Nicolae Taranu

Bio: Nicolae Taranu is an academic researcher from University of Sheffield. The author has contributed to research in topics: Masonry & Fibre-reinforced plastic. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 39 publications receiving 375 citations.

Full-Scale Shaking Table Tests on a Substandard RC Building Repaired and Strengthened with Post-Tensioned Metal Straps

Abstract: The effectiveness of a novel Post-Tensioned Metal Strapping (PTMS) technique at enhancing the seismic behavior of a substandard RC building was investigated through full-scale, shake-table tests during the EU-funded project BANDIT. The building had inadequate reinforcement detailing in columns and joints to replicate old construction practices. After the bare building was initially damaged significantly, it was repaired and strengthened with PTMS to perform additional seismic tests. The PTMS technique improved considerably the seismic performance of the tested building. While the bare building experienced critical damage at an earthquake of PGA = 0.15 g, the PTMS-strengthened building sustained a PGA = 0.35 g earthquake without compromising stability.

Ecological footprint applied in the assessment of construction and demolition waste integrated management

Abstract: Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) are the result of inefficient and unsustainable use of natural resources and energy in production processes and other human activities, leading to economic losses. In this paper, the Ecological Footprint (EF), as a new indicator and methodology in environmental sustainability assessment was used to calculate where and how the humans induce impacts on the environment, in particular due to the generation of C&DW. Ecological footprint makes a relationship between two factors the amount of land required to dispose per capita generated waste. The study proposes the calculation of EF to develop a sustainable C&DW integrated waste management in European countries, considering the methodologies developed for solid waste management. For the development of the proposed analysis, four C&DW management scenarios were proposed based on the actual situation of C&DW in 2009, in Iasi, Romania and Bologna, Italy. The evaluation is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, assisted by SimaPro software that calculates the EF using indicators like CO2, land use and nuclear footprints. The research showed that the EF could be used as an indicator able to evaluate the sustainability of C&DW integrated management systems in various countries and locations, being recommended as a decision making support tool..

Effect of reinforcement ratio on the flexural performance of hybrid FRP reinforced concrete beams

Abstract: Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is widely used in concrete structures due to its high tensile strength and superior corrosion resistance. However, the FRP reinforced concrete (FRPRC) shows a less ductile behavior compared to the conventional steel reinforced concrete. In order to improve the strength and flexural ductility simultaneously, a hybrid reinforcement system composed of FRP and steel bars has been proposed and adopted in design recently. In hybrid FRPRC beams, FRP and steel reinforcements play different roles in improving strength and ductility. The hybrid reinforcement ratio between FRP and steel, Af/As, has a significant influence on the flexural performance of hybrid FRPRC beams as it affects the balance between strength and ductility in the flexural design. Here, the effect of hybrid reinforcement ratio on the flexural performance of concrete beams in both under- and over- reinforced scenarios is studied using three-dimensional finite element models. The results from the finite element models show that a preferable strength and ductility performance can be obtained through an appropriate design of hybrid reinforcement ratio. Such information helps us determine an appropriate range of hybrid reinforcement ratio and provide a design guideline for hybrid FRPRC beams for optimizing the strength and ductility performance.