Italian Group Fracture (IGF): E-Journals / Gruppo Italiano Frattura
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Long-term degradation, damage and fracture in deep rock tunnels: A review on the effect of excavation methods
Rocks are frequently host materials for underground structures, particularly for deep Tunnels. Their behavior plays a fundamental role in the overall stability of these structures. In fact, the erection of deep tunnels imposes rocks excavations around the defined routes. These excavations are generally carried out by various methods of which the most used are Drill-and-Blast (DB) and Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). However, regardless of the tunnelling method used, the impacts such as the perturbation of the initial stress field in rocks and the release of the stored energy are always significant. The impacts produce damage, fractures and deformations which are generally time-dependent and influence the long-term stability of deep tunnels built in rocks. Thus, by considering the aforementioned excavation methods, this paper identifies, reviews and describes the relevant factors generated during and after rock excavations. Interestingly, such factors directly or indirectly influence the long-term stability and therefore the structural integrity of deep rock tunnels. In addition, some recommendations and proposals for future works are presented. This paper can provide useful references in understanding the degradations, damage and fractures generated by tunnelling methods and facilitate suitable actions to ensure long-term stability of deep underground structures
Finite Element analysis of stress state in the cement of total hip prosthesis with elastomeric stress barrier
In the total hip prosthesis, according to different positions of the patient, there are a variety of loads acting on femoral head which generate stress concentration in the cement called polymethylmethacrylat (PMMA) and consequently in the interfaces stem/cement/bone. This load transfer can provoke loosening of the implant from the femoral bone. This paper focused on optimal stress distribution in the total hip prosthesis and devoted to the development of a redesigned prosthesis type in order to minimize stress concentration in the cement. This study investigated the effect of elastomeric stress barrier incorporated between the stem and femoral head using 3D-finite element analysis. This proposed implant provoked lower load transfer in the cement due to the elastomeric effect as stress absorber. However, the proposed model provided an acceptable solution for load transfer reduction to the cement. This investigation permitted to increase the service life of the total hip prosthesis avoiding the loosening
Experimental and analytical investigations of reinforced concrete beams strengthened by different CFRP sheet schemes.
The use of bonded externally polymer reinforced fiber (FRP) Laminates has been introduced as an effective approach in rehabilitating (RC) structures due to their high strength, corrosion resistance, reduced weight, and ease of use. This paper discusses the experimental results of the flexural reinforcement of RC beams by CFRP sheets bonded by epoxy adhesive to the tensile surface of the beams. Using a four-point bending load system over an effective clear length of 1800 mm, a total of ten beams with an overall dimension of 150 * 200 * 2000 with different degrees of strengthening schemes were constructed and tested. A numerical study using ANSYS finite element program was conducted by modeling RC beams. The number of layers, strengthening scheme (side and U-shape bonding) and reinforcement ratio are the major parameters of the experimental study. the research indicate that the flexural strength of the beams was substantially improved as the layers of laminate increased between 31.80 and 71.50 % and using U shape in ends delaying or preventing debonding failure. The result obtained using ANSYS model showed acceptable agreement with the experimental results, with deviations varying no more than 10 % for all specimens. 
Age hardening heat treatment behavior of as-cast Mg–Zn–Al alloys
Magnesium alloys have generated renewed interest as a light alloys; replacing some conventional structural materials for weight reduction in applications like aerospace, automotive and electronics industries. In interior components and powertrains, cast alloys are widely used and represent more than 99% of magnesium alloys used today, whereas only a few wrought products are used. Mostly in automotive applications, Mg-engine block can noticeably reduce the weight and consequently its fuel consumption and environmental impact. Due to solid-state precipitates, these alloys are strong in nature and are produced by an age-hardening heat treatment process. In the present work the age hardening behavior of the as cast Mg–Zn–Al alloys (ZA85 alloy) in the composition of 8 wt. %Zn, 5 wt. %Al has been investigated. Through the differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies, it has been found out that dissolution temperature of ternary eutectic precipitates is present in the alloy. Based on the DTA results, the as cast samples have been solutionised at 360 °C temperature for different intervals of time. Solutionising time has been optimized from the enthalpy values of un-dissolved precipitates. The solution treated samples have been then aged at temperature of 180° C for different time intervals. From the peak hardness values, the ageing conditions have been optimized
Evaluation of rheological performance of a local modified bitumen by Styrene Butadiene Styrene polymer used in wearing course
In road construction, bitumen is the binder that gathered the different aggregates of road pavements. Bitumen, as a viscoelastic material, influences considerably the rheological behavior of bitumen concrete.
The bitumen used in Algeria, showed its limits face to the traffic, which is increasing continuously. This research aims to valorize SBS polymer in wearing course by modifying a pure 35/50 bitumen. The present paper aims to study the polymer derived from styrene and butadiene (SBS) from the company Kraton Polymers International Ltd in the modification of a bitumen to improve its mechanical characteristics.To this end, the incorporation of SBS polymer was carried out according to two contents: 5.0 and 7.5% (by weight of asphalt), the objective being to evaluate the influence of this type of polymer on the rheological properties of the bitumen ordinary road including viscosity and modulus.The results reveal that the bitumen modified with 7.5% of SBS has better mechanical performance on the rigidity and the elasticity compared to the conventional bitumen. Recommendations have been made to implement a bitumen modification system to improve its quality and therefore the durability of bituminous pavements in the south of Algeria
Numerical modeling of the contact effect on the parameters of cracking in a 2D Fatigue Fretting Model
The objective of this work is to study the effects of contact parameters on the cracking parameters of a specimen and a pad assembly. These parameters have been studied and evaluated by the finite element method analysis in two dimensions fretting fatigue model through the Abaqus calculation code. Different values of the coefficient of friction of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 were applied on the various lengths in contact for a = 0.1, 0.5 and 1mm. Thus, on the various values of angle of orientation of the crack equal to 15 °, 30 ° and 45 °. In addition, elements of the type (CPE4R) and the criterion of maximum tangential stress were applied. The curves of the crack parameters such as the SIF coefficients and the integral J were obtained and discussed
Strain Energy Density as Failure Criterion for Quasi-Static Uni-axial Tensile Loading
Strain energy density is successfully used as criterion for failure assessment of brittle and quasi-brittle material behavior. This work investigates the possibility to use this method to predict the strength of V-notched specimens made of PMMA under static uniaxial tensile load.
Samples are characterized by a variability of notch root radii and notch opening angles. Notched specimens fail with a quasi-brittle behavior, albeit PMMA has a nonlinear stress strain curve at room temperature. The notch root radius has most influence on the strength of the specimen, whereas the angle is less relevant.
The value of the strain energy density is computed by means of finite element analysis, the material is considered as linear elastic. Failure prediction, based on the critical value of the strain energy density in a well-defined volume surrounding the notch tip, show very good agreement (error <15%) with experimental data
Experimental contribution to the study of the physic-mechanical behavior and durability of high-performance concretes based on ternary binder (cement, silica fume and granulated blast furnace slag)
Le béton à hautes performances (BHP) est un béton innovant largement utilisé dans la construction moderne. De nouvelles techniques de formulation et de conception du HPC ont permis d'obtenir des performances mécaniques et une durabilité remarquables par rapport au béton conventionnel. Les principaux avantages du HPC sont liés à sa faible porosité, sa très haute résistance mécanique et son excellente durabilité. La facilité d'application du HPC est obtenue par l'utilisation combinée de superplastifiant et d'ajout de minéraux, ce qui se traduit par une augmentation significative de la résistance à la compression tout en améliorant la maniabilité et la durabilité.
L'utilisation d'un liant ternaire (ciment, fumée de silice et laitier granulé de haut fourneau broyé) dans la fabrication du HPC est une nouvelle avancée dans la construction durable qui offre des avantages économiques, techniques et écologiques.
L'objectif de ce travail de recherche était d'améliorer les propriétés physico-mécaniques du HPC à base de liant ternaire en étudiant l'influence du remplacement du ciment par du laitier granulé et des fumées de silice.
Les résultats des tests mécaniques montrent que les performances du HPC réalisé avec ces liants ternaires sont similaires au HPC témoin sans laitier granulé. Enfin, il est conclu que l'utilisation de tels liants est très bénéfique pour diminuer les problèmes environnementaux et améliorer la durabilité du HPC
Elastic-plastic fracture analysis of anisotropy effect on AA2050-T84 alloy at different temperatures: A Numerical Study
The third generation Al-Li alloy AA2050-T84 is widely used in aircraft applications due to its lightweight and significant mechanical properties. The anisotropic variations of tensile and compression properties of this alloy at various temperatures are substantial. In this work, the variations of the J-integral, CTOD, and Plastic Zone Size (PZS) due to anisotropy of a 4-inch thick AA2050-T84 plate at ambient and cryogenic temperatures were studied numerically by using Compact Tension (C(T)) specimen. The material anisotropy resulted in fracture and constraint parameter variation for Mode-I constant load. Numerical results indicated a decrease in crack driving forces and a constraint parameter with the decrease in temperature at the plate surface and central location. Plate surface locations appear to be isotropic for both temperatures under elastic-plastic fracture analyses as crack driving forces were almost identical. The temperature effect is more on constraint as the normalized PZS values at ambient temperature have been twice that of cryogenic temperature. The isotropic behavior of a plate under sub-zero temperature makes the plate suitable for cryogenic temperature applications
Combination of Intermittent Search Strategy and an Improve Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (IPSO) for damage detection of steel frame
Modality and intermittent search strategy in combination with an Improve Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (IPSO) to detect damage structure via using vibration analysis basic principle of a decline stiffness matrix a structure is presented in the study as a new technique. Unlike an optimization problem using a simplistic algorithm application, the combination leads to promising results. Interestingly, the PSO algorithm solves the optimal problem around the location determined previously. In contrast, Eagle Strategy (ES) is the charging of locating the position in intermittent space for the PSO algorithm to search locally. ES is easy to deal with its problem via drastic support of Levy flight. As known, the PSO algorithm has a fast search speed, yet the accuracy of the PSO algorithm is not as good as expected in many problems. Meanwhile, the combination is powerful to solve two problems: 1) avoiding local optimization, and 2) obtaining more accurate results. The paper compares the results obtained from the PSO algorithm with the combination of IPSO and ES for some problems and between experiment and FEM to demonstrate its effectiveness. Natural frequencies are used in the objective function to solve this optimization problem. The results show that the combination of IPSO and ES is quite effective