Search results for "STIFFNESS"

Performance improvements of asphalt mixtures by dry addition of polymeric additives

2017

This paper shows the results of an experimental study concerning the development and optimization of asphalt mixtures for binder and base courses, improved with specifically engineered additives. The focus was on the mechanical improvements of the mixtures as achievable via dry modification with polymeric additives by making use of aggregate and bitumen of average quality, as locally available, in order to limit the consumption of virgin materials. The results allowed interesting conclusions to be drawn about the use of polymeric additives for these mixtures. In particular, the modified mixtures proved to have better performance in terms of both permanent deformation resistance and stiffnes…

1D Compression Behaviour of Opalinus Clay

2017

One of the main concerns related to tunnel excavations, drilling operations and wellbore stability in shales is the generation of excess pore water pressure due to changes in mechanical stress; therefore the consolidation of shales is a fundamental process that must be considered. This paper presents a compre- hensive methodology for analysing the compression and consolidation behaviour of shales. An apparatus to perform high-pressure oedometric tests is presented and an analytical method is introduced to analyse the shale consolidation behaviour, which allows information to be gathered on the coeffi cient of consolidation, stiffness, poroelastic properties, and permeability of the tested m…

The Effects of Structure on the One Dimensional Compression Behaviour of a Porous Calcarenite

2019

Human settlements built on weak rock deposits are often characterized by instabilities or collapse that may involve the underground cavities and consequently the above buildings. Underground calcarenite quarries in Marsala have been involved in a number of collapses that have seriously damaged numerous buildings. Unfortunately proper engineering solutions have not yet been identified according to the different and special cases and to the properties of this structured material. In order to investigate structure effects on the behaviour of the porous calcarenite of Marsala, this paper presents a comparison between the one dimensional compression behaviour of the intact rock and of the same w…

Hardening structures isolated by double sliding devices: Seismic reliability-based design approach

2019

This study deals with seismic reliability-based design (SRBD) relationships in terms of behavior factors and displacement demands for hardening structures equipped with double friction pendu-lum system (DFPS) bearings. An equivalent 3dof system having a hardening post-yield slope is adopted to describe the superstructure behavior, whereas velocity-dependent laws are assumed to model the responses of the two surfaces of the DFPS. The yielding characteristics of the super-structures are defined for increasing behavior factors in compliance with the seismic hazard of L’Aquila site (Italy) and with NTC18 assuming a lifetime of 50 years. Considering several natural seismic records and building p…

Springs-based Simulation for Image Retargeting

2011

In this paper an efficient method for image retargeting is pro- posed. It relies onto a mechanical model based on springs network. Each pixel displacement (compression or expan- sion) is given by the network response, according to the springs stiffness. The properties of the springs are deter- mined as function of the visual relevance of the pixels. Such model does not require any optimization, since its so- lution is obtained simply from a linear system of equations, allowing real-time application even for large images. The approach is fully automatic, though can be improved by interactively providing cues such as geometric constraints and/or manual relevant object labeling. The results pr…

FATTORI ASSOCIATI ALL’AUMENTO DELLA STIFFNESS AORTICA IN PAZIENTI CON MALATTIA RENALE CRONICA

2011

4. Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction and Arterial Stiffness as Therapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Medicine.

2016

In the last decades, many factors thought to be associated with the atherosclerotic process and cardiovascular events have been studied, and some of these have been shown to correlate with clinical outcome, such as arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and immunoinflammatory markers. Arterial stiffness is an important surrogate marker that describes the capability of an artery to expand and contract in response to pressure changes. It can be assessed with different techniques, such as the evaluation of PWV and AIx. It is related to central systolic pressure and it is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients, type 2 diabetes, end-stage…

Granular packings and fault zones

2000

The failure of a two-dimensional packing of elastic grains is analyzed using a numerical model. The packing fails through formation of shear bands or faults. During failure there is a separation of the system into two grain-packing states. In a shear band, local ``rotating bearings'' are spontaneously formed. The bearing state is favored in a shear band because it has a low stiffness against shearing. The ``seismic activity'' distribution in the packing has the same characteristics as that of the earthquake distribution in tectonic faults. The directions of the principal stresses in a bearing are reminiscent of those found at the San Andreas Fault.

Buckling of Elastic Beam Under Unilateral Constraint

1988

ABSTRACT A criterion is proposed to calculate the critical load of a continuous beam under unilateral constraint. The beam is assumed to be built in at the ends and to rest on equally spaced elastic supports, that have equal stiffness. The problem is solved by determining the length of the half-wave of the buckled shape, the number of supports involved, and their position with respect to the end of the half-wave. The analysis model thus defined is determined in relation to the geometry of the beam and to the ratio between the stiffness of the supports and the shearing stiffness of the generic span. It is shown that there exists a limiting value of this ratio, below which the critical load i…

Nanostructural changes in dentine caused by endodontic irrigants

2013

Objective: To study nanostructural dentinal changes produced by endodontic irrigants. Study Design: Experimental study. Nanoindentations were performed on peritubular (PD) and intertubular dentine (ID) with an atomic force microscopy. Stiffness and adhesion force were determined before and after application of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Normalized differences before and after treatment for stiffness and adhesion forces were calculated. A paired T-test was used to compare stiffnes and adhesion force before and after irrigants application. Results: After treatment with EDTA there was a 29.80% reduction in stiffness in ID and a 63.53% redu…