• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.139-154
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• 2016

This paper is concerned with the dynamics of hyperelastic solids and structures. We seek for a smart control actuation that produces a desired (prescribed) displacement field in the presence of transient imposed forces. In the literature, this problem is denoted as displacement tracking, or also as shape morphing problem. One talks about shape control, when the displacements to be tracked do vanish. In the present paper, it is assumed that the control actuation is provided by imposed eigenstrains, e.g., by the electric field in piezoelectric actuators, or by thermal actuators, or via analogous physical effects, such as magneto-striction or pre-stress. Structures with a controlled eigenstrain-type actuation belong to the class of smart structures. The action of the eigenstrains can be conveniently characterized by actuation stresses. Our theoretical derivations are performed in the framework of the theory of small incremental dynamic deformations superimposed upon a statically pre-deformed configuration of a hyperelastic solid or structure. We particularly ask for a distribution of incremental actuation stresses, such that the incremental displacements follow exactly a prescribed trajectory field, despite the imposed incremental forces are present. An exact solution of this problem is presented under the assumption that the actuation stresses can be tailored freely and applied everywhere within the body. Extending a Neumann-type solution strategy, it is shown that the actuation stresses due to the distributed control eigenstrains must satisfy certain quasi-static equilibrium conditions, where auxiliary body-forces and auxiliary surface tractions are to be taken into account. The latter auxiliary loading can be directly computed from the imposed forces and from the desired displacement field to be tracked. Hence, despite the problem is a dynamic one, a straightforward computation of proper actuator distributions can be obtained in the framework of quasi-static equilibrium conditions. Necessary conditions for the functioning of this concept are presented. Particularly, it must be required that the intermediate configuration is infinitesimally superstable. Previous results of our group for the case of shape control and displacement tracking in linear elastic structures are included as special cases. The high potential of the solution is demonstrated via Finite Element computations for an irregularly shaped four-corner plate in a state of plain strain.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.681-692
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• 2020

Conventional Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters (CPEH) have been extensively studied for maximizing their electrical output through material selection, geometric and structural optimization, and adoption of efficient interface circuits. In this paper, the performance of Stepped Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (SPEH) under harmonic base excitation is studied analytically, numerically and experimentally. The motivation is to compare the energy harvesting performance of CPEH and SPEHs with the same characteristics (resonant frequency). The results of this study challenge the notion of achieving higher voltage and power output through incorporation of geometric discontinuities such as step sections in the harvester beams. A CPEH consists of substrate material with a patch of piezoelectric material bonded over it and a tip mass at the free end to tune the resonant frequency. A SPEH is designed by introducing a step section near the root of substrate beam to induce higher dynamic strain for maximizing the electrical output. The incorporation of step section reduces the stiffness and consequently, a lower tip mass is used with SPEH to match the resonant frequency to that of CPEH. Moreover, the electromechanical coupling coefficient, forcing function and damping are significantly influenced because of the inclusion of step section, which consequently affects harvester's output. Three different configurations of SPEHs characterized by the same resonant frequency as that of CPEH are designed and analyzed using linear electromechanical model and their performances are compared. The variation of strain on the harvester beams is obtained using finite element analysis. The prototypes of CPEH and SPEHs are fabricated and experimentally tested. It is shown that the power output from SPEHs is lower than the CPEH. When the prototypes with resonant frequencies in the range of 56-56.5 Hz are tested at 1 m/s2, three SPEHs generate power output of 482 μW, 424 μW and 228 μW when compared with 674 μW from CPEH. It is concluded that the advantage of increasing dynamic strain using step section is negated by increase in damping and decrease in forcing function. However, SPEHs show slightly better performance in terms of specific power and thus making them suitable for practical scenarios where the ratio of power to system mass is critical.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.17-42
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• 2021

Articulated loading platforms (ALPs) belongs to a class of offshore structures known as compliant. ALP motions have time periods falling in the wind excitation frequency range due to their compliant behaviour. This paper deals with the dynamic behavior of a double hinged ALP subjected to low-frequency wind forces with random waves. Nonlinear effects due to variable submergence, fluctuating buoyancy, variable added mass, and hydrodynamic forces are considered in the analysis. The random sea state is characterized by the Pierson-Moskowitz (P-M) spectrum. The wave forces on the submerged elements of the platform's shaft are calculated using Morison's Equation with Airy's linear wave theory ignoring diffraction effects. The fluctuating wind load has been estimated using Ochi and Shin wind velocity spectrum for offshore structures. The nonlinear dynamic equation of motion is solved in the time domain by the Wilson-θ method. The wind-structure interactions, along with the effect of various other parameters on the platform response, are investigated. The effect of offset of aerodynamic center (A.C.) with the center of gravity (C.G.) of platform superstructure has also been investigated. The outcome of the analyses indicates that low-frequency wind forces affect the response of ALP to a large extent, which otherwise is not enhanced in the presence of only waves. The mean wind modifies the mean position of the platform surge response to the positive side, causing an offset. Various power spectral densities (PSDs) under high and moderate sea states show that apart from the significant peak occurring at the two natural frequencies, other prominent peaks also appear at very low frequencies showing the influence of wind on the response.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.245-261
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• 2022

Key questions to researchers interested in nonlinear analysis of skeletal structures are whether the distributed plasticity approach - albeit computationally demanding - is more reliable than the concentrated plasticity to adequately capture the extent and severity of the inelastic response, and whether force-based formulation is more efficient than displacement-based formulation without compromising accuracy. The present research focusing on performance-based seismic response of mid-span concrete bridges provides a pilot holistic investigation opting for some hands-on answers. OpenSees software is considered adopting different modeling techniques, viz. distributed plasticity (through either displacement-based or force-based elements) and concentrated plasticity via beam-with-hinges elements. The pros and cons of each are discussed based on nonlinear pushover analysis results, and fragility curves generated for various performance levels relying on incremental dynamic analyses under real earthquake records. Among prime conclusions, distributed plasticity modeling albeit inherently not relying on prior knowledge of plastic hinge length still somewhat depends on such information to ensure accurate results. For instance, displacement-based and force-based approaches secure optimal accuracy when dividing, for the former, the member into sub-elements, and satisfying, for the latter, a distance between any two consecutive integration points, close to the expected plastic hinge length. On the other hand, using beam-with-hinges elements is computationally more efficient relative to the distributed plasticity, yet with acceptable accuracy provided the user has prior reasonable estimate of the anticipated plastic hinge length. Furthermore, when intrusive performance levels (viz. life safety or collapse) are of concern, concentrated plasticity via beam-with-hinges ensures conservative predicted capacity of investigated bridge systems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.371-399
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• 2006

The theoretical background and capabilities of the developed program, SAR-CWF, for stochastic analysis of 3D reinforced-concrete shear wall-frame structures subject to seismic excitations is presented. Incremental stiffness and strength properties of system members are modeled by extended Roufaiel-Meyer hysteretic relation for bending while shear deformations for walls by Origin-Oriented hysteretic model. For the critical height of shear-walls, division to sub-elements is performed. Different yield capacities with respect to positive and negative bending, finite extensions of plastic hinges and P-${\delta}$ effects are considered while strength deterioration is controlled by accumulated hysteretic energy. Simulated strong motions are obtained from a Gaussian white-noise filtered through Kanai-Tajimi filter. Dynamic equations of motion for the system are formed according to constitutive and compatibility relations and then inserted into equivalent It$\hat{o}$-Stratonovich stochastic differential equations. A system reduction scheme based on the series expansion of eigen-modes of the undamaged structure is implemented. Time histories of seismic response statistics are obtained by utilizing the computer programs developed for different types of structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2020

This work presents a modified continuum model to explore and investigate static and vibration behaviors of perforated piezoelectric NEMS structure. The perforated nanostructure is modeled as a thin perforated nanobeam element with Euler-Bernoulli kinematic assumptions. A size scale effect is considered by included a nonlocal constitutive equation of Eringen in differential form. Modifications of geometrical parameters of perforated nanobeams are presented in simplified forms. To satisfy the Maxwell's equation, the distribution of electric potential for the piezoelectric nanobeam model is assumed to be varied as a combination of a cosine and linear functions. Hamilton's principle is exploited to develop mathematical governing equations. Modified numerical finite model is adopted to solve the equation of motion and equilibrium equation. The proposed model is validated with previous respectable work. Numerical investigations are presented to illustrate effects of the number of perforated holes, perforation size, nonlocal parameter, boundary conditions, and external electric voltage on the electro-mechanical behaviors of piezoelectric nanobeams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.637-648
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• 2018

When the centers of mass and stiffness of a building do not coincide, the structure experiences torsional responses. Such systems can consist of the underlying soil and the super-structure. The underlying soil may modify the earthquake input motion and change structural responses. Specific effects of the input motion shall also not be ignored. In this study, seismic demands of asymmetric buildings considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) under near-fault ground motions are evaluated. The building is modeled as an idealized single-story structure. The soil beneath the building is modeled by non-linear finite elements in the two states of loose and dense sands both compared with the fixed-base state. The infinite boundary conditions are modelled using viscous boundary elements. The effects of traditional and yield displacement-based (YDB) approaches of strength and stiffness distributions are considered on seismic demands. In the YDB approach, the stiffness considered in seismic design depends on the strength. The results show that the decrease in the base shear considering soft soil induced SSI when the YDB approach is assumed results only in the center of rigidity to control torsional responses. However, for fixed-base structures and those on dense soils both centers of strength and rigidity are controlling.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1125-1143
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• 2016

Forced vibration analysis of a simple supported viscoelastic nanobeam is studied based on modified couple stress theory (MCST). The nanobeam is excited by a transverse triangular force impulse modulated by a harmonic motion. The elastic medium is considered as Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundation.The damping effect is considered by using the Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model. The inclusion of an additional material parameter enables the new beam model to capture the size effect. The new non-classical beam model reduces to the classical beam model when the length scale parameter is set to zero. The considered problem is investigated within the Timoshenko beam theory by using finite element method. The effects of the transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia are included according to the Timoshenko beam theory. The obtained system of differential equations is reduced to a linear algebraic equation system and solved in the time domain by using Newmark average acceleration method. Numerical results are presented to investigate the influences the material length scale parameter, the parameter of the elastic medium and aspect ratio on the dynamic response of the nanobeam. Also, the difference between the classical beam theory (CBT) and modified couple stress theory is investigated for forced vibration responses of nanobeams.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.547-560
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• 2018

This paper investigates the operation of the $H_{\infty}$ static output-feedback controller to reduce dynamic responses under seismic excitation on the five-story and benchmark 20 story building with parametric uncertainties. Linear matrix inequality (LMI) control theory is applied in this system and then to achieve the desired LMI formulations, some transformations of the LMI variables is used. Conversely uncertainties due to material properties, environmental loads such as earthquake and wind hazards make the uncertain system. This problem and its effects are studied in this research. Also to decrease the transition of large amount of data between sensors and controller, avoiding the disruption of whole control system and economy problems, the operation of the decentralized controllers is investigated in this paper. For this purpose the comparison between the performance of the centralized, fully decentralized and partial decentralized controllers in uncoupled and coupled cases is performed. Also, the effect of the changing the number of stories in substructures is considered. Based on the numerical results, the used control algorithm is very robust against the parametric uncertainties and structural responses are decreased considerably in all the control cases but partial decentralized controller in coupled form gets the closest results to the centralized case. The results indicate the high applicability of the used control algorithm in the tall shear buildings to reduce the structural responses and its robustness against the uncertainties.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.738-750
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• 1994

The load-sensing hydraulic system which was developed to improve energy efficiency of conventional hydraulic systems has its own properties. The instability of system responses, linearity of a servo valve, robustness for variation of external load, and dynamic interference between hydraulic motors are such properties which have much to do with control properties of the system. The load-sensing hydraulic system has instability tendancy because the load-sensing mechanism makes a positive feedback loop between the motor part and the pump part. A flow property of the servo valve can be said to be linear because the flow through the valve has nothing to do with a load pressure and the flow is strictly proportional to a valve opening which is adjusted by a valve command signal. The resultant control property can be said to be robust because the steady-state control performance is independent to the load actuated on the motor shaft. In the case when one pump simultaneously drives more than two hydraulic motors, the pump outlet pressure is determined by a hydraulic motor of the largest load pressure among all of the hydraulic motors, and, thus, the other motors are dominated by the largest load pressure. That is, the other motors can be said to be interfered by the motor of the largest load pressure.