and immune-associated pathways. Our results demonstrated that a similar number of dysregulated microbes was overabundant in smokers and nonsmokers, while heavy drinkers were characterized by an underabundance of dysregulated microbes. Conversely, the majority of dysregulated microbes were overabundant in HPV+ tumor samples when compared to HPV- tumor samples. Moreover, we observed that many dysregulated microbes were associated with oncogenic and metastatic pathways, suggesting their roles in influencing carcinogenesis. These microbes provide insights regarding potential mechanisms for tumor pathogenesis and progression with respect to the three etiological agents.     

An integrated thin-walled steel skeleton structure (two full scale tests)

The increased popularity of cold-formed thin-walled steel sections in housing construction has lead to an increased interest in the development of thin-walled frame buildings in accordance with seismic requirements. This paper investigates appropriate details for the main frame elements of a thin-walled building structure. Some of the proposed details are tested by two full scale one-storey frames under gravity and lateral cyclic loads. The results show that this type of structure offers a good potential for earthquake resistant construction, but more thorough studies are needed.     

Flexural analysis and design of reinforced concrete beams with externally bonded FRP reinforcement

This work addresses the flexural analysis of reinforced concrete beams with externally bonded FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer) reinforcement. A numerical method has been developed for the computation of the bending moment capacity of FRP-plated reinforced concrete beams and prediction of the flexural failure modes. The expressions for the upper and lower values of the characteristic plate reinforcement ratios are derived for rectangular and T-sections using the Eurocode 2 model for concrete. A flow-chart of the numerical procedure, suitable for computer implementation, is included and its accuracy is validated with available experimental results. Some of the novel features of the numerical analysis are demonstrated through a brief investigation of the effects of loads acting at the stage of strengthening on the ultimate flexural capacity and deformation behaviour of FRP-plated R.C. beams.

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Résumé Ce travail analyse le comportement en flexion de poutres en béton armé avec renforcement extérieur par PRF (polymères renforcés de fibres). Une méthode numérique a été développée pour le calcul de la capacité du moment de flexion de poutres en béton renforcé de plaques en PRF, et pour la prévision des modes de défaillance en flexion. Des expressions pour les valeurs supérieures et inférieures des rapports caractéristiques de ce renforcement ont été dérivées pour une section rectangulaire et des sections en T en utilisant le modèle d'Eurocode 2 pour le béton. Un organigramme du procédé numérique, approprié à l'exécution numérique, est inclus et son exactitude est validée par les résultats expérimentaux disponibles. Certaines des caractéristiques originales de l'analyse numérique ont été démontrées par la brève recherche sur les effets du chargement précédemment appliqué sur la capacité en flexion finale et les déformations des poutres en béton armé renforcés de plaques en PRF.

     

Topology optimization for the seismic design of truss-like structures

A practical optimization method is applied to design nonlinear truss-like structures subjected to seismic excitation. To achieve minimum weight design, inefficient material is gradually shifted from strong parts to weak parts of a structure until a state of uniform deformation prevails. By considering different truss structures, effects of seismic excitation, target ductility and buckling of the compression members on optimum topology are investigated. It is shown that the proposed method could lead to 60% less structural weight compared to optimization methods based on elastic behavior and equivalent static loads, and is efficient at controlling performance parameters under a design earthquake.     

冷弯型钢抗弯框架的延性研究

对地震作用下抗弯框架中冷弯型钢构件的选用进行研究。冷弯型钢构件的主要不足是薄壁单元的平面外刚度很小,延性也很差。抗弯框架的主要构件为梁、柱及梁柱节点。在抗震框架中,梁能提供足够的延性,而其他单元主要受弹性域的限制。研究了带弯曲翼缘的新型冷弯型钢梁性能,并与传统钢梁比较。新型梁柱节点包含一个节点板,它能限制节点传递来的力引起的平面外变形。通过有限元分析,研究了新型冷弯型钢梁及梁柱节点的性能。结果表明:新型梁构件及节点的延性比传统冷弯型钢框架单元更好。     

Ancient road transport devices: Developments from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire

The development of transportation systems has significantly enhanced the welfare and modernization of society. Wooden vehicles pulled by animals have been used for land transportation since the early Bronze Age. Whole-body gharries with rigid wheels pulled by oxen appeared in Crete by 2000 BC or earlier. Horses originating from the East were depicted in early Cretan seal-rings of the same period. The two-wheeled horsedrawn chariot was one of the most important inventions in history. This vehicle provided humanity its first concept of personal transport and was the key technology of war for 2000 years. Chariots of Mycenaean and Archaic Greece with light and flexible four-spoked wheels acting as spring suspensions were depicted in vase paintings. The development of this vehicle incorporated the seeds of a primitive design activity and was important for engineering. The Trojan horse since 1194 BC and the helepolis since 700 BC were the first known machines on a wheeled base transported by horses or self-powered. Ancient engineers invented bearings lubricated with fat, and Romans introduced the ancestors of ball bearings for their wagons and carts. The historic evolution of wheeled transportation systems, along with early traction, suspension, and braking systems, is presented in this paper. Analytical and numerical methods are incorporated to analyze the most conceivable loading situations of typically reconstructed wheeled transportation systems in ancient times. Traction requirements both for horse-driven machines and the power for internal motors are also analyzed. This study can serve as a basis for further development of detailed reconstruction of transportation systems in antiquity.