Search results for "Building"
showing 10 items of 1985 documents
Considerations on factors affecting biochar densification behavior based on a multiparameter model
2021
The optimization of upscaled biochar pelleting is limited by lack of knowledge regarding the effects of process parameters. A multiparameter model, coupled to a single pellet press unit, was for the first time applied to biochar production to predict the upscaled biochar pelleting process behavior. The model permits to estimate in a time and cost-effective way how the die friction forces, quantified through the pellet exiting pressure, are affected by the key process parameters. It was observed that to achieve acceptably low exiting pressures (in the order of 100 MPa), it was critical to produce biochar at high temperatures (e.g. 600 °C). Addition of water as a binder is also beneficial, wh…
Experimental investigation on compressive behavior of bottle-shaped struts
2011
The goal of this investigation was the experimental verification of the dispersion of compression in bottle-shaped struts. Two typical bottle shapes were generated under load in compression concrete—both drilled and undrilled—and were reinforced concrete prismatic members with loading steel plate having a reduced area with respect to the entire cross section of the members. Axial load, and axial and lateral strains were recorded during the tests to evaluate the effects of key parameters. The comparative analysis of the experimental results showed that: 1) the presence of a hole produces a variation on the stress and strain distribution and a reduction in the load-carrying capacity; 2) the r…
Investigation on fracture of epoxy-filled composites by acoustic emission
2016
Acoustic emission (AE) technique is widely used to monitor failure processes in composite materials includ-ing development of cracks and plastic deformations within the polymer matrix, fracture and debonding of inclusions, etc. In this study, the AE technique was applied investigating failure character of epoxy polymers with different content of nanofiller – fine polyethersulfone (PES) powder. Variation of material properties of the epoxy with 0, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% concentration (by weight) of the PES was assessed experimentally. Correlation between the PES content and the modulus of elasticity was found negligible. The same was characteristic for the tensile strength. Whereas, such a…
Flexural behaviour of concrete corbels containing steel fibers or wrapped with FRP sheets
2005
In the present paper an analytical and experimental investigation referring to the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete corbels subjected to vertical forces is presented. For fixed shape and dimensions of the corbels the experimental investigation analyses the effects of the following: longitudinal and transverse steel reinforcements; fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) with hooked steel fibers; external wrapping retrofitting technique with a thin layer of carbon fiber sheet (CFRP). The analytical model based on equivalent truss structures, allows one to determine the bearing capacity of corbels, distinguishing the different ultimate states reached. The analytical results are then compared…
Numerical Modeling Approaches of FRCMs/SRG Confined Masonry Columns
2019
The Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrices (FRCMs) and Steel Reinforced Grout (SRG) are a promising strengthening solution for existing masonry since inorganic matrix is considerably compatible with historical substrates. The present paper is focused on a Finite Element (FE) analysis of masonry columns confined with FRCM composites developed by Abaqus-code. The masonry columns were modelled using a macro model approach. The model was performed by using the following functions Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) and the Plastic (P) in order to describe the constitutive laws of material for masonry columns and external reinforcement, respectively. Typical failures of FRCM-systems are slippage o…
Effect of mixing time on reclaimed asphalt mixtures: An investigation by means of imaging techniques
2015
This paper presents an application of imaging techniques to investigate the distribution of reclaimed asphalt and air voids within gyratory compacted specimen. Stone Mastic Asphalt specimens containing reclaimed asphalt, were produced at five different laboratories participating in the collaborative project Re-Road: University of Nottingham, Belgium Road Research Centre, Danish Road Directorate, TU Braunschweig and Laboratoire Centrale de Ponts et Chaussees (now IFSTTAR). This study applies the X-ray Computed Tomography and Optical Microscopy techniques to view the internal structure of the specimen with particular focus on the air voids and reclaimed asphalt distributions within the specim…
Effects of weathering on the performance of self-cleaning photocatalytic paints
2019
Abstract The use of photocatalytic products for the surface coating of buildings is spreading more and more, because of the reduction of atmospheric pollutants and the colour maintenance of the paints over time with reduction of the maintenance costs and the improvement of the aesthetic appearance. The study reports the evaluation of the effects of the atmospheric conditions on three commercial photocatalytic paints containing TiO2. In particular tests were carried out by using samples subjected to accelerated aging inside a climate chamber and naturally aged by exposure for two years to the external environment of the city of Palermo (representative of a coastal environment of the Mediterr…
Reactive Powder Concrete Containing Basalt Fibers: Strength, Abrasion and Porosity
2020
The paper presents the test results of basalt fiber impact on a compressive and flexural strength, resistance to abrasion and porosity of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC). The reasons for testing were interesting mechanical properties of basalt fibers, the significant tensile strength and flexural strength, and in particular the resistance to high temperatures, as well as a relatively small number of RPC tests performed with those fibers and different opinions regarding the impact of those fibers on concrete strength. The composition of the concrete mix was optimized to obtain the highest packing density of particles in the composite, based on the optimum particle size distribution curve acc.…
Stochastic analysis of external and parametric dynamical systems under sub-Gaussian Levy white-noise
2008
In this study stochastic analysis of non-linear dynamical systems under α-stable, multiplicative white noise has been conducted. The analysis has dealt with a special class of α-stable stochastic processes namely sub-Gaussian white noises. In this setting the governing equation either of the probability density function or of the characteristic function of the dynamical response may be obtained considering the dynamical system forced by a Gaussian white noise with an uncertain factor with α/2- stable distribution. This consideration yields the probability density function or the characteristic function of the response by means of a simple integral involving the probability density function …
Non-linear optimization of track layouts in loop-sorting-systems
2013
Optimization used for enhancing geometric structures iswell known. Applying obstacles to the shape optimization problemis on the other hand not very common. It requires a fast contact search algorithmand an exact continuous formulation to solve the problem robustly. This paper focuses on combining shape optimization problemswith collision avoidance constraints by which a collision detection algorithmis presented. The presentedmethod is tested against the commercial loop-sorting-system used for sorting of medium sized items. The objective is to minimize price and footprint of the system whilemaintaining its functionality. Contact constraints are in this context important to include as variou…