Yes / A full-scale composite floor plate was tested to investigate the flexural behavior and in-plane effects of the floor slab in a grillage of composite beams that reduces the tendency for longitudinal splitting of the concrete slab along the line of the primary beams. This is important in cases where the steel decking is discontinuous when it is orientated parallel to the beams. In this case, it is important to demonstrate that the amount of transverse reinforcement required to transfer local forces from the shear connectors can be reduced relative to the requirements of Eurocode 4. The mechanism under study involved in-plane compression forces being developed in the slab due to the restraining action of the floor plate, which was held in position by the peripheral composite beams; while the secondary beams acted as transverse ties to resist the forces in the floor plate that would otherwise lead to splitting of the slab along the line of the primary beams. The tendency for cracking along the center line of the primary beam and at the peripheral beams was closely monitored. This is the first large floor plate test that has been carried out under laboratory conditions since the Cardington tests in the early 1990s, although those tests were not carried out to failure. This floor plate test was designed so that the longitudinal force transferred by the primary beams was relatively high (i.e., it was designed for full shear connection), but the transverse reinforcement was taken as the minimum of 0.2% of the concrete area. The test confirmed that the primary beams reached their plastic bending resistance despite the discontinuous decking and transverse reinforcement at the minimum percentage given in Eurocode 4. Based on this test, a reduction factor due to shear connectors at edge beams without U-bars is proposed.

Yes / Eccentric compression behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) columns reinforced by steel-FRP composite bars (SFCBs) was investigated through experimental work and theoretical analyses. The tension and compression test results show that SFCBs demonstrate a stable post-yield stiffness. The mechanical properties of the composite reinforcement have a significant influence on eccentric compression behaviour of the reinforced concrete columns, in terms of failure mode, crack width, deformation and bearing capacity. Formulae were also developed to discriminate failure mode and to determine moment magnification factor, bearing capacity and crack width of the columns studied, with the theoretical predictions being in a good agreement with the experimental results. In addition, parametric studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of mechanical properties of reinforcement, reinforcement ratio, eccentricity, slenderness ratio, types of reinforcement and concrete on the eccentric compression behaviour of RC columns. The results show that the compressive performance is significantly improved by using the high performance concrete, i.e. reactive powder concrete (RPC) and engineered cementious composites (ECC). / financial supports of the work by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51678514), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (BK20201436), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2018M642335), the Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Construction System (2018ZD047), the Deputy General Manager Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Province (FZ20200869), the Cooperative Education Project of Ministry of Education, China (201901273053), the Blue Project Youth Academic Leader of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (2020), the Six Talent Peaks Project of Jiangsu Province (JZ-038, 2016), the Yangzhou University Top Talents Support Project and the Jiangsu Government Scholarship for Overseas Studies.

Yes / This paper presents test results of eccentrically loaded concrete columns reinforced with steel-fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bars (SFCBs) subjected to chloride corrosion. The first stage of the experimental work explored the tensile and compressive tests of various reinforcements (SFCBs with different cross section, steel and FRP bars) used in the large reinforced concrete (RC) columns after chloride corrosion with or without sustained stresses. The results showed that the tensile and compressive stress-strain relationships of SFCBs are characterised by stable secondary (post-yield) stiffness. The second stage of the testing investigated the structural performance of RC columns with various amounts and types of reinforcements, slenderness ratio, applied load eccentricity and chloride corrosion rate. The results showed that the effect of reinforcements on eccentric compression behaviour is significant. The deformation and crack width of SFCB RC columns, respectively, decreased by 12.2%~52.6% and 8.5%~71.0%, while the load capacity improved by 0.9%~18.8%, when compared with the corresponding FRP RC columns having the same eccentricity and reinforcement ratio. The use of SFCBs as the reinforcement of RC columns, especially with high reinforcement ratio or SFCBs having high area ratio of inner steel to SFCB, is beneficial to reduce the deflection and crack width as well as improve the bearing capacity utilization coefficients under serviceability limit state.

Yes / A novel prestressed precast reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column joint, composed of prestressed tendons, stiffened steel sleeves, and high-strength bolts, having improved self-centring ability and assembly efficiency is proposed in this paper. Four prestressed precast RC joints assembled by steel sleeves and one cast-in-place RC joint were tested under cyclic loading to investigate the seismic response of the proposed joint. The main parameters studied are the axial compression ratio of columns, stirrup ratio in the core area of the proposed joint and effective prestress of tendons. The energy dissipation capacity, bearing capacity, and self-centring ability of the prestressed precast RC beam-column joints assembled by steel sleeves are higher than those measured for the cast-in-place RC joint. For the prestressed precast RC joints assembled by steel sleeves, both yield and ultimate displacements increase with the increase of the axial compression ratio, stirrup ratio and effective prestress, but the ductility decreases with the increase of the axial compression ratio and effective prestress. The increasing of axial compression ratio can lead to an increase in the energy dissipation capacity, shear capacity and residual displacement. Finally, formulae to predict the shear capacity of prestressed precast RC joint assembled by steel sleeves are proposed, being in good agreement with the experimental results. / The authors would like to thank the financial support provided by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (BK20201436), the Open Foundation of Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Prefabricated Building and Intelligent Construction (2021), the Blue Project Youth Academic Leader of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (2020) and the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province, China (KYCX21_3225).

Yes / Construction and demolition waste (CDW) has reached severe environmental and economic dimensions due to its large volume among all solid waste, highlighting the importance of local actions to manage, recycle, and reuse CDW. Ductile demountable connections are necessary to disassemble and reuse the concrete structural members and fast assembly of precast structures in seismic regions without generating waste. In this study, the seismic performance of CDW-based reinforced geopolymer concrete columns has been investigated. Six ½ scaled columns (half of which were demountable and the other half monolithic) were experimentally tested under reversed cyclic lateral displacement excursions, considering three different levels of constant axial loading to determine failure mechanisms, load–displacement responses, ductilities, energy dissipation capacities, stiffness degradation relations, and curvature distributions. The obtained test results were used to determine the performance of CDWbased geopolymer concrete columns and compare the performances of the demountable connection with the monolithic connection. The test results showed that the novel demountable connection for precast concrete frames exhibited better seismic performance in terms of maximum lateral load capacity, initial stiffness, energy dissipation capacity, and maximum curvature than their monolithic counterparts. Besides, increasing the axial compression ratio on the columns caused an increase in lateral load capacity, energy dissipation capacity, energy dissipation ratio, and initial curvature stiffness; however, it decreased the ductility. Finally, the capacity predictions of current codes, i.e., TS500 and ACI318, were conservative when compared with experimental results. / This publication is a part of doctoral dissertation work by the first author in the Academic Program of Civil Engineering, Institute of Science, Hacettepe University. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No: 869336, ICEBERG (Innovative Circular Economy Based solutions demonstrating the Efficient recovery of valuable material Resources from the Generation of representative End-of-Life building material). This work was also supported by Newton Prize 2020. The fifth and seventh authors acknowledge the financial support received from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie SkłodowskaCurie grant agreement No 894100. / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 4th Oct 2024.

With the global demand for reliable water management infrastructure, Xylem has identified the need for improved cable handling to prevent failures and extend the lifespan of their stormwater equipment. This thesis explores the development of an improved cable suspension system for Flygt column pumps, focusing on enhancing durability and reducing installation complexity through design and product development. The focus of the research is to improve the reliability and functionality of the cable suspension system while ensuring compatibility with existing column and pump system designs. The thesis captures the insights of industry professionals through interviews and benchmarking of other existing solutions on the market. A literature study is conducted to provide the theoretical framework for the product development of a new system. In addition, an observational study of a pump installation is carried out to gain real-life experience of installation conditions. An analysis of the current situation and system design provides the necessary information to generate ideas and formulate design requirements. The ideation phase involved a brainstorming session and a SCAMPER session aimed at generating new and diverse concepts for the cable suspension system. Initial ideas included implementing multimedia instructions through QR codes, changing the position of the cables, and improving the transportation routine. Several product development methods were employed, including the use of morphological charts. Combined User Journey Maps and storyboards were created to refine the ideas into whole-package concepts. The concepts were evaluated against the project specifications through Pugh matrix analysis and by conducting final interviews to verify the results and findings. Finally, the research questions are addressed. These include an examination of the existing cable suspension systems currently in use, an analysis of the installation process and an investigation into the reasons why some clients do not adhere to recommended practices. The study concludes with recommendations for the design of Xylem's Flygt column pumps future cable suspension system. The study proposes a new concept for the cable suspension system that improves ease of maintenance and reduces the risk of cable damage during installation and transportation. The concept includes the use of multi-media instructions, simpler components and safer installation. The recommendations also include suggestions for future research and potential improvements based on findings from the research, ideation, and development phases.

Exact dynamic programming algorithms for planning problems that are represented as partially observable Markov decision processes rely on a subroutine that removes, or ``prunes", dominated vectors from sets of vectors that represent piecewise-linear and convex value functions. The classic vector pruning subroutine solves one linear program per vector, where the number of variables is equal to the size of the state space and the number of constraints is equal to the number of vectors shown so far to be undominated. Thus, its scalability is limited not only by the number of linear programs it solves, but especially by their size. Recent work shows how to improve the performance of this vector pruning subroutine by limiting the number of constraints in the linear programs it solves, using a row-generation technique. This work shows how to further improve its performance by similarly limiting the number of variables using a column-generation technique, which improves scalability with respect to the size of the state space. This new technique allows vector pruning to be used for problems with a much larger state space than was previously possible. Additionally, the most widely used dynamic programming algorithm for solving partially observable Markov decision processes is bottlenecked by vector pruning during its cross-sum step. This work adapts geometrical insights for speeding up the cross-sum step to the row and column generation technique, showing how to improve its performance even further. These techniques speed up exact algorithms for solving POMDPs as well as related optimization problems with hidden variables for which similar vector pruning techniques are used, such as multi-objective planning problems, partially observable stochastic games, and in a recent variable elimination algorithm for influence diagrams.

La séparation des C8 aromatiques par Lit Mobile Simulé (LMS) permet d'obtenir du paraxylène (PX) pur. Les autres composés du mélange sont recyclés dans un réacteur afin d'être isomérisés puis séparés à nouveau. La charge du LMS est composée à environ 75% par ce flux de recyclage. L'intégration de la réaction dans le LMS, réalisée en intercalant des réacteurs d'isomérisation entre les lits d'adsorbant de la zone 3 (procédé LMS Réactif, LMSR), doit permettre une réduction de ce flux de recyclage.L'objectif de cette thèse est de développer une méthodologie d'étude des procédés de type Lit Mobile Simulé (LMS) et Lit Mobile Simulé Réactif (LMSR) basée sur :-un outil expérimental simplifié : le pilote One-column réactif (OCR)-des simulateurs One-column réactif ou non qui seront validés par les résultats expérimentaux du pilote-des simulateurs LMS et LMSR permettant d'accéder aux résultats des procédés industriels.Les simulations de One-column (OC) montrent une bonne sensibilité aux paramètres clés de la séparation des C8 aromatiques (sélectivité PX/EB et diffusion intracristalline). Les résultats expérimentaux font ressortir des difficultés importantes à mettre en œuvre le OC expérimentalement. Plusieurs hypothèses sont exposées pour expliquer les résultats obtenus mais les difficultés rencontrées limitent, en l'état, l'utilisation du pilote pour l'étude de la séparation (réactive ou non) des C8 aromatiques.L'étude du LMSR effectuée par simulation montre l'importance du nombre et de l'emplacement des réacteurs ainsi que de l'intégration du LMSR dans la boucle de production de PX. L'usage du LMSR pour la production de PX permet une réduction importante du débit de recyclage / Today, pure paraxylene (PX) is mainly obtained from a mix of C8 aromatics by a separation process based on adsorption: the Simulated Moving Bed (SMB). The other components of the blend are sent to an isomerisation reactor and are recycled to the SMB. 75% of the SMB feed flow rate come from this recycle flow. Coupling reaction and separation by inserting isomerisation reactors between the adsorption beds of the third zone (Simulated Moving Bed Reactor, SMBR) should allow a reduction of this recycling flow rate.The main objective of this thesis is to develop a new methodology for studying SMB and SMBR processes based on:- a simplify experimental tool : the One-column reactive (OCR) pilot unit- simulators of the OCR which will be validated by the experimental results obtain on the pilot unit- simulators of SMB and SMBR processes which give access to industrial processes results.Simulation results show that OC system seem to be sensitive to key parameters of C8 aromatics separation (PX/EB selectivity and micropore diffusivity). Results on the pilot unit highlight the difficulties to implement an experimental OC. Hypothesis are given to explain those results but, without modification, OCR pilot unit cannot be used to study xylene separation (with or without reaction).SMBR study done by simulation shows the impact of the placement and the number of reactors. Integration of SMBR in the global PX production scheme is also essential. SMBR allows an important reduction of recycling flow rate (up to 50%).

Ce travail contribue à l'acquisition des connaissances sur les mécanismes et les facteurs contrôlant le transfert des éléments traces dans le système sol-nappes d'eaux souterraines. Le nombre de plus en plus important de sols contaminés par les éléments traces potentiellement toxiques suite aux activités industries a reçu beaucoup d'attention au cours des deux dernières décennies. Les polluants accumulés dans ces sols peuvent alors être transférés dans différents compartiments de l'environnement en fonction de leur origine, leur spéciation et les conditions physico-chimiques et biologiques du milieu. Ainsi, une des problématiques est la pollution des nappes d'eau souterraine par ces éléments traces. Les flux massiques d'éléments traces dans les sols vers les nappes d'eau souterraines sont un paramètre d'entrée important pour prévoir le devenir des pollutions des aquifères et donc à évaluer le potentiel de la contamination des ressources en eau potable. L’objectif de cette thèse a été de proposer une méthode de mesure des flux en laboratoire qui permette de simuler au mieux les conditions naturelles des transferts des éléments traces vers les nappes. Pour cela, nous avons mis au point une colonne de laboratoire non-saturée. Cette colonne a été testée dans différentes conditions de lixiviation, comparée aux méthodes de lixiviations normées et testée en condition d’immobilisation des éléments traces lors de l’apport d’amendements. Dans un premier temps, la colonne de laboratoire permet de diminuer l’erreur sur l’estimation des flux. Elle permet des mettre en évidence des phénomènes de sorption, désorption et complexation des éléments traces sur les substrats, contrôlant ainsi les transferts verticaux.Dans un deuxième temps nous avons évaluer l’effet d’amendements minéraux sur la mobilité des éléments traces sur deux sols contaminés par des extractions chimiques. Nous avons ensuite étudié la lixiviation de ces éléments suite à l’apport d’amendements: de l’hydroxyapatite et de la Grenaille d’acier dans ces deux sols en utilisant les colonnes de sol développés précédemment. L'étude de la localisation des éléments traces sur les minéraux nouvellement formés suite à l'apport de ces amendements minéraux et leur interaction avec les constituants minéraux d'origine des sols (microscopie couplé à des spectromètres de fluorescence X) nous a permis de comprendre et de déterminer les réactions mis en jeu au cours de la lixiviation de ces éléments. Ainsi, l’apport d’hydroxyapatite (HA) et de Grenaille d’acier (GA) ont permis de diminuer significativement les concentrations en Cd, Zn dans les lixiviats. En revanche, l’apport de HA et GA aux sols augmente significativement la libération de As (dans le cas de HA) et Pb suite a l’apport de GA et HA. Les phases minérales porteuses de ces éléments traces, ont pu être caractériser et ainsi les mécanismes responsables de l’immobilisation ou du relargage ont pu être identifiés. / This work contributes to the knowledge of the mechanisms and factors controlling the transfer of trace elements, particularly in the soil- groundwater pathway. Extensive soil contamination with potentially toxic traces elements from various industries has in many industrialized countries received significant attention over the last two decades. Mass fluxes of trace elements in soils to groundwater are important input parameter for predicting the fate of pollution of aquifers and thus to assess the potential for contamination of drinking water resources. The objective of this study was to propose a method for measuring the fluxes in laboratory to simulate the natural conditions. For this, we have developed an unsaturated soil column. This column was then tested in various leaching conditions (compared to standardized leaching methods and tested under conditions of immobilization of trace elements). At first, the laboratory column reduces the error in the estimation of flux. And allows to highlight sorption, desorption and complexation of trace elements on the substrates. In a second step we evaluate the effect of mineral amendments on the mobility of trace elements in two contaminated soils (extraction), the study their location on the newly formed minerals (microscopy coupled with X-ray fluorescence spectrometers) and finally the leaching of these. The addition of hydroxyapatite (HA) and Steel Shot (GA) have significantly reduced the concentrations of Cd, Zn and As (in the case of the contribution of GA). In contrast, the addition of HA and GA in soils significantly increases the release of As (in the case of HA) and Pb following the addition of GA and HA). Mineral phases carrying these trace elements have been well characterized and the mechanisms responsible for the retention or release have been identified.

Neste trabalho estudou-se o comportamento de uma ligação viga-pilar de estrutura pré-moldada parcialmente resistente a momento fletor quando submetida a momentos negativos e positivos. A ligação estudada é composta por dois chumbadores inclinados presos à viga através de chapa metálica, porcas e arruelas e uma capa de concreto com armadura longitudinal passando por dentro do pilar. No programa experimental foram elaborados dois modelos submetidos a carregamentos alternados, em ciclos e de curta duração. Em seguida foi desenvolvido um modelo analítico para cálculo dos momentos resistentes e feita uma simulação numérica para avaliar a influência da semi-rigidez da ligação em estruturas típicas de concreto pré-moldado. Os resultados experimentais indicaram que a ligação apresenta uma boa capacidade de transmissão a momento fletor negativo e a momento fletor positivo com um comportamento bastante dúctil. Sem a necessidade de grandes alterações de custos e de execução, a ligação proposta promoveu uma redução significativa dos momentos na base dos pilares (aproximadamente 50%) quando comparada à ligação articulada. Quando comparada à ligação similar, porém com os chumbadores retilíneos, há um aumento superior a 2,5 vezes no momento de plastificação e de 3 vezes na rigidez no sentido do momento fletor positivo / In this research the behavior of a partial moment resistant beam-to-column connection in precast concrete subjected to negative and positive moments was studied. This connection has two inclined dowels fixed to the beam with steel plate, washer and nut and a concrete cap with longitudinal reinforced bars passing trough the column. In the experimental program two prototypes was made and subjected to an alternative cyclic e short duration load. Afterwards it was develop an analytical model and a numerical simulation to analyze the influence of the semi-rigid connection in a typical precast structure. The experimental results shown that the connection has a good capacity of transmitte the bending moments and has a ductile behave. Without any significative difference of cost and manufacture, the connection studied promoted a reduction on the column base bending moment (approximately 50%) when compared to pinned connection. When compared to similar structures but with a vertical dowel, the connection presents strength over 2.5 times and over 3 times the stiffens for positive bending moments