Stress distribution in thick-walled cylinder due to non-uniform radial pressure on the example of reinforcement corrosion in concrete

This paper presents an analytical solution to the non-uniform pressure on thick-walled cylinder. The formulation is based on the linear elasticity theory (plain strain) and stress function method. As an example, the proposed solution is used to model the stress distribution due to non-uniform steel reinforcement corrosion in concrete. The model is formulated considering different scenarios of corrosion pressure distribution. It is validated against the finite element model for different cases of non-uniform pressure distributions. The results show that the corrosion-induced cracks are likely to start just beyond the anodic zone. This is confirmed by the experimental tests on concrete cylinder exposed to non-uniform accelerated corrosion of steel reinforcement. The model can be effectively used to calculate the distribution of corrosion-induced stresses in concrete.     

Improvement of corrosion protection of steel by incorporation of a new phosphonated fatty acid in a phosphorus-containing polymer coating obtained by UV curing

Six formulations containing diacrylate monomers (from 89 to 92.5% (w/w)) as well as a phosphonated methacrylate monomer (from 1 to 10% (w/w)) were prepared. All formulations were UV-cured and the corrosion performance of the resulting coatings applied onto a steel substrate was assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was first shown that the coatings containing phosphonic acid methacrylate (MAPC1(OH)₂) instead of methacrylate phosphonic dimethyl ester (MAPC1) presented higher corrosion protection related to the strong adhesive properties of phosphonic acid on the metal substrate. A minimum MAPC1(OH)₂ content of 2.5% was determined to provide the highest impedance values (best efficiency). Then, a new bio-based compound, i.e. phosphonic acid-bearing oleic acid (phosphonated fatty acid), was synthesized and added as an inhibitor to the formulations. In the presence of this compound, the corrosion protection was notably improved. The beneficial effect of phosphonated fatty acid was explained by its inhibitive action at the steel/coating interface and by the improvement of the barrier properties.     

An improved radial impulse turbine for OWC

Traditionally, wells turbines have been widely used in OWC plants. However, an alternative has been studied over recent years: a self-rectifying turbine known as an impulse turbine. We are interested in the radial version of the impulse turbine, which was initially proposed by M. McCormick. Previous research was carried out using CFD (FLUENT^®), which aimed to improve knowledge of the local flow behavior and the prediction of the performance for this kind of turbine. This previous work was developed with a geometry taken from the literature, but now our goal is to develop a new geometry design with a better performance. To achieve this, we have redesigned the blade and vane profiles and improved the interaction between them by means of a new relation between their setting angles. Under sinusoidal flow conditions the new design improves the turbine efficiency by up to 5% more than the geometry proposed by Professor Setoguchi, in 2002. In this paper, the design criteria we have used is described, and the flow behavior and the performance of this new design are compared with the previous one.     

Performance comparison of AlGaAs,GaAs and InGaP tunnel junctions for concentrated multijunction solar cells

Four tunnel junction (TJ) designs for multijunction (MJ) solar cells under high concentration are studied to determine the peak tunnelling current and resistance change as a function of the doping concentration. These four TJ designs are: AlGaAs/AlGaAs, GaAs/GaAs, AlGaAs/InGaP and AlGaAs/GaAs. Time‐dependent and time‐average methods are used to experimentally characterize the entire current–voltage profile of TJ mesa structures. Experimentally calibrated numerical models are used to determine the minimum doping concentration required for each TJ design to operate within a MJ solar cell up to 2000‐suns concentration. The AlGaAs/GaAs TJ design is found to require the least doping concentration to reach a resistance of <10⁻⁴ Ω cm² followed by the GaAs/GaAs TJ and finally the AlGaAs/AlGaAs TJ. The AlGaAs/InGaP TJ is only able to obtain resistances of ≥5 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm² within the range of doping concentrations studied. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimizing the physical properties of calcium nanoferrites to be suitable in many applications

Calcium nano ferrite with composition CaGd_xEr_yFe_2?x?yO₄ (x?=?y?=?0.0, x?=?0.025, y?=?0.05) was prepared by citrate gel auto combustion method. The prepared samples showed orthorhombic phase structure and the crystallite sizes were found in the range of 32.1–35.3 nm. Detailed observation via the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) showed that the calcium ferrite nano-particles were spherical and capsule like formation shape. The hysteresis loop confirms the magnetic behavior of the investigated samples, which is then discussed on the basis of super exchange interactions. Magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization, coercivity, and retentivity were obtained. Greater than six-fold increase in coercivity (≈2085 Oe) was observed in calcium nanoferrites compared to the doped samples (≈360 Oe). The CaFe₂O₄-type structure includes edge- and corner sharing BO₆ octahedral, constituting a very unique network similar to perovskite-related nanoparticles. This structural network leads to an improvement in the physical properties of the investigated samples. Great efforts have been made to synthesize pure nanoferrite samples without any secondary phases even after the substitution of low soluble rare earth ions. Special attention should be given to calcium ferrite nanoparticles which are suitable candidates to be used in the manufacturing of bone-like scaffolds, hyperthermia treatment of cancer and biological activity.     

Particleboards production from date palm biomass

Date palm biomass is a renewable natural resource that has not widely been utilized in industry. The objective of this study was to examine some chemical properties of date palm trunk and rachis (holocellulose, cellulose, lignin and extractives) and to evaluate their suitability to produce composite panels. Particleboards were produced using trunk and rachis as an alternative raw material for forest products industry in the presence of two types of polycondensation resins (phenol–formaldehyde and melamine urea–formaldehyde) which were selected as binding agents. The panels were tested for their physical (water absorption and thickness swelling) and mechanical (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bond strength) properties. The internal bond strength of date palm trunk and date palm rachis based boards met the requirements of the general purpose product standards (EN 312) at 0.70 g/cm³ density. The panels made with phenol–formaldehyde resin showed better performance with respect to the panels made with melamine urea–formaldehyde. In addition, the particleboard made with date palm trunk particles had better quality compared to the particleboard made from date palm rachis particles. Based on preliminary results of this work, raw materials from date palm trunks and rachis can have a promising potential in the manufacture of particleboards and as a substitute for wood in board production.     

Utilization of hydrophilic/hydrophobic hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s as additives for melamine urea formaldehyde adhesives

Hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s (PAMAMs), exhibiting various levels of hydrophilicity, were used as modifiers for melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives. The modification was achieved either with or at expense of sodium hydroxide during the last pH adjustment. Their apparent co‐condensability was expected from the measured gel times and further proved using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR). Utilization of these structures as modifiers for MUF, which are frequently used in particleboards production, resulted in manifold advantages. Considering the economic point of view, their use is more practical and cheaper with respect to dendritic structures. Additionally, their application in finite quantities as final additives, either immediately before the final use or at the last stage of preparation, yielded considerable upgrading of the dry internal bond (IB) strength of the produced particleboards. The improvement was extended to the resistivity to hydrolytic degradation as revealed by the wet IB strength and thickness swelling. The results were explained on the light of an extensive investigation on the resins using thermomechanical analysis (TMA) while taking into account the relevant hydrophilicity and degree of branching of each hyperbranched structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2255–2264, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Improved “cure on demand” of aromatic bismaleimide with thiol triggered by retro-Diels-Alder reaction

This study focuses on the synthesis of new liquid aromatic bismaleimide monomers in order to improve self-curing on demand(SCOD)systems previously based on aliphatic bismaleimides.These SCOD systems are based on Diels-Alder(DA)/retro-DA reactions.The syntheses of new different aromatic bismaleimides with ester and amide bonds are presented.These maleimides have been protected using DA reaction and characterized by 1H NMR analysis to determine protection rate and diastereomer ratios.The retro-DA reactions of both aromatic and aliphatic DA adducts in presence of thiol molecules were studied.Kinetic analysis was monitored by 1H NMR and compared to model study.Finally,both aromatic and aliphatic bismaleimides-based polymers were synthesized with 2-mercaptoethyl ether and thermal properties of polymers were compared.The glass transition temperature values ranged from–20°C to 14°C and very good thermal stabilities were observed(up to 300°C).     

Metamodeling of mean radiant temperature to optimize glass facade design in PMV-based comfort controlled space

Building Simulation - In recent years, glass facades and extensive glassing areas have gained popularity in the built environment. However, thermal comfort and energy-savings in such buildings are...     

Electrochemical treatment of wastewaters containing 4‐chlororesorcinol using boron doped diamond anodes

The electrochemical oxidation of aqueous wastes polluted with 4‐chlororesorcinol has been studied on boron‐doped diamond electrodes on acidic medium. The voltammetric results showed that in the potential region where the supporting electrolyte is stable, reactions occur, resulting in the loss of activity due to electrode fouling. Galvanostatic electrolysis study showed that the oxidation of these wastes in single‐compartment electrochemical flow cell with boron doped diamond anodes deal to the complete mineralization of the organics but is no indication of electrode fouling. Resorcinol, 1,2,4‐trihydroxybenzene, benzoquinone, maleic, fumaric, and oxalic acids have been detected as soluble organics and chlorides (Cl^?) and hypochlorites (ClO^?) as mineral products during the electrolysis of 4‐chlororesorcinol. The electrochemical oxidation of 4‐chlororesorcinol consists of a sequence of steps: Release of Cl and/or hydroxylation of the aromatic ring; formation of quinonic compounds; oxidative opening of aromatic ring to form carboxylic acids; and oxidation of carboxylic acids to carbon dioxide. Both, direct oxidation at boron doped diamond surface and mediated oxidation by powerful oxidants electrogenerated from electrolyte oxidation at anode surface are involved in these stages.