1,304 research outputs found
Dynamic parameters of structures extracted from ambient vibration measurements: an aid for the seismic vulnerability assessment of existing buildings in moderate seismic hazard regions
During the past two decades, the use of ambient vibrations for modal analysis
of structures has increased as compared to the traditional techniques (forced
vibrations). The Frequency Domain Decomposition method is nowadays widely used
in modal analysis because of its accuracy and simplicity. In this paper, we
first present the physical meaning of the FDD method to estimate the modal
parameters. We discuss then the process used for the evaluation of the building
stiffness deduced from the modal shapes. The models considered here are 1D
lumped-mass beams and especially the shear beam. The analytical solution of the
equations of motion makes it possible to simulate the motion due to a weak to
moderate earthquake and then the inter-storey drift knowing only the modal
parameters (modal model). This process is finally applied to a 9-storey
reinforced concrete (RC) dwelling in Grenoble (France). We successfully
compared the building motion for an artificial ground motion deduced from the
model estimated using ambient vibrations and recorded in the building. The
stiffness of each storey and the inter-storey drift were also calculated
Prospective life cycle assessment for nickel slag valorization by mineral carbonation
Nickel slag management is a growing issue for the pyrometallurgical industries. The generated amounts are significant, but the valorization options are limited and low valuable. In the case of New-Caledonia, which is one of the five largest nickel producers in the world, the cumulated stock of slag reaches several tens of million tons and increases by further million tons each year. Currently, only a small amount of this waste is recovered as sand for concrete production. Moreover, pyrometallurgy highly consumes fossil-fuel energy and electricity for ore pre-treatment and nickel extraction, which produces significant CO2 emissions. A new valorization approach is suggested to improve the management of nickel slag and to settle an efficient valorization sector. The process consists of mineralizing CO2 inside slag to produce silico-magnesian cement and supplementary cement materials which would partially replace clinker into cement. The benefit of this technology in a circular economy perspective is double: to reduce two local stocks (slag and CO2 from nickel industries) and to produce building materials with a low environmental impact. However, many questions are to be answered for the organization of the sector (e.g. where to capture CO2, which capture technology to use, where to sell products?) and for the operational conditions of the process (e.g. what mineralization rate to aim, is it required to optimize the process in terms of energy consumption?). A prospective Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is achieved with the Brightway framework to assess the organizational scenarios and the operational conditions of the process. The process being currently at a low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), the LCA is projected at the industrial level for a specified time-horizon. It enables to efficiently compare the process with the environmental challenges of the future. The presentation focuses on the production of supplementary cement materials from nickel slag valorization then its use into the production of cement. The slag valorization sector with CCU is modelled (slag preparation, CO2 capture, mineral carbonation, drying, supplementary cement materials production, selling with potential export and cement production), then compared with a future conventional cement. The scenarios which ensure an environmental performance are identified, such as the best values for the operational parameters of the process. These results will help to improve the process in development and will assist in the decision making for the settlement of the sector in New-Caledonia
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