• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권9호
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• pp.3100-3111
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• 2021

Numerical modeling for the safety-related equipment used in a nuclear power plant (i.e., cabinet facilities) plays an essential role in seismic risk assessment. A full finite element model is often time-consuming for nonlinear time history analysis due to its computational modeling complexity. Thus, this study aims to generate a simplified model that can capture the nonlinear behavior of the electrical cabinet. Accordingly, the distributed plasticity approach was utilized to examine the stiffness-degradation effect caused by the local buckling of the structure. The inherent dynamic characteristics of the numerical model were validated against the experimental test. The outcomes indicate that the proposed model can adequately represent the significant behavior of the structure, and it is preferred in practice to perform the nonlinear analysis of the cabinet. Further investigations were carried out to evaluate the seismic behavior of the cabinet under the influence of the constitutive law of material models. Three available models in OpenSees (i.e., linear, bilinear, and Giuffre-Menegotto-Pinto (GMP) model) were considered to provide an enhanced understating of the seismic responses of the cabinet. It was found that the material nonlinearity, which is the function of its smoothness, is the most effective parameter for the structural analysis of the cabinet. Also, it showed that implementing nonlinear models reduces the seismic response of the cabinet considerably in comparison with the linear model.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제71권6호
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• pp.669-682
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• 2019

We in this article study nonlinear thermal buckling of bi-directional functionally graded beams in the theoretical frameworks of nonlocal strain graded theory. To begin with, it is assumed that the effective material properties of beams vary continuously in both the thickness and width directions. Then, we utilize a higher-order shear deformation theory that includes a physical neutral surface to derive the size-dependent governing equations combining with the Hamilton's principle and the von $K{\acute{a}}rm{\acute{a}}n$ geometric nonlinearity. It should be pointed out that the established model, containing a nonlocal parameter and a strain gradient length scale parameter, can availably account for both the influence of nonlocal elastic stress field and the influence of strain gradient stress field. Subsequently, via using a easier group of initial asymptotic solutions, the corresponding analytical solution of thermal buckling of beams is obtained with the help of perturbation method. Finally, a parametric study is carried out in detail after validating the present analysis, especially for the effects of a nonlocal parameter, a strain gradient length scale parameter and the ratio of the two on the critical thermal buckling temperature of beams.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.141-156
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• 2019

This paper presents the flexural behaviour of stainless steel beam-to-tubular column joints with extended endplates subjected to static loading. Moment-rotation relationships were investigated numerically by using Abaqus software with geometric and material nonlinearity considered. The prediction of damages among components was achieved through ductile damage models, and the influence of initial geometric imperfections and residual stresses was evaluated in large fabricated stainless steel joints involving hollow columns and concrete-filled columns. Parametric analysis was subsequently conducted to assess critical factors that could affect the flexural performance significantly in terms of the initial stiffness and moment resistance. A comparison between codes of practice and numerical results was thereafter made, and design recommendations were proposed for further applications. Results suggest that the finite element model can predict the structural behaviour reasonably well with the component damage consistent with test outcomes. Initial geometric imperfections and residual stresses are shown to have little effect on the moment-rotation responses. A series of parameters that can influence the joint behaviour remarkably include the strain-hardening exponents, stainless steel strength, diameter of bolts, thickness of endplates, position of bolts, section of beams and columns. AS/NZS 2327 is more reliable to predict the joint performance regarding the initial stiffness and moment capacity compared to EN 1993-1-8.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.299-313
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• 2019

This research investigated the nonlinear compressibility, permeability, the yielding due to structural degradation and their effects on consolidation behavior of structured soft soils. Based on oedometer and hydraulic conductivity test results of natural and reconstituted soft clays, linear log (1+e) ~ $log\;{\sigma}^{\prime}$ and log (1+e) ~ $log\;k_v$ relationships were developed to capture the variations in compressibility and permeability, and the yield stress ratio (YSR) was introduced to characterize the soil structure of natural soft clay. Semi-analytical solutions for one-dimensional consolidation of soft clay under time-dependent loading incorporating the effects of soil nonlinearity and soil structure were proposed. The semi-analytical solutions were verified against field measurements of a well-documented test embankment and they can give better accuracy in prediction of excess pore pressure compared to the predictions using the existing analytical solutions. Additionally, parametric studies were conducted to analyze the effects of YSR, compression index (${\lambda}_r$ and ${\lambda}_c$), and permeability index (${\eta}_k$) on the consolidation behavior of structured soft clays. The magnitude of the difference between degree of consolidation based on excess pore pressure ($U_p$) and that based on strain ($U_s$) depends on YSR. The parameter ${\lambda}_c/{\eta}_k$ plays a significant role in predicting consolidation behavior.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제70권6호
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• pp.737-750
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• 2019

This paper investigates the static and dynamic behaviors of imperfect single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) modeled as a beam structure by using energy-equivalent model (EEM), for the first time. Based on EEM Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for zigzag (n, 0), and armchair (n, n) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are presented as functions of orientation and force constants. Nonlinear Euler-Bernoulli assumptions are proposed considering mid-plane stretching to exhibit a large deformation and a small strain. To simulate the interaction of CNTs with the surrounding elastic medium, nonlinear elastic foundation with cubic nonlinearity and shearing layer are employed. The equation governed the motion of curved CNTs is a nonlinear integropartial-differential equation. It is derived in terms of only the lateral displacement. The nonlinear integro-differential equation that governs the buckling of CNT is numerically solved using the differential integral quadrature method (DIQM) and Newton's method. The linear vibration problem around the static configurations is discretized using DIQM and then is solved as a linear eigenvalue problem. Numerical results are depicted to illustrate the influence of chirality angle and imperfection amplitude on static response, buckling load and dynamic behaviors of armchair and zigzag CNTs. Both, clamped-clamped (C-C) and simply supported (SS-SS) boundary conditions are examined. This model is helpful especially in mechanical design of NEMS manufactured from CNTs.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제76권6호
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• pp.737-749
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• 2020

A hybrid bridge deck is proposed, which includes steel bars, concrete and glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP) plates with channel sections. The steel bar in the negative moment region can increase the flexural stiffness, improve the ductility, and reduce the GFRP ratio. Three continuous decks with different steel bar ratios and a simply supported deck were fabricated and tested to study the mechanical performance. The failure mode, deflection, strain distribution, cracks and support reaction were tested and discussed. The steel bar improves the mechanical performance of continuous decks, and a theoretical method is proposed to predict the deformation and the shear capacity. The experimental results show that all specimens failed with shear failure in the positive moment region. The increase of steel bar ratio in the negative moment region can achieve an enhancement in the flexural stiffness and reduce the deflection without increasing GFRP. Moreover, the continuous deck can achieve a yield load, and the negative moment can be carried by GFRP plates after the steel bar yields. Finally, a nonlinear analytical method for the deflection calculation was proposed and verified, with considering the moment redistribution, non-cracked sections and nonlinearity of material. In addition, a simplified calculation method was proposed to predict the shear capacity of GFRP-concrete decks.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.209-219
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• 2022

Offshore platforms in seismically active areas must be designed to survive in the face of intense earthquakes without a global structural collapse. This paper scrutinizes the seismic performance of a newly designed and established jacket type offshore platform situated in the entrance of the Gulf of Suez region based on the API-RP2A normalized response spectra during seismic events. A nonlinear finite element model of a typical jacket type offshore platform is constructed taking into consideration the effect of structure-soil-interaction. Soil properties at the site were manipulated to generate the pile lateral soil properties in the form of load deflection curves, based on API-RP2A recommendations. Dynamic characteristics of the offshore platform, the response function, output power spectral density and transfer functions for different elements of the platform are discussed. The joints deflection and acceleration responses demands are presented. It is generally concluded that consideration of the interaction between structure, piles and soil leads to higher deflections and less stresses in platform elements due to soil elasticity, nonlinearity, and damping and leads to a more realistic platform design. The earthquake-based analysis for offshore platform structure is essential for the safe design and operation of offshore platforms.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제81권4호
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• pp.395-409
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• 2022

The presence of infill generally neglected in design despite the fact that infill contribution significantly increase the lateral stiffness and strength of the reinforced concrete frame structure. Several experimental studies and computational models have been proposed to capture the rational response of infill-frame interaction at global level. However, limited studies are available on explicit finite element modelling to study the local behavior due to high computation and convergence issues in numerical modelling. In the current study, the computational modelling of RC frames is done with various configurations of infill masonry in terms of types of blocks, lateral loading and reinforcement detailing employed with material nonlinearities, interface contact issues and bond-slip phenomenon particularly near the beam-column joints. To this end, extensive computational modelling of five variant characteristics test specimens extracted from the detailed experimental program available in literature and process through nonlinear static analysis in FEM code, ATENA generally used to capture the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete structures. Results are presented in terms of damage patterns and capacity curves by employing the finest possible detail provided in the experimental program. Comparative analysis shows that good correlation amongst the experimental and numerical simulated results both in terms of capacity and crack patterns.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제83권4호
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• pp.451-463
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• 2022

The present study deals with forced vibrations of an elastic circular plate supported along its circular edge by unilateral elastic springs. The plate is assumed to be subjected to a uniformly distributed and a concentrated load. Under the combination of these loads, equations of motion are explicitly derived for static and dynamic response analyses by assuming a series of the displacement functions of time and other unknown parameters which are to be determined by employing Lagrangian functional. The approximate solution is sought by applying the Lagrange equations of motions by using the potential energy of the external forces that includes the contributions of the edge forces and the external moments, i.e., those of the effects of the boundary condition to the analysis. For the numerical treatment of the problem in the time domain, the linear acceleration procedure is adopted. The tensionless character of the support is taken into account by using an iterative process and, the coordinate functions for the displacement field are selected to partially fulfill the boundary conditions so that an acceptable approximation can be achieved faster. Numerical results are presented in the figures focusing on the nonlinearity of the problem due to the plate lift-off from the unilateral springs at the edge support.

• 한국해양공학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.243-250
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• 2022

Subsea power cables are subjected to various external loads induced by environmental and mechanical factors during manufacturing, shipping, and installation. Therefore, the prediction of the structural strength is essential. In this study, experimental and theoretical analyses were performed to investigate the axial stiffness of subsea power cables. A uniaxial tensile test of a 6.5 m three-core AC inter-array subsea power cable was carried out using a 10 MN hydraulic actuator. In addition, the resultant force was measured as a function of displacement. The theoretical model proposed by Witz and Tan (1992) was used to numerically predict the axial stiffness of the specimen. The Newton-Raphson method was employed to solve the governing equation in the theoretical analysis. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical results for axial stiffness revealed satisfactory agreement. In addition, the predicted axial stiffness was linear notwithstanding the nonlinear geometry of the subsea power cable or the nonlinearity of the governing equation. The feasibility of both experimental and theoretical framework for predicting the axial stiffness of subsea power cables was validated. Nevertheless, the need for further numerical study using the finite element method to validate the framework is acknowledged.