Basalt FRP Spike Repairing of Wood Beams
This article describes aspects within an experimental program aimed at improving the structural performance of cracked solid fir-wood beams repaired with Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) spikes. Fir wood is characterized by its low density, low compression strength, and high level of defects, and it is likely to distort when dried and tends to fail under tension due to the presence of cracks, knots, or grain deviation. The proposed repair technique consists of the insertion of BFRP spikes into timber beams to restore the continuity of cracked sections. The experimental efforts deal with the evaluation of the bending strength and deformation properties of 24 timber beams. An artificially simulated cracking was produced by cutting the wood beams in half or notching. The obtained results for the repaired beams were compared with those of solid undamaged and damaged beams, and increases of beam capacity, bending strength and of modulus of elasticity, and analysis of failure modes was discussed. For notched beams, the application of the BFRP spikes was able to restore the original bending capacity of undamaged beams, while only a small part of the original capacity was recovered for beams that were cut in half.
Dynamic behavior of metal-plate-connected wood truss joints
The objective of this paper is to describe the behavior of metal-plate-connected (MPC) tensile and heel joints under seismic and cyclic loads. A proposed sequential phase displacement (SPD) loading standard was also used to determine dynamic characteristics (energy dissipation, damping ratio, and cyclic stiffness) of MPC joints. Strengths and stiffnesses of MPC joints after the seismic and SPD loadings were compared to those properties for a control group of joints tested to failure under a static ramp load. Strength degradation was not observed in tensile and heel joints as a result of the seismic loads. Stiffness degradation was observed in the heel joint as a result of the large artificial earthquake loads and in both tensile and heel joints as a result of the SPD loading. Dynamic properties from the SPD loading depended on the magnitude of displacement. The damping ratio and energy dissipation increased as the SPD loading progressed, whereas the cyclic stiffness decreased. Cyclic loading also showed a significant effect on the strength of MPC joints depending on amplitude of the cycles.
La participacion de los stakeholders en las iniciativas de branding del hospital en las redes sociales: una propuesta de modelo para construir marcas colectivas
Introduction : All health organizations face many managerial and economic challenges such as the consolidation of private and international hospitals, the increasingly interest of society for health education issues or the development of telemedicine. In this framework, many organizations prioritize social media as the main corporate communication tool for building a reputed brand in a collective way along with stakeholders. Objectives : This paper aims to identify a communication model allowing hospitals to efficiently apply branding initiatives on social media in order to build a brand in a collective way with stakeholders. Methodology : We carried out a literature review about corporate communication, health communication, branding and social media; and, then, we proposed the PET Model for Branding Hospitals on Social Media. Results and Conclusion : We conclude that hospitals should create a multidisciplinar corporate communication department, implement management initiatives for allowing health professionals have more time for using social media and integrate health education and patient’s empowerment in every communication initiative.