Finite Element Modeling of Cyclic Behavior of a Reinforced Concrete Chimney Section Sami
In this study, a numerical model was presented to simulate the experimental behavior obtained for a reinforced concrete chimney section. The purpose of the previous experimental investigation conducted for the chimney section was to evaluate the effect of large openings on the cyclic response in order to reveal the performance of such structures under seismic loads. A detailed finite element model of the chimney section was constructed and all of the reinforcements of the chimney were directly taken into account by line element representations. The volume of the concrete chimney shell was modeled with hexahedral elements. A bi-linear material model was used for the reinforcements. A crucial step in the finite element approach was to employ a constitutive material model that took the multi-axial state of stress and confinement effects in concrete into account. The Winfrith concrete material model of the commercial LS-Dyna structural code was chosen for the shell of the chimney section. Comparisons of the results of the finite element study with the experimental measurements showed a good agreement for the base moment-displacement response and crack formations around the opening regions of the chimney section.
The Cyclic Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Chimney Sections with and without Openings
The most vulnerable feature of most existing tall reinforced concrete chimneys when subject to severe earthquake excitation is the relative weakness of the sections around the openings near the chimney base. This paper documents an experimental study undertaken to investigate the cyclic behaviour of typical chimney sections with openings orientated to be bending critical and shear critical and the results are compared with previous tests with no openings. Significantly, no such cyclic tests have been previously been completed. The experimental results presented include; failure mode, over-strength factor, ultimate curvature, available ductility, hysteretic behaviour and strain distribution and the results are compared with some predictive analytical section models and design guidelines. The research indicated that chimney sections with openings were not brittle, but were significantly less ductile than sections without openings. The paper is relevant for both assessing existing chimney stacks and for the design of new chimneys in the vicinity of openings.
Effects of the mineral phase and valence of vanadium on vanadium extraction from stone coal
The influence of roasting on the leaching rate and valence of vanadium was evaluated during vanadium extraction from stone coal. Vanadium in stone coal is hard to be leached and the leaching rate is less than 10% when the raw ore is leached by 4 mol/L H2SO4 at 90°C for 2 h. After the sample is roasted at 900°C for 2 h, the leaching rate of vanadium reaches the maximum, and more than 70% of vanadium can be leached. The crystal of vanadium-bearing mica minerals decomposes and the content of V(V) increases with the rise of roasting temperature from 600 to 900°C, therefore the leaching rate of vanadium increases significantly with the decomposition of the mica minerals. Some new phases, anorthite for example, form when the roasting temperature reaches 1000°C. A part of vanadium may be enwrapped in the sintered materials and newly formed phases, which may impede the oxidation of low valent vanadium and make the leaching rate of vanadium drop dramatically. The leaching rate of vanadium is not only determined by the valence state of vanadium but also controlled by the decomposition of vanadium-bearing minerals and the existence state of vanadium to a large extent.