{"title":"Effect of anchor’s inclination angle on the flexural enhancement of CFRP-strengthened RC beams","authors":"Maha Assad , Rami Hawileh , Jamal Abdalla","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.050","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.050","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) spike anchorage systems demonstrated positive outcomes in mitigating debonding of CFRP sheets in externally strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This study aims to investigate the effect of inclination angle of the CFRP spike anchors dowel on the flexural behavior of strengthened and end-anchored RC beams. Three concrete beams having a length, depth, and width of 2000, 250, 200 mm, respectively, were tested under a four-point bending test. The first beam was strengthened and unanchored, and the other two beams were strengthened and anchored with vertical (θ=90°) and inclined CFRP anchors at an angle of 135° on each side, respectively. The dowel’s diameter of the anchors used in this study is 14 and 20 mm, respectively. Results showed that the failure observed in the beam having inclined anchors was unfavorable. An abrupt separation in the concrete cover occurred that was even more brittle than the unanchored beam. Moreover, the percentage increase in flexural strength of the beam with inclined anchors was 23% with respect to the unanchored beam, compared to an increase of 40% demonstrated by the beam with vertical anchors. Therefore, it can be concluded that using inclined anchors is not recommended in strengthened RC beams for flexure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"68 ","pages":"Pages 252-258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiří Němeček , Jan Procházka , Martin Keppert , Patricie Halodová , Jitka Němečková , Jiří Němeček
{"title":"Nanomechanical testing of gamma-irradiated building composites","authors":"Jiří Němeček , Jan Procházka , Martin Keppert , Patricie Halodová , Jitka Němečková , Jiří Němeček","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nuclear power plants worldwide are aging and will soon reach the end of their designated lifetimes. Consequently, extending their safe operation to 80 years has become the focus of extensive research. The effects of irradiation on concrete are multiscale but have primarily been studied using macroscopic samples, where a decrease in mechanical properties has been reported. This study focuses on the micro-scale effects of gamma irradiation on cement paste exposed to a wide range of relative humidities (0%–100%). Nanoindentation was employed as the main tool to quantify micro-mechanical parameters, such as Young’s modulus and hardness. A significant increase in Young’s modulus ( 25%) was found at relative humidities below 11%, attributed to the combined effects of water radiolysis and drying. In contrast, a decrease in Young’s modulus ( 26%) was observed in samples irradiated in water. Samples irradiated at medium humidities (33%–76%) showed negligible damage due to the irradiation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"67 ","pages":"Pages 17-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pekka Kantanen, Pekka Plosila, Vahid Javaheri, Tuomas Perkiö, Antti Kaijalainen
{"title":"Strain-induced martensite formation during punching of a medium manganese advanced high-strength steel","authors":"Pekka Kantanen, Pekka Plosila, Vahid Javaheri, Tuomas Perkiö, Antti Kaijalainen","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.07.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.07.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Partitioning of carbon and manganese during intercritical annealing of medium manganese steels is known to enhance the thermal stability of austenite by retarding the transformation to martensite during cooling, thereby promoting the retention of austenite at room temperature. The presence of retained austenite (RA) is particularly crucial in high-strength steel applications that demand an optimal balance between strength and ductility. This study investigates the mechanical stability of RA and the strain-induced martensitic transformation in a medium manganese advanced high-strength steel during the punching process. A vacuum-cast steel with a composition of 0.3C–1Si–6Mn–2Al (in wt.%) was laboratory hot-rolled to a thickness of 4 mm. Subsequently, the intercritical annealing treatments (IAT) were carried out at temperatures of 650 °C and 700 °C to stabilize varying RA fractions within a tempered martensite/ferrite matrix. The tensile strengths of 1027 MPa and 911 MPa were obtained for microstructures with RA fractions of 7.5% and 43.3% at IAT temperatures of 650 °C and 700 °C, respectively. Significant differences in strain hardening of the material were observed near the punched hole edges. The IAT 700 °C material exhibited higher maximum hardness near the edge, and a greater depth of the shear-affected zone compared to the IAT 650 °C material. This indicates that strain-induced martensitic transformation under the localized deformation during the punching process is a key factor in increasing edge hardness value of the punched IAT materials. Notably, the transformation behaviour of austenite during tensile testing differed from that observed during punching, due to variation in material flow, deforming mode and localized strain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"69 ","pages":"Pages 53-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144587891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carlo Alberto Biffi, Jacopo Fiocchi, Jannis Nicolas Lemke, Alberto Coda, Ausonio Tuissi
{"title":"Improvement of Mechanical Behaviour in B doped Ni3Ta based High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy","authors":"Carlo Alberto Biffi, Jacopo Fiocchi, Jannis Nicolas Lemke, Alberto Coda, Ausonio Tuissi","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.07.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.07.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shape memory alloys (SMAs) able to exhibit the martensitic transformation (MT) at high temperature (above 100°C) are very attractive smart materials for some industrial sectors, such as automotive and aerospace ones. Their main issues regard the brittleness, limiting their processing, and the unstable functionality upon thermal cycling. In this work, the effect of B addition (0.8% in atomic percentage) in the place of Ni and Ta in Ni3Ta SMA on the MT, microstructure and mechanical properties is studied. It is found that the MT occurs above 200°C and its thermal stability can be reached after few thermal cycles. The addition of B in limited amount does not suppress the MT and it improves the mechanical properties in compression, reducing the cracking behavior in comparison to the binary alloy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"69 ","pages":"Pages 61-68"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144587892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel A. Triana-Camacho , Antonella D’Alessandro , Enrique Garcıa-Macıas , Andrea Meoni , Jorge H. Quintero-Orozco , Filippo Ubertini
{"title":"Production and investigation on the piezocapacitive properties of self-sensing cement-based composites with reduced graphene oxide","authors":"Daniel A. Triana-Camacho , Antonella D’Alessandro , Enrique Garcıa-Macıas , Andrea Meoni , Jorge H. Quintero-Orozco , Filippo Ubertini","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Self-sensing cementitious materials have garnered considerable attention in the field of structural health monitoring due to their unique ability to function as strain sensors under mechanical loads. Among these smart materials, piezoelectric cement compounds have emerged as a rapidly growing area of research, demonstrating significant potential for the development of sensors with minimal energy requirements and the promise of self-sustainability. This paper conducts a thorough analysis of the electrical and mechanical properties of cement composites enriched with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and assesses their suitability as self- sensing strain sensors. The proposed methodology encompasses voltammetry measurements, current transients, and compression tests on rGO-cement composites to evaluate the piezoelectric coefficient of charge <em>d</em><sub>33</sub> associated with piezocapacitive capabilities of the material. The presented findings showcase noticeable properties, with samples exhibiting a piezoelectric charge coefficient higher than previously documented compounds in the literature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"67 ","pages":"Pages 47-52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Controlled horizontal and vertical cutoff of reinforced concrete structures by means of electric discharge impulses","authors":"Koji Uenishi , Hiroshi Yamachi , Junichiro Nakamori , Shintaro Sakaguchi","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For the efficient and controlled partial removal and renovation of old concrete structures, we have been developing several electric discharge impulses (EDI)-based techniques that guide three-dimensional wave interaction and ensuing dynamic fracture development precisely as desired. Here, by performing additional series of field experiments and corresponding finite difference numerical calculations, we show the mechanical “virtual interface” effect of reinforcing steel bars (rebars) on dynamic fracture development in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. If reinforced, the depth of overall fracture generated by EDI-induced waves may become relatively shallow and only the region sandwiched by an outer free surface and a virtual interface that is formed by the nearest rebars can be “sliced” or cut off, and the rebars, which are hard obstacles for later renovation work, can be exposed. In addition to the recently reported horizontal cutoff along a horizontal virtual interface formed by the topmost rebars, we show that if the relative positions of the EDI sources, free surfaces and rebars are rightly considered, the foremost rebars can function as a vertical virtual interface in a RC block, and the block can be vertically cut off along this vertical virtual interface and only the foremost rebars can be exposed efficiently.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"68 ","pages":"Pages 547-553"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Evaluation of the Fracture Characteristics of Metal-Ceramic Composites Produced by Additive Manufacturing","authors":"Masoomeh Farrokhtar , Gabriella Bolzon , Lisa Biasetto , Vanessa Gastaldi","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of Direct Ink Writing (DIW) 3D printing technology allows for the fabrication of intricate structures made of metals and ceramics. Core-shell structures for biomedical applications, made of 316L steel and sphene (CaTiSiO5) are produced by co-axial DIW and reactive sintering within the MULTIFUN3D project. Other metal-ceramic combinations are considered as well. The assessment of the overall ductility and fracture characteristics of these composites deserves specific investigations. In the present work, the indirect evaluation of the fracture characteristics is performed by combining the output of small-size (in the mm range) bending tests with the numerical simulation of the experiments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"68 ","pages":"Pages 592-595"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matias Jaskari , Timo Rautio , Aappo Mustakangas , Antti Järvenpää
{"title":"Enhancing the Fatigue Behavior of PBF-LB In718 Through Surface Quality Optimization","authors":"Matias Jaskari , Timo Rautio , Aappo Mustakangas , Antti Järvenpää","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the fatigue behaviour of heat-treated Inconel 718, fabricated using laser powder-bed fusion (PBF-LB) and subjected to surface treatment by electropolishing. Samples were heat-treated and mechanically polished to reduce surface roughness from 5.2 µm to 0.3 µm. Fatigue testing revealed that electropolishing significantly improved fatigue resistance, increasing the fatigue limit by over 90%, from 220 to 420 MPa. Despite these improvements, the fatigue limit reached only 0.58 times the theoretical ideal value of 1.6*HV, indicating a remaining susceptibility to surface defect-driven fatigue failure. Microstructural analysis via EBSD showed epitaxial grain growth in the build direction, with a homogenous face-centered cubic (FCC) phase, though traces of brittle Laves phase are likely present. Hardness testing indicated minor cyclic softening after higher stress amplitude, with values decreasing from 450 HV to 436 HV. Fracture consistently initiated at the surface, with cracks propagating through cleavage before transitioning to transgranular propagation. Overall, the findings demonstrate that while electropolishing enhances fatigue performance, further optimization is needed to mitigate surface-initiated failures in PBF-LB Inconel 718 components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"68 ","pages":"Pages 480-485"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stefan Fladischer , Michael Stoschka , Florian Grün
{"title":"Fatigue limit assessment of interacting small defects by cyclic R-curve analysis","authors":"Stefan Fladischer , Michael Stoschka , Florian Grün","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.086","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focuses on the numerical simulation of short crack growth to investigate geometric interaction effects between small neighboring defects under consideration of crack closure. In an extensive parameter study, circular cracks of various sizes and interaction distances are investigated. The simulation procedure follows a cyclic R-curve analysis in order to determine the fatigue limit of maximum non-propagating crack formation. The interaction effects are quantified in the form of novel geometry factors for interacting cracks as well as the degradation of the fatigue limit due to crack size and proximity. The results are compared to experimental validation tests performed on additively manufactured specimens containing artificial defects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"68 ","pages":"Pages 486-492"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mr. Parthasarathy Iyengar , Mr. Jon Mardaras , Shwe Soe Dr.
{"title":"A discussion on two alternative approaches to CT coupon based K1C determination providing results comparable with ASTM E 399","authors":"Mr. Parthasarathy Iyengar , Mr. Jon Mardaras , Shwe Soe Dr.","doi":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.prostr.2025.06.080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The value of Plane Strain Fracture Toughness of a material calculated in accordance with the ASTM E 399 has been noted to be a specimen size-dependent value. The size-dependency of the same with respect to ductile materials has been an area of debate both for quality testing in production and the best applicable value for new structural design of components. While in case of production quality assessment the primary challenge is the repeatability of complying results for ductile materials, for new design – it is of a representative value for the material. Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) and the applied load are traditionally used to calculate K<sub>1C</sub> from CT specimen by ASTM (2023). A discussion on the comparison of two K<sub>1C</sub> equivalents is presented here based upon observations with respect to specific Aluminium alloys and their relationship with this established material indicator is explored. Equivalents considered are K<sub>1si</sub> and round tensile specimen inspired by Sarchamy et al (1996) and Wilson (1997). While K<sub>1si</sub> is based upon CMOD estimation by assuming a fixed amount of crack extension of 0.5 mm irrespective of tested specimen size, round specimen may be applicable when dimensionally constrained.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20518,"journal":{"name":"Procedia Structural Integrity","volume":"68 ","pages":"Pages 446-452"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}