Medium Web Research Articles

Enhancing the Shear Capacity of RC Beams with Web Openings in Shear Zones Using Pre-Stressed Fe-SMA Bars: Numerical Study

Openings in the shear span can significantly affect the structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, particularly in terms of shear capacity and crack propagation. This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of strengthening the web opening in the shear zone of RC beams by using iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe-SMA) bars, providing valuable insights for structural engineers and researchers. Numerical analysis with ABAQUS/CAE 2020 software was employed in the current study. The research was divided into six groups of beams with web openings of different lengths (150, 300, and 450 mm), prestressing levels (0%, 30%, and 60%), and reinforcement diameters (14, 18, and 22 mm) of Fe-SMA bars. The results show that the presence of web openings can cause a significant reduction in the cracking and ultimate loads of the beams, with reductions ranging from 11% to 50% and 36% to 48%, respectively. However, by adding pre-stressed Fe-SMA bars around small web openings (100 × 150 mm), the shear capacity of the beam is restored, and the beam exhibits behavior similar to solid beams. Additionally, activating the Fe-SMA bars by 30% and 60% resulted in almost similar cracking loads but improved load-carrying capacity of the beam with small openings by 12% and 9%, respectively, compared to the solid beam. The technique proposed for enhancing shear strength is most effective for beams with small (100 × 150 mm) and medium (100 × 300 mm) web openings as it can restore both the beam’s shear strength and stiffness. However, for beams with larger web openings (100 × 450 mm), the use of activated Fe-SMA beams can recover almost 90% of the solid beam’s shear capacity. Furthermore, reinforcing small openings with Fe-SMA bars of different diameters enhances beam shear capacity and stiffness, while for larger openings, higher Fe-SMA reinforcement ratios could potentially restore the beam’s full strength and stiffness. This study emphasizes the importance of strengthening web openings in RC beams, particularly in shear zones, and provides significant insights into how to strengthen beams with web openings, thereby contributing to developing safer structures. However, further laboratory experiments are recommended to validate, complement and extend the findings of this numerical study.

フレキシブルデバイス作製過程の基板及び印刷面の濡れ性評価

In recent years, attention has been paid to a printed electronics technology for producing a lightweight and flexible flexible device by printing a conductive ink on a thin and flexible continuous medium web. We focused on thin film pressure sensors among flexible devices fabricated by printed electronics technology. Since it was found that ink was played on the substrate and each printing surface when the sensor was fabricated, in this study, the wettability of the substrate and each printing surface in the sensor manufacturing process was evaluated.

Towards a theoretical framework of SPI success factors for small and medium web companies

ContextThe context of this research is software process improvement (SPI) success factors for small and medium Web companies. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework of SPI success factors for small and medium Web companies. MethodThe theoretical framework presented in this study aggregated the results of three previous research phases by applying principles of theoretical integration and comparative analysis. Those three previous phases were all empirical in nature, and comprise: a systematic review of SPI in small and medium Web companies [1,2]; a replication study [3] and a grounded theory-based initial exploratory framework of factors in small and medium Web companies [4]. ResultsThe theoretical framework includes 18 categories of SPI success factors, 148 properties of these categories and 25 corresponding relationships, which bind these categories together. With the help of these relationships, the categories and properties of SPI success factors can be directly translated into a set of guidelines, which can then be used by the practitioners of small and medium Web companies to improve the current state of SPI in their companies and achieve overall company success. ConclusionThe comprehensive theoretical framework of SPI success factors presented herein provides evidence regarding key factors for predicting SPI success for small and medium Web companies. The framework can be used as a baseline for a successful implementation of SPI initiatives in the mentioned domain.

Mobile Hurts, but Only for a Minute: The Impact of Mobility and Time on User Generated Content

The way we communicate is evolving. The latest change may be underway now, brought about by two IT-induced phenomena: The proliferation of user-generated content and the emergence of mobile devices as a viable computing platform. The SoLoMo acronym (i.e., Social, Local, Mobile) – as popularized by John Doerr of venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers – captures the convergence of social and mobile and represents an important frontier of computing. However, due to the fast pace at which this evolution is taking place, our knowledge lags. We need a far richer understanding of the impact that the changing form factor of our new communication devices has on human behavior. We ask: what is the impact of the posting medium (mobile app or Web site) on the length, timing and tone of user-generated content? We investigate these differences in the context of online hotel reviews contributed on TripAdvisor. Our findings have practical and theoretical significance as they shed early light on an emerging phenomenon in social computing. The growing presence and success of visual communication applications (e.g., Instagram, Pinterest) and short burst communication (e.g., text messaging, Twitter, WhatsApp) suggest that there may an ongoing shift in the way humans communicate. This visual and short burst communication is more public and more immediate than traditional interactions. It is therefore critical that we understand the effect of the changing mode of communication on the content of our communication. Future customer generated content may very well be an aggregation of short, focused comments written by the customer during or shortly following the service encounter; understanding the impact of the medium and the mobile platform on individuals’ own evaluations of their experience will be critical to designing effective rating systems.

Software process improvement success factors for small and medium Web companies: A qualitative study

ContextThe context of this research is software process improvement (SPI) in small and medium Web companies. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this paper is to identify software process improvement (SPI) success factors for small and medium Web companies. MethodTo achieve this goal, we conducted semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 21 participants representing 11 different companies in Pakistan, and analyzed the data qualitatively using the Glaserian strand of grounded theory research procedures. The key steps of these procedures that were employed in this research included open coding, focused coding, theoretical coding, theoretical sampling, constant comparison, and scaling up. ResultsAn initial framework of key SPI success factors for small and medium Web companies was proposed, which can be of use for small and medium Web companies engaged in SPI. The paper also differentiates between small and medium Web companies and analyzes crucial SPI requirements for companies operating in the Web development domain. ConclusionThe results of this work, in particular the use of qualitative techniques – allowed us to obtain rich insight into SPI success factors for small and medium Web companies. Future work comprises the validation of the SPI success factors with small and medium Web companies.