Micromechanical model for off-axis creep rupture in unidirectional composites undergoing finite strains

A microscale numerical framework for modeling creep rupture in unidirectional composites under off-axis loading is presented, building on recent work on imposing off-axis loading on a representative volume element. Creep deformation of the thermoplastic polymer matrix is accounted for by means of the Eindhoven Glassy Polymer material model....

Risk based life-cycle planning for flood-resilient critical infrastructure

The paper presents a risk assessment model, developed in the project oVERFLOw and further implemented in the project CROSScade, for determining the direct and indirect impacts of flooding hazards. As a consequence of flooding, transport infrastructure and flood protection systems can be significantly damaged and cause cascading effects on other...

Evaluation of Creep Behavior of Soft Soils by Utilizing Multisensor Data Combined with Machine Learning

To identify the unknown values of the parameters of Burger’s constitutive law, commonly used for the evaluation of the creep behavior of the soft soils, this paper demonstrates a procedure relying on the data obtained from multiple sensors, where each sensor is used to its best advantage. The geophysical, geotechnical, and unmanned aerial...

Strain-rate based arclength model for nonlinear microscale analysis of unidirectional composites under off-axis loading

In this paper, a micromechanical framework for modeling the rate-dependent response of unidirectional composites subjected to off-axis loading is introduced. The model is intended for a thin slice representative volume element that is oriented perpendicular to the reinforcement of the composite material. The testing conditions from a uniaxial...

Micromechanical modeling of rate-dependent off-axis failure in thermoplastic composites

A micromechanical framework for modeling failure in unidirectional (UD) thermoplastic composites under rate-dependent off-axis loading is presented, with the aim to predict and analyze transverse matrix cracking under various load conditions. The onset of global softening in the micromodel corresponds to macroscopic matrix crack initiation. The...

Microscale modeling of rate-dependent failure in thermoplastic composites under off-axis loading

In this paper we develop a finite deformation micromechanical framework for modeling rate-dependent failure in unidirectional composites under off-axis loading. The model performance is compared with original experiments on thermoplastic carbon/PEEK composites tested at different strain-rates and off-axis angles. To achieve quantitative...

Application of neural networks for the reliability design of a tunnel in karst rock mass

This paper offers a solution to overcome time-consuming numerical analysis for the evaluation of the impact of tunnel construction in a complex karst environment by implementing Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) using a neural network (NN) tool. The rock mass is described using three parameters: Geological Strength Index, the uniaxial compression...

A review of CPT based axial pile design in the Netherlands

Because of the deltaic nature of the Netherlands, deep soft soil deposits are widespread. Due to the population density exploitation of underground space is vital for commercial developments and transport networks. Piles are used as primary support elements in deep excavations, cut and cover tunnels, quay walls, flood defences and to provide...

Developing correlations between the soil fines content and CPT results using neural networks

Knowledge of the fines content is necessary for all soil classification systems and an important factor in the evaluation of soil strength in liquefaction and seismic settlement analysis. This paper presents the application of cone penetration test, CPT data for estimating the soil fines content. The correlation can be used either as a first...

Categorization of the condition of railway embankments using a multi-attribute utility theory

In the current economic climate, it is crucial to optimize the use of all resources regarding railway infrastructure maintenance. In this paper, a multi-attribute decision support framework is applied to categorize railway embankments in order to prioritize maintenance activities. The paper describes a methodology to first determine the...

Investigation of the remaining life of an immersed tube tunnel in The Netherlands

In this paper we present issues related to the performance of immersed tube tunnels in the Netherlands. A range of issues are experienced for the ageing structures including long-term settlement at tunnel joints and consequent leakage. Because of the age of these structures some important aspects are often unknown thus creating uncertainty...

The use of neural networks to develop CPT correlations for soils in northern Croatia

The evaluation of soil parameters for design is best undertaken through comprehensive laboratory test programmes. However, due to sampling difficulty, time and cost constraints correlations between in-situ tests and physical-mechanical properties of soils are routinely applied in practice. This paper presents data collected from five sites in...

Trends in Enhancement of Safety Aspects of Existing Railway Infrastructure

Since more than 95% of the existing European railway network is older than 100 years, the ageing has unavoidably caused its gradual degradation and there is currently a strong need for risk assessment associated with this type of infrastructure. To increase the safety aspects, as well as to reduce the cost of remediation, railway infrastructure...

Developing Decision Support Tools for Rail Infrastructure Manager

European rail infrastructure managers (IMs) are managing aging rail infrastructure with 95% of the network having been built before 1914. EU transport policy provides the challenge to IMs to increase the productivity of existing rail networks, prioritise renewal and optimise new sections to reduce bottlenecks, increase productivity and achieve a...

Green Retail Strategy

The main goal of this project is to investigate the best ways a new sustainable focus can be introduced in Uma - an interior design company located in Hanoi, Vietnam. In near future sustainable interior products developed in the company are going to be introduced to the Vietnamese market through Uma’s shops with the help of the new green retail...

Modelling of phase transformations in heat treatment processes

The two-domain approach and the phase-field approach, the two distinct physical models, for simulation of phase transformations in heat treatment processes are presented. Special attention is paid for linking data from a thermodynamic database to the physical models. The general procedure for linking thermodynamic data in the two-domain approach...