Navid Ranjbar

A Comprehensive Study of the Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Fly Ash Based Geopolymer

As a cementitious material, geopolymers show a high quasi-brittle behavior and a relatively low fracture energy. To overcome such a weakness, incorporation of fibers to a brittle matrix is a well-known technique to enhance the flexural properties. This study comprehensively evaluates the short and long term impacts of different volume percentages of polypropylene fiber (PPF) reinforcement on fly ash based geopolymer composites. Different characteristics of the composite were compared at fresh state by flow measurement and hardened state by variation of shrinkage over time to assess the response of composites under flexural and compressive load conditions. The fiber-matrix interface, fiber surface and toughening mechanisms were assessed using field emission scan electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that incorporation of PPF up to 3 wt % into the geopolymer paste reduces the shrinkage and enhances the energy absorption of the composites. While, it might reduce the ultimate flexural and compressive strength of the material depending on fiber content.

Finite Element Analysis of the Dynamic Response of Composite Floors Subjected to Walking Induced Vibrations

The applications of composite materials have been widely practiced in modern construction. Structural engineers are often urged to consider aesthetic values as well as the financial aspects in their work, which results in structures that have long span, lightweight and low natural frequencies. These structures exhibit excessive vibrations that cause major discomforts to the occupants. The purpose of this study is to establish a methodology using finite element analysis for assessing the dynamic responses of composite floors and determining the corresponding level of comfort. Linear elastic finite element analysis was conducted using more realistic load models with respect to the application of different geometries of concrete slab and fiber reinforced polymer materials. The composite floor investigated included FRP deck, FRP beams, and concrete slabs of various thicknesses. The resulting maximum peak accelerations indicated the need for more realistic load models to generate a time function including space, time and heel impact descriptions. The FRP deck or beam was satisfactory in terms of serviceability and comfort level. There were no significant differences between the results when fiber reinforced polymer materials or common concrete-steel composite floors were used.

Effects of coordinated crowd motion on dynamic responses of composite floors in buildings

This paper explores the vibration behaviour of composite floors in an existing building using a comprehensive study of the modal dynamic responses. Different panels are subjected to loads induced by human motion. The computed fundamental natural frequency and vibration modes are first verified against experimental and numerical results from previous studies. Departing from close correlation established by comparisons, this study investigates the effects of coordinated passive live loads as additional stationary mass due to crowds jumping. In another case, the effects of different intensities and the loads created by different jumping crowd sizes are investigated. Thirty modes of vibrations are selected to obtain all the possible excitations and to make a third harmonic load frequency available to excite the critical modes. In addition, the presence of different coordinated passive live loads on the composite floor results in different behaviours for each particular panel that is associated with location of load and passive live load intensities. This study shows that an increase in crowd size and the intensity of the active load are not directly proportional to the dynamic responses especially for displacement. It is also found that the synchronisation of active load plays a part in reducing structural dynamic responses, an observation that has not been highlighted before in previous studies.

Finite element analysis of high modal dynamic responses of a composite floor subjected to human motion under passive live load

Light weight and long span composite floors are common place in modern construction. A critical consequence of this application is undesired vibration which may cause excessive discomfort to occupants. This work investigates the composite floor vibration behavior of an existing building based on a comprehensive study of high modal dynamic responses, the range of which has been absent in previous studies and major analytical templates, of different panels under the influence of loads induced by human motion. The resulting fundamental natural frequency and vibration modes are first validated with respect to experimental and numerical evidences from literature. Departing from close correlation established in comparison, this study explores in detail the effects of intensity of passive live load as additional stationary mass due to crowd jumping as well as considering human structure interaction. From observation, a new approach in the simulation of passive live load through the consideration of human structure interaction and human body characteristics is proposed. It is concluded that higher vibration modes are essential to determine the minimum required modes and mass participation ratio in the case of vertical vibration. The results indicate the need to consider 30 modes of vibration to obtain all possible important excitations and thereby making third harmonic of load frequency available to excite the critical modes. In addition, presence of different intensities of passive live load on the composite floor showed completely different behavior in each particular panel associated with load location of panel and passive live load intensity. Furthermore, implementing human body characteristics in simulation causes an obvious increase in modal damping and hence better practicality and economical presentation can be achieved in structural dynamic behavior.

Investigating effect of temperature and time of metalised layer sintering by SMPP method on tensile strength and thermal shock resistance

Abstract Sintered metal powder process is one of the high technology methods in ceramic–metal joining processes. Improvement in joining zone properties is very important in this method. The present study reveals the effect of metalised layer sintering temperature and time, and applied layer thickness on tensile strength and thermal shock resistance of alumina–copper joint. The results reveal that primary sintering for holding time duration of 90 min at a temperature of 1530°C and applied layer thickness of 50 μm with proper different stages of plating and brazing leads to a tensile strength of 120 MPa in the joining zone. The specimens, which were joined in this condition, were thermal shock resistance.

Failure reliability and damage detection of ferrocement composite slabs

This paper introduces suitable features and methods to define hazard rate function by acoustic emission parameters to develop robust damage statement index and reliability analysis. AE signal energy was first examined to find out relation between damage progress and AE signal energy so that a damage index based on AE signal energy was proposed to quantify progressive damage imposed to composite slabs. Moreover by using AE signal strength, historic index was utilized to develop a modified hazard rate function through integration bathtub curve and Weibull function.