Expanding design skills for language teachers: a corpus-based web application for ‘language for work’ content creation in Italian L2

Many adult migrants lacking L2 linguistic autonomy cannot afford the time to master host countries’ languages before providing for their basic needs. Thus, second language training that focuses on occupational integration is at times more urgent than a more generally social one, as the European ‘language for work’ approach suggests. Given the shortage of both support sector experts in Italian L2 classes and an appropriate variety of teaching materials for beginners, this paper introduces a PhD work-in-progress project proposing an IT procedure which enables language teachers to collaboratively design specialised multimedia content for beginners, thus enhancing work-related second language development. The article discusses the results of some preliminary surveys and argues the importance of the use of technology when expanding teachers’ design skills

A nonlinear procedure for the analysis of RC beams

Abstract This work deals with the development of a computational method for the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete beams subjected to general loading and constraint conditions, able to catch crack formation and propagation. To this aim, a layered beam finite element is developed. The displacement field along beam axis and height is modelled through polynomial functions, whose number of terms is varied based on the complexity of the considered problem. The mechanical nonlinearity of the material is taken into account by implementing a smeared constitutive model for cracked reinforced concrete elements. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure, which can be applied to the analysis of both new and existing buildings, is proved through comparison with significant experimental data from technical literature, relative to both statically determinate and indeterminate beams

Il docente di Italiano L2 tra tecnologia, collaborazione e linguaggi speciali: un’applicazione corpus-based per la formazione dell’adulto migrante sulla lingua per il lavoro.

This article presents an ongoing doctoral project and reports some preliminary findings. We propose an IT procedure that enables Italian L2 teachers to collaboratively design mul- timedia specialized teaching content for beginners, in order to support work-related second language development. For adult migrants, a language training program focused on pro- fessional integration from the earliest levels of linguistic competence has been shown to be effective, as suggested by the European Language for Work scheme. Given the shortage of operational responses in Italy, it is essential for language teachers to develop appropriate dig- ital skills, especially in a collaborative environment, and to employ computational linguistics methods to observe and transmit specialized language characteristics. This can foster the socio-professional inclusion of adult migrants

Transverse reinforcement optimization of a precast special roof element through an experimental and numerical procedure

The transverse behavior of a long span three-plate precast roof element is investigated by means of an experimental and numerical research. The performed study highlights that the failure mode of this folded-plate element is strongly influenced by the amount of transverse reinforcement in the wings. This latter is usually designed through simplified methods, which often lead to over-dimensioning in terms of steel welded mesh. To avoid excessive costs for the producers, transverse reinforcement optimization should be required. In this work, a non-linear FE modelling was applied for this purpose. The reliability of the followed numerical procedure was first verified by an initial type testing (i.e. experimental load test up to failure). The agreement between numerical and experimental results showed the efficiency of the model in simulating all the main sources of non-linearity related to both material behavior and element geometry. Numerical analyses were so used to perform a parametric study as a function of transverse reinforcement amount, aimed at determining a coefficient of “model inaccuracy”. This coefficient should be used as a correction factor for the element design in routine calculations based on beam theory

EVALUATION OF CRACK WIDTH IN RC TIES THROUGH A NUMERICAL "RANGE" MODEL

The problem of cracking in reinforced concrete (RC) tensile members has been studied extensively in the past, not only for the analysis of tension zones, but also for understanding and modeling the behavior of beams in bending. Despite the large number of published studies, there is still no agreement on the relative importance of the most critical parameters influencing crack width and spacing (especially bond-slip and stress diffusion in concrete cover), as proved by the development of more than twenty different formulae available in technical literature [1]. Aim of this work is to investigate if a model based exclusively on bond-slip is able to predict correctly crack width and spacing or if the contribution of stress diffusion in concrete cover - which is included in several design Codes and in some numerical or analytical approaches – must be considered. To this purpose, a one-dimensional numerical model based on bond between steel and concrete is here developed for analyzing the behavior of RC tension ties, by also taking into account the influence of bond deterioration near crack surfaces. To consider the uncertainty of crack pattern evolution, the model provides a range of crack widths and spacing that, according to bond theory, are possible for a given load. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure is verified through comparisons with significant experimental results on RC tension members available in the technical literature [2-3], both in terms of global behavior and in terms of crack width and crack spacing evolution as loading increases. These comparisons prove that bond deterioration improves the results and that the proposed approach can be successfully adopted for design purposes, since it provides a correct estimate of maximum crack width. The obtained results are also compared with Codes provisions and the effectiveness of different approaches for predicting crack width is analyzed and discussed. References [1] Borosnyoi A, Balazs GL. Models for flexural cracking in concrete: the state of the art. Struct Concr, 2005; 6(2): 53-62. [2] Wu HQ, Gilbert RI. An experimental study of tension stiffening in reinforced concrete members under short-term and long-term loads. In: UNICIV Report No. R-449, 2008, The University of New South Wales, Sidney, Australia. [3] Gijsbers FBJ, Hehemann AA. Enige trekproven op gewapend beton (Some tensile tests on reinforced concrete). In: Report BI-77-61, 1977, TNO Inst for Building Mat and Struct, Delft, The Netherlands

Experimental investigation on the mechanical behaviour of AAC blocks for sustainable concrete masonry.

To satisfy the increasing demand of energy efficient buildings, AAC manufacturers are nowadays encouraged to produce blocks with ever lower densities. However, a compromise between energy-saving requirements and mechanical performances is needed to ensure structural safety, as well as an adequate structural durability. This paper reports a comprehensive experimental study on AAC mechanical properties (compressive and tensile strengths, as well as fracture energy), and on their dependency from material density and moisture content. The collected data are compared with some well-known analytical relations taken from the literature, which are often used for the calibration of mechanical parameters required for mathematical and/or finite element modelling of AAC load-bearing masonry, as well as of AAC masonry-infilled framed structures. These comparisons highlight some critical issues in the formulation of analytical relations having a general applicability; however, it was found that RILEM suggestions are appropriate for the considered AAC productions, at least for densities greater than 400 kg/m3

Analysis of the possible geometries of a disappeared Parthian adobe dome: from in-situ tests to finite element macro-modelling

The work studies - from a structural point of view - the possible geometries of the adobe dome covering the Round Hall building in the archaeological site of Old Nisa (Turkmenistan). Thirteen dome geometries are identified, starting from archaeological reconstructions of the disappeared dome. The dome reconstructions are subsequently modelled through nonlinear finite element analysis in order to check their static behaviour. Concrete damage plasticity model is used to describe the nonlinear behaviour of adobe masonry. To calibrate the material model, the results of an onsite experimental program characterising adobe bricks are used. The analyses show that all the 13 geometries are stable with large safety margins. The results do not allow excluding some geometries, but on the contrary, highlight that the choice of the geometry of the dome was not a critical element. This aspect supports the hypothesis that the round room was actually covered by a dome

Vulnerability assessment of Italian Rationalist architecture: two case studies

The work is focused on the structural vulnerability assessment of two historical constructions, chosen as case-studies representative of a recurrent typology of Italian rationalist architecture, dating back to the Fascist period, often hosting public offices. Both examined buildings have similar dimensions and geometry, being characterised by five/six storeys and by an almost square plan with an inner courtyard, and are located in EmiliaRomagna, in zones of medium seismic hazard. The older building, dating back to the Thirties and located in Ravenna, has a mixed masonry-reinforced concrete structure, while the other one, built in the late forties and located in Parma, is characterised by an unreinforced masonry structure with some limited reinforced concrete elements. For the vulnerability assessment of the two buildings, a multi-disciplinary approach was followed, including the historical documents search concerning both the investigated buildings and the surrounding areas, the detailed geometrical and structural survey, the identification of materials, and in situ and laboratory tests to evaluate materials mechanical properties. These activities allowed reaching an adequate level of knowledge about the present conditions of the structures and their critical deficiencies. This knowledge path is not only necessary for the subsequent numerical analyses, but is also important as it allows targeting the repairing interventions, possibly reducing their final costs, in agreement with the “minimum intervention” approach for heritage buildings

Experimental investigation on the mechanical behaviour of AAC blocks for sustainable concrete masonry

To satisfy the increasing demand of energy efficient buildings, AAC manufacturers are nowadays encouraged to produce blocks with ever lower densities. However, a compromise between energy-saving requirements and mechanical performances is needed to ensure structural safety, as well as an adequate structural durability. This paper reports a comprehensive experimental study on AAC mechanical properties (compressive and tensile strengths, as well as fracture energy), and on their dependency from material density and moisture content. The collected data are compared with some well-known analytical relations taken from the literature, which are often used for the calibration of mechanical parameters required for mathematical and/or finite element modelling of AAC load-bearing masonry, as well as of AAC masonry-infilled framed structures. These comparisons highlight some critical issues in the formulation of analytical relations having a general applicability; however, it was found that RILEM suggestions are appropriate for the considered AAC productions, at least for densities greater than 400 kg/m3

Further considerations regarding Panas: Contributions from four studies with different argentinean samples

In this research we analyzed the psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in samples coming from four independent studies: university students (Study 1, n = 392; Study 2, n = 395), general adult population (Study 3, n = 316), and athletes (Study 4, n = 533). Through confirmatory analyses we evaluated the following models: (a) two-factor model (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988), (b) three-factor model by Mehrabian (1997), (c) three-factor model by Gaudreau, Sánchez and Blondin (2006) and (d) bi-factor model (Leue & Beauducel, 2011), all of them in their oblique and orthogonal variants. Several models presented an acceptable fit, but only after allowing correlated errors and excluding the items alert and excited. While orthogonal solutions of the three models showed the best fit in Studies 2, 3 and 4, oblique solutions presented the best fit in Study 1. Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability and omega indexes oscillated between .55 and .89. Considering the original theoretical model and the practical utility of the PANAS, we favor the model of two orthogonal factors, excluding the aforementioned items.Fil: Caicedo Cavagnis, Estefanía Elena. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Michelini, Yanina Noelia. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (iipsi); Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Belaus, Anabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; Argentina. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (iipsi); ArgentinaFil: Mola, Débora Jeanette. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; Argentina. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (iipsi); ArgentinaFil: Godoy, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; Argentina. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (iipsi); ArgentinaFil: Reyna, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; Argentina. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (iipsi); Argentin