Seismic strengthening of deficient exterior RC beam-column sub-assemblages using post-tensioned metal strips

Old reinforced concrete buildings are vulnerable to seismic actions as they were built in accordance with non-seismic code provisions and suffer from poor material quality and/or reinforcement detailing. Moreover, many buildings were constructed without even basic design code recommendations. Consequently, their structural components, in particular beam-column joints, suffer from a wide range of deficiencies. These joints may deteriorate severely under seismic actions leading to extensive damage and collapse. The current study aims to develop an understanding of the behaviour of exterior beam-column joints with shear strength and anchorage deficiencies, and to examine a strengthening solution using post-tensioned metal strips in upgrading their performance. A multiphase experimental programme was conducted including small and medium scale beams with inadequate lap splices loaded in tension and deficient isolated full-scale exterior beam-column joints subjected to quasi-static cyclic loading. In the beam tests, deficient splices were investigated under different confinement conditions, namely, unconfined, internally confined by steel stirrups, and externally confined by metal strips. Test parameters included concrete cover, confinement ratios, concrete quality, and bar diameter. Providing post-tensioned external confinement had a considerable impact on the behaviour, and resulted in sizable enhancements in strength and ductility. Parametric studies were conducted to identify the parameters most influencing the contribution of external confinement to bond. A bond stress-slip model is proposed that can be used to predict and simulate the behaviour of splices strengthened by post-tensioned metal strips. This model was implemented in FE models of beams and showed good correlation with the measured response. In the joint tests, four full scale exterior RC beam-column joints were tested under cyclic loading. The joints experienced severe cracking and damage including a shear mechanism in the panel zone. The joints failed prematurely at about 50% of their nominal flexural strength. Strengthening the joints with post-tensioned metal strips led to an improved performance, higher energy dissipation and more controlled shear failure along with moderate damage in the beam. An enhanced ACI-based strut-and-tie joint model is proposed and verified against the current test results and results by others. The model can be used for strengthened specimens as well as unconfined exterior joints and it accounts for different beam anchorage lengths. A quad-linear shear stress-strain model is proposed to simulate the behaviour of strengthened joints. The model was implemented in a finite element panel-zone scissors model. The scissors model was incorporated in nonlinear static and cyclic analyses. The simulated response was found to represent the joint behaviour reasonably well. A full-scale two storey reinforced concrete framed building was designed and tested on a shaking table, in cooperation with different researchers and academic partners. The building was substandard with a multiple range of deficiencies in the joint regions and connecting elements. The bare building suffered severe damage under small seismic intensities. Upgrading the structure with schemes of post-tensioned metal strips led to a considerably enhanced performance

A New Aprroach for the Assesment of Coronary Artery Disease Risk

Abstract: Coronary artery diseas

Seismic behaviour of Exterior RC beam-column joints repaired and strengthened using post-tensioned metal straps

Exterior beam-column joints are the most vulnerable part of substandard reinforced concrete (RC) buildings and are often the first to be damaged during earthquakes. This article presents an experimental and numerical investigation into the behaviour of exterior RC beam-column joints repaired and strengthened using Post-Tensioned Metal Straps (PTMS) for active confinement. The study focused on full-scale beam-column joints with an inadequate core zone detailing, thus emulating the deficiencies found in existing substandard RC buildings. Initially, four “bare” joints were subjected to cyclic tests to induce substantial damage within the core zone. Subsequently, the damaged core of the joints was repaired and recast with new concrete, and PTMS were applied to strengthen the joints, followed by another round of cyclic testing. The experimental findings were compared with predictions generated through established models from existing literature. The results revealed that ASCE/SEI 41–17 guidelines accurately predict the shear capacity of the bare joints. It is shown that recasting the core with new concrete significantly increased the joint’s shear capacity by up to 42% compared their bare counterparts. The use of PTMS strengthening further enhanced the capacity by up to 25%. A “scissors model” was employed for numerical simulations of both bare and PTMS-strengthened joints using DRAIN-2DX, which proved effective at predicting their nonlinear load-displacement envelope response. This article contributes towards the development of new cost-effective post-earthquake strengthening techniques for beam-column joints, with the potential to reduce the vulnerability of substandard RC buildings in developing countries

Full-Scale Shaking Table Tests on a Substandard RC Building Repaired and Strengthened with Post-Tensioned Metal Straps

The effectiveness of a novel Post-Tensioned Metal Strapping (PTMS) technique at enhancing the seismic behaviour of a substandard RC building was investigated through full-scale shake-table tests during the EU-funded project BANDIT. The building had inadequate reinforcement detailing in columns and joints to replicate old construction practices. After the bare building was initially damaged significantly, it was repaired and strengthened with PTMS to perform additional seismic tests. The PTMS technique improved considerably the seismic performance of the tested building. Whilst the bare building experienced critical damage at an earthquake of PGA=0.15g, the PTMS-strengthened building sustained a PGA=0.35g earthquake without compromising stability

Strengthening of short splices in RC beams using Post-Tensioned Metal Straps

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a novel and cost-effective strengthening technique using Post-Tensioned Metal Straps (PTMS) at enhancing the bond behaviour of short lap spliced steel bars in reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Twelve RC beams with a short lap splice length of 10d b (d b = bar diameter) at the midspan zone were tested in flexure to examine the bond splitting failure. The effect of confinement (no confinement, internal steel stirrups or external PTMS), bar diameter and concrete cover were examined. The results show that, whilst unconfined control beams failed prematurely due to cover splitting, the use of PTMS confinement enhanced the bond strength of the spliced bars by up to 58 % and resulted in a less brittle behaviour. Based on the test results, a new analytical model is proposed to predict the additional bond strength provided by PTMS confinement. The model should prove useful in the strengthening design of substandard lap spliced RC elements

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Bond of substandard laps in reinforced concrete beams retrofitted with post-tensioned metal straps

This paper investigates the bond-splitting performance of lapped steel bars in tension. Twelve reinforced concrete (RC) beams with substandard laps (lap length = 25 bar diameters) at midspan were tested in flexure. The variables examined include the bar diameter, concrete cover, and three different confinement conditions at midspan: 1) no confinement; 2) internal steel stirrups; and 3) external post-tensioned metal straps (PTMSs). The test results show that, in comparison to unconfined specimens, PTMS confinement enhances the bond strength of the lapped bars by up to 120%. Based on the results of this study, an innovative equation is proposed and validated to calculate the additional bond strength provided by PTMS confinement. The equation can be used for assessment and retrofit of substandard lapped bars in RC structures and should prove useful in practical retrofitting applications

Clinicopathologic Profile and Outcome of Extranodal Diffuse Large B-Cell NHL: Egyptian National Cancer Institute Experience

Background: Primary extranodal diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (PE-DLBCL) accounts for about one-third of all cases of DLBCL. We reviewed the clinical and pathological characteristics of cases with PE-DLBCL presented to NCI, Egypt

Ion-Triggered In Situ Gelling Intranasal Spray of Dronedarone Hydrochloride Nanocarriers: In Vitro Optimization and In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Appraisal

The current study aims to develop niosomal nanocarriers for intranasal delivery of dronedarone hydrochloride to ameliorate its limited bioavailability. Niosomes were prepared by ethanol injection method and optimized using 3² full factorial experimental design. Both Span® type (X1) and Span®: cholesterol ratio (X2) were set as independent variables. Vesicle size (Y1), polydispersity index (Y2), zeta potential (Y3), and entrapment efficiency (Y4) were set as responses. The optimal formula was further incorporated into an ion-sensitive in situ gelling polymer for intranasal delivery. Optimal formula (N7), which is composed of Span® 80: cholesterol (1:1), was of the least vesicle size (121.27 ± 13.31 nm), least polydispersity index (0.43 ± 0.073), highest zeta potential (−22.23 ± 2.84 mV) and highest entrapment efficiency (73.44 ± 2.8%). About 75.86% and 60.29% of dronedarone hydrochloride were released from N7 dispersion and in situ gel, respectively, within 12 h, compared to only 13.3% released from a drug-free suspension. In vivo pharmacokinetic study on male New Zealand rabbits resulted in significantly higher Cmax, AUC0–72, and AUC0–∞ of intranasal niosomal in situ gel compared to oral suspension. Almost twofold amplification of relative bioavailability was obtained after intranasal administration of niosomal in situ gel (195.7%) compared to oral suspension