Advanced Materials Research Vols. 250-253

Abstract: In the twenty-first century, with the development of technology, architecture is not just a shelter or even “a frozen music” (by Johann Wolfgang van Goethe). Instead, architecture becomes a huge communication channel between people and space. Thus with the integration of computational technology into architecture design, the new term—“smart space” has emerged. Some researchers have applied technology into intelligent space design, such as intelligent kitchen, smart collaboration design studio and smart health care environment. Sometimes creating a fancy or an alternative smart space is not enough, the essential factor of smart space is to satisfy human needs and keep good relationship between human and space. Therefore, this research will find out what the role of human-computer interaction in smart space design is. And the purpose of this research is to present two different cases of smart space: “Time home pub” and “BCI studio” and make the analysis of the transition from traditional architecture to smart space design. Also this research further discusses how HCI redefines the functions and lifestyle of traditional architecture.

Abstract: The Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) is located between Hsinshi Township and Shanhua Township of Tainan County, with the newly-built, high-speed railway running through its eastern side. The low-frequency vibration which was generated by passing high-speed trains causes environmental disturbances to industries within the Park. To address this issue, the implementation of vibration-reduction project with detailed design and construction was provided. The diaphragm wall-type vibration reduction walls will be built along the borderline between Hsinshi Township and Shanhua Township to reduce the impact on industries. The diaphragm wall structure will block groundwater from flowing to affect the underground hydrology. This study was aimed to discuss and assess the best configuration for the vibration reduction effects and environmental impacts. Numerical analysis of the impacts on groundwater hydrology was conducted in two cases. The simulation results indicated that both sides of diaphragm walls developed gaps in groundwater levels. Hence, diaphragm walls effectively reduced adverse impacts on groundwater hydrology with openings at locations where underground pipelines ran. Such variations were within the scope of groundwater level of high water and low water periods. Therefore, surface runoff and land subsidence resulting from the diaphragm wall construction were not severe. As diaphragm walls were made of impermeable materials, pumping water nearby made the groundwater level drawdown effects worse. Groundwater level variations resulting from pumping water were far greater than the regional groundwater level variations after the establishment of diaphragm walls. Special attention must be paid to this situation in follow-up management.

Abstract: The purpose of the study is the development of a tool for the prediction of the structural damage by means of the numerical damage simulation in the design stage. For the evaluation of the structural integrity in the numerical damage analysis, a global damage indicator was defined based on the modal parameters obtained from the tangential equation of motion: a set of natural frequencies and mode shapes. As they are given in a set, it may be difficult to treat them as a damage indicator. In this study a new damage indicator based on the natural frequencies was defined using the contribution factors of the mode shapes under consideration of the external modal energy. A numerical example of a frame structure showed the efficiency of the damage indicator defined in the study.

Abstract: A new moment-resisting precast concrete beam and column joint system using untensioned wire strands was developed in the study, mainly for the use in underground parking lot in which the influences of the seismic load may be neglected. For the evaluation of the performance of this new joint system, the behaviors of the beams, reinforced by the deformed bars and the untensioned strands in combination were experimentally investigated. The reinforcement ratio of the wire strand to the deformed bar was selected as the test parameter. The test results showed that the flexural capacities of all five specimens were sufficient. However, the wire strand ratio has to be used limitedly in the aspect of the serviceability due to the large deflection.

Abstract: The analysis of owners’ house layout is an important part of Interior design. Designers, by analyzing and evaluating objectively the house layout that is provided by the house owners, put forward a best design. The quality of original house layout is determined by house elements and environmental elements. Interior designers examine mainly houses factors and also take into account enviromental factors. The main purpose of this paper is to discusse the 12 house elements and the main aspects of environmental elements in analysis of house layout, and to give pondered suggestion.

Abstract: Corrosion of reinforcement is a worldwide problem which causes premature degradations in reinforced concrete structures. Monitoring reinforcement corrosion in concrete can be achieved by embedding corrosion sensor within the concrete cover. In this research, capacitance-based embedded sensor was developed to monitor corrosion potential (E_corr) and corrosion rate (I_corr) parameters of reinforcement continuously. The sensors were tied to the reinforcement and embedded in concrete slab specimens followed by immersion into NaCl solution for 70 days. During this period, corrosion parameters were weekly recorded. At the same time, half-cell corrosion testing using Portable SRI-CMIII was conducted for calibration purpose. From the research, it was observed that the patterns of E_corr and I_corr shown by the embedded sensors were similar to that of portable SRI-CMIII device - an indication of suitability of the embedded sensor towards sensing existing corrosion activities around the embedded steel bars. Eventually, the bars were found corroded from the broken specimens to confirm the detection of corrosion activities as recorded by the sensors.

Abstract: The objective of the study was to analyze the composition of mortar in order to enhance the use of milk serum and its application in earth constructions. Development of the study involved, initially, a bibliographic review and identification of dairy industry producers in the Paraiba Valley, São Paulo, with milk residue storage facilities. The next stage consisted in the preparation of three adobe molds, based on technical reproductions, of the composition of historic constructions. Subsequently, the molds were submitted to laboratory tests: preservation and compression resistance. This was followed by execution of the mortar with milk serum and bacteriological tests, anchoring, and plasticity through the application of mortar. The adobe molds were observed over a period of 15 days, with even the cracked molds shown to be useful for purposes of simulating risk situations. The technical viability analysis of the sample milk serum mortar applied to a historic construction and exposed to the natural elements for a period of 1 year revealed no deformities. After a full year of research, we found the presence of acid milk residue to be a major concern among dairy producers. Further, the difference between acid and sweet milk serum gave rise to a new challenge given the different chemical properties of the two serum types, which can alter the structure of the mortar and its efficacy. To this end, the research work was extended into 2009 with implementation of a new stage aimed at adapting Brazilian technical standards through a technical evaluation of historic mortar and the applicability of acid serum to the residue process.

Abstract: Based on the failure model of building structural steels under earthquake loading, High strain low cycle fatigue properties of HRB400QST (yield strength grade 400MPa, Quenched and Self Tempered) reinforced steel bars with diameters of 20mm and 16mm(unmachined) and HRB400V-N MA(microalloying)with diameters of 16mm (unmachined) were investigated. Based on the tests of total strain controlling, cycle strain response character of three kinds of steel bars and the relationship between cyclic stress and strain were researched. Hollomon and Coffin-Manson formulas were used to induce fatigue life formulas of three kinds of steel bars, and then the values of σ_a·Δε_t were gained when N_f =100, calculated results show that the high strain low cycle fatigue properties of HRB400V-N MA rebars tested are much better than HRB400QST steel bars. Rupture surface scan reveals that surface hardened layer will reduce the cyclic toughness, and is bad for the anti-seismic performance.

Abstract: Many testing methods are used to evaluate the volume stability of steel slag sand, but none of them can legalized widely, which hinders its extensive use. Three typical methods-chemical analysis method, steam powdering ratio and mortar bar linear expansion rate under hot-water curing condition are compared in this investigation. The results showed that though chemical analysis method could rapidly judge the volume stability, the content of free CaO and MgO wasn’t precise because of the interference of calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide in aging steel slag sand; the maximum powdering ratio reflected the uneven distribution of expansion components ; mortar bar expansion rate visually presented the volume stability of steel slag sand when used in mortar or concrete. So it was a synthetic application in order to decide the volume stability of steel slag sand.

Abstract: In this paper, numerical simulation on the failure process of the mixed mode crack about the concrete is carried out. The results show that the crack initiation angle and the peak load increase as the distance between the preexisting crack and the midline of the beam is greater, the distance is constant, the longer the length of the preexisting crack is, the bigger the peak load is. Due to the heterogeneity of concrete materials, the crack propagation path is tortuous, and tensile stress is the major driving force.