Strengthening of composite beams is highly needed to upgrade the capacities of existing beams. The strengthening methods can be classified as active or passive techniques. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to provide detailed FE simulations for strengthened and unstrengthened steel–concrete composite beams at the sagging and hogging moment regions with and without profiled steel sheeting. The developed models were verified against experimental results from the literature. The verified models were used to present comparisons between the effect of using external post-tensioning and CFRP laminates as strengthening techniques. Applying external post-tensioning at the sagging moment regions is more effective because of the e

Moisture-induced damage is a serious problem that severely impairs asphaltic pavement and affects road serviceability. This study examined numerous variables in asphalt concrete mixtures to assess their impact on moisture damage resistance. Mix design parameters such as the asphalt content (AC) and aggregate passing sieve No. 4 (PNo. 4) were considered as variables during this study. Additionally, hydrated lime (HL) was utilized as a partial substitute for limestone dust (LS) filler at 1.5% by weight of the aggregate in asphalt concrete mixtures for the surface layer. This study also investigated the potential enhancement of traditional asphalt binders and mixtures by adding nano-additives, specifically nano-silica oxide (NS) and na

A novel demountable shear connector for precast steel-concrete composite bridges is presented. The connector uses high-strength steel bolts, which are fastened to the top flange of the steel beam with the aid of a special locking nut configuration that prevents bolts from slipping within their holes. Moreover, the connector promotes accelerated construction and overcomes the typical construction tolerance issues of precast structures. Most importantly, the connector allows bridge disassembly. Therefore, it can address different bridge deterioration scenarios with minimum disturbance to traffic flow including the following: (1) precast deck panels can be rapidly uplifted and replaced; (2) connectors can be rapidly removed and replaced; and (

To enhance the structural performance of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns, various strengthening techniques have been proposed, including the use of internal steel stiffeners, external wrapping with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets, and embedded steel elements. However, the behavior of concrete-filled stainless-steel tube (CFSST) columns remains insufficiently explored. This study numerically investigates the axial performance of square CFSST columns internally strengthened with embedded I-section steel profiles under biaxial eccentric loading. Finite element (FE) simulations were conducted using ABAQUS v. 6.2, and the developed models were validated against experimental results from the literature. A comprehen

The purpose of the research is to identify the social capital of the Municipality of Samawah Municipality by defining the level of its three dimensions (the structural dimension, the relational dimension and the cognitive dimension) and identifying the appropriate means that contribute to increasing the structural empowerment of the workers in the Municipality of Samawah. Between the social capital and the structural empowerment of the workers. From the perspective of social capital, the researchers examined the correlation and the effect of dimensions (structural, relational, cognitive) on the structural empowerment of the workers and with data collected from a sample of (168) Samawah, which is part of the Ministry of Constructi

The research aims to test the relationship and impact of High Involvement Management as an independent variable in negotiation strategies as a response variable, at the headquarters of the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals in Baghdad Governorate, and then trying to come up with a set of recommendations that contribute to strengthening the negotiations carried out by the ministry’s leaders and based on the importance of the topic of research in public organizations and the importance of the surveyed organizations to the society. The descriptive-analytical approach was adopted in the completion of this research, and the research included a sample of (180) leaders of the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals, and data was