Evaluation of the Behaviour of Steel Bar in the Concrete under Cyclic Loading Using Magnetic Flux Leakage and Acoustic Emission Techniques

The behaviour of the steel bar in concrete under cyclic loading has been evaluated using magnetic flux leakage associated with acoustic emission monitoring technique. Visual observation was used to observe the deformation of the beam under cyclic loading. The sensors of metal magnetic memory were scanned in the middle of the beam at a distance of 320 mm at the bottom part. Twenty-two cyclic ranges were performed for cyclic loading of 100 or 200 cycles for each range, with a frequency of 1 Hz and a sinusoidal wave mode. The magnetic flux leakage signal, acoustic emission characteristics and crack width were measured and analysed to evaluate the behaviour of the steel bar in the concrete beam. The magnetic flux leakage signal and acoustic emission energy results were well matched with the occurrence of cracks at the centre of the beam. It was found that the relationship between the magnetic leakage flux signal and crack opening showed a strong correlation with R² of 0.969. A high acoustic emission energy of 1300 nVs is observed at the centre of the beam. Based on the results, the behaviour of the steel in the concrete beam can be determined by the integrity assessment of a structure.

Fatigue Life Assessment of API Steel Grade X65 Pipeline Using a Modified Basquin Parameter of the Magnetic Flux Leakage Signal

This paper presents a modified fatigue life model of the Basquin equation using the stress parameter of the magnetic flux leakage signal. Most pipeline steels experience cyclic loading during service and the influence of the load history makes assessing fatigue behaviour more difficult. The magnetic flux leakage signal's response to a uniaxial cyclic test of API X65 steel was measured with eight levels of ultimate tensile stress loads. The influence of dH(y)/dx on fatigue failure was the main concern in this study, the aim being to represent localised stress parameters in the modified Basquin equation. Both fatigue lives, experimental and predicted from the modified Basquin equation, were validated through reliability analysis, producing a 60% value when approaching 1.8 × 10⁵ cycles. The fatigue data from the experiment produced a higher mean-cycle-to-failure value than the prediction data, with slightly different values of 3.37 × 10⁵ and 3.28 × 10⁵. Additionally, the modified Basquin equation's predicted and the experimental fatigue lives were found to have a high R² correlation value of 0.9022. The Pearson correlation also showed a good relationship between the fatigue lives, with an r value of 0.9801. Finally, the modified Basquin equation based on dH(y)/dx signals provided an accurate and alternative method for durability assessment.

94 WORKING TOWARDS AN AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEM IN AN IRISH MODEL FOUR TERTIARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Background

Traditional consult services represent an area where the evidence-based 4Ms framework might be applied. A 4M framework Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) consult form may help standardise the assessment of older persons outside of geriatric medicine. We aimed to incorporate a concise CGA tool based on the 4Ms within a geriatric medicine consult form.

Methods

Data from 100 geriatric medicine consult forms was entered onto an excel database. Each component was analysed, using descriptive statistics, for accuracy in completion, ability to contribute to referrers knowledge and a modified Delphi consensus model was used to inform the creation of a 4M framework-based concise CGA within the consult referral form. Time to completion was monitored.

Results

The median age of referred patients was 79 with a male:female ratio of 1:1. The average number of co-morbidities was 6, with 75% of patients having a significant vascular history, 30% a history of falls, and 16% diagnosed with delirium. 72% were on 5 or more medications. 53% had a complete Barthel index, with a median score of 12/20. What matters to the patient, clinical frailty score, mood and mental health were not well captured by the existing consult. These were incorporated, following consensus, into a ‘little g’, which takes between 4 and 15 minutes depending on user experience and patient complexity.

Conclusion

An evidence-based consult form, based on 4Ms, has been developed. Next steps are to introduce it to the next cohort of interns and assess efficiency and outcomes.

An Overview of Characterisation, Utilisation, and Leachate Analysis of Clinical Waste Incineration Ash

As industrial globalisation and waste output continue to grow, solid waste management is one of the most pressing worldwide environmental challenges. Solid wastes include both the heterogeneous mass of urban throwaways and the homogeneous accumulations of agricultural, industrial, and mineral wastes. Clinical waste (CW) has a significant negative influence on both human health and the environment. To dispose hazardous CW, a proper waste management system should be necessary, and incineration should be the best possible option for reducing the volume of this hazardous waste. Incineration is being developed in Malaysia as a means of disposing clinical and hazardous waste. Currently, 170 common CW treatment facilities with 140 incinerators are accessible around the country. The combustion procedure kills pathogens and reduces waste volume and weight, but it leaves a solid residue known as clinical waste ash (CWA), which raises heavy metal, inorganic salt, and organic compound levels in the environment. Because metals are not eliminated during incineration, dumping CWA in a landfill could contaminate groundwater. Leachate is the liquid created when waste decomposes in a landfill and water filters through it. The most common method of disposing of CW ashes is to transfer them to a landfill. Landfills should install a top cover after closure for hazardous waste landfills. Due to a lack of space and the high expense of land disposal, recycling technologies and the reuse of ash in various systems have developed. Clinical waste incineration fly ash (CWIFA), a solid waste substance from CW incineration, typically includes mobile heavy metals and can cause significant pollution when reused. The standard requirement for removing CWIFA in dumpsites should be below the metal limit stated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Much recent research on the usage of CWIFA has concentrated on mitigating their effects on the environment. Several studies have confirmed the utilisation of CWIFA in the construction field and agriculture to reduce the leaching of its hazardous components into the environment. Compressive strength decreased with the percentage amount of CWIFA due to the substitution of cement with CWIFA. CWIFA mix with 20% cement is the broad-scale application of CWIFA for geotechnical constructions. Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) are strongly immobilised by the cementitious matrix. Solidification/stabilisation (S/S) materials can be dumped in landfills with less environmental protection than untreated waste. When utilising a CWIFA in mortar, the primary environmental concern is if any harmful materials leach out during the initial curing process or throughout the life of the mortar. Toxicity characteristic of leaching procedure (TCLP) analysis of all CWIFA specimens found amounts of heavy metals below regulatory limits. Solidification of waste with cement and solidified waste has become a popular way of minimising the atmosphere's emissions. The amount of CWIFA generated is expected to increase nationally and globally. There is an immediate need for further evaluation of ash leachate investigations for proper disposal and usage of ash in construction materials.

[APPLICATION OF VACUUM-THERAPY IN COMPLEX OF TREATMENT OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES CHRONIC WOUNDS]

Experience of treatment of chronic wounds in 11 patients in 2014 – 2016 yrs was analyzed. The impact of negative pressure, using domestically manufactured apparatus «АGАТ- Dnepr», in complex of treatment as a local therapy, was applied. Vacuum-therapy was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively together with autodermoplasty. The injection material for the skin regeneration “lacerta” was applied subcutaneously intraoperatively. The Ialuset-cream bandages were used in 10 - 12 days postoperatively during 2-3 weeks. Еfficacy of vacuum-therapy was estimated, basing on analysis of the wound process course dynamics, clinic-laboratory criteria, terms of the wound defect complete closure. The patients’ stationary treatment duration have constituted 38.3 days at average. Complex treatment of chronic wounds have had guaranteed complete healing of the wound defect in 7 (63%) patients in terms up to 1 - 5 weeks, and in 3 (26%) - 6 weeks.

[POSSIBILITIES OF VACUUM THERAPY APPLICATION IN DISORDERS OF VENOUS OUTFLOW IN ISLET GRAFTS]

The experience of "distressed" (problematic) flaps application in 33 patients with soft tissue defects over 2010-2014 years were analysed. It was proposed to use the local negative pressure for the prevention and treatment of complications associated with venous insufficiency or trombosis in using of plastics with vascularised complexes of tissues. Vacuum-therapy was conducted with the help of negative pressure apparatus "AGATE-Dnepr" (Ukraine) by attaching silver-containing polyurethane sponge on the operating zone, covering the flap with the surrounding skin netting band "Grassolind". The recommended standard of negative pressure of 75-125 mm Hg, both in impulse and in continuous mode was used. The high efficiency of vacuum-therapy for survival of grafts has been demonstrated. Thus, it might be considered as an effective element of prevention and treatment of complications associated with venous insufficiency or trombosis using of vascularised tissue complex plastics of defects.