• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.123-140
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• 2003

The importance of the research on moment-resistant properties of unstiffened tubular joints and the research background are introduced. The performed experimental research on the bending rigidity and capacity of the joints is reported. The emphasis is put on the discussion of the flexural behavior of the joints including sets of geometrical parameters of the joints and several loading combinations. Procedures and results of loading tests on four full size joints in planar KK and X configuration are described in details at first. Mechanical models are proposed to analyze the joint specimens. Three-dimensional nonlinear FE models are established and verified with the experimental results. By comparing the experimental data with the results of the analysis, it is reported reasonable to carry out the structural analysis under the assumption that the joint is fully rigidly connected, and their bending capacities can assure the strength of the members connected under certain limitation. Furthermore, a parametric formula for inplane bengding rigidity of T and Y type tubular joints is proposed on the basis of FE calculation and regression analysis. Compared with test results, it is shown that the parametric formula developed in this paper has good applicability.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.15-37
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• 2014

In this study, the optimum silo dimensions for the barrel-type steel-concentrated silo with a conical outlet port usable in the hazelnut storage were investigated. Three different types of silo models as Model 1 (1635 tons), Model 2 (620 tons) and Model 3 (1124 tons) were used in the study. Varying wall thicknesses were used for Model 1 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 mm), Model 2 (10, 15 and 20 mm) and Model 3 (10, 15 and 20 mm) silos. For Model 1 silo has the most storage capacity here, to determine its optimum wall thickness, the wall thicknesses of 11, 12, 13 and 14 mm were used as different from the other models. Thus the stresses occurring in different lines with ANSYS finite element software were examined. In the study it was determined that the 10, 11 and 12 mm wall thicknesses of the Model 1 silo are not safe in terms of the stresses caused by the vertical pressure loads in the filling conditions. From the view of the filling and discharge conditions, other wall thicknesses and model silos were diagnosed to be secure. The optimum silo dimensions which won't cause any structural problems have been found out as the Model 1 silo with a 13 mm wall thickness when the filling capacity and the maximum von Mises stresses are taken into account. This barrel-type silo with conical outlet port sets forth the most convenient properties in hazelnut storing in terms of engineering.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.335-347
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• 2013

In this paper, the nonlinear cylindrical bending behavior of functionally graded nanocomposite plates reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is studied using an efficient and simple refined theory. This theory is based on assumption that the in-plane and transverse displacements consist of bending and shear components in which the bending components do not contribute toward shear forces and, likewise, the shear components do not contribute toward bending moments. The material properties of SWCNTs are assumed to be temperature-dependent and are obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. The material properties of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTCRs) are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction, and are estimated through a micromechanical model. The fundamental equations for functionally graded nanocomposite plates are obtained using the Von-Karman theory for large deflections and the solution is obtained by minimization of the total potential energy. The numerical illustrations concern the nonlinear bending response of FG-CNTRC plates under different sets of thermal environmental conditions, from which results for uniformly distributed CNTRC plates are obtained as comparators.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.187-209
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• 2013

This paper presents a study on the prediction of transfer length of 13 mm seven-wire prestressing steel strand in pretensioned prestressed concrete members with rectangular cross-section including several material properties and design and manufacture parameters. To this end, a carefully selected database consisting of 207 different cases coming from 18 different sources spanning a variety of practical transfer length prediction situations was compiled. 16 single input features and 5 combined input features are analyzed. A widely used feedforward neural regression model was considered as a representative of several machine learning methods that have already been used in the engineering field. Classical multiple linear regression was also considered in order to comparatively assess performance and robustness in this context. The results show that the implemented model has good prediction and generalization capacity when it is used on large input data sets of practical interest from the engineering point of view. In particular, a neural model is proposed -using only 4 hidden units and 10 input variables-which significantly reduces in 30% and 60% the errors in transfer length prediction when using standard linear regression or fixed formulas, respectively.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.273-295
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• 2018

In this study, an investigation of a damage detection methodology for global condition assessment is presented. A particular emphasis is put on the utilization of wireless sensors for more practical, less time consuming, less expensive and safer monitoring and eventually maintenance purposes. Wireless sensors are deployed with a sensor roving technique to maintain a dense sensor field yet requiring fewer sensors. The time series analysis method called ARX models (Auto-Regressive models with eXogeneous input) for different sensor clusters is implemented for the exploration of artificially induced damage and their locations. The performance of the technique is verified by making use of the data sets acquired from a 4-span bridge-type steel structure in a controlled laboratory environment. In that, the free response vibration data of the structure for a specific sensor cluster is measured by both wired and wireless sensors and the acceleration output of each sensor is used as an input to ARX model to estimate the response of the reference channel of that cluster. Using both data types, the ARX based time series analysis method is shown to be effective for damage detection and localization along with the interpretations and conclusions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.53-70
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• 2007

This paper presents a analysis of the problem of optimal design of the beams with two I-type cross section shapes. These types of beams are simply supported and subject to pure bending. The strength and stability conditions were formulated and analytically solved in the form of mathematical equations. Both global and selected types of local stability forms were taken into account. The optimization problem was defined as bicriteria. The cross section area of the beam is the first objective function, while the deflection of the beam is the second. The geometric parameters of cross section were selected as the design variables. The set of constraints includes global and local stability conditions, the strength condition, and technological and constructional requirements in the form of geometric relations. The optimization problem was formulated and solved with the help of the Pareto concept of optimality. During the numerical calculations a set of optimal compromise solutions was generated. The numerical procedures include discrete and continuous sets of the design variables. Results of numerical analysis are presented in the form of tables, cross section outlines and diagrams. Results are discussed at the end of the work. These results may be useful for designers in optimal designing of thin-walled beams, increasing information required in the decision-making procedure.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

The concept of horizontal shear connection utilization on wood-concrete beams intends to be an alternative connection detail for composite wood-concrete decks. The volume of sawn-wood is over three times more expensive than concrete, in Brazil. In order to be competitive in the Brazilian market we need a composite deck with the least amount of wood and a simple and inexpensive connection detail. This research project uses medium to high density tropical hardwoods managed from the Brazilian Amazon region and construction steel rods. The beams studied are composed of a bottom layer of staggered wood boards and a top layer of concrete. The wood members are laterally nailed together to form a wide beam, and horizontal rebar connectors are installed before the concrete layer is applied on top. Two sets of wood-concrete layered beams with horizontal rebar connectors (6 and 8) were tested in third-point loading flexural bending. The initial results reveal medium composite efficiency for the beams tested. An improvement on the previously conceived connection detail (set with six connectors) for the composite wood-concrete structural floor system was achieved by the set with eight connectors. The new layout of the horizontal rebar connectors added higher composite efficiency for the beams tested. Further analysis with advanced rigorous numerical Finite Element Modeling is suggested to optimize the connection parameters. Composite wood-concrete decks can attend a large demand for pedestrian bridges, as well as residential and commercial slabs in the Brazilian Amazon.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.61-71
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• 1995

Nowadays the thin-walled metal bearing, which is made seperately from the bearing housing and has the ratio of wall thickness/bearing diameter being less than 1/30, are used in many newly developed large-sized slow speed diesel engines for the purpose of upgarding lubication performance and easy maintenance according to the trends of increasing output per cylinder and lowering engine speed. The type of this bearing has been used generally in many small-sized high speed engines applied for automobile, high speed craft and industrial power generation systems since 1950s. But the tranditional thick-walled bearings, whice are linned white metal on the bearing housing directly, have been installed on the large and slow speed engines until 1990s due to the easy manufacturing procedures. In this study we have calculated optimum dimensions of the metal bearing, fabricated special zigs for crush measurement, model test machine, 2 sets of specimens.(crosshead pin bearing, $\phi$818*552*20mm) for B & W 6S70MC(20, 940*88rpm), and evaluated metal constact phenomena of white metal, its friction coefficient, temparature rise through the model test and field performance test.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.267-285
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• 2011

There can be a significant amount of moment redistribution in composite frames consisting of steel columns and composite beams, due to cracking, creep and shrinkage of concrete. Considerable amount of computational effort is required for taking into account these effects for large composite frames. A methodology has been presented in this paper for taking into account these effects. In the methodology that has been demonstrated for moderately high frames, neural network models are developed for rapid prediction of the inelastic moments (typically for 20 years, considering instantaneous cracking, and time effects, i.e., creep and shrinkage, in concrete) at a joint in a frame from the elastic moments (neglecting instantaneous cracking and time effects). The proposed models predict the inelastic moment ratios (ratio of elastic moment to inelastic moment) using eleven input parameters for interior joints and seven input parameters for exterior joints. The training and testing data sets are generated using a hybrid procedure developed by the authors. The neural network models have been validated for frames of different number of spans and storeys. The models drastically reduce the computational effort and predict the inelastic moments, with reasonable accuracy for practical purposes, from the elastic moments, that can be obtained from any of the readily available software.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.547-563
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• 2015

Deflection in a beam of a composite frame is a serviceability design criterion. This paper presents a methodology for rapid prediction of long-term mid-span deflections of beams in composite frames subjected to service load. Neural networks have been developed to predict the inelastic mid-span deflections in beams of frames (typically for 20 years, considering cracking, and time effects, i.e., creep and shrinkage in concrete) from the elastic moments and elastic mid-span deflections (neglecting cracking, and time effects). These models can be used for frames with any number of bays and stories. The training, validating, and testing data sets for the neural networks are generated using a hybrid analytical-numerical procedure of analysis. Multilayered feed-forward networks have been developed using sigmoid function as an activation function and the back propagation-learning algorithm for training. The proposed neural networks are validated for an example frame of different number of spans and stories and the errors are shown to be small. Sensitivity studies are carried out using the developed neural networks. These studies show the influence of variations of input parameters on the output parameter. The neural networks can be used in every day design as they enable rapid prediction of inelastic mid-span deflections with reasonable accuracy for practical purposes and require computational effort which is a fraction of that required for the available methods.