20,034 research outputs found
Experimental assessment and retrofit of full-scale models of existing RC frames
PSD tests on two full-scale models of existing non-seismic resisting RC frame structures are
described. The testing program covered several aspects, namely assessment of seismic
performance of existing frames without and with infill panels, retrofitting of the bare frame
using Selective Retrofitting techniques, strengthening of the infill panels using shotcrete and
retrofitting of the frame using K-bracing with shear-link dissipators. The main results from
the tests are summarized and discussed and the conclusions are drawn. The tests on the bare
frame have shown how vulnerable are existing structures constructed in the 60’s and the
beneficial effects of infill panels were confirmed from the tests on the infilled frame.
Important improvements, in terms of seismic performance, were achieved by the retrofitting
of the frames. However, it was also confirmed that strengthening of the existing infill panels
in poorly detailed frames may lead to dangerous ‘local’ failures, such as the shear out of the
external columns
Effective action in DSR1 quantum field theory
We present the one-loop effective action of a quantum scalar field with DSR1
space-time symmetry as a sum over field modes. The effective action has real
and imaginary parts and manifest charge conjugation asymmetry, which provides
an alternative theoretical setting to the study of the particle-antiparticle
asymmetry in nature.Comment: 8 page
Chronic hyponatremia in a patient with renal salt wasting and without cerebral disease: relationship between RSW, risk of fractures and cognitive impairment
Renal salt wasting syndrome (RSW) is defined as a renal loss of sodium leading to hyponatremia and a decrease in extracellular fluid volume (ECV). Differentiation of this disorder from the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), a common cause of hyponatremia, can be difficult because both can present with hyponatremia and concentrated urine with natriuresis. Our clinical case about a 78-year-old woman with a recent fracture of the right femur not only confirms that this syndrome can occur in patients without intracranial pathologies (CT documented), but depicts how the hyponatremia caused by RSW can show a chronic, oscillating course. This is an interesting point of view because it suggests to us to consider RSW in the differential diagnosis of patients with chronic hyponatremia
The use of FRPs in seismic repair and retrofit: experimental verification
The application of FRPs in the seismic repair and retrofit of structures is addressed. The results from a few tests on full-scale structures, repaired and/or retrofitted with composites, performed at the ELSA laboratory are presented and discussed
The Entropy Principle and the Influence of Sociological Pressures on SETI
We begin with the premise that the law of entropy could prove to be
fundamental for the evolution of intelligent life and the advent of
technological civilization. Building on recent theoretical results, we combine
a modern approach to evolutionary theory with Monte Carlo Realization
Techniques. A numerical test for a proposed significance of the law of entropy
within the evolution of intelligent species is performed and results are
compared with a neutral test hypothesis. Some clarifying aspects on the
emergence of intelligent species arise and are discussed in the framework of
contemporary astrobiology.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in the International
Journal of Astrobiolog
Tanaka-Tagoshi Parametrization of post-1PN Spin-Free Gravitational Wave Chirps: Equispaced and Cardinal Interpolated Lattices For First Generation Interferometric Antennas
The spin-free binary-inspiral parameter-space introduced by Tanaka and
Tagoshi to construct a uniformly-spaced lattice of templates at (and possibly
beyond) order is shown to work for all first generation interferometric
gravitational wave antennas. This allows to extend the minimum-redundant
cardinal interpolation techniques of the correlator bank developed by the
Authors to the highest available order PN templates. The total number of 2PN
templates to be computed for a minimal match is reduced by a
factor 4, as in the 1PN case.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Dynamic nonlinear analyses for the 4-storey infilled R/C frame: study of a retrofitting solution
A research project on assessment and retrofitting of R/C frame structures is currently being developed under the research programme of the ICONS TMR-research network. This paper presents and discusses the preliminary experimental results from a 4-storey bare frame representative of the common practice of 40~50 years ago in most south European countries and devotes special attention to the study of a retrofitting solution based on bracing and rubber dissipaters, which intends to increase stiffness and damping reducing consequently the earthquake deformation demands.O estudo aqui apresentado concentra-se numa solução de reforço de um pórtico utilizando contraventamentos (k-bracing) com perfis de aço em conjunto com elementos elastoméricos de dissipação. Os resultados das análises não lineares da estrutura com e sem alvenaria e com reforço são apresentados e discutidos. Na segunda parte da comunicação apresentam-se os resultados experimentais já disponíveis e discute-se o problema da modelação recorrendo aos resultados experimentais e comparando os resultados obtidos com diferentes tipos de modelos
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