Concrete structures are exposed to aggressive environmental conditions that lead to corrosion of the embedded reinforcement and pre-stressing steel. Consequently, the safety of concrete structures may be compromised, and this requires a significant budgets to repair and maintain critical infrastructure. Prediction of structural safety can lead to significant reductions in maintenance costs by maximizing the impact of investments. The aim of this paper is to establish a framework to assess the reliability of existing post-tensioned concrete bridges. A time-dependent reliability analysis of an existing post-tensioned involving the assessment of Ynys-y-Gwas bridge has been presented in this study. The main cause of failure of this bridge was corrosion of tendons, making it a relevant case study to evaluate the effect of corrosion on bridge safety. Uncertainties associated with material properties, geometry, loads and corrosion parameters are taken into account. The probabilistic models of the uncertainties are combined with a non-linear finite element analysis to study the effect of tendons pitting corrosion on the post-tensioned concrete bridge. The limit state function considered is flexural strength. The Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) method is used to compute the statistical parameters of the resisting bending moment through a MATLAB code running ABAQUS. It was found that the reliability index for the first year of bridge service life is below the minimum value acceptable for structures. The study confirmed that this bridge was a high risk structure due to its design and location. The proposed framework can be used by engineers and researchers as a tool to support decision for segmental post-tensioned (PT) bridges maintenance since they need for a regular inspection due to their risk to corrosion.
This study deals with the serviceability of reinforced concrete solid and perforated rafters with openings of different shapes and sizes based on an experimental study that includes 12 post-fire non-prismatic reinforced concrete beams (solid and perforated). Three groups were formed based on heating temperature (room temperature, 400 °C, and 700 °C), each group consisting of four rafters (solid, rafters with 6 and 8 trapezoidal openings, and rafter with eight circular openings) under static loading. A developed unified calculation technique for deflection and crack widths under static loading at the service stage has been provided, which comprises non-prismatic beams with or without opening exposed to flexure concentra
... Show MoreBackground: Osteoporosis is a skeletal defect manifested by a reduction of bone strength as a result of reduced bone mass to the extent that there is a higher risk of fracture even on minor trauma. Hysterectomy in a premenopausal woman is a well known cause of ovarian failure resulting in an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Objective : To clarify bisphosphonate's preventive effect on osteopenia and osteoporosis in premenopausal women after hysterectomy.
Type of the study: Cross –sectional study.
Method: 84 premenopausal females post hysterectomy aged between 40 – 50 years, were enrolled in this randomized controlled double blinded trail a
... Show MoreBackground: Myocardial infarction (MI) is distinguished by the necrosis of myocardial cells as a result of substantial and prolonged ischemia. Anxiety, problems sleeping, and feelings of depression are some of the most common psychosocial consequences of having a myocardial infarction. Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of post-myocardial infarction on patients' levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of sleep. Method: The collection of data from 94 individuals with MI was carried out according to a descriptive cross-sectional design. Sleep quality, depression, and anxiety were evaluated using standard questionnaires. Results: 69.1% of the participants reported having trouble getting quality sleep. The perc
... Show MoreThe research endeavors to harness the benefits stemming from the integration of constraint theory into construction project management, with the primary goal of mitigating project completion delays. Additionally, it employs fuzzy analysis to determine the relative significance of fundamental constraints within projects by assigning them appropriate weights. The research problem primarily revolves around two key issues. Firstly, the persistent utilization of outdated methodologies and a heavy reliance on workforce experience without embracing modern computerized technologies. Secondly, the recurring problem of project delivery delays. Construction projects typically encompass five fundamental constraint types: cost restrictions, tim
... Show MoreEvaluating treatment effect on interferon-alpha in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study
Recently on the dermatological fields, the serum levels and the roles of Zn, Cu and Mg have been studied especially in acne vulgaris, but the results were controversial. The aim of the present study is to investigate a relationship between the severity of acne and the serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) and to demonstrate the status of serum levels of zinc, copper, and magnesium in Iraqi male patients with acne vulgaris and to compare it with those of healthy controls.This case controlled study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venerology and in the Poisoning Consultation Center of Baghdad Teaching Hospital between May 2009 to January 2010. Forty- five male patients with acne vulgaris, their a
... Show MoreIntersectionality is a concept that focuses on social inequality towards black people and provides an analytical instruments for creating social justice issues in such a way in order to depict how social marginalization, or privilege occurs differently in various social positions. It does this by focusing on the interaction of multiple systems of oppression. Intersectionality is used to examines how the social factors; race, gender, and class can affect the people’s life especially the immigrants, black people, and refuges. This article will depicts how blacks in Canada are segregated and distinguished from white race. David Chariandy’s I’ve Been Meaning To Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter 2018 is analyzed through Kimberle Crenshaw
... Show MoreIntersectionality is a concept that focuses on social inequality towards black people and provides an analytical instruments for creating social justice issues in such a way in order to depict how social marginalization, or privilege occurs differently in various social positions. It does this by focusing on the interaction of multiple systems of oppression. Intersectionality is used to examines how the social factors; race, gender, and class can affect the people’s life especially the immigrants, black people, and refuges. This article will depicts how blacks in Canada are segregated and distinguished from white race. David Chariandy’s I’ve Been Meaning To Tell You: A Letter to My Daughter 2018 is analyzed through Kimberle Crenshaw
... Show MoreThe importance of this topic may not be overlooked by many of the specialists, because it is one the sciences of the Arabic language, but it is an important method in the field of influencing the recipient and his aesthetic ability to create influential images as well.
The talking about Semantic (Badi'iyah)is as old as the Arabic age, so it may be talking about it not the new thing because the people who specialized have preceded us and exhausted all the talk .