STR-823: FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR AND BOND-DEPENDENT COEFFICIENT OF BASALT FRP BARS IN CONCRETE BEAMS

This paper presents an experimental study aimed at determining the bond-dependent coefficient (kb) and investigating the flexural performance of concrete beams reinforced with ribbed basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars. The performance of the BFRP-RC concrete beams is compared against that of GFRP-RC ones. A total of five concrete beams measured 200 mm wide × 300 mm deep × 3100 mm long were constructed and tested in four-point bending over a clear span of 2700 mm. The main variables were reinforcement type (BFRP, GFRP, and steel bars as reference) and reinforcement ratio. The test results showed that the average kb was 0.85 for the ribbed BFRP bars. The kb value of ribbed BFRP bars was lower than 1.0 recommended by the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, CHBDC (CSA S6-14)

Étude du comportement structural de poutres et de dalles de ponts en béton armé d'une nouvelle armature à base de fibre de basalte sous charge statique

L'avancée de la technologie des PRF a suscité l'intérêt de l'introduction de nouvelles fibres, comme la fibre de basalte, qui a un potentiel d'offrir une solution efficace, lorsqu’utilisée dans les structures en béton, soit sur la résistance à la corrosion, la durabilité et la rentabilité. En outre, les codes et les guides disponibles, ne fournissent pas de recommandations pour l'utilisation de barres en PRFB puisque les recherches passées dans ce domaine sont limitées. Donc, des travaux de recherche sont nécessaires pour caractériser et comprendre le comportement des barres de PRFB dans les éléments en béton armé. En conséquence, les objectifs principaux sont d'évaluer les caractéristiques à court et long terme des barres de PRFB nouvellement développées, ainsi que d'évaluer les performances structurales de ces nouvelles barres comme renforcement interne dans les poutres et les dalles de pont et d'introduire ce nouveau renforcement dans les codes et les guides de dimensionnement. Les tests expérimentaux ont été faits en trois parties. La première partie porte sur le développement de trois nouvelles barres et tendons en PRFB pour déterminer leurs propriétés physiques et mécaniques. Les performances à long terme et de durabilité ont été réalisées en conditionnant les barres de PRFB dans une solution alcaline simulant les conditions humides dans le béton pour déterminer la compatibilité comme renforcement interne dans les éléments en béton. Par la suite, les propriétés ont été déterminées et comparées avec des spécimens non conditionnés (référence). La seconde partie a porté sur sept dalles de pont en béton armé grandeur réelle avec les bords restreints, simulant les tabliers de pont les plus utilisés en Amérique du Nord, pour évaluer la performance des dalles renforcées de PRFB et d'acier. Les dalles mesurent 3000 mm de long × 2500 mm de large × 200 mm d'épaisseur. Les dalles ont été testées jusqu'à la rupture sous une charge concentrée au centre de celles-ci simulant l'empreinte d'une roue d'un camion. Les capacités en poinçonnement sont prédites en utilisant les exigences réglementaires disponibles, et sont comparées aux résultats expérimentaux. La troisième partie de cette étude portait sur les essais de 14 poutres en béton de 3100 mm de long × 200 mm de large × 300 mm de profond pour examiner le comportement en flexion et les performances en service des barres de PRFB avec deux états de surfaces: fini sablé et crénelé. Les poutres ont été testées en flexion en quatre points avec une portée libre de 2700 mm jusqu'à la rupture. Les résultats sont introduits et discutés en terme : du comportement de la fissuration, des flèches, de la capacité en flexion et des modes de ruptures. De plus, le coefficient d'adhérence (kb) des barres de PRFB est déterminé et comparé avec les recommandations des codes et guides actuels. Les résultats sont introduits et discutés en terme : du comportement de la fissuration, des flèches, de la capacité en flexion et des modes de ruptures. De plus, le coefficient d'adhérence des barres de PRFB est déterminé et comparé avec les recommandations des codes et guides actuels. Les résultats de l'étude concluent sur la viables pour la production des barres de PRFB pour respecter les exigences des codes actuelles. Également, les résultats d'essai indiquent que les barres de PRFB ont de bonnes propriétés mécaniques et peuvent être placées dans la même catégorie que les barres de PRFV, soit grade III. De plus, le comportement des poutres et des dalles de pont renforcées de PRFB est similaire que pour un renforcement en PRFV et PRFC et les exigences réglementaires sont applicables pour les barres de PRFB.Abstract: The advances in fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) technology have spurred interest in introducing new fibers, such as basalt FRP (BFRP), which has the potential to offer an efficient solution when implemented in concrete structure, such as corrosion resistant, durable and cost-effective. Furthermore, the available design codes and guides do not provide any recommendations for the use of BFRP bars since fundamental studies and relevant applications are still limited. Therefore, investigations are needed to characterize and understand the behavior of BFRP bars in concrete members. Consequently, the main objectives of this experimental investigation are to evaluate the short- and long-term characteristics of newly developed BFRP bars, as well as evaluate the structural performance of these new bars as internal reinforcement for concrete beams and bridge-deck slabs to introduce these new reinforcing bars to the design codes and guides. The experimental tests were completed through three parts. The first part was conducted on three newly developed BFRP bars and tendons to investigate their physical and mechanical properties. Durability and long-term performance were assessed by conditioning the BFRP bars in an alkaline solution simulating the moist concrete environment to determine their suitability as internal reinforcement for concrete elements. Thereafter, the properties were assessed and compared with the unconditioned (reference) values. The second part of this study was conducted on seven full-scale edge-restrained concrete bridge-deck slabs simulating actual slab-on-girder bridge-deck that is commonly used in North America to evaluate the performance of concrete bridge-deck slabs reinforced with BFRP and steel bars. The deck slabs measured 3000 mm long × 2500 mm wide × 200 mm deep. The slabs were tested up to failure under single concentrated load acting on the center of each slab simulating the footprint of sustained truck wheel load. The punching shear capacities were predicted using the available provisions, and compared with the experimental results. The third part of this study included testing of fourteen concrete beams of 3100 mm long × 200 mm wide × 300 mm deep to investigate the flexural behavior and serviceability performance of sand-coated and ribbed BFRP bars in concrete beams. The beams were tested under four-point bending over a clear span of 2700 mm until failure. The results are introduced and discussed in terms of cracking behavior, deflection, flexure capacity, and failure modes. In addition, the bond-dependent coefficient (kb) of the BFRP bars was determined and compared with the recommendations of the current FRP design codes and guides. The findings of this study concluded the feasibility of producing BFRP bars meet the requirements of the current FRP standards. Also, the test results revealed that the BFRP bars had good mechanical behavior and could be placed in the same category as grade II and grade III GFRP bars. Moreover, the behavior of the concrete bridge-deck slabs and beams reinforced with BFRP bars was quite similar to the counterparts reinforced with glass- and carbon-FRP bars and the available FRP provisions are applicable for BFRP bars. The beam test results yielded an average bond-dependent coefficient (kb) of 0.76±0.03 and 0.83±0.03 for the sand-coated and ribbed BFRP bars, respectively

Future Theatre Formulations Between Digitization and Interactive Media

Future Theatre Formulations between Digitization and Interactive Media The theatrical thought has developed from its inception until it reached the birth of a theater that adopts technology by all its means; sometimes it was called “Image Theatre”, “Non-drama Theatre”, “Interactive Theatre”, or “Digital Theatre”. All the previously mentioned are efforts and ideas to take the theatre from its traditional state to a more interactive experience in which the audience could also participate, via movements and simple acts that the audience can imitate and build upon far from the language restraints. A unique theatrical ritual as known through history, until the modern era created the easy to integrate and more adaptable digital media, that has visual effects that translates and facilitates the translation of theatrical ideas. We called it “Theatre of the future” based on merging the digital technology with the theatrical vocabulary, in addition to the allocation of optical projection, video and augmented virtual reality. Thus, this study regroups some of the experiences of creatives to explain and elaborate its philosophy and lay out its rules to try to form a vision to prove that the new theatre will inevitably adopt media digitization to create for us a modern form that suites the needs of the digital era. This study aims to closely analyze the characteristics of the theatre digitization and its used performances in order to facilitate the creation of future theatrical shows. This research is based on the theory of using digital technology to build a full experience of the “future theatre” starting from the script

Variation and covariation in birthcoat and fleece traits of Drysdale sheep with reference to early selection and sampling positions : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University, New Zealand

Irregular pagination: missing page 99Samples from different body regions were obtained from the birthcoat, first, second and third fleeces of sheep in two Drysdale flocks. Fibre type arrays of birthcoat samples were analysed and various wool traits were assessed and measured in samples obtained at three shearings. Sampling position was the main source of variation in most traits studied. Sex, birth rank, and age of dam generally made little contribution to the total variance. Shearing, flock and sire effects were also important sources of variation for many traits. The interaction of shearing X position and the interactions of sire with each of shearing, sex and birth rank were significant for many traits. Phenotypic correlations among fleece traits were estimated from shoulder and mid-side positions as well as among fleece averages calculated from all positions. Correlations among fleece averages showed that higher kemp score (KS) was associated with higher bulk; BUL (0.24 to 0.64), resilience; RES (0.03 to 0.48) and tristimulus colour values; X, Y and Z (0.08 to 0.46). Softer handle grade tended to be correlated with lower BUL (-0.22 to -0.66) and RES (-0.16 to -0.53) and higher lustre; LG (0.10 to 0.62). Higher medullation index (MI) was generally associated with higher BUL (-0.15 to 0.49) and tristimulus colour values (-0.01 to 0.60) and lower LG (-0.65 to 0.08). Correlations among tristimulus colour values were the highest between X and Y reflectances (0.93 to 1.00). Greasy and clean wool per unit area (GWA and CWA) were highly correlated (0.93 to 0.96). Heavier first greasy fleece weight (GFW1) correlated positively with GWA (0.59) and CWA (0.56). Staple length (STL) tended to be longer as GWA (0.37 to 0.60), CWA (0.39 to 0.60) and GFW1 (0.64) inceased and as BUL decreased (-0.01 to -0.54). BUL and RES were highly correlated (0.82 to 0.95). LG was negatively correlated with BUL (-0.12 to -0.66) and RES (-0.10 to -0.41). Very few sickle fibres were found in Drysdale materials; most arrays were plateau. Coarser arrays were associated with higher proportions of hairy-tip curly-tip fibres (HTCT). GFW1 increased as HTCTs increased (0.33 to 0.46). Generally, the correlations among birthcoat and third fleece traits were not strong which implies that birthcoat traits are not reliable indications to selection for various traits in later fleeces of Drysdale sheep. Higher MI was associated with coarser arrays (-0.07 to -0.55) and higher proportions of super-sickle A fibres (0.22 to 0.41). Finer arrays were associated with higher yield (0.01 to 0.38). In one flock, sheep with a higher proportion of halo-hair (HH) fibres had higher GWA (0.25 to 0.33), CWA (0.17 to 0.30) and heavier third fleece weights (0.09 to 0.33) while sheep with coarser birthcoat arrays showed a slight tendency to have more bulky fleeces (-0.22 to -0.29). Medullation index of the third fleece (MI3) as well as greasy and clean third fleece weights (GFW3 and CFW3) can be predicted, with limited accuracy (R2 = 0.50) from the first shearing shoulder (SH1) traits by using the following multiple regression equations: Within flock-sex groups MI3 = 9.15 + 0.45MI (SH1) + 1.84KS (SH1) For rams GFW3 = -1.47 + 0.04HH% (SH1) + 0.14X (SH1) - 0.09Z (SH1) CFW3 = -1.53 + 0.03HH% (SH1) + 0.14X (SHI) - 0.09Z (SH1) It appeared that the shoulder is the best position from which to sample fleeces when a number of traits are to be assessed for ranking Drysdale sheep

A future vision for the open air theater performances in Minya

El Minya governorate is well known for its great historical, cultural, and geographical values. This atmosphere inevitably gave its residents an amazing advantage to excel in the artistic fields. Nevertheless, we noticed a huge decline in the touristic and cultural activities and events in El Minya… Cinemas have been closed down and theatrical shows became very rare despite the presence of a theatrical facility called “The Open air Theatre of El Minya”, which is the subject treated and examined in this paper.The lack of use of The Open air Theatre of El Minya relies in the existence of defects in its design which limited the capability of it to be updated and used in contemporary shows as well as the inefficiency of use of its close proximity to the Nile River which is a great advantage, that can easily help, with very little on-hand resources to bring its shows back to life. In this research, we provide several ideas to update El Minya Open air Theatre, with minimal, and available resources in order to prepare it for the implementation of new theatrical techniques like the Water Shows.We also aim to provide scientific ideas to help generate expertise that can carry modern theatrical techniques, and that’s able to translate those theories in a practical and efficient manner. The research was also able to prove that the possibility of developing the theatre in question will lead to tourism attraction and serve as a cultural center for the local community in El Minya governorat

Basalt FRP reinforcing bars for concrete structures

The increasing use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars encourages utilizing new fiber types, such as basalt fibers, rather than the commonly used fibers (glass, aramid, and carbon). However, extensive investigations are needed to evaluate the short- and long-term characteristics of these newly developed bars. This investigation aims at characterizing newly developed basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars and tendons. The investigation included physical and mechanical characterizations of two different products of deformed BFRP bars (type A and type B) of 8 mm-diameter and one product of BFRP tendons of 7 mm diameter (for prestressing purposes). The test results confirmed that the developed BFRP bars meet the physical and mechanical properties requirements of CSA S807-10

A Mechanical and Environmental Assessment and Comparison of Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) Rebar and Steel Rebar in Concrete Beams

This paper compares holistically the mechanical and environmental performance of basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebar against conventional steel rebar in concrete beams. This assessment involves material testing and life cycle assessment (LCA).The results show that BFRP tendons in reinforced concrete beams are stronger and lighter than steel with a better environmental profile and fewer embodied emissions, as fewer material and energy resources are required during production. The future market is expected to be within the precast industry, rather than in on-site construction, as precast BFRP concrete beams have approximately half the emissions of steel reinforced concrete beams