• Computers and Concrete
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.165-178
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• 2016

The present work is concerned with a numerical investigation of the behaviour of reinforced-concrete beams with non-bonded flexural tension reinforcement. The numerically-established behaviour of such beams with and without transverse reinforcement is compared with its counterpart of similar beams with bonded reinforcement. From the comparison, it is found that the development of bond anywhere within the shear span inevitably leads to inclined cracking which is the cause of 'shear' failure. On the other hand, the lack of bond within the shear span of the beams is found, not only to prevent cracking within the shear span, but, also, to lead to a flexural type of failure preceded by the formation of horizontal splitting of concrete in the compressive zone. It is also found that delaying the extension of horizontal splitting through the provision of transverse reinforcement in the beam mid span can lead to flexural failure after yielding of the tension reinforcement. Yielding of the tension reinforcement before the horizontal splitting of the compressive zone may also be achieved by reducing the amount of the latter reinforcement.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 1998

This paper presents the results of deformation measurement and numerical analysis carried out to study the behaviour of the rock mass around large underground oil storage caverns. Displacements during excavation have been monitored using borehole extensometers which had been installed before the excavation of caverns proceeded. Numerical analysis has been carried out to examine the three-dimensional behaviour of rock and the face advance effect. The input parameters for this analysis were determined from the results of laboratory and field tests. The deformation modulus of the rock mass was determined from plate loading test at the site and in-situ stresses were measured from the overcoring method with USBM deformation gauge. The results from this study gave a clear picture for three-dimensional behaviour of the rock mass, hence would be used for the optimum design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.211-226
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• 2004

This paper presents a study on the structural behaviour of modular steel scaffolds through both experimental and numerical investigations. Three one-storey and three two-storey modular steel scaffolds were built and tested to failure in order to examine the structural behaviour of typical modular steel scaffolds. Details of the tests and their test results were presented in this paper. Moreover, an advanced non-linear analysis method was employed to evaluate the load carrying capacities of these scaffolds under different support conditions. Comparisons between the experimental and the numerical results on the structural behaviour of these modular steel scaffolds were also presented. Moreover, the restraining effects of external supports in practical situations were also studied through finite element methods. The predicted load carrying capacities and deformations at failure of these models under partially restrained conditions were found to be close to the experimental results. A codified design method for column buckling with modified slenderness ratios was adopted for practical design of modular steel scaffolds.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-134
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• 2008

An experimental and numerical research was conducted to gain a deeper insight on the structural behaviour of deep-beams with indirect supports and to assess the size effects in the ultimate state behaviour. The experimental campaign focused on the influence of the reinforcement tie distribution height on the compression check of the support region and on the benefits of using unbonded prestressing steel. Three reduced scale specimens were tested and used to validate the results obtained with a nonlinear finite element model. As a good agreement could be found between the numerical and the experimental results, the numerical model was then further used to perform simulations in large scale deep-beams, with dimensions similar to the ones to be adopted in a practical case. Two sources of size effects were identified from the simulation results. Both sources are related to the concrete quasi-brittle behaviour and are responsible for increasing failure brittleness with increasing structural size. While in the laboratory models failure occurred both in the experimental tests as well as in the numerical simulations after reinforcement yielding, the numerically analysed large scale models exhibited shear failures with reinforcement still operating in the elastic range.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.637-647
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• 2018

Numerical approach using finite element method has been used to evaluate the behaviour of reinforced concrete frame structure subjected to fire. The structure is previously designed in accordance with Eurocode standards for the design of structures for earthquake resistance, for the ductility class M. Thermal and structural response are obtained using a commercially available software ANSYS. Temperature-dependent nonlinear thermal and mechanical properties are adopted according to Eurocode standards, with the application of constitutive model for the triaxial behaviour of concrete with a smeared crack approach. Discrete modelling of concrete and reinforcement has enabled monitoring of the behaviour at a global, as well as at a local level, providing information on the level of damage occurring during fire. Critical regions in frame structures are identified and assessed, based on temperatures, displacements, variations of internal forces magnitudes and achieved plastic deformations of main reinforcement bars. Parametric analyses are conducted for different fire scenarios and different types of concrete aggregate to determine their effect on global deformations of frame structures. According to analyses results, the three-dimensional finite element model can be used to evaluate the insulation and mechanical resistance criteria of reinforced concrete frame structures subjected to nominal fire curves.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.5
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• pp.523-538
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• 2021

The mechanical behaviour and stability of coal mining engineering underground is significantly affected by ground water. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) technique was employed to determine the water distribution characteristics in coal specimens during saturation process, based on which the functional rule for water distribution was proposed. Then, using discrete element method (DEM), an innovative numerical modelling method was developed to simulate water-weakening effect on coal behaviour considering moisture content and water distribution. Three water distribution numerical models, namely surface-wetting model, core-wetting model and uniform-wetting model, were established to explore the water distribution influences. The feasibility and validity of the surface-wetting model were further demonstrated by comparing the simulation results with laboratory results. The investigation reveals that coal mechanical properties are affected by both water saturation coefficient and water distribution condition. For all water distribution models, micro-cracks always initiate and nucleate in the water-rich area and thus lead to distinct macro fracture characteristics. With the increase of water saturation coefficient, the failure of coal tends to be less violent with less cracks and ejected fragments. In addition, the core-wetting specimen is more sensitive to water than specimens with other water distribution models.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.152-163
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• 1992

The study of rock mass behaviour through a numerical analysis is important for the design, construction and maintenance of large rock caverns. The objectives of the numerical analysis are to design reasonably and construct safely the underground structures, to maintain them soundly after construction and to extend them securely for a desired period of time. Methods of numerical analyses included in this case study are the finite element method, the boundary element method, and the distinct element method. The numerical models are purely elastic, elastoplastic, visco-elastic, visco-plastic, easto-visco-plastic and jointed-discontinuous materials. The results of this case study indicate that the rock mass behaviour could be predicted exactly through continuous comparisons of the numerical results with the in-situ measurements.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2018

This paper has the aim of estimating the applicability of a numerical approach to the Hyperstatic Reaction Method (HRM) for the analysis of segmental tunnel linings. For this purpose, a simplified three-dimensional (3D) numerical model, using the $FLAC^{3D}$ finite difference software, has been developed, which allows analysing in a rigorous way the effect of the lining segmentation on the overall behaviour of the lining. Comparisons between the results obtained with the HRM and those determined by means of the simplified 3D numerical model show that the proposed HRM method can be used to investigate the behaviour of a segmental tunnel lining.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.317-328
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• 2023

The soil behaviour can be represented by numerical modelling of element testing using diverse constitutive models. However, not all constitutive models allow the simulation of the stress-strain response at the critical state in granular soils with both contractive and dilative behaviour. Moreover, the accuracy of these models depends highly on the quality of the experimental data used for their calibration. This study addresses the modelling of the critical state behaviour of an alluvial natural soil from the Lower Tagus Valley (south of Portugal), known as TP-Lisbon sand, using the NorSand constitutive law. For this purpose, a series of numerical simulations of element testing was carried out using two algorithms performed in Visual Basic (VB) and Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC). Moreover, this study presents the characterisation of of NorSand parameters from an accurate experimental programme based on triaxial and bender element testing. This experimental program allowed defining: (i) the critical state locus, (ii) the stress-dilatancy, and (iii) the soil elasticity of TP-Lisbon sand -all fundamental to calibrate the contractive and dilative behaviour of such alluvial soil. The results revealed a good agreement between experimental data and NorSand simulations using VB and FLAC. Therefore, this study showed that the quality of laboratory testing procedures and its good interpretation enables NorSand constitutive law to capture representatively the non-associated plastic strains, often expressed by the state parameter, allowing a representation of soil behaviour of alluvial soils within the critical state soil mechanics framework for different state parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.343-365
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• 2012

Steel suspension members subjected to tension and bending offer an economical and efficient alternative for many structural problems. This paper is concerned with the elastic and elastic-plastic behaviour of suspension members with bending stiffness subjected to vertical point and uniformly distributed loads. An experimental study is described which focuses on the response of three suspension members with various T-shaped steel hot rolled sections and geometric configurations. The tests enable direct assessment of the influence of a key parameter such as the sag-to-span ratio on the response of suspension members. Detailed nonlinear finite-element models are generated to provide a tool for theoretical analyses and to facilitate further understanding of the behaviour. Results demonstrate that experimentally obtained responses can generally be closely predicted numerically because there are relatively good agreements between finite element and tests results. The results and observations of subsequent numerical parametric studies offer an insight into the key factors that govern the behaviour of suspension members with bending stiffness in the elastic-plastic range.