To precisely evaluate the retrofitting effectiveness of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) sheets on the impact response of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams, a non-linear finite element model was developed to simulate the structural response of T-beams with CFRP under impact loads. The numerical model was firstly verified by comparing the numerical simulation results with the experimental data, i.e., impact force, reaction force, and mid-span displacement. The strengthening effect of CFRP was analyzed from the section damage evaluation. Then the impact force, mid-span displacement, and failure mode of CFRP-strengthened RC T-beams were studied in comparison with those of un-strengthened T-beams. In addition, the influence of the impact resistance of T-beams strengthened with FRP was investigated in terms of CFRP strengthening mode, CFRP strengthening sizes, CFRP layers and FRP material types. The numerical simulation results indicate that the overall stiffness of the T-beams was improved significantly due to external CFRP strips. Compared with the un-strengthened beam, the maximum mid-span displacement of the CFRP-strengthened beam was reduced by 7.9%. Additionally, the sectional damage factors of the whole span of the CFRP-strengthened beam were reduced to less than 0.3, indicating that the impact resistance of the T-beams was effectively enhanced.
Screw-groove piles, a new type of precast pile, are economically and environmentally friendly and improve the load-bearing performance of piles through a unique screw-groove structure. To reveal the load-transfer characteristics and bearing mechanism of the screw-groove pile, the axial force, load–settlement curve, skin friction, bearing capacity, and response characteristics of the foundation for piles under vertical loading were analyzed. Furthermore, a parameter analysis of the ultimate bearing capacity and material utilization of screw-groove piles was performed using the finite element method. The results demonstrate that the screw-groove pile had an ultimate bearing capacity 1.85 times higher than that of the circular pile, and its material utilization rate was 2.85 times higher. The screw-groove surface end resistance and pile-tip resistance formed a multipoint vertical bearing mode. It efficiently utilized the soil’s shear strength and mobilized a larger volume of surrounding soil to share the load. The screw-groove structure increased the pile–soil interaction surface, thereby increasing the skin friction resistance of the pile. Additionally, increasing the inner radius of the screw groove boosts the pile’s bearing capacity but may reduce material utilization. An optimal screw-groove spacing balances both factors, while excessive groove thickness lowers material use. The pile shows high sensitivity to soil parameters.
Geosynthetic reinforced and pile-supported (GRPS) provide an economic and effective solution for embankments. To investigate the load-bearing mechanism of the GRPS embankment in loess, experimental and numerical studies under static and dynamic loading are carried out. The characteristics of soil arch effect and tensile membrane effect of GPRS embankment under static and dynamic loading are revealed by analyzing pile–soil stress ratio, tension of geogrid, and stress distribution of pile. The test results show that the pile–soil stress ratio under dynamic loading is reduced by 2.3 compared with static loading. In comparison to static load, the soil arching effect is attenuated under dynamic load, and the stronger the static load soil arching effect, the greater the degree of weakening under dynamic load. In addition, under dynamic loading, the tensioned membrane effect is still effective, but its enhancement is not as pronounced as under static loading. Furthermore, by using the finite element software, the numerical model is developed and validated with the experimental results. The parameter analysis of the load-bearing performance of the GRPS embankment is accomplished using the finite element model as well.
About Me
School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning University of Technology, Jinzhou, 121001, China;
School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning University of Technology, Jinzhou, 121001, China;