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20 pages, 7472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ALdamage-seg: A Lightweight Model for Instance Segmentation of Aluminum Profiles

by Wenxuan Zhu, Bochao Su, Xinhe Zhang, Ly Li and Siwen Fang

Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2036; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072036 - 3 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1541

Aluminum profiles are widely used in various manufacturing sectors due to their flexibility and chemical properties. However, these profiles are susceptible to defects during manufacturing and transportation. Detecting these defects is crucial, but existing object detection models like Mask R-CNN and YOLOv8-seg are [...] Read more.

Aluminum profiles are widely used in various manufacturing sectors due to their flexibility and chemical properties. However, these profiles are susceptible to defects during manufacturing and transportation. Detecting these defects is crucial, but existing object detection models like Mask R-CNN and YOLOv8-seg are not optimized for this task. These models are large and computationally intensive, making them unsuitable for edge devices used in industrial inspections. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel lightweight instance segmentation model called AL-damage-seg, inspired by the YOLOv8n-seg architecture. This model utilizes MobileNetV3 as the backbone. In YOLOv8n-seg, the role of C2f is to enhance the nonlinear representation of the model to capture complex image features more efficiently. We upgraded and improved it to form multilayer feature extraction module (MFEM) and integrates a large separable kernel attention (LSKA) mechanism in the C2f module, resulting in C2f_LSKA, to further optimize the performance of the model. Additionally, depth-wise separable convolutions are employed in the feature fusion process. The ALdamage-seg’s weight on the Alibaba Tian-chi aluminum profile dataset constitutes 43.9% of that of YOLOv8n-seg, with its GFLOPs reduced to 53% relative to YOLOv8-seg, all the while achieving an average precision (

m A P

) of 99% relative to YOLOv8-seg. With its compact size and lower computational requirements, this model is well-suited for deployment on edge devices with limited processing capabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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20 pages, 4156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Solution for the Ultimate Compression Capacity of Unbonded Steel-Mesh-Reinforced Rubber Bearings

by Han Li, Shengze Tian and Xinzhi Dang

Buildings 2024, 14(3), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030839 - 20 Mar 2024

Viewed by 832

Abstract

Unbonded steel-mesh-reinforced rubber bearings (USRBs) have been proposed as an alternative isolation bearing for small-to-medium-span highway bridges. It replaces the steel plate reinforcement of common unbonded laminated rubber bearings (ULNR) with special steel wire meshes, resulting in improved lateral properties and seismic performance. [...] Read more.

Unbonded steel-mesh-reinforced rubber bearings (USRBs) have been proposed as an alternative isolation bearing for small-to-medium-span highway bridges. It replaces the steel plate reinforcement of common unbonded laminated rubber bearings (ULNR) with special steel wire meshes, resulting in improved lateral properties and seismic performance. However, the impact of this novel steel wire mesh reinforcement on the ultimate compression capacity of USRB has not been studied. To this end, theoretical and experimental analysis of the ultimate compression capacity of USRBs were carried out. The closed-form analytical solution of the ultimate compression capacity of USRBs was derived from a simplified USRB model employing elasticity theory. A parametric study was conducted considering the geometric and material properties. Ultimate compression tests were conducted on 19 USRB specimens to further calibrate the analytical solution, considering the influence of the number of reinforcement layers. An efficient solution for USRBs’ ultimate compression capacity was obtained via multilinear regression of the calibrated analytical results. The efficient solution can simplify the estimation of USRBs’ ultimate compression capacity while maintaining the same accuracy as the calibrated solution. Based on the efficient solution, the design process of a USRB with a specific ultimate compression capacity was illustrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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21 pages, 15190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Boron Doping on the Structures and Composition of Dicalcium Silicate: A Research Study

by Da’an Zhang, Hao Zhou, Guodong Kang, Shenghu Zhang, Cheng Zhang, Xiaofei Yan, Bing Ma and Houhu Zhang

Buildings 2024, 14(3), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030600 - 23 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1020

Abstract

This paper investigates the structural transformation of dicalcium silicate (C₂S) crystals brought about through boron doping. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to explore the correspondence between boron content and the structure of dicalcium silicate. The results show that boron [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the structural transformation of dicalcium silicate (C₂S) crystals brought about through boron doping. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to explore the correspondence between boron content and the structure of dicalcium silicate. The results show that boron doping can stabilize β-C₂S and the high-temperature phase α′_H-C₂S, and the structural transformation does not involve the modulation of α′_L-C₂S. There is a corresponding relationship between the unit cells of β-C₂S and α′_H-C₂S, which can be transformed using a transformation matrix. The relationship between boron content and the content of different C₂S structures, as well as the structural expressions for β-C₂S and α′_H-C₂S, is determined using linear fitting and multivariable linear regression analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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17 pages, 5376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Performance and Reaction Mechanism of Untreated Steel Slag Used as a Microexpanding Agent in Fly Ash-Based Geopolymers

by Jun Zang, Chunlei Yao, Bing Ma, Zhiyuan Shao, Houhu Zhang, Jiaqing Wang, Binbin Qian, Hao Zhou and Yueyang Hu

Buildings 2024, 14(2), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020463 - 7 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1217

Abstract

Steel slag is an industrial by-product of the steelmaking process, which is under-utilized and of low value due to its characteristics. Alkali-activated technology offers the possibility of high utilization and increased value of steel slag. A geopolymer composition was composed of steel slag, [...] Read more.

Steel slag is an industrial by-product of the steelmaking process, which is under-utilized and of low value due to its characteristics. Alkali-activated technology offers the possibility of high utilization and increased value of steel slag. A geopolymer composition was composed of steel slag, fly ash, and calcium hydroxide. Four experimental groups utilizing steel slag to substitute fly ash are established based on varying replacement levels: 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% by mass. The final samples were characterized by compressive strength tests, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements, thermogravimetric measurements, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were used to investigate the chemical composition and microstructure of the final products. Higher steel slag/fly ash ratios lead to a lower bulk density and lower compressive strength. The compressive strength ranges from 3.7 MPa to 5.6 MPa, and the bulk density ranges from 0.85 g/cm³ to 1.13 g/cm³. Microstructural and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses show that the final geopolymer products were a type of composite consisting of both calcium aluminate silicate hydrate and sodium aluminate silicate hydrate, with the unreacted crystalline phases acting as fillers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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17 pages, 7668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Stress Disturbance on the Deformation of Nearby Cemented Roadways following the Excavation of Chambers

by Yueying Zhang, Dongxiao Zhang, Xufei Gong, Wei Zhang, Zihao Liu and Feng Xiong

Buildings 2024, 14(1), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010169 - 9 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1140

Abstract

Based on the engineering background of weakly cemented roadways and adjacent chambers in Western China, a numerical simulation method was used to examine the changes in stress distribution and increment in the surrounding rock of weakly cemented roadways adjacent to chambers. The results [...] Read more.

Based on the engineering background of weakly cemented roadways and adjacent chambers in Western China, a numerical simulation method was used to examine the changes in stress distribution and increment in the surrounding rock of weakly cemented roadways adjacent to chambers. The results show that the surrounding rock stress of the weakly cemented roadway adjacent to the chambers increases by approximately 30%. The vertical stress of the surrounding rock mainly expands along the vertical direction, and the expansion range is 7–12 times that of the chamber height. The horizontal stress of the surrounding rock mainly expands along the horizontal direction, and the expansion range is 3–6 times that of the chamber width. Based on the support idea of “allowable deformation” + “relief pressure” + “maintaining roadway shape”, the support technology of weakly cemented roadways adjacent to chambers is established with “full section U-shaped steel shed + filling flexible materials between the steel shed and surrounding rock + patching the roof bolt + laying concrete on floor”. An engineering test based on the above support technology was carried out, and it was found that the deformation of the weakly cemented roadway adjacent to the chambers was 0 in 20 days. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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16 pages, 4418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Disused ZSM-5 on the Performance of Phosphogypsum-Based Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

by Hao Zhou, Jiaqing Wang, Yang Jiang, Ruihuan Liang, Bing Ma, Houhu Zhang, Binbin Qian and Yueyang Hu

Buildings 2023, 13(12), 3012; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13123012 - 2 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1050

Abstract

Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) is a commonly spent catalyst in the petrochemical industry; and phosphogypsum (PG) is a kind of industrial waste produced in the process of phosphoric acid production. The environmental issues caused by these two solid wastes are urgent and thus [...] Read more.

Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) is a commonly spent catalyst in the petrochemical industry; and phosphogypsum (PG) is a kind of industrial waste produced in the process of phosphoric acid production. The environmental issues caused by these two solid wastes are urgent and thus sustainable methodologies are required to dispose of and reutilize them. In this research, the waste ZSM-5 and waste PG were used to prepare a novel autoclaved aerated concrete. The effects of the different contents of disused ZSM-5 on the microstructures and performance of the PG-based AAC were determined. The results showed that the compressive strength and bulk density of the DZ4 sample were 2.6 MPa and 520 kg/m³, respectively. This study provides a novel and green approach to the reutilization of both waste PG and spent ZSM-5. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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17 pages, 5266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Composition and Performance of Iron Ore Tailings in Steel Slag-Based Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

by Hao Zhou, Yang Jiang, Jiaqing Wang, Houhu Zhang, Binbin Qian, Bing Ma and Yueyang Hu

Buildings 2023, 13(12), 2942; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13122942 - 25 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1995

Abstract

Iron ore tailings (IOTs) are byproducts of the iron mining industry that have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential for comprehensive utilization. This study investigates how blending steel slag with IOTs (a siliceous raw material) instead of lime (a [...] Read more.

Iron ore tailings (IOTs) are byproducts of the iron mining industry that have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential for comprehensive utilization. This study investigates how blending steel slag with IOTs (a siliceous raw material) instead of lime (a calcareous raw material) affects slurry foaming properties, mechanical properties, and reaction mechanisms of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). The results indicate that the sample containing 24% IOT content exhibited the best performance, with a bulk density of 640 kg/m³ and a compressive strength of 4.1 MPa. In addition, IOTs not only served as a filling material but also acted as a carrier for the growth of tobermorite. Tobermorite was combined with the unreacted iron tailing and its neighboring tobermorite to form a cohesive whole. This study provides valuable insights into the potential for IOTs to improve the properties of AAC when used as a supplementary material. The findings also suggest that the comprehensive utilization of IOTs and other industrial byproducts have the potential to contribute to the development of sustainable building materials and reduce the environmental impact of the mining industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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17 pages, 4101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexural Behavior of Corroded RC Beams Strengthened by Textile-Reinforced Concrete

by Wei Xie, Jie Sheng, Zongjian Yu, Yan Li and Guotao Dou

Buildings 2023, 13(12), 2902; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13122902 - 21 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 901

Abstract

The flexural behavior of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with textile reinforced concrete (TRC) was analyzed and discussed in this work. Thirteen beams, including one reference beam, three corrosion-only beams, and nine TRC-strengthened corroded beams, were tested under four-point bending. The failure [...] Read more.

The flexural behavior of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with textile reinforced concrete (TRC) was analyzed and discussed in this work. Thirteen beams, including one reference beam, three corrosion-only beams, and nine TRC-strengthened corroded beams, were tested under four-point bending. The failure modes, cracks, bearing capacity, load–displacement curves and ductility of the tested beams were analyzed. The results showed that the TRC played a role in increasing the number of cracks and decreasing the width of the cracks in the corroded RC beams. In terms of improving the bearing capacity, TRC can improve the bearing capacity of corroded beams even more than the reference beams, and the strengthening after removing the concrete cover of corroded RC beams is better than direct strengthening. The corroded beams after TRC strengthening exhibited improved ductility. The energy absorption index of the TRC-strengthened corroded RC beams increased with the increase in the number of textile layers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study of Material Technology in Structural Engineering)

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