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This article explores the use of pitch decks in the development process of television series. Pitch decks, which originated in start-up businesses, have become a popular tool in Hollywood for pitching new ideas to networks and studios. The article discusses the advantages and challenges of using pitch decks in the media industry and highlights their increasing importance in securing funding and development deals. It also provides an example of how a pitch deck played a crucial role in Netflix's decision to greenlight the series Stranger Things. Pitch decks like this are important in the development and acquisition process for TV shows and films, but they are rarely seen or discussed outside of those directly involved in the process. [Extracted from the article]

In this work, the influence of maleic anhydride-treated nanolignin as a coupling agent on the various properties of wood fiber-polypropylene composites was investigated. For this purpose, extracted lignin from Bagasse Soda black liquor was modified with maleic anhydride and then different ratios of unmodified and modified nanolignin (1, 3 and 5 wt%) were added to the wood fiber-polypropylene mixture. The composites were then manufactured by injection molding after mixing mechanically to the wood flour either virgin or maleated nanolignin and polypropylene. Structural and thermal properties of nanolignin after modification by maleic anhydride along with physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured composites were determined according to standard methods. The FTIR analysis indicated nanolignin rearrangements showing that some bonds changed or formed after its modification with maleic anhydride. The glass transition temperature of the nanolignin decreased by esterification from 130°C to 100°C. The panel testing results indicated that all physical and mechanical properties of the composites were continuously improved by increasing the maleated nanolignin content from 1 to 5wt%. Thus, the composites with maleated nanolignin presented higher dimensional stability and mechanical strength compared to those prepared with unmodified nanolignin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that treatment with maleic anhydride improves the uniform dispersion of nanolignin in the polymer matrix. The manufactured WPCs can be used as interior and exterior building materials such as decks, sidings and etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to clarify the flexural behaviors of the Composite Girders of a Prestressed Segmental Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Channel and a Reinforced Conventional Concrete Deck (PSUC-RCCD). The girders can be used as bridge superstructures with the advantages of structural efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and easy construction. A total of five specimens were tested. Three of them were PSUC-RCCD specimens, including two semi-segmental girders (the channel beams were composed of five segments with dry-joints) and one integral girder (the channel beams were integral ones without dry-joints). The two other specimens were P-UHPC girders composed of PSUC and UHPC deck slabs; one was semi-segmental and the other was integral. The flexural behaviors of the specimens were investigated, including the load-displacement curves, crack distribution, cracking moments, and ultimate flexural capacity. The study compared the influence of the segment number and deck material on the flexural behaviors of semi-segmental girders and introduced and validated methods for calculating the cracking moment and flexural capacity of both semi-segmental and integral sections in PSUC-RCCD and P-UHPC girders. The results show that the entire loading process of all the specimens can be classified into the elastic phase, the cracks development phase, and the failure phase. Compared to the integral girders, the number of segments has little effect on the flexural behavior of the semi-segmental girders, but it has a significant effect on the cracking moments. The cracking moments of the semi-segmental girders is only 0.58~0.60 of the integral girders. Reducing the strength of the deck slab by changing the material from UHPC to CC does not significantly affect their flexural behaviors. Based on the test results, this work proposes a method for predicting the cracking moment and flexural capacity of the semi-segmental girders, the results of which fit well with the test results, and it is applicable in the structural design of such members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Buildings in communities near wildlands, in the wildland–urban interface (WUI), can experience wildfire damage. Aims: To quantitatively assess the relationship between building features and damage, a building wildfire resistance index is developed and validated with the 2013–2017 CAL FIRE (DINS) database from California, USA, and the 2017 Pedrógão Grande Fire Complex post-fire investigation from Portugal. Methods: Three statistical dependence tests are compared to evaluate the relationship between selected building features and damage. The Wildfire Resistance Index (WRI), range: [–1, 1], is proposed and validated as a rating for building wildfire susceptibility. Key results: The most correlated features to wildfire damage are the presence of vent screens and deck materials in California, and exterior walls material and deck materials in Portugal. For Portugal, as WRI increases by 50%, linear regression estimates a 48% decrease in proportion of highly damaged buildings, and a 42% increase in proportion of low damage buildings (R 2 of 0.93 and 0.90, respectively). A total of 65% of California buildings with WRI = 1 were destroyed, compared to average 85% for WRI ≥−0.33. Conclusions: The WRI quantifies the wildfire damage experienced by buildings in two diverse WUI regions. Implications: The WRI could be used as an estimator of wildfire damage but it needs further development. This paper presents a statistical analysis of two post-fire building inspection databases of wildland–urban interface (WUI) damage in California and Portugal. Results compare considered building features' relative correlation to damage, and propose the Wildfire Resistance Index: an index applied to the vulnerability of WUI buildings to wildfire ignition and damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete structures cannot efficiently perform their functions over time due to chemical and physical external effects. Thus, enhancing the relationship between repair and aged structures, and also improving the durability properties of concrete is crucial in terms of sustainability. However, high costs, negative environmental effects, and incompatibility problems occur in repair/retrofit applications. Furthermore, three-quarters of the failures in the repaired/retrofitted structures are caused by a lack of repair durability. The need for repair in pavement/bridge decks is also frequently encountered, and early-age performance problems with repair materials cause pavement/bridge decks to be unavailable for certain periods of time. Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) can be effectively used as repair/retrofit and pavement/bridge deck material. It also has a minimal need for repair/retrofit thanks to its high durability properties. This article presents state-of-the-art research regarding the application of ECC as a repair/retrofit and pavement/bridge deck material. Studies in the literature show that the repair/retrofit properties of ECC outperform conventional concrete and steel fiber-reinforced concrete. ECC can be a solution to high early strength and drying shrinkage problems frequently encountered in the use of repair materials. It could also be used for different repair applications such as cast, sprayed, and trenchless rehabilitation. Moreover, ECC might fulfill specific requirements for pavement, pavement overlay, tunnel pavement, airfield pavement, and bridge deck. These superior performances are attributed to ECC's kink-crack trapping mechanism, uniquely large inelastic strain capacity, strain hardening, high tensile strain capacity, and multiple microcracking and ductile behaviors, especially bonding behavior and self-healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy asphalt is widely utilized for steel bridge deck pavement due to its excellent performance. However, its inherent brittleness makes the pavement layer prone to cracking under low-temperature loading conditions. Numerous studies have been conducted to explore singular modification methods, yet the issue remains unresolved. This review summarizes the research progress on multiple mechanisms and strategies for toughening epoxy asphalt materials. It discusses representative studies involving modifiers such as rubber elastomers, thermoplastic polymers, hyperbranched polyesters, and fibers introduced at various levels including epoxy resin, epoxy asphalt, and epoxy asphalt concrete. The review elaborates on multiscale mechanisms including enhanced damping, cooperative deformation, increased flexibility of the framework, and cooperative stress relaxation. The results indicate that while single modification methods contribute to enhancing the toughness of epoxy asphalt materials, multi-level, multi-mechanism modifications are superior to singular modifications. Looking ahead, the design of functionalized nano-reinforcement materials and multi-component interface-compatible adjustive materials holds promise for enhancing the performance of epoxy asphalt composites to meet increasingly stringent infrastructure demands. This research provides a new perspective for the comprehensive optimization of multifunctional composite materials. • This review summarizes the research progress on multiple mechanisms and strategies for toughening epoxy asphalt. • This review proposes that multi-level toughening modification methods are superior to single modification methods. • This review provides a new perspective for the comprehensive optimization of multifunctional composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot-mix epoxy asphalt has superior performance as bridge deck pavement material. However, its high cost hinders the application of epoxy asphalt in road pavement. This study investigated the effects of epoxy resin contents on epoxy asphalt performance, aiming to seek out a cost-effective proportion. Specifically, the macromechanical properties, chemical compositions, and microstructure transformation of epoxy asphalt were evaluated by a tensile and viscosity test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test, and fluorescence microscopy test, respectively. Finally, a brief cost analysis was conducted. Results indicate that when the epoxy resin content exceeds or equals 40%, both tensile strength and elongation of epoxy asphalt meet the performance requirements regulated in the specification. In addition, the enhanced epoxy resin content may also boost the viscosity-increasing rate of epoxy asphalt, especially at high temperatures. Furthermore, the areas of 1,085, 1,108, and 1,118 cm−1 wavenumbers of epoxy asphalt infrared spectrum demonstrate good positive correlations with the epoxy resin contents. Besides, according to the fluorescence microscopy test result, after the curing process, the initial spherical epoxy resin particles tend to agglomerate, and a cross-linked spatial structure may form when the epoxy resin content exceeds or equals 40 wt%. Finally, combining the performance and cost analysis, the 40 wt% epoxy resin content can achieve a good balance between the material cost and pavement performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In curtain wall applications, anchor channels are frequently installed near the edge of composite slabs with profiled steel decking. The complex concrete geometry of these floor slabs affects the capacity of all concrete failure modes, but there are currently no guidelines or investigations available on this topic. The main objective of the present research is to investigate how the position of anchor channels and the complex slab geometry influence the tensile capacity of anchor channels. For this purpose, an extensive numerical parametric study was performed using the 3D nonlinear FE code MASA, which is based on the microplane constitutive model. In order to validate the numerical results, an experimental program was carried out for some of the configurations possible in practice. Based on the results, recommendations are given for the reduction in the tensile capacity of anchor channels in composite slabs with profiled steel decking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Support vessels for platforms in the oil industry have operation versatility and capacity for structural modification. This article presents a proposal for the installation of a crawler crane on the main deck of a platform support vessel, which will carry out offshore maintenance operations. This proposal includes the results of the structural analysis of the main deck, considering its reinforcement with two NVA36 beams. This structural analysis incorporates the integrity of the main deck, taking into account the crane and loads through finite element method (FEM) models. The obtained results show that the main deck requires the proposed reinforcement to decrease the maximum stresses of von Mises up to 218.71 MPa for the structure of the main deck and 201.67 MPa for the reinforcement beams. These maximum stresses do not exceed the allowable and yield stresses of the main deck material. The reinforcement of the main deck that supports crawler crane allows safe operation of the offshore support vessel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further promote the research and application of resin type waterproof adhesive layer materials, the types, relevant specifications, and research trends of resin type waterproof adhesive layer in China are comprehensively investigated. The performance evaluation indicators, performance requirement, and requirements in different specifications are systematically analyzed, and the key performance evaluation indicators are recommended. The basic properties of common resin type waterproof adhesive layer materials are studied, and the bonding properties of different resin waterproof adhesive layers were compared and evaluated. The results showed that pull-out strength, shear strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, low temperature flexibility, and impermeability are the key performance evaluation indicators of resin waterproof adhesive layer. The tensile property, corrosion resistance, and water impermeability of resin type waterproof adhesive layer material are good, the flexibility of epoxy resin type waterproof adhesive layer material is poor, and the flexibility of methyl methacrylate (MMA) waterproof adhesive layer material is good. The bonding performance of the epoxy resin waterproof adhesive layer is better than that of the MMA. As the temperature rises, the bonding performance of the two waterproof adhesive layers is significantly reduced. At 60°C, the average pull-out strengths of the epoxy resin and MMA waterproof adhesive layer were 1.83 MPa and 1.47 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) decks have been widely used in the rehabilitation and construction of bridges as a replacement for conventional deck materials, such as steel, concrete, and wood. In this study, an analysis method for checking the local safety of joints in adhesively connected GFRP decks under bidirectional bending due to traffic wheel loads is newly presented. This method can be applied for designing and evaluating the joints of other FRP decks. The orthotropic material properties of the deck were approximately assumed according to the test results and previous research. Three-dimensional solid elements were used to simulate the local behavior of the adhesive and deck substrates at the joints. Global deflections of the deck and local deformations of the adhesive were evaluated for serviceability. The local stresses in the adhesive and deck substrate are evaluated at the joint to check for local failure modes of the joint under serviceability and ultimate limit states. The analysis results indicate that local failures of the adhesive and deck substrate at the joint occurred. Recommendations for avoiding these local failures and performing more precise analysis are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the dynamic response of a new type penetrating missile in rotary attacking warship. The dynamic response characteristics of the penetrator become more complex when attacking the ship target due to the special materials of the deck such as stiffeners. Therefore, different from attacking other targets, the article reveals the design rules of precession penetration ammunition and fuze. A physical model of the missile target is established to study the numerical simulation of the penetration process of rotating projectile into a stiffened target based on finite element analysis (FEA) software. We studied the dynamic response characteristics of different projectile positions, rotational speeds, and positions that act in precession penetration. As experimental results show, the residual velocity of the precession penetrator decreases with the distance between the projectile point and stiffener. When the projectile penetrates the second target plate, the acceleration is greater than that in the first layer. It is proved that the deflection angle of the shell body is affected by comprehensive factors. The rotational speed in the projectile has less contribution to precession penetration ammunition. In addition, the change of acceleration in the missile's central section can be significantly perceived in the direction perpendicular to the penetration direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic insulation optimization of the ship decks to contain impact noise is generally obtained by adopting suitable types of viscoelastic resilient materials. For this purpose, it is necessary to be able to make a correct choice of material. This is obtained by experimentally identifying the vibro-acoustic behavior of the combined semi-reverberant room and floor system according to an ISO standard (ISO 16283-2). These tests are generally onerous as they require the availability of the floor with both trimmed and untrimmed configurations. In addition, qualified technicians are needed to correctly spread the material on the floor. Finally, after the test has ended, the material must be removed and disposed of properly. To reduce this wasted time and cost, in this paper, a new methodology is proposed that predicts the vibro-acoustic behavior of the floor and viscoelastic material assembled together starting from separate dynamic information of the two components. Once these two elements are properly experimentally identified, the proposed method foresees the vibro-acoustic response of the overall system in presence of an impact footfall excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges of the substantial self-weight in prefabricated bridge deck slabs, the presence of numerous scattered steel beam components, and the low durability of bridge deck slabs have long been difficult issues to address in the context of traditional prefabricated steel-normal concrete (NC) composite girder bridges with flat steel webs. This paper proposes a solution through the optimization of structural forms and material properties by introducing a novel structural configuration as prefabricated steel-laminated concrete (LC) composite girder bridges with corrugated steel webs. The flat steel webs were substituted with corrugated steel webs, and the LC bridge deck slab was composed of a NC layer and an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) layer. This paper conducted three groups of experimental tests to comparatively analyze the effects of web forms and bridge deck materials on the flexural performance of composite beams. The results indicate that, under the conditions of consistent beam height and steel usage, composite beams with corrugated steel webs have fewer steel components, better stability, and smaller difference in bearing capacity compared to composite beams with flat steel webs. Compared with NC bridge deck slab, laminated bridge deck slab can increase the stiffness and bearing capacity of composite beam by about 13%, and the thickness of the bridge deck slab can be reduced by 20%. Furthermore, this paper presents a shear connection degree calculation method suitable for composite beams with corrugated steel webs, which effectively reduces the number of connectors. • I-beams with corrugated steel webs have similar load-carrying capacity and better stability to flat web beams. • The flexural contribution of the corrugated steel web cannot be ignored. • UHPC-NC laminated bridge deck slab increases the flexural capacity of composite beams by at least 13%. • The shear connection degree of steel-laminated concrete composite beams should be at least 0.85. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UHPFRC has been increasingly used as a bridge deck overlay material. Since bridge decks are exposed to severe mechanical action and harsh environmental conditions, the application of UHPFRC to bridge decks is an effective and wise utilization of UHPFRC's excellent properties such as high strength and low permeability. This paper presents the result of a full-scale fatigue test of a reinforced concrete (RC) deck slab overlaid with UHPFRC (UHPFRC – RC composite deck slab) using a moving wheel load. The fatigue behavior of the UHPFRC – RC composite deck slab was analyzed using measurement data from the experimental test and discussed. The failure mode of the UHPFRC – RC composite deck slab was punching shear accompanied by near-interface concrete cracking and double curvature bending of the UHPFRC layer. The fatigue life of the UHPFRC – RC composite deck slab was estimated using an existing S - N relation of RC deck slabs subjected to moving wheel loads and a 30 mm thick UHPFRC overlay was found to increase the fatigue life of RC deck slabs by about five times. • Full-scale fatigue test of a UHPFRC – RC composite deck slab using a moving wheel load. • Strengthening RC deck slabs with a 30 mm thick UHPFRC overlay enhances fatigue life by five times. • The composite deck slab fails in punching shear under moving wheel fatigue loads. • The fatigue failure mechanism of the composite deck slab is explained using the concepts of beam action and arch action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon footprint over the life cycle is one of the most common environmental performance indicators. In recent years, several wood material producers have published environmental product declarations (EPDs) according to the EN 15804, which makes it possible to compare the carbon footprint of product alternatives. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of service life aspects by comparing the carbon footprint of treated wood decking products with similar performance expectations. The results showed that the modified wood products had substantially larger carbon footprints during manufacturing than preservative-treated decking materials. Replacement of modified wood during service life creates a huge impact on life cycle carbon footprint, while maintenance with oil provided a large contribution for preservative-treated decking. Hence, service life and maintenance intervals are crucial for the performance ranking between products. The methodological issues to be aware of are: how the functional unit specifies the key performance requirements for the installed product, and whether full replacement is the best modeling option in cases where the decking installation is close to the end of the required service life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]