Bending and flexural-buckling strength of steel members considering strain-rate-effects at elevated temperatures

PurposeIn this study, the bending strength, flexural buckling strength and collapse temperature of small steel specimens with rectangular cross-sections were examined by steady and transient state tests with various heating and deformation rates.Design/methodology/approachThe engineering stress and strain relationships for Japan industrial standard (JIS) SN400 B mild steels at elevated temperatures were obtained by coupon tests under three strain rates. A bending test using a simple supported small beam specimen was conducted to examine the effects of the deformation rates on the centre deflection under steady-state conditions and the heating rates under transient state conditions. Flexural buckling tests using the same cross-section specimen as that used in the bending test were conducted under steady-state and transient-state conditions.FindingsIt was clarified that the bending strength and collapse temperature are evaluated by the full plastic moment using the effective strength when the strain is equal to 0.01 or 0.02 under fast strain rates (0.03 and 0.07 min–1). In contrast, the flexural buckling strength and collapse temperature are approximately evaluated by the buckling strength using the 0.002 offset yield strength under a slow strain rate (0.003 min–1).Originality/valueRegarding both bending and flexural buckling strengths and collapse temperatures of steel members subjected to fire, the relationships among effects of steel strain rate for coupon test results, heating and deformation rates for the heated steel members were minutely investigated by the steady and transient-state tests at elevated temperatures.

Temperature Controlled Loading and Release of the Anti-Inflammatory Drug Cannabidiol by Smart Microgels

CBD is a promising candidate for treatment of many diseases and plays a major role in the growing trend to produce high-end drugs from natural, renewable resources. In the present work, we demonstrate a way to incorporate the anti-inflammatory drug CBD into smart microgel particles. The copolymer microgels that we chose as carrier systems exhibit a volume phase transition temperature of 39 ∘C, which is just above normal body temperature and makes them ideal candidates for hyperthermia treatment. While a simple loading route of CBD was not successful due to the enormous hydrophobicity of CBD, an alternative route was developed by immersing the microgels in ethanol. Despite the expected loss of thermoresponsive behaviour of the microgel matrix due to the solvent exchange, a temperature-dependent release of CBD was detected by the material, creating an interesting question of interactions between CBD and the microgel particles in ethanol. Furthermore, the method developed for loading of the microgel particles with CBD in ethanol was further improved by a subsequent transfer of the loaded particles into water, which proves to be an even more promising approach due to the successful temperature-dependent release of the drug above the collapse temperature of the microgels.

Evaluation of Fire Resistance Performance and Temperature Distribution by Depth of Reinforced Concrete Slab Subjected to Fire

The yield or ultimate strength of a structure can be deteriorated by fire, leading to structural collapse. Temperature estimation has been studied in concrete members to identify the internal temperature distribution of reinforced concrete members at high temperatures. While foreign standards such as ACI 216 and Eurocode exist, no domestic standards have not been established for fire-resistant designs (temperature of components, strength reduction factor). This study discussed the temperature estimation and comparison of slab members using the methods of Hertz, Wickstrőm, Kodur, Eurocode, and ACI 216.1 and analyzed the differences from actual experiments by comparing reinforced concrete experiments, foreign standards, and existing studies.

Freeze-Drying with Structured Sublimation Fronts—Visualization with Neutron Imaging

The particular structure of the sublimation front in vacuum freeze-drying of porous media is, in most situations, not accessible at the pore scale. The classical measurement techniques access the process only globally. Knowledge about the structure of the front, however, is necessary for prescriptive analysis of freeze-drying, as it dictates not only drying velocity, drying time, and overall energy consumption, but also the material properties after drying. This is especially relevant in situations in which the freeze-drying process is carried out close to the collapse temperature of the product. We, therefore, study the sublimation of ice with neutron tomography and analyze the spatial formation of the dry space using the example of frozen cylindrical maltodextrin with drying parameters at the limit of material collapse. We show that the sublimation front forms unique fractal structures that differ strongly from the usual form of a flat front. Distinct dry fingers covering the sample, in addition to a fractal peripheral sublimation front, were observed. The findings are important for the understanding of freeze-drying processes and will serve as a basis for the development of microscale models of freeze-drying.

Excipient suitability for freeze-dried protein solutions

This work focused on pre-formulation studies for freeze-dried protein formulations, using albumin as a model protein. Two aminoacids and two sugars were selected as lyoprotectors and studied according a mixture design (simplex-lattice). Sample characterization included total protein content, collapse temperature and visual inspection. Sugar formulations collapsed, but not aminoacids, which indicate non sugar excipients as the best choice under the studied conditions.