bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BOND BEHAVIOR OF LIGHTWEIGHT FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE
Authors: Holschemacher Klaus , Ali Ahsan , Iqbal Shahid
Published: March 2020

In construction industry lightweight concrete and fiber reinforced concrete are being used for many years. The former is known for brittle nature, light in weight and low thermal conductivity properties. It also offers better workability when compared to the normal weight concrete for the same slump value. These properties are however affected by addition of discrete fibers. Among the affected properties is also the bond between steel and concrete surrounding it. The integrity of a reinforced concrete member is not ensured in the absence of adequate bond. Due to limited literature on the subject matter, an experimental program was carried out to understand the bond behavior in lightweight concrete after fiber inclusion. For the purpose modified pull-out specimens made of Lightweight Fiber Reinforced Concrete (LWFC) were tested. Hooked end steel fibers having length 35 mm and diameter 0.5 mm (l/d = 0.7) were incorporated in dosages of 0, 20, and 40 kg/m3. Besides pull-out specimens, testes were also carried out for fresh and hardened properties of LWFC. Tests results indicate higher pull-out loads for higher fiber contents. The average increase in ultimate bond strength was observed at 28% and 2% for 40 kg/m3 and 20 kg/m3 fiber contents respectively. The fresh concrete density, compressive strength of mixes reduced and air-content values increased with increase in fiber content.
COMPRESSION CAPACITY OF SLENDER STAINLESS STEEL CROSS-SECTIONS
Authors: Ahmed Shameem , Ashraf Mahmud
Published: March 2020

The Continuous Strength Method (CSM) is a new strain based design approach developed for nonlinear metallic materials, and has recently been successfully used for stocky stainless steel sections for which the benefit of strain hardening is more pronounced. Typically available stainless steel cross-sections are quite slender, and their failure is dominated by local plate buckling before yielding showing significant post buckling, which does not allow the definition of cross-section deformation capacity currently adopted in CSM. In this paper, a concept of equivalent elastic deformation capacity is introduced for slender sections, and the scope of CSM is extended to predict capacities for slender cross-sections under compression. Design guidelines are proposed to calculate equivalent elastic deformation capacities for various cross-section types using the current knowledge of CSM, which is used to predict the ultimate section capacity when subjected to compression. The proposed rules are verified against all available test results, and are found to in good agreement with experimental evidence.
EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF CONCENTRICALLY LOADED PRE-STRESSING CONCRETE-FILLED STEEL TUBULAR COLUMNS
Authors: Mwafy Aman , El-Dieb Amr , Lazkani Abdulaziz
Published: March 2020

Although expansive additives are frequently used in contemporary concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures to improve the bond between concrete and steel tubes, little information is available regarding their influence on the mechanical characteristics of CFST columns. This reflects the pressing need to investigate the impacts of the pre-stressing achieved through the expansive additives, especially on the concrete confinement and axial load capacity of CFST. This paper thus discusses the results of concentric load tests carried out for 12 pre-stressing CFST columns to assess their axial load capacity and modes of failure. The main parameters investigated are the concrete compressive strength (40, 50 and 90 MPa) and the dosage of the expansive agent (0%, 6%, 12% and 24% by mass of cement). The results indicate that the axial load capacity is improved by increasing both the concrete compressive strength and the expansive additive dosage. The expansive additive has an important influence on the confinement effect of CFST. The paper presents new test results that contribute to fill a gap in the literature and provides insights into the behavior of concentrically loaded pre-stressing CFST columns.
REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS USING LOCALLY MANUFACTURED STEEL BARS: INVESTIGATION OF FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR
Authors: Mourad Shehab , Charif Abdelhamid , Khan Iqbal
Published: March 2020

While much attention has been and continue deservedly to be given to the effect of the variability of concrete strength and properties on the response of reinforced concrete structures, there is little, if any, information on the effects of variability of steel strength. Steel mechanical properties, including its yield strength, can significantly exceed the minimum nominal strength values for a specific grade of steel depending on the steel manufacturing processes. Such an increase in yield strength can have negative effects on the flexural behavior of beams designed as tension controlled, and reduce their ductility, an essential property in seismic resisting structures. An experimental and analytical study of the flexural behavior of RC beams was conducted through the investigation of the Moment-Curvature relationships and the ultimate steel strains. The main variable was the level of the actual steel yield stress as compared to the nominal value. It was found that unexpectedly high values of steel yield stress reduce the beam ductility and violate the tension-control condition, which was enforced in the design stage. Appropriate design corrections are proposed to account for high yield stress values in order to achieve the desired ductility of beams while maintaining the moment capacities.
COST CALCULATION IN PREFABRICATED TIMBER CONSTRUCTION: METHODOLOGY OF ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Authors: Schlagbauer Dieter , Koppelhuber Joerg , Heck Detlef
Published: March 2020

Cost calculations within the construction industry can be performed at various levels of detail. Starting at a very general level using component-dependent cost parameters (eg: cost per cubic meter of gross volume [€/m]) the calculation can be done in the most detailed method by evaluation the individual cost components (material, equipment and labor) separately for every single task. For the traditional construction operations like masonry or concreting works a lot of information is provided to determine the performance values within a close range. For the field of cross laminated timber (CLT) constructions these substantially basics are not well established yet. The actual calculations are often based on in-house knowledge of timber companies without cross company references. To enhance the calculation basics a modified REFA analysis method (REFA 1984, Schlagbauer, Heck and Hofmann 2011) was conducted to collect on site observation data. The results of the task distribution analysis showed very similar results compared to other construction works on the level activities and interruptions with a mean value of approximately 75 % activities. But at a closer look greater deviations were found as main CLT-tasks have a value of 59% compared to masonry work (38%) or concreting work (51%). This bigger share of main activities within CLT works can especially explained by the high level of prefabrication work but has to be considered within the calculation.
REVIEW AND ADOPT A TOOL FOR MEASURING SAFETY CLIMATE IN INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Authors: Gao Ran , Chan Albert P. C. , Utama Wahyudi P. , Zahoor Hafiz
Published: March 2020

The construction industry is deemed to be one of the most dangerous industries worldwide due to its special characteristics of production process. Globalization has brought about an increasing number of construction companies involving themselves in the international construction market. Due to involvement of participants from different countries and regions, international construction projects possess complexities from national, organizational and individual perspectives which may affect construction safety management adversely and lead to unsatisfactory safety performance. Safety climate, defined as “a unified set of cognitions regarding the safety aspects of the organization”, is often considered to be a predictor of safety behavior and performance. After conducting a comprehensive review of existing literature related to safety climate measurement in construction sector, this study highlights several conditions for selecting suitable safety climate instruments specific in international construction projects.
PRICE PRESSURE ON PLANNERS’ FEES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE PLANNING QUALITY
Authors: Bauer Bernhard , Heck Detlef
Published: March 2020

Architects and engineers characterize themselves by their creativity, high capability of innovation, and strong professional ethics. Their knowledge and skills provide the basis for high building quality, but therefore require an appropriate salary. Even though the requirements are high, the Austrian market for planning services forces professionals to give enormous discounts on their calculated fees. To figure out the consequences of this price pressure on planners’ fees, quantitative and qualitative analysis methods of empirical social research were applied. Research shows a relationship between price pressure on planners’ fees and the loss of quality of their planning services. With inadequate planners’ fees, planners reduce their service effort to such an extent that the costs of planning correspond to the price achieved on a supply-driven market. Lack of detail of the project description, frequent change requests, and slow decision-making by the clients additionally pose restraints on the sufficiency of planners’ fees. The resulting loss of planning quality leads to a low planning depth or inaccurate planning, possibly even errors and defects and, ultimately, inefficient solutions. It furthermore translates into a lower quality of the building and higher total building costs.
RECYCLABILITY OF FLY ASH CONCRETE PAVEMENT MADE WITH LIMESTONE AGGREGATE
Authors: Yoshitake Isamu , Ishida Takeo , Fukumoto Sunao
Published: March 2020

The present study aims to develop a recyclable concrete pavement incorporating fly ash. All aggregates used in the concrete were crushed limestone sand and gravel, so the concrete pavement can be recycled into raw materials for cement production. To use fly ash as much as possible and to obtain adequate strength development, the present study focuses on pavement concrete made with cement-replacement ratio of 40% by mass. The foci of the study were to confirm the recyclability for cement production and to evaluate the applicability of the recyclable pavement concrete. Portland cement was made with the fly ash concrete to examine fundamental properties of the cement. Physical and chemical properties of the recycled cement were tested and compared to the properties of ordinary Portland cement defined in Japanese standards. The fundamental tests confirmed that the physical and chemical properties of the recycled cement meet the requirements of Portland cement. It is concluded that the recyclable fly ash concrete pavement having high early strength is a preferred material in terms of sustainability.
STUDY ON FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF RECYCLED AGGREGATE CONCRETE BEAMS USING GLASS FIBERS
Authors: Bhikshma V. , Kumar K. Pradeep
Published: March 2020

In this work, an attempt is made to investigate the influence of the glass fiber on the natural and recycled aggregate concrete. Ten beams of size 1500 mm x150 mm x 230 mm were cast and curing was done for 28 days. The flexural behavior of beams is studied in the present work with glass fiber for recycled aggregate concrete. There was total of five batches of concrete mixes for the grade M30 for natural and recycled aggregate. The glass fibers were added in proportion by 0.50%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% by weight of cement. The load carrying capacity of specimens with 100% (RCA) with 2% fiber content is increased by 14% compared to that of 100% (RCA) with 0.5% fiber content. Compared to beam A (NCA) 0%fibre, the moment of beam E (RCA) at 2%fibre is decreased by 6%. The investigations indicated encouraging results for Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) beams with glass fibers in all aspects, thus, pointing to recycled aggregate as potential alternative source of aggregate.
SENSITIVITY OF SUB-TASK REQUIREMENTS TOWARDS QUALITY DEVIATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS
Authors: Almusharraf Abdullah , Whyte Andrew
Published: March 2020

Studies on the construction defects and quality deviations have been commissioned and published in many countries, showing the global status of the issues related with construction defects. Therefore, the quality of the adapted practices in construction projects can be improved if the pattern of the sub-task, specifically the quality deviations and construction defects from the requirements and specifications is identified and understood. The aim of this study is to improve understanding of the pattern of the more sensitivity sub-task requirements (STRs) through examine the number of ppm are non-conforming or defects. Multiple cases studies were conducted include 3,030 samples of 17 Sub-tasks requirements STRs from compression concrete members (i.e., column).
POSITION CONTROL OF BEARING SLEEVES ON LOCKS AND DAMS WITH THE USE OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTION
Authors: Anigacz Wojciech
Published: March 2020

The problem of preserving geometric design conditions by the device of locks has been presented in the paper. The problem was illustrated by the alignment of the shaft flap bearing sleeves of the sluice on the navigable channel. The assembly design required the coaxial bearing sleeves with an accuracy of no more than 0.5 mm. Thanks to first – class measuring equipment and the author’s innovative solution (Axisymmetric telescope centring device No. EP12460083.4) protected by the European Patent Office it was possible to achieve this goal. The reference axis is determined by the axis of outside bearing sleeves previously brought to one level. The innovative device is mounted at the outside bearing sleeve on one side of the lock and the target plate is mounted in the axis on the outside sleeve on the other side of the lock. The aiming line of the telescope and center of the target plate determine the reference axis for other bearing sleeves. Thanks to the innovative solution the desired accuracy was achieved, measurement time was shortened significantly and safety conditions of persons performing measurements were improved. The invention may be applied to other similar cases.
EXPLICIT PROBABILISTIC DEMAND AND CONSEQUENCE MODELS FOR SEISMIC RISK PREDICTION
Authors: Kia Mehdi , Banazadeh Mehdi
Published: March 2020

This paper presents new probabilistic models intended for use with reliability methods for computing seismic risk on the component scale. In the present context, risk is defined as the probability of attaining or exceeding a specific level of monetary loss. The models are classified as explicit story-specific demand model and consequence models. The demand model predict maximum drift at the level of each story of low-rise to mid-rise steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs) and, consequence models estimate repair cost of some fragility groups in a building. A linear function of spectral acceleration at fundamental period in logarithmic space is considered for demand model. The demand model is coupled with a set of relations to explicitly estimate unknown statistical characteristics of the probabilistic demand model parameters. The consequence models are also formulated as a polynomial function respect to Engineering Demand Parameter in logarithmic space. Bayesian regression technique is employed to determine probability distribution of the consequence models parameters. Finally, as an application of the proposed models, seismic loss curve of an example building is developed for earthquake intensities.
EARTHQUAKE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND LIFE OF HOMESTAY SYSTEM EVACUEES IN HIGH-RISE CONDOMINIUMS
Authors: Hisagi Akie , Ishikawa Takashige
Published: March 2020

The possibility of a huge earthquake affecting Tokyo in the future is high. In the event of such an earthquake, many people will face problems returning to their homes, causing complete disorder and confusion as it will be impossible for everyone to access emergency shelters. If buildings such as high-rise condominiums remain standing and safe, it will be desirable that their residents take refuge at home. In this study, we investigated the awareness of disaster mitigation needs using an internet survey of over 800 residents of high-rise condominiums (of 10 or more stories) in central Tokyo. Our results show that approximately 60% of residents would take refuge at home. However, almost none of the respondents had emergency supplies such as water, food, and other daily necessities. This lack of preparedness would result in many people needing to move to emergency shelters. By analyzing these results, we aim to develop a method for avoiding confusion in the aftermath of a disaster and educate building residents on their needs in a disaster situation and the preparatory actions they must take.
STUDY ON PROPERTIES OF FLY ASH REMOVED UNBURNED CARBON BY FLOTATION METHOD
Authors: Niimura Yuta , Takasu Koji , Suyama Hiroki , Koyamada Hidehiro
Published: March 2020

When we use the fly FA-As a concrete admixture, it is known that the properties of the concrete improve. But when we made concrete with fly FA-Fresh property of concrete is adversely affected by unburnt carbon in the fly ash. If there are much quantities of unburnt carbon in the fly ash, they inhibit air entraining performance and fluidity of flesh concrete. So we developed the device removing unburnt carbon from the fly FA-By flotation method in previous studies. It was succeeded remove of unburnt carbon in the fly FA-And to clean the surface of the fly FA-By used the developed device removing unburnt carbon in the fly FA-By flotation method. In this study, it was purpose to confirm the change in the composition and physical properties between the original fly FA-And the reformed fly FA-By flotation method, and to grasp the effects that the physical properties of fly FA-Gave to the unburnt carbon removal when using flotation method. As a result, the specific surface area of reformed fly ash is larger than original fly ash. However, the change of chemical composition for reformed fly FA-By flotation method was as small as 4% at the maximum. It was considered that the addition rate of kerosene and pine oil and the pre-treatment time were changed by difference in sizes and shapes of unburnt carbon in the fly ash. Percent flow and activity index were influenced by the different of physical properties of original fly ash.
REDUCING BUG-HOLES ON TUNNEL LINING CONCRETE BY USING COVERING SHEETS
Authors: Harada Sari , Maeda Tomoyuki , Hirano Masayuki , Yoshitake Isamu
Published: March 2020

This study focused on bug-holes on sidewalls of tunnel lining concrete. The bug-holes of lining concrete may negatively affect aesthetics and durability of NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) tunnels. Most bug-holes appeared on concrete surface are generated from entrapped air during consolidating concrete. In particular, the sidewall of tunnel lining is constructed with negative angles, so bug-holes are often observed on the sidewall. Seven concrete specimens were prepared to simulate conventional tunnel lining. In the experimental investigation, breathable-waterproof material sheets and permeable sheets were used. The primary experimental parameters are (a) covering-sheet materials and (b) form surfaces such as ceramic-coated steel with grooves. The study examined bug-hole distributions in the concrete specimens using the various sheets. The bug-hole distributions were quantified by using an image analysis developed in this study. The test results show that quantity of bug-holes of concrete using the sheets is lower than the quantity of concrete without sheets. It was noteworthy that the bug-holes were hardly observed in the test using the form covered with the permeable sheets.
STEEL FIBER-REINFORCED SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO CONCENTRATED LOADS
Authors: Zhang Hao , Fantilli Alessandro P. , Chiaia Bernardino , Wang Lumin , Wang Zhenqing
Published: March 2020

To model the behavior of precast segmental tunnel linings under thrust jack loading, cylindrical concrete columns, subjected to concentrated loads, are investigated. Specifically, uniaxial compressive tests have been performed on specimens made with self-compacting concrete and reinforced with two different amounts of steel fibers (0, 30 kg/m3, respectively). In addition, to measure concrete properties, three point bending tests have been carried out in accordance with code rules. As a result, not only the fracture toughness of concrete in compression is improved, but also the ultimate and the maximum splitting loads are remarkably increased by the presence of long fibers. Accordingly, a new formulation of the classical Leonhardt’s approach is eventually proposed. Finally, based on the results of the present research, it seems reasonable to replace reinforced concrete with SFRSCC in structures subjected to high concentrated loads.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON RECYCLED CONCRETE WITH STEEL FIBERS AS A SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIAL
Authors: Mirza Olivia , Wigg Dane , Kang Won Hee , Senaratne Sepani , Tam Vivian , Ramesh Rakul
Published: March 2020

The global demand for construction aggregate exceeds 26 billion tons per year. With global policy attention directed towards climate change, environmental and economic sustainability, changes are required to the Australian construction industry regarding the extraction of natural resources. In particular, the concrete industry requires seeking innovative, sustainable solutions for reducing the impact of construction and maintenance on the environment. The majority of structures in Australia use reinforced concrete. Therefore, using environmentally and economically sustainable materials such as recycled concrete in construction would preserve natural resources and reduce construction waste and overall costs. There is considerable research available on the use of recycled concrete as a construction material and the use of steel fibers as structural reinforcement has been studied since the 1960’s. However, there is very little research on the combination of the two as a construction material for concrete structures. This study focused on secondary beams made of recycled concrete with the incorporation of steel fibers. This combination offers a structurally sound material that will provide a durable and sustainable solution to Australian Construction Industry. Experimental studies were conducted to validate the performance of the new material in a structural application. Based on the results of the study, recommendations for future research and design applications using these materials are made.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING THE PROPERTIES OF CRUMB RUBBER CONCRETE
Authors: Somerville Stephanie , Dhanasekar Remadevi , Frame Travis , Suntharavadivel T.G.
Published: March 2020

Motor vehicle tires are discarded every year where the majority ends up in land fill. This poses a serious ecological threat as the tires contain many toxic components and contribute to a loss of biodiversity. From the economic and environmental perspectives, inclusion of recycled rubber in concrete would reduce costs as well as conserve the component materials used in concrete. Past studies have indicated poor-mechanical properties of concrete with the sole inclusion of recycled tire rubber. This paper presents an experimental investigation to improve the workability and hardened properties through sodium hydroxide surface treatment of recycled crumb rubber, and silica fume. Ten concrete mixes were prepared with the volumes of recycled rubber ranging from 10% to 30%. The test results were compared with a control concrete mix. The investigation indicated that favorable strength could be achieved with the addition of 10% treated rubber. Test results and analysis details are presented in the paper.
METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK TO IMPROVE PPP PROJECTS
Authors: Gottfried Arie , Devito Antonio C. , Daniotti Bruno , Pavan Alberto , Chiozzi Maria A.
Published: March 2020

The Public–Private Partnership (PPP) plays a significant role in the construction industry. It is of special importance because of its weight in the global economy and the lack of funding for major projects. The PPP concept, as a procurement strategy, is successful only if the major stakeholders, namely the public sector, private consortium, and end–users are all satisfied with project outcomes. There have been reported cases of problems associated with the initial stages of the PPP process in terms of bidding costs and anticipated costs of construction and operation. The banks’ attention is currently centered on the promotors’ financial stability rather than on project quality. The key issue is to improve the efficiency for the whole building lifecycle. In this context, BIMM philosophy (not just Building Information Modeling but also Information Management) may be a powerful tool. In other words, is there room to put this concept in practice without jeopardizing service quality, innovation and efficiency? The answer to this question is explored in this paper. The use of Technical Sheets for PPP procurement like policy models may enhance systematic and integrated management of the whole building process. This technical framework allows one to collect project data, grouped into three areas: design, construction, and operation. In so doing, a Public Agency may assess project quality.
PROPERTIES OF CEMENT TREATED TIRE CRUMB AND OIL PALM FRUIT FIBER MORTAR
Authors: Abdul Aziz Farah Nora Aznieta , Mohammed Bida Sani , Mohd Nasir Noor Azline , Jaafar Mohd Saleh
Published: March 2020

Various research studies have been conducted in an effort to improve the mechanical properties of concretes and mortars containing waste tire particles using chemicals and additives which lead to increase cost. This approach presents an economical and sustainable method, through adding oil palm fruit fiber (OPFF) at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by mass of cement content into the matrix and pre-treating the tire crumb aggregate (0-40%) by volume with cement, in order to improve the properties of the composite. Density, compressive strength and water absorption measurements were conducted on the mortar specimens. Results showed the addition of 0.5% OPFF in 10% treated tire crumb mortar was discovered to give the best improvement in the compressive strength of mortar modified with treated tire crumb.
CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF FRICTION PLATE SURFACES CONNECTED BY HIGH-STRENGTH BOLTS
Authors: Yamashita S. , Shimozato T. , Arizumi Y. , Tai M. , Yabuki T.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study is to examine the corrosion behavior of friction plate surfaces connected by high-strength bolts under severely corrosive environments in steel bridge structures. The corrosion behavior was inspected using corroded specimens cut from a steel girder bridge that collapsed after severe corrosion for 28 years. Visual inspection and measurement of the corrosion thicknesses of the inner surfaces were performed. The arithmetic average roughness was also measured to evaluate the friction coefficient. From these investigations, it may be clear that the aging deterioration of the friction surfaces of joint plates connected by high-strength bolts is has little influence over the slip strength. The details of conducting investigations and their results are presented in this paper.
TRENCHLESS CONSTRUCTION: USES AND POTENTIALS
Authors: Zaneldin Essam
Published: March 2020

Infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at federal and local levels have been continuously growing. This includes installation, inspection, repair, and replacement of water mains, sewer, storm water, power, and telecommunication networks. Traditionally, these tasks related to underground utilities involve open trenching construction methods resulting in expensive and disruptive operations, particularly in congested urban areas like Dubai and Abu Dhabi cities. To avoid this serious problem, contractors and local municipalities are using trenchless construction in their infrastructure projects. The development of trenchless methods has gained impetus in the construction industry in UAE due to increasing amounts of investment in underground infrastructures that are new, deteriorating, or under capacity. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of trenchless construction methods used by municipalities and contractors in UAE. The survey provides an indication of current and expected future trends in the application of trenchless construction technologies including types of technologies employed and percentage of projects that employed trenchless technologies. The survey results indicate that trenchless technology is gaining increasing popularity among contractors and municipalities across UAE. The survey results also indicate that trenchless technology is gaining increasing popularity among municipal engineers across UAE. The survey also revealed current and likely future growth in utilizing trenchless construction methods and the average expenditures of municipalities in UAE for new construction and for rehabilitation.
SEISMIC COLLAPSING ANALYSIS OF ONE-STORY WOODEN KINDERGARTEN STRUCTURE AGAINST STRONG EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTION
Authors: Takatani Tomiya , Nishikawa Hayato
Published: March 2020

3-D collapsing process analysis of an old Japanese-style one-story wooden structure under two strong earthquake ground motions with a seismic intensity level was car-ried out in order to investigate the seismic performance of this one-story wooden structure without/with seismic retrofit. As a result, this wooden structure collapsed against a strong earthquake ground motion with the JMA seismic intensity “6 upper” level.
LONG-TERM CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES IN CHLORIDE-BASED INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS: CASE STUDIES
Authors: Pepenar Ioan
Published: March 2020

The paper presents two cases of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures damaged by corrosion in chloride-based industrial environments having as main aggressive agents: chlorine, hydrochloric acid and chlorides. To evaluate the corrosion damage of the concrete structures, in-situ and laboratory tests using specific investigation techniques were performed. Investigation of the damage state of structures revealed that many of the examined structural elements showed severe damage due to corrosion. This damage was in various stages of development and had a different influence on the resistance, stability and durability of structures. The corrosion-damage of the structural elements was favoured and accentuated by the absence of efficient intervention measures (repair, corrosion protection) for these elements. In order to ensure normal service conditions of the reinforced and prestressed concrete structures there were proposed intervention measures to remedy existing damages, regarding repair, strengthening, replacing, and corrosion protection of the damaged elements.
The year abroad and employability skills for language students at Durham University
Authors: Zaher Aziza
Published: March 2020

This chapter deals with the year spent abroad by language students and its impact on their employability skills, with a focus on students at the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC), Durham University, who spend the third year of their four-year Bachelor of Arts programme abroad. The chapter reviews selected studies on Study Abroad (SA) and employability skills and considers the context for Durham University students. The results of a questionnaire completed by students about the activities undertaken during the Year Abroad (YA), the employability skills that they developed, and how they present these skills to employers are then described. The analysis of their responses reveals that the great majority of students find the YA useful for employability, during which time they develop a wide range of transferable skills.
Restoration Celebrity Culture: Twenty-First-Century Regenderings and Rewritings of Charles II, the Merry Monarch, and his Mistress “Pretty, witty” Nell Gwyn
Authors: Martínez-García Laura
Published: March 2020

Charles II was a figure of controversy during his reign and continues to be one of the most iconic and well-known British monarchs; the portrayals of this King vary significantly from one author to the other and from one period to the next, but they invariably focus on his penchant for frivolity and his sexual liaisons. One of his favourite royal mistresses is Nell Gwyn, the oyster girl, turned orange seller, turned actress, turned mother of Dukes. The figure of ‘pretty, witty’ Nelly has fascinated biographers, filmmakers and novelists for centuries due to its Cinderella-like undertones and the natural fascination that the first female performers have exerted on the public imagination. This paper studies modern rewritings of Charles’s and Nell’s affair and of the two lovers themselves, to trace the attitudes towards the King’s illicit affair and towards the actress’s social climbing. The aim of this paper is to question the motivations for these re-imaginings and to help discover the reasons why the monarch and his “Protestant Whore”

The name comes, legend has it, from Nell Gwyn herself and is an anecdote that has been recounted innumerable times. Granger explains that “the story [...] is a known fact; as is also that of her being insulted in her coach at Oxford, by the mob, who mistook her for the duchess of Portsmouth. Upon which she looked out of the window, and said, with her usual good humour, Pray, good people, be civil: I am the protestant whore. This laconic speech drew upon her the blessings of the populace, who suffered her to proceed without further molestation” (Granger 2010: 429).

have become the focus of such varied re-writings and two of the most prominent characters of the British public imagination, surpassing the boundaries of their professions, to become part of popular culture.
The crystal structure of poly[bis(N,N-dimethylformamide-κ1
O)-tetrakis(μ2-cyanido-κ2
C:N)dinickel(II)], C10H14N6O2Ni2
Authors: Yang Shuang-Hua
Published: March 2020

C10H14N6O2Ni2, monoclinic, I2/m (no. 12), a = 6.7377(1) Å, b = 7.3500(1) Å, c = 14.8647(2) Å, β = 96.051(1)°, V = 732.030(18) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0314, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0996, T = 150.01(10) K.
Quaternary intermetallics RE
2Pt3Ga4In (RE=Y, Gd-Tm) – intergrowth structures of NdRh2Sn4 and TiNiSi related slabs
Authors: Horiacha Myroslava , Reimann Maximilian K. , Kösters Jutta , Zaremba Vasyl‘ I. , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: March 2020

The quaternary gallium-rich intermetallic phases RE
2Pt3Ga4In with RE = Y and Gd-Tm were synthesized by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing. Small single crystals were obtained by high-frequency annealing of the samples in sealed tantalum ampoules. The polycrystalline samples were characterized through their X-ray powder patterns. The RE
2Pt3Ga4In phases crystallize with a site ordering variant of the orthorhombic Y2Rh3Sn5 type, space group Cmc 21. The structures of Gd2Pt3Ga4In, Dy2Pt3Ga4.14In0.86, Er2Pt3Ga4.17In0.83 and Tm2Pt3Ga4.21In0.79 were refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The single crystals reveal small homogeneity ranges RE
2Pt3Ga4±xIn1±x. The striking geometrical structural building units are slightly distorted trigonal prisms around the three crystallographically independent platinum atoms: Pt1@RE
4Ga2, Pt2@RE
2Ga4 and Pt3@RE
2Ga2In2. Based on these prismatic building units, the RE
2Pt3Ga4In structures can be described as intergrowth variants of TiNiSi and NdRh2Sn4 related structural slabs. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility studies of Gd2Pt3Ga4In and Tb2Pt3Ga4In show Curie-Weiss behavior and the experimental magnetic moments confirm stable trivalent gadolinium respectively terbium. Gd2Pt3Ga4In and Tb2Pt3Ga4In order antiferromagnetically at T
N = 15.8(1) and 26.0(1) K. Magnetization curves at 3 K show field-induced spin reorientations.
Composition of the essential oil of
Satureja metastasiantha
: a new species for the flora of Turkey
Authors: Carikci Sema , Goren Ahmet C. , Dirmenci Tuncay , Yalcinkaya Burhanettin , Erkucuk Aysen , Topcu Gulacti
Published: March 2020

The aerial parts of Satureja metastasiantha were hydrodistilled for 3 h using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, simultaneously, the main compounds of which were characterized as p-cymene (22.3%), thymol (21.0%), carvacrol (18.4%), and γ-terpinene (12.1%). Antioxidant capacity, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition effects, and antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the species were evaluated. The anticholinesterase activity of the essential oil of S. metastasiantha was observed with 30% inhibition at 200 μg/mL. The essential oil of the species showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus with 128 μg/mL minimum inhibitory concentration value.
Cognitive and Affective Theory of Mind in Positive Schizotypy: Relationship to Schizotypal Traits and Psychosocial Functioning
Authors: Wastler Heather M. , Lenzenweger Mark F.
Published: March 2020

Theory of mind (ToM) impairments are well documented in schizophrenia, although it remains unclear whether these deficits exist among individuals with schizotypy. The current study sought to shed light on mixed findings in schizotypy by differentiating between various aspects of ToM, (cognitive/affective ToM and overmentalization/undermentalization). A three-group design (positive schizotypy, negative affect, and healthy control) was used to assess ToM performance on the Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition. Results indicated that the positive schizotypy group made greater intent overmentalization errors than both control groups. The schizotypy and negative affect groups made greater emotion overmentalization errors relative to healthy controls. In addition, the authors explored the relationship between ToM, schizotypal traits, and psychosocial functioning. Results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between cognitive-perceptual schizotypal traits and intent overmentalization as well as a significant positive relationship between interpersonal traits and emotion overmentalization. Finally, intent and emotion overmentalization were both related to poorer psychosocial functioning.
The Association Between Childhood Trauma and Attachment Functioning in Patients With Personality Disorders
Authors: Voestermans Danielle , Eikelenboom Merijn , Rullmann Jitske , Wolters-Geerdink Maryke , Draijer Nel , Smit Jan H. , Thomaes Kathleen , van Marle Hein J. F.
Published: March 2020

Attachment (mal)functioning and a history of childhood trauma (CT) are both considered psychological determinants of personality disorders (PDs). Their interaction, however, remains largely uninvestigated. In this study, the authors assessed adult and childhood attachment style in a sample of patients with diverse PDs (N = 75) and determined the relation with both occurrence and severity of CT. The authors found that the sample was characterized by severe attachment malfunctioning and high levels of CT. Using cross-tabulations and analysis of variance, the authors showed that patients with a fearful or dismissive attachment style experienced more severe CT than patients with a preoccupied attachment style. Patients reporting an affectionless control bonding style to either parent suffered frequent and severe CT. Although temporal causality cannot be determined, these findings stress the necessity to screen for CT in PDs and suggest that attachment-centered psychotherapy for these patients may benefit from preceding or concurrent trauma treatment.
Reward and Punishment Sensitivity in Borderline and Avoidant Personality Disorders
Authors: Berenson Kathy R. , Van De Weert Sarah M. , Nicolaou Stella , Campoverde Cindy , Rafaeli Eshkol , Downey Geraldine
Published: March 2020

The authors compared self-reported and behavioral responses to reward and punishment in individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or avoidant personality disorder (APD) relative to a healthy comparison (HC) group. As predicted, self-reported sensitivity to reward was significantly higher in the BPD group than in the APD and HC groups. Also as predicted, self-reported sensitivity to punishment was significantly elevated in both disordered groups but significantly higher in APD than in BPD. These hypothesized patterns were also evident in responses to behavioral tasks: Participants with BPD made more errors of commission and fewer errors of omission than HC participants on a passive avoidance learning task, and participants with APD showed greater reactivity to losses than other participants on a probabilistic reversal learning task. Results help characterize differences between these two disorders.
European Neighborhood Policy
Authors: Hamzaoui Djaouida
Published: March 2020

In 2004, the European Union proposed a project entitled the European Neighborhood Policy as a new strategic option. The project had been adopted by the European Council one year earlier in a proposal to the concerned states. The European Neighborhood Policy proposes the development of the scope of cooperation between the European Union and the southwestern Mediterranean countries through several political, economic, social, and cultural fields. Yet, the sphere of security is set at the top of its priorities. It is based on the principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as on establishing security and stability between the countries on the two shores of the Mediterranean neighboring Europe. This would be based on a common framework and a larger volume of mutual cooperation that is embodied in a genuine partnership that would confront common challenges. The study explores and provides an answer to the following question: To what extent can the European Neighborhood Policy be considered a representation of regionalism and the embodiment of a genuine European desire through which it would be able to build a “security group” in the Mediterranean basin?
Gaddafi’s Legacy, Institutional Development, and National Reconciliation in Libya
Authors: Sawani Youssef Mohammed
Published: March 2020

Since the fall of Gaddafi’s forty-two years of rule, Libya has been facing tremendous challenges of instability and insecurity reflecting and characterized by both a political impasse and a lack of legitimate state institutions. Ad-hoc and non-state formations grew outside the legitimate state boundary and became the real actors, polarizing politics and society while rendering any political dialogue ineffective, especially when confined to exclusionary power-sharing arrangements. Official bodies remain weak and divided, while peripheral actors reject/resist submitting to its authority. While acknowledging that the current Libyan crisis is the product of the interaction of several factors including the Islamists and non-Islamist contestation, regional and tribal dimensions, and foreign interventions, this paper concentrates on the effects of the state approach of the Gaddafi era as well as the failure to adopt and implement reconciliation post the 2011 conflict. Therefore, it is argued that the first step towards realizing peace, security, and development is a departure from the current approach and the necessity of bringing in the real players to agree on a roadmap to reclaim the state by launching state-building processes that have national reconciliation as an essential component at their core. Statebuilding cannot be purely a technical exercise of defining, designing, building, or reforming public institutions, while ignoring reconciliation. No matter how successful such technical state-building processes may be, some parts of the population will remain excluded and major segments of the population are likely to remain highly mistrustful of the (new) state and its institutions. Therefore, addressing this gap is central to a transformative approach to state-building that includes reconciliation in which dealing with the Gaddafi legacy is central to preventing future conflict relapse.
Own Your Complicity, Then Fix It
Authors: Steudeman Michael J.
Published: March 2020

In this essay, prompted by the disciplinary debate over #CommunicationSoWhite in summer 2019, I reflect on my past publications in Rhetoric & Public Affairs to identify how structures of whiteness influenced the shape and acceptance of my publications. Drawing upon my self-critique, the essay provides advice for white scholars who aim to responsibly address questions of race and racism as both authors and reviewers.
Universities, Unjust Law, and Campus Sanctuaries
Authors: Paik A. Naomi
Published: March 2020

This essay examines the campus sanctuary movement that launched in response to the 2016 US presidential election. It focuses on the case of my employer to illuminate the broader context of the campus sanctuary movement's nationwide emergence, including the neoliberal evisceration of higher education and right-wing attacks on intellectual freedom and demands for social justice. Recognizing that the institution will not save us, sanctuary organizers not only demand that institutions use their resources for the public good, but they also work beyond the confines of institutions to build the resources that we need through community-based organizations.
DAF-16 and SMK-1 Contribute to Innate Immunity During Adulthood inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: McHugh Daniel R , Koumis Elena , Jacob Paul , Goldfarb Jennifer , Schlaubitz-Garcia Michelle , Bennani Safae , Regan Paul , Patel Prem , Youngman Matthew J
Published: March 2020

Aging is accompanied by a progressive decline in immune function termed “immunosenescence”. Deficient surveillance coupled with the impaired function of immune cells compromises host defense in older animals. The dynamic activity of regulatory modules that control immunity appears to underlie age-dependent modifications to the immune system. In the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans levels of PMK-1 p38 MAP kinase diminish over time, reducing the expression of immune effectors that clear bacterial pathogens. Along with the PMK-1 pathway, innate immunity in C. elegans is regulated by the insulin signaling pathway. Here we asked whether DAF-16, a Forkhead box (FOXO) transcription factor whose activity is inhibited by insulin signaling, plays a role in host defense later in life. While in younger C. elegansDAF-16 is inactive unless stimulated by environmental insults, we found that even in the absence of acute stress the transcriptional activity of DAF-16 increases in an age-dependent manner. Beginning in the reproductive phase of adulthood, DAF-16 upregulates a subset of its transcriptional targets, including genes required to kill ingested microbes. Accordingly, DAF-16 has little to no role in larval immunity, but functions specifically during adulthood to confer resistance to bacterial pathogens. We found that DAF-16-mediated immunity in adults requires SMK-1, a regulatory subunit of the PP4 protein phosphatase complex. Our data suggest that as the function of one branch of the innate immune system of C. elegans (PMK-1) declines over time, DAF-16-mediated immunity ramps up to become the predominant means of protecting adults from infection, thus reconfiguring immunity later in life.