scholarly journals What scientific information on non-structural elements seismic risk people need to know? Part 1: Compiling an inventory on damage to non-structural elements

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (Vol 63 (2020)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Ferreira ◽  
Fabrizio Meroni ◽  
Raffaele Azzaro ◽  
Gemma Musacchio ◽  
R. Rupakhety ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Damage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tailored Communication ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Observed Damage ◽  
Eu Project

Understanding damage  to  non-structural  elements,  identifying sources  of  critical issues,  and  how  damage  affects  the  functionality of facilities are all critical aspects for developing general recommendations concerning disaster risk management. In the present paper a review of non-structural damage caused by recent earthquakes was performed in several localities exposed to seismic hazard such as Mt. Etna in Italy, Lisbon and Azores islands in Portugal and southern Lowland in Iceland. This was needed in order to derive the most common non-structural damage framed into the local situation, which in turn is a basic requirement for a well tailored communication campaign. The observed damage to non-structural elements as derived in this study led to the conclusion that the most commonly damaged elements are partition walls, ceiling systems, non-structural vaults, chimneys, building contents and storage racks. Analyses proved that substantive efforts are needed worldwide to improve techniques for reducing damage to non-structural elements. Non-structural mitigation represents a major opportunity for immediate low-cost action to reduce the impacts of earthquakes at home, school and workplaces. Research results within the KnowRISK EU project was the reference ground upon which a wide range of tools for multi-stakeholders (students, business and citizens) to improve seismic performance of non-structural elements and reducing the associated economic losses, loss of functionality, and potential threats to life safety was designed.

scholarly journals What scientific information on non-structural elements seismic risk people need to know ? Part 2: tools for risk communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (Vol 63 (2020)) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Solarino ◽  
Monica Amaral Ferreira ◽  
Gemma Musacchio ◽  
Rajesh Rupakhety ◽  
Hugo O’Neill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Observed Damage ◽  
Eu Project ◽  
Media And Communication

The present paper describes the process of moving from a research study of most common vulnerable non-structural elements, to deliver solutions, tools and guidelines to improve understanding of and responsiveness to community concerns about seismic risk and non-structural elements. The observed damage to non-structural elements following recent earthquakes in Italy, Portugal and Iceland, were used for designing communication tools under the KnowRISK EU project for multi-stakeholders (students, business and citizens): the Practical Guide, the Students Short Guide, the KnowRISK Portfolio of Solutions, the Move, Protect and Secure video, the augmented reality apps, the maquettes, the students notebooks, videos, board games and hands-on tools. The philosophy behind these deliverables is that some risks, once identified, can be eliminated or reduced by informing people and suggesting preventive or emergency measures. These tools are devoted to improving the seismic performance of non-structural elements and to reduce the associated economic losses, loss of functionality, and potential threats to life safety. The rationale behind the selection of the information that people need to know for converting knowledge to more safety is discussed and a description of the transference of the findings of research to communication solutions is presented. The tools were planned following the engagement-model in risk communication to ensure that needs of communities and selected stakeholders were acknowledged, and that recipients are addressed in a way that appeals to them. Different media and communication channels such as print, television, online, face-to face communication and interviews were used for risk communication.

Pragmatic improvements to seismic resilience of non-structural elements

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Ferner ◽  
Matthew Lander ◽  
Gavin Douglas ◽  
Andrew Baird ◽  
Martin Wemyss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Canterbury Earthquake Sequence ◽  
Recent Earthquakes ◽  
Seismic Resilience

The recent Canterbury earthquake sequence and the more recent Seddon, Lake Grassmere and Castlepoint earthquakes have raised awareness of the vulnerability of non-structural elements of buildings (e.g. ceilings, cladding, building services equipment and piping, etc.). With architectural and building services components comprising up to 70% of a building’s value, significant damage to these elements resulted in some buildings being declared economic losses, even when the structure itself was not badly damaged. Impacts on business continuity due to the damage of non-structural elements have also been identified as a major issue in recent earthquakes in New Zealand, as well as worldwide. It appears a step change is required in the seismic performance of non-structural elements in New Zealand. This paper explores whether the current approach being used in New Zealand for non-structural contractor designed elements is appropriate in meeting society’s expectations. It contrasts the approach that has historically been taken in New Zealand, with that followed overseas. The paper goes on to explore a pragmatic “best bang for the buck” approach to upgrading non-structural elements in existing buildings. The approach is presented through illustrated examples of issues and solutions that have been adopted. It also discusses the challenges with trying to upgrade non-structural elements within existing operational buildings including for example, congestion issues and practicalities of access. The paper concludes with ideas on possible ways to improve the seismic performance of non-structural elements within the New Zealand environment and regulatory regimen from both design and construction perspectives.

scholarly journals FATIGUE PROCESS OF AUTOMOBILE MATERIALS

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 732-738
Author(s):  
G. V. Pachurin ◽  
D. A. Goncharova ◽  
A. A. Filippov ◽  
T. V. Nuzhdina ◽  
V. B. Deev
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Crack ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Structural State ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Metallic Materials ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Fatigue Process ◽  
Kinetics Of

During operation, the structural elements of cars are exposed to temperatures and vibrations. Overwhelming majority of the destruction of metal structures is caused by their fatigue. It causes economic losses and often human casualties from accidents. Therefore, the task of ensuring the operability of parts and components of automobiles is one of the most relevant in the modern automotive industry. So it is necessary to know the patterns of behavior of metallic materials, obtained by different technologies, when they are exposed to vibration. Destruction of the metal structure directly affects the behavior of the samples deflection, reflecting the competition of two mutually oppositephenomena – hardening and softening. It directly influences structural damageability of the metal. The article is devoted to the study of kinetics of fatigue failure of automotive materials using the calibration of structural damage to their surface with behavior of the curves of changes in current deflection under alternating loading. The paper considers automotive materials (steel grades 20KhI3, 14Kh17N2, 35KhGSА) and model metals and alloys (Copper M1, Brass L63T, aluminum alloy V95pchT2) in different structural state under cyclic loading for low, room and high temperatures with fixation of the sample deflection and structural damage corresponding to it. It is possible to study kinetics of fatigue destruction of the sample material by the deflection curves, which is an integral characteristic of destructive processes occurring under alternating loading. Using these processes, one can track the stages of damage during fatigue of metallic materials – damage to the structure at the initial stage, moment of the macroscopic crack appearance, its subsequent advancement up to complete separation of the structural material. It is probable to identify ratio of the period duration before the appearance of a fatigue crack and its subsequent growth, as well as to determine the average rate at which the fatigue crack moves through the body of the metal sample. It is important that it is also possible to estimate the kinetics of materials destruction under the conditions when direct study of the structural state of the sample surface is impossible, for example, in conditions of cryogenic and high temperatures, and also, for example, in the presence of corrosive media. In combination with fractographic and metallographic analysis of the fatigue process, the deflection curves allow, based on the evaluation of the stages of materials destruction, to carry out selection of the latter for the structural elements of a car taking into account its operating conditions and optimizing the technology of parts manufacturing to increase serviceability and maintainability. 

The low-cost hybrid sorbents for immoblization of dyes: sorbents features characterization

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Solińska ◽  
Tomasz Bajda
Keyword(s):  
Fly Ash ◽  
Clay Minerals ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Energy Dispersive Spectrometer ◽  
Surface Charges ◽  
Sorption Behaviour ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Eu Project

<p>The occurrence of dyes in wastewater is a threat for environment and living organisms. Therefore many studies have focused on investigation of diverse sorption materials to develop effective adsorption methods of removing these organic compounds (Yagub et al., 2014). Among the wide range of materials, the low-cost sorbents such as clay minerals, fly ash or lignite have received unflagging interest. However, the novel approach is to mix low-cost sorbents, clay minerals with fly ash or lignite, which could promote efficiency of removing chemically varied dyes and impact the modification of sorbent mixtures properties. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate and compare features of hybrid sorbents: halloysite-fly ash, palygorskite-lignite before and after sorption reactions of selected dyes and evaluate influence of modified properties on their sorption mechanism. The obtained reactions’ products, as well as hybrid and selected raw sorbents after reactions, were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (DTA/TG) coupled with the measurement of evolved gases composition by mass spectrometer (QMS). The morphology of raw sorbents was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) for elemental microanalysis. The results show that sorbents features, especially the presence of organic functional groups, negative surface charges, have distinct impact on their sorption behaviour. Each componnent of hybrid sorbents affects the efficiency of dyes sorption. The obtained results revealed that mixing of various low-cost sorption materials may present unexpected properties.</p><p> </p><p>Acknowledgments.</p><p>The studies results have been presented with the partial financial support from the EU project of POWR.03.02.00-00-I038/16-00.</p><p>Literature:</p><p>Yagub M. T., Kanti Sen T., Afroze S., Ang H.M. (2014) Dye and its removal from aqueous solution by adsorption: A review, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 209, p. 172-184.</p>

scholarly journals Toxin Production in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Plants with Charcoal Rot Disease and by Macrophomina phaseolina, the Fungus that Causes the Disease

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed K. Abbas ◽  
Nacer Bellaloui ◽  
Cesare Accinelli ◽  
James R. Smith ◽  
W. Thomas Shier
Keyword(s):  
Culture Media ◽  
Leaf Disc ◽  
Toxin Production ◽  
Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Charcoal Rot ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soybean Plants ◽  
Rot Disease

Charcoal rot disease, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, results in major economic losses in soybean production in southern USA. M. phaseolina has been proposed to use the toxin (-)-botryodiplodin in its root infection mechanism to create a necrotic zone in root tissue through which fungal hyphae can readily enter the plant. The majority (51.4%) of M. phaseolina isolates from plants with charcoal rot disease produced a wide range of (-)-botryodiplodin concentrations in a culture medium (0.14–6.11 µg/mL), 37.8% produced traces below the limit of quantification (0.01 µg/mL), and 10.8% produced no detectable (-)-botryodiplodin. Some culture media with traces or no (-)-botryodiplodin were nevertheless strongly phytotoxic in soybean leaf disc cultures, consistent with the production of another unidentified toxin(s). Widely ranging (-)-botryodiplodin levels (traces to 3.14 µg/g) were also observed in the roots, but not in the aerial parts, of soybean plants naturally infected with charcoal rot disease. This is the first report of (-)-botryodiplodin in plant tissues naturally infected with charcoal rot disease. No phaseolinone was detected in M. phaseolina culture media or naturally infected soybean tissues. These results are consistent with (-)-botryodiplodin playing a role in the pathology of some, but not all, M. phaseolina isolates from soybeans with charcoal rot disease in southern USA.

scholarly journals Information and information resources in COVID-19: Awareness, control, and prevention

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110165
Author(s):  
Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽  
Fatemeh Ranjbaran ◽  
Asghar Sattari
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the role of information and information resources in the awareness, control, and prevention of COVID-19. This study was a descriptive-analytical survey in which 450 participants were selected for the study. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data through SPSS. The findings show that a wide range of mass media has become well known as information resources for COVID-19. Other findings indicate a significant statistical difference in the rate of using information resources during COVID-19 based on age and gender; however, this difference is not significant regarding the reliability of information resources with regard to age and gender. Health information has an undisputable role in the prevention and control of pandemic diseases such as COVID-19. Providing accurate, reliable, and evidence-based information in a timely manner for the use of resources and information channels related to COVID-19 can be a fast and low-cost strategic approach in confronting this disease.

scholarly journals Advanced mycelium materials as potential self-growing biomedical scaffolds

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Antinori ◽  
Marco Contardi ◽  
Giulia Suarato ◽  
Andrea Armirotti ◽  
Rosalia Bertorelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Engineering Systems ◽  
Edible Fungi ◽  
Avant Garde ◽  
Fibrous Network ◽  
Body Tissues ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractMycelia, the vegetative part of fungi, are emerging as the avant-garde generation of natural, sustainable, and biodegradable materials for a wide range of applications. They are constituted of a self-growing and interconnected fibrous network of elongated cells, and their chemical and physical properties can be adjusted depending on the conditions of growth and the substrate they are fed upon. So far, only extracts and derivatives from mycelia have been evaluated and tested for biomedical applications. In this study, the entire fibrous structures of mycelia of the edible fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum are presented as self-growing bio-composites that mimic the extracellular matrix of human body tissues, ideal as tissue engineering bio-scaffolds. To this purpose, the two mycelial strains are inactivated by autoclaving after growth, and their morphology, cell wall chemical composition, and hydrodynamical and mechanical features are studied. Finally, their biocompatibility and direct interaction with primary human dermal fibroblasts are investigated. The findings demonstrate the potentiality of mycelia as all-natural and low-cost bio-scaffolds, alternative to the tissue engineering systems currently in place.

scholarly journals Rheology and Water Absorption Properties of Alginate–Soy Protein Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1807
Author(s):  
Estefanía Álvarez-Castillo ◽  
José Manuel Aguilar ◽  
Carlos Bengoechea ◽  
María Luisa López-Castejón ◽  
Antonio Guerrero
Keyword(s):  
Soy Protein ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Soy Protein Isolate ◽  
Protein Isolate ◽  
Guluronic Acid ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Anionic Polysaccharides ◽  
Porous Matrices

Composite materials based on proteins and carbohydrates normally offer improved water solubility, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them attractive for a wide range of applications. Soy protein isolate (SPI) has shown superabsorbent properties that are useful in fields such as agriculture. Alginate salts (ALG) are linear anionic polysaccharides obtained at a low cost from brown algae, displaying a good enough biocompatibility to be considered for medical applications. As alginates are quite hydrophilic, the exchange of ions from guluronic acid present in its molecular structure with divalent cations, particularly Ca2+, may induce its gelation, which would inhibit its solubilization in water. Both biopolymers SPI and ALG were used to produce composites through injection moulding using glycerol (Gly) as a plasticizer. Different biopolymer/plasticizer ratios were employed, and the SPI/ALG ratio within the biopolymer fraction was also varied. Furthermore, composites were immersed in different CaCl2 solutions to inhibit the amount of soluble matter loss and to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting porous matrices. The main goal of the present work was the development and characterization of green porous matrices with inhibited solubility thanks to the gelation of alginate.

scholarly journals Optically transparent and very thin structure against electromagnetic pulse (EMP) using metal mesh and saltwater for shielding windows

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duy Tung Phan ◽  
Chang Won Jung
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Pulse ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Metal Plate ◽  
Optical Transparency ◽  
Shielding Effectiveness ◽  
Concrete Wall ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Optically Transparent

AbstractAn electromagnetic pulse (EMP) with high energy can damage electronic equipment instantly within a wide range of thousands of kilometers. Generally, a metal plate placed inside a thick concrete wall is used against an EMP, but it is not suitable for an EMP shielding window, which requires not only strong shielding effectiveness (SE) but also optical transparency (OT). In this paper, we propose a very thin and optically transparent structure with excellent SE for EMP shielding window application. The proposed structure consists of a saltwater layer held between two glass substrates and two metal mesh layers on the outside of the glass, with a total thickness of less than 1.5 cm. The SE and OT of the structure are above 80 dB and 45%, respectively, which not only meet the requirement of EMP shielding for military purposes but also retain the procedure of good observation. Moreover, the OT of the structure can be significantly improved using only one metal mesh film (MMF) layer, while the SE is still maintained high to satisfy the required SE for home applicants. With the major advantages of low cost, optical transparency, strong SE, and flexible performance, the proposed structure can be considered a good solution for transparent EMP shielding windows.

scholarly journals Photocatalytic three-component asymmetric sulfonylation via direct C(sp3)-H functionalization

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Cao ◽  
Wei Hong ◽  
Ziqi Ye ◽  
Lei Gong
Keyword(s):  
Asymmetric Catalysis ◽  
Organic Synthesis ◽  
Photochemical Reaction ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Atom Economy ◽  
Mild Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Unsaturated Carbonyl Compound ◽  
Direct Functionalization

AbstractThe direct and selective C(sp3)-H functionalization of cycloalkanes and alkanes is a highly useful process in organic synthesis owing to the low-cost starting materials, the high step and atom economy. Its application to asymmetric catalysis, however, has been scarcely explored. Herein, we disclose our effort toward this goal by incorporation of dual asymmetric photocatalysis by a chiral nickel catalyst and a commercially available organophotocatalyst with a radical relay strategy through sulfur dioxide insertion. Such design leads to the development of three-component asymmetric sulfonylation involving direct functionalization of cycloalkanes, alkanes, toluene derivatives or ethers. The photochemical reaction of a C(sp3)-H precursor, a SO2 surrogate and a common α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound proceeds smoothly under mild conditions, delivering a wide range of biologically interesting α-C chiral sulfones with high regio- and enantioselectivity (>50 examples, up to >50:1 rr and 95% ee). This method is applicable to late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules, and provides an appealing access to enantioenriched compounds starting from the abundant hydrocarbon compounds.

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