This research investigates the pre- and post-cracking resistance of steel fiber-reinforced concrete specimens with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars subjected to flexural loading. The purpose is to modify the ductility and cracking resistance of GFRP-reinforced beams, which are prone to early cracking and excessive deflections instigated by the low modulus of elasticity of GFRP. Six self-compacting concrete specimens (1500×240×200 mm), incorporating steel fibers of two lengths (25 mm and 40 mm) with varying distribution depths, were tested to assess their structural performance. The results indicate significant enhancements in cracking resistance, stiffness, energy absorption, ductility, and flexural strength. Tested beams reinforced with 40 mm-long steel fibers exhibited a 23.9%–24.2% development in the ultimate moment capacity associated with the steel-reinforced specimens, whereas those with 25 mm fibers showed smaller increases (2.7%–3.1%). The cracking resistance improved by up to 33.3% in beams with 40 mm-long fibers and by 16.67%–20% in those with 25 mm-long fibers, associated with a non-fibrous GFRP specimen. Additionally, the inclusion of 40 mm hooked-end steel fibers significantly enhanced ultimate deflection, with peak deflections increasing by 30.2%–44.8% compared to steel-reinforced beams. Fibrous GFRP-reinforced beams exhibited up to 154% higher energy absorption under ultimate load than a non-fibrous GFRP beam. All fibrous GFRP-reinforced beams achieved deformation-based ductility indices between 4.2 and 6.9, exceeding the minimum threshold of 4 for adequate deformability. These findings confirm that incorporating 40 mm steel fibers significantly improves the structural behavior of GFRP-reinforced concrete specimens, offering valuable insights for optimizing their design.
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
... Show MoreA 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 (
... Show MoreThis paper is concerned with pre-test single and double stage shrunken estimators for the mean (?) of normal distribution when a prior estimate (?0) of the actule value (?) is available, using specifying shrinkage weight factors ?(?) as well as pre-test region (R). Expressions for the Bias [B(?)], mean squared error [MSE(?)], Efficiency [EFF(?)] and Expected sample size [E(n/?)] of proposed estimators are derived. Numerical results and conclusions are drawn about selection different constants included in these expressions. Comparisons between suggested estimators, with respect to classical estimators in the sense of Bias and Relative Efficiency, are given. Furthermore, comparisons with the earlier existing works are drawn.
The current research aims to identify the fear of intimacy and post-traumatic stress disorder among Yazidi women and the correlation between them. To achieve the objectives of the research, the researcher adopted the Descutner, 1991 & (Thelen) scale, which consisted of (35) items. The researcher also adopted the post-traumatic stress disorder scale for (Davidson, 1995) translated by (Abdul Aziz Thabet), which consists of (17) items. These two scales were administered to a sample of (200) individuals. Then, the researcher analyzes the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed that the research sample of Yazidi women has a fear of intimacy. The research sample of Yazidi women is characterized by
... Show MoreThis research investigated the influence of water-absorbent polymer balls (WAPB) on reinforced concrete beams’ structural behavior experimentally. Four self-compacted reinforced concrete beams of identical geometric layouts 150 mm × 200 mm × 1,500 mm, reinforcement details, and compressive strength
The present paper deals with experimental investigation of the performance of air cooled split air conditioner, with evaporative water mist pre cooling to increase the cooling capacity and reduce the consumption power under hot and dry climate. This investigation considers how the performance can be enhanced by using water mist to pre-cool ambient air entering the condensers by adiabatic cooling process which depends on the ambient air wet bulb temperature; as well the condensing temperature and condensing pressure will be decreased accordingly. So the cooling capacity would be increased and consumption power would be decreased, consequently the energy ratio, EER would be improved. The performance of air cooled air conditioner with water
... Show MorePre-eclampsia is the most common medical complication of pregnancy associated with increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Its exact etiology is not known, although several evidences indicate that various elements might play an important role in pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to analyze and to compare the concentration of calcium, in mild pre-eclampsia and in normal pregnant women , and to determine the effect of oral supplementation with calcium on mild pre-eclampsia , and whether this effect is related to the change in the level of serum calcium. Forty- five women in the third trimester of pregnancy were selected to participate in this study and divided into: fifteen apparently healthy, normo
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