Numerical modelling of bond behaviour of FRP bar reinforced concrete beam under high strain rate impact load

Since 1980s, the use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) has been introduced as reinforcement or retrofitting measures to concrete structures. The FRP material features in high strength to weight ratio, high flexibility, ease of installation and energy absorption, higher corrosion resistance, made this material a viable option for strengthening RC members in high strain rate events such as impact and blast. One of the most dominant failure modes in FRP reinforced concrete structures is the debonding failure, which happens near or at FRP interface to concrete. Extensive research has been made on the bond behaviour of FRP RC structures under static loading. However, the influence of high strain rate on bond behaviour of FRP reinforced concrete under dynamic load is still not well understood as limited studies are investigated on the influence of high velocity impact load on bond of FRP to concrete. In addition, the results do not represent the real bond behaviour of FRP to concrete as factors such as strain rate was not included in the investigations. This thesis undertakes an exploration into the bond behaviour of reinforced concrete beams, specifically reinforced with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars, when subjected to high-velocity impact loads characterized by varying strain rates. Employing ABAQUS, a commercially available finite element software, a comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model was meticulously constructed. The reliability of this model was meticulously ascertained for both static and dynamic scenarios, with a particular focus on the local reinforcement strain distribution. The initial stage of this investigation involved a thorough analysis of variables influencing the bond between FRP and the concrete interface. These variables encompassed concrete compressive strength, bar diameter, the type of fibres utilized, and the variation in applied impact loads, which were collectively examined using a dataset of 255 distinct beam models. It was conclusively determined that both the diameter of the FRP bars and the strength of the concrete matrix exert a significant influence on the bond behaviour exhibited by FRP-reinforced concrete beams. Notably, this study unveiled a groundbreaking revelation, demonstrating that the strain rate directly impacts the bond mechanism governing the behaviour of beams subjected to impact loading. Furthermore, this research effort culminated in the identification and reporting of optimized parameters for FRP bar diameter, concrete strength, and the type of fibre, all tailored to the specific requirements of reinforced concrete beams exposed to high-impact loading conditions. These findings represent a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of structural engineering and materials science. In the subsequent phase of the study, an innovative multi-way regression analysis was undertaken, marking the first instance in which equations were derived through a parametric study to forecast slip, maximum bond strength, and mid-deflection in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforced concrete beams. To assess the accuracy of these prognostic equations, validation was carried out through the creation of novel models. This research effort yielded significant outcomes, notably the formulation of a concrete Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) model, which exhibited a strain rate dependency. This development stemmed from an exhaustive numerical examination of bond slip behaviour between FRP bars and the adjacent concrete matrix under varying loading rates. Additionally, a dynamic slip rate-dependent model for FRP-reinforced concrete beams was introduced for the first time. The finite element predictions stemming from the bond-slip DIF model were accurately compared and corroborated against established guideline codes, founding their reliability and applicability in engineering practice

Characteristics of two tsunamis generated by successive Mwg 7.4 and Mwg 8.1 earthquakes in the Kermadec Islands on 4 March 2021

Data availability: The datasets were derived from sources in the public domain. The tide gauge data used in this research were provided by the Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (http://www.ioc-sealevelmonitoring.org/list.php; IOC, 2022). We used bathymetric and topographic data of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (https://www.gebco.net/data_and_products/gridded_bathymetry_data/; GEBCO, 2022). We used the earthquake focal mechanism catalog of the Global Centroid Moment Tensor Project (https://www.globalcmt.org/CMTsearch.html; Global CMT, 2022) and the earthquake source model of the United States Geological Survey (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000dflf/executive; USGS, 2022). We used the GMT software for drafting some of the figures (Wessel and Smith, 1998).Copyright © The Author(s) 2022. On 4 March 2021, two tsunamigenic earthquakes (Mw 7.4 and Mw 8.1) occurred successively within 2 h in the Kermadec Islands, offshore New Zealand. We examined sea level records at tide gauges located at ∼100 to ∼2000 km from the epicenters, conducted Fourier and wavelet analyses as well as numerical modeling of both tsunamis. Fourier analyses indicated that the energy of the first tsunami is mainly distributed over the period range of 5–17 min, whereas it is 8–32 min for the second tsunami. Wavelet plots showed that the oscillations of the first tsunami continued even after the arrival of the second tsunami. As the epicenters of two earthquakes are close to each other (∼55 km), we reconstructed the source spectrum of the second tsunami by using the first tsunami as the empirical Green's function. The main spectral peaks are 25.6, 16.0, and 9.8 min. The results are similar to those calculated using tsunami-to-background ratio method and are also consistent with the source models.Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant no. 19J20293); Royal Society (grant no. CHL\R1\180173)

Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the intermontane Tarom Basin (NW sectors of the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone): insights into the vertical growth of the Iranian Plateau margin

The intermontane Tarom Basin of NW Iran (Arabia-Eurasia collision zone) is located at the transition between the Iranian Plateau (IP) to the SW and the Alborz Mountains to the NE. This basin was filled by Late Cenozoic synorogenic red beds that retain first-order information on the erosional history of adjacent topography, the vertical growth of the plateau margin and its lateral (orogen perpendicular) expansion. Here, we perform a multidisciplinary study including magnetostratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology and sandstone petrography on these red beds. Our data show that widespread Eocene arc volcanism in NW Iran terminated at ~ 38-36 Ma, while intrabasinal synorogenic sedimentation occurred between ~ 16.5 and < 7.6 Ma, implying that the red beds are stratigraphically equivalent to the Upper Red Formation. After 7.6 Ma, the basin experienced intrabasinal deformation, uplift and erosion in association with the establishment of external drainage. Fluvial connectivity with the Caspian Sea, however, was interrupted by at least four episodes of basin aggradation. During endorheic conditions the basin fill did not reach the elevation of the plateau interior and hence the Tarom Basin was never integrated into the plateau realm. Furthermore, our provenance data indicate that the northern margin of the basin experienced a greater magnitude of deformation and exhumation than the southern one (IP margin). This agrees with recent Moho depth estimates, suggesting that crustal shortening and thickening cannot be responsible for the vertical growth of the northern margin of the IP, and hence surface uplift must have been driven by deep-seated processes

Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the intermontane Tarom Basin (NW sectors of the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone): insights into the vertical growth of the Iranian Plateau margin

The intermontane Tarom Basin of NW Iran (Arabia-Eurasia collision zone) is located at the transition between the Iranian Plateau (IP) to the SW and the Alborz Mountains to the NE. This basin was filled by Late Cenozoic synorogenic red beds that retain first-order information on the erosional history of adjacent topography, the vertical growth of the plateau margin and its lateral (orogen perpendicular) expansion. Here, we perform a multidisciplinary study including magnetostratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology and sandstone petrography on these red beds. Our data show that widespread Eocene arc volcanism in NW Iran terminated at ~ 38-36 Ma, while intrabasinal synorogenic sedimentation occurred between ~ 16.5 and < 7.6 Ma, implying that the red beds are stratigraphically equivalent to the Upper Red Formation. After 7.6 Ma, the basin experienced intrabasinal deformation, uplift and erosion in association with the establishment of external drainage. Fluvial connectivity with the Caspian Sea, however, was interrupted by at least four episodes of basin aggradation. During endorheic conditions the basin fill did not reach the elevation of the plateau interior and hence the Tarom Basin was never integrated into the plateau realm. Furthermore, our provenance data indicate that the northern margin of the basin experienced a greater magnitude of deformation and exhumation than the southern one (IP margin). This agrees with recent Moho depth estimates, suggesting that crustal shortening and thickening cannot be responsible for the vertical growth of the northern margin of the IP, and hence surface uplift must have been driven by deep-seated processes

Friction stir welding/processing of metals and alloys: A comprehensive review on microstructural evolution

The unique combination of very large strains, high temperatures and high strain rates inherent to friction stir welding (FSW) and friction stir processing (FSP) and their dependency on the processing parameters provides an opportunity to tailor the microstructure, and hence the performance of welds and surfaces to an extent not possible with fusion processe

Insights on the source of the 28 September 2018 Sulawesi tsunami, Indonesia based on spectral analyses and numerical simulations

The 28 September 2018 Sulawesi tsunami has been a puzzle because extreme deadly tsunami waves were generated following an Mw 7.5 strike-slip earthquake, while such earthquakes are not usually considered to produce large tsunamis. Here, we obtained, processed and analyzed two sea level records of the tsunami in the near-field (Pantoloan located inside the Palu Bay) and far-field (Mamuju located outside the Palu Bay) and conducted numerical simulations to shed light on the tsunami source. The two tide gauges recorded maximum tsunami trough-to-crest heights of 380 and 24 cm, respectively, with respective dominating wave periods of 3.6-4.4 and 10 min, and respective high-energy wave duration of 5.5 and [14 h. The two observed waveforms were significantly different with wave amplitude and period ratios of *16 and *3, respectively. We infer tsunamigenic source dimen19 sions of 3.4–4.1 km and 32.5 km, for inside and outside of the Palu Bay, respectively. Our numerical simulations fairly well repro21 duced both tsunami observations in Pantoloan and Mamuju; except for the arrival time in Mamuju. However, it was incapable of reproducing the maximum reported coastal amplitudes of 6–11 m. It is possible that these two sources are different parts of the same tectonic source. A bay oscillation mode of *85 min was revealed for the Palu Bay through numerical modeling. Actual sea surface disturbances and landslide-generated waves were captured by two video recordings from inside the Palu Bay shortly after the earthquake. It is possible that a large submarine landslide contributed to and intensified the Sulawesi tsunami. We identify the southern part of the Palu Bay, around the latitude of -0.82o S, as the most likely location of a potential landslide based on our backward tsunami ray tracing analysis. However, marine geological data from the Palu Bay are required to confirm such hypothesis

The Science of Sungrazers, Sunskirters, and Other Near-Sun Comets

This review addresses our current understanding of comets that venture close to the Sun, and are hence exposed to much more extreme conditions than comets that are typically studied from Earth. The extreme solar heating and plasma environments that these objects encounter change many aspects of their behaviour, thus yielding valuable information on both the comets themselves that complements other data we have on primitive solar system bodies, as well as on the near-solar environment which they traverse. We propose clear definitions for these comets: We use the term near-Sun comets to encompass all objects that pass sunward of the perihelion distance of planet Mercury (0.307 AU). Sunskirters are defined as objects that pass within 33 solar radii of the Sun’s centre, equal to half of Mercury’s perihelion distance, and the commonly-used phrase sungrazers to be objects that reach perihelion within 3.45 solar radii, i.e. the fluid Roche limit. Finally, comets with orbits that intersect the solar photosphere are termed sundivers. We summarize past studies of these objects, as well as the instruments and facilities used to study them, including space-based platforms that have led to a recent revolution in the quantity and quality of relevant observations. Relevant comet populations are described, including the Kreutz, Marsden, Kracht, and Meyer groups, near-Sun asteroids, and a brief discussion of their origins. The importance of light curves and the clues they provide on cometary composition are emphasized, together with what information has been gleaned about nucleus parameters, including the sizes and masses of objects and their families, and their tensile strengths. The physical processes occurring at these objects are considered in some detail, including the disruption of nuclei, sublimation, and ionisation, and we consider the mass, momentum, and energy loss of comets in the corona and those that venture to lower altitudes. The different components of comae and tails are described, including dust, neutral and ionised gases, their chemical reactions, and their contributions to the near-Sun environment. Comet-solar wind interactions are discussed, including the use of comets as probes of solar wind and coronal conditions in their vicinities. We address the relevance of work on comets near the Sun to similar objects orbiting other stars, and conclude with a discussion of future directions for the field and the planned ground- and space-based facilities that will allow us to address those science topics

Predicting the tensile strength, impact toughness, and hardness of friction stir-welded AA6061-T6 using response surface methodology

In this research, an attempt has been made to develop mathematical models for predicting mechanical properties including ultimate tensile strength, impact toughness, and hardness of the friction stir-welded AA6061-T6 joints at 95 % confidence level. Response surface methodology with central composite design having four parameters and five levels has been used. The four parameters considered were tool pin profile, rotational speed, welding speed, and tool tilt angle. Three confirmation tests were performed to validate the empirical relations. In addition, the influence of the process parameters on ultimate tensile strength, impact toughness, and hardness were investigated. The results indicated that tool pin profile is the most significant parameter in terms of mechanical properties; tool with simple cylindrical pin profile produced weld with high ultimate tensile strength, impact toughness, and hardness. In addition to tool pin profile, rotational speed was more significant compared to welding speed for ultimate tensile strength and impact toughness, whereas welding speed showed dominancy over rotational speed in case of hardness. Optimum conditions of process parameters have been found at which tensile strength of 92 %, impact toughness of 87 %, and hardness of 95 % was achieved in comparison to the base metal. This research will contribute to expand the scientific foundation of friction stir welding of aluminum alloys with emphasis on AA6061-T6. The results will aid the practitioners to develop a clear understanding of the influence of process parameters on mechanical properties and will allow the selection of best combinations of parameters to achieve desired mechanical properties

Consensus Middle East and North Africa Registry on Inborn Errors of Immunity

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic defects of immunity, which cause high rates of morbidity and mortality mainly among children due to infectious and non-infectious complications. The IEI burden has been critically underestimated in countries from middle- and low-income regions and the majority of patients with IEI in these regions lack a molecular diagnosis. Methods: We analyzed the clinical, immunologic, and genetic data of IEI patients from 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The data was collected from national registries and diverse databases such as the Asian Pacific Society for Immunodeficiencies (APSID) registry, African Society for Immunodeficiencies (ASID) registry, Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) registry, J Project centers, and International Consortium on Immune Deficiency (ICID) centers. Results: We identified 17,120 patients with IEI, among which females represented 39.4%. Parental consanguinity was present in 60.5% of cases and 27.3% of the patients were from families with a confirmed previous family history of IEI. The median age of patients at the onset of disease was 36 months and the median delay in diagnosis was 41 months. The rate of registered IEI patients ranges between 0.02 and 7.58 per 100,000 population, and the lowest rates were in countries with the highest rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and death rates for children. Predominantly antibody deficiencies were the most frequent IEI entities diagnosed in 41.2% of the cohort. Among 5871 patients genetically evaluated, the diagnostic yield was 83% with the majority (65.2%) having autosomal recessive defects. The mortality rate was the highest in patients with non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (51.7%, median age: 3.5 years) and particularly in patients with mutations in specific genes associated with this phenotype (RFXANK, RAG1, and IL2RG). Conclusions: This comprehensive registry highlights the importance of a detailed investigation of IEI patients in the MENA region. The high yield of genetic diagnosis of IEI in this region has important implications for prevention, prognosis, treatment, and resource allocation