A plasticity model to predict the behavior of confined concrete is developed. The model is designed to implicitly account for the increase in strength and ductility due to confining a concrete member. The concrete model is implemented into a finite element (FE) model. By implicitly including the change in the strength and ductility in the material model, the confining material can be explicitly...

The connection joint of prestressed concrete pipe piles is a typical steel–concrete structure, and its bending strength has evolved into critical factor affecting the safety supporting structures in underground engineering. Based on full-scale tests five specimens large-diameter reinforced (PRC) joints, as well corresponding finite element numerical simulation, bearing deformation characteristi...

This paper presents main results of a shale stability study, related to the understanding of shale/ fluid interaction mechanisms, and discusses shale strength correlation. The major shale/ fluid interaction mechanisms: Capillary, osmosis, hydraulic, swelling and pressure diffusion, and recent experimental results are discussed. Factors affecting the shale strength are discussed, and a sonic com...

The use of bedded hoop barns in finishing systems for beef cattle has not been widely researched. In this management system, beef cattle are confined to hoop barns throughout finishing, and bedding is used to absorb animal waste, which results in minimal effluent. The objective of this study was to compare the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers (n = 1,428) managed ...

A study was conducted to document the physical environment and growth performance of nursery pigs in hoop structures compared with pigs reared in confinement nurseries. A series of six trials involving a total of 1,440 nursery pigs were conducted at two Iowa State University research farms from December 1999 to August 2000. Regardless of season, the confinement pigs grew faster and consumed mor...

AIMS The aim of this study is to investigate how the myocardial bridge oppression affects the hoop stress of mural coronary artery. METHODS The "myocardial bridge - coronary artery" simulative device records the hoop stress which is changed by adjusting the external pressure of the simulated coronary artery and the oppression degree of the respectively. RESULTS Simulation experiment in vitr...

As an abundant natural resource in Asia, bamboo is receiving increased attention as an engineering material due to its renewability and excellent strength. The parallel-to-grain compression and shearing properties of moso bamboo culm were examined. The growth characteristics (bamboo age, nodes, and location along the culm), as well as treatments for practical applications (hole punching and hoo...

The objective of this review paper is to document extensive bedded indoor and outdoor pig production in the United States, which has expanded due to growing niche markets for natural and organic pork. Bedded hoop (tentlike) barns are used for finishing pigs and gestating sows. Seasonal outdoor farrowing and some indoor bedded farrowing systems coupled with group lactation are used also. Most na...

and Implications Four groups of early weaned pigs (19 days of age) from the ISU Southwest Swine Research Farm, Atlantic, IA were delivered to the Hoop Research Complex at the ISU Rhodes Research Farm, Rhodes, IA, in late May and early June 1998. Three groups of pigs (n=552) were placed in three (30–ft × 60 ft) deep bedded hoop structures. The fourth group (n=159) was placed in a mechanically ve...

We report the result of comparison between two reaction coordinates [on the potential energy surface of the first excited state (S(1))] produced by CASSCF and these energies recalculated by MRMP2 in the Z to E photoisomerization of penta-2,4-dieniminium (PDI) as the minimal model of the retinal protonated Schiff base (RPSB). One coordinate is the S(1) state minimum-energy-path (MEP) in mass-wei...