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Based on the known positive effects of conventional hot-dip galvanizing under fire exposure and indicative results on zinc–aluminum coatings from smallscale tests, a series of tests were conducted on zinc-5% aluminum galvanized test specimens under fire loads to verify the previous positive findings under largescale boundary conditions.

The emissivity of zinc-5% aluminum galvanized surfaces applied to steel specimens was determined experimentally under real fire loads and laboratory thermal loads in accordance with the normative specifications of the standard fire curve. Both large and smallscale specimens were used in this study. The steel grade and surface conditions of the specimens were varied for both test scenarios.

Largescale tests on specimens with typical steel construction dimensions under fire loads showed that the surface emissivity of zinc-5% aluminum galvanized steel was significantly lower than that of the conventionally galvanized steel. Only minor influences from the weathering of the specimens and steel chemistry were observed. These results agree well with those obtained from smallscale tests. The design values of zinc-5% aluminum melt (Zn5Al) required for the structural fire design were proposed based on the obtained results.

The novel tests presented in this study are the first ones to study the behavior of zinc-5% aluminum galvanized largescale steel construction components under the influence of real fire exposure and their positive effect on the emissivity of steel components galvanized by this method. The results provide valuable insights and information on the behavior in the case of fire and the associated savings potential for steel construction.

This paper aims to answer two questions. First, are there any differences in the fire performance of columns made of normal and of high-strength concrete? Second, under which circumstances does the fire design govern the cross-sectional dimensions of concrete columns? Is it feasible to replace columns out of normal strength concrete by more slender high-strength concrete columns?

The author conducted numerical studies using the finite element code “Infocad” of the German company “Infograph”. The studies included the effect of different parameters on the fire performance of columns out of normal and high-strength concrete, i.e. the load ratio and eccentricity, boundary conditions and times of fire exposure.

Results from the numerical investigations showed that high-strength concrete columns suffer much more from heating than normal strength concrete columns. This is the outcome of the unfavourable mechanical properties of high-strength concrete at elevated temperatures. Although the relative fire performance of columns out of high-strength concrete is worse than that of columns out of normal strength concrete, initial load reserves are beneficial to achieve even high fire ratings.

Many researchers addressed in experimental and numerical studies the fire performance of columns out of normal and high-strength concrete. A special emphasis was often laid on the spalling of fire-exposed high-strength concrete. However, there are no systematic investigations when the fire design governs the cross-sectional dimensions of high-strength concrete columns. Based on a previous comparison of the relative fire performance of columns out of normal and high-strength concrete, this paper, hence, addresses the question whether there is a reasonable lower limit for the use of these columns. This is an important aspect for designers since there is a tendency to replace columns out of normal strength concrete by columns out of high-strength concrete. Higher concrete strengths allow for smaller cross sections of the columns, and designers may, hence, increase the usable space of buildings.

Extant literature indicates that people use existing social networks for various collective activities as there is a cost involved to create and maintain separate networks for different activities. The authors build on the relational sociology framework and test this assertion in by examining a dairy cooperative society, which is a community organization. We hypothesize that the cooperative members are likely to use existing social networks to operationalize their cooperative (dairy-related matters) and other social and personal relations. This study tests the hypothesis by studying information sharing relations among the dairy cooperative members in two different social networks: the dairy information network and social information network.

This study uses social network analysis to analyze relational data.

The study finds that the members of the dairy cooperative maintain both information sharing networks separately and that each network has different control and efficiency mechanisms.

The findings contradict the assertions of existing literature and establish that people ensure their business relations remain separated from their social relations to avoid the possibility of social conflicts affecting their business activities.

Novel thick film strain gauges have been constructed using a z‐axis orientation on insulated stainless steel for a variety of force sensing applications. These devices exhibit high gauge factor and good thermal stability compared with conventional x‐axis devices and offer other mechanical advantages due to their mode of operation. The work reported here investigates the characteristics of different types of stainless steel substrate and different types of insulating material used in the construction of the sensors. Both ferritic and austenitic steels have been investigated, together with different resistive and insulative compositions. The temperature coefficient of resistance of the devices has been shown to be a complex function of device thickness, surface area and the difference between the thermal coefficients of expansion of the various materials employed.

Quality management systems (QMSs) are well established in multinationals and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs). For establishing and improving these systems, a variety of guidelines have been established. Furthermore, there are software tools allowing a self-assessment of the current state of the implemented systems. However, these approaches are not appropriate for microenterprises and start-ups as their processes are rather informal or not yet specified. Moreover, these companies are often in a phase of strong growth and have only one person in charge; hence, they face the difficulty to decide if and how a QMS should be implemented. The purpose of this study is to report a first guideline for implementation of a QMS for microenterprises and start-ups.

The first step comprises a definition of microenterprises and start-ups and an analysis of their specific characteristics. An overview of the DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and its requirements is given below. Next, the relevant requirements that can be implemented in microenterprises and start-ups are analyzed. Accordingly, a guideline for decision-making is developed to examine if an application of the analyzed standard is useful or necessary for these companies. Moreover, the guideline illustrates how the requirements can be implemented.

A literature review, an analysis of the DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, and of microenterprises and start-ups have been carried out. Thus, the need to decide whether to implement a QMS and assistance for the implementation process has been revealed to be essential for the companies that were considered. The literature mostly deals with implementing a quality and/or project management system in multinationals and SMEs but not for very small companies. Furthermore, the practical examples have shown that microenterprises face difficulties when choosing and implementing a QMS; thus, a practical implementation guideline for these companies is lacking.

Although there is a lot of research dealing with quality management (QM) in SMEs, research about QM in microenterprises and start-ups is scarce. This paper offers a first approach for a guideline of implementing an appropriate QMS and possibly an additional or alternative project management system in microenterprises and start-ups. This should facilitate the process of deciding if and how to implement an adequate management system for such companies.

Blanc fixe powder is a synthetic extender precipitated at a defined particle size from highly purified solutions of barium salts and sodium sulphate. The water soluble salts are removed in a multi‐stage washing‐filtration process. Differing Blanc fixe grades are yielded after drying and repeated grinding.

The purpose of this paper is to make an attempt to evaluate the pitting load carrying capacity under increased thermal conditions. This is the basis for an estimated lifetime which is one of the most important parameters defining transmission reliability.

Recommendations related to pitting load carrying capacity calculation of case hardened gears running at high gear bulk temperatures are formulated. These factors are based on extensive experimental data, obtained in pitting tests with high oil injection temperatures, high oil sump temperatures or high operational gear bulk temperatures due to a lack of heat dissipation caused by minimised lubrication.

Testing of gear type C‐PT on FZG back‐to‐back test rig at high gear bulk temperatures by either heating up the lubricant or caused by a lack of heat dissipation as it appears with poor lubrication conditions resulted in a decrease of up to 30 per cent of the endurance strength in various investigations. This results in a reduction of the material strength due to tempering effects and high surface shear stress due to low oil film thicknesses caused by low operating oil viscosities.

The present calculation method in the standard DIN/ISO is not valid for high gear bulk temperatures. Nevertheless, the present calculation algorithms of the standards DIN/ISO are valid for low and moderate thermal operating conditions when using oil temperatures of up to 80 (90)°C in the case of a sufficient cooling oil supply to the gear mesh. With the presented modifications higher gear bulk temperatures (>120°C) can be taken into account.

As corporate real estate is increasingly being recognised as an important cost and production factor, senior management now pays considerable attention to this asset group. These assets are managed, inter alia, by using benchmarks. In addition to monetary benchmarks, building efficiency (e.g. m² of usable floor area per m² of gross external floor area) and capacity benchmarks in particular (e.g. m² of usable floor area per existing workplace) must be highlighted. Previously, specific values and their drivers for the assessment of buildings or portfolios were not available.

This study is based on a survey carried out in Switzerland, involving the collection of floor data (in accordance with DIN 277) of 116 owner‐operated office buildings. In addition, their drivers were ascertained using regression analyses.

The building efficiency may be assessed on the basis of the share of usable floor area or the share of office space in the gross external floor area. The main drivers are the shares of vehicle parking space, areas for residential and recreational purposes and areas for storage, distribution and retail. These drivers must be taken into consideration when assessing the building efficiency. It became apparent that capacity benchmarks are determined primarily by factors such as the space use management strategies, and only to a lesser degree by the building itself.

The study provides space benchmarks and their drivers. The results therefore permit an objective evaluation of office buildings. However, further work transcending the influence of the building itself will be required with regard to the capacity benchmarks.