Civil infrastructure is continuously subject to aging and deterioration due to multiple factors,which lead to a decline in performance and impact structural health.Accumulated damage on structures increases operationa...Civil infrastructure is continuously subject to aging and deterioration due to multiple factors,which lead to a decline in performance and impact structural health.Accumulated damage on structures increases operational costs and poses significant risks to public safety.Effective maintenance,repair,and rehabilitation strategies are needed to ensure civil infrastructure’s overall safety and reliability.Non-Destructive Evaluation(NDE)methods are utilized to assess latent damage and provide decision-makers with real-time information for mitigating hazards.Within the last decade,there has been a significant increase in the research and development of innovative NDE techniques to improve data processing and promote efficient and accurate infrastructure assessment.This paper aims to review one of those methods,namely,Infrared Thermography(IRT),and its applications in civil infrastructure.A comprehensive review is presented by investigating numerous journal articles,research papers,and technical reports describing numerous IRT applications for bridges,buildings,and general civil structures made from different materials.The capability of IRT to identify and pinpoint anomalies,typically in the early stages of degradation,has excellent potential to improve the safety and shore up the dependability of civil infrastructures while reducing expenses tied to maintenance and rehabilitation.Furthermore,the non-invasive nature of IRT is beneficial in mitigating disturbances and downtime that may occur during various inspection procedures.It is highlighted that IRT is a highly versatile and effective tool for infrastructure condition assessment.With further advancement and fine-tuning of the available techniques,it is likely that IRT will continue to gain significant popularity in maintaining and monitoring civil infrastructure.展开更多
Photocatalytic oxygen reduction provides a sustainable method for on-site hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))synthesis.However,most photocatalysts suffer from moderate kinetics due to sluggish electron transfer and ineffici...Photocatalytic oxygen reduction provides a sustainable method for on-site hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))synthesis.However,most photocatalysts suffer from moderate kinetics due to sluggish electron transfer and inefficient oxygen adsorption and activation.Herein,sodium(Na)and potassium(K)are co-incorporated into graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_(3)N_(4))via a stepwise co-doping strategy combining sodium chloride-induced and molten salt-assisted polymerization.Experimental results and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the synergistic interaction between intralayer Na+ions and interlayer K^(+)ions facilitates charge carrier separation and migration both within and between g-C_(3)N_(4)layers.Additionally,multiple heteroatom sites enhance surface charge polarization and introduce cyano groups,which synergistically promote oxygen molecule(O_(2))adsorption and elevate local proton coverage.Simultaneously,the energy barrier for H_(2)O_(2)desorption on the optimal photocatalyst(5Na/3.3K-CN)is lowered,thus improving H_(2)O_(2)production efficiency.Eventually,5Na/3.3K-CN exhibits an impressive H_(2)O_(2)yield of 2541.6μmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1) in an artificial reactor,which is 10.6 times higher than that of pure g-C_(3)N_(4)(240.2μmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1)).Under natural sunlight outdoors,5Na/3.3K-CN still maintains ultrahigh H_(2)O_(2)photosynthesis efficiency,achieving an H_(2)O_(2)photosynthesis rate of 2068.7μmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1).This work introduces a straightforward method to simultaneously optimize charge transfer and O_(2)activation for boosting H_(2)O_(2)photosynthesis,offering valuable insights toward the real-world deployment of g-C_(3)N_(4)-based photocatalysts in environmental protection and energy conversion.展开更多
To elucidate the dispersion and explosion characteristics of multi-metal powder and liquid composite fuel formulations,high-energy metal powders(aluminum(Al),boron(B),and magnesium hydride(MgH_(2)))are incorporated in...To elucidate the dispersion and explosion characteristics of multi-metal powder and liquid composite fuel formulations,high-energy metal powders(aluminum(Al),boron(B),and magnesium hydride(MgH_(2)))are incorporated into a liquid fuel primarily composed of diethyl ether(DEE)and isopropyl nitrate(IPN).The explosion characteristics of different solid-liquid fuel-air-explosive(FAE)under unconfined conditions are investigated using a high-speed camera,infrared thermal imaging,and a pressure measurement system.Results demonstrate that high-energy metal powders significantly enhance detonation energy dissipation,with aluminum exhibiting the most pronounced effect.Fuel 5#(45.4 wt%DEE,9.2 wt%IPN,29.5 wt%Al,9.1 wt%B,6.8 wt%MgH_(2))exhibits superior explosion performance,achieving higher values of overpressure,impulse,and thermal radiation damage during the detonation stage compared to other fuels.However,Fuel 5#also displays faster decay rates,attributed to accelerated heat release rates induced by B and MgH_(2)powders.This study reveals that different metal powders in solid-liquid FAE exhibit distinct enhancements in explosion performance,providing critical insights for optimizing composite fuel design.展开更多
Catalytic nickel was successfully incorporated into nanoscale iron to enhance its dechlorination efficiency for trichloroethylene （TCE）, one of the most commonly detected chlorinated organic compounds in groundwater...Catalytic nickel was successfully incorporated into nanoscale iron to enhance its dechlorination efficiency for trichloroethylene （TCE）, one of the most commonly detected chlorinated organic compounds in groundwater. Ethane was the predominant product. The greatest dechlorination efficiency was achieved at 22 molar percent of nickel. This nanoscale Ni-Fe is poorly ordered and inhomogeneous; iron dissolution occurred whereas nickel was relatively stable during the 24-hr reaction. The morphological characterization provided significant new insights on the mechanism of catalytic hydrodcchlorination by bimetallic nanoparticles. TCE degradation and ethane production rates were greatly affected by environmental parameters such as solution pH, temperature and common groundwater ions. Both rate constants decreased and then increased over the pH range of 6.5 to 8.0, with the minimum value occurring at pH 7.5. TCE degradation rate constant showed an increasing trend over the temperature range of 10 to 25℃. However, ethane production rate constant increased and then decreased over the range, with the maximum value occurring at 20℃, Most salts in the solution appeared to enhance the reaction in the first half hour but overall they displayed an inhibitory effect. Combined ions showed a similar effect as individual salts.展开更多
This work examines the environmental and geochemical impact of recycled aggregate concrete production with properties representative for structural applications.The environmental influence of cement content,aggregate ...This work examines the environmental and geochemical impact of recycled aggregate concrete production with properties representative for structural applications.The environmental influence of cement content,aggregate production,transportation,and waste landfilling is analysed by undertaking a life cycle assessment and considering a life cycle inventory largely specific for the region.To obtain a detailed insight into the optimum life cycle parameters,a sensitivity study is carried out in which supplementary cementitious materials,different values of natural-to-recycled aggregate content ratio and case-specific transportation distances were considered.The results show that carbon emissions were between 323 and 332 kgCO_(2)e per cubic metre of cement only natural aggregate concrete.These values can be reduced by up to 17%by replacing 25%of the cement with fly ash.By contrast,carbon emissions can increase when natural coarse aggregates are replaced by recycled aggregates in proportions of 50%and 100%,and transportation is not included in analysis.However,the concrete with 50%recycled aggregate presented lower increase,only 0.3%and 3.4%for normal and high strength concrete,respectively.In some cases,the relative contribution of transportation to the total carbon emissions increased when cement was replaced by fly ash in proportions of 25%,and case-specific transportation distances were considered.In absolute values,the concrete mixes with 100%recycled aggregates and 25%fly ash had lower carbon emissions than concrete with cement and natural aggregates only.Higher environmental benefits can be obtained when the transportation distances of fly ash are relatively short(15–25 km)and the cement replacement by fly ash is equal or higher than 25%,considering that the mechanical properties are adequate for practical application.The observations from this paper show that recycled aggregate concrete with strength characteristics representative for structural members can have lower carbon emissions than conventional concrete,recommending them as an alternative to achieving global sustainability standards in construction.展开更多
Locating distribution centers optimally is a crucial and systematic task for decision-makers.Optimally located distribution centers can significantly improve the logistics system's efficiency and reduce its operat...Locating distribution centers optimally is a crucial and systematic task for decision-makers.Optimally located distribution centers can significantly improve the logistics system's efficiency and reduce its operational costs.However,it is not an easy task to optimize distribution center locations and previous studies focused primarily on location optimization of a single distribution center.With growing logistics demands,multiple distribution centers become necessary to meet customers' requirements,but few studies have tackled the multiple distribution center locations(MDCLs) problem.This paper presents a comprehensive algorithm to address the MDCLs problem.Fuzzy integration and clustering approach using the improved axiomatic fuzzy set(AFS) theory is developed for location clustering based on multiple hierarchical evaluation criteria.Then,technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS) is applied for evaluating and selecting the best candidate for each cluster.Sensitivity analysis is also conducted to assess the influence of each criterion in the location planning decision procedure.Results from a case study in Guiyang,China,reveals that the proposed approach developed in this study outperforms other similar algorithms for MDCLs selection.This new method may easily be extended to address location planning of other types of facilities,including hospitals,fire stations and schools.展开更多
One branch of structural health monitoring (SHM) utilizes dynamic response measurements to assess the structural integrity of civil infrastructures. In particular,modal frequency is a widely adopted indicator for stru...One branch of structural health monitoring (SHM) utilizes dynamic response measurements to assess the structural integrity of civil infrastructures. In particular,modal frequency is a widely adopted indicator for structural damage since its square is proportional to structural stiffness. However,it has been demonstrated in various SHM projects that this indicator is substantially affected by fluctuating environmental conditions. In order to provide reliable and consistent information on the health status of the monitored structures,it is necessary to develop a method to filter this interference. This study attempts to model and quantify the environmental influence on the modal frequencies of reinforced concrete buildings. Daily structural response measurements of a twenty-two story reinforced concrete building were collected and analyzed over a one-year period. The Bayesian spectral density approach was utilized to identify the modal frequencies of this building and it was clearly seen that the temperature and humidity fluctuation induced notable variations. A mathematical model was developed to quantify the environmental effects and model complexity was taken into consideration. Based on a Timoshenko beam model,the full model class was constructed and other reduced-order model class candidates were obtained. Then,the Bayesian modal class selection approach was employed to select the one with the most suitable complexity. The proposed model successfully characterizes the environmental influence on the modal frequencies. Furthermore,the estimated uncertainty of the model parameters allows for assessment of the reliability of the prediction. This study not only improves the understanding about the monitored structure,but also establishes a systematic approach for reliable health assessment of reinforced concrete buildings.展开更多
Groundwater residence time is a fundamental property of groundwater to understand important hydrogeological issues,such as deriving sustainable abstraction volumes,or,the evolution of groundwater quality.The anthropog...Groundwater residence time is a fundamental property of groundwater to understand important hydrogeological issues,such as deriving sustainable abstraction volumes,or,the evolution of groundwater quality.The anthropogenic trace gases chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-11,CFC-12 and CFC-113) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) are ideal in this regard because they have been released globally at known rates and become dissolved in groundwater following Henry’s Law,integrating over large spatial (global) and temporal (decades) scales.The CFCs and SF6 are able to date groundwater up to w100 years old with the caveat of certain simplifying assumptions.However,the inversion of environmental tracer concentrations (CFCs and SF6) to derive groundwater age rests on the accurate determination of groundwater recharge parameters,namely temperature,elevation,salinity and excess air,in addition to resolving the potential for contamination,degradation and unsaturated zone effects.This review explores the fundamentals of CFC-11,CFC-12,CFC-113 and SF6 as environmental tracers of groundwater age and recommends complementary techniques throughout.Once this relatively simple and inexpensive technique has been used to determine initial concentrations at the recharge zone,setting the groundwater dating ‘clock’ to zero,this review then explores the meaning of groundwater ‘age’ in relation to measured environmental tracer concentrations.It is shown that the CFCs and SF6 may be applied to a wide-range of hydrogeological problems and suggests that environmental tracers are particularly powerful tools when integrated with numerical flow and transport models.展开更多
In recent years,researchers have devoted considerable attention to identifying the causes of urban environmental pollution.To determine whether migrant populations significantly affect urban environments,we examined t...In recent years,researchers have devoted considerable attention to identifying the causes of urban environmental pollution.To determine whether migrant populations significantly affect urban environments,we examined the relationship between urban environmental pollutant emissions and migrant populations at the prefectural level using data obtained for 90 Chinese cities evidencing net in-migration.By dividing the permanent populations of these cities into natives and migrants in relation to the population structure,we constructed an improved Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population,Affluence and Technology model(STIRPAT)that included not only environmental pollutant emission variables but also variables on the cities’attributes.We subsequently conducted detailed analyses of the results of the models to assess the impacts of natives and migrants on environmental pollutant emissions.The main findings of our study were as follows:1)Migrant populations have significant impacts on environmental emissions both in terms of their size and concentration.Specifically,migrant populations have negative impacts on Air Quality Index(AQI)as well as PM2.5 emissions and positive impacts on emissions of NO2 and CO2.2)The impacts of migrant populations on urban environmental pollutant emissions were 8 to 30 times weaker than that of local populations.3)Urban environmental pollutant emissions in different cities differ significantly according to variations in the industrial structures,public transportation facilities,and population densities.展开更多
Semi-active dampers are used in base-isolation to reduce the seismic response of civil engineering structures. In the present study, a new semi-active damping system using variable amplification will be investigated f...Semi-active dampers are used in base-isolation to reduce the seismic response of civil engineering structures. In the present study, a new semi-active damping system using variable amplification will be investigated for adaptive baseisolation. It uses a novel variable amplification device （VAD） connected in series with a passive damper. The VAD is capable of producing multiple amplification factors, each corresponding to a different amplification state. Forces from the damper are amplified to the structure according to the current amplification state, which is selected via a semi-active control algorithm specifically tailored to the system＇s tmique damping characteristics. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the VAD-damper system for adaptive base-isolation, numerical simulations are conducted for three and seven-story base-isolated buildings subject to both far and near-field ground motions. The results indicate that the system can achieve significant reductions in response compared to the base-isolated buildings with no damper. The proposed system is also found to perform well compared to a typical semi-active damper.展开更多
Steel slag(SS)is one of byproduct of steel manufacture industry.The environmental concerns of SS may limit their re-use in different applications.The goal of this study was to investigate the leaching behavior of meta...Steel slag(SS)is one of byproduct of steel manufacture industry.The environmental concerns of SS may limit their re-use in different applications.The goal of this study was to investigate the leaching behavior of metals from SS before and after treated by microbially induced carbonate precipitation(MICP).Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure,synthetic precipitation leaching procedure and water leaching tests were performed to evaluate the leaching behavior of major elements(Fe,Mg and Ca)and trace elements(Ba,Cu and Mn)in three scenarios.The concentrations of leaching metals increased with the content of SS.After it reached the peak concentration,the leaching concentration decreased with the content of SS.The leachability of all elements concerned in this study was below 0.5%.The carbonate generated from the MICP process contributed to the low leachability of metals.After bio-modified by MICP process,the leaching concentrations of Ba from TCLP,SPLP and WLT tests were below 2.0 mg/L,which was the limit in drinking water regulated by U.S.EPA.The concentrations of Cu leached out from MICP-treated SS-sand samples were below 1.3 mg/L which is the limit regulated by national secondary drinking water.Compared with the regulations of U.S.EPA and Mississippi Department of Environment Quality(MDEQ),MICP-treated samples were classified as non-hazardous materials with respects to the leaching of metals.Meanwhile,maximum contaminant limits regulated by U.S.EPA states that MICP-treated SS are eco-friendly materials that can be reused as construction materials.展开更多
Rh single atom catalysts(SACs)have been insensitively investigated recently due to the maximum utilization efficiency of Rh,one of the most expensive precious metals.Although great efforts have been made in the develo...Rh single atom catalysts(SACs)have been insensitively investigated recently due to the maximum utilization efficiency of Rh,one of the most expensive precious metals.Although great efforts have been made in the development and application of Rh SACs,there are few reports on the precise control of the local coordination environment of Rh single sites on CeO_(2) and their catalytic performance for N_(2)O decomposition.Herein,Rh/CeO_(2) catalysts with different Rh-O coordination numbers(CNs)were successfully prepared using different CeO_(2) supports and a simple incipient wetness impregnation(IWI)method.It is observed that the Rh/CeO_(2) catalyst with slightly higher CN of Rh-O(Rh/CeO_(2)-H)prepared from CeO_(2) shows much higher N_(2)O decomposition activity than the catalyst with lower CN of Rh-O(Rh/CeO_(2)-L)obtained from Ce(OH)_(x).The Rh species within Rh/CeO_(2)-H are found to be more reactive than those within Rh/CeO_(2)-L,which can better facilitate the O_(2)desorption once formed during N_(2)O deco mposition.In additio n,more surface oxygen vacancies are present on Rh/CeO_(2)-H than on Rh/CeO_(2)-L,well explaining the superior N_(2)O adsorption and activation capability on the former catalyst.It is concluded that more abundant oxygen vacancies and reactive Rh single atom sites with slightly higher CN of Rh-O and significantly higher reducibility altogether contribute to the superior N_(2)O decomposition activity on the Rh/CeO_(2)-H catalyst.展开更多
The phenomenon of wastewater discharged into coastal waters can be simplified as a turbulent jet under the effect of waves and currents. Previous studies have been carried out to investigate the jet behaviors under th...The phenomenon of wastewater discharged into coastal waters can be simplified as a turbulent jet under the effect of waves and currents. Previous studies have been carried out to investigate the jet behaviors under the current only or the wave only environment. To obtain better understanding of the jet behaviors in a realistic situation, a series of physical experiments on the initial dilution of a vertical round jet in the wavy cross-flow environment are conducted. The diluted processes of the jet are recorded by a high-resolution camcorder and the concentration fields of the jet are measured with a peristaltic suction pumping system. When the jet is discharged into the wavy cross-flow environment, a distinctive phenomenon, namely ＂effluent clouds＂, is observed. According to the quantitative measurements, the jet width in the wavy cross-flow environment increases more significantly than that does in the cross-flow only environment, indicating that the waves impose a positive effect on the enhancement of jet initial dilution. In order to generalize the experimental findings, a comprehensive velocity scale ua and a characteristic length scale l are introduced. Through dimensional analysis, it is found that the dimensionless centerline concentration trajectories cy/l is in proportion to 1/3 power of the dimensionless downstream distance x/l, and the dimensionless centerline dilution 2c aS Q/（u l） is proportional to the square of the dimensionless centerline trajectory cy/l. Several empirical equations are then derived by using the Froude number of cross-flow Frc as a reference coefficient. This paper provides a better understanding and new estimations of the jet initial dilution under the combined effect of waves and cross-flow current.展开更多
Computer vision-based inspection methods show promise for automating post-earthquake building inspections.These methods survey a building with unmanned aerial vehicles and automatically detect damage in the collected ...Computer vision-based inspection methods show promise for automating post-earthquake building inspections.These methods survey a building with unmanned aerial vehicles and automatically detect damage in the collected images.Nevertheless,assessing the damage′s impact on structural safety requires localizing damage to specific building components with known design and function.This paper proposes a BIM-based automated inspection framework to provide context for visual surveys.A deep learning-based semantic segmentation algorithm is trained to automatically identify damage in images.The BIM automatically associates any identified damage with specific building components.Then,components are classified into damage states consistent with component fragility models for integration with a structural analysis.To demonstrate the framework,methods are developed to photorealistically simulate severe structural damage in a synthetic computer graphics environment.A graphics model of a real building in Urbana,Illinois,is generated to test the framework;the model is integrated with a structural analysis to apply earthquake damage in a physically realistic manner.A simulated UAV survey is flown of the graphics model and the framework is applied.The method achieves high accuracy in assigning damage states to visible structural components.This assignment enables integration with a performance-based earthquake assessment to classify building safety.展开更多
It is inevitable that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) will be a major focus of transportation and the automotive industry with increased use in future traffic system analysis. Numerous studies have focused on...It is inevitable that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) will be a major focus of transportation and the automotive industry with increased use in future traffic system analysis. Numerous studies have focused on the evaluation and potential development of CAVs technology;however, pedestrians and bicyclists, as two essential and important modes of the road users have seen little to no coverage. In response to the need for analyzing the impact of CAVs on non-motorized transportation, this paper develops a new model for the evaluation of the Level of Service (LOS) for pedestrians in a CAVs environment based on the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). The HCM provides a methodology to assess the level of service for pedestrians and bicyclists on various types of intersections in urban areas. Five scenarios were created for simulation via VISSIM (a software) that corresponds to the different proportions of the CAVs and different signal systems in a typical traffic environment. Alternatively, the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) was selected for analyzing the safety performance of the five scenarios. Through computing and analyzing the results of simulation and SSAM, the latter portion of this paper focuses on the development of a new model for evaluating pedestrian LOS in urban areas which are based upon HCM standards which are suitable for CAVs environments. The results of this study are intended to inform the future efforts of engineers and/or policymakers and to provide them with a tool to conduct a comparison of capacity and LOS related to the impact of CAVs on pedestrians during the process of a transportation system transition to CAVs.展开更多
The urban environment affects human behavior and health.Most studies on the feelings of street spaces have not considered a specific kind of realistic scene,such as running.To overcome this limitation,we explored the ...The urban environment affects human behavior and health.Most studies on the feelings of street spaces have not considered a specific kind of realistic scene,such as running.To overcome this limitation,we explored the relationship between the urban environment and the pleasure of running.We collected 8260 street view images from 153 running routes in Beijing and invited more than 400 volunteers of different genders and ages to rate their sense of pleasure in street view images of the urban running environment through an online survey.Then,the proportion of visual elements in street images was extracted based on semantic segmentation,and the landscape was divided.Finally,a linear mixed model was used to predict the pleasure scores of different gender and age groups for different landscapes.The results show significant differences in the pleasure scores for different landscapes and age groups.Middle-aged people’s sense of pleasure was lower than that of the young and the elderly.More greenery was associated with a higher pleasure score,while the proportion of urban elements such as buildings was negatively correlated with the pleasure score.The results indicate that running in a natural landscape is pleasurable and beneficial for mental health.展开更多
In this review paper,the applications of biomineralization in environmental geotechnics are analyzed.Three environmental geotechnics scenarios,namely heavy metal contamination immobilization and removal,waste and CO_(...In this review paper,the applications of biomineralization in environmental geotechnics are analyzed.Three environmental geotechnics scenarios,namely heavy metal contamination immobilization and removal,waste and CO_(2)containment,and recycled use of industrial byproducts,are discussed and evaluated regarding current trends and prospects.The biomineralization process,specifically the Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation(MICP)technology,is an effective solution for immobilizing heavy metals through co-precipitation with calcium carbonate,with successful results in cleaning up contaminated soils.The nature of biomineralization enhances earth material strength and decreases permeability,making it suitable for waste and CO_(2)containment.Additionally,using industrial byproducts in MICP technology can improve the physical,mechanical,and hydraulic properties of earth materials,making it a potential solution for efficient waste utilization.In conclusion,the applications of biomineralization in environmental geotechnics hold great promise for solving various environmental problems.However,further research is needed to better understand the control and consistency of biomineralization processes,the durability of biominerals,the scale of applications,and environmental concerns.展开更多
Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by the novel coronavirus,results in an acute respiratory condition coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and is highly infectious.The recent spread of this virus has caused a global pandem...Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by the novel coronavirus,results in an acute respiratory condition coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and is highly infectious.The recent spread of this virus has caused a global pandemic.Currently,the transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 are being established,especially the role of environmental transmission.Here we review the environmental transmission routes and persistence of SARS-CoV-2.Recent studies have established that the transmission of this virus may occur,amongst others,in the air,water,soil,cold-chain,biota,and surface contact.It has also been found that the survival potential of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is dependent on different environmental conditions and pollution.Potentially important pathways include aerosol and fecal matter.Particulate matter may also be a carrier for SARS-CoV-2.Since microscopic particles can be easily absorbed by humans,more attention must be focused on the dissemination of these particles.These considerations are required to evolve a theoretical platform for epidemic control and to minimize the global threat from future epidemics.展开更多
A concrete gravity base structure may not be suitable for offshore weak soil because of its heavy weight. Therefore, a conceptual model for a concrete offshore wind turbine structure suitable for weak soils is propose...A concrete gravity base structure may not be suitable for offshore weak soil because of its heavy weight. Therefore, a conceptual model for a concrete offshore wind turbine structure suitable for weak soils is proposed. The proposed model is composed of a prestressed concrete(PSC) supported by a pile foundation. For a three-dimensional analysis of the large concrete structure, wave pressures based on the diffraction wave theory are developed using a three-dimensional solid finite element method. Static and dynamic analyses were performed to achieve the conceptual model of a PSC structure subjected to ocean environmental loads and a 5-MW turbine load on southwest coast in Korea. From the analysis, the maximum displacement and stresses of the proposed model did not exceed the allowable values from design standard, and the first mode of natural frequency of the structure was in a safe range to avoid resonance. The proposed model has enough structural stability to withstand external loads, and it is expected to be used in locations suitable for concrete gravity structures.展开更多
Engineering structures are often subjected to the influences of performance deterioration and multiple hazards during their service lives,and consequently may suffer from damage/failure as a result of external loads.S...Engineering structures are often subjected to the influences of performance deterioration and multiple hazards during their service lives,and consequently may suffer from damage/failure as a result of external loads.Structural reliability and resilience assessment is a powerful tool for quantifying the structural ability to withstand these environmental or operational attacks.This paper proposes new formulas for structural time-dependent reliability and resilience analyses in the presence of multiple hazards,which are functions of the duration of the reference period of interest.The joint impacts of nonstationarities in multiple hazards due to a changing environment,as well as the deterioration of structural performance,are explicitly incorporated.The correlation between the structural resistances/capacities associated with different hazard types is modeled by employing a copula function.It is observed that,under the context of multiple hazards and aging effects,the time-dependent resilience takes a generalized form of time-dependent reliability.The proposed formulas can be used to guide the adaptive design of structures,where adaptive strategies are identified across a range of possible future service conditions.An example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method for structural reliability and resilience analyses.展开更多
文摘Civil infrastructure is continuously subject to aging and deterioration due to multiple factors,which lead to a decline in performance and impact structural health.Accumulated damage on structures increases operational costs and poses significant risks to public safety.Effective maintenance,repair,and rehabilitation strategies are needed to ensure civil infrastructure’s overall safety and reliability.Non-Destructive Evaluation(NDE)methods are utilized to assess latent damage and provide decision-makers with real-time information for mitigating hazards.Within the last decade,there has been a significant increase in the research and development of innovative NDE techniques to improve data processing and promote efficient and accurate infrastructure assessment.This paper aims to review one of those methods,namely,Infrared Thermography(IRT),and its applications in civil infrastructure.A comprehensive review is presented by investigating numerous journal articles,research papers,and technical reports describing numerous IRT applications for bridges,buildings,and general civil structures made from different materials.The capability of IRT to identify and pinpoint anomalies,typically in the early stages of degradation,has excellent potential to improve the safety and shore up the dependability of civil infrastructures while reducing expenses tied to maintenance and rehabilitation.Furthermore,the non-invasive nature of IRT is beneficial in mitigating disturbances and downtime that may occur during various inspection procedures.It is highlighted that IRT is a highly versatile and effective tool for infrastructure condition assessment.With further advancement and fine-tuning of the available techniques,it is likely that IRT will continue to gain significant popularity in maintaining and monitoring civil infrastructure.
基金supported by the Program for New Century Talents in University(No.NCET-11-0951)from the Ministry of Education of ChinaKey Laboratory Project Fund of CAS(No.2005DP173065-2016-04).
文摘Photocatalytic oxygen reduction provides a sustainable method for on-site hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))synthesis.However,most photocatalysts suffer from moderate kinetics due to sluggish electron transfer and inefficient oxygen adsorption and activation.Herein,sodium(Na)and potassium(K)are co-incorporated into graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_(3)N_(4))via a stepwise co-doping strategy combining sodium chloride-induced and molten salt-assisted polymerization.Experimental results and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the synergistic interaction between intralayer Na+ions and interlayer K^(+)ions facilitates charge carrier separation and migration both within and between g-C_(3)N_(4)layers.Additionally,multiple heteroatom sites enhance surface charge polarization and introduce cyano groups,which synergistically promote oxygen molecule(O_(2))adsorption and elevate local proton coverage.Simultaneously,the energy barrier for H_(2)O_(2)desorption on the optimal photocatalyst(5Na/3.3K-CN)is lowered,thus improving H_(2)O_(2)production efficiency.Eventually,5Na/3.3K-CN exhibits an impressive H_(2)O_(2)yield of 2541.6μmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1) in an artificial reactor,which is 10.6 times higher than that of pure g-C_(3)N_(4)(240.2μmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1)).Under natural sunlight outdoors,5Na/3.3K-CN still maintains ultrahigh H_(2)O_(2)photosynthesis efficiency,achieving an H_(2)O_(2)photosynthesis rate of 2068.7μmol·g^(-1)·h^(-1).This work introduces a straightforward method to simultaneously optimize charge transfer and O_(2)activation for boosting H_(2)O_(2)photosynthesis,offering valuable insights toward the real-world deployment of g-C_(3)N_(4)-based photocatalysts in environmental protection and energy conversion.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12402432)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China(Grant No.BK20230936)Graduate Education and Teaching Reform Project of Nanjing University of Science and Technology(Grant No.KT2024_C14)。
文摘To elucidate the dispersion and explosion characteristics of multi-metal powder and liquid composite fuel formulations,high-energy metal powders(aluminum(Al),boron(B),and magnesium hydride(MgH_(2)))are incorporated into a liquid fuel primarily composed of diethyl ether(DEE)and isopropyl nitrate(IPN).The explosion characteristics of different solid-liquid fuel-air-explosive(FAE)under unconfined conditions are investigated using a high-speed camera,infrared thermal imaging,and a pressure measurement system.Results demonstrate that high-energy metal powders significantly enhance detonation energy dissipation,with aluminum exhibiting the most pronounced effect.Fuel 5#(45.4 wt%DEE,9.2 wt%IPN,29.5 wt%Al,9.1 wt%B,6.8 wt%MgH_(2))exhibits superior explosion performance,achieving higher values of overpressure,impulse,and thermal radiation damage during the detonation stage compared to other fuels.However,Fuel 5#also displays faster decay rates,attributed to accelerated heat release rates induced by B and MgH_(2)powders.This study reveals that different metal powders in solid-liquid FAE exhibit distinct enhancements in explosion performance,providing critical insights for optimizing composite fuel design.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20807004)the General Research an Development Founding for Universities directly under the Ministry of Education of China(BUCTZZ1202)
文摘Catalytic nickel was successfully incorporated into nanoscale iron to enhance its dechlorination efficiency for trichloroethylene （TCE）, one of the most commonly detected chlorinated organic compounds in groundwater. Ethane was the predominant product. The greatest dechlorination efficiency was achieved at 22 molar percent of nickel. This nanoscale Ni-Fe is poorly ordered and inhomogeneous; iron dissolution occurred whereas nickel was relatively stable during the 24-hr reaction. The morphological characterization provided significant new insights on the mechanism of catalytic hydrodcchlorination by bimetallic nanoparticles. TCE degradation and ethane production rates were greatly affected by environmental parameters such as solution pH, temperature and common groundwater ions. Both rate constants decreased and then increased over the pH range of 6.5 to 8.0, with the minimum value occurring at pH 7.5. TCE degradation rate constant showed an increasing trend over the temperature range of 10 to 25℃. However, ethane production rate constant increased and then decreased over the range, with the maximum value occurring at 20℃, Most salts in the solution appeared to enhance the reaction in the first half hour but overall they displayed an inhibitory effect. Combined ions showed a similar effect as individual salts.
文摘This work examines the environmental and geochemical impact of recycled aggregate concrete production with properties representative for structural applications.The environmental influence of cement content,aggregate production,transportation,and waste landfilling is analysed by undertaking a life cycle assessment and considering a life cycle inventory largely specific for the region.To obtain a detailed insight into the optimum life cycle parameters,a sensitivity study is carried out in which supplementary cementitious materials,different values of natural-to-recycled aggregate content ratio and case-specific transportation distances were considered.The results show that carbon emissions were between 323 and 332 kgCO_(2)e per cubic metre of cement only natural aggregate concrete.These values can be reduced by up to 17%by replacing 25%of the cement with fly ash.By contrast,carbon emissions can increase when natural coarse aggregates are replaced by recycled aggregates in proportions of 50%and 100%,and transportation is not included in analysis.However,the concrete with 50%recycled aggregate presented lower increase,only 0.3%and 3.4%for normal and high strength concrete,respectively.In some cases,the relative contribution of transportation to the total carbon emissions increased when cement was replaced by fly ash in proportions of 25%,and case-specific transportation distances were considered.In absolute values,the concrete mixes with 100%recycled aggregates and 25%fly ash had lower carbon emissions than concrete with cement and natural aggregates only.Higher environmental benefits can be obtained when the transportation distances of fly ash are relatively short(15–25 km)and the cement replacement by fly ash is equal or higher than 25%,considering that the mechanical properties are adequate for practical application.The observations from this paper show that recycled aggregate concrete with strength characteristics representative for structural members can have lower carbon emissions than conventional concrete,recommending them as an alternative to achieving global sustainability standards in construction.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51028802 and 70902029)the PhD Programs Foundation of Ministry of Education of China (No. 20090092120045)
文摘Locating distribution centers optimally is a crucial and systematic task for decision-makers.Optimally located distribution centers can significantly improve the logistics system's efficiency and reduce its operational costs.However,it is not an easy task to optimize distribution center locations and previous studies focused primarily on location optimization of a single distribution center.With growing logistics demands,multiple distribution centers become necessary to meet customers' requirements,but few studies have tackled the multiple distribution center locations(MDCLs) problem.This paper presents a comprehensive algorithm to address the MDCLs problem.Fuzzy integration and clustering approach using the improved axiomatic fuzzy set(AFS) theory is developed for location clustering based on multiple hierarchical evaluation criteria.Then,technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS) is applied for evaluating and selecting the best candidate for each cluster.Sensitivity analysis is also conducted to assess the influence of each criterion in the location planning decision procedure.Results from a case study in Guiyang,China,reveals that the proposed approach developed in this study outperforms other similar algorithms for MDCLs selection.This new method may easily be extended to address location planning of other types of facilities,including hospitals,fire stations and schools.
基金Research Committee,University of Macao,China Under Grant No.RG077/07-08S/09R/YKV/FST
文摘One branch of structural health monitoring (SHM) utilizes dynamic response measurements to assess the structural integrity of civil infrastructures. In particular,modal frequency is a widely adopted indicator for structural damage since its square is proportional to structural stiffness. However,it has been demonstrated in various SHM projects that this indicator is substantially affected by fluctuating environmental conditions. In order to provide reliable and consistent information on the health status of the monitored structures,it is necessary to develop a method to filter this interference. This study attempts to model and quantify the environmental influence on the modal frequencies of reinforced concrete buildings. Daily structural response measurements of a twenty-two story reinforced concrete building were collected and analyzed over a one-year period. The Bayesian spectral density approach was utilized to identify the modal frequencies of this building and it was clearly seen that the temperature and humidity fluctuation induced notable variations. A mathematical model was developed to quantify the environmental effects and model complexity was taken into consideration. Based on a Timoshenko beam model,the full model class was constructed and other reduced-order model class candidates were obtained. Then,the Bayesian modal class selection approach was employed to select the one with the most suitable complexity. The proposed model successfully characterizes the environmental influence on the modal frequencies. Furthermore,the estimated uncertainty of the model parameters allows for assessment of the reliability of the prediction. This study not only improves the understanding about the monitored structure,but also establishes a systematic approach for reliable health assessment of reinforced concrete buildings.
基金supported by a Natural Environment Research Council(NERC) Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE) studentship(NE/EEA6549/1)
文摘Groundwater residence time is a fundamental property of groundwater to understand important hydrogeological issues,such as deriving sustainable abstraction volumes,or,the evolution of groundwater quality.The anthropogenic trace gases chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-11,CFC-12 and CFC-113) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) are ideal in this regard because they have been released globally at known rates and become dissolved in groundwater following Henry’s Law,integrating over large spatial (global) and temporal (decades) scales.The CFCs and SF6 are able to date groundwater up to w100 years old with the caveat of certain simplifying assumptions.However,the inversion of environmental tracer concentrations (CFCs and SF6) to derive groundwater age rests on the accurate determination of groundwater recharge parameters,namely temperature,elevation,salinity and excess air,in addition to resolving the potential for contamination,degradation and unsaturated zone effects.This review explores the fundamentals of CFC-11,CFC-12,CFC-113 and SF6 as environmental tracers of groundwater age and recommends complementary techniques throughout.Once this relatively simple and inexpensive technique has been used to determine initial concentrations at the recharge zone,setting the groundwater dating ‘clock’ to zero,this review then explores the meaning of groundwater ‘age’ in relation to measured environmental tracer concentrations.It is shown that the CFCs and SF6 may be applied to a wide-range of hydrogeological problems and suggests that environmental tracers are particularly powerful tools when integrated with numerical flow and transport models.
基金Under the auspices of Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(No.2017-003)
文摘In recent years,researchers have devoted considerable attention to identifying the causes of urban environmental pollution.To determine whether migrant populations significantly affect urban environments,we examined the relationship between urban environmental pollutant emissions and migrant populations at the prefectural level using data obtained for 90 Chinese cities evidencing net in-migration.By dividing the permanent populations of these cities into natives and migrants in relation to the population structure,we constructed an improved Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population,Affluence and Technology model(STIRPAT)that included not only environmental pollutant emission variables but also variables on the cities’attributes.We subsequently conducted detailed analyses of the results of the models to assess the impacts of natives and migrants on environmental pollutant emissions.The main findings of our study were as follows:1)Migrant populations have significant impacts on environmental emissions both in terms of their size and concentration.Specifically,migrant populations have negative impacts on Air Quality Index(AQI)as well as PM2.5 emissions and positive impacts on emissions of NO2 and CO2.2)The impacts of migrant populations on urban environmental pollutant emissions were 8 to 30 times weaker than that of local populations.3)Urban environmental pollutant emissions in different cities differ significantly according to variations in the industrial structures,public transportation facilities,and population densities.
文摘Semi-active dampers are used in base-isolation to reduce the seismic response of civil engineering structures. In the present study, a new semi-active damping system using variable amplification will be investigated for adaptive baseisolation. It uses a novel variable amplification device （VAD） connected in series with a passive damper. The VAD is capable of producing multiple amplification factors, each corresponding to a different amplification state. Forces from the damper are amplified to the structure according to the current amplification state, which is selected via a semi-active control algorithm specifically tailored to the system＇s tmique damping characteristics. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the VAD-damper system for adaptive base-isolation, numerical simulations are conducted for three and seven-story base-isolated buildings subject to both far and near-field ground motions. The results indicate that the system can achieve significant reductions in response compared to the base-isolated buildings with no damper. The proposed system is also found to perform well compared to a typical semi-active damper.
基金supported by the US National Science Foundation(No.1924241)。
文摘Steel slag(SS)is one of byproduct of steel manufacture industry.The environmental concerns of SS may limit their re-use in different applications.The goal of this study was to investigate the leaching behavior of metals from SS before and after treated by microbially induced carbonate precipitation(MICP).Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure,synthetic precipitation leaching procedure and water leaching tests were performed to evaluate the leaching behavior of major elements(Fe,Mg and Ca)and trace elements(Ba,Cu and Mn)in three scenarios.The concentrations of leaching metals increased with the content of SS.After it reached the peak concentration,the leaching concentration decreased with the content of SS.The leachability of all elements concerned in this study was below 0.5%.The carbonate generated from the MICP process contributed to the low leachability of metals.After bio-modified by MICP process,the leaching concentrations of Ba from TCLP,SPLP and WLT tests were below 2.0 mg/L,which was the limit in drinking water regulated by U.S.EPA.The concentrations of Cu leached out from MICP-treated SS-sand samples were below 1.3 mg/L which is the limit regulated by national secondary drinking water.Compared with the regulations of U.S.EPA and Mississippi Department of Environment Quality(MDEQ),MICP-treated samples were classified as non-hazardous materials with respects to the leaching of metals.Meanwhile,maximum contaminant limits regulated by U.S.EPA states that MICP-treated SS are eco-friendly materials that can be reused as construction materials.
基金Project supported by the Startup Fund(F.L.)from the University of Central Florida(UCF)National Science Foundation grants(CHE-1955343,DMR-1920050).
文摘Rh single atom catalysts(SACs)have been insensitively investigated recently due to the maximum utilization efficiency of Rh,one of the most expensive precious metals.Although great efforts have been made in the development and application of Rh SACs,there are few reports on the precise control of the local coordination environment of Rh single sites on CeO_(2) and their catalytic performance for N_(2)O decomposition.Herein,Rh/CeO_(2) catalysts with different Rh-O coordination numbers(CNs)were successfully prepared using different CeO_(2) supports and a simple incipient wetness impregnation(IWI)method.It is observed that the Rh/CeO_(2) catalyst with slightly higher CN of Rh-O(Rh/CeO_(2)-H)prepared from CeO_(2) shows much higher N_(2)O decomposition activity than the catalyst with lower CN of Rh-O(Rh/CeO_(2)-L)obtained from Ce(OH)_(x).The Rh species within Rh/CeO_(2)-H are found to be more reactive than those within Rh/CeO_(2)-L,which can better facilitate the O_(2)desorption once formed during N_(2)O deco mposition.In additio n,more surface oxygen vacancies are present on Rh/CeO_(2)-H than on Rh/CeO_(2)-L,well explaining the superior N_(2)O adsorption and activation capability on the former catalyst.It is concluded that more abundant oxygen vacancies and reactive Rh single atom sites with slightly higher CN of Rh-O and significantly higher reducibility altogether contribute to the superior N_(2)O decomposition activity on the Rh/CeO_(2)-H catalyst.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51379072 and 51309092)the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education(Grant No.20120094110016)+1 种基金the‘111’Project of the Ministry of Education and the State Administration of Foreign Experts AffairsChina(Grant No.B12032)
文摘The phenomenon of wastewater discharged into coastal waters can be simplified as a turbulent jet under the effect of waves and currents. Previous studies have been carried out to investigate the jet behaviors under the current only or the wave only environment. To obtain better understanding of the jet behaviors in a realistic situation, a series of physical experiments on the initial dilution of a vertical round jet in the wavy cross-flow environment are conducted. The diluted processes of the jet are recorded by a high-resolution camcorder and the concentration fields of the jet are measured with a peristaltic suction pumping system. When the jet is discharged into the wavy cross-flow environment, a distinctive phenomenon, namely ＂effluent clouds＂, is observed. According to the quantitative measurements, the jet width in the wavy cross-flow environment increases more significantly than that does in the cross-flow only environment, indicating that the waves impose a positive effect on the enhancement of jet initial dilution. In order to generalize the experimental findings, a comprehensive velocity scale ua and a characteristic length scale l are introduced. Through dimensional analysis, it is found that the dimensionless centerline concentration trajectories cy/l is in proportion to 1/3 power of the dimensionless downstream distance x/l, and the dimensionless centerline dilution 2c aS Q/（u l） is proportional to the square of the dimensionless centerline trajectory cy/l. Several empirical equations are then derived by using the Froude number of cross-flow Frc as a reference coefficient. This paper provides a better understanding and new estimations of the jet initial dilution under the combined effect of waves and cross-flow current.
基金Financial support for this research was provided in part by the US Army Corps of Engineers through a subaward from the University of California,San Diego,USA。
文摘Computer vision-based inspection methods show promise for automating post-earthquake building inspections.These methods survey a building with unmanned aerial vehicles and automatically detect damage in the collected images.Nevertheless,assessing the damage′s impact on structural safety requires localizing damage to specific building components with known design and function.This paper proposes a BIM-based automated inspection framework to provide context for visual surveys.A deep learning-based semantic segmentation algorithm is trained to automatically identify damage in images.The BIM automatically associates any identified damage with specific building components.Then,components are classified into damage states consistent with component fragility models for integration with a structural analysis.To demonstrate the framework,methods are developed to photorealistically simulate severe structural damage in a synthetic computer graphics environment.A graphics model of a real building in Urbana,Illinois,is generated to test the framework;the model is integrated with a structural analysis to apply earthquake damage in a physically realistic manner.A simulated UAV survey is flown of the graphics model and the framework is applied.The method achieves high accuracy in assigning damage states to visible structural components.This assignment enables integration with a performance-based earthquake assessment to classify building safety.
文摘It is inevitable that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) will be a major focus of transportation and the automotive industry with increased use in future traffic system analysis. Numerous studies have focused on the evaluation and potential development of CAVs technology;however, pedestrians and bicyclists, as two essential and important modes of the road users have seen little to no coverage. In response to the need for analyzing the impact of CAVs on non-motorized transportation, this paper develops a new model for the evaluation of the Level of Service (LOS) for pedestrians in a CAVs environment based on the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). The HCM provides a methodology to assess the level of service for pedestrians and bicyclists on various types of intersections in urban areas. Five scenarios were created for simulation via VISSIM (a software) that corresponds to the different proportions of the CAVs and different signal systems in a typical traffic environment. Alternatively, the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) was selected for analyzing the safety performance of the five scenarios. Through computing and analyzing the results of simulation and SSAM, the latter portion of this paper focuses on the development of a new model for evaluating pedestrian LOS in urban areas which are based upon HCM standards which are suitable for CAVs environments. The results of this study are intended to inform the future efforts of engineers and/or policymakers and to provide them with a tool to conduct a comparison of capacity and LOS related to the impact of CAVs on pedestrians during the process of a transportation system transition to CAVs.
基金China’s National Key Research and Development Program,No.2017YFB0503500National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41901321。
文摘The urban environment affects human behavior and health.Most studies on the feelings of street spaces have not considered a specific kind of realistic scene,such as running.To overcome this limitation,we explored the relationship between the urban environment and the pleasure of running.We collected 8260 street view images from 153 running routes in Beijing and invited more than 400 volunteers of different genders and ages to rate their sense of pleasure in street view images of the urban running environment through an online survey.Then,the proportion of visual elements in street images was extracted based on semantic segmentation,and the landscape was divided.Finally,a linear mixed model was used to predict the pleasure scores of different gender and age groups for different landscapes.The results show significant differences in the pleasure scores for different landscapes and age groups.Middle-aged people’s sense of pleasure was lower than that of the young and the elderly.More greenery was associated with a higher pleasure score,while the proportion of urban elements such as buildings was negatively correlated with the pleasure score.The results indicate that running in a natural landscape is pleasurable and beneficial for mental health.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(42007246)and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘In this review paper,the applications of biomineralization in environmental geotechnics are analyzed.Three environmental geotechnics scenarios,namely heavy metal contamination immobilization and removal,waste and CO_(2)containment,and recycled use of industrial byproducts,are discussed and evaluated regarding current trends and prospects.The biomineralization process,specifically the Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation(MICP)technology,is an effective solution for immobilizing heavy metals through co-precipitation with calcium carbonate,with successful results in cleaning up contaminated soils.The nature of biomineralization enhances earth material strength and decreases permeability,making it suitable for waste and CO_(2)containment.Additionally,using industrial byproducts in MICP technology can improve the physical,mechanical,and hydraulic properties of earth materials,making it a potential solution for efficient waste utilization.In conclusion,the applications of biomineralization in environmental geotechnics hold great promise for solving various environmental problems.However,further research is needed to better understand the control and consistency of biomineralization processes,the durability of biominerals,the scale of applications,and environmental concerns.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Grant No.42075107)the Projects of International Cooperation and Exchanges NSFC(Grant No.41571130031)the Yueqi Scholar fund of China University of Mining and Technology(Beijing).
文摘Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by the novel coronavirus,results in an acute respiratory condition coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and is highly infectious.The recent spread of this virus has caused a global pandemic.Currently,the transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 are being established,especially the role of environmental transmission.Here we review the environmental transmission routes and persistence of SARS-CoV-2.Recent studies have established that the transmission of this virus may occur,amongst others,in the air,water,soil,cold-chain,biota,and surface contact.It has also been found that the survival potential of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is dependent on different environmental conditions and pollution.Potentially important pathways include aerosol and fecal matter.Particulate matter may also be a carrier for SARS-CoV-2.Since microscopic particles can be easily absorbed by humans,more attention must be focused on the dissemination of these particles.These considerations are required to evolve a theoretical platform for epidemic control and to minimize the global threat from future epidemics.
基金supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and Ministry of Trade,Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea(No.20153030023830)
文摘A concrete gravity base structure may not be suitable for offshore weak soil because of its heavy weight. Therefore, a conceptual model for a concrete offshore wind turbine structure suitable for weak soils is proposed. The proposed model is composed of a prestressed concrete(PSC) supported by a pile foundation. For a three-dimensional analysis of the large concrete structure, wave pressures based on the diffraction wave theory are developed using a three-dimensional solid finite element method. Static and dynamic analyses were performed to achieve the conceptual model of a PSC structure subjected to ocean environmental loads and a 5-MW turbine load on southwest coast in Korea. From the analysis, the maximum displacement and stresses of the proposed model did not exceed the allowable values from design standard, and the first mode of natural frequency of the structure was in a safe range to avoid resonance. The proposed model has enough structural stability to withstand external loads, and it is expected to be used in locations suitable for concrete gravity structures.
基金supported by the Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the University of Wollongong.
文摘Engineering structures are often subjected to the influences of performance deterioration and multiple hazards during their service lives,and consequently may suffer from damage/failure as a result of external loads.Structural reliability and resilience assessment is a powerful tool for quantifying the structural ability to withstand these environmental or operational attacks.This paper proposes new formulas for structural time-dependent reliability and resilience analyses in the presence of multiple hazards,which are functions of the duration of the reference period of interest.The joint impacts of nonstationarities in multiple hazards due to a changing environment,as well as the deterioration of structural performance,are explicitly incorporated.The correlation between the structural resistances/capacities associated with different hazard types is modeled by employing a copula function.It is observed that,under the context of multiple hazards and aging effects,the time-dependent resilience takes a generalized form of time-dependent reliability.The proposed formulas can be used to guide the adaptive design of structures,where adaptive strategies are identified across a range of possible future service conditions.An example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method for structural reliability and resilience analyses.
