Elucidation of contact state on various rough surfaces via highly robust colorimetric optical interferometry

In this study, we developed and practiced colorimetric optical interferometry for the direct observation of contact states to clarify contact phenomena. We theoretically demonstrated that the effect of roughness diffuse reflection could be neglected using interferometric light intensity according to the relationship between the optical film thickness and hue. Then, we measured the static contact surfaces of spherical test pieces of different root mean square roughnesses. Results indicate that the nominal contact area is significantly larger than that obtained from the Hertzian theory of smooth contact as the surface roughness increases. The contact film thickness on the nominal contact area increases almost in proportion to the root mean square roughness. Our experiment supports the validity of the contact theory and contact simulation with very small roughnesses, which have been difficult to verify experimentally. The advantage of this measurement is that it can simultaneously capture the macroscopic contact area and microscopic film thickness distribution, which is expected to further expand the range of application.

EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF MULTI-RECYCLING ON THE FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF POST CONSUMER HIGH IMPACT POLYSTYRENE FROM DISPOSABLE CUPS EVALUATED BY THE J-INTEGRAL APPROACH.

The aim of the present paper is to study the effect of multi-recycling on the fracture behavior of high impact polystyrene from disposable cups. After collecting and washing the material, it was subjected to six cycles of recycling. After each cycle, it was subjected to tensile tests to determine the R-curves. The theory of the J-integral contour has been used for the development of a characterization method of the fracture strength appropriate to the case of this non-linear elastoplastic polymer material. To this end, the method of multiple specimens (Single edge notch tension SENT) of thin thickness was used, by introducing cracks of the same lengths to several identical test pieces. The results suggested a slight decrease in crack resistance of recycled high impact polystyrene, especially during the first cycle, demonstrated by a comparison of JIC values related to initiation of crack propagation. The fracture energy absorbed as a function of the cycles suggested a weakening within the material. ABSTRAK: Tujuan kajian ini adalah bagi mengkaji kesan tindak balas pada pelbagai peringkat-kitar semula ke atas kerapuhan polisterin berimpak tinggi pada cawan pakai buang. Selepas mengumpul dan membasuh cawan ini, terdapat enam peringkat kitar semula. Pada setiap peringkat, ianya akan melalui ujian tegangan bagi mendapatkan lengkung-R. Teori kamiran-J kontur telah digunakan bagi mencipta kaedah khas bagi mengkaji kekuatan retakan bersesuaian bagi kes bahan polimer elastoplastik yang tidak-linear. Sehingga kini, kaedah Regangan Tepi Takuk Tunggal (SENT) telah digunakan pada spesimen berketebalan rendah, dengan menghasilkan keretakan sama panjang di permulaan kajian di buat pada pelbagai bahan uji yang serupa. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan rintangan pada retakan telah berkurang sedikit pada polisterin kitar semula berimpak tinggi, terutama pada kitaran pertama, yang ditunjukkan pada nilai JIC pada permukaan rambatan retakan awal. Tenaga kerapuhan yang meresap pada setiap kitaran menunjukkan bahan telah melemah dari dalam.

Construction Technology of Precast Pier Foundation Filled with Demolished Concrete Lumps

Applying of demolished concrete lumps (DCLs) in the pier foundation is an effective way to improve the efficiency of construction waste resource utilization. Fifty-two cylindrical specimens with the size of ∅ 250 mm × 500 mm were fabricated by mixing of DCLs with the fresh concrete (FC) and used to investigate the influence of two key factors, the gradation of the DCLs and the height setting of layered “steel mesh,” on the uniaxial compression and flexural strength properties of the compound concrete specimens. Results indicate that the layered “steel mesh” in the specimens can restrain the settlement and segregation of the DCLs and improve the compressive and flexural strength of the specimens significantly. Normally, there are two types of failure damage mode of the test pieces, the failure of the interface between DCLs and the FC and the fracture failure of the DCLs. When the stress level is below 0.5, the test piece is in the elastic stage. Crack development occurs when stress level further increase to 0.7–0.9. The pieces with the layered pouring height of H2 and the DCLs of R3 present the optimum compressive strength and flexural strength and also best construction effect.

Experimental Study and Numerical Study on Shear Bearing Capacity of Shear Key Joints of Reinforced Concrete Open-Web Sandwich Plates

The shear key in the reinforced concrete open-web sandwich plate (RCOSP) is a block joint that connects with the top chord and the bottom chord. In order to understand the failure mode of the shear key and verify the accuracy of the current algorithm, a total of 9 test pieces are prepared and classified 3 groups were assigned longitudinal reinforcement (LR) ratios of 0.49%, 0.82%, and 1.24%, respectively. The horizontal concentrated static loading under simple support condition is carried out. The test results show that the shear key is horizontally cut and the concrete is pulled apart or crushed along the direction of chord width at the shear key-chords area; the strain level of the concrete and stirrup of the shear key is lower averagely; the development of the horizontal displacement and the strain of the longitudinal bars of the test pieces goes through elastic, elastoplastic, and plastic stages; the ultimate load of the test pieces has almost no relationship with the reinforcement ratio of shear key but is controlled by the degree of crack development in the area where shear key connects with the chords. To avoid the current algorithm overestimating the shear capacity of shear key, the restricted condition of shear section is proposed. The finite element analysis (FEA) further verifies that the restricted condition of shear section proposed in this paper is reasonable and necessary.

Study on Fire Resistance of Floor Structures in High-speed Train

According to the standard EN 45545, fire resistant tests of floor structures in high-speed train were carried out. Two typical floor structures which were placed in the passenger train were tested. Integrity and insulation are main performance criteria to evaluate fire resistance of floor structures. The furnace temperature is in accordance with the requirements in the standard ISO 834. The surface temperature and deflection were recorded with time. Glass wool and aluminium corrugated sandwich structure in two structures were burned through. The experiments were terminated at 30 minutes and 31 minutes respectively for the two structures. A large amount of smoke and the sound of cracking of the exposed surface of the test piece were produced, although the unexposed surface of test pieces did not reach the failure condition.

MEEHANITE GE200

Meehanite GE200 is an intermediate-tensile-strength gray cast iron that has a minimum tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), when determined on test pieces machined from separately cast, 30 mm (1.2 in.) diameter test bars. This material is generally used for smaller parts with wall thicknesses above 5 mm (3/16 in.). It has excellent fluidity, no tendency towards hard edges and a uniformly fine structure with small proportions of ferrite and is, therefore, readily machinable. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, and tensile properties. It also includes information on casting, heat treating, machining, and joining. Filing Code: CI-87. Producer or source: Meehanite Metal Corporation.

Decay detection of constructional softwoods using machine olfaction

Fungal decomposition of wood severely affects the soundness of timber constructions. The diagnosis of wood decay requires direct observations or sampling by skilled experts. Wood decay often occurs in obscure spaces, including the enclosed inner spaces of walls or under the floor. In this study, we examined the ability of machine olfaction to detect odors of fungi grown on common construction softwoods to provide a novel diagnostic method for wood construction soundness. The combination of a simple device equipped with semiconductor gas sensors (gas sensor array) and multivariate analysis discriminated a fungi-related odor from control odor without instrumental analysis (e.g., gas chromatography). This method is often referred to as machine olfaction or electronic nose. We measured the odor of wood test pieces that were infected with Fomitopsis palustris or Trametes versicolor and sound test pieces using a gas sensor array. The sensor responses of the specimens showed different patterns between the inoculated and control samples. Each specimen class formed independent groups in a principal component score plot, almost regardless of wood species, fungal species, or cultivation period. This method provides a new decay diagnosis method that is cost-effective and easy to operate.

Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) Investigation of Engraved Chalk Plaques from the Stonehenge Region

Newly discovered and previously documented Late Neolithic chalk plaques from the Stonehenge locality have been subjected to new, non-invasive techniques which allow access to previously unseen elements of archaeological evidence. The application of these methods – involving Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) and Polynomial Texture Mapping (PTM) – has revealed detail of the surface preparation and allowed methods and sequence of the compositions to be unpicked, clarifying their complexities. The results reveal a range of approaches to the compositions, some of which demonstrate planning, order, and intention while others include less systematic, rapidly executed sketches. Investigations of lines and surfaces have been made, supplemented by preliminary studies of replicated test pieces, to examine potential implements used in their creation and remark on plaque biographies and surface attrition following manufacture. Furthermore, detail revealed by RTI provides indications of the orientations in which some of the plaques should be viewed and – in one instance – suggests a ‘reflected’ element that may not be entirely abstract. Results from improved radiocarbon determinations place the plaques in the early part of the 3rd millennium bc which, together with identification of individual motifs, allows the plaques and the designs to be reconsidered within the corpus of Neolithic art in the British Isles.

Study on Graphene-modified FRP Bars Used in the Process of Construction Health Management

The distributed long-gauge optical sensor on fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bar cannot be manufactured through integrated production in current situation, which is hard for construction management. On the other hand, the point-sensing technology of the self-sensing bar will cause deviations in structural health monitoring (SHM). To solve these issues, applying the graphene/epoxy on FRP members is a feasible method for the piezoresistive characteristics of graphene. In this paper, basalt FRP (BFRP) bars with graphene/epoxy film were tested under repeated and cyclic loads and the resistance was measured at the same time until they were broken down. The results suggested that the test pieces can maintain stable sensing performance under repeated and cyclic loads. These facts indicated that the graphene-modified BFRP bars can well reflect the stress condition of the structural member within a safe range and can maintain stable self-sensing performance in the construction health management.