Studies on the flexural behavior of post-tensioned beams subjected to strand damage and strengthened with near-surface mounted (NSM) technique using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) are limited and fail to examine the effect of CFRP laminates on strand strain and strengthening efficiency systematically. Furthermore, a design approach for UPC structures in existing design guidelines for FRP strengthening techniques is lacking. Hence, the behavior of post-tensioned beams strengthened with NSM-CFRP laminates after partial strand damage is investigated in this study. The testing program consists of seven post-tensioned beams strengthened by NSM-CFRP laminates with three partial strand damage ratios (14.3% symmetrical damage, 14.3%

Glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement provides an effective alternative to conventional steel in concrete structures due to its corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, the lower elastic modulus of GFRP necessitates careful consideration of serviceability behavior in GFRP-reinforced concrete members. This study presents a numerical sectional analysis model for predicting the flexural response and ultimate capacity of hybrid reinforced concrete beams incorporating embedded GFRP profiles in combination with either mild steel or GFRP reinforcement bars under monotonic static loading. The proposed model employs realistic nonlinear stress–strain relationships for concrete and steel, together with secant moduli of elasticity

Glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement provides an effective alternative to conventional steel in concrete structures due to its corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, the lower elastic modulus of GFRP necessitates careful consideration of serviceability behavior in GFRP-reinforced concrete members. This study presents a numerical sectional analysis model for predicting the flexural response and ultimate capacity of hybrid reinforced concrete beams incorporating embedded GFRP profiles in combination with either mild steel or GFRP reinforcement bars under monotonic static loading. The proposed model employs realistic nonlinear stress–strain relationships for concrete and steel, together with secant moduli of elasticity

Composite steel-concrete sections have a broad benefit through increasing structural strength as well as minimizing the self-loads. All past researches were concerned with pre-installed shear connectors (PRSC) in the manufacturing of composite sections. A new fabrication technique for steel-concrete-steel composite sections were presented in the current study by the post-installation shear connectors (POSC) passed-through an embedded polymerizing vinyl chloride (PVC) pipes. The performance of normal strength concrete prisms with a specified strength of 32 MPa connected to square steel tubes (SST) was investigated. Six specimens were fabricated in both methodologies, PRSC and POSC were experimentally tested by Push-out test. The spac

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder caused by impaired insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and insulin resistance in target tissues. Genome-wide association studies have identified over 50 genetic variants linked to T2DM, including polymorphisms associated with the disease. This study investigates the impact of the FADS1 (rs174547) polymorphism in T2DM patients compared to healthy controls and examines serum levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as D5D and D6D enzyme levels and activity. This case–control study included 120 participants: 60 newly diagnosed T2DM patients and 60 apparently healthy controls matched for age, sex, and other sociodemographic factors. Polyunsaturated fatt

Parasitic diseases can affect infection with COVID-19 obviously, as protective agents, or by reducing severity of this viral infection. This current review mentions the common symptoms between human parasites and symptoms of COVID-19, and explains the mechanism actions of parasites, which may prevent or reduce severity of this viral infection. Pre-existing parasitic infections provide prohibition against pathogenicity of COVID-19, by altering the balance of gut microbiota that can vary the immune response to this virus infection.  

Flexure members such as reinforced concrete (RC) simply supported beams subjected to two-point loading were analyzed numerically. The Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was employed for the treatment the non-smooth h behaviour such as discontinuities and singularities. This method is a powerful technique used for the analysis of the fracture process and crack propagation in concrete. Concrete is a heterogeneous material that consists of coarse aggregate, cement mortar and air voids distributed in the cement paste. Numerical modeling of concrete comprises a two-scale model, using mesoscale and macroscale numerical models. The effectiveness and validity of the Meso-Scale Approach (MSA) in modeling of the reinforced concrete beams w