• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.201-214
• /
• 2001

Four finite element (FE) models are examined to find the one that best estimates moment-rotation characteristics of top- and seat-angle with double web-angle connections. To efficiently simulate the real behavior of connections, finite element analyses are performed with following considerations: 1) all components of connection (beam, column, angles and bolts) are discretized by eight-node solid elements; 2) shapes of bolt shank, head, and nut are precisely taken into account in modeling; and 3) contact surface algorithm is applied as boundary condition. To improve accuracy in predicting moment-rotation behavior of a connection, bolt pretension is introduced before the corresponding connection moment being surcharged. The experimental results are used to investigate the applicability of FE method and to check the performance of three-parameter power model by making comparison among their moment-rotation behaviors and by assessment of deformation and stress distribution patterns at the final stage of loading. This research exposes two important features: (1) the FE method has tremendous potential for connection modeling for both monotonic and cyclic loading; and (2) the power model is able to predict moment-rotation characteristics of semi-rigid connections with acceptable accuracy.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.35-51
• /
• 2020

Integral abutment bridges (IABs) are those bridges without expansion joints. A single row of steel H-piles (SHPs) is commonly used at the thin and stub abutments of IABs to form a flexible support system at the bridge ends to accommodate thermal-induced displacement of the bridge. Consequently, as the IAB expands and contracts due to temperature variations, the SHPs supporting the abutments are subjected to cyclic lateral (longitudinal) displacements, which may eventually lead to low-cycle fatigue (LCF) failure of the piles. In this paper, the potential of using finite element (FE) modeling techniques to estimate the LCF life of SHPs commonly used in IABs is investigated. For this purpose, first, experimental tests are conducted on several SHP specimens to determine their LCF life under thermal-induced cyclic flexural strains. In the experimental tests, the specimens are subjected to longitudinal displacements (or flexural strain cycles) with various amplitudes in the absence and presence of a typical axial load. Next, nonlinear FE models of the tested SHP specimens are developed using the computer program ANSYS to investigate the possibility of using such numerical models to predict the LCF life of SHPs commonly used in IABs. The comparison of FE analysis results with the experimental test results revealed that the FE analysis results are in close agreement with the experimental test results. Thus, FE modeling techniques similar to that used in this research study may be used to predict the LCF life of SHP commonly used in IABs.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.64-69
• /
• 2014

A circular plate is one of the important structures in many industrial fields. In static analysis of a circular plate, we may obtain an exact solution by analytical method, but it is limited to a simple circular plate. Thus, many researchers and designers have used numerical methods such as the finite element method. The authors of this paper developed the finite element-transfer stiffness coefficient method (FE-TSCM) for static and dynamic analyses of various structures. FE-TSCM is the combination of the modeling technique of the finite element method (FEM) and the transfer technique of the transfer stiffness coefficient method (TSCM). FE-TSCM has the advantages of both FEM and FE-TSCM. In this paper, the authors formulate the computational algorithm for the static analysis of axisymmetric circular plates under lateral loading using FE-TSCM. The computational results for three computational models obtained by FE-TSCM are compared with those obtained by FEM in order to confirm the accuracy of FE-TSCM.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.549-580
• /
• 2022

This paper assesses the influences of modeling assumptions and uncertainties on the performance of the non-linear finite element (FE) model updating procedure and model clustering method. The results of a shaking table test on a four-story steel moment-resisting frame are employed for both calibrations and clustering of the FE models. In the first part, simple to detailed non-linear FE models of the test frame is calibrated to minimize the difference between the various data features of the models and the structure. To investigate the effect of the specified data feature, four of which include the acceleration, displacement, hysteretic energy, and instantaneous features of responses, have been considered. In the last part of the work, a model-based clustering approach to group models of a four-story frame with similar behavior is introduced to detect abnormal ones. The approach is a composition of property derivation, outlier removal based on k-Nearest neighbors, and a K-means clustering approach using specified data features. The clustering results showed correlations among similar models. Moreover, it also helped to detect the best strategy for modeling different structural components.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.38-44
• /
• 2015

Various finite elements have been studied and developed to analyze a variety of structures in the finite element method(FEM). The transfer stiffness coefficient method(TSCM) is an effective algorithm for structural analysis but the structures which can be applied were limited. In this paper, a computational algorithm for the structural analysis of axisymmetric conical shells under axisymmetric loading is formulated using the finite element-transfer stiffness coefficient method(FE-TSCM). The basic concept of FE-TSCM is the combination of the modeling technique of FEM and the transfer technique of TSCM. The FE-TSCM has all the advantages of both FEM and TSCM. After carrying out the structural analysis of axisymmetric conical shells using FEM, FE-TSCM, and analytical method we compare the computational results of FE-TSCM with those of the other methods in terms of computational accuracy.

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.7 no.6
• /
• pp.731-753
• /
• 2018

The recent seismic events have led to concerns on safety and vulnerability of Reinforced Concrete Moment Resisting Frame "RC-MRF" buildings. The seismic design demands are greatly dependent on the computational tools, the inherent assumptions and approximations introduced in the modeling process. Thus, it is essential to assess the relative importance of implementing different modeling approaches and investigate the computed response sensitivity to the corresponding modeling assumptions. Many parameters and assumptions are to be justified for generation effective and accurate structural models of RC-MRF buildings to simulate the lateral response and evaluate seismic design demands. So, the present study aims to develop reliable finite element model through many refinements in modeling the various structural components. The effect of finite element modeling assumptions, analysis methods and code provisions on seismic response demands for the structural design of RC-MRF buildings are investigated. where, a series of three-dimensional finite element models were created to study various approaches to quantitatively improve the accuracy of FE models of symmetric buildings located in active seismic zones. It is shown from results of the comparative analyses that the use of a calibrated frame model which was made up of line elements featuring rigid offsets manages to provide estimates that match best with estimates obtained from a much more rigorous modeling approach involving the use of shell elements.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.1081-1084
• /
• 2002

In this study, we perform 3-D reconstruction of human proximal femur from DICOM files by using voxel mesh algorithm. After 3-D reconstruction, the model converted to Finite Element model which developed for automatically making not only 3-D geometrical model but also FE model from medical image dataset. During this job, trabecular pattern, one of characteristic of human bone can be added to the model by means of giving it's own elastic property calculated from intensity in CT scanned image to the each voxel. And then another model is made from same image dataset which have two material properties - one corresponds to cortical bone, another to trabecular bone. Finally, validity of voxel mesh technique is verified through comparing results of FE analysis, free vibration and stress analysis.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.218-226
• /
• 2012

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to propose finite element (FE) modeling methods for predicting stress distributions on teeth and mandible under chewing action. MATERIALS AND METHODS. For FE model generation, CT images of skull were translated into 3D FE models, and static analysis was performed considering linear material behaviors and nonlinear geometrical effect. To find out proper boundary and loading conditions, parametric studies were performed with various areas and directions of restraints and loading. The loading directions are prescribed to be same as direction of masseter muscle, which was referred from anatomy chart and CT image. From the analysis, strain and stress distributions of teeth and mandible were obtained and compared with experimental data for model validation. RESULTS. As a result of FE analysis, the optimized boundary condition was chosen such that 8 teeth were fixed in all directions and condyloid process was fixed in all directions except for forward and backward directions. Also, fixing a part of mandible in a lateral direction, where medial pterygoid muscle was attached, gave the more proper analytical results. Loading was prescribed in a same direction as masseter muscle. The tendency of strain distributions between the teeth predicted from the proposed model were compared with experimental results and showed good agreements. CONCLUSION. This study proposes cost efficient FE modeling method for predicting stress distributions on teeth and mandible under chewing action. The proposed modeling method is validated with experimental data and can further be used to evaluate structural safety of dental prosthesis.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2003

The finite element method(FEM) is the most widely used and powerful method for structural analysis. In general, in order to analyze complex and large structures, we have used the FEM. However, it is necessary to use a large amount of computer memory and computation time for solving accurately by the FEM the dynamic problem of a system with many degree-of-freedom, because the FEM has to deal with very large matrices in this case. Therefore, it was very difficult to analyze the vibration for plate structures with a large number of degrees of freedom by the FEM on a personal computer. For overcoming this disadvantage of the FEM without the loss of the accuracy, the finite element-transfer stiffness coefficient method(FE-TSCM) was developed. The concept of the FE-TSCM is based on the combination of modeling technique in the FEM and the transfer technique in the transfer stiffness coefficient method(TSCM). The merit of the FE-TSCM is to take the advantages of both methods, that is, the convenience of the modeling in the FEM and the computation efficiency of the TSCM. In this paper, the forced vibration analysis algorithm of plate structures is formulated by the FE-TSCM. In order to illustrate the accuracy and the efficiency of the FE-TSCM, results of frequency response analysis for a rectangular plate, which was adopted as a computational model, were compared with those by the modal analysis method and the direct analysis method which are based on the FEM.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 1997.10a
• /
• pp.600-604
• /
• 1997

Knowledge of the complex biomechanical behavior of the human mandible is of great importance in various clinical situations. Various approaches can be used to evaluate the physical behavior of bone. In this study, we developed the voxel mesh program(Bionix) and generated FE models of mandible using Bionix and using handmade work and compared them with free vibration results derived from finite element analysis(FEA). The data of FE models based on DICOM File exported from Computed tomography(CT). Comparing the two models, we found a good correlation about mode type and natural frequency. The voxel based finite element mesh is a valid and accurate method to predict parameters of the complex biomechanical behavior of human mandibles.