• Wind and Structures
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-20
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• 2014

Modern design of long suspension bridges must satisfy at the same time spanning very long distances and limiting their response against several external loads, even if of high intensity. Structural Control, with the solutions it provides, can offer a reliable contribution to limit internal forces and deformations in structural elements when extreme events occur. This positive aspect is very interesting when the dimensions of the structure are large. Herein, an updated numerical model of an existing suspension bridge is developed in a commercial finite element work frame, starting from original data. This model is used to reevaluate an optimization procedure for a passive control strategy, already proven effective with a simplified model of the buffeting wind forces. Such optimization procedure, previously implemented with a quasi-steady model of the buffeting excitation, is here reevaluated adopting a more refined version of the wind-structure interaction forces in which wind actions are applied on the towers and the cables considering drag forces only. For the deck a more refined formulation, based on the use of indicial functions, is adopted to reflect coupling with the bridge orientation and motion. It is shown that there is no variation of the previously identified optimal passive configuration.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.27-37
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• 2018

Reinforced concrete structures are widely used in civil engineering projects around the world in different designs. Due to the great evolution in computational equipment and numerical methods, structural analysis has become more and more reliable, and in turn more closely approximates reality. Thus among the many numerical methods used to carry out these types of analyses, the finite element method has been highlighted as an optimized tool option, combined with the non-linear and linear analysis techniques of structures. In this paper, the behavior of reinforced concrete beams was analyzed in two different configurations: i) with welding and ii) conventionally lashed stirrups using annealed wire. The structures were subjected to normal and tangential forces up to the limit of their bending resistance capacities to observe the cracking process and growth of the concrete structure. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of welded wire fabric as shear reinforcement in concrete prismatic beams under static loading conditions. Experimental analysis was carried out in order compare the maximum load of both configurations, the experimental load-time profile applied in the first configuration was used to reproduce the same loading conditions in the numerical simulations. Thus, comparisons between the numerical and experimental results of the welded frame beam show that the proposed model can estimate the concrete strength and failure behavior accurately.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.1-18
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• 2016

This work experimentally and numerically analyzes the flow configurations and the dynamic wind loads on panels of rectangular L/h 5:1 cross section mounted on a structural frame of rectangular bars of L/h 0.5:1, corresponding to a radar structure. The fluid dynamic interaction between panels and frame wakes imposes dynamic loads on the panels, with particular frequencies and Strouhal numbers, different from those of isolated elements. The numerical scheme is validated by comparison with mean forces and velocity spectra of a panel wake obtained by wind tunnel tests. The flow configuration is analyzed through images of the numerical simulations. For a large number of panels, as in the radar array, their wakes couple in either phase or counter-phase configurations, changing the resultant forces on each panel. Instantaneous normal and tangential force coefficients are reported; their spectra show two distinct peaks, caused by the interaction of the wakes. Finally, a scaled model of a rectangular structure comprised of panels and frame elements is tested in the boundary layer wind tunnel in order to determine the influence of the velocity variation with height and the three-dimensionality of the bulk flow around the structure. Results show that the unsteady aerodynamic loads, being strongly influenced by the vortex shedding of the supporting elements and by the global 3-D geometry of the array, differ considerably on a panel in this array from loads acting on an isolated panel, not only in magnitude, but also in frequency.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.339-351
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• 2022

Evaluating the current condition of existing structures is of primary importance for economic and safety reasons. This can be addressed by Structural System Identification (SSI). A reliable static SSI depends on well-designed sensor configuration and loading cases, as well as efficient parameter estimation algorithms. Static SSI by the Measurement Error-Minimizing Observability Method (MEMOM) is a model-based deterministic static SSI method that could estimate structural parameters from static responses. In the current state of the art, this method is only applicable when structures are subjected to one loading case. This might lead to lack of information in some local regions of the structure (such as the null curvatures zones). To address this issue, the SSI by MEMOM using multiple loading cases is proposed in this work. Observability equations obtained from different loading cases are concatenated simultaneously and an optimization procedure is introduced to obtain the estimations by minimizing the discrepancy between the predicted response and the measured one. In addition, a Genetic-Algorithm (GA)-based Optimal Sensor Placement (OSP) method is proposed to tackle the OSP problem under multiple static loading cases for the very first time. In this approach, the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM)'s determinant is used as the metric of the goodness of sensor configurations. The numerical examples of a 3-span continuous bridge and a 13-story frame, are analyzed to validate the applicability of the extended SSI by MEMOM and the GA-based OSP method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.163-177
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• 2020

Concentrically Braced Frames (CBFs) are commonly used in the construction of steel structures because of their ease of implementation, rigidity, low lateral displacement, and cost-effectiveness. However, the principal disadvantage of this kind of braced frame is the inability to provide deformation capacity (ductility) and buckling of bracing elements before yielding. This paper aims to present a novel Composite Buckling Restrained Fuse (CBRF) to be utilized as a bracing segment in concentrically braced frames that allows higher ductility and removes premature buckling. The proposed CBRF with relatively small dimensions is an enhancement on the Reduced Length Buckling Restrained Braces (RL-BRBs), consists of steel core and additional tensile elements embedded in a concrete encasement. Employing tensile elements in this composite fuse with a new configuration enhances the energy dissipation efficiency and removes the tensile strength limitations that exist in bracing elements that contain RL-BRBs. Here, the optimal length of the CBRF is computed by considering the anticipated strain demand and the low-cyclic fatigue life of the core under standard loading protocol. An experimental program is conducted to explore the seismic behavior of the suggested CBRF compare with an RL-BRB specimen under gradually increased cyclic loading. Moreover, Hysteretic responses of the specimens are evaluated to calculate the design parameters such as energy dissipation potential, strength adjustment factors, and equivalent viscous damping. The findings show that the suggested fuse possess a ductile behavior with high energy absorption and sufficient resistance and a reasonably stable hysteresis response under compression and tension.

• 한국정밀공학회지
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1297-1308
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• 2011

The light-weight design of UTM (Urban Transit Maglev)-02 car-body frames are performed, based on initial configuration. The thicknesses of fourteen sub-structures are defined as design variables and the loading condition is considered according to weight of sub-structures, electronic and pneumatic modules and passengers. For efficient and robust process of design optimization, objective function and constraints are approximated by response surface approximation. Structural analysis is performed at some sampling points to construct the approximated objective function and constraints composed of design variables. Design space is changed to find many optimal candidates and best optimal design can be found eventually. The Matlab Optimization Toolbox is used to find optimal value and sensitivity analysis about each design variable is also performed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.149-168
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• 2011

This paper presents a computational study of column loss scenarios for typical multi-story steel buildings with perimeter moment frames and composite steel-concrete floors. Two prototype buildings (three-story and ten-story) were represented using three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models and explicit dynamic analysis was used to simulate instantaneous loss of a first-story column. Twelve individual column loss scenarios were investigated in the three-story building and four in the ten-story building. This study provides insight into: three-dimensional load redistribution patterns; demands on the steel deck, concrete slab, connections and members; and the impact of framing configuration, building height and column loss location. In the dynamic simulations, demands were least severe for perimeter columns within a moment frame, but the structures also exhibited significant load redistribution for interior column loss scenarios that had no moment connectivity. Composite action was observed to be an important load redistribution mechanism following column loss and the concrete slab and steel deck were subjected to high localized stresses as a result of the composite action. In general, the steel buildings that were evaluated in this study demonstrated appreciable robustness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.849-866
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• 2012

Single span historic bridges often contain non-prismatic members identified with a varying depth along their span lengths. Commonly, the symmetric parabolic height variations having the constant haunch length ratio of 0.5 have been selected to lower the stresses at the high bending moment points and to maintain the deflections within the acceptable limits. Due to their non-prismatic geometrical configuration, their assessment, particularly the computation of fixed-end horizontal forces (FEFs) and fixed-end moments (FEMs) becomes a complex problem. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the behavior of non-prismatic beams with symmetrical parabolic haunches (NBSPH) having the constant haunch length ratio of 0.5 using finite element analyses (FEA). FEFs and FEMs due to vertical loadings as well as the stiffness coefficients and the carry-over factors were computed through a comprehensive parametric study using FEA. It was demonstrated that the conventional methods using frame elements can lead to significant errors, and the deviations can reach to unacceptable levels for these types of structures. Despite the robustness of FEA, the generation of FEFs and FEMs using the nodal outputs of the detailed finite element mesh still remains an intricate task. Therefore, this study advances to propose effective formulas and dimensionless estimation coefficients to predict the FEFs, FEMs, stiffness coefficients and carry-over factors with reasonable accuracy for the analysis and re-evaluation of the NBSPH. Using the proposed approach, the fixed-end reactions due to vertical loads, and also the stiffness coefficients and the carry-over factors of the NBSPH can be determined without necessitating the detailed FEA.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제63권5호
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• pp.691-702
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• 2017

Clearances are essential for the assemblage of mechanisms to allow the relative motion between the joined bodies. This clearance exists due to machining tolerances, wear, material deformations, and imperfections, and it can worsen the mechanism performance when the precision and smoothly-working are intended. Energy is a subject which is less paid attention in the area of clearance. The effect of the clearance on the energy of a flexible slider-crank mechanism is investigated in this paper. A clearance exists in the joint between the slider and the coupler. The contact force model is based on the Lankarani and Nikravesh model and the friction force is calculated using the modified Coulomb's friction law. The hysteresis damping which has been included in the contact force model dissipates energy in clearance joints. The other source for the energy loss is the friction between the journal and the bearing. Initial configuration and crank angular velocity are changed to see their effects on the energy of the system. Energy diagrams are plotted for different coefficients of friction to see its influence. Finally, considering the coupler as a flexible body, the effect of flexibility on the energy of the system is investigated.

• 디지털콘텐츠학회 논문지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.413-422
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• 2008

1992년 퓰리처 상을 수상한 아트 슈피겔만의 그래픽 노블 <<쥐>>에 관한 표현적 특성가운데 첫 번째 작가가 청년기를 보낸 $60{\sim}70$년대 <<쥐>>의 창작 배경이 되는 시대 상황과 환경을 조사하여 작품의 사상적 배경을 연구하였고 두 번째 서사적 특성에서는 우화적 서사와 다큐멘터리적 내러티브, 이중화법, 액자식 구성에 관한 조사를 하였다. 세 번째 형식적 특성에서는 캐릭터의 변화과정과 상징성 및 스콧 맥클루드의 만화 이론을 바탕으로 <<쥐>>의 구조적인 분석을 하였다. 마지막으로 슈피겔만 특유의 표현기법인 사진, 약식 도판, 지도를 분석하여 리얼리즘이 강하게 표현된 <<쥐>>의 형태 구조적 완성도를 고찰하였다.