Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering最新文献

Post-tensioning self-centering walls are a well-developed and resilient technology. However, despite extensive research, the application of this technology has previously been limited to low-rise buildings. A ten-story self-centering wall building has now been designed and constructed using the state-of-art design methodologies and construction detailing, as described in this paper. The building is designed in accordance with direct displacement-based design methodology, with modification of seismic demand due to relevant issues including higher-mode effects, second order effects, torsional effects, and flexural deformation of wall panels. Wall sections are designed with external energy-dissipating devices of steel dampers, and seismic performance of such designed self-centering walls is evaluated through numerical simulation. It is the first engineering project that uses self-centering walls in a high-rise building. The seismic design procedure of such a high-rise building, using self-centering wall structures, is comprehensively reviewed in this work, and additional proposals are put forward. Description of construction detailing, including slotted beams, flexible wall-to-floor connections, embedded beams, and damper installation, is provided. The demonstration project promotes the concept of seismic resilient structures and contributes to the most appealing city planning strategy of resilient cities at present. The paper could be a reference for industry engineers to promote the self-centering wall systems worldwide.

Full-scale dome structures intrinsically have numerous sources of irreducible aleatoric uncertainties. A large-scale numerical simulation of the dome structure is required to quantify the effects of these sources on the dynamic performance of the structure using the finite element method (FEM). To reduce the heavy computational burden, a surrogate model of a dome structure was constructed to solve this problem. The dynamic global sensitivity of elastic and elastoplastic structures was analyzed in the uncertainty quantification framework using fully quantitative variance- and distribution-based methods through the surrogate model. The model considered the predominant sources of uncertainty that have a significant influence on the performance of the dome structure. The effects of the variables on the structural performance indicators were quantified using the sensitivity index values of the different performance states. Finally, the effects of the sample size and correlation function on the accuracy of the surrogate model as well as the effects of the surrogate accuracy and failure probability on the sensitivity index values are discussed. The results show that surrogate modeling has high computational efficiency and acceptable accuracy in the uncertainty quantification of large-scale structures subjected to earthquakes in comparison to the conventional FEM.

A novel approach based on the upper bound theory is proposed to assess the stability of excavated slopes with spatially variable clay in undrained conditions. The proposed random limit analysis is a combination of the deterministic slope stability limit analysis together with random field theory and Monte Carlo simulation. A series of analyses is conducted to verify the potential application of the proposed method and to investigate the effects of the soil undrained shear strength gradient and the spatial correlation length on slope stability. Three groups of potential sliding surfaces are identified and the occurrence probability of each sort of failure mechanism is quantified for various slope ratios. The proposed method is found to be feasible for evaluating slope reliability. The obtained results are helpful in understanding the slope failure mechanism from a quantitative point of view. The paper could provide guidance for slope targeted local reinforcement.

Quasi-rectangular shield tunneling is a cutting-edge trenchless method for constructing metro tunnels with double tubes, owing to its advantages in saving underground space and reducing ground disturbance. However, the conventional quasi-rectangular shield tunneling method is not applicable when constructing a tunnel without a center pillar, such as a scissor crossover section of a metro line. Therefore, the 0−θ tunneling method, which combines the quasi-rectangular shield and pipe jacking methods, was investigated in this study to solve the aforementioned construction challenges. This study presents a case study of the Sijiqing Station of the Hangzhou Metro Line 9 in China, in which the 0−θ method was first proposed and applied. Key techniques such as switching between two types of tunneling modes and the tunneling process control in complex construction environments were investigated. The results demonstrated that the 0−θ method can address the technical challenges presented by the post-transition line with a high curvature and a scissors crossover line. In addition, the adoption of the 0−θ method ensured that the transformation between shield tunneling and pipe jacking was safe and efficient. The ground settlement monitoring results demonstrated that the disturbance to the surrounding environment can be limited to a safe level. This case study contributes to the construction technology for a metro tunnel containing both post-transition lines with a small turning radius and a scissors crossover line. A practical construction experience and theoretical guidance were provided in this study, which are of significance for both the industry and academia.

Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) can proliferate the industrialization of the construction sector, which is notoriously conservative and indolent toward changes. However, the mechanical behavior of 3DCP should be characterized and modeled considering the interfaces when its performance is thoroughly compared to that of the existing concrete construction methods. This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation of uniaxial compression and three-point bending (TPB) tests on extruded 3DCP beams in different loading directions. The orientation of translational and depositional interfaces with respect to the direction of loading influenced the strength. Both the elastic and post-damage behavior of the 3DCP specimens were compared with those of the conventionally cast specimen under quasi-static loading conditions. Despite the higher compressive strength of the casted specimen, the flexural strength of the 3DCP specimens was higher. This study employed the finite element and cohesive zone models of the appropriate calibrated traction-separation law to model fracture in the notched TPB specimens. Furthermore, the real-time acoustic emission test revealed the nature of failure phenomenon of three-dimensional-printed specimens under flexion, and accordingly, the cohesive law was chosen. The predicted load-displacement responses are in good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the effects of cohesive thickness and notch shape on the performance under bending were explored through parametric studies.

This paper presents a case study of the clogging of a slurry-shield tunnel-boring machine (TBM) experienced during tunnel operations in clay-rich argillaceous siltstones under the Ganjiang River, China. The clogging experienced during tunneling was due to special geological conditions, which had a considerably negative impact on the slurry-shield TBM tunneling performance. In this case study, the effect of clogging on the slurry-shield TBM tunneling performance (e.g., advance speed, thrust, torque, and penetration per revolution) was fully investigated. The potential for clogging during tunnel operations in argillaceous siltstone was estimated using an existing empirical classification chart. Many improvement measures have been proposed to mitigate the clogging potential of two slurry-shield TBMs during tunneling, such as the use of an optimum cutting wheel, a replacement cutting tool, improvements to the circulation flushing system and slurry properties, mixed support integrating slurry, and compressed air to support the excavation face. The mechanisms and potential causes of clogging are explained in detail, and the contributions of these mitigation measures to tunneling performance are discussed. By investigating the actual operational parameters of the slurry-shield TBMs, these mitigation measures were proven to be effective in mitigating the clogging potential of slurry-shield TBMs. This case study provides valuable information for slurry-shield TBMs involving tunneling in clay-rich sedimentary rocks.

Abstract

Cement-based materials are brittle and crack easily under natural conditions. Cracks can reduce service life because the transport of harmful substances can cause corrosion damage to the structures. This review discusses the feasibility of using microbial self-healing agents for crack healing. Tubular and spherical carriers can be used to load microbial self-healing agents and protect microbes, which prolongs the self-healing time. The area self-healing ratio, permeability, mechanical strength, precipitation depth method, numerical modeling, and ultrasonic method can be employed to identify the self-healing effect of cracks. Moreover, the self-healing mechanism is systematically analyzed. The results showed that microbial self-healing agents can repair cracks in cement-based materials in underground projects and dam gates. The difficulties and future development of self-healing cracks were analyzed. A microbial self-healing agent was embedded in the cement-based material, which automatically repaired the developing cracks. With the development of intelligent building materials, self-healing cracks have become the focus of attention.

The deterioration of the microscopic pore structure of concrete under external sulfate attack (ESA) is a primary cause of degradation. Nevertheless, little effort has been invested in exploring the temporal and spatial development of the porosity of concrete under ESA. This study proposes a mechanical–chemical model to simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of the porosity. A relationship between the corrosion damage and amount of ettringite is proposed based on the theory of volume expansion. In addition, the expansion strain at the macro-scale is obtained using a stress analysis model of composite concentric sphere elements and the micromechanical mean-field approach. Finally, considering the influence of corrosion damage and cement hydration on the diffusion of sulfate ions, the expansion deformation and porosity space–time distribution are obtained using the finite difference method. The results demonstrate that the expansion strains calculated using the suggested model agree well with previously reported experimental results. Moreover, the tricalcium aluminate concentration, initial elastic modulus of cement paste, corrosion damage, and continuous hydration of cement significantly affect concrete under ESA. The proposed model can forecast and assess the porosity of concrete covers and provide a credible approach for determining the residual life of concrete structures under ESA.

Abstract

This paper proposes an innovative column composed of a core column (including both reinforced concrete (RC) and plain concrete (PC) columns) and a prefabricated textile-reinforced fine concrete (TRC) shell. To study the confinement properties of TRC shells on this novel type of concrete column, 20 circular specimens, including 12 PC columns and 8 RC columns, were prepared for axial compressive tests. Four key parameters, including the column size, reinforcing ratio of the carbon textile, concrete strength, and stirrup spacing, were evaluated. The results indicated that the compressive properties of the columns were improved by increasing the reinforcing ratio of the textile layers. In the case of TRC-confined PC columns, the maximum improvement in the peak load was 56.3%, and for TRC-confined RC columns, the maximum improvement was 60.2%. Based on the test results, an analytical model that can be used to calculate the stress–strain curves of prefabricated TRC shell-confined concrete columns has been proposed. The calculated curves predicted by the proposed model agreed well with the test results.

Abstract

Based on significant improvements in engineering materials, three advanced engineering measures have been proposed—super anchor cables, high-strength concrete anti-fault caverns, and grouting modification using high-strength concrete-to resist fault dislocation in the surrounding rock near tunnels crossing active strike-slip faults. Moreover, single- or multiple-joint advanced engineering measures form the local rock mass-anti-fault (LRAF) method. A numerical method was used to investigate the influence of LRAF methods on the stress and displacement fields of the surrounding rock, and the anti-fault effect was evaluated. Finally, the mechanism of action of the anchor cable was verified using a three-dimensional numerical model. The numerical results indicated that the anchor cable and grouting modification reduced the displacement gradient of the local surrounding rock near the tunnels crossing fault. Furthermore, anchor cable and grouting modifications changed the stress field of the rock mass in the modified area. The tensile stress field of the rock mass in the modified anchor cable area was converted into a compressive stress field. The stress field in the modified grouting area changed from shear stress in the fault slip direction to tensile stress in the axial tunnel direction. The anti-fault cavern resisted the dislocation displacement and reduced the maximum dislocation magnitude, displacement gradient, and shear stress. Among the three advanced engineering measures, the anchor cable was the core of the three advanced engineering measures. An anchor cable, combined with other LRAF measures, can form an artificial safety island at the cross-fault position of the rock mass to protect the tunnel. The research results provide a new supporting idea for the surrounding rock of tunnels crossing active strike-slip faults.