9,477 research outputs found

    Application of a new system of self-tensioning to the design of large-span wood floor framings

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    [Abstract]This study describes a self-tensioning system in which the gravitational loads acting on a horizontal structural element are automatically converted to a post-tensioning force on that component. The self-tensioning effect has a variable intensity, constantly adjusted depending on the applied service loads. The self-tensioning is eccentrically applied over the cross-section, and it generates a negative moment that compensates the deformations due to the gravitational loads. The system can be utilized in beams, slabs and structural framings of different materials and can be implemented using different mechanical and hydraulic solutions. The study describes the operation of a mechanical solution for the self-tensioning system and analyzes its behavior in large-span timber floor framings. When combined with conventional pre-tensioning, the self-tensioning system notably improves the strength and deformation behavior and permits a design of timber floor framings with a total height of 0.03 times the span length, achieving relative deflections below 1/1000 of the span for the service loads of the structure

    Force reflecting hand controller

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    A universal input device for interfacing a human operator with a slave machine such as a robot or the like includes a plurality of serially connected mechanical links extending from a base. A handgrip is connected to the mechanical links distal from the base such that a human operator may grasp the handgrip and control the position thereof relative to the base through the mechanical links. A plurality of rotary joints is arranged to connect the mechanical links together to provide at least three translational degrees of freedom and at least three rotational degrees of freedom of motion of the handgrip relative to the base. A cable and pulley assembly for each joint is connected to a corresponding motor for transmitting forces from the slave machine to the handgrip to provide kinesthetic feedback to the operator and for producing control signals that may be transmitted from the handgrip to the slave machine. The device gives excellent kinesthetic feedback, high-fidelity force/torque feedback, a kinematically simple structure, mechanically decoupled motion in all six degrees of freedom, and zero backlash. The device also has a much larger work envelope, greater stiffness and responsiveness, smaller stowage volume, and better overlap of the human operator's range of motion than previous designs

    Construction and Assembly of the Wire Planes for the MicroBooNE Time Projection Chamber

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    In this paper we describe how the readout planes for the MicroBooNE Time Projection Chamber were constructed, assembled and installed. We present the individual wire preparation using semi-automatic winding machines and the assembly of wire carrier boards. The details of the wire installation on the detector frame and the tensioning of the wires are given. A strict quality assurance plan ensured the integrity of the readout planes. The different tests performed at all stages of construction and installation provided crucial information to achieve the successful realisation of the MicroBooNE wire planes.Comment: 24 pages, 22 figures, accepted for publication as Technical Report in JINS

    RC column strengthening by lateral pre-tensioning of FRP

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    This paper presents a unique strengthening technique for existing concrete columns that use expansive materials to apply lateral pre-tensioning. The technique increases the capacity and ductility of a column as well as achieving better utilisation of the confining FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer) material. The confinement material properties and the confined cylinder performance are investigated experimentally. From the results, it is shown that it is possible to control the degree of applied pre-tension by controlling the amount of expansive material used. In addition, it is confirmed that jacketing columns by pre-tensioned FRP materials can increase the load bearing capacity up to 35% compared with no pre-tensioning and up to more than four times compared with unconfined concrete. The paper presents details of experimental work undertaken for the development of the confinement pressure with different confining materials (Carbon-CFRP, Glass-GFRP and Steel) and makes comparisons with predictive models

    Fiber Bragg Grating sensors for deformation monitoring of GEM foils in HEP detectors

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    Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors have been so far mainly used in high energy physics (HEP) as high precision positioning and re-positioning sensors and as low cost, easy to mount, radiation hard and low space- consuming temperature and humidity devices. FBGs are also commonly used for very precise strain measurements. In this work we present a novel use of FBGs as flatness and mechanical tensioning sensors applied to the wide Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foils of the GE1/1 chambers of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of CERN. A network of FBG sensors has been used to determine the optimal mechanical tension applied and to characterize the mechanical stress applied to the foils. The preliminary results of the test performed on a full size GE1/1 final prototype and possible future developments will be discussed.Comment: Four pages, seven figures. Presented by Michele Caponero at IWASI 2015, Gallipoli (Italy

    Improving the tensile strength of carbon nanotube spun yarns using a modified spinning process

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    A modified process for the dry spinning of carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn is reported. The approach gives an improved structure of CNT bundles in the web drawn from the CNT forest and in the yarn produced from the twisted web leading to improved mechanical properties of the yarn. The process enables many different mechanical and physical treatments to be applied to the individual stages of the pure CNT spinning system, and may allow potential for the development of complex spinning processes such as polymer–CNT-based composite yarns. The tensile strength and yarn/web structure of yarn spun using this approach have been investigated and evaluated using standard tensile testing methods along with scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results show that the tensile properties were significantly improved. The effect of heat treatments and other yarn constructions on the tensile properties are also reported

    Issued as a Documentation Report on an Investigation of Field-Made Joints in Prestressed Reinforced Concrete Highway Girder Bridges, Project IHR-303, Phase 2

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    A prototype bridge girder was designed, built, and tested. The 250 ft long two-span girder was made of 3 precast segments about 88, 74, and 88 ft in length. The segments were supported on 3 final and 2 temporary supports. The joints were of cast-in-place concrete, as was the composite deck. After the site-cast concrete was cured, the structure was post-tensioned to establish continuity and the temporary supports were removed. The two longer segments were pretensioned to resist the girder and deck dead loads, while the shorter segment was reinforced with deformed bars for the same loads. The structure was subjected to a series of loadings, during which deflections, reactions, and concrete strains were measured. The loads approximated AASHTO HS-20 vehicles. The first 4 tests ,were to service loads, with total applied loads of 73.6 kips. The structure remained elastic and crack free during these tests. Two tests were to the design ultimate load, 198.7 kips. A load of 328.2 kips was applied in the final test without causing failure. The final loading was applied to produce maximum shear in one splice, and a shear failure, complicated by large flexural deformations, appeared to be developing when the test ended. The final test produced a maximum deflection of 10.8 in., and a residual of about 1.0 in. The joint details used in the prototype structure were adequate, and the presence of the, joint had no influence on the behavior of the structure until extremely large overloads were reached.State of Illinois Department of TransportationU.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway AdministrationProject IHR-30

    Comparative study of evolution of residual stress state by local mechanical tensioning and laser processing of ferritic and austenitic structural steel welds.

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    Complex thermal stresses generated in welded structures are undesirable but inevitable in fusion welding. The presence of residual stresses can be detrimental to the integrity of a welded joint. In this research, redistribution of residual stress magnitude and profile was studied and compared in two multi-pass welded structural alloys (API X100 and 304L stainless steel) after cold rolling and laser processing. The residual stress field was studied by neutron diffraction using the SALSA strain scanner at their reactor neutron source at ILL, Grenoble. In addition to a complex distribution of residual stress state, multi-pass welds also forms dendritic grain structure, which are repeatedly heated, resulting in segregation of alloying elements. Dendritic grain structure is weaker and segregation of alloying elements may result in formation of corrosion microcells as well as reduction in overall corrosion prevention due to depletion of alloying elements in certain areas. The modification of as-welded residual stress state was done by cold rolling which was followed by laser processing to create a recrystallized microstructure to minimise segregation. The main objective of this study is to understand the suitability of this novel manufacturing technique to create a stress free weldment with recrystallised grain structure. Hardness evolution in the welded structures was scanned following welding, post weld cold rolling and cold rolling followed by laser processing. Hardness distribution in both the structural alloys showed a significant evidence of plastic deformation near the cap pass of the weld metal. Residual stress redistribution was observed up to 4 mm from the capping pass for ferritic steel, while in austenitic steel weld, post weld cold rolling was effective in modifying the residual stress redistribution throughout the entire thickness. Laser processing in both cases reinstated the as-welded residual stress distribution and resulted in softening of the strained area
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