Tensense Geotech Co., Ltd’s Post

🚨 NEW ISSUE OUT NOW 🚨 Check out July's issue of NCE. Read now: https://buff.ly/3VQwZKk 🔍 3D printing's first steps in bridge construction 🔍 Post-tensioned M62 concrete railway bridge replacement 🔍 Can the UK still deliver major infrastructure projects? 🔍 Using asset condition data to maximum effect

Australia’s ageing infrastructure faces mounting challenges, but innovation is paving the way for resilience. At the University of South Australia, Professor Yan Zhuge is advancing building material testing with a $720,000 next-generation biaxial Hopkinson bar, designed to assess materials under extreme stress. Zhuge is also leading research into 3D printing reinforced concrete, aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency in construction. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gPA3yzk5 #construction #constructionindustry #infrastructure #buildingmaterials #constructionresearch #buildingresearch #innovation

Digital Technology in Civil Engineering is the next age!!

Instead of building houses, concrete #3Dprinting company Sperra is focused on constructing critical energy infrastructure, and has secured two significant contracts that will expand its operations in this area. Joris Peels has the details.

London-based Balfour Beatty plc has entered an agreement with British advanced materials engineering firm Versarien® Technologies Ltd to develop a range of low-carbon, graphene-infused, 3D-printable mortars, Versarien announced in an Oct. 1 news release. Balfour Beatty and Versarien are developing the mortars for use in civil construction, per the release.  The two companies will test the materials’ usage in real-world applications via Balfour Beatty’s Highways business, according to the release. The research team will measure the materials’ performance, durability and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional construction materials.   Construction Spending – United States – August 2024 - https://lnkd.in/gahV7WDJ PCL, HammerTech sign multiyear safety tech agreement - https://lnkd.in/gVPSwdfZ

Instead of building houses, concrete #3Dprinting company Sperra is focused on constructing critical energy infrastructure, and has secured two significant contracts that will expand its operations in this area. Joris Peels has the details.

The Tunnelwell® Story: This is the start of a series of posts to explain why Tunnelwell® is the only choice for underground stormwater storage systems in the future which has a performance life of 100+ years. Competitor systems do not have the same performance life or characteristics of design attributes as Tunnelwell®. Tunnelwell® was originally conceived in 2009 and the first round of global patents lodged. The first prototyping was done in 2015 after 6 years of initial design development. Tunnelwell® has had constant research and development since 2015 and is now on its fourth design iteration. Tunnelwell® is a groundbreaking underground stormwater storage system. It is currently manufactured using roto-moulding technology to prove performance design concepts, undergone 14 rounds of finite element analysis (FEA) prior to rigorous physical testing by independent third-party engineers. Tunnelwell® arches are made of natural UV resistant polyethylene not recycled polypropylene. Polypropylene is highly susceptible to degradation by UV radiation in its base form (i.e. no pigment or additives). The material becomes brittle after prolonged exposure. In fact, basic polypropylene can lose up to 70% of its mechanical strength after 6 days’ worth of exposure to high-intensity UV radiation. (Source: Google) Linear low-density polypropylene or LDPE plastic is resistant to UV radiation and weathering, which makes it suitable for outdoor applications where it may be exposed to sunlight – allows for extended storage above ground while awaiting installation below ground and away from UV degradation issues. This is the material used for roto moulded Tunnelwell 1m³ arch systems. This material is what freshwater tanks are made of for a lifetime use as well as steel water tanks. High density polyethylene or HDPE plastic is also resistant to UV radiation and is more suited for injection moulding of products. Tunnelwell has a 0.5m³ arch design concept ready for manufacturing trials which will be injection moulded. HDPE has a higher tensile strength which suits an injection mould concept.

Oakland-based additive construction (AC) company Mighty Buildings, which specialized in making zero-net-energy prefabs, is up for sale. This announcement comes amid what looks like a broader restructuring in the #3Dprinted construction sector. Matt Kremenetsky reports.

Instead of building houses, concrete #3Dprinting company Sperra is focused on constructing critical energy infrastructure, and has secured two significant contracts that will expand its operations in this area. Joris Peels has the details.

Common Failure Types in Structures - A Brief Outlook When does a component or structure actually 'fail'? As engineers, this is a crucial question we must consider. The typical layman's answer might be, "When something breaks or cracks." However, for an engineer, this view is overly simplistic and potentially dangerous… Simply put, failure occurs when a component can no longer perform its intended function effectively. And why should you care about understanding these failure modes? The answer is straightforward. Comprehending these failure mechanisms is essential for designing and maintaining safe, reliable structures. To truly improve a system and safeguard it against potential failures, you must first understand how it could potentially fail. Now, let's explore the most common failure modes in engineering: 1. 𝗬𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: This occurs when a material undergoes plastic deformation i.e. the stress exceeds the material's yield strength. It is probably the most common type of failure analyzed with FEA. Think of a dented car bumper that won't pop back or an overloaded beam sagging under its own weight. 2. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: This is the complete separation of a material into two or more pieces due to excessive stress. It can be brittle (sudden and without warning) or ductile (with noticeable deformation before failure). A fractured bone, a cracked engine block or a bridge collapsing under excessive load would be excellent examples of this failure mode. 3. 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲: It occurs when the loading and stresses are cyclic in nature, even if the stresses are below the material's yield strength. Microscopic cracks initiate and propagate over time, eventually leading to failure. This is often seen in components like aircraft wings or rotating machinery that experience cyclic loading. 4. 𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: This is an instability failure that occurs in slender structures subjected to compressive loads. It is characterized by a large, often catastrophic deformation. Picture a soda can collapsing under the weight of a heavy book, or a tall and thin column collapsing under its own weight. 5. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽: This is the time-dependent deformation of a material under constant stress. It is particularly relevant for components operating at high temperatures for extended periods, such as turbine blades in jet engines or steam pipes in power plants. Over time, creep can lead to significant deformation and eventual failure. In the end, I’d like to emphasize that it’s a huge topic, with a crazy amount of knowledge to understand. So, this post might have covered just the tip of the iceberg. We'd love to hear about your experiences with structural failures. Which failure modes do YOU encounter most frequently in your work? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! P.S. The picture below shows the infamous failure of Liberty ships from World War II. #Design #Engineering #StructuralEngineering #FEA #Learning