• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.801-814
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• 2012

The strain rate effects on the interaction between a Mode I matrix crack and an inclined elliptic matrix-inclusion interface under dynamic tensile loadings were investigated numerically, and the results are in agreement with previous experimental data. It is found, for a given material system, that there are the first and the second critical strain rates, by which three kinds of the subsequent crack growth patterns can be classified in turn with the increasing strain rate, namely, the crack deflection, the double crack mode and the perpendicular crack penetration. Moreover, such a crack deflection/penetration behavior is found to be dependent on the relative interfacial strength, the inclined angle and the inclusion size. In addition, it is shown that the so-called strain rate effect on the dynamic strength of granule composites can be induced directly from the structural dynamic response of materials, not be entirely an intrinsic material property.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.399-409
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• 2018

This paper demonstrates the potential application of machine learning algorithms for approximate prediction of the load and deflection capacities of the novel type of Laced Steel Concrete-Composite (LSCC) beams proposed by Anandavalli et al. (Engineering Structures 2012). Initially, global and local responses measured on LSCC beam specimen in an experiment are used to validate nonlinear FE model of the LSCC beams. The data for the machine learning algorithms is then generated using validated FE model for a range of values of the identified sensitive parameters. The performance of four well-known machine learning algorithms, viz., Support Vector Regression (SVR), Minimax Probability Machine Regression (MPMR), Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) and Multigene Genetic Programing (MGGP) for the approximate estimation of the load and deflection capacities are compared in terms of well-defined error indices. Through relative comparison of the estimated values, it is demonstrated that the algorithms explored in the present study provide a good alternative to expensive experimental testing and sophisticated numerical simulation of the response of LSCC beams. The load carrying and displacement capacity of the LSCC was predicted well by MGGP and MPMR, respectively.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2023

Nonlinear forced vibration properties of three-layered plates containing graphene platelets (GPL) filled skins and an auxetic core have been inquired within the present paper. Owning reduced weight as well as reduced stiffness, rectangle-shaped auxetic cores have been frequently made from novel techniques such as additive manufacturing. Here, the rectangle shape core is amplified via the graphene-filled layers knowing that the layers possess uniform and linear graphene gradations. The rectangle shape core has the equivalent material specifications pursuant to relative density value. The sandwich plate is formulated pursuant to Kirchhoff plate theory while a numerical trend has been represented to discretize the plate equations. Next, an analytical trend has been performed to establish the deflection-frequency plots. Large deflections, core density and GPL amplification have showed remarkable impacts on dynamic response of three-layered plates.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.81-98
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• 1999

The influence of tunnelling on buildings has become an important issue in urban areas. The problem is an interactive one: not only do tunnelling settlements affect existing structures, but existing structures affect tunnel-induced soil movements. In order to examine the constraint of surface settlement and the degradation of building damage parameters, 3-dimensional elasto-plastic finite element analyses are peformed. Also, in this paper, the results of the parametric studies for the variations of the damage parameters due to the ground movements are presented by utilizing 2-dimensional elasto-plastic finite element models, totally 162 models. The width of a structure, its bending and axial stiffness, its position relative to the tunnel and the depth of tunnel are considered. The interaction is shown by reference to commonly-used building damage parameters, namely angular distortion, deflection ratio, maximum building settlements, maximum differential settlements and horizontal strain. By introducing relative stiffness parameters which combine the bending and axial stiffness of the structure with its width and stiffness of soil, design curves are established. These give a guide as to the likely modification of the greenfield settlement trough caused by a surface structure. They can be used to give initial estimates of likely building damage.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.181-210
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• 2009

This paper presents the theoretical developments of an exact finite strip for the buckling and initial post-buckling analyses of isotropic flat plates. The so-called exact finite strip is assumed to be simply supported out-of-plane at the loaded ends. The strip is developed based on the concept that it is effectively a plate. The present method, which is designated by the name Full-analytical Finite Strip Method in this paper, provides an efficient and extremely accurate buckling solution. In the development process, the Von-Karman's equilibrium equation is solved exactly to obtain the buckling loads and the corresponding form of out-of-plane buckling deflection modes. The investigation of thin flat plate buckling behavior is then extended to an initial post-buckling study with the assumption that the deflected form immediately after the buckling is the same as that obtained for the buckling. It is noted that in the present method, only one of the calculated out-of-plane buckling deflection modes, corresponding to the lowest buckling load, i.e., the first mode is used for the initial post-buckling study. Thus, the postbuckling study is effectively a single-term analysis, which is attempted by utilizing the so-called semi-energy method. In this method, the Von-Karman's compatibility equation governing the behavior of isotropic flat plates is used together with a consideration of the total strain energy of the plate. Through the solution of the compatibility equation, the in-plane displacement functions which are themselves related to the Airy stress function are developed in terms of the unknown coefficient in the assumed out-of-plane deflection function. These in-plane and out-of-plane deflected functions are then substituted in the total strain energy expressions and the theorem of minimum total potential energy is applied to solve for the unknown coefficient. The developed method is subsequently applied to analyze the initial postbuckling behavior of some representative thin flat plates for which the results are also obtained through the application of a semi-analytical finite strip method. Through the comparison of the results and the appropriate discussion, the knowledge of the level of capability of the developed method is significantly promoted.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2022

In this study, 3D coupled-consolidation numerical parametric study was conducted to predict the deformation mechanism of a 20 storey building sitting on (4×4) piled raft (with length of piles, L_p=30 m) to adjacent 6 m diameter (D) tunnelling in stiff clay. The influences of different tunnel locations relative to piles (i.e., z_t/L_p) were investigated in this parametric study. In first case, the tunnel was excavated near the pile shafts with depth of tunnel axis (z_t) of 9 m (i.e., z_t/L_p). In second and third cases, tunnels were driven at z_t of 30 m and 42 m (i.e., z_t/L_p = 1.0 and 1.4), respectively. An advanced hypoplastic clay model (which is capable of taking small-strain stiffness in account) was adopted to capture soil behaviour. The computed results revealed that tunnelling activity adjacent to a building resting on piled raft caused significant settlement, differential settlement, lateral deflection, angular distortion in the building. In addition, substantial bending moment, shear forces and changes in axial load distribution along pile length were induced. The findings from the parametric study revealed that the building and pile responses significantly influenced by tunnel location relative to pile.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.577-588
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• 2018

A major concern in deep excavation project in soft clay deposits is the potential for adjacent buildings to be damaged as a result of the associated excessive ground movements. In order to accurately determine the wall deflections using a numerical procedure such as the finite element method, it is critical to use the correct soil parameters such as the stiffness/strength properties. This can be carried out by performing an inverse analysis using the measured wall deflections. This paper firstly presents the results of extensive plane strain finite element analyses of braced diaphragm walls to examine the influence of various parameters such as the excavation geometry, soil properties and wall stiffness on the wall deflections. Based on these results, a multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model was developed for inverse parameter identification of the soil relative stiffness ratio. A second MARS model was also developed for inverse parameter estimation of the wall system stiffness, to enable designers to determine the appropriate wall size during the preliminary design phase. Soil relative stiffness ratios and system stiffness values derived via these two different MARS models were found to compare favourably with a number of field and published records.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.611-621
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• 2023

This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation of the effect of geotextile reinforcement on underlying buried pipe behavior using PLAXIS 3D. In this study, variable parameters such as the in-plane stiffness of the geotextile, the pipe stiffness, the soil stiffness, the footing width, the geotextile width, and the location of the geotextile reinforcement layer are investigated. Deflections and bending moments acting on the pipe are evaluated for different combinations of variables and are presented graphically. It is observed that with an increase in the in-plane stiffness of the geotextile reinforcement, there is a tendency for a decrease in both deflections in the pipe and bending moments acting on the pipe. Conversely, with an increase in the pipe stiffness, geotextile reinforcement efficiency decreases. In the investigated region of soil stiffness, for the given pipe and geotextile stiffness, an optimum efficiency of geotextile is observed in medium dense soils. Further, it is shown that relative lengths of geotextile and footing has an important role on geotextile efficiency. Lastly, it is also demonstrated that relative location of geotextile layer with respect to the buried pipe plays an important role on the geotextile efficiency in reducing the bending moments acting on the pipe and deflections in the pipe. In general, geotextiles are more efficient in reducing the bending moments as opposed to reducing deflections of the pipe. Numerical validation is done with an experimental study from the literature to observe the applicability of the numerical model used.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.263-283
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• 2024

This research introduces a new composite system that utilizes multiple moving masses to identify cracks in structures resembling beams. The process starts by recording displacement time data from a set of these moving masses and converting this information into a relative time history through weighted aggregation. This relative time history then undergoes wavelet transform analysis to precisely locate cracks. Following wavelet examinations, specific points along the beam are determined as potential crack sites. These points, along with locations on the beam susceptible to cracked point due to support conditions, are marked as crack locations within the optimization algorithm's search domain. The model uses equations of motion based on the finite element method for the moving masses on the beam and employs the Runge-Kutta numerical solution within the state space. The proposed system consists of three successive moving masses positioned at even intervals along the beam. To assess its effectiveness, the method is tested on two examples: a simply supported beam and a continuous beam, each having three scenarios to simulate the presence of one or multiple cracks. Additionally, another example investigates the influence of mass speed, spacing between masses, and noise effect. The outcomes showcase the method's effectiveness and efficiency in localizing crack, even in the presence of noise effect in 1%, 5% and 20%.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.307-314
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• 2024

To minimize the production time of floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) units, which are eco-friendly offshore structures, builders are exploring methods to extend the length of piperacks. This approach aims to reduce the number of installations and equipment required. In this study, a static stability analysis (in-place analysis) was conducted using the structural analysis computer system (SACS), a program for analyzing topside structures, to assess the effects of piperack enlargement. Two models were analyzed: the original piperack and a version with double the length. Both models were based on data from an existing FLNG unit, with identical environmental loads applied. The results showed that while relative displacement increased linearly with length, the stress did not follow the same linear pattern. However, stress levels in some braces at the base of the structure increased, indicating the need for larger structural members. From the perspective of in-place analysis, piperack enlargement appears feasible. However, further investigation, including fatigue analysis and assessments of operational and maintenance challenges, is recommended to confirm its long-term viability.