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1 – 10 of over 6000Rui Dan, Yujie Zheng, ZhiQin Liu and Zhen Shi
The inward displacement perpendicular to the body surface produced by compression garment is an important index to evaluate pressure comfort and optimal design of tight clothing…
Abstract
Purpose
The inward displacement perpendicular to the body surface produced by compression garment is an important index to evaluate pressure comfort and optimal design of tight clothing products. The purpose of this study is to explore the pressure distribution state at waist position of elastic legwear and then to solve the common problem of excessive pressure or easy slippage for waist of elastic legwear.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors obtained the waist cross-section model of human body using CT scanning and mimics modeling and then simulated the pressure and displacement distribution after wearing sample four elastic legwear using finite element method. The dressing process of elastic legwear was divided into six periods (instantaneous, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 h) in this study, and the finite element software ANSYS was used to simulate the displacement and deformation of the waist cross section. The authors finally obtained the functional relationship between pressure/displacement ratio and angle using curve fitting.
Findings
In this paper, the authors obtained the functional relationship between pressure/displacement ratio and angle using curve fitting. Comparison found that the “pressure/displacement–angle” function curve showed an almost consistent trend at any time. That was to say, when the human body was in the state of clothing pressure, the corresponding displacement value of the human body can be calculated by the curve equation under the premise of known pressure value.
Originality/value
This study solves the difficult problem which hard to measure displacement values by conventional methods due to the small deformation of the human body after dressing the compression garment. Conclusions also provide a theoretical reference for evaluating pressure comfort and optimizing clothing structure for the elastic legwear, and this method is also applicable to other types of compression garment.
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Raju Chauhan, Sudeep Thakuri and Charles Pradhan
Nepal is exposed to multi-hazard risk and is highly prone to disasters such as earthquake, flood, landslide, and drought. The climate, topography, nature-based livelihood, and…
Abstract
Nepal is exposed to multi-hazard risk and is highly prone to disasters such as earthquake, flood, landslide, and drought. The climate, topography, nature-based livelihood, and weak economy and institutional capability to deal with such disasters put the country at frontline of the highly vulnerable countries in the world. Majority of the population of Nepal live in rural areas which are characterized by poorly developed infrastructures. Several disasters in such areas induce temporarily or permanently displacements of the people. Vulnerable communities, households, and individuals lack the capacity to withstand shocks, while more resilient communities are able to reduce the associated risks. Migration during disasters is itself an adaptive response which is both the opportunity and challenge for developing a resilient community. This chapter presents the trends and patterns of disaster-induced displacements in Nepal and explores how disaster-induced displacements could be an opportunity to build back better to enhance the resilience of the vulnerable communities. This chapter also highlights the existing institutions and disaster management framework of the national policies and strategies at the federal, provincial, and local levels in the light of disaster-induced displacement, and recommend actions that need to be taken to manage the risk of disaster-induced displacements and enhance resilient livelihoods in Nepal.
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Anastasia Mortimer, Temitope Egbelakin and Willy Sher
Policy is key for effective displacement governance in times of crises and in response and recovery. Therefore, this study assessed if Australian climate, disaster and emergency…
Abstract
Purpose
Policy is key for effective displacement governance in times of crises and in response and recovery. Therefore, this study assessed if Australian climate, disaster and emergency management policies provide effective mechanisms for governing displacement crises and areas where current approaches could be improved.
Design/methodology/approach
This study assessed 18 national and state-level disaster, emergency and climate change management frameworks to determine if best practice displacement governance themes were reflected in policy documents. Deductive thematic analysis was undertaken using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase method.
Findings
Issues of displacement are reflected in policies analysed in this study. However, current policy frameworks need to be equipped to comprehensively address the housing requirements of displaced people or provide long-term initiatives. Approaches are focused on crisis management rather than pre-emptively planning for displacement response and recovery. Therefore, Australia has not exercised national responsibility for displaced people appropriately.
Research limitations/implications
Disaster displacement is an under-researched area of Australian scholarship and disaster management policy and practice. Therefore, this paper has practical implications in so far as it draws attention to the issue of displacement in Australia. A limitation of this paper is that it only analysed policy frameworks specific to disasters. While broader engagement was outside the scope of this study, this limitation provides opportunities for further research from disciplinary perspectives of public housing and homelessness to examine displacement policy challenges in these fields. Furthermore, this study is limited to a theoretical inquiry into this topic through a desktop review of policy documents. While this is a necessary first step, empirical studies are required to determine accurate displacement rates, drivers and people’s experience of being displaced.
Practical implications
This research aims to inform policy by presenting recommendations for policy interventions for disaster displacement governance. Therefore, this research has practical implications as policy and disaster risk reduction (DRR) professionals can draw from the findings of this research when planning and initiating disaster response for displaced persons.
Social implications
This research draws attention to an area of disaster management practice and policy that has not been adequately accounted for. Highlighting gaps in current policy can assist in developing targeted strategies and solutions for internally displaced people, which protect their rights and meet their needs.
Originality/value
Displacement is a growing climate change issue. This research aims to help address this problem by drawing attention to areas where Australian disaster management approaches fail to account for displaced populations. Therefore, this research has practical implications for addressing future issues of disaster injustice that may arise if displacement continues, unacknowledged in disaster management.
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Shufeng Li, Zhang Jiaolei, Di Zhao and Le Deng
This study aims to further study the fire resistance of prefabricated concrete beam-column joints with end-plate connection. This paper aims to analyze the fire resistance of this…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to further study the fire resistance of prefabricated concrete beam-column joints with end-plate connection. This paper aims to analyze the fire resistance of this joint in prefabricated reinforced concrete frame structure (PRCS).
Design/methodology/approach
First, the accuracy of the model is verified by using the test data. Based on this, a refined finite element model of PRCS structure with two stories and two spans is established. The influence of four working conditions with different fire floors (positions) and different axial compression ratios on the deformation, failure and fire resistance of PRCS structure are analyzed.
Findings
The results show that under the four working conditions, the fire resistance of the PRCS structure under Condition 1 and Condition 2 is smaller. It shows that the beam deformation develops slowly in PRCS structure under four kinds of fire positions, and the large displacement emerges 60 min later, which is poles apart from that of prefabricated beam column members. With the increase of the fire time, the material is damaged and deteriorated, which leads to the eccentricity of the axial load, so that the column top appears large lateral displacement. Under the Conditions 1 and 3, the lateral displacement of the column gradually decreases as the axial compression ratio rises.
Originality/value
It is found that there is a distinct lack of researching on the fire resistance of prefabricated joints, and the existed research studies are limited to the fire resistance of members. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen the first floor and side column design of prefabricated frame structure.
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This chapter presents research and analysis on the Institute for Economics and Peace’s (IEP’s) index in the Ecological Threat Report (ETR). In the analysis, 178 countries are…
Abstract
This chapter presents research and analysis on the Institute for Economics and Peace’s (IEP’s) index in the Ecological Threat Report (ETR). In the analysis, 178 countries are examined at the sub-national level, accounting for 99.9% of the global population. The estimate consists of five indicators that aggregate to yield an index of ecological threats. These five indicators are water risk, the prevalence of stunting, the impact of natural disasters, projected population growth and projected temperature rise. The ETR is a tool that can be used to identify the countries that are at the highest risk of ecological threats. The index identifies that 30 countries facing the highest level of ecological threats as well as low levels of resilience are home to 1.26 billion people. At the end of 2020, in these 30 countries, 68% of the total people were forcibly displaced beyond their borders. As these 30 countries suffer collectively from the highest ecological threats and without the reversal of ecological degradation, displacement is very likely to continue. Without urgent development, ecological threats will continue to create humanitarian emergencies and will likely increase without a sustained effort to reverse the current trend.
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Objective appraisal of pressure comfort is the key point of optimal designing of clothing. The purpose of this paper is to study a new method to provide pressure comfort for the…
Abstract
Purpose
Objective appraisal of pressure comfort is the key point of optimal designing of clothing. The purpose of this paper is to study a new method to provide pressure comfort for the waist of elastic pantyhose through the relationship between pressure and displacement using the finite element method (FEM).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presented a simulation model of the waist cross section consisting of three parts, namely skin, soft tissue and lumbar vertebrae, respectively, according to CT scan. The finite element the model of waist cross-section was established using Mimics software. The pressure–displacement quadratic equation can be obtained using ANSYS software and fitting curves. Meanwhile, we divide the waist cross-section into 12 equal regions according to angle, and then the area shrinkage mass of the waist cross-section can be calculated, respectively.
Findings
In this research work, we got the displacement distribution trend of elastic pantyhose at the waist cross section according to the area shrinkage mass of 12 regions, and this displacement could be used as an objective evaluation index for pressure comfort. All these solutions supply a theoretical reference for optimal design of the women's elastic pantyhose.
Originality/value
The paper analyzed the relationship between pressure and displacement for the waist of elastic pantyhose using FEM, and then got the displacement distribution trend of elastic pantyhose at the waist cross section according to the area shrinkage mass of different regions. It can supply a new method to appraise pressure comfort.
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Fahad Almaskari and Farrukh Hafeez
The purpose of this paper is to study the behaviour of glass reinforced epoxy tubes subjected to repeated indentation loads at two non-coincident indentations 180° apart.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the behaviour of glass reinforced epoxy tubes subjected to repeated indentation loads at two non-coincident indentations 180° apart.
Design/methodology/approach
Four geometrically scaled specimens ranging from 100 to 400 mm diameter were used in repeated indentation tests. Force, displacement and damage growth were recorded for loading and unloading until the indenter returned to its original starting point.
Findings
Similar scaled trends were observed between the non-coincidental loadings. Unlike reported response form coincidental loadings, the responses from non-coincidental loadings yield lower values for bending stiffness and peak load.
Research limitations/implications
The differences in behaviour of the specimen between non-coincident loadings were attributed to reductions in fracture toughness and circumferential modulus.
Practical implications
Distant non-interacting damage and delamination around the circumference does reduce the structural performance.
Originality/value
Behaviour of composite tubes under different loading conditions, for example low speed impact or quasi static indentation, is widely studied, however little attention has been given to the repeated loading incidents.
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This study aims to empirically investigate the effects of labor displacement on US management consulting (MC) firms.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to empirically investigate the effects of labor displacement on US management consulting (MC) firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper leverages standard linear regressions to identify and discuss correlations between progresses made in terms of labor displacement and the evolution of MC firms performance indicators.
Findings
In the context of US MC practices, the study shows that for every percent of work displaced, production costs are reduced by $3.7/h on average. It also highlights that as prices also go down by $3.3/h on average per percent of work displaced, off/near-shoring increases MC practices profitability. Displacing labor is yet a transformation that occurs mainly in very large firms (i.e. more than 1,000+ employees) and its full potential takes more than 4–5 years to realize.
Originality/value
This study provides new empirical benchmarks of the effect of labor displacement on MC firms. This study shows how long off/near-shoring takes to reach its full maturity.
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Haitao Wang, Jiayu Shen and Da Gao
Abutment damage in liquefied ground is an important form of seismic damage of bridge structure. This paper aims to further research the effect of beam restriction on seismic…
Abstract
Purpose
Abutment damage in liquefied ground is an important form of seismic damage of bridge structure. This paper aims to further research the effect of beam restriction on seismic damage mode of abutment in liquefied ground.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the investigation of the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge in Tangshan earthquake, the finite element software dynamic effective stress analysis for ground (UWLC) is used to simulate the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge, and the results were compared with the actual seismic damage results. Then, the influences of the horizontal binding force of the beam, the liquefaction layer thickness, the top weight of the abutment, the peak acceleration, the liquefaction layer buried depth and the type of the foundation soil on the abutment seismic damage model are studied.
Findings
The results show that numerical simulation results are consistent with the actual seismic damage, and it is feasible to use UWLC software to simulate seismic damage. The results show that the seismic failure mode of the gravity abutment in liquefied ground is slip–rotation coupling type, not single slip type or rotation type. The large deformation of abutment bottom layer, horizontal binding force of the beam and post-stage soil pressure are the main reasons for abutment rotation or even destruction.
Research limitations/implications
A series of basic assumptions are used in the calculation process in this paper. The gravity abutment is defined as the elastic body and neglects its local deformation. The soil layer is a homogeneous isotropic. The consolidation process and the drainage boundary problem are not considered in the calculation process. Therefore, the paper may have some limitations.
Originality/value
To further research the seismic damage mode and influencing factors of abutment in liquefied ground, in this paper, based on the investigation of the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge in Tangshan earthquake, the finite element software UWLC is used to simulate the seismic damage of Shengli Bridge, and the results were compared with the actual seismic damage results. The seismic damage mode and influencing factors of gravity abutment in liquefied ground have been studied.
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Ramla Karim Qureshi, Negar Elhami-Khorasani and Thomas Gernay
This paper aims to investigate the need for active boundary conditions during fire testing of structural elements, review existing studies on hybrid fire testing (HFT), a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the need for active boundary conditions during fire testing of structural elements, review existing studies on hybrid fire testing (HFT), a technique that would ensure updating of boundary conditions during a fire test, and propose a compensation scheme to mitigate instabilities in the hybrid testing procedure.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper focuses on structural steel columns and starts with a detailed literature review of steel column fire tests in the past few decades with varying axial and rotational end restraints. The review is followed with new results from comparative numerical analyses of structural steel columns with various end constraints. HFT is then discussed as a potential solution to be adapted for fire testing of structural elements. Challenges in contemporary HFT procedures are discussed, and application of stiffness updating approaches is demonstrated.
Findings
The reviewed studies indicate that axial and rotational restraints at the boundaries considerably influence the fire response of steel columns. Equivalent static spring technique for simulating effect of surrounding frame on an isolated column behavior does not depict accurate buckling and post-buckling response. Additionally, numerical models that simulate fire performance of a column situated in a full-frame do follow the trends observed in actual test results up until failure occurs, but these simulations do not necessarily capture post-failure performance accurately. HFT can be used to capture proper boundary conditions during testing of isolated elements, as well as correct failure modes. However, existing studies showed cases with instabilities during HFT. This paper demonstrates that a different stiffness updates calculated from the force-displacement response history of test specimen at elevated temperature can be used to resolve stability issues.
Originality/value
The paper has two contributions: it suggests that the provision of active boundary conditions is needed in structural fire testing, as equivalent static spring does not necessarily capture the effect of surrounding frame on an isolated element during a fire test, and it shows that force-displacement response history of test specimen during HFT can be used in the form of a stiffness update to ensure test stability.
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