Search results

This paper aims to investigate and assess a perspective of combining high-strength-steel endplate with mild-steel beam and column in endplate connections.

First, experimental tests on high strength steel endplate connections were conducted at fire temperature 550°C and at an ambient temperature for reference.

The moment-rotation characteristic, rotation capacity and failure mode of high-strength-steel endplate connections in fire and at an ambient temperature were obtained through tests and compared with those of mild-steel endplate connections. Further, the provisions of Eurocode 3 were validated with test results. Moreover, the numerical study was carried out via ABAQUS and verified against the experimental results.

It is found that a thinner high-strength-steel endplate can enhance the connection’s rotation capacity both at an ambient temperature and in fire (which guarantees the safety of an entire structure) and simultaneously achieve almost the same moment resistance with a mild steel endplate connection.

This study aims to reveal more information and understanding on performance and failure mechanisms of high strength steel endplate connections after fire.

An experimental and numerical study on seven endplate connections after cooling down from fire temperature of 550°C has been carried out and reported herein. Moreover, the provisions of European design standard for steel structures, Eurocode 3, were validated with test results of high strength steel endplate connections.

In endplate connections, a proper design using a thinner high strength steel endplate can achieve the same failure mode, similar residual load bearing capacity and comparable or even higher rotation capacity after cooling down from fire. It is found that high strength steel endplate connection can regain more than 90 per cent of its original load bearing capacity after cooling down from fire temperature of 550°C.

The post-fire performance of high strength steel endplate connection has been reported. The accuracy of Eurocode 3 for endplate connections is validated against test results.

This paper deals with the behaviour of high strength steel (HSS) endplate connections at ambient and elevated temperatures using ABAQUS. The detailed FE model considers material and geometric non-linear effects, large deformations and contact interactions. This paper highlights the main challenges in modelling endplate connections. Validation against experimental results shows that the proposed FE model can reproduce the behaviour of mild steel endplate connections with reasonable accuracy. Using HSS instead of mild steel as endplate material, this model is able to predict the performances of HSS endplate connections both at ambient temperature and under fire condition. By a parametric study, it is found that a thinner HSS endplate enhances the ductility of connection both at normal condition and under fire condition, and achieves the same load-bearing capacity with mild steel endplate connection. This finding is promising for further investigations on improving the robustness of endplate connections in fire.

Development of Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) is considered as one of the most significant development in the construction industry due to its numerous inherited benefits. With the introduction of super-plasticizers and viscosity modifying agents, it is now possible to produce concrete with high fluidity, good cohesiveness which does not require external energy for compaction. The proper understanding of the effects of elevated temperatures on the properties of SCC is necessary to ensure the safety of buildings made with SCC during fire. During the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the stress-strain behaviour of Normal Compacting Concrete (NCC) and Self Compacting Concrete at a temperature of 900°C. A significant reduction in the Ultimate compressive strength of SCC was observed during this study. The reduction was found to be more for SCC compared to Normal compacting concrete. The reduction in the compressive strength of SCC was found to be 81.5 % for M40 concrete when exposed to 900°C.

This paper proposes a framework for director evaluation in the context of Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), taking into account the influences of traditional and modern Chinese ideologies.

Following the Delphi method, a series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with Chinese SOE directors.

The framework used has been validated by examining seven dimensions of virtue and four dimensions of competence functions in Chinese SOEs. Effective and representative characteristics of each dimension are identified through interviews.

First, through this research, indicators of virtue have been materialized and those of competence have been specified in a broader range. Second, this research provides advice for training of candidate directors whose experience were in private firms before they step in as SOE directors.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the peer-reviewed literature, as well as literature written by practitioners having authority on green supply chains and allied areas with a view to identify future research directions with the help of an extensive literature review.

In line with this objective, the constructs “Green Supply Chain Practices” and “Green Supply Chain Performance” were the two terms that were identified for a co-relational study.

As indicated by the literature review, there is a need to do a more detailed study that can pinpoint particular components of green supply chain practices that have a strong association with particular components of green supply chain performance. This paper attempts to achieve the aim by using a different connotation of these two constructs.

Such a study with the connotation and components of green supply chain (GSC) practices and GSC performance as identified and used in this paper might not have been conducted before in the way it is proposed to be used in this paper, thus making this an appropriate contribution. Accordingly, a framework for the research has been depicted, and research questions have been framed.