Equivalent Resilient Modulus Inversion and Calculation of Different Asphalt Pavement Structures

Based on the modulus inversion theory and the equivalent principle of deflection basin, by analyzing the deflection basin data of each structure layer measured by the FWD, the obtained equivalent resilient moduli of different structural layers in three different structures (a semirigid type Asphalt pavement and two inverted asphalt pavements) were compared. At the same time, the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the structural layer based on the inversion method was used to modify the existing theory formula. The results show that, with the inversion method and the theoretical calculation method, the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer has a small error, but the theoretical calculation method overestimates the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer and the top surface of the graded crushed stone transition layer, especially for the inverted asphalt pavement; by contrast, the corresponding result of the inversion method is closer to the value in actual engineering. While determining the equivalent resilient modulus of the cushion layer, the influence of the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer needs to be considered, and the inverted asphalt pavement structure should adopt a thicker asphalt layer to reduce the modulus deviation; at the same time, the more the structural layers and the larger the difference in the interlayer modulus ratio, the larger the deviation of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer; for the inverted asphalt pavement and semirigid asphalt pavement, the correction coefficients of the calculation formula of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of cement stabilized gravel layer are 0.35∼0.55 and 0.65∼0.75, respectively. The inversion method can be used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of each structural layer of the inverted asphalt pavement and semirigid asphalt pavement, and its results can provide a basis for the design of the structure reconstruction of asphalt pavement.

A Modified Flotation Density Gradient Centrifugation Technique Improves the Semen Quality of Stallions with a High DNA Fragmentation Index

Sperm DNA fragmentation compromises fertilization and early embryo development. Since spermatozoa lack the machinery to repair DNA damage, to improve the likelihood of establishing a healthy pregnancy, it is preferable to process ejaculates of stallions with a high sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) before artificial insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The aim of this study was to examine a modified flotation density gradient centrifugation (DGC) technique in which semen was diluted with a colloid solution (Opti-prepTM) to increase its density prior to layering between colloid layers of lower and higher density. The optimal Opti-prepTM solution (20–60%) for use as the bottom/cushion layer was first determined, followed by a comparison between a modified sedimentation DGC and the modified flotation DGC technique, using different Opti-prepTM solutions (20%, 25% and 30%) as the top layer. Finally, the most efficient DGC technique was selected to process ejaculates from Friesian stallions (n = 3) with high sperm DFI (>20%). The optimal Opti-prepTM solution for the cushion layer was 40%. The modified sedimentation technique resulted in two different sperm populations, whereas the modified flotation technique yielded three populations. Among the variants tested, the modified flotation DGC using 20% Opti-prepTM as the top layer yielded the best results; the average sperm recovery was 57%; the DFI decreased significantly (from 12% to 4%) and the other sperm quality parameters, including progressive and total motility, percentages of spermatozoa with normal morphology and viable spermatozoa with an intact acrosome, all increased (p < 0.05). In Friesian stallions with high sperm DFI, the modified flotation DGC markedly decreased the DFI (from 31% to 5%) and significantly improved the other semen quality parameters, although sperm recovery was low (approximately 20%). In conclusion, stallion sperm DFI and other sperm quality parameters can be markedly improved using a modified flotation DGC technique employing a 40% Opti-prepTM cushion and a 20% top layer.

Experimental Investigation of Impact Response of RC Slabs with a Sandy Soil Cushion Layer

The impact response of reinforced-concrete (RC) slabs covered with a sandy soil cushion layer was investigated using an outdoor rockfall impact test platform. Impact tests were carried out by releasing rockfalls with different weights from different heights to impact a combined structure. Test data included the acceleration duration curve of the rockfall, strain of the concrete slab at multiple measuring points, and midpoint displacement duration curve of the slab. The test results showed an exponential relationship between the impact force acting on the cushion layer surface and cushion layer thickness. An empirical formula was used to calculate the maximum penetration, and the result was in good agreement with the test value. In addition, the attenuation rate of the impact force acting on the cushion layer increased exponentially with the increase in the cushion layer thickness, and the peak impact force could be attenuated by approximately 70% at a thickness of 0.6 m. Finally, the failure process and failure modes of the RC slabs were investigated.

Full-Scale Impact Test and Numerical Simulation of a New-Type Resilient Rock-Shed Flexible Buffer Structure

Rock sheds have been widely used to protect against rockfall. Traditionally, a cushion layer is placed on the top of a rock shed to reduce the impact force and dissipate energy. However, heavy cushion layers lead to high dead loads and increased construction costs. This paper discusses the concept of an impact-resilient flexible buffer structure. On the basis of that concept, it also proposes a buffer structure mainly composed of springs, ring nets, spring rods, and support ropes, which can be used to replace the traditional cushion layer on a shed for rockfall protection. Full-scale impact tests were conducted to study the impact-resilient characteristic of the structure combined with numerical simulation. The dynamic responses of the buffer structure, including force, deformation, and energy dissipation, were analysed in depth. Finally, parametric numerical simulations of 33 models were conducted; the spring stiffness of these models ranged from 300 kN/m to 1500 kN/m; the impact energy ranged from 100 kJ to 2000 kJ. Moreover, simple approaches for estimating the impact force and braking distance of the buffer structure were proposed and verified using measured data obtained from the impact test.