Behaviour of FRP-to-concrete bonded joints

The bond behaviour between FRP (fibre-reinforced polymer) and concrete is a consideration in the design of FRP strengthening mechanisms for structurally deficient or functionally obsolete concrete structures. In the past, a number of empirical models and fracture mechanics based theoretical models have been proposed for determining the effective bond length and bond strength of FRP sheets/plates bonded to concrete. However, these methods have yielded large discrepancies in the predictions of effective bond length and bond strength. In this paper, the results of an experimental investigation into effective bond length and bond strength are presented. Comparison of experiments results with predictions from three empirical and three fracture mechanics based theoretical models shows that a recently proposed fracture mechanics based local-bond slip model provides a conservative prediction of the effective bond length and an accurate prediction of bond strengt

Structural evaluation of concrete expanded polystyrene sandwich panels for slab applications

Sandwich panels are being extensively and increasingly used in building construction because they are light in weight, energy efficient, aesthetically attractive and can be easily handled and erected. This paper presents a structural evaluation of Concrete-Expanded Polystyrene (CEPS) sandwich panels for slab applications using finite element modeling approach. CEPS panels are made of expanded polystyrene foam sandwiched between concrete skins. The use of foam in the middle of sandwich panel reduces the weight of the structure and also acts as insulation against thermal, acoustics and vibration. Applying reinforced concrete skin to both sides of panel takes the advantages of the sandwich concept where the reinforced concrete skins take compressive and tensile loads resulting in higher stiffness and strength and the core transfers shear loads between the faces. This research uses structural software Strand7, which is based on finite element method, to predict the load deformation behaviour of the CEPS sandwich slab panels. Non linear static analysis was used in the numerical investigations. Predicted results were compared with the existing experimental results to validate the numerical approach used

Capacity Gaps in Post Disaster Waste Management: Case Study in Sri Lanka

Disaster waste is one of the major consequences aftermath of any disaster, impacts on public and environment, rescue and emergency services, provision of lifeline support and socio-economic recovery of affected areas. Thus, management of wastes created by disasters has become an increasingly important issue to be addressed in responding to a disaster. This chapter intends to present the prevailing gaps in disaster waste management and approaches to minimize the impacts on disaster management at developing countries with special emphasis to Sri Lankan context. Findings revealed that, unavailability of single point responsibility and provisions for disaster waste in existing policies and capacity constraints of the prevailing peace time solid waste management practices as major capacity gaps. Establishment of a regulatory body and enforceable rules and regulations with necessary levels of capacities were identified with seven areas for capacity building for post disaster waste management. The research enabled to attain sustainable post disaster waste management for future resilience

Vibration of unsymmetrically laminated thick plates with quadrangular boundary

The problem of free vibration of arbitrary quadrilateral unsymmetrically laminated plates subject to arbitrary boundary conditions is considered. The Ritz procedures supplemented by the simple polynomial shape functions are employed to derive the governing eigenvalue equation. The displacements are approximated by a set of polynomials which consist of a basic boundary function that impose the various boundary constraints. A first-order shear deformable plate theory is employed to account for the effects of the transverse shear deformation. The numerical accuracy of the solution is verified by studying the convergence characteristics of the vibration frequencies and also by comparison with existing results. The new results of this study include the sensitivity of the vibration responses to variations in the lamination, boundary constraints and thickness effects, and also their interactions. These numerical values are presented for a typical graphite/epoxy material, in tabular and graphical forms

Hollow concrete columns: review of structural behavior and new designs using GFRP reinforcement

Hollow concrete columns (HCCs) reinforced with steel bars have been employed extensively for bridge piers, ground piles, and utility poles because they use fewer materials and offer higher structural efficiency compared to solid concrete columns with the same concrete area. Many experimental studies have been conducted to investigate the behavior of HCCs under different loading conditions and found that the structural performance of HCCs is critically affected by many design parameters. If not designed properly, HCCs exhibit brittle failure behavior, due to longitudinal bars buckling or the concrete wall failing in shear. In addition, the corrosion of steel bars has become an issue in reinforced-concrete structures. Therefore, this paper critically reviews the different design parameters that affect the performance of HCCs and identifies new opportunities for the safe design and effective use of this construction system. Moreover, the use of GFRP bars as reinforcement in hollow concrete columns is explored with the aim of developing a non-corroding and structurally reliable construction system

Factors Influencing Post-disaster Reconstruction Project Management for Housing Provision in the Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestinian Territories

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Gaza Strip has suffered regular cycles of reconstruction due to systematic destruction during Israeli military operations, as in 2006, 2008–2009, 2012, and 2014. In this context of ongoing conflict this article aims to identify, rank, and discuss the most important factors influencing post-disaster reconstruction project management (PDRPM) for housing in the Gaza Strip. A set of key factors that influence PDRPM were assembled as a result of a global literature review. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the obtained data were analyzed using a relative importance index for each PDRPM factor. Findings are presented in six groups: housing approaches, organizational behavior, project funding, supply chain and logistics, communication and coordination, and PDRPM context. Findings indicate that the most significant factors that influence PDRPM for housing provision in the Gaza Strip are related to issues associated with financial resources. It is critical that sufficient funding should be available in order to allow organizations to undertake housing projects in an effective and efficient way. Joint efforts are required from international donors and local organizations in order to effectively manage financial resources with the ultimate goal of improving PDRPM for housing provision

Structural Equation Modeling for Evaluating the Public Value of Service Delivery through e Government: A Case Study from Sri Lanka

This paper presents an investigation of the public value of the service delivery through e-government in Sri Lanka based on a revised conceptual framework. Using structural equation modeling on the survey data collected, the paper reveals that the attempt to deliver quality information through egovernment in Sri Lanka is valued. Furthermore, various e-services, and citizen centric features of government information and service delivery seem to be valued. Overall about 60% of the respondents are satisfied with the government effort on the delivery of public services thought e-government in Sri Lanka

Critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka

This paper aims to identify the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka from the perspective of the delivery of public services and the efficiency of public organizations. To fulfill these aims of the study, a conceptual framework is developed based on a comprehensive review of the related literature by considering the delivery of public services and the efficiency of public organizations. With the collected survey data from Sri Lanka, the conceptual framework is empirically tested and validated by performing a confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling. The study shows that the delivery of quality information and services, user-orientation of information and services, efficiency and responsiveness of public organizations, and contributions of public organizations to the environmental sustainability are the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka. As the first study in examining the critical factors for evaluating the public value of e-government in Sri Lanka, the findings of the study would be of practical significance to the continuous development of e-government in Sri Lanka and other countries in the world

Developments of e-government in Sri Lanka: Opportunities and challenges

This chapter investigates the status of e-Government development, explores the opportunities created for citizens and government, and identifies the challenges for an effective implementation of e-Government in Sri Lanka. The study reveals that the dissemination of public information online, the provision of call centre services, and the establishment of tele-centres in rural areas have generally improved the wellbeing of citizens. It further shows that the development of information and communication technology infrastructure and the taking of the human resource capacity building initiative in public organizations have had a positive impact on the performance of public organizations. The study, however, reveals that the continuous development of e-Government in Sri Lanka is troubled by the uneven access of rural citizens to e-Government services, the low e-Readiness of citizens, the delay in implementing major e-Government projects, and the insufficient funding for successfully implementing all the e-Government initiatives

Construction safety assessment framework for developing countries: A case study of Sri Lanka

Construction safety on project sites is of utmost importance due to the nature of the construction industry. However, it is usually a secondary concern in a market-driven society where the main concern is completing projects at the required quality with minimum time and cost. Thus, safety issues are considered only after an accident occurs at a construction site with follow up measures to improve working conditions, especially in developing countries. In Sri Lanka, according to the International Labour Organisation, one out of six accidents and 25 out of 40 deaths occur at construction sites due to negligence or carelessness. These statistics show that safety is not adequately considered in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Therefore, proper safety management in construction is of utmost importance; hence, this study aims to introduce a benchmark to measure construction safety through a proposed safety management assessment framework. Factors affecting construction safety performance were explored through a questionnaire survey conducted in Sri Lanka. The results suggest that a benchmark of construction safety should be considered across six dominant groups of factors: management commitment, management measures, implementation, project nature, individual involvement and economic investment. Management commitment is the most dominant factor that affects construction safety and consists of implementing organisational safety policies, assigning safety responsibilities at all levels, etc. The proposed management framework will facilitate a benchmarking process and initiatives for improving construction safety performance in developing countries