The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the experimental and numerical effectiveness of a new kind of composite column by using Glass Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) I‐section as well as steel I‐section in comparison to the typical reinforced concrete one. The experimental part included testing six composite columns categorized into two groups according to the slenderness ratio and tested under concentric axial load. Each group contains three specimens with the same dimensions and length, while different cross‐section configurations were used. Columns with reinforced concrete cross‐section (reference column), encased GFRP I‐section, and encased steel I‐section were adopted in each group. The modes of failure, axial loads, axial displacements, and strains in the concrete were the main experimental results. The observed typical mode of failure was a compression failure, and the concrete cover was splitting mostly at the column mid‐height. The load‐carrying capacities of the long composite specimens with the encased GFRP and steel I‐sections increased by approximately 11.2% and 15.8%, respectively, compared to the control column. However, these improvements were 12.0% and 24.3% in the case of short composite columns. In short columns, the failure load increased by 11% in comparison to the long ones. Numerical simulations were developed to verify the experimental results. The FE results evince good agreement with the experimental results in terms of the ultimate axial loads, deformations, and modes of failure.
In this research, Zinc oxide (ZnO)/epoxy nanocomposite was synthesized by simple casting method with 2wt. % ZnO concentration. The aim of this work was to study the effect of pH and composite dosage on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO/ epoxy nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique images proof the homogeneous distribution of ZnO nanoparticles in epoxy. A synthesized nanocomposite samples were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR) measurements. Two spectra for epoxy and 2wt.% ZnO/epoxy nanocomposites were similar and there are no new bonds formed from the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles. Using HCl and NaOH were added to Methylene blue (MB) dye (5ppm) to gat pH values 3 and 8. The degradat
... Show MoreThis work is concerned with the synthesis of two types of composites thin films (Sb2O3:WO3 and (Sb2O3:In2O3) with different concentrations (0.0,0.05,0.1, and 0.15). The prepared thin films are characterized with the use of the X-ray diffraction atomic force microscope AFM and UV-Vis–infrared spectrophotometer. The structural examination shows that both composite's thin films were polycrystalline with nano size with cubic phase as majority and orthorhombic phase as minority phase. The crystal size decreases from 34.6 to 24.7 and 21.7 nm for (Sb2O3:WO3) and (Sb2O3:In2O3) thin films, respectively. The average roughness shows non-regular growth by increasing the concentration of both oxides. The optical energy band gap shows a red shi
... Show MoreA hierarchically porous structured zeolite composite was synthesized from NaX zeolite supported on carbonaceous porous material produced by thermal treatment for plum stones which is an agro-waste. This kind of inorganic-organic composite has an improved performance because bulky molecules can easily access the micropores due to the short diffusion path to the active sites which means a higher diffusion rate. The composite was prepared using a green synthesis method, including an eco-friendly polymer to attach NaX zeolite on the carbon surface by phase inversion. The synthesized composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction spectrometry, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy d
... Show MoreThe cost-effective removal of heavy metal ions represents a significant challenge in environmental science. In this study, we developed a straightforward and efficient reusable adsorbent by amalgamating chitosan and vermiculite (forming the CSVT composite), and comprehensively investigated its selective adsorption mechanism. Different techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer, Emmett, Teller (BET) analysis were employed for this purpose. The prepared CSVT composite exhibited a larger surface area and higher mesoporosity increasing from 1.9 to 17.24 m2/g compared to pristine chitosan. The adsorption capabilities of the
... Show MoreThe aims of this study are to measure the defect rate and analyze the problems of production of ready concrete mixture plant by using Six Sigma methodology which is a business strategy for operations improvement depending basically on the application of its sub-methodology DMAIC improvement cycle and the basic statistical tools where the process sigma level of concrete production in the case study was 2.41 σ.
This paper studies the effects of stiffeners on shear lag in steel box girders with stiffened flanges. A three-dimensional linear finite element analysis using STAAD.Pro V8i program has been employed to evaluate and determine the actual top flange stress distribution and effective width in steel box girders. The steel plates of the flanges and webs have been modeled by four-node isoparametric shell elements, while the stiffeners have been modeled as beam elements. Different numbers (4, 8, and 15) for the steel stiffeners have been used in this study to establish their effects on the shear lag and longitudinal stresses in the flange. Using stiffeners reduced the magnitude of the top flange longitudinal stresses about 40%, but did
... Show MoreThis paper reports a study of the effects of steel plate diaphragms on shear lag in steel box girders within the elastic range of material property and without including the effect of plate buckling. STAAD.Pro program had been utilized to evaluate and determine top flange stress distribution and the actual effective flanges width in steel box girders with or without diaphragms. Shell elements had been used to model the flanges, webs, and diaphragms. Different numbers, thickness and types for the plate diaphragms have been used to determine their effects on the shear lag in the flange. Using diaphragms had affected slightly shear lag. The diaphragms number affected obviously the shear lag in the top flange, especially the magnitude of maximu
... Show MoreBackground: Direct measurement of intracellular magnesium using erythrocytes has been suggested as a sensitive indicator for the estimation of body magnesium store. Marked depletion in plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels was particularly evident in diabetic patients with advanced retinopathy and poor diabetic control. While insulin has been shown to stimulate erythrocyte magnesium uptake, hyperglycemia per se suppressed intracellular magnesium in normal human red cells.
Aim of the study: To investigate the erythrocyte magnesium level in Iraqi type I and II diabetic patients, with specific emphasis on the effect of both, metabolic control and the type of antidiabetic treatments.
Methods: Sixty two diabetic patients (7 with type