Numerical formulation of a new solid-layer finite element to simulate reinforced concrete structures strengthened by over-coating

Suarez-Suarez, Arturo,Dominguez-Ramírez, Norberto,Susarrey-Huerta, Orlando Techno-Press 2022 Coupled systems mechanics Vol.11 No.5

Over-coating is one of the most popular engineering practices to strengthen Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures, due to the relative quickness and ease of construction. It consists of an external coat bonded to the outer surface of the structural RC element, either by the use of chemical adhesives, mechanical anchor bolts or simply mortar injection. In contrast to these constructive advantages, the numerical estimation of the bearing capacity of the strengthened reinforced concrete element is still complicated, not only for the complexity of modelling a flexible membrane or plate attached to a quasi-rigid solid, but also for the difficulties that raise of simulating any potential delamination between both materials. For these reasons, the standard engineering calculations used in the practice remain very approximated and clumsy. In this work, we propose the formulation of a new 2D solid-layer finite element capable to link a solid body with a flexible thin layer, as it were the "skin" of the body, allowing the potential delamination between both materials. In numerical terms, this "skin" element is intended to work as a transitional region between a solid body (modelled with a classical formulation of a standard quadrilateral four-nodes element) and a flexible coat layer (modelled with cubic beam element), dealing with the incompatibility of Degrees-Of-Freedom between them (two DOF for the solid and three DOF for the beam). The aim of the solid-layer element is to simplify the mesh construction of the strengthened RC element being aware of two aspects: a) to prevent the inappropriate use of very small solid elements to simulate the coat; b) to improve the numerical estimation of the real bearing capacity of the strengthened element when the coat is attached or detached from the solid body.

Numerical formulation solid-layer finite element to simulate reinforced concrete structures strengthened by over-coating

Arturo Suarez-Suarez,Norberto Dominguez-Ramirez,Orlando Susarrey-Huerta Techno-Press 2023 Coupled systems mechanics Vol.12 No.6

Over-coating is one of the most popular engineering practices to strengthen Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures, due to the relative quickness and ease of construction. It consists of an external coat bonded to the outer surface of the structural RC element, either by the use of chemical adhesives, mechanical anchor bolts or simply mortar injection. In contrast to these constructive advantages, the numerical estimation of the bearing capacity of the strengthened reinforced concrete element is still complicated, not only for the complexity of modelling a flexible membrane or plate attached to a quasi-rigid solid, but also for the difficulties that raise of simulating any potential delamination between both materials. For these reasons, the standard engineering calculations used in the practice remain very approximated and clumsy. In this work, we propose the formulation of a new 2D solid-layer finite element capable to link a solid body with a flexible thin layer, as it were the "skin" of the body, allowing the potential delamination between both materials. In numerical terms, this "skin" element is intended to work as a transitional region between a solid body (modelled with a classical formulation of a standard quadrilateral four-nodes element) and a flexible coat layer (modelled with cubic beam element), dealing with the incompatibility of Degrees-OfFreedom between them (two DOF for the solid and three DOF for the beam). The aim of the solid-layer element is to simplify the mesh construction of the strengthened RC element being aware of two aspects: a) to prevent the inappropriate use of very small solid elements to simulate the coat; b) to improve the numerical estimation of the real bearing capacity of the strengthened element when the coat is attached or detached from the solid body.

Significant fibrosis after radiation therapy in a patient with Marfan syndrome

Suarez, Eva M.,Knackstedt, Rebecca J.,Jenrette, Joseph M. The Korean Society for Radiation Oncology 2014 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.32 No.3

Marfan syndrome is one of the collagen vascular diseases that theoretically predisposes patients to excessive radiation-induced fibrosis yet there is minimal published literature regarding this clinical scenario. We present a patient with a history of Marfan syndrome requiring radiation for a diagnosis of a right brachial plexus malignant nerve sheath tumor. It has been suggested that plasma transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$) can be monitored as a predictor of subsequent fibrosis in this population of high risk patients. We therefore monitored the patient's TGF-${\beta}1$ level during and after treatment. Despite maintaining stable levels of plasma TGF-${\beta}1$, our patient still developed extensive fibrosis resulting in impaired range of motion. Our case reports presents a review of the literature of patients with Marfan syndrome requiring radiation therapy and the limitations of serum markers on predicting long-term toxicity.

"Getting Used to Each Other": Immigrant Youth's Family Reunification Experiences

Suarez-Orozco, Carola,Kim, Ha-Yeon,Bang, Hee-Jin Korean Association of Child Studies 2011 Child studies in Asia-Pacific context Vol.1 No.1

Many immigrant youth and their families undergo painful separations and complicated reunification experiences. Using data from the Longitudinal Immigrant Student Adaptation (LISA) study, a 5-year longitudinal, mixed-methods study of newcomer youth to the U.S., we examine the impact of lengthy family separations on youth's mental health and their perceived family conflict. Quantitative analyses demonstrate that longer separations positively predict higher psychological symptoms and family conflict, particularly for girls over a sustained period of time. Qualitative analyses of parent and child responses provide insights into the family reunification experiences.

Applications of the wavelet transform in the generation and analysis of spectrum-compatible records

Suarez, Luis E.,Montejo, Luis A. Techno-Press 2007 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.27 No.2

A wavelet-based procedure to generate artificial accelerograms compatible with a prescribed seismic design spectrum is described. A procedure to perform a baseline correction of the compatible accelerograms is also described. To examine how the frequency content of the modified records evolves with time, they are analyzed in the time and frequency using the wavelet transform. The changes in the strong motion duration and input energy spectrum are also investigated. An alternative way to match the design spectrum, termed the "two-band matching procedure", is proposed with the objective of preserving the non-stationary characteristics of the original record in the modified accelerogram.

Kaizen within Kaizen Teams: Continuous and Process Improvements in a Spanish municipality

Suarez-Barraza, Manuel F.,Lingham, Tony The Korean Society for Quality Management 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.1

A Purpose. As organizations become more team oriented, research on teams continues to increase especially involving how teams contribute to organizational performance and effectiveness. Although there has been existing research on Kaizen teams in the private sector, very little research has included Kaizen teams in the public sector. In this paper, we present a method to study Kaizen teams in a local Spanish government that have been using Kaizen teams for more than ten years. Design/methodology/approach. Quantitative research was adopted for this study. Twenty teams participated in the study by filling out the Team Learning and Development Inventory (TLI) proposed by Lingham (2004). In addition, we interviewed members of the teams in order to clarify and assure our quantitative results. Findings Based on the findings, we propose that Kaizen teams should practice both Continuous (CI) and Process Improvements (PI) in their projects. We also propose that Kaizen teams should not be teams skilled only at developing better improvement processes (both CI and PI) for the organization but that such teams should also be skilled at engaging in team development using both CI and PI processes internally-a Kaizen within Kaizen teams approach. Research limitations. Its based in one case study. However, it is working paper and the research project still is developing. Practical Implications (if possible). Serve as a guide to practitioners (Public managers) who desire to understand how their Kaizen teams involves both internal (conversational spaces) and external (methodology) perspectives that would contribute to both team and organizational effectiveness. In this paper, we focus on the Internal Processes (both CI and PI) using the TLI as an effective method for Kaizen teams to engage in the Kaizen process. Originality/value. This study is one of the first to look at team's performance using Team Learning and Development Inventory in Spain's public sector. It is also the first to mention about the relationship of the team's performance and the implementation of process improvement methodologies in Spain local government environment.

Membrane technology for the recovery of detergent compounds: A review

Leticia Suarez,Marıa A. Dıez,Roberto Garcıa,Francisco A. Riera 한국공업화학회 2012 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.18 No.6

The food and beverage industry is a great detergent consumer, due to the extreme cleanliness demanded by this kind of industrial activity. Surfactants play an important role in detergent formulations and for this reason a significant part of this review is devoted to their recovery. Membrane technology has been selected as the most promising method for recovering these cleaning agents and, accordingly, the application of membranes for the recovery and reuse of waste cleaning solutions constitutes another important part of this review. Finally, several studies on the application of membrane technologies for the separation of surfactant compounds are also described.

Getting Used to Each Other: Immigrant Youth`s Family Reunification Experiences

Carola Suarez Orozco,Ha Yeon Kim,Hee Jin Bang 한국아동학회 2011 Child studies in Asia-Pacific context Vol.1 No.1

Many immigrant youth and their families undergo painful separations and complicated reunification experiences. Using data from the Longitudinal Immigrant Student Adaptation (LISA) study, a 5-year longitudinal, mixed-methods study of newcomer youth to the U.S., we examine the impact of lengthy family separations on youth`s mental health and their perceived family conflict. Quantitative analyses demonstrate that longer separations positively predict higher psychological symptoms and family conflict, particularly for girls over a sustained period of time. Qualitative analyses of parent and child responses provide insights into the family reunification experiences.

Safety of Nonoperative Management After Acute Diverticulitis

Javier Suarez Alecha,Sonia Amoza Pais,Xavi Batlle Marin,Begoña Oronoz Martinez,Enrique Balen Ribera,Concepción Yarnoz Irazabal 대한대장항문학회 2014 Annals of Coloproctolgy Vol.30 No.5

Purpose: The role of surgery in the management of diverticular disease after an episode of acute diverticulitis (AD) managed in a conservative form is evolving. Age, number of episodes of AD, type of episode, and symptoms after the episodes are factors related to the need for elective surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of conservative management and the risk factors for emergency surgery after a first episode of AD managed without surgery. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 405 patients diagnosed as having had a first episode of AD. Sixty-nine patients underwent emergency surgery on the first admission, and 69 patients had an elective operation in the follow-up (group A). The remaining 267 patients were managed initially without surgery (group B). Thirteen of these 267 patients needed a further urgent surgical procedure. Factors involved in the decision of elective surgery and the probability of emergency surgery after the first episode of AD managed without surgery were evaluated in relation to demographic factors, risk factors, presence of recurrences, and type of the first episode. Results: Patients, mean age was 62.7 years, 71 were aged less than 51, and 151 were males. The mean follow-up for patients with nonoperative management was 91.2 months. An elective operation was performed in 69 patients. Compared to patients in group B, those in group A more frequently had a first episode of complicated acute diverticulitis (CAD) (37.1% vs. 16.4%; P = 0.000) and were more likely to be smokers (46.3% vs. 19.3%; P = 0.000) and to suffer more than one episode of AD (42% vs. 26.9%; P = 0.027). Nonoperative management was chosen for 267 patients, but 13 patients needed an emergency operation later. In the multivariate analysis, we found a significant relation between the presence of CAD in the first episode and the need for emergency surgery. There were no differences in surgical mortality between the patients in the two groups, but patients treated with elective surgery had a higher rate of stoma than patients treated non-operatively (7.2% vs. 1.4%; P = 0.028); this difference was not observed in the subgroup of patients with CAD (15.3% vs. 6.8%; P = 0.458). Conclusion: After an episode of AD, nonoperative management is safe because fewer than 5% of patients will need an emergent procedure in a subsequent attack of AD. A first episode of CAD is the only risk factor for emergency surgery in patients managed conservatively.

THE EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JUVENILE SWORDSPINE SNOOK Centropomus ensiferus

Jaime Suarez,Adriana Rodriguez 한국수산과학회 양식분과 2015 한국수산과학회 양식분과 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.5