• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.219-229
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• 2019

This paper presents an experimental study on the structural performance of an innovative ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) deck with coarse aggregate of composite bridge under shear force. Test parameters included curing method and shear span-to-height ratio. Test results indicated that more short fine cracks developed beside the existing cracks due to the randomly dispersed fibers, resulting in re-distributing and homogenizing of the concrete stress beside cracks and allowing for the occurrence of more cracks with small spacing compared to normal strength concrete beams. Curing methods, incorporating steam curing and natural curing, did not have obvious effect on the nominal bending cracking strength and the ultimate strength of the test specimens. Shear reinforcement need not be provided for UHPFRC decks with a fiber volume fraction of 2%. UHPFRC decks showed superior load resistance ability after the appearance of cracks and excellent post-cracking deformability. Lastly, the current shear provisions were evaluated by the test results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2019

In this study, carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites were interleaved with aramid nonwoven veils with an areal weight density of $8.5g/m^2$ to improve their Mode-I fracture toughness. The control and aramid interleaved CF/EP composite laminates were manufactured by VARTM in a [0]4 configuration. Tensile, three-point bending, compression, interlaminar shear, Charpy impact and Mode-I (DCB) fracture toughness values were determined to evaluate the effects of aramid nonwoven fabrics on the mechanical performance of the CF/EP composites. Thermomechanical behavior of the specimens was investigated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results showed that the propagation Mode-I fracture toughness values of CF/EP composites can be significantly improved (by about 72%) using aramid nonwoven fabrics. It was found that the main extrinsic toughening mechanism is aramid microfiber bridging acting behind the crack-tip. The incorporation of these nonwovens also increased interlaminar shear and Charpy impact strength by 10 and 16.5%, respectively. Moreover, it was revealed that the damping ability of the composites increased with the incorporation of aramid nonwoven fabrics in the interlaminar region of composites. On the other hand, they caused a reduction in in-plane mechanical properties due to the reduced carbon fiber volume fraction, increased thickness and void formation in the composites.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.195-208
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• 2019

Based on a four-variable shear deformation shell theory, the free vibration analysis of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite (FGGPRC) doubly-curved shallow shells with different boundary conditions is investigated in this work. The doubly-curved shells are composed of multi nanocomposite layers that are reinforced with graphene platelets. The graphene platelets are uniformly distributed in each individual layer. While, the volume faction of the graphene is graded from layer to other in accordance with a novel distribution law. Based on the suggested distribution law, four types of FGGPRC doubly-curved shells are studied. The present shells are assumed to be rested on elastic foundations. The material properties of each layer are calculated using a micromechanical model. Four equations of motion are deduced utilizing Hamilton's principle and then converted to an eigenvalue problem employing an analytical method. The obtained results are checked by introducing some comparison examples. A detailed parametric investigation is performed to illustrate the influences of the distribution type of volume fraction, shell curvatures, elastic foundation stiffness and boundary conditions on the vibration of FGGPRC doubly-curved shells.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.455-471
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• 2021

The present work focuses on experimental and numerical performance of the ferrocement RC walls reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh and tensar mesh individually. The experimental program comprised twelve RC walls having the dimensions of 450 mm×100 mm×1000 mm under concentric compression loadings. The studied variables are the type of reinforcing materials, the number of mesh layers and volume fraction of reinforcement. The main aim is to assess the influence of engaging the new inventive materials in reinforcing the composite RC walls. Non-linear finite element analysis; (NLFEA) was carried out to simulate the behavior of the composite walls employing ANSYS-10.0 Software. Parametric study is also demonstrated to check out the variables that can mainly influence the mechanical behavior of the model such as the change of wall dimensions. The obtained numerical results indicated the acceptable accuracy of FE simulations in the estimation of experimental values. In addition, the strength gained of specimens reinforced with welded steel mesh was higher by amount 40% compared with those reinforced with expanded steel mesh. Ferrocement specimens tested under axial compression loadings exhibit superior ultimate loads and energy absorbing capacity compared to the conventional reinforced concrete one.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.797-808
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• 2022

This paper presents an investigation on the free vibration characteristics of functionally graded nanocomposite double-beams reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The double-beams coupled by an interlayer spring, resting on the elastic foundation with a linear layer and shear layer, and is simply supported in thermal environments. The SWCNTs gradient distributed in the thickness direction of the beam forms different reinforcement patterns. The materials properties of the functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTRC) are estimated by rule of mixture. The first order shear deformation theory and Euler-Lagrange variational principle are employed to derive the motion equations incorporating the thermal effects. The vibration characteristics under several patterns of reinforcement are presented and discussed. We conducted a series of studies aimed at revealing the effects of the spring stiffness, environment temperature, thickness ratios and carbon nanotube volume fraction on the nature frequency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.553-563
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• 2023

In the current research, the nonlinear free vibrations of curved pipes made of functionally graded (FG) carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) materials are investigated. It is assumed that the FG-CNTRC curved pipe is supported on a three-parameter nonlinear elastic foundation and is subjected to a uniform temperature rise. Properties of the curved nanocomposite pipe are distributed across the radius of the pipe and are given by means of a refined rule of mixtures approach. It is also assumed that all thermomechanical properties of the nanocomposite pipe are temperature-dependent. The governing equations of the curved pipe are obtained using a higher order shear deformation theory, where the traction free boundary conditions are satisfied on the top and bottom surfaces of the pipe. The von Kármán type of geometrical non-linearity is included into the formulation to consider the large deflection in the curved nanocomposite pipe. For the case of nanocomposite curved pipes which are simply supported in flexure and axially immovable, the motion equations are solved using the two-step perturbation technique. The closed-form expressions are provided to obtain the small- and large-amplitude frequencies of FG-CNTRC curved pipes rested on a nonlinear elastic foundation in thermal environment. Numerical results are given to explore the effects of CNT distribution pattern, the CNT volume fraction, thermal environment, nonlinear foundation stiffness, and geometrical parameters on the fundamental linear and nonlinear frequencies of the curved nanocomposite pipe.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.477-491
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• 2022

In the present study, the effects of thermal loading on the buckling and resonance frequency of graphene platelets (GPL) reinforced nano-composites are examined. Functionally graded (FG) material properties are considered in thickness direction for the thermal responses of the composite. The equivalent material properties are obtained using Halphin-Tsai nano-mechanical model for composite layers. Moreover, the effects of nano-scale sizes are taken into account, employing functionally modified couple stress (FMCS) parameter. In this regard, for the first time, it is demonstrated that at certain values of GPL weight fraction, thermal buckling occurs. In obtaining results of vibrational behavior, both analytical solution and deep neural network (DNN) methods are used. The DNN method needs low computational costs to predict the resonance behavior. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted to indicate the effects of several geometrical, material, and loading conditions on the vibrational and buckling behavior of cylindrical shell structures made of GPL-nanocomposites. It is shown that the effect of temperature change on the occurrence of buckling is vital while it has a negligible impact on the resonance frequency of the structure. Moreover, the size-dependency of the results is demonstrated, and it cannot be neglected in nano-scales.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.475-493
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• 2022

The results of research focusing on the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement RC beams with openings reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh, and polyethylene mesh independently are presented in this article. Casting and testing of fourteen reinforced concrete beams with dimensions of 200×100×2000 mm under concentric compression loadings were part of the research program. The type of reinforcing materials, the volume fraction of reinforcement, the number of mesh layers, and the number of stirrups are the major parameters that change. The main goal is to understand the impact of using new appealing materials in reinforcing RC beams with openings. Using ANSYS-16.0 Software, nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was used to demonstrate the behavior of composite RC beams with openings. A parametric study is also conducted to discuss the variables that can have the greatest impact on the mechanical behavior of the proposed model, such as the number of openings. The obtained experimental and numerical results demonstrated the FE simulations' acceptable accuracy in estimating experimental values. Furthermore, demonstrating that the strength gained of specimens reinforced with fiber glass meshes was reduced by approximately 38% when compared to specimens reinforced with expanded or welded steel meshes is significant. In addition, when compared to welded steel meshes, using expanded steel meshes in reinforcing RC beams with openings results in a 16 percent increase in strength. In general, when ferrocement beams with openings are tested under concentric loadings, they show higher-level ultimate loads and energy-absorbing capacity than traditional RC beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.6
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• pp.793-815
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• 2023

The current study looks at the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement RC channel slabs reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, and fiber glass mesh individually. Ten RC channel slabs with dimensions of 500 mm×40 mm×2500 mm were subjected to flexural loadings as part of the testing program. The type of reinforcing materials, the number of mesh layers, and the reinforcement volume fraction are the key parameters that can be changed. The main goal is to determine the impact of using new inventive materials to reinforce composite RC channel slabs. Using ANSYS -16.0 Software, nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was used to simulate the behavior of composite channel slabs. Parametric study is also demonstrated to identify variables that can have a significant impact on the model's mechanical behavior, such as changes in slab dimensions. The obtained experimental and numerical results indicated that FE simulations had acceptable accuracy in estimating experimental values. Also, it's significant to demonstrate that specimens reinforced with fiber glass meshes gained approximately 12% less strength than specimens reinforced with expanded or welded steel meshes. In addition, Welded steel meshes provide 24% increase in strength over expanded steel meshes when reinforcing RC channel slabs. In general, ferrocement specimens tested under flexural loadings outperform conventional reinforced concrete specimens in terms of ultimate loads and energy absorbing capacity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.3
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• pp.265-281
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• 2024

The sound radiation responses of multi-layer composite plates subjected to harmonic mechanical excitation in hygrothermal environment is numerically investigated. A homogenized micromechanical finite element (FE) based on the higher-order mid-plane kinematics replicating quadratic function as well as the through the thickness stretching effect together with the indirect boundary element (IBE) scheme has been first time employed. The isoparametric Lagrangian element (ten degrees of freedom per node) is used for discretization to attain the hygro-thermo-elastic natural frequencies and the modes of the plate via Hamilton's principle. The effective material properties under combined hygrothermal loading are considered via a micromechanical model. An IBE method is then implemented to attain structure-surrounding coupling and the Helmholtz wave equation is solved to compute the sound radiation responses. The effectiveness of the model is tested by converging it with the similar analytical/numerical results as well as the experimentally acquired data. The present scheme is further hold out for solving diverse numerical illustrations. The results revealed the relevance of the current higher-order FE-IBE micromechanical model in realistic estimation of hygro-thermo-acoustic responses. The geometrical parameters, volume fraction of fiber, layup, and support conditions alongside the hygrothermal load is found to have significant influence on the vibroacoustic characteristics.