Kexin Zhang, Dachao Li, Xinyuan Shen, Wenyu Hou, Yanfeng Li and Xingwei Xue
This paper aims to describe carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge. To investigate effectiveness of the strengthening…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge. To investigate effectiveness of the strengthening method, fielding-load tests were carried out before and after strengthening.
Design/methodology/approach
High-strength CFRP bars with minor radius, high tensile strain and good corrosion resistance were used in this reinforcement. The construction process for strengthening with CFRP bars – including CFRP bars cutting, crack grouting, original structural surface treatment, implant drilling, CFRP bars installation and pouring mortar – was described. Ultimate bearing capacity of the bridge after strengthening was discussed.
Findings
The results of concrete stress and deflection show that the strength and stiffness of the strengthened bridge are improved. The strengthened way with CFRP bars is feasible and effective.
Originality/value
This paper describes CFRP bars as a way to strengthen a 40-year-old stone arch bridge.
Details
Keywords
Wenyu Chen, Wangyang Bian and Ru Zeng
The purpose of this paper is to show that the theoretical proofs of convergence in solution of ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithms have significant values of theory and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show that the theoretical proofs of convergence in solution of ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithms have significant values of theory and application.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adapts the basic ACO algorithm framework and proves two important ACO subclass algorithms which are ACObs,τmin and ACObs,τmin (t).
Findings
This paper indicates that when the minimums of pheromone trial decay to 0 with the speed of logarithms, it is ensured that algorithms can, at least, get a certain optimal solution. Even if the randomicity and deflection of random algorithms are disturbed infinitesimally, algorithms can obtain optimal solution.
Originality/value
This paper focuses on the analysis and proof of the convergence theory of ACO subset algorithm to explore internal mechanism of ACO algorithm.
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Yueling Xu, Haijun Bao, Wenyu Zhang and Shuai Zhang
Recently, the concept of financial technology (FinTech) has attracted extensive attention from international organisations and regulators, in particular, how to achieve a…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, the concept of financial technology (FinTech) has attracted extensive attention from international organisations and regulators, in particular, how to achieve a “win–win” situation between financial institutions' FinTech innovation and effective regulation has become a hot topic. This study purposes to explore the evolutionary game relationship between FinTech innovation and regulation by constructing both static and dynamic earmarking game models.
Design/methodology/approach
A simulation experiment was conducted using primary data obtained from a commercial bank in China.
Findings
The results of the theoretical analysis of evolutionary game models were consistent with the corresponding simulation results, proving the validity of the proposed evolutionary game models. It was also found that the dynamic earmarking game model was more stable and effective than the static earmarking game model in promoting FinTech innovation and regulation. Furthermore, when the regulators utilised a dynamic earmarking mechanism, the evolutionary path of financial institutions and regulators' behaviour strategies took the shape of a spiral and eventually converged to a central point, indicating the existence of an evolutionary stable strategy and Nash equilibrium. Finally, because the behaviour strategies of financial institutions were mainly influenced by the regulators' policies, the regulators were inspired to adjust the corresponding regulation policies on FinTech innovation.
Originality/value
This study bridges the knowledge gap in the existing literature on financial innovation and regulation, in particular by establishing evolutionary game models from the perspective of financial earmarking policies. Also, the case study for simulation experiments can gain a more intuitive insight into FinTech innovation and financial earmarking policies.
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Mark Schulz, Yi Song, Adam Hehr and Vesselin Shanov
Carbon nanotube (CNT) thread ' s piezoresisitive strain sensing properties of gauge factor, linearity, hysteresis, consistency, temperature stability, and bandwidth were…
Abstract
Purpose
Carbon nanotube (CNT) thread ' s piezoresisitive strain sensing properties of gauge factor, linearity, hysteresis, consistency, temperature stability, and bandwidth were evaluated. This evaluation was motivated by little information in literature combined with the need to understand these properties for commercial use. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The study here analyzes as-spun CNT thread built into unidirectional glass fiber composites and mounted onto aluminium beams with epoxy to evaluate strain sensing properties. The analyses utilize known sensor parameter definitions to quantify sensor performance.
Findings
CNT thread can provide reliable and robust strain measurements for composite and metallic structures. The strain sensor performance meets or exceeds other strain sensors in performance.
Research limitations/implications
CNT thread ' s piezoresistive effect is not well understood in terms of Poisson ' s ratio and nanotube contact. More research needs to be carried out to better understand this relationship and optimize the sensor thread.
Practical implications
CNT thread can be utilized as a robust strain sensor for composite and metallic structures. It can also be built into composite materials for embedded strain and damage monitoring. By monitoring composite materials with the sensor thread, reliability will significantly increase. In turn, this will lower safety factors and revolutionize inspection methods for composite materials.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to comprehensively evaluate key strain sensing properties of CNT thread. With all this strain sensor information in one spot, this should help expedite the use of this technology in other research and industry.
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Social media allow for observing different aspects of human behaviour, in particular, those that can be evaluated from explicit user expressions. Based on a data set of posts with…
Abstract
Purpose
Social media allow for observing different aspects of human behaviour, in particular, those that can be evaluated from explicit user expressions. Based on a data set of posts with user opinions collected from social media, this paper aims to show an insight into how the readers of different news portals react to online content. The focus is on users’ emotions about the content, so the findings of the analysis provide a further understanding of how marketers should structure and deliver communication content such that it promotes positive engagement behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
More than 5.5 million user comments to posted messages from 15 worldwide popular news portals were collected and analysed, where each post was evaluated based on a set of variables that represent either structural (e.g. embedded in intra- or inter-message structure) or behavioural (e.g. exhibiting a certain behavioural pattern that appeared in response to a posted message) component of expressions. The conclusions are based on a set of regression models and exploratory factor analysis.
Findings
The findings show and theorise the influence of social media content on emotional user engagement. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of the engagement attributed to social media content and, consequently, could be a better predictor of future behaviour.
Originality/value
This paper provides original data analysis of user comments and emotional reactions that appeared on social media news websites in 2018.