http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25432 2026-05-16T00:43:00Z 2026-05-16T00:43:00Z Abdallah, S Rees, DWA Fan, M http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33280 2026-05-14T02:00:38Z 2026-04-20T00:00:00Z

Title: Impact of loading rate and elevated temperatures on the pull-out behaviour of inclined hooked-end steel fibres embedded in normal and high-strength concrete Authors: Abdallah, S; Rees, DWA; Fan, M Abstract: The coupled effects of loading rate, fibre inclination, and post-fire exposure on the pull-out behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) remain insufficiently quantified. This study experimentally investigates the pull-out response of hooked-end steel fibres embedded in normal and high-strength concretes under quasi-static, intermediate (seismic), and impact loading, before and after thermal exposure up to 600°C. Single-fibre tests were conducted over inclination angles from 0° to 60° and slip rates from 0.018 to 1800 mm/s, generating a comprehensive dataset of 120 tests. Results show pronounced rate sensitivity, progressive bond degradation beyond 400°C, and strong inclination effects, with high angles inducing severe spalling and strength loss, particularly in high-strength concrete. Based on these findings, a unified analytical model is proposed incorporating snubbing, rate-dependent amplification, thermal degradation, and high-angle damage. The model accurately predicts peak pull-out loads across all loading regimes, providing a robust framework for SFRC assessment under combined impact and post-fire loading. Description: Highlights: • Rate sensitivity observed across quasi-static, seismic, and impact loading. • Bond degradation beyond 400 °C, severe spalling in high-strength concrete. • Novel interaction of fibre inclination with temperature and loading rate, compounding effects on pull‑out capacity. • Unified model predicts pull-out loads under combined impact and post-fire.; Data availability: The data that has been used is confidential.

2026-04-20T00:00:00Z He, J Zhao, P Han, D Lv, K Rao, J Ye, X Ruan, G Guo, F Fan, M Zhao, W http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33278 2026-05-14T02:00:40Z 2026-04-24T00:00:00Z

Title: Engineering Microporous Bamboo-Derived Carbons via Alkaline Activation for Formaldehyde Adsorption in Building Environments Authors: He, J; Zhao, P; Han, D; Lv, K; Rao, J; Ye, X; Ruan, G; Guo, F; Fan, M; Zhao, W Abstract: This study presents a systematic evaluation of bamboo-derived activated carbons (ACs) prepared using three alkaline activating agents-KOH, KHCO3, and K2CO3-for efficient formaldehyde adsorption. The pore structures of the resulting ACs were modulated by varying the alkali-to-carbon (A/C) ratio from 1:1 to 4:1, and the effects on microstructure and adsorption performance were thoroughly investigated. Among all samples, AC-MB@KOH(3) demonstrated superior performance, featuring a high specific surface area of 2141.77 m2/g and a removal efficiency of 90%, attributed to its rich microporous texture and well-developed hierarchical porosity. Comparative analysis revealed that the activation strength and decomposition behavior of different alkaline agents critically influenced pore formation dynamics and gas diffusion pathways. Correlation analysis indicated a strong linear relationship between formaldehyde removal efficiency and micropore volume (R2 = 0.87), emphasizing the pivotal role of micropores in gas molecule capture. These findings underscore the advantages of strong alkaline activation and offer a theoretical foundation for designing high-efficiency, biomass-derived porous adsorbents for indoor air purification applications. Description: Availability of Data and Materials: Data available on request from the authors.

2026-04-24T00:00:00Z Yang, J Wang, Y Qin, Y Fan, M Du, G Xia, Y Zhou, X Zhou, Y Liao, J http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33277 2026-05-14T02:00:40Z 2026-04-30T00:00:00Z

Title: Facile green transformation of alkali lignin via laccase-mediated functionalization for high-performance lignin-based films Authors: Yang, J; Wang, Y; Qin, Y; Fan, M; Du, G; Xia, Y; Zhou, X; Zhou, Y; Liao, J Abstract: Valorising alkali lignin (AL), a biorenewable pulping byproduct, is essential for advancing a circular bio-economy. However, its inherent low reactivity limits its potential as a petroleum-polyol substitute. This study developed a green biocatalytic strategy using Trametes versicolor-derived laccase to activate AL efficiently under mild, environmentally benign conditions. The results demonstrated that this enzymatic modification approach effectively increased the hydroxyl content and chemical accessibility of lignin, facilitating its transformation from a low-value filler into a functional co-polyol. The analysis results also confirmed that the elevated concentration of reactive -OH groups significantly enhanced both the homogeneity and the crosslinking density within the lignin-polyurethane network by reducing steric hindrance. When lignin content reached 30%, the laccase-modified lignin-based films (LMLPFs) exhibited a higher performance in both tensile strength and elasticity modulus compared to unmodified lignin-based films (LPFs), reaching values of 31.49 MPa (increased 25%) and 215.23 MPa (increased 60%), respectively, compared to 25.21 MPa and 134.40 MPa for LPFs. Furthermore, the thermal stability of LMLPFs was also improved, with the decomposition temperature at 5% mass loss (T5%) increasing from 277 ℃ (LPFs) to 280 ℃. By replacing fossil-derived components with enzymatically valorised biopolymers through an energy-efficient process, this work provides a feasible, sustainable pathway for the design of advanced lignin-based biocomposites. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request.

2026-04-30T00:00:00Z Rocha, BS Arranz, I Giacomini, HC Perkins, DM Salvador, GN Novaes, JLC Sánchez‐Botero, JI Agostinho, AA Pompeu, PS Menezes, RF Lustosa‐Costa, SY Ramos, TPA Attayde, JL da Costa Goldbaum, RS Argillier, C Gurgel‐Lourenço, RC Pinto, LM Pessali, TC Rodríguez‐Pérez, MJ Saito, VS http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33248 2026-05-09T02:00:37Z 2026-04-27T00:00:00Z

Title: Invasive Fishes Interact With Temperature to Reshape Community Size Structure Across Climatic Zones Authors: Rocha, BS; Arranz, I; Giacomini, HC; Perkins, DM; Salvador, GN; Novaes, JLC; Sánchez‐Botero, JI; Agostinho, AA; Pompeu, PS; Menezes, RF; Lustosa‐Costa, SY; Ramos, TPA; Attayde, JL; da Costa Goldbaum, RS; Argillier, C; Gurgel‐Lourenço, RC; Pinto, LM; Pessali, TC; Rodríguez‐Pérez, MJ; Saito, VS Abstract: The body size spectrum (or individual size distribution) is a simple yet widely recognized approach that links individual and population traits to community structure and ecosystem functions, making it a valuable indicator of anthropogenic effects. However, the assessment of size spectra in the context of biological invasions remains poorly explored. We investigated the impacts of non‐native (NN) fish invasions on the size structure of 667 lacustrine fish communities across climatic regions (temperate, tropical, and subtropical systems) and the roles of trophic position and temperature in modulating these effects. We found that fish communities under higher invasion pressure exhibit flatter, or less negative, size spectrum exponents. Also, NN species from lower trophic levels can have greater impacts than piscivorous NNs by reshaping size spectra and reducing the overall biomass of native communities. We also observed that piscivore NNs and NNs from lower trophic levels interacted positively with temperature to drive the size spectrum exponent and total biomass of the native communities, respectively. These results can be explained by two main mechanisms: (i) NN piscivores primarily act through size‐selective predation (top–down control), which may be intensified particularly on small prey in warmer lakes, and (ii) NN fish from lower trophic levels primarily act through competition, hence reducing the numerical abundance of small‐sized native fish, which may be more vulnerable in colder and less productive lakes. These mechanisms are leading to flatter size spectrum exponents mainly at higher temperatures and to a decline in the total biomass of the native community, mainly at lower temperatures, effectively reversing the expected temperature–size rule pattern. By disentangling the trophic and temperature‐dependent mechanisms through which NN fishes affect size structure, this study strengthens our ability to anticipate the impact of biological invasions on freshwater communities and their ecosystem functions and services under global change. Description: Data Availability Statement: The data and R code for the main statistical analyses supporting the findings of this study are available at https://zenodo.org/records/19560923 .; Supporting Information is available online at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70884#support-information-section .

2026-04-27T00:00:00Z