Risk and sensitivity quantification of fracture failure employing cohesive zone elements

Many structures are subjected to the risk of fatigue failure. For their reliability-based design, it is thus important to calculate the probability of fatigue failure and assess the relative importance of the involved parameters. Although various studies have analyzed the fatigue failure, the stage of fracture failure has been less focused. In particular, the risk analysis of fracture failure needs to be conducted considering its importance in actual structures. This article proposes a new probabilistic framework for the risk and sensitivity analysis of structural fatigue failure employing cohesive zone elements. The proposed framework comprises three steps, namely finite element analysis using cohesive zone elements, response surface construction, and risk and sensitivity analysis of fatigue failure, which require several mathematical techniques and algorithms. The proposed framework is tested by applying it to an illustrative example, and the corresponding analysis results of fracture failure probability with different threshold values of a limit-state function are presented. In addition, the sensitivities of failure risk with respect to the statistical parameters of random variables are presented and their relative importance is discussed

Influence of variability of material mechanical properties on seismic performance of steel and steel-concrete composite structures

Modern standards for constructions in seismic zones allow the construction of buildings able to dissipate the energy of the seismic input through an appropriate location of cyclic plastic deformations involving the largest possible number of structural elements, forming thus a global collapse mechanisms without failure and instability phenomena both at local and global level. The key instrument for this purpose is the capacity design approach, which requires an appropriate selection of the design forces and an accurate definition of structural details within the plastic hinges zones, prescribing at the same time the oversizing of non-dissipative elements that shall remain in the elastic field during the earthquake. However, the localization of plastic hinges and the development of the global collapse mechanism is strongly influenced by the mechanical properties of materials, which are characterized by an inherent randomness. This variability can alter the final structural behaviour not matching the expected performance. In the present paper, the influence of the variability of material mechanical properties on the structural behaviour of steel and steel/concrete composite buildings is analyzed, evaluating the efficiency of the capacity design approach as proposed by Eurocode 8 and the possibility of introducing an upper limitation to the nominal yielding strength adopted in the design

Factorial validity and measurement invariance across gender groups of the German version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index

The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) is the most widely used measure of empathy, but its factorial validity has been questioned. The present research investigates the factorial validity of the German adaptation of the IRI, the "Saarbrücker Persönlichkeitsfragebogen SPF-IRI". Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) were used to test the theoretically predicted four-factor model. Across two subsamples ESEM outperformed CFA. Substantial cross-loadings were evident in ESEM. Measurement invariance (MI) across gender groups was tested using ESEM in the combined sample. Strict MI (invariant factor loadings, intercepts, residuals) could be established, and variances and covariances were also equal. Differences for latent means were evident. Women scored higher on fantasy, empathic concern, and personal distress. No significant differences were found for perspective taking. Mean differences were due to real differences on latent variables and not a result of measurement bias. Results support the factorial validity of the German SPF-IRI. The heterogeneity of empathy and the unclear differentiation between cognitive and emotional aspects might be a source for the unclear differentiation of scales

Axis I comorbidity in adolescent inpatients referred for treatment of substance use disorders

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To assess comorbid DSM-IV-TR Axis I disorders in adolescent inpatients referred for treatment of substance use disorders.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>151 patients (mean age 16.95 years, SD = 1.76; range 13 - 22) were consecutively assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and standardized clinical questionnaires to assess mental disorders, symptom distress, psychosocial variables and detailed aspects of drug use. A consecutively referred subgroup of these 151 patients consisting of 65 underage patients (mean age 16.12, SD = 1.10; range 13 - 17) was additionally assessed with the modules for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) using The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for school-aged children (K-SADS-PL).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>128 (84.8%) of the 151 patients were dependent on at least one substance, the remaining patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria for abuse only. 40.5% of the participants fulfilled criteria for at least one comorbid present Axis I disorder other than substance use disorders (67.7% in the subgroup additionally interviewed with the K-SADS-PL). High prevalences of present mood disorder (19.2%), somatoform disorders (9.3%), and anxiety disorders (22.5%) were found. The 37 female participants showed a significantly higher risk for lifetime comorbid disorders; the gender difference was significantly pronounced for anxiety and somatoform disorders. Data from the underage subgroup revealed a high prevalence for present CD (41.5%). 33% of the 106 patients (total group) who were within the mandatory school age had not attended school for at least a two-month period prior to admission. In addition, 51.4% had been temporarily expelled from school at least once.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present data validates previous findings of high psychiatric comorbidity in adolescent patients with substance use disorders. The high rates of school refusal and conduct disorder indicate the severity of psychosocial impairment.</p

Treated Rhizophora mucronata tannin as a corrosion inhibitor in chloride solution

Treated Rhizopora mucronata tannin (RMT) as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel and copper in oil and gas facilities was investigated. Corrosion rate of carbon-steel and copper in 3wt% NaCl solution by RMT was studied using chemical (weight loss method) and spectroscopic (FTIR) techniques at various temperatures in the ranges of 26–90C. The weight loss data was compared to the electrochemical by the application of Faraday’s law for the conversion of corrosion rate data from one system to another. The inhibitive efficiency of RMT was compared with commercial inhibitor sodium benzotriazole (BTA-S). The best concentration of RMT was 20% (w/v), increase in concentration of RMT decreased the corrosion rate and increased the inhibitive efficiency. Increase in temperature increased the corrosion rate and decreased the inhibitive efficiency but, the rate of corrosion was mild with RMT. The FTIR result shows the presence of hydroxyl group, aromatic group, esters and the substituted benzene group indicating the purity of the tannin. The trend of RMT was similar to that of BTA-S, but its inhibitive efficiency for carbon-steel was poor (6%) compared to RMT (59%). BTA-S was efficient for copper (76%) compared to RMT (74%) at 40% (w/v) and 20% (w/v) concentration respectively. RMT was efficient even at low concentration therefore, the use of RMT as a cost effective and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibiting agent for carbon steel and copper is herein proposed

Seismic assessment of a heavy-timber frame structure with ring-doweled moment-resisting connections

The performance of heavy-timber structures in earthquakes depends strongly on the inelastic behavior of the mechanical connections. Nevertheless, the nonlinear behavior of timber structures is only considered in the design phase indirectly through the use of an R-factor or a q-factor, which reduces the seismic elastic response spectrum. To improve the estimation of this, the seismic performance of a three-story building designed with ring-doweled moment resisting connections is analyzed here. Connections and members were designed to fulfill the seismic detailing requirements present in Eurocode 5 and Eurocode 8 for high ductility class structures. The performance of the structure is evaluated through a probabilistic approach, which accounts for uncertainties in mechanical properties of members and connections. Nonlinear static analyses and multi-record incremental dynamic analyses were performed to characterize the q-factor and develop fragility curves for different damage levels. The results indicate that the detailing requirements of Eurocode 5 and Eurocode 8 are sufficient to achieve the required performance, even though they also indicate that these requirements may be optimized to achieve more cost-effective connections and members. From the obtained fragility curves, it was verified that neglecting modeling uncertainties may lead to overestimation of the collapse capacity