Search results for "Security studies"
showing 10 items of 314 documents
Lessons Learned on the Tensile and Bond Behavior of Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) Composites
2020
Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) composites represent an effective, compatible and cost-efficient solution for strengthening and retrofitting existing structures. A strong research effort was done to investigate the tensile and bond properties of these materials, as well as the overall behaviour of strengthened members. A Round Robin Test was organized by Rilem TC 250-CSM on 28 FRCM composites comprising basalt, carbon, glass, PBO, aramid and steel textiles, embedded in either cement, lime or geopolymer mortars, to collect an experimental dataset and define test protocols. This paper collects the outcomes of this study to highlight fundamental properties of FRCM and to investiga…
Constitutive Numerical Model of FRCM Strips Under Traction
2020
In this paper, the tensile behavior of Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) strips is investigated through Finite Element (FE) models. The most adopted numerical modeling approaches for the simulation of the fiber-matrix interface law are described. Among them, the cohesive model is then used for the generation of FE models which are able to simulate the response under traction of FRCM strips tested in laboratory whose results are available in the technical literature. Tests on basalt, PBO and carbon coated FRCM specimens are taken into account also considering different mechanical ratios of the textile reinforcement. The comparison between FE results and experimental data allows val…
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…
Birth of the Biscane
2017
This paper describes the unprecedented storm Stephanie, which exhibited tropical characteristics over the Bay of Biscay on 15 September 2016. Remote sensing observations reveal a cloud-free area surrounded by a circular precipitation pattern and an axisymmetric wind field, while buoy observations show an abrupt drop in wind speed during the passage of the storm centre. Model analysis further corroborates an ongoing tropical transition from a frontal cold-core to a symmetric warm-core system. By analogy with ‘Medicanes’ (Mediterranean hurricanes), we name this storm a ‘Biscane’ (Biscay hurricane). Weather systems of this kind may become more frequent in a warmer climate.
Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in a Mediterranean river catchment: The importance of wastewater as an environmental pathway.
2021
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are considered to be ubiquitous contaminants in freshwater ecosystems, yet their sources and pathways at the river catchment scale need to be better determined. This study assessed MP (55–5000 µm) pollution in a Mediterranean river catchment (central Spain) and aimed to identify the importance of wastewater as an environmental pathway. We sampled treated and untreated wastewaters, and raw and digested sludge from five WWTPs during two seasons. River water and sediments were sampled at three locations with different anthropogenic influences during three seasons. On average, 93% (47–99%) of MPs were retained by WWTPs. Concentrations in river water and sediment ran…
Removal of algae from biological cultures: a challenge for electrocoagulation?
2014
BACKGROUND In the search for novel technologies for the treatment of urban wastewater, combined anaerobic–algae membrane bioreactors have become a very interesting choice. Recovery of algae produced in these reactors has become the key point to obtain a good economic efficiency with this technology. In this work, electrocoagulation is studied as an alternative for the coarse removal of algae from a biological culture. RESULTS Results demonstrate that the electrochemical technology is a suitable technology for this purpose allowing the removal of more than 90% of the algae without modifying significantly the pH and with an operating cost below 0.04 € m−3. The same general trends are observed…
Speciation of vanadium in urban, industrial and volcanic soils by a modified Tessier method
2016
Vanadium (V) concentrations in industrial, urban and volcanic soils were sequentially extracted using a modified Tessier's method. The voltammetric technique was used to determine V concentrations in solutions obtained from the various extraction steps. At the reference stations, the V concentrations (sum of four individual fractions) in soils ranged from 0.72 to 0.24 g kg(-1) dry weight (d.w.) with a mean value of 0.18 g kg(-1) d.w. V concentrations in soils of the Palermo urban area ranged from 0.34 to 2.1 g kg(-1) d.w., in the Milazzo (industrial) area between 0.26 and 5.4 g kg(-1) d.w. and in the volcanic area near Mt. Etna from 0.91 to 2.9 g kg(-1) d.w. When the V concentrations around…
Multivariate regression analysis applied to the calibration of equipment used in pig meat classification in Romania.
2016
This paper highlights the statistical methodology used in a dissection experiment carried out in Romania to calibrate and standardize two classification devices, OptiGrade PRO (OGP) and Fat-o-Meat'er (FOM). One hundred forty-five carcasses were measured using the two probes and dissected according to the European reference method. To derive prediction formulas for each device, multiple linear regression analysis was performed on the relationship between the reference lean meat percentage and the back fat and muscle thicknesses, using the ordinary least squares technique. The root mean squared error of prediction calculated using the leave-one-out cross validation met European Commission (EC…
Brominated flame retardants and toxic elements in the meat and liver of red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and moose (Alces alces) fr…
2017
In order to evaluate the contamination status of terrestrial biota in Latvia, muscle and liver tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and moose (Alces alces) were analyzed for the content of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), as well as cadmium and lead. The highest mean concentrations of PBDEs (46.6pgg-1 wet weight (w.w.)), cadmium (0.95mgkg-1 w.w.), and lead (0.22mgkg-1 w.w.) were observed in the tissues of moose, while the wild boar samples contained the highest levels of HBCD, with the mean concentration equal to 264pgg-1 w.w. in muscle tissues. Generally low mean concentrations of TBBPA from 0.52 t…
Numerical modelling of out-of-plane response of infilled frames: State of the art and future challenges for the equivalent strut macromodels
2017
Abstract Infill-frame interaction constitutes a still open question both in research and in practicing engineering. Computational models used to predict this interaction are, in most cases, addressing the estimation of the response of the infilled frames when subjected to actions parallel to their plane. However, the observation of the post-earthquake damage has demonstrated that infills, weakened by the in-plane actions, may fail out-of-plane increasing the risks associated to the earthquake scenarios. In spite of this, different studies have shown that infills, if properly designed and supported by the frame, exhibit a significant strength and displacement capacity when called to resist t…