• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.733-762
• /
• 2016

Based on a reduced displacement field, a layer-wise (LW) formulation is developed for analysis of thick shell panels which is subjected to axial tension. Employing the principle of minimum total potential energy, the local governing equations of thick panel which is subjected to axial extension are obtained. An analytical method is developed for solution of the governing equations for various edge conditions. The governing equations are solved for free and simply supported edge conditions. The interlaminar stresses in the panel are investigated by means of Hooke's law and also by means of integration of the equilibrium equations of elasticity. Dependency of the result upon the number of numerical layers in the layerwise theory (LWT) is studied. The accuracy of the numerical results is validated by comparison with the results of the finite element method and with other available results in the open literature and good agreement is seen between the results. Numerical results are then presented for the distribution of interlaminar normal and shear stresses within the symmetric and un-symmetric cross-ply thick panels with free and simply supported boundaries. The effects of the geometrical parameters such as radius to thickness and width to thickness ratio are investigated on the distribution of the interlaminar stresses in thick panels.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.357-374
• /
• 2014

The design basis is being shifted from strength to deformation in modern performance-based design codes. This paper presents a practical method for optimization of eccentrically braced steel frames, based on the concept of uniform deformation theory (UDT). This is done by gradually shifting inefficient material from strong parts of the structure to the weak areas until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. In the first part of this paper, UDT is implemented on 3, 5 and 10 story eccentrically braced frames (EBF) subjected to 12 earthquake records representing the design spectrum of ASCE/SEI 7-10. Subsequently, the optimum strength-distribution patterns corresponding to these excitations are determined, and compared with four other loading patterns. Since the optimized frames have uniform distribution of deformation, they undergo less damage in comparison with code-based designed structures while having minimum structural weight. For further investigation, the 10 story EBF is redesigned using four different loading patterns and subjected to 12 earthquake excitations. Then a comparison is made between link rotations of each model and those belonging to the optimized one which revealed that the optimized EBF behaves generally better than those designed by other loading patterns. Finally, efficiency of each loading pattern is evaluated and the best one is determined.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.237-250
• /
• 2020

An accurate plate theory for assessing sandwich structures is of interest in order to provide precise results. Hence, this paper develops Layer-Wise (LW) theory for reaching precise results in terms of buckling and vibration behavior of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite (FG-CNTRC) annular nanoplates. Furthermore, for simulating the structure much more realistic, its edges are elastically restrained against in-plane and transverse displacement. The nano structure is integrated with piezoelectric layers. Four distributions of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) along the thickness direction of the core layer are investigated. The Differential Quadrature Method (DQM) is utilized to solve the motion equations of nano structure subjected to the electric field. The influence of various parameters is depicted on both critical buckling load and frequency of the structure. The accuracy of solution procedure is demonstrated by comparing results with classical edge conditions. The results ascertain that the effects of different distributions of CNTs and their volume fraction are significant on the behavior of the system. Furthermore, the amount of in-plane and transverse spring coefficients plays an important role in the buckling and vibration behavior of the nano-structure and optimization of nano-structure design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.1039-1054
• /
• 2016

This paper presents the dynamic characteristics analysis of the purlin-sheet roofs by the random vibration theories. Results show that the natural vibration frequency of the purlin-sheet roof is low, while the frequencies and mode distributions are very intensive. The random vibration theory should be used for the dynamic characteristics of the roof structures due to complex vibration response. Among the first 20th vibration modes, the first vibration mode is mainly the deformations of purlins, while the rest modes are the overall deformations of the roof. In the following 30th modes, it mainly performs unilateral local deformations of the roof. The frequency distribution of the first 20th modes varies significantly while those of the following 30th modes are relatively sensitive. For different parts, the contributions of vibration modes on the vibration response are different. For the part far from the roof ridge, only considering the first 5th modes can reflect the wind-induced vibration response. For the part near the ridge, at least the first 12 modes should be considered, due to complex vibration response. The wind vibration coefficients of the upwind side are slightly higher than that of the leeward side. Finally, the corresponding wind vibration coefficient for the purlin-sheet roof is proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.975-999
• /
• 2016

This work investigates a thermomechanical bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates by proposing a novel quasi-3D type higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The mathematical model introduces only 5 variables as the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Unlike the conventional HSDT, the present one presents a novel displacement field which includes undetermined integral variables. The mechanical properties of functionally graded layers of the plate are supposed to change in the thickness direction according to a power law distribution. The core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic ceramic material. The governing equations for the thermomechanical bending investigation are obtained through the principle of virtual work and solved via Navier-type method. Interesting results are determined and compared with quasi-3D and 2D HSDTs. The influences of functionally graded material (FGM) layer thickness, power law index, layer thickness ratio, thickness ratio and aspect ratio on the deflections and stresses of functionally graded sandwich plates are discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.91-112
• /
• 2016

In this paper, post-buckling behavior of sandwich plates with functionally graded (FG) face sheets under uniform temperature rise loading is examined based on both sinusoidal shear deformation theory and stress function. It is supposed that the sandwich plate is in contact with an elastic foundation during deformation, which acts in both compression and tension. Thermo-elastic non-homogeneous properties of FG layers change smoothly by the variation of power law within the thickness, and temperature dependency of material constituents is considered in the formulation. In the present development, Von Karman nonlinearity and initial geometrical imperfection of sandwich plate are also taken into account. By employing Galerkin method, analytical solutions of thermal buckling and post-buckling equilibrium paths for simply supported plates are determined. Numerical examples presented in the present study discuss the effects of gradient index, sandwich plate geometry, geometrical imperfection, temperature dependency, and the elastic foundation parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.625-638
• /
• 2017

This paper presents a novel approach that describes the first-order (linear elastic) partial interaction analysis of members formed by multi-components based on the Generalised Beam Theory (GBT). The novelty relies on its ability to accurately model the partial interaction between the different components forming the cross-section in both longitudinal and transverse directions as well as to consider the cross-sectional deformability. The GBT deformations modes, that consist of the conventional, extensional and shear modes, are determined from the dynamic analyses of the cross-section represented by a planar frame. The partial interaction is specified at each connection interface between two adjacent elements by means of a shear deformable spring distributed along the length of the member. The ease of use of the model is outlined by an application performed on a multi-component member subjected to an eccentric load. The values calculated with an ABAQUS finite element model are used to validate the proposed method. The results of the numerical applications outline the influence of specifying different rigidities for the interface shear connection and in using different order of polynomials for the shape functions specified in the finite element cross-section analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.67 no.1
• /
• pp.21-31
• /
• 2018

In this work, the dynamic stability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced composite pipes conveying pulsating fluid flow is investigated. The pipe is surrounded by viscoelastic medium containing spring, shear and damper coefficients. Due to the existence of CNTs, the pipe is subjected to a 2D magnetic field. The radial induced force by pulsating fluid is obtained by the Navier-Stokes equation. The equivalent characteristics of the nanocomposite structure are calculated using Mori-Tanaka model. Based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) or Mindlin theory, energy method and Hamilton's principle, the motion equations are derived. Using harmonic differential quadrature method (HDQM) in conjunction with the Bolotin's method, the dynamic instability region (DIR) of the system is calculated. The effects of different parameters such as volume fraction of CNTs, magnetic field, boundary conditions, fluid velocity and geometrical parameters of pipe are shown on the DIR of the structure. Results show that with increasing volume fraction of CNTs, the DIR shifts to the higher frequency. In addition, the DIR of the structure will be happened at lower excitation frequencies with increasing the fluid velocity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.99-115
• /
• 2020

This article deals with the dynamic analysis in pad concrete foundation containing Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂) subject to seismic load. In order to control the foundation smartly, a piezoelectric layer covered the foundation. The weight of the building by a column on the foundation is assumed with an external force in the middle of the structure. The foundation is located in soil medium which is modeled by spring elements. The Mori-Tanaka law is utilized for calculating the equivalent mechanical characteristics of the concrete foundation. The Kevin-Voigt model is adopted to take into account the structural damping. The concrete structure is modeled by a thick plate and the governing equations are deduced using Hamilton's principle under the assumption of higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The differential quadrature method (DQM) and the Newmark method are applied to obtain the seismic response. The effects of the applied voltage to the smart layer, agglomeration and volume percent of SiO₂ nanoparticles, damping of the structure, geometrical parameters and soil medium of the structure are assessed on the dynamic response. It has been demonstrated by the numerical results that by applying a negative voltage, the dynamic deflection is reduced significantly. Moreover, silica nanoparticles reduce the dynamic deflection of the concrete foundation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.349-362
• /
• 2018

This paper presents a semi-analytical solution for the creep analysis and life assessment of 304L austenitic stainless steel thick truncated conical shells using multilayered method based on the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The cone is subjected to the non-uniform internal pressure and temperature gradient. Damages are obtained in thick truncated conical shell using Robinson's linear life fraction damage rule, and time to rupture and remaining life assessment is determined by Larson-Miller Parameter (LMP). The creep response of the material is described by Norton's law. In the multilayer method, the truncated cone is divided into n homogeneous disks, and n sets of differential equations with constant coefficients. This set of equations is solved analytically by applying boundary and continuity conditions between the layers. The results obtained analytically have been compared with the numerical results of the finite element method. The results show that the multilayered method based on FSDT has an acceptable amount of accuracy when one wants to obtain radial displacement, radial, circumferential and shear stresses. It is shown that non-uniform pressure has significant influences on the creep damages and remaining life of the truncated cone.