Effect of construction joints on the splitting tensile strength of concrete

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to experimentally correlate the compressive strength (f′c) of concrete to the splitting tensile strength (T) for plain concrete in the existence of a construction joint, and formulate an empirical equation relating T to f′c. Both the American Concrete Institute code (ACI 318-08 (ACI Committee 318, 2008)) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM (ASTM Standard C496, 2002; ASTM Standard C192/C192M, 2002; ASTM Standard C39/C39M, 2005; ASTM Standard C617, 2002)) provide the testing methods and standards, as well as the applicable theoretical and experimental formulas for the correlation between T to f′c for concrete specimens, which are monolithic, indicating that the specimens lack any construction joints. Providing a useful reduction factor in the splitting tensile strength of concrete due the existence of a construction joint is essential. It is a well known fact that construction joints are used in every concrete structure, which indicates that engineers would definitely benefit from an equation that could relate the splitting tensile strength of concrete in function of its compressive strength.The results suggest that the reduction in the splitting tensile strength in the presence of a construction joint is not as much as most engineers tend to believe. Due to that belief, most engineers tend to overdesign for steel reinforcement at those joints to compensate for this reduction. The objective of the study is to better the understanding of the effects of a construction joint on the splitting tensile strength. Thus provide an empirical equation to assist engineers in their design calculations, therefore reducing the amount of steel reinforcement at the construction joints. Thus also leading to cost saving on projects

Determination of the Noise Attenuation of Hearing Protectors by Numerical Modeling of the Outer Ear

ABSTRACT: This paper addresses the important practical issues of hearing protectors used in industry to protect the workers from high noise levels. Comments on the difficulties in measuring hearing protectors noise attenuation is discussed. A new work is presented on the numerical modeling of the outer ear canal as a straight tub, considering eardrum acoustic impedance, using finite elements (FEM), for the quantification of noise attenuation is presented. This numerical model can serve as a quick and low cost tool for the optimization of the protector project and the investigation of the effect of different parameters such as protector insertion, effect of leakage, materials, and others on the protector noise attenuation

Dual role of the exocyst in AMPA receptor targeting and insertion into the postsynaptic membrane

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102104/1/emboj7601065.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102104/2/emboj7601065-sup-0001.pd

Understanding Russia's return to the Middle East

Over recent years, there has been a significant resurgence of Russian power and influence in the Middle East, which has been evident in the diplomatic and military intervention into Syria. This article identifies the principal factors behind Russia’s return to the region. First, there are domestic political influences with the coincidence of the uprisings in the Middle East, the so-called ‘Arab Spring,’ with large-scale domestic opposition protests within Russia during the elections in 2011–2012. Second, there is the role of ideas, most notably the growing anti-Westernism in Putin’s third presidential term, along with Russia’s own struggle against Islamist terrorism. These ideational factors contributed to Russia’s resolve to support the Assad government against both Western intervention and its domestic Islamist opposition. Third, Russia has benefited from a pragmatic and flexible approach in its engagement with the region. Moscow seeks to ensure that it is a critical actor for all the various states and political movements in the Middle East

Generation of left ventricle-like cardiomyocytes with improved structural, functional, and metabolic maturity from human pluripotent stem cells

Decreased left ventricle (LV) function caused by genetic mutations or injury often leads to debilitating and fatal cardiovascular disease. LV cardiomyocytes are, therefore, a potentially valuable therapeutical target. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) are neither homogeneous nor functionally mature, which reduces their utility. Here, we exploit cardiac development knowledge to instruct differentiation of hPSCs specifically toward LV cardiomyocytes. Correct mesoderm patterning and retinoic acid pathway blocking are essential to generate near-homogenous LV-specific hPSC-CMs (hPSC-LV-CMs). These cells transit via first heart field progenitors and display typical ventricular action potentials. Importantly, hPSC-LV-CMs exhibit increased metabolism, reduced proliferation, and improved cytoarchitecture and functional maturity compared with age-matched cardiomyocytes generated using the standard WNT-ON/WNT-OFF protocol. Similarly, engineered heart tissues made from hPSC-LV-CMs are better organized, produce higher force, and beat more slowly but can be paced to physiological levels. Together, we show that functionally matured hPSC-LV-CMs can be obtained rapidly without exposure to current maturation regimes

Broadly neutralizing antibodies abrogate established hepatitis C virus infection

In most exposed individuals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes a chronic infection; this long-term infection in turn contributes to the development of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The role of antibodies directed against HCV in disease progression is poorly understood. Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) can prevent HCV infection in vitro and in animal models. However, the effects of nAbs on an established HCV infection are unclear. We demonstrate that three broadly nAbs—AR3A, AR3B, and AR4A—delivered with adeno-associated viral vectors can confer protection against viral challenge in humanized mice. Furthermore, we provide evidence that nAbs can abrogate an ongoing HCV infection in primary hepatocyte cultures and in a human liver chimeric mouse model. These results showcase a therapeutic approach to interfere with HCV infection by exploiting a previously unappreciated need for HCV to continuously infect new hepatocytes to sustain a chronic infection

Statistical evaluation of a new resistance model for cold-formed stainless steel cross-sections subjected to web crippling

This paper presents a statistical evaluation according to Annex D of EN 1990 (2002) of a new resistance function for web crippling design of cold-formed stainless steel cross-sections. This resistance function was derived by Bock et al. (2013) through the use of carefully validated numerical models with the aim to propose a design expression for stainless steel sections, which are currently designed following the provisions for cold-formed carbon steel sections given in EN 1993-1-3 (2006). Although it was shown that the proposed design equation is appropriate for application to various stainless steels, the statistical uncertainties in material properties that the different types of stainless steels exhibit require an assessment of various partial safety factors. The statistical assessment showed that the proposed resistance function by Bock et al. (2013) requires adjustment to satisfy the safety level set out in EN 1993-1-4 (2006); A recalibration is performed herein. The web crippling design provisions given in EN 1993-1-3 (2006) and SEI/ASCE 8-02 (2002) American standard for application to stainless steel are also statistically evaluated herein. Comparison with test and numerical data showed that the predictions of the recalibrated resistance function are better suited and consistent than existing design provisionsResearch Fund for Coal and Stee