Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (Research Outputs)
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Item Comparative analysis of coal and coal-shale intrinsic factors affecting spontaneous combustion(Springer Open, 2018-09) Onifade, M.; Genc, B.Coal and coal-shales tend to undergo spontaneous combustion under favourable atmospheric conditions. Spontaneous combustion liability index and intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales varies between (above and below) coal seams. The spontaneous combustion liability index (obtained from the Wits-Ehac Index) and intrinsic properties (obtained from proximate, ultimate, and petrographic analysis) of fourteen samples representative of in situ coal (bituminous) and fourteen coal-shales obtained in Witbank coalfield, South Africa were experimentally studied. Comparative analysis of the relationships between the spontaneous combustion liability index and intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales were established to evaluate their effects on self-heating potential. The intrinsic properties show linear relationship with spontaneous combustion liability and therefore, identifies the factors affecting spontaneous combustion of these materials. The influence of coal-shales intrinsic properties towards spontaneous combustion liability shows higher correlation coefficients than the coals. Both coals and coal-shales show inertinite maceral as major constituents than the vitrinite and liptinite macerals, hence the reactivity of inertinite macerals may show greater influence on spontaneous combustion liability. A definite positive or negative trends exists between the intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability index. This research is part of a larger project which is considering the influence of intrinsic properties of coals and coal-shales on spontaneous combustion liability.Item Modelling spontaneous combustion liability of carbonaceous materials(Springer Open, 2018-06) Onifade, M.; Genc, B.This paper presents predictive models to determine spontaneous combustion liability of carbonaceous materials (coals and coal-shales) using statistical analysis. The intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability index were determined by testing 14 coals and 14 coal-shales from Witbank coalfields, South Africa. The relationship between these intrinsic properties (obtained from proximate, ultimate and petrographic analysis) and spontaneous combustion liability indices (the Wits-Ehac Index and Wits-CT Index) were established. The influence of the intrinsic properties of coal-shales in relation to coal properties affecting spontaneous combustion has been established using a statistical method. The linear regression analysis indicates better linear relationships between some of the selected intrinsic properties and spontaneous combustion liability index and thus, identifies the major intrinsic factors affecting their liability toward spontaneous combustion. It was found that a definite positive or negative correlation coefficient exists between the intrinsic factors and spontaneous combustion liability. A set of models to predict the spontaneous combustion liability was derived. The best significant correlation along with the most appropriate model as indicated by R-squared values, the coefficient of correlations and standard error was used to predict the incident of spontaneous combustion.Item Optimizing Structures with Semi‑Rigid Connections Using the Principle of Virtual Work(Springer, 2018-04) Elvin, Alex; Strydom, JohnnieIn this paper, the virtual work optimization method (VWOM) has been generalised to consider structures with semi-rigid connections. The VWOM is an automated method that minimizes the mass of a structure with a given geometry, multiple deflection criteria, and load cases while adhering to design code requirements. In the optimization process, members are selected from a discrete database to meet all strength and stiffness criteria. Connections are modelled using rotational springs, allowing some moment transfer. The rotational stiffness of each connection can be varied from rigid to pinned. The example of a pitched roof frame is used to explain the method. Two case studies are considered: (i) (i) a three-storey two-bay and (ii) a four-storey three-bay office building. The VWOM produced results up to 26.7% lighter than results in the literature. Furthermore, the structures were optimized for a range of rotational stifness, where all connections in the structure were assumed to have the same rotational stiffness. Characteristic jumps in the optimized mass versus rotational stiffness were observed.Item Phase proportions, carbon equivalent, mechanical properties and their effect on material cost of railway axle steels(Springer, 2018-04) Klenam, D.E.P.; Chown, L.H.; Papo, M.J.; Cornish, L.A.Commuter trains with solid axle configuration are produced from medium carbon steel due to cost restrictions. High-speed trains have hollow axle configuration for reduced weight and are made from high strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels. The HSLA steels have higher amounts of C, Cr, Ni, Mo, V and Nb, and are more expensive than medium carbon steels. The effects of phase proportions, carbon equivalent (CE), yield strength and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) on material costs of existing railway axle steels were studied using Thermo-Calc. Medium carbon rail axle steels had higher Fe3C phase proportions than the HSLA steel rail axle grades. Higher affinity of Cr, Mo and V for C than Fe resulted in decreased cementite proportions. The HSLA steels had yield strengths above 370 MPa, and UTS above 750 MPa, with increased material cost above $3300 per ton. A scattered distribution was observed for the pearlite weight fraction and material costs, with most between $3200 and $3400. The yield and tensile strengths increased with increasing carbon equivalent and pearlite weight fraction. The data aided the selection and design of alloys with better mechanical and corrosion properties at reduced material cost.Item Architectural education @ different scales: Symposium 2016(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2018) Architectural Education ForumNot available