A Critique on “Measurement of the Hygric Resistance of Concrete Blocks with Perfect Contact Interface: Influence of the Contact Area”

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 330-338
Author(s):  
Hans Janssen

Background: In March 2021, this journal published the article “Measurement of the hygric resistance of concrete blocks with perfect contact interface: influence of the contact area”. That article reports on a study on the impact of ‘perfect contact’ between concrete blocks on moisture absorption, with a focus on the impact of the sample cross-section. Objective: This critique aims at formulating several essential concerns on the hygric aspects of that article, thus expressing the discusser’s reservations on the reliability of the presented outcomes in particular and the published article in general. Methods: The data, as provided in the graphs of the critiqued article, are digitally extracted and further analysed by the discusser. Results: That analysis results in serious concerns with regard to 1) the magnitude of the quantified post-interface flows, 2) the distinguishability of the moisture absorption in the monolithic and perfect contact samples, 3) the robustness of the knee-point identification algorithm, 4) the dependability of the capillary absorption measurements, and 5) the consistency of the capillary absorption processing. These are finally translated into 8 concrete questions to be addressed by the authors of the critiqued article in order to placate these doubts and establish the reliability of their work. Conclusion: This critique formulates appreciable apprehension with respect to an earlier publication in the journal and invites its authors to respond to that via answering the 8 concrete questions. If not satisfactory, then the critiqued article’s findings cannot be considered reliable, and the journal should reconsider its prior publication.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
António C. Azevedo ◽  
João M.P.Q. Delgado ◽  
Klayne.K.S. Silva ◽  
André L.M.S. Leal ◽  
Ana S. Guimarães ◽  
...  

Introduction: Concrete sealing blocks are not only used in Brazil but worldwide. T he knowledge of the material properties in the presence of moisture becomes necessary to study the durability of buildings. Methods: An experimental study was carried out in order to analyse the effect of contact area on the capillary absorption coefficient of concrete samples used in sealing blocks, according to several standards: NBR 9779 (2012), EN 1015-18 (2002), ISO 15148 (2002) and ASTM C1794 (2015). Two types of specimens were analysed; monolithic samples and samples with a perfect contact interface. The monolithic samples were also subjected to axial and radial compression in order to enhance the capacity of masonry. Results: The experimental results for the samples with perfect contact interface indicate that the water absorption before the interface presents similar behaviour to the monolithic samples. However, it is possible to observe a reduction of the absorption rate when water reaches the interface due to the hygric resistance. In other words, the moisture transport is significantly retarded by the existence of an interface, i.e., the discontinuity of moisture content across the interface indicated that there was a difference in capillary pressure across the interface. Also, the interface contact area does not greatly influence the water-resistance values. Conclusion: Finally, the Hygric Resistance values (HR), in multilayer building components, with perfect contact interface are calculated using the “knee point” methodology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 145-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Azevedo ◽  
J.M.P.Q. Delgado ◽  
A.S. Guimarães ◽  
I.M. Ribeiro

After intensifying the knowledge of hygric permeance (HP) in multi-layered test samples, which were subjected to the imbibition process, a significant set of HP values (with different interface types) was experimentally achieved. This was done in order to develop a new model which allows estimating more correctly the hygric permeance. The idea is predicts the HP with several scenarios, i.e., different interfaces (perfect contact, hydraulic contact and air space interface), interfaces heights and materials studied, in the attempt to estimate the HP without the need to resort to the measurement by the experimental route in the attempt to estimate the HP without the need to resort to the measurement by the experimental route and even with possible measurement, generator automatic calculation (without human opinion/criteria). In this paper, the Hygric Permeance will be calculated by two different methods, gravimetric and gamma ray methods, and a new methodology proposes. The maximum flows transmitted were determined by the slope of the mass variation per contact area in function of the time involved. When having interface, the calculations admit that the first layer is saturated and that all the increased weight stems becomes from the relative humidity that penetrates the interface. The new methodology proposed is analysis of the prevision mathematical model that describes the mass variation per contact area in function of the time, after the “knee point”. This work it is the first attempt to provide a set of values that refer from hygric permeance in masonry of building walls, these being random values experimentally determined.


2013 ◽  
Vol 844 ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
Saravalee Saengthaveep ◽  
Sadhan C. Jana ◽  
Rathanawan Magaraphan

To produce a tough material for application demanding high impact resistance and low moisture absorption, melt blending of Nylon12 (Polyamide 12, PA12) and natural rubber (NR) was carried out in a brabender plasticorder at 210 °C with rotor speed of 70 rpm in the presence of polystyrene/maleated natural rubber (PS/MNR) blend as a compatibilizer. The effect of compatibilizer content (1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 phr) on phase morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of [Nylon12/NR]/[PS/MNR] blends was investigated by using SEM, DSC, and Izod impact tester, respectively. The result revealed that PS/MNR blend improved the compatibility of Nylon12/NR blends efficiently due to the presence of amide linkage at the interfaces from the reaction between the reactive groups of MNR and the NH2 end groups of Nylon12 during mixing. A fine phase morphology (good dispersion and small dispersed phase size of NR domains in Nylon12 matrix) of [Nylon12/NR]/[PS/MNR] blends was observed at the optimum compatibilizer content of 7 phr, relating to the improvement of mechanical property. The impact energy of [Nylon12/NR]/[PS/MNR] blends was 503 J/m higher than that of neat Nylon12 (115 J/m) and Nylon12/NR binary blend (241 J/m) due to the toughening effect of rubber and proper morphology. The melting temperature of all blends did not change obviously from thermal analysis. However, the presence of rubber particle obstructed the crystallization of Nylon12 phase, leading to the decreasing of %crystallinity from 93% to around 70%.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginaldo Barboza da Silva ◽  
Piero Iori ◽  
Zigomar Menezes de Souza ◽  
Danilo de Moraes Gomes Pereira ◽  
Oswaldo Julio Vischi Filho ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT High contact pressures applied to soil result in a greater degree of compaction, in addition to promoting other negative effects. The objective of this study was to quantify contact areas by using different methodologies, and pressures of farm equipment employed in production activity and evaluate structural changes caused in a Red Latosol with the presence and absence of straw cover. The design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme of type 4 (tire on front axle, tire on rear axle, tire on a sugarcane wagon and metallic track of sugar cane Harvester) x 2 (presence and absence of straw). The contact area (CA) of the run was obtained by three procedures: analytical measure of the area of an ellipse (CA1); digital measurement of area of an ellipse (CA2); and measurement of real contact area (RCA), with digital resources. The contact pressure was calculated from the ratio of mass of each machine's axle and the contact area of the run. The contact area obtained according to the procedure of the ellipse (CA1 and CA2) is overrated when compared to actual area obtained digitally (RCA). The straw reduces the contact pressure in the soil, due to the deep tire treads and consequently, increased contact area. Areas where the traffic of the machines occurred with soil covered with the presence of straw showed reduced soil resistance to penetration, cone index and pre-consolidation pressure, confirming that the increased contact area produced by straw reduced the pressure applied and the compression power dissipated in the soil.


Author(s):  
J. Armand ◽  
L. Pesaresi ◽  
L. Salles ◽  
C. W. Schwingshackl

Accurate prediction of the vibration response of aircraft engine assemblies is of great importance when estimating both the performance and the lifetime of its individual components. In the case of underplatform dampers, for example, the motion at the frictional interfaces can lead to a highly nonlinear dynamic response and cause fretting wear at the contact. The latter will change the contact conditions of the interface and consequently impact the nonlinear dynamic response of the entire assembly. Accurate prediction of the nonlinear dynamic response over the lifetime of the assembly must include the impact of fretting wear. A multi-scale approach that incorporates wear into the nonlinear dynamic analysis is proposed, and its viability is demonstrated for an underplatform damper system. The nonlinear dynamic response is calculated with a multiharmonic balance approach, and a newly developed semi-analytical contact solver is used to obtain the contact conditions at the blade-damper interface with high accuracy and low computational cost. The calculated contact conditions are used in combination with the energy wear approach to compute the fretting wear at the contact interface. The nonlinear dynamic model of the blade-damper system is then updated with the worn profile and its dynamic response is recomputed. A significant impact of fretting wear on the nonlinear dynamic behaviour of the blade-damper system was observed, highlighting the sensitivity of the nonlinear dynamic response to changes at the contact interface. The computational speed and robustness of the adopted multi-scale approach are demonstrated.


Mechanika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 518-525
Author(s):  
Rimantas LAZDINAS ◽  
Mindaugas JUREVICIUS ◽  
Vladas VEKTERIS ◽  
Vytautas TURLA ◽  
Eugenijus JURKONIS

In the paper, the optical system of a precise bar length measuring comparator is analysed. The requirements for such a system are determined and systematized. The impact of the resolution, signal discretization frequency, image blurring, bar edge measurement indeterminacy and camera noise on measuring the bar width and establishing the bar position is discussed upon. Various algorithms have been analysed and finally a bar edge identification algorithm oriented to the scale calibration accuracy and the high processing speed was proposed. In the end of the paper, conclusions are provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (6) ◽  
pp. 416-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Lidstone ◽  
Louise M. Porcher ◽  
Jessica DeBerardinis ◽  
Janet S. Dufek ◽  
Mohamed B. Trabia

Background: Monitoring footprints during walking can lead to better identification of foot structure and abnormalities. Current techniques for footprint measurements are either static or dynamic, with low resolution. This work presents an approach to monitor the plantar contact area when walking using high-speed videography. Methods: Footprint images were collected by asking the participants to walk across a custom-built acrylic walkway with a high-resolution digital camera placed directly underneath the walkway. This study proposes an automated footprint identification algorithm (Automatic Identification Algorithm) to measure the footprint throughout the stance phase of walking. This algorithm used coloration of the plantar tissue that was in contact with the acrylic walkway to distinguish the plantar contact area from other regions of the foot that were not in contact. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) demonstrated strong agreement between the proposed automated approach and the gold standard manual method (ICC = 0.939). Strong agreement between the two methods also was found for each phase of stance (ICC > 0.78). Conclusions: The proposed automated footprint detection technique identified the plantar contact area during walking with strong agreement with a manual gold standard method. This is the first study to demonstrate the concurrent validity of an automated identification algorithm to measure the plantar contact area during walking.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (22) ◽  
pp. 14387-14401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Akritidis ◽  
Andrea Pozzer ◽  
Prodromos Zanis

Abstract. Using a transient simulation for the period 1960–2100 with the state-of-the-art ECHAM5/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) global model and a tropopause fold identification algorithm, we explore the future projected changes in tropopause folds, stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (STT) of ozone, and tropospheric ozone under the RCP6.0 scenario. Statistically significant changes in tropopause fold frequencies from 1970–1999 to 2070–2099 are identified in both hemispheres, regionally exceeding 3 %, and are associated with the projected changes in the position and intensity of the subtropical jet streams. A strengthening of ozone STT is projected for the future in both hemispheres, with an induced increase in transported stratospheric ozone tracer throughout the whole troposphere, reaching up to 10 nmol mol−1 in the upper troposphere, 8 nmol mol−1 in the middle troposphere, and 3 nmol mol−1 near the surface. Notably, the regions exhibiting the largest changes of ozone STT at 400 hPa coincide with those with the highest fold frequency changes, highlighting the role of the tropopause folding mechanism in STT processes under a changing climate. For both the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) and Afghanistan (AFG) regions, which are known as hotspots of fold activity and ozone STT during the summer period, the year-to-year variability of middle-tropospheric ozone with stratospheric origin is largely explained by the short-term variations in ozone at 150 hPa and tropopause fold frequency. Finally, ozone in the lower troposphere is projected to decrease under the RCP6.0 scenario during MAM (March, April, and May) and JJA (June, July, and August) in the Northern Hemisphere and during DJF (December, January, and February) in the Southern Hemisphere, due to the decline of ozone precursor emissions and the enhanced ozone loss from higher water vapour abundances, while in the rest of the troposphere ozone shows a remarkable increase owing mainly to the STT strengthening and the stratospheric ozone recovery.


Author(s):  
Xinyu Mao ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Yuanzhi Ni ◽  
Valentin L Popov

We consider fretting wear due to superimposed normal and tangential oscillations of two contacting bodies, one of which is an elastomer with a linear rheology. Similarly to the contact of elastic bodies, at small oscillation amplitudes, the wear occurs only in a circular slip zone at the border of the contact area and the wear profile tends to a limiting form, in which no further wear occurs. It is shown that under assumption of a constant coefficient of friction at the contact interface, the limiting form of the wear profile does depend neither on the particular wear criterion nor on the rheology of the elastomer and can be calculated analytically in a general form. The general calculation procedure and explicit analytic solutions for two initial forms, parabolic and conical, are presented for various combinations of frequencies and phases of normal and tangential oscillations as well as for various linear rheologies of the elastomer.


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