It is important to conduct research on the soil freeze–thaw process because concurrent adverse effects always occur during this process and can cause serious damage to engineering structures. In this paper, the variation of the impedance signature and the stress wave signal at different temperatures was monitored by using Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers through the electromechanical impedance (EMI) method and the active sensing method. Three piezoceramic-based smart aggregates were used in this research. Among them, two smart aggregates were used for the active sensing method, through which one works as an actuator to emit the stress wave signal and the other one works as a sensor to receive the signal. In addition, another smart aggregate was employed for the EMI testing, in which it serves as both an actuator and a receiver to monitor the impedance signature. The trend of the impedance signature with variation of the temperature during the soil freeze–thaw process was obtained. Moreover, the relationship between the energy index of the stress wave signal and the soil temperature was established based on wavelet packet energy analysis. The results demonstrate that the piezoceramic-based electromechanical impedance method is reliable for monitoring the soil freezing and thawing process.
The mechanical properties of T-shaped concrete-filled steel tubular (TCFST) short columns under axial compression after elevated temperature are investigated in this paper. A total of 30 TCFST short columns with different temperature (T), steel ratio (α), and duration of heating (t) were tested. The TCFST column was directly fabricated by welding two rectangular steel tubes together. The study mainly investigated the failure modes, the ultimate bearing capacity, the load-displacement, and the load-strain performance of the TCFST short columns. Experimental results indicate that the rectangular steel tubes of the TCFST column have deformation consistency, and the failure mode consists of local crack, drum damage, and shear failure. Additionally, the influence of high temperature on the residual bearing capacity of the TCFST is significant, e.g., a higher temperature can downgrade the ultimate bearing capacity. Finally, a finite element model (FEM) is developed to simulate the performance of the TCFST short columns under elevated temperature, and the results agree with experimental values well. Overall, this investigation can provide some guidance for future studies on damage assessment and reinforcement of the TCFST columns.
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