• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.641-665
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• 2015

In this paper, a simple and efficient phenomenological macroscopic one-dimensional model is proposed which is able to simulate main features of shape memory alloys (SMAs) particularly ferro-elasticity effect. The constitutive model is developed within the framework of thermodynamics of irreversible processes to simulate the one-dimensional behavior of SMAs under uniaxial simple tension-compression as well as pure torsion+/- loadings. Various functions including linear, cosine and exponential functions are introduced in a unified framework for the martensite transformation kinetics and an analytical description of constitutive equations is presented. The presented model can be used to reproduce primary aspects of SMAs including transformation/orientation of martensite phase, shape memory effect, pseudo-elasticity and in particular ferro-elasticity. Experimental results available in the open literature for uniaxial tension, torsion and bending tests are simulated to validate the present SMA model in capturing the main mechanical characteristics. Due to simplicity and accuracy, it is expected the present SMA model will be instrumental toward an accurate analysis of SMA components in various engineering structures particularly when the ferro-elasticity is obvious.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.707-727
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• 2016

In this paper, thermal vibration of a nonlocal functionally graded (FG) plates with arbitrary boundary conditions under linear and non-linear temperature fields is explored by developing a refined shear deformation plate theory with an inverse cotangential function in which shear deformation effect was involved without the need for shear correction factors. The material properties of FG nanoplate are considered to be temperature-dependent and graded in the thickness direction according to the Mori-Tanaka model. On the basis of non-classical higher order plate model and Eringen's nonlocal elasticity theory, the small size influence was captured. Numerical examples show the importance of non-uniform thermal loadings, boundary conditions, gradient index, nonlocal parameter and aspect and side-to-thickness ratio on vibrational responses of size-dependent FG nanoplates.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2012

In this study, a neural network (NN) modeling approach has been used to predict the mechanical and geometrical behaviors of mouse embryo cells. Two NN models have been implemented. In the first NN model dimple depth (w), dimple radius (a) and radius of the semi-circular curved surface of the cell (R) were used as inputs of the model while indentation force (f) was considered as output. In the second NN model, indentation force (f), dimple radius (a) and radius of the semi-circular curved surface of the cell (R) were considered as inputs of the model and dimple depth was predicted as the output of the model. In addition, sensitivity analysis has been carried out to investigate the influence of the significance of input parameters on the mechanical behavior of mouse embryos. Experimental data deduced by Fl$\ddot{u}$ckiger (2004) were collected to obtain training and test data for the NN. The results of these investigations show that the correlation values of the test and training data sets are between 0.9988 and 1.0000, and are in good agreement with the experimental observations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.227-245
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• 2013

The term "constructability" in regard to cast-in-place concrete construction refers mainly to the ease of reinforcing steel placement. Bar congestion complicates steel placement, hinders concrete placement and as a result leads to improper consolidation of concrete around bars affecting the integrity of the structure. In this paper, a multi-objective approach, based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is developed for optimal design of reinforced concrete cantilever retaining walls, considering minimization of the economic cost and reinforcing bar congestion as the objective functions. The structural model to be optimized involves 35 design variables, which define the geometry, the type of concrete grades, and the reinforcement used. The seismic response of the retaining walls is investigated using the well-known Mononobe-Okabe analysis method to define the dynamic lateral earth pressure. The results obtained from numerical application of the proposed framework demonstrate its capabilities in solving the present multi-objective optimization problem.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.379-403
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• 2012

In recent years, the need for optimal design of structures under time-history loading aroused great attention in researchers. The main problem in this field is the extremely high computational demand of time-history analyses, which may convert the solution algorithm to an illogical one. In this paper, a new framework is developed to solve the size optimization problem of steel truss structures subjected to ground motions. In order to solve this problem, the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy algorithm is employed for the optimization procedure, while a generalized regression neural network is utilized as a meta-model for fitness approximation. Moreover, the computational cost of time-history analysis is decreased through a wavelet analysis. Capability and efficiency of the proposed framework is investigated via two design examples, comprising of a tower truss and a footbridge truss.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.409-424
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• 2012

Since relatively low elasticity modulus of the FRP materials results in lower natural frequencies, it is necessary to study the free vibration of FRP transmission poles. In this paper, the free vibration of tapered FRP transmission poles with thin-walled circular cross-section is investigated by a tapered beam element. To model the flexible joints of the modular poles, a rotational spring model is used. Modal analysis is performed for typical FRP poles with/without joint and they are also modeled by ANSYS commercial finite element software. There is a good correlation between the results of the tapered beam finite element model and those obtained from ANSYS as well as the existing experimental results. The effects of different geometries, material lay-ups, concentrated masses at the pole tip, and joint flexibilities are evaluated. Moreover, it is concluded that using tougher fibres at the inner and outer layers of the cross-section, results in higher natural frequencies, significantly.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.295-307
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• 2021

The gap provided between adjacent structures in the metropolitan cities is mostly narrow due to architectural and financial issues. Consequently, structural pounding occurs between adjacent structures during earthquakes. It causes damages, ranging from minor local to more severe ones, especially in the case of seismically isolated buildings, due to their higher displacements. However, due to the increased flexibility of isolated buildings, the problem could become more detrimental to such structures. The effect of the seismic pounding of moat walls on the response of buildings isolated by Triple Friction Pendulum Bearing (TFPB) is investigated in this paper. To this propose, two symmetric three-dimensional models, including single-story and five-story buildings, are modeled in Opensees. Nonlinear Time History Analyses (NTHA) are performed for seismic evaluation. Also, five different sizes with four different sets of friction coefficients are considered for base isolators to cover a whole range of base isolation systems with various geometry configurations and fundamental period. The results are investigated in terms of base shear, buildings' drift, and roof acceleration. Results indicated a profound effect of poundings against moat walls. In situations of potential pounding, in some cases, the influence of impact on seismic responses of multistory buildings was more remarkable.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6279-6284
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• 2015

Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)-induced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an important cancer in the Great Mekong region, particularly in Thailand. Limitations of treatment options and the lack of an effective diagnostic tool for early detection of CCA are major concerns for the control of this type of cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate anti-CCA activity of the ethanolic extract of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC., and the applicability of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) as a tool for detection and monitoring the progression of CCA in Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)/dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced CCA hamsters. Male Syrian hamsters were used for toxicity tests and anti-CCA activity evaluation. Development of CCA was induced by initial feeding of 50 metacercariae of OV, followed by drinking water containing 12.5 ppm of DMN in hamsters. The ethanolic extract of A. lancea (Thunb.) DC. was administered orally for 30 days. PET-CT was performed every 4 weeks after initiation of CCA using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ($^{18}F-FDG$). Results from the present study suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. lancea (Thunb.) DC. rhizome exhibited promising anti-CCA activity and safety profile in the OV/DMN-induced hamster model. To successfully apply PET-CT as a tool for early detection of tumor development and progression, modification of radiolabeling approach is required to improve its specificity for CCA cells.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2016

Although the aircraft industry was the first to use fibre composites, now they are increasingly used in a range of structural applications such as flooring, decking, platforms and roofs. Interlayer delamination is a major failure mode which threatens the reliability of composite structures. Delamination can grow in size under increasing loads with time and hence leads to severe loss of structural integrity and stiffness reduction. Delamination reduces the natural frequency and as a consequence may result in resonance. Hence, the study of the effects of delamination on the free vibration behaviour of multilayer composite structures is imperative. The focus of this paper is to develop a 3D FE model and investigate the free vibration behaviour of fibre composite multilayer sandwich panels with interlayer delaminations. A series of parametric studies are conducted to assess the influence of various parameters of concern, using a commercially available finite element package. Additionally, selected points in the delaminated region are connected appropriately to simulate bolting as a remedial measure to fasten the delamination region in the aim of reducing the effects of delamination. First order shear deformation theory based plate elements have been used to model each sandwich layer. The findings suggest that the delamination size and the end fixity of the plate are the most important factors responsible for stiffness reduction due to delamination damage in composite laminates. It is also revealed that bolting the delaminated region can significantly reduce the natural frequency variation due to delamination thereby improving the dynamic performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1209-1224
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• 2014

In Current paper, the voltages of patches optimization are carried out for minimizing the power consumption of piezoelectric patches and maximum vertical displacement of symmetrically FML panels using the modified multi-objective Elitist-Artificial Bee Colony (E-ABC) algorithm. The voltages of patches, panel length/width ratios, ply angles, thickness of metal sheets and edge conditions are chosen as design variables. The classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) is considered to model the transient response of the panel, and numerical results are obtained by the finite element method. The performance of the E-ABC is also compared with the PSO algorithm and shows the good efficiency of the E-ABC algorithm. To check the validity, the transient responses of isotropic and orthotropic panels are compared with those available in the literature and show a good agreement.