• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.347-368
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• 2023

In the first part of this study, a numerical simulation model was developed using the mechanical APDL software to validate the results of the 3D-elastisity theory on the laminated sandwich plate developed by Panago. The numerical simulation model showed a good agreement to the results of Pagano's theory in terms of deflection, normal stresses, and shear stresses. In the second part of this study, the developed numerical simulation model was used to define different plates dimensions and fibers layup orientations to examine the load response in terms of deflection and stresses. Further analysis was implemented on the natural frequencies of laminated xxx plates of the plates. The layup configurations include Unidirectional (UD), Cross-Ply (CP), Quasi-Isotropic (QI), the linear bio-inspired known as Linear-Helicoidal (LH), and the nonlinear bio-inspired known as Fibonacci-Helicoidal (FH). The following numerical simulation model can be used for the design and study of novel, sophisticated bio-inspired composite structures in a variety of configurations subjected to sinusoidal or constant loads.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.221-242
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• 2023

Internal and external corrosion are common in pressure pipes used in a variety of industries, often resulting in defects that compromise their integrity. This economically and industrially significant problem calls for both preventive and curative technical solutions to guarantee the reliability of these structures. With this in mind, our study focuses on the influence of composite and metallic patch repairs on the limit loads of pipes, particularly elbows, the critical component of piping systems. To this end, we used the nonlinear extended finite element method (X-FEM) to study elbows, a priori corroded on the internal surface of the extrados section, then repaired with composite and metallic patches. In addition, the effect of the geometry of composite materials and metal patches was examined, in particular the effect of their thickness and material on the increase in limit loads of repaired structures. The results obtained provide information on the effectiveness and optimization of patch repair of corroded elbows, with the aim of increasing their service life.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.25-42
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• 2023

This paper presents a finite element (FE) simulation of eccentrically loaded lightweight aggregate concrete-encased steel (LACES) columns with H-shaped steel sections, analytical equations are also established to estimate the columns' axial and bending moment interaction capacities. The validity of the proposed models is checked by comparing the results with experimental data. Good agreements between the test and proposed models' results are found with acceptable agreements. Moreover, design parameters, including the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) strength, eccentricity, column slenderness ratio, and confinement, are studied using the FE analysis, and their efficiency factors are discussed. The results show that the ultimate axial capacity of the LACES composite columns subjected to eccentric loading is negatively affected by the increase in the columns' height, but it is positively affected by the increase of the confinement. Increasing the eccentricity and columns' height reduced the columns'stiffness. In addition, the ultimate capacity of the LACES column is significantly influenced by the LWAC strength and eccentricity, where the ultimate capacity of the LACES column is significantly increased by increasing LWAC strength, and it is remarkably decreased by increasing the eccentricity. When the eccentricity changed from zero to 70 mm, the ultimate axial capacity and stiffness decreased by 67.97% and 63.56%, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2023

The reinforced concrete (RC) structures might need strengthening or upgradation due to adverse environmental conditions, design defects, modification requirements, and to prolong the expected lifespan. The RC beams have been efficiently strengthened using the near surface mounted (NSM) approach over the externally bonded reinforcing (EBR) system. In this study, the performance of RC beam elements strengthened with NSM-steel rebars was investigated using an experimental program and nonlinear finite element modeling (FEM). Nine medium-sized, rectangular cross-section RC beams total in number made up for the experimental evaluation. The beams strengthened with varying percentages of NSM reinforcement, and the number of grooves was assessed in four-point bending experiments up to failure. Based on the experimental evaluation, the load-displacement response, crack features, and failure modes of the strengthened beams were recorded and considered. According to the experimental findings, NSM steel greatly improved the flexural strength (up to about 84%) and stiffness of RC beams. The flexural response of the tested beams was simulated using a 3D non-linear finite element (FE) model. The findings of the experiments and the numerical analysis showed good agreement. The effect of the NSM groove and reinforcement on the structural response was then assessed parametrically.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2023

An accurate and highly efficient inverse element labelled iPCB is developed based on the inverse finite element method (iFEM) for real-time shape estimation of plane-curved structures (such as arch bridges) utilizing onboard strain data. This inverse problem, named shape sensing, is vital for the design of smart structures and structural health monitoring (SHM) procedures. The iPCB formulation is defined based on a least-squares variational principle that employs curved Timoshenko beam theory as its baseline. The accurate strain-displacement relationship considering tension-bending coupling is used to establish theoretical and measured section strains. The displacement fields of the isoparametric element iPCB are interpolated utilizing nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) basis functions, enabling exact geometric modelling even with a very coarse mesh density. The present formulation is completely free from membrane and shear locking. Numerical validation examples for different curved structures subjected to different loading conditions have been performed and have demonstrated the excellent prediction capability of iPCBs. The present formulation has also been shown to be practical and robust since relatively accurate predictions can be obtained even omitting the shear deformation contributions and considering polluted strain measures. The current element offers a promising tool for real-time shape estimation of plane-curved structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2023

To increase the stiffness and strength of a reinforced concrete shear wall, steel plates are bolted to the sides of the wall. The general behavior of a composite concrete-steel shear wall is dependent on the buckling of the steel plates that should be prevented. In this paper, the unilateral buckling of steel plates of a composite shear wall is studied using the Rayleigh-Ritz method. To model the unilateral buckling of steel plate, the restraining concrete wall is described as an elastic foundation with high stiffness in compression and zero stiffness in tension. To consider the effect of bolt connections on the plate's buckling, a constrained optimization problem is solved by using Lagrange multipliers method. This process is used to obtain the critical elastic local buckling coefficients of unilaterally-restrained steel plates with various numbers of bolts, subjected to pure compression, bending and shear loading, and the interaction between them. Using these results, the spacing between shear bolts in composite steel plate shear walls is estimated and compared with the results of the AISC seismic provisions (2016). The results show that the AISC seismic provisions(2016) are overly conservative in obtaining the spacing between shear bolts.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.419-437
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• 2023

This paper presents the study of the effects of rigid-body motion simultaneously with the presence of the effects of temporal variation due to the existence of morphing speed on the aeroelastic stability of the two-stage telescopic wings, and hence this is the main novelty of this study. To this aim, Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is used to model the bending-torsional dynamics of the wing. The aerodynamic loads on the wing in an incompressible flow regime are determined by using Peters' unsteady aerodynamic model. The governing aeroelastic equations are discretized employing a finite element method based on the beam-rod model. The effects of rigid-body motion on the length-based stability of the wing are determined by checking the eigenvalues of system. The obtained results are compared with those available in the literature, and a good agreement is observed. Furthermore, the effects of different parameters of rigid-body such as the mass, radius of gyration, fuselage center of gravity distance from wing elastic axis on the aeroelastic stability are discussed. It is found that some parameters can cause unpredictable changes in the critical length and frequency. Also, paying attention to the fuselage parameters and how they affect stability is very important and will play a significant role in the design.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.637-646
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• 2023

At present, the research on wave propagation in graphene platelet reinforced composite plates focuses on the propagation behavior of bulk waves, in which the effect of boundary condition is ignored, there is no literature report on propagation behaviors of guided waves in graphene platelet reinforced metal foams (GPLRMF) plates. In fact, wave propagation is affected by boundary conditions, so it is necessary to study the propagation characteristics of guided waves. The aim of this paper is to solve this problem. The effective performance of the material was calculated using the mixing law. Equations of motion of GPLRMF plate is derived by using Hamilton's principle. Then, the eigenvalue method is used to obtain the expressions of bending wave, shear wave and longitudinal wave, and the degradation verification is carried out. Finally, the effects of graphene platelets (GPLs) volume fraction, elastic foundation, porosity coefficient, GPLs distribution types and porosity distribution types on the dispersion relations are studied. We find that these factors play an important role in the propagation characteristics and phase velocity of guided waves.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.4
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• pp.349-362
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• 2024

High-performance fiber-reinforced cement composites (HPFRCC) are new materials created and used to repair, strengthen, and improve the performance of different structural parts. When exposed to tensile tension, these materials show acceptable strain-hardening. All of the countries of the globe currently seem to have a need for these building materials. This study aims to create a low-carbon HPFRCC (high ductility) that is made from materials that are readily available locally which has the right mechanical qualities, especially an increase in tensile strain capacity and environmental compatibility. In order to do this, the effects of fiber volume percent (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%), and determining the appropriate level, filler type (limestone powder and silica sand), cement type (ordinary Portland cement, and limestone calcined clay cement or LC3), matrix hardness, and fiber type (ordinary and oxygen plasma treated polypropylene fiber) were explored. Fibers were subjected to oxygen plasma treatment at several powers and periods (50 W and 200 W, 30, 120, and 300 seconds). The influence of the above listed factors on the samples' three-point bending and direct tensile strength test results has been examined. The results showed that replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) in mixtures reduces the compressive strength, and increases the tensile strain capacity of the samples. Furthermore, using oxygen plasma treatment method (power 200 W and time 300 seconds) enhances the bonding of fibers with the matrix surface; thus, the tensile strain capacity of samples increased on average up to 70%.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.4
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• pp.391-401
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• 2024

The present study focuses on the effect of extension-bending coupling on the elastic stability (buckling) of laminated composite plates. These plates will be loaded under uni-axial or bi-axial in-plane mechanical loads, especially in the orthotropic or anti-symmetric cross-angle cases. The main objective is to find a limit where we can approximate the elastic stability behavior of angularly crossed anti-symmetric plates by the simple behavior of specially orthotropic plates. The contribution of my present study is to predict the explicit effect of extension-flexion coupling on the elastic stability of this type of panel. Critically, a parametric study is carried out, involving the search for the critical buckling load as a function of deformation mode, aspect ratio, plate anisotropy ratio and finally the study of the effect of lamination angle and number of layers on the contribution of extension-flexure coupling in terms of plate buckling stability. We use first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) with a correction factor of 5/6. Simply supported conditions along the four boundaries are adopted where we can develop closed-form analytical solutions obtained by a Navier development.