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Care and Compassion in Capitalism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83549-149-2

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Article
Publication date: 6 April 2010

I. Lombillo, L. Villegas and J. Elices

The analysis of ancient buildings presents professionals with important challenges, so it is necessary to have a rational methodology of analysis of these constructions. From the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The analysis of ancient buildings presents professionals with important challenges, so it is necessary to have a rational methodology of analysis of these constructions. From the point of view of the technology of structures it is imperative to know the mechanical characteristics of the structural elements involved, as well as the existing stress levels. Currently the tendency is to obtain such knowledge in a non‐destructive way, producing minimal damage. The purpose of this paper is to provide a vision of some of the minor‐destructive techniques (MDT) applied to the diagnosis of historical rubble stone masonry structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses attention on the employment of techniques based on mechanical stress aspects: flat jack, hole‐drilling and dilatometer, conducted on rubble stone masonry structures. Several computational models were made of parts of the building. These models were used to obtain experimental data (modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio). The accuracy of the models was contrasted through the comparison with compression stress levels obtained experimentally.

Findings

The paper provides a brief description of these MDT, and exposes the flat jack tests results obtained on several historical masonry walls in the Major Seminary of Comillas (Spain): Compression stress levels, modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio of several masonries of this building.

Practical implications

These techniques improve the computational models of constructions, because they can obtain a better knowledge of their mechanical properties, from experimental ways, and the calibration of models through experimental data.

Originality/value

This paper describes one of the first applications of these techniques in Spain.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

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Article
Publication date: 18 June 2021

Sachin Kumar, Tapan K. Panda and Krishan Kumar Pandey

This study aims to examine the relationship between employees’ mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviour, along with the mediating role of self-transcendent values, at the…

747

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between employees’ mindfulness and pro-environmental behaviour, along with the mediating role of self-transcendent values, at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses online data collected from 381 respondents employed in different industries across India. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to check the construct’s validity and reliability and Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between the variables. Moreover, the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2017) was used to examine the mediation.

Findings

Employees’ mindfulness was found to be positively associated with voluntary pro-environmental behaviour at the workplace, and the mediation analysis specifies that a self-transcendent value partially mediates this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This study tested and extends the S-ART model and Schwartz value theory in the context of employees’ pro-environment behaviours at the workplace.

Practical implications

The results could be encouraging and helpful for top management and organizational change champions in strategizing and effective implementation of mindfulness programmes that would encourage and enhance employees’ voluntary participation in environment-friendly activities at their workplace.

Originality/value

Despite the decisive role of employees in organisations’ environmental sustainability programmes’ success, the availability of scant literature has led researchers to call for more studies. The present study is timely and could be the first to examine the role of employees’ mindfulness and self-transcendent values in influencing employees’ engagement in environmental-friendly behaviours at the workplace.

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Article
Publication date: 4 January 2013

Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti, Mohammad Yousefpour Navid and Mohammad Hossein Rahimi

Silicone softeners are widely used in the textile industry to improve the performance of textile products. The thermal characteristics and flammability of polyester fabrics can be…

389

Abstract

Purpose

Silicone softeners are widely used in the textile industry to improve the performance of textile products. The thermal characteristics and flammability of polyester fabrics can be influenced by these compounds, which need to be considered, as important issues of human safety. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the changes induced on the polyester fibre by silicone softener treatment using a pad/dry/cure method.

Design/methodology/approach

The fibres were first treated with nano‐ and microemulsion silicone softeners. The influence of the silicone emulsion type on thermal properties and flammability of the resultant samples were investigated by various analytical techniques, namely, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and horizontal flammability test (HFT).

Findings

Results showed that the silicone softeners increase the thermal degradation and flammability of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.

Originality/value

The paper's study of thermal and flammability of the silicone‐treated sample is novel and can be used to optimize the properties of silicone polymers during production and consumption.

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Article
Publication date: 24 February 2012

Juha Kuutti and Kari Kolari

The purpose of this paper is to present a new simplified local remeshing procedure for the study of discrete crack propagation in finite element (FE) mesh. The proposed technique…

761

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new simplified local remeshing procedure for the study of discrete crack propagation in finite element (FE) mesh. The proposed technique accounts for the generation and propagation of crack‐like failure within an FE‐model. Beside crack propagation, the technique enables the analysis of fragmentation of initially intact continuum. The capability of modelling fragmentation is essential in various structure‐structure interaction analyses such as projectile impact analysis and ice‐structure interaction analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The procedure combines continuum damage mechanics (CDM), fictitious crack approach and a new local remeshing procedure. In the approach a fictitious crack is replaced by a discrete crack by applying delete‐and‐fill local remeshing. The proposed method is independent of mesh topology unlike the traditional discrete crack approach. The procedure is implemented for 3‐D solid elements in commercial finite element software Abaqus/Explicit using Python scripting. The procedure is completely automated, such that crack initiation and propagation analyses do not require user intervention. A relatively simple constitutive model was implemented strictly for demonstrative purposes.

Findings

Well known examples were simulated to verify the applicability of the method. The simulations revealed the capabilities of the method and reasonable correspondence with reference results was obtained. Material fragmentation was successfully simulated in ice‐structure interaction analysis.

Originality/value

The procedure for modelling discrete crack propagation and fragmentation of initially intact quasi‐brittle materials based on local remeshing has not been presented previously. The procedure is well suited for simulation of fragmentation and is implemented in a commercial FE‐software.

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Article
Publication date: 28 May 2019

Julia Babcock and Jared Michonski

The purpose of this paper is to examine the associations among psychopathic and borderline traits, intimate partner violence (IPV) and sensitivity to facial affect. The authors…

263

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the associations among psychopathic and borderline traits, intimate partner violence (IPV) and sensitivity to facial affect. The authors hypothesized that IPV men high in psychopathic traits would exhibit reduced sensitivity to expressions of distress specifically (fear + sadness), while IPV men high in borderline traits would show heightened sensitivity to facial affect more generally.

Design/methodology/approach

A community sample of 79 IPV men in heterosexual relationships were exposed to slides of facial affect displays while psychophysiological reactions were recorded. Sensitivity to facial affect was operationalized as accuracy in recognizing and skin conductance responses (SCR) while viewing discrete facial expressions.

Findings

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) features were positively related to accuracy in labeling fear and surprise while primary psychopathy (Factor 1) was negatively related to accuracy in labeling disgust. Borderline traits were positively associated with SCR while primary psychopathy was negatively associated with SCR while viewing slides of facial affect. Secondary psychopathy (Factor 2) follows the same physiological patterns of BPD traits but the correlates are weaker. Results suggest that IPV men high in traits of primary psychopathy show hypoarousal whereas those high borderline features show hyperarousal to facial emotions.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include a small sample of heterosexual violent community couples. Women’s IPV was not analyzed. Findings suggest that BPD and primary psychopathy traits are diametrically opposite in SCR, making them powerful comparison groups for psychophysiological studies. Findings challenge Blair’s (1995) model of a specific deficit in processing distress cues for individuals high in psychopathic traits. Rather results suggest that IPV men high in traits of primary psychopathy show more pervasive hypoarousal to facial emotion. The hyperarousal of men high in BPD traits across facial expressions supports Linehan’s (1993) emotional vulnerability model of borderline personality disorder.

Practical implications

Differences in psychophysiological responding to emotions may be clinically relevant in the motivations for violence perpetration. The hypoarousal associated with primary psychopathy may facilitate the perpetration of proactive violence. The hyperarousal associated with BPD and secondary psychopathy may be fundamental in the perpetration of reactive violence. Treatment matching by IPV perpetrators’ personality traits may improve the efficacy of battering intervention programs. Perpetrators high in borderline personality features may benefit from emotional regulation therapies, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy. IPV men high in traits of primary psychopathy may benefit from affective empathy and validation training.

Social implications

Currently, battering intervention programs show little efficacy in reducing intimate partner recidivism. Experimental psychopathology studies such as this one may inform advocates seeking to develop new, tailored treatment packages for partner violence offenders with different personality disorder traits.

Originality/value

Many treatment providers assume that men who batter women have deficits in empathy and emotional intelligence. However, this study suggests that rather than global deficits, deficits depend on personality traits. The current study is the first to assess psychophysiological reactivity in response to facial affect displays among IPV perpetrators. Examining SCR responding to photos of facial affect may be used in future studies of affect sensitivity.

Details

Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-6599

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Article
Publication date: 7 May 2021

Izabela Hager, Stanisław Kańka and Mariusz Maślak

The study presents test results concerning the impact of high temperature and different cooling conditions on the mechanical properties of quenched and self-tempered reinforcing…

113

Abstract

Purpose

The study presents test results concerning the impact of high temperature and different cooling conditions on the mechanical properties of quenched and self-tempered reinforcing steel. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the extent of the history of the material’s temperature development profile, the course and the intensity of fire exposure and how cooling conditions determines its properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Each specimen series was heated to the temperatures of T = 200°C, 400°C, 600°C, 700°C, 800°C and 1,000 °C. The specimens were either slowly cooled down or subjected to rapid cooling with water quenching, which can be encountered during a firefighting operation. Additionally, stress–strain relationships, microhardness and structural observations were also performed.

Findings

The results of the presented experiments have shown that the steel bars previously heated in fire conditions were very sensitive to the cooling intensity. The test results from the steel specimens – that were heated and quenched with water – demonstrate an increase in tensile strength but a significant reduction in material plasticity.

Originality/value

The presented piece of work provides a contribution for fire safety engineering giving insight into the fire behaviour of reinforcing steel under fire conditions and subjected to rapid or slow cooling. This study has shown the threats arising from thermally induced changes in steel microstructure because of high-temperature exposure. It should also be noted that structure changes may have a local character and refer to steel rebars that are exposed because of fire spalling of concrete cover.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 11 June 2021

Jichang Wang and Xiaoming Guo

A mesoscopic phase field (PF) model is proposed to simulate the meso-failure process of lightweight concrete.

375

Abstract

Purpose

A mesoscopic phase field (PF) model is proposed to simulate the meso-failure process of lightweight concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

The PF damage model is applied to the meso-failure process of lightweight concrete through the ABAQUS subroutine user-defined element (UEL). And the improved staggered iteration scheme with a one-pass procedure is used to alternately solve the coupling equations.

Findings

These examples clearly show that the crack initiation of the lightweight concrete specimens mainly occurs in the ceramsite aggregates with weak strength, especially in the larger aggregates. The crack propagation paths of the specimens with the same volume fraction of light aggregates are completely different, but the crack propagation paths all pass through the ceramsite aggregates near the cracks. The results also showed that with the increase in the volume fractions of the aggregates, the slope and the peak loads of the force-deflection (F-d) curves gradually decrease, the load-bearing capacity of the lightweight concrete specimens decreases, and crack branching and coalescence are less likely during crack propagation.

Originality/value

The mesostructures with a mortar matrix, aggregates and an interfacial transition zone (ITZ) are generated by an automatic generation and placement program, thus incorporating the typical three-phase characteristics of lightweight concrete into the PF model.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 38 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2004

G.A. D'Addetta, E. Ramm, S. Diebels and W. Ehlers

In this paper, a new homogenization technique for the determination of dynamic and kinematic quantities of representative elementary volumes (REVs) in granular assemblies is…

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Abstract

In this paper, a new homogenization technique for the determination of dynamic and kinematic quantities of representative elementary volumes (REVs) in granular assemblies is presented. Based on the definition of volume averages, expressions for macroscopic stress, couple stress, strain and curvature tensors are derived for an arbitrary REV. Discrete element model simulations of two different test set‐ups including cohesionless and cohesive granular assemblies are used as a validation of the proposed homogenization technique. A non‐symmetric macroscopic stress tensor, as well as couple stresses are obtained following the proposed procedure, even if a single particle is described as a standard continuum on the microscopic scale.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 21 no. 2/3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

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Article
Publication date: 28 August 2021

Patrick Hopkinson, Andrew Voyce and Jerome Carson

The purpose of this paper is to compare the stories of Syd Barrett musician, with Andrew Voyce, and their respective recovery journeys.

101

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the stories of Syd Barrett musician, with Andrew Voyce, and their respective recovery journeys.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use collaborative autoethnography to share their own perspectives on Syd Barrett and to contrast his story with that of Andrew, a co-author.

Findings

Both Syd and Andrew experienced serious mental distress. While Syd had only limited contact with mental health services, Andrew’s contact was extensive, with a 20-year history of admissions and discharges. In the end, when the psychiatric services listened to Andrew’s concerns and acted on them, he was able to enter into the journey of recovery.

Research limitations/implications

The authors are restricted in the amount of available information on Syd Barrett, especially that related to mental health problems. The story of Andrew shows how recovery is possible even after years of serious mental illness.

Practical implications

Andrew’s story shows why professionals should never give up on people, with even the most seemingly severe and intractable problems. Could services have done more for Syd?

Social implications

Mental illness still attracts huge stigma. Today there is a much more open culture. Would Syd have come out about his own struggles with mental health had society been more open?

Originality/value

Bringing together two stories of mental distress enables the authors to explore the concept of recovery.

Details

Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-8308

Keywords

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