• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.657-670
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• 2019

This paper proposes a one-dimensional fiber beam element model taking account of materially non-linear behavior, benefiting the highly efficient elastic-plastic analysis of girders with shear-lag effects. Based on the displacement-based fiber beam-column element, two additional degrees of freedom (DOFs) are added into the proposed model to consider the shear-lag warping deformations of the slabs. The new finite element (FE) formulations of the tangent stiffness matrix and resisting force vector are deduced with the variational principle of the minimum potential energy. Then the proposed element is implemented in the OpenSees computational framework as a newly developed element, and the full Newton iteration method is adopted for an iterative solution. The typical materially non-linear behaviors, including the cracking and crushing of concrete, as well as the plasticity of the reinforcement and steel girder, are all considered in the model. The proposed model is applied to several test cases under elastic or plastic loading states and compared with the solutions of theoretical models, tests, and shell/solid refined FE models. The results of these comparisons indicate the accuracy and applicability of the proposed model for the analysis of both concrete box girders and steel-concrete composite girders, under either elastic or plastic states.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.119-127
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• 2019

When a structural wall is subjected to multi-directional ground motion, torsion-induced cracks degrade the stiffness of the wall. The effect of torsion should not be neglected. As a main lateral load resisting member, reinforced concrete (RC) structural wall has been widely studied under the combined action of bending and shear. Unfortunately, its seismic behavior under a combined action of torsion, bending and shear is rarely studied. In this study, torsional performances of the RC structural walls under the combined action is assessed from a comprehensive parametrical study. Finite element (FE) models are built and calibrated by comparing with the available experimental data. The study is then carried out to find out the critical design parameter affecting the torsional stiffness of RC structural walls, including the axial load ratio, aspect ratio, leg-thickness ratio, eccentricity of lateral force, longitudinal reinforcement ratio and transverse reinforcement ratio. Besides, to facilitate the application in practice, an empirical equation is developed to estimate the torsional stiffness of RC rectangular structural walls conveniently, which is found to agree well with the numerical results of the developed FE models.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.387-398
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• 2019

On the basis that ground motions may arrive at a structure from any horizontal direction and that different directions of seismic incidence would result in different structural dynamic responses, this paper focuses on orienting the crucial seismic incidence of transmission tower-line systems based on the wavelet energy method. A typical transmission tower-line system is chosen as the case study, and two finite element (FE) models are established in ABAQUS, with and without consideration of the interaction between the transmission towers and the transmission lines. The mode combination frequency is defined by considering the influence of the higher-order modes of the structure. Subsequently, wavelet transformation is performed to obtain the total effective energy input and the effective energy input rate corresponding to the mode combination frequency to further judge the critical angle of seismic incidence by comparing these two performance indexes under different seismic incidence angles. To validate this approach, finite element history analysis (FEHA) is imposed on both FE models to generate comparative data, and good agreement is found. The results demonstrate that the wavelet energy method can forecast the critical angle of seismic incidence of a transmission tower-line system with adequate accuracy, avoiding time-consuming and cumbersome computer analysis. The proposed approach can be used in future seismic design of transmission tower-line systems.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.165-173
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• 2022

The effect of basalt and polypropylene fibers on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams is investigated in this paper. The compressive and tensile behaviors of the basalt concrete and polypropylene concrete cylinders are also investigated. Eight beams and 28 cylinders were made with different percentages of basalt and polypropylene fibers. The dosages of fiber were selected as 0.6%, 1.3%, and 2.5% of the total cement weight. Each type of fiber was mixed solely with the concrete mix. Basalt and polypropylene fibers are modern and cheap materials that can be used to improve the structural behavior of RC members. This research is designed to find the optimum percentage of basalt and polypropylene fibers for enhancing the flexural behavior of RC beams. Test results showed that the addition of basalt and polypropylene fibers in any dosage (0.6%, 1.3%, and 2.5%) can increase the flexural strength and displacement ductility index of the beams where the maximum enhancement was measured with 1.3% fibers. The maximum increments in the flexural strength and the displacement ductility index were 30.39% and 260% for the basalt fiber case, while the maximum improvement for the polypropylene fibers case was 55.5% and 230% compared to the control specimen. Finite element (FE) models were then developed in ABAQUS to predict the numerical behaviour of the tested beams. The FE models were able to predict the experimental behaviour with reasonable accuracy. This research confirms the efficiency of basalt and polypropylene fibers in enhancing the flexural behavior of RC beams, and it also suggests the optimum dosage of fibers.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.759-772
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• 2022

Concrete-filled double skinned steel tubular (CFDST) columns have been used to construct modern structures such as tall buildings and bridges as well as infrastructures as they provide better, lesser weight, and greater stiffness in structural performance than conventional reinforced concrete or steel members. Different shapes of CFDST columns may be needed to satisfy the architectural and aesthetic criteria. In the study, three-dimensional FE simulations of circular and elliptical CFDST columns under axial compression were developed and verified through the experimental test data from the perspectives of full load-displacement histories, ultimate axial strengths, and failure modes. The verified FE models were used to investigate and compare the structural performance of CFDST columns with circular and elliptical cross-section shapes by evaluating the overall load-deformation curves, interaction stress-deformation responses, and composite actions of the column. At last, the accuracy of available design models in predicting the ultimate axial strengths of CFST columns were investigated. Research results showed that circular and elliptical CFDST column behaviors were generally similar. The overall structural performance of circular CFDST columns was relatively improved compared to the elliptical CFDST column.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2022

This paper presents results of numerical studies completed on unreinforced and doubler plate reinforced Elliptical Hollow Section (EHS) T-joints subjected to axial compressive loading on the brace member. Non-linear finite element (FE) models were developed using the finite element code, ABAQUS. Available test data in literature was used to validate the FE models. Subsequently, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects of various geometrical parameters of main members and reinforcement plates on the ultimate capacity of reinforced EHS T-joints. The parametric study found that the reinforcing plate significantly increases the ultimate capacity of EHS T-joints up to twice the capacity of the corresponding unreinforced joint. The thickness and length of the reinforcing plate have a positive effect on the ultimate capacity of Type 1 joints. This study, however, found that the capacity of Type 1 orientation is not dependent on the brace-to-chord diameter ratio. As for type 2 orientations, the thickness and length of the reinforcement have a minimal effect on the ultimate capacity. A new design method is introduced to predict the capacity of the reinforced EHS T-joints Type 1 and 2 based on the multiple linear regression analyses.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2023

In order to strengthen the reinforced concrete T-beams having insufficient shear strength, several strengthening techniques are available in the literature. In this study, three different strengthening strategies were numerically studied. First one is affixing steel plates to the beam surfaces. Second one includes tightening external steel bars vertically similar to beam stirrups. The last one is simultaneous application of these two strengthening procedures which is particularly proposed in this work. Available experimental test series in the literature were handled in the study. Finite element (FE) models of reinforced concrete beam specimens having sufficient (Beam-1) and low shear capacity (Beam-2) were created within ABAQUS environment. Strengthened beams with different techniques were also modelled to reflect improved shear capacity. FE simulations made it possible to investigate parameters that were not examined during the previous experimental studies. The results of the analyses were then compared and found consistent with the experimentally obtained data. Experimental and FEM analysis results are in agreement between 1% (closest) and 6%. (maximum). Beam-2 was stregthened with 5 new porposed methods. The rate of increase in shear strength varies between 33% and 64%. It was found that, the strengthening techniques were fairly useful in improving the shear capacity of the considered girder. The model with the proposed strengthening alternative has accomplished a higher load carrying capacity, ductility and stiffness than all of the other models.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.353-366
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• 2023

This paper presents a finite-element analysis (FEA) of aluminum alloy rectangular hollow sections (RHSs) and square hollow sections (SHSs) with circular through-openings under three-point and four-point bending. First, a finite-element model (FEM) was developed and validated against the corresponding test results available in the literature. Next, using the validated FE models, a parametric study comprising 180 FE models was conducted. The cross-section width-to-thickness ratio (b/t) ranged from 2 to 5, the hole size ratio (d/h) ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 and the quantity of holes (n) ranged from 2 to 6, respectively. Third, results obtained from laboratory test and FEA were compared with current design strengths calculated in accordance with the North American Specifications (NAS), the modified direct strength method (DSM) and the modified Continuous strength method (CSM). The comparison shows that the modified CSM are conservative by 15% on average for aluminum alloy RHSs and SHSs with circular through-openings subject to bending. Finally, a new design equation is proposed based on the modified CSM after being validated with results obtained from laboratory test and FEA. The proposed design equation can provide accurate predictions of flexural capacities for aluminum alloy RHSs and SHSs with circular through-openings.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data for an anchor collision simulation of an FCM (flexible concrete mattress). Numerical material models (elastic-perfectly plastic model, Drucker-Prager model, and RHT concrete model) were compared. ANSYS Explicit Dynamics was used for collision analyses. An FE model was used for the anchor, FCM, andreinforcement bars. The results showed that the behavior of the FCM was verydifferent that those ofthe material models. In particular, the effect of the pressure dependent strength was most noticeable among the properties of concrete.

• KIEE International Transaction on Electrical Machinery and Energy Conversion Systems
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• v.5B no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2005

The work described in this paper is to investigate the additional iron losses and consequent temperatures in core ends of a turbo-generator wound with high voltage cables. Electromagnetic calculations are made with 3D FE models, which include the lamination material with anisotropic properties both in magnetic permeability and electric conductivity. The models also include the geometry of the stator teeth and eventually the axial steps designated to reduce the core end losses. The 3D model of the rotor consists of field windings with straight in-slot parts and end windings. The thermal models are simplified into two dimensions and include the heat sources dumped from the 3D electromagnetic solutions. The influences of power factor on additional iron losses are studied for this cable wound machine and conventional machines. The calculation results show that the additional iron losses can be reduced to about $15\%$ by introducing some small steps around the airgap corner of core ends.