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.
In general, the importance of cluster analysis is that one can evaluate elements by clustering multiple homogeneous data; the main objective of this analysis is to collect the elements of a single, homogeneous group into different divisions, depending on many variables. This method of analysis is used to reduce data, generate hypotheses and test them, as well as predict and match models. The research aims to evaluate the fuzzy cluster analysis, which is a special case of cluster analysis, as well as to compare the two methods—classical and fuzzy cluster analysis. The research topic has been allocated to the government and private hospitals. The sampling for this research was comprised of 288 patients being treated in 10 hospitals. As t
... Show MoreThis study aims to show, the strength of steel beam-concrete slab system without using shear connectors (known as a non-composite action), where the effect of the friction force between the concrete slab and the steel beam has been investigated, by using finite element simulation.
The proposed finite element model has been verified based on comparison with an experimental work. Then, the model was adopted to study the system strength with a different steel beam and concrete slab profile. ABAQUS has been adopted in the preparation of all numerical models for this study.
After validation of the numerical models, a parametric study was conducted, with linear and non-linear Regression analysis. An equation re
... 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 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 MoreThe main objective of the present research is to conduct a thorough investigation into the impact of construction joints on the structural performance of reinforced concrete deep beams. This study involves a series of experimental tests and the use of advanced numerical analysis techniques to gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of these beams in the presence of construction joints. The experimental component incorporates analysis findings from both previous and current research. Specifically, six reinforced concrete deep beam specimens featuring horizontal and inclined construction joints were utilized as simply being supported with two-point loading. The test findings indicate that the presence of a horizontal construction
... Show MoreWriting plays an effective role in developing one's thinking and
enhancing Learning. It is, in fact, a means of widening one's own views about
the world for the numerous uses that it can serve (Samuel, 1988:28).
In regard to the unquestionable significance of writing in the teaching –
Learning process, the traditional approach seems to be far from being able to
put such significance into practice. Traditionalists give priority to formulating
students' ideas before using prescribed rhetorical framework and then
submitting the written product for grading. Emphasis is, therefore, limited to the
prewriting stage where a certain topic is explored, and the role of the teacher is
confined to assigning the topic and
A composite section is made up of a concrete slab attached to a steel beam by means of shear connectors. Under positive and negative bending moment, part of the slab will act as a flange of the beam, resisting the longitudinal compression or tension force. When the spacing between girders becomes large, it is evident that the simple beam theory does not strictly apply because the longitudinal stress in the flange will vary with distance from the girder web, the flange being more highly stressed over the web than in the extremities. This phenomenon is termed "shear lag". In this paper, a nonlinear three-dimensional finite element analysis is employed to evaluate and determine the actual effective slab width of the composite steel-concrete
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