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 (3) steel beams can be replaced, whereas precast decks and shear connectors can be reused. A series of push-out tests are conducted to assess the behavior of the connector and quantify the effect of important parameters. The experimental results show shear resistance, stiffness, and slip capacity significantly higher than those of welded shear studs along with superior stiffness and strength against slab uplift. Identical tests reveal negligible scatter in the shear load-slip displacement behavior. A design equation is proposed to predict the shear resistance with absolute error less than 8%.
The Tigris River, a vital water resource for Iraq, faces significant challenges due to urbanization, agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and climate change, leading to deteriorating water quality. Traditional methods for assessing irrigation water quality, such as laboratory testing and statistical modeling, are often insufficient for capturing dynamic and nonlinear relationships between parameters. This study proposes a novel application of the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) to estimate the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) along the Tigris River. Using data from multiple stations, the study evaluates spatial variability in water quality, focusing on key paramete
The purpose of this study is designate quenching and tempering heat treatment by using Taguchi technique to determine optimal factors of heat treatment (austenitizing temperature, percentage of nanoparticles, type of base media, nanoparticles type and soaking time) for increasing hardness, wear rate and impact energy properties of 420 martensitic stainless steel. An (L18) orthogonal array was chosen for the design of experiment. The optimum process parameters were determined by using signal-to-noise ratio (larger is better) criterion for hardness and impact energy while (Smaller is better) criterion was for the wear rate. The importance levels of process parameters that effect on hardness, wear rate and impact energy propertie
... Show MoreThis research examines the use of vibratory treatments to reduce residual stresses in small welded parts. In this experimental investigation, a post weld vibration treatment was applied to T- A106 steel pipe fitting specimens to study the effect of the treatment on the residual stress and the hardness of the material. The vibratory stress relief treatment was carried out at different vibration frequency. The results have demonstrated that post-weld vibratory stress relief of small size fittings is possible and residual stress may be relieved, and the treatment may be an alternative method for heat treatment especially when unchange in dimensions and material stability are required.
Background: Numerous methods have been described for achievement of Intermaxillary fixation in the treatment of fractures of facial skeleton. Conventional methods like Erich arch bars and eyelet wires are currently the most common methods for achieving intermaxillary fixation (IMF), however, they have their own disadvantages. Since 1989, IMF using intraoral self-tapping IMF screws has been introduced for treatment of mandibular fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, advantages, disadvantages and potential complications associated with using of self-tapping IMF screws in the treatment of mandibular fractures. Material and Methods: Twenty patients with favorable mandibular fractures, attended to Oral and Maxillofacial
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to evaluate tensile properties of low and medium carbon ferrite -martensite dual phase steel, and the effect cryogenic treatment at liquid nitrogen temperature (-196 ºC) on its properties. Low carbon steel (C12D) and medium carbon steels (C32D & C42D) were used in this work. For each steel grade, five groups of specimens were prepared according to the type of heat treatment. The first group was normalized, the second group was normalized and subsequently subjected to cryogenic treatment then tempered at (200 ºC) for one hour, the third group was quenched from intercritical annealing temperature of (760 ºC) to obtain dual phase (DP) steel, the fourth and fifth groups were both quenched from (760 ºC), but
... Show MoreThe mechanical properties and microstructure of hot-rolled steel are critical in determining its performance in industrial applications, particularly when exposed to elevated temperatures. This study examines the effects of varying temperatures and soaking times on these properties through a series of controlled experiments. The primary objective was to optimize the key response parameters, including tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, by analyzing the influence of temperature and time. A full factorial design approach was used, applying the desirability function theory to explore all possible combinations and identify optimal processing conditions. The experimental results showed that the soaking time played a critica
... Show MoreIn this research is to study the influence of the aging heat treatment on the pitting corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steel (MSS), where a number of specimens from martensitic stainless steel were subjected to solution treatment at 1100 oC for one hour followed by water quenching then aging in the temperatures range (500-750) oC for different holding times (1,5,10,15&20) hr. Accelerated chemical corrosion test and immersion chemical corrosion test were performed on samples after heat treatment. The results of the research showed that the pitting corrosion resistance is significantly affected by the aging temperature. Where found that the aging samples at a temperature of 500 °C have the highest ra
... Show MoreBackground: Separation and deboning of artificial teeth from denture bases present a major clinical and labortory problem which affect both the patient and the dentist. The optimal bond strength of artificial teeth with denture base reinforced with nanofillers and flexible denture bases and the effect of thermo cycling should be evaluated. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength of artificial teeth (acrylic and porcelain) with denture bases reinforced by 5% Zirconium oxide nanofillers and flexible bases under the effect of different surface treatments and thermo cycling and comparing the results with conventional water bath cured denture bases. Material and methods: Two types of artificial teeth; acrylic and
... Show MorePermanent deformation, fatigue and thermal cracking are the three typical distresses of flexible pavement. Using hydrated lime (HL) into the conventional limestone mineral additive has been widely practiced, including in Europe, to improve the mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA) concrete and as the result the durability of the constructed pavement. Large number of experimental studies have been reported to find the optimum addition of HL for the improvement on HMA concrete mechanical properties, moisture susceptibility and fatigue resistance. Pavement in service is under complex thermomechanical stress-strain conditions due to coupled atmospheric and surrounding environment temperature variation and the traffic loading. To predic
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