Search results for "Civil and Structural Engineering"
showing 10 items of 1404 documents
Phosphorus recovery by struvite crystallization in WWTPs: Influence of the sludge treatment line operation
2010
Phosphorus recovery by struvite (MgNH(4)PO(4).6H(2)O) crystallization is one of the most widely recommended technologies for treating sludge digester liquors especially in wastewater treatments plants (WWTP) with enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). In this paper, phosphorus recovery by struvite crystallization is assessed using the rejected liquors resulting from four different operational strategies of the sludge treatment line. Phosphorus precipitation and recovery efficiencies of between 80-90% and 70-85%, respectively, were achieved in the four experiments. The precipitates formed were mainly struvite, followed by amorphous calcium phosphate and, in some experiments, by calci…
Laboratory Measurements of Flow and Turbulence in Discontinuous Distributions of Ligulate Seagrass
2007
Turbulent flow characteristics were investigated in laboratory flume studies of a ligulate plant canopy interrupted by a gap representing discontinuities observed in seagrass prairies. The reliability of velocity measurements obtained using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter within the canopy was shown using specifically designed experiments. In relatively fast flow (mean velocity 5.5 cm s−1), the mean flow profile was logarithmic above the canopy, had an inflection point near its top, and uniformly low values within it. Within the gap, a recirculation cell formed. Reynolds stress maxima were approximately coincident with the mean flow inflection point. Quadrant analysis revealed an ejection-d…
Determination of Evapotranspiration and Annual Biomass Productivity of a Cactus Pear [Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Mill.)] Orchard in a Semiarid Environm…
2013
A micrometeorological approach based on the surface energy balance was adopted to estimate evapotranspiration fluxes and crop coefficient data from an irrigated cactus pear [Opuntia ficus-indica L. (Mill.)] orchard under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Highfrequency temperature readings were taken above the canopy top to get sensible heat flux values (HSR) using the surface renewal technique. These values were compared against eddy covariance sensible heat fluxes (HEC) for calibration. Latent heat flux (or evapotranspiration, ET) was obtained by solving the daily energy balance equation. Measurements of soil hydraulic components were integrated with the analysis of the surface energy flu…
Construction sequence analysis of long-span cable-stayed bridges
2018
Abstract In cantilever construction of long-span cable-stayed bridges the stressing sequence of stays is fundamental for establishing the final configuration of the bridge. The structural behaviour of these bridges is usually evaluated through a forward staged construction analysis, in which the values of the prestressing forces to be applied to stays are the main unknowns. A unified procedure for determining the initial cable forces and for analyzing the entire sequence is presented here, considering the geometric nonlinearity of stays through the Dischinger equivalent elastic modulus. The target is the simultaneous determination of the initial cable forces with the simulation of the const…
A novel thermoeconomic analysis under dynamic operating conditions for space heating and cooling systems
2019
Abstract Thermoeconomic analysis allows for a deep understanding of the cost formation process within an energy system, providing insights into the possible routes for improvement. Several thermoeconomic approaches are well-established for application in systems with steady operating conditions, such as power plants, while a limited number of applications to air-conditioning systems in buildings have been proposed, due to the difficulties in dealing with very irregular load profiles and unsteady plant operating conditions. This study investigates the potential of Thermoeconomics as a support for decision making in building energy systems, proving its capability to identify trade-offs betwee…
Experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of short-term preloaded carbon fiber reinforced polymer-confined concrete columns
2017
Strengthening of concrete columns with fiber reinforced polymer sheets provides a good improvement to the existing structural members in terms of load and strain capacity due to the properties of the composite jacket. A proper knowledge of the load–strain response of the composite members is necessary to design retrofitting intervention of existing structures; however, so far the available design methods do not allow to take into account the effect of the possible presence of service loads on the compressive behavior of the reinforced columns. An experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of preloaded circular concrete columns reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer was …
Cell-Free Coelomic Fluid Extracts of the Sea Urchin Arbacia lixula Impair Mitochondrial Potential and Cell Cycle Distribution and Stimulate Reactive …
2020
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly malignant tumor histotype which lacks effective targeted therapies, thereby being considered as the most aggressive form of breast carcinoma. To identify novel compounds which could counteract TNBC cell growth, we explored the in vitro effects of crude extracts and <
Does phosphorus affect the industrial Portland cement reactivity?
2018
Abstract The effect of phosphorous on the mineralogy and reactivity of Portland cement has been investigated through an industrial clinkers series. The samples were collected from the same Tunisian cement plant and classified according to the content of P2O5 from 0.5% to 1.1%. All samples were manufactured at the same thermal and cooling conditions as well as possible. The specimens were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and optical microscopy techniques and their mineralogy was determined by X-ray powder diffraction coupled to the Rietveld analysis. The cements reactivity prepared from the clinkers was followed by means of isothermalcalorimetry. The compressive strength of t…
Pumice powder as filler of self-compacting concrete
2015
Abstract An experimental study on the rheological and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete with pumice powder used as filler additive is presented. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) shows its peculiar characteristics in the fresh state and many researches have been developed with reference to its rheological characteristics paying attention to the techniques of self-compacting properties assessment. One of the most important aspect in concrete mix-design is the type and the amount of fillers with respect to water and cement: this amount has great influence not only on self-compacting properties (fluidity, segregation, etc.), but also on the mechanical properties of the mixture. Vo…
Photocatalytic Properties of Cement-Based Plasters and Paints Containing Mineral Pigments
2010
Innovative cement-based premix products for surface coating of buildings that possess photocatalytic activity arouse great interest because of the results they can achieve in reducting air pollution and maintaining aesthetics. This photoactivity is induced by a photocatalyst, titanium dioxide, that can accelerate the oxidation processes of air pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which are mainly produced by incomplete combustion of fuel and are present in urban environments through the exhaust gases of motor vehicles. Surfaces that are coated with these products acquire a self-cleaning characteristic (maintenance of original color) because the decomposi…