Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete and Composite Conical Tanks Under Hydrostatic and Seismic Loadings

Conical liquid storage tanks are widely used to store different liquids and to provide water supply at cities and municipalities. However, no comprehensive guidelines currently exist in the codes of practice for the structural analysis and design of such tanks. The walls of a conical tank can be made of steel, reinforced concrete, or a combination of the two materials in a composite type of construction in which steel and concrete walls are connected using steel studs. The research conducted in this thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete and composite conical tanks under hydrostatic and seismic loadings. Finite element models for both reinforced concrete and composite tanks are developed and validated. In these models, a 3-D consistent shell element that accounts for the material nonlinear effect is used. The composite model also includes a 3-D contact element simulating the steel studs. The numerical models are utilized to study different behavioural aspects of reinforced concrete and composite conical tanks. An Equivalent Cylinder Method (ECM) is introduced and assessed for the analysis and design of reinforced concrete conical tanks. A set of charts that can be used to determine the adequate thickness and the straining actions for reinforced concrete conical tanks under hydrostatic pressure is developed. An Equivalent Section Method (ESM) for the analysis of composite tanks, which is based on using an equivalent single wall, is introduced and assessed. Both the ECM and ESM are found to be inadequate for the analysis of reinforced concrete and composite conical tanks, respectively. The composite finite element model is extended to include an optimization routine for minimization of the cost of composite conical tanks. The optimization of the design of a real composite conical tank using the developed scheme resulted in a reduction of 32% in the material cost. The study is proceeded by examining the seismic behaviour of composite conical tanks. This is done by extending a previously developed numerical model that takes into account the fluid-structure interaction that occurs during the seismic vibration of a conical tank. A simplified procedure for the analysis of composite conical tanks under seismic loadings is introduced. The procedure is found to be adequate for preliminary design as the differences in the prediction of the natural frequencies and seismic forces are shown to be less than 17% compared to those predicted by the sophisticated numerical model

Ductile corrosion-free self-centering concrete elements

Corrosion is a major factor in the deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To mitigate this problem, steel bars can be replaced with glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) bars. However, the lack of ductility of GFRP-RC elements has prevented their use in many structural applications, especially in seismic areas. Superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) bars have been proposed to be used in seismic areas because of their self-centering characteristics. Also, they have the added advantage of being corrosion resistant. This paper examines the combined use of SMA and GFRP bars to achieve ductile self-centering and corrosion-free elements. The first challenge for such a proposal relates to designing concrete frames, reinforced with SMA and GFRP bars, that have adequate lateral performance in terms of initial stiffness, ductility, and strength. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to better understand the structural behavior of concrete elements reinforced with SMA and/or GFRP bars. Results from the study are utilized to develop design equations that allow designing an SMA/GFRP RC section to replace a steel RC section, while maintaining lateral strength, stiffness, and ductility. To examine the adequacy of the developed equations, a six-storey concrete frame is designed, and its lateral performance is examined using pushover analysis

Simplified Analysis of Pure Conical Water Vessels Under Hydrostatic Loading

Liquid storage structures represent an important component of modern infrastructure. They can take variety of shapes of which the conical shape is one of the most common configurations. Conical tanks are preferred by both architects and structural engineers because of their appealing look and structural efficiency in addition to their large capacities with relatively small footprint area. The state of stresses in these tanks is rather complicated and needs powerful computational tools. However, in the preliminary design phase, it is important to have a simplified analysis method for selection of economic design parameters including tank height, inclination angle, and footprint radius needed to achieve the desired tank capacity. It is also of importance that the structural engineer has an insight and understanding of the effect of these various parameters on the resulting internal forces acting on the tank. This paper presents a simplified analysis of conical tanks under hydrostatic loading based on the application of the membrane theory. The equations governing the behavior of these structures are first derived. Then, they are applied on several vessels of practical dimensions and the resulting of stresses are presented to give a deeper understanding of the resulting internal actions. Moreover, a simple guide to achieve efficient structural preliminary design parameters for a wide range of tank capacities is introduced

Seismic performance of ductile corrosion-free reinforced concrete frames

Corrosion of steel bars is the main cause of the deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To avoid this problem, steel rebars can be replaced with glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP). However, the brittle behaviour of GFRP RC elements has limited their use in many applications. The use of shape memory alloy (SMA) and/or stainless steel (SS) rebars can solve this problem, because of their ductile behaviour and corrosion resistance. However, their high price is a major obstacle. To address issues of ductility, corrosion, and cost, this paper examines the hybrid use of GFRP, SS, and SMA in RC frames. The use of SMA provides an additional advantage as it reduces seismic residual deformations. Three frames were designed. A steel RC frame, SS-GFRP RC frame, and SMA-SS-GFRP RC frame. The design criteria for the two GFRP RC frames followed previous research by the authors, which aimed at having approximately equal lateral resistance, stiffness, and ductility for GFRP and steel RC frames. The three frames were then analyzed using twenty seismic records. Their seismic performance confirmed the success of the adopted design methodology in achieving corrosion-free frames that provide adequate seismic performance

Ductile Corrosion-Free GFRP-Stainless Steel Reinforced Concrete Elements

Corrosion of steel rebars is known to cause deterioration of concrete structures that can lead to catastrophic failures. To mitigate this problem, steel rebars can be replaced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebars. However, the lack of ductility of GFRP-reinforced elements has prevented their use in many structural applications, especially in seismic areas. Stainless Steel (SS) rebars are corrosion resistant and have adequate energy absorption and ductility. However, they are much more expensive than steel rebars. This paper proposes the combined use of SS and GFRP rebars to achieve ductile and corrosion-free elements. The first challenge for such a proposal relates to designing SS-GFRP reinforced concrete frame with adequate lateral performance in terms of initial stiffness, ductility, and strength. Design equations, which are based on a comprehensive parametric study, are developed to allow designing such a frame. A six-storey concrete frame is then designed using the proposed equations and its lateral performance is examined using pushover analysis

Transcription profiles of mitochondrial genes correlate with mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in a natural population of Silene vulgaris

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although rapid changes in copy number and gene order are common within plant mitochondrial genomes, associated patterns of gene transcription are underinvestigated. Previous studies have shown that the gynodioecious plant species <it>Silene vulgaris </it>exhibits high mitochondrial diversity and occasional paternal inheritance of mitochondrial markers. Here we address whether variation in DNA molecular markers is correlated with variation in transcription of mitochondrial genes in <it>S. vulgaris </it>collected from natural populations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We analyzed RFLP variation in two mitochondrial genes, <it>cox1 </it>and <it>atp1</it>, in offspring of ten plants from a natural population of <it>S. vulgaris </it>in Central Europe. We also investigated transcription profiles of the <it>atp1 </it>and <it>cox1 </it>genes. Most DNA haplotypes and transcription profiles were maternally inherited; for these, transcription profiles were associated with specific mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. One individual exhibited a pattern consistent with paternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA; this individual exhibited a transcription profile suggestive of paternal but inconsistent with maternal inheritance. We found no associations between gender and transcript profiles.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Specific transcription profiles of mitochondrial genes were associated with specific mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in a natural population of a gynodioecious species <it>S. vulgaris</it>.</p> <p>Our findings suggest the potential for a causal association between rearrangements in the plant mt genome and transcription product variation.</p

Organellar DNA diversity in some ornamental plants related to reproduction system and life strategy

124 7. Conclusions The purpose of this Ph.D. work was oriented towards two points. 1. The analysis of organellar diversity among three plant species (Silene vulgaris, Silene latifolia and Aldrovanda vesiculosa). The three plant species had different morphological and physiological characters. The focus here was on two physiological points. 1.1. The reproduction system which is directly correlated with the mitochondrial DNA (in the case of CMS). This point was presented in the comparison between Silene vulgaris and Silene latifolia. 1.2. The different life strategy which is directly correlated with the organellar DNA diversity. This point was presented by the comparison between the two Silene species from one side and Aldrovanda vesiculosa from the other side. The later usually propagate vegetatively and live in different media (water), it present different life strategy under the umbrella of angiosperms. 2. The analysis of the inheritance of mitochondrial and chloroplast genome in Silene vulgaris. The study of this inheritance was facilitated by the high polymorphism available in the organellar DNA. This polymorphism could be detected by the different molecular markers used in this study. These molecular markers included either, gene coding regions markers previously used by D.E.McCauley and his team...124 7. Conclusions The purpose of this Ph.D. work was oriented towards two points. 1. The analysis of organellar diversity among three plant species (Silene vulgaris, Silene latifolia and Aldrovanda vesiculosa). The three plant species had different morphological and physiological characters. The focus here was on two physiological points. 1.1. The reproduction system which is directly correlated with the mitochondrial DNA (in the case of CMS). This point was presented in the comparison between Silene vulgaris and Silene latifolia. 1.2. The different life strategy which is directly correlated with the organellar DNA diversity. This point was presented by the comparison between the two Silene species from one side and Aldrovanda vesiculosa from the other side. The later usually propagate vegetatively and live in different media (water), it present different life strategy under the umbrella of angiosperms. 2. The analysis of the inheritance of mitochondrial and chloroplast genome in Silene vulgaris. The study of this inheritance was facilitated by the high polymorphism available in the organellar DNA. This polymorphism could be detected by the different molecular markers used in this study. These molecular markers included either, gene coding regions markers previously used by D.E.McCauley and his team...Department of Experimental Plant BiologyKatedra experimentální biologie rostlinFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult

The first initiative of DNA barcoding of ornamental plants from Egypt and potential applications in horticulture industry

Abstract: DNA barcoding relies on short and standardized gene regions to identify species. The agricultural and horticultural applications of barcoding such as for marketplace regulation and copyright protection remain poorly explored. This study examines the effectiveness of the standard plant barcode markers (matK and rbcL) for the identification of plant species in private and public nurseries in northern Egypt. These two markers were sequenced from 225 specimens of 161 species and 62 plant families of horticultural importance. The sequence recovery was similar for rbcL (96.4%) and matK (84%), but the number of specimens assigned correctly to the respective genera and species was lower for rbcL (75% and 29%) than matK (85% and 40%). The combination of rbcL and matK brought the number of correct generic and species assignments to 83.4% and 40%, respectively. Individually, the efficiency of both markers varied among different plant families; for example, all palm specimens (Arecaceae) were correctly assigned to species while only one individual of Asteraceae was correctly assigned to species. Further, barcodes reliably assigned ornamental horticultural and medicinal plants correctly to genus while they showed a lower or no success in assigning these plants to species and cultivars. For future, we recommend the combination of a complementary barcode (e.g. ITS or trnH-psbA) with rbcL + matK to increase the performance of taxa identification. By aiding species identification of horticultural crops and ornamental palms, the analysis of the barcode regions will have large impact on horticultural industry