• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.1199-1209
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• 2021

The detection of unexpected loose parts in the primary coolant system in a nuclear power plant remains an extremely important issue. It is essential to develop a methodology for the localization and mass estimation of loose parts owing to the high prediction error of conventional methods. An effective approach is presented for the localization and mass estimation of a loose part using machine-learning and deep-learning algorithms. First, a methodology was developed to estimate both the impact location and the mass of a loose part at the same times in a real structure in which geometric changes exist. Second, an impact database was constructed through a series of impact finite-element analyses (FEAs). Then, impact parameter prediction modes were generated for localization and mass estimation of a simulated metallic loose part using machine-learning algorithms (artificial neural network, Gaussian process, and support vector machine) and a deep-learning algorithm (convolutional neural network). The usefulness of the methodology was validated through blind tests, and the noise effect of the training data was also investigated. The high performance obtained in this study shows that the proposed methodology using an FEA-based database and deep learning is useful for localization and mass estimation of loose parts on site.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.15-30
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• 2021

With improvement in innovative manufacturing technologies, it became possible to fabricate any complex shaped structural design for practical applications. This allows for the fabrication of curvilinearly stiffened pressure vessels and pipes. Compared to straight stiffeners, curvilinear stiffeners have shown to have better structural performance and weight savings under certain loading conditions. In this paper, an optimization framework for designing curvilinearly stiffened composite pressure vessels and pipes is presented. NURBS are utilized to define curvilinear stiffeners over the surface of the pipe. An integrated tool using Python, Rhinoceros 3D, MSC.PATRAN and MSC.NASTRAN is implemented for performing the optimization. Rhinoceros 3D is used for creating the geometry, which later is exported to MSC.PATRAN for finite element model generation. Finally, MSC.NASTRAN is used for structural analysis. A Bi-Level Programming (BLP) optimization technique, consisting of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Gradient-Based Optimization (GBO), is used to find optimal locations of stiffeners, geometric dimensions for stiffener cross-sections and layer thickness for the composite skin. A cylindrical pipe stiffened by orthogonal and curvilinear stiffeners under torsional and bending load cases is studied. It is seen that curvilinear stiffeners can lead to a potential 10.8% weight saving in the structure as compared to the case of using straight stiffeners.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.137-149
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• 2022

In this paper, the fluctuating lift and drag forces on 5:1 rectangular cylinders with two different geometric scales in three turbulent flow-fields are investigated. The study is particularly focused on understanding the influence of the ratio of turbulence integral length scale to structure characteristic dimension (the length scale ratio). The results show that both fluctuating lift and drag forces are influenced by the length scale ratio. For the model with the larger length scale ratio, the corresponding fluctuating force coefficient is larger, while the spanwise correlation is weaker. However, the degree of influence of the length scale ratio on the two fluctuating forces are different. Compared to the fluctuating drag, the fluctuating lift is more sensitive to the variation of the length scale ratio. It is also found through spectral analysis that for the fluctuating lift, the change of length scale ratio mainly leads to the variation in the low frequency part of the loading, while the fluctuating drag generally follows the quasi-steady theory in the low frequency, and the slope of the drag spectrum at high frequencies changes with the length scale ratio. Then based on the experimental data, two empirical formulas considering the influence of length scale ratio are proposed for determining the lift and drag aerodynamic admittances of a 5:1 rectangular cylinder. Furthermore, a simple relationship is established to correlate the turbulence parameter with the fluctuating force coefficient, which could be used to predict the fluctuating force on a 5:1 rectangular cylinder under different parameter conditions.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.139-151
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• 2022

Filling materials poured into precast member joint are subjected to restraint stress by the precast member and joint reinforcement. The induced stress will likely cause cracks at early ages and performance degradation of the entire structure. To prevent these issues and design reasonable joints, it is very important to analyze and evaluate the restrained shrinkage cracks of filling materials at various restraint conditions. In this study, a new time zero-that defines the shrinkage development time of a filling material-is proposed to calculate the accurate amount of shrinkage. The tensile stresses and strengths at different ages were compared through the ring test (AASHTO PP34) to evaluate the crack potential of the restrained filling materials at various restraint conditions. The mixture which contained an expansive additive and a shrinkage reducing agent exhibited high resistance to shrinkage cracking owing to the high-drying shrinkage compensation effect. The high-performance, fiber-reinforced cement composite, and ultra-high-performance, fiber-reinforced cement composite yielded very high resistance to shrinkage and cracking owing to the pull-out property of steel fibers. To this end, multiple nonlinear regression analyses were conducted based on the test results. Accordingly, a modified tensile stress equation that considered both the geometric shape of the specimen and the intrinsic properties of the material is proposed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제84권6호
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• pp.799-811
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• 2022

Adhesive bonding has seen rapid development in recent years, with emphasis to composite patch repairing processes of geometric defects in aeronautical structures. However, its use is still limited given its low resistance to climatic conditions and requirement of specialized labor to avoid fabrication induced defects, such as air bubbles, cracks, and cavities. This work aims to numerically analyze, by the finite element method, the failure behavior of a damaged plate, in the form of a bonding defect, and repaired by an adhesively bonded composite patch. The position and size of the defect were studied. The results of the numerical analysis clearly showed that the position of the defect in the adhesive layer has a large effect on the value of J-Integral. The reduction in the value of J-Integral is also related to the composite stacking sequence which, according to the mechanical properties of the ply, provides better load transfer from the plate to the repair piece through the adhesive. In addition, the increase in the applied load significantly affects the value of the J-Integral at the crack tip in the presence of a bonding defect, even for small dimensions, by reducing the load transfer.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.547-564
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• 2023

This study investigates the effect of bolt preloading on the rotational stiffness of stainless steel end-plate connections. An experimental programme incorporating 11 full-scale joint specimens are carried out comparing the behaviours of fully pre-tensioned (PT) and snug-tightened (ST) flush/extended end-plate connections, made of austenitic or lean duplex stainless steels. It is observed from the tests that the presence of bolt preloading leads to a significant increase in the rotational stiffness. A parallel finite element analysis (FEA) validated against the test results demonstrates that the geometric imperfection of end-plate has a strong influence on the moment-rotation response of preloaded end-plate connections, which is crucial to explain the observed "two-stage" behaviour of these connections. Based on the data obtained from the tests and FE parametric study, the performance of the Eurocode 3 predictive model is evaluated, which exhibits a significant deviation in predicting the rotational stiffness of stainless steel end-plate connections. A modified bi-linear model, which incorporates three key properties, is therefore proposed to enable a better prediction. Finally, the effect of bolt preloading is demonstrated at the system (structure) level considering the serviceability of semi-continuous stainless steel beams with end-plate connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.467-488
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• 2023

Seismic retrofit of an existing steel-reinforced concrete hospital building that features innovative use of a continuous energy-dissipative steel column (CEDC) system is presented in this paper. The special system has been adopted to provide an efficient solution taking into account the difficulties of applying traditional intervention techniques to minimize the impact on architectural functionality and avoid the loss of building function and evacuation during the retrofit implementation. The lateral stiffness and strength of the CEDC system were defined based on the geometric and mechanical properties of the steel strip dampers. The hysteretic behavior under cyclic loadings was defined using a simplified numerical model. Its effectiveness was validated by comparing the results of full-scale experimental data available from the literature. All the main design considerations of the retrofitting plan are described in detail. The effectiveness of the proposed retrofitting system was demonstrated by nonlinear time-history analyses under different sets of earthquake-strong ground motions. The analysis results show that the CEDC system is effective in controlling the deformation pattern and significantly reducing damage to the existing structure during major earthquakes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.645-661
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• 2023

Concrete-filled steel tubular columns with double inner steel tubes (CFST-DIST) are a novel type of composite members developed from conventional concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns. This paper investigates the structural performance of circular CFST-DIST stub columns using nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis. A numerical model was developed and verified against existing experimental test results. The validated model was then used to compare circular CFST-DIST stub columns' behavior with their concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) and CFST counterparts. A parametric study was performed to ascertain the effects of geometric and material properties on the axial performance of CFST-DISTs. The FE results and the available test data were used to assess the accuracy of the European and American design regulations in predicting the axial compressive capacity of circular CFST-DIST stub columns. Finally, a new design model was recommended for estimating the compressive capacity of CFST-DISTs. Results clarified that circular CFST-DIST columns had the advantages of their CFST counterparts but with better ductility and strength-to-weight ratio. Besides, the investigated design codes led to conservative predictions of the compressive capacity of circular CFST-DIST columns.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.351-368
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• 2022

Recently, promising structural technologies like multi-function, ultra-load bearing capacity and tailored structures have been put up for discussions. Finite Element (FE) modelling is probably the best-known option capable of treating these superior properties and multi-domain behavior structures. However, advanced materials such as Functionally Graded Material (FGM) and nanocomposites suffer from problems resulting from variable material properties, reinforcement aggregation and mesh generation. Motivated by these factors, this research proposes a unified shape function for FGM, nanocomposites, graded nanocomposites, in addition to traditional isotropic and orthotropic structural materials. It depends not only on element length but also on the beam's material properties and geometric characteristics. The systematic mathematical theory and FE formulations are based on the Timoshenko beam theory for beam structure. Furthermore, the introduced element achieves C1 degree of continuity. The model is proved to be convergent and free-off shear locking. Moreover, numerical results for static and free vibration analysis support the model accuracy and capabilities by validation with different references. The proposed technique overcomes the issue of continuous properties modelling of these promising materials without discarding older ones. Therefore, introduced benchmark improvements on the FE old concept could be extended to help the development of new software features to confront the rapid progress of structural materials.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.365-371
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• 2023

On the basis of Flügge shell theory, the vibrations of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are investigated. The structure of armchair single walled carbon nanotubes are used here. Influences of length-to-diameter ratios and the two boundary conditions on the natural frequencies of armchair SWCNTs are examined. The Rayleigh-Ritz method is employed to determine eigen frequencies for single walled carbon nanotubes. The solution is obtained using the geometric characteristics and boundary conditions for natural frequencies of SWCNTs. The natural frequencies decrease as ratio of length to diameter increase and the effect of frequencies is less significant and more prominent for long tube. To assess the frequency confirmation carried out in this paper are compared with the earlier computations.