• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.6
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• pp.551-568
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• 2024

The present study deals with static and dynamic behaviors including forced vibrations of an elastic rectangular nano plate on the two-parameter foundation. Firstly, the rectangular plate is assumed to be subjected to uniformly distributed and eccentrically applied concentrated loads. The governing equations of the problem are derived by considering the dynamic response of the plate, employing a series of the Chebyshev polynomials for the displacement function and applying the Galerkin method. Then, effects of the non-essential boundary conditions of the plate, i.e., the boundary conditions related to the shearing forces, the bending moments and the corner forces, are included in the governing equation of motion to compensate for the non-satisfied boundary conditions and increase the accuracy of the Galerkin method. The approximate numerical solution is accomplished using an iterative process due to the non-linearity of the unilateral property of the two-parameter foundation. The plate under static concentrated load is investigated in detail numerically by considering a wide range of parameters of the plate and the foundation stiffnesses. Numerical treatment of the problem in the time domain is carried out by assuming a stepwise variation of the concentrated load and the linear acceleration procedure is employed in the solution of the system of governing differential equations derived from the equation of motion. Time variations of the contact region and those of the displacements of the plate are presented in the figures for various numbers of the two-parameter of the foundation, as well as the classical and nano parameters of the plate particularly focusing on the non-linearity of the problem due to the plate lift-off from the unilateral foundation. The effects of classical and nonlocal parameters and loading are investigated in detail. Definition of the separation between the plate and the two-parameter foundation is presented and applied to the given problem. The effect of the lift-off on the static and dynamic behavior of the rectangular plate is studied in detail by considering various loading conditions. The numerical study shows that the effect of nonlocal parameters on the behavior of the plate becomes significant, when nonlinearity becomes more profound, due to the lift-off of the plate. It is seen that the size effects are significant in static and dynamic analysis of nano-scaled rectangular plates and need to be included in the mechanical analyses. Furthermore, the corner displacement of the plate is affected more significantly from the lift-off, whereas it is less marked in the time variation of the middle displacement of the plate. Several numerical examples are presented to examine the sensibility of various parameters associated with nonlocal parameters of the plate and foundation. Both stiffening and softening nonlocal parameters behavior of the plate are identified in the numerical solutions which show that increasing the foundation stiffness decreases the extent of the contact region, whereas the stiffness of the shear layer increases the contact region and reduces the foundation settlement considerably.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.565-577
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• 2024

Vibration investigation of fluid-filled functionally graded cylindrical shells with ring supports is studied here. Shell motion equations are framed first order shell theory due to Sander. These equations are partial differential equations which are usually solved by approximate technique. Robust and efficient techniques are favored to get precise results. Employment of the Rayleigh-Ritz procedure gives birth to the shell frequency equation. Use of acoustic wave equation is done to incorporate the sound pressure produced in a fluid. Hankel's functions of second kind designate the fluid influence. Mathematically the integral form of the Langrange energy functional is converted into a set of three partial differential equations. A cylindrical shell is immersed in a fluid which is a non-viscous one. These shells are stiffened by rings in the tangential direction. For isotropic materials, the physical properties are same everywhere where the laminated and functionally graded materials, they vary from point to point. Here the shell material has been taken as functionally graded material. After these, ring supports are located at various positions along the axial direction round the shell circumferential direction. The influence of the ring supports is investigated at various positions. Effect of ring supports with empty and fluid-filled shell is presented using the Rayleigh - Ritz method with simply supported condition. The frequency behavior is investigated with empty and fluid-filled cylindrical shell with ring supports versus circumferential wave number and axial wave number. Also the variations have been plotted against the locations of ring supports for length-to-radius and height-to-radius ratio. Moreover, frequency pattern is found for the various position of ring supports for empty and fluid-filled cylindrical shell. The frequency first increases and gain maximum value in the midway of the shell length and then lowers down. It is found that due to inducting the fluid term frequency result down than that of empty cylinder. It is also exhibited that the effect of frequencies is investigated by varying the surfaces with stainless steel and nickel as a constituent material. To generate the fundamental natural frequencies and for better accuracy and effectiveness, the computer software MATLAB is used.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.6
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• pp.611-633
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• 2024

This study intends to investigate the response of multi-cell (MC) beams to flexural loads in which the primary reinforcement is composed of both metallic and non-metallic materials. "Multi-cell" describes beam sections with multiple longitudinal voids separated by thin webs. Seven reinforced concrete MC beams measuring 300×200×1800 mm were tested under flexural loadings until failure. Two series of beams are formed, depending on the type of main reinforcement that is being used. A control RC beam with no openings and six MC beams are found in these two series. Series one and two are reinforced with metallic and non-metallic main reinforcement, respectively, in order to maintain a constant reinforcement ratio. The first crack, ultimate load, deflection, ductility index, energy absorption, strain characteristics, crack pattern, and failure mode were among the structural parameters of the beams under investigation that were documented. The primary variables that vary are the kind of reinforcing materials that are utilized, as well as the kind and quantity of mesh layers. The outcomes of this study that looked at the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement reinforced concrete MC beams are presented in this article. Nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was performed with ANSYS-16.0 software to demonstrate the behavior of composite MC beams with holes. A parametric study is also carried out to investigate the factors, such as opening size, that can most strongly affect the mechanical behavior of the suggested model. The experimental and numerical results obtained demonstrate that the FE simulations generated an acceptable degree of experimental value estimation. It's also important to demonstrate that, when compared to the control beam, the MC beam reinforced with geogrid mesh (MCGB) decreases its strength capacity by a maximum of 73.33%. In contrast, the minimum strength reduction value of 16.71% is observed in the MC beams reinforced with carbon reinforcing bars (MCCR). The findings of the experiments on MC beams with openings demonstrate that the presence of openings has a significant impact on the behavior of the beams, as there is a decrease in both the ultimate load and maximum deflection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.705-720
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• 2024

Analyzing the collapse behavior of thin-walled steel structures holds significant importance in ensuring their safety and longevity. Geometric imperfections present on the surface of metal materials can diminish both the durability and mechanical integrity of steel shells. These imperfections, encompassing local geometric irregularities and deformations such as holes, cavities, notches, and cracks localized in specific regions of the shell surface, play a pivotal role in the assessment. They can induce stress concentration within the structure, thereby influencing its susceptibility to buckling. The intricate relationship between the buckling behavior of these structures and such imperfections is multifaceted, contingent upon a variety of factors. The buckling analysis of thin-walled steel shell structures, similar to other steel structures, commonly involves the determination of crucial material properties, including elastic modulus, shear modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness. An established method involves the emulation of distributed geometric imperfections, utilizing real test specimen data as a basis. This approach allows for the accurate representation and assessment of the diversity and distribution of imperfections encountered in real-world scenarios. Utilizing defect data obtained from actual test samples enhances the model's realism and applicability. The sizes and configurations of these defects are employed as inputs in the modeling process, aiding in the prediction of structural behavior. It's worth noting that there is a dearth of experimental studies addressing the influence of geometric defects on the buckling behavior of cylindrical steel shells. In this particular study, samples featuring geometric imperfections were subjected to experimental buckling tests. These same samples were also modeled using Finite Element Analysis (FEM), with results corroborating the experimental findings. Furthermore, the initial geometrical imperfections were measured using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques. In this way, the response of the test specimens can be estimated accurately by applying the initial imperfections to FE models. After validation of the test results with FEA, a numerical parametric study was conducted to develop more generalized design recommendations for the stainless-steel shell structures with the initial geometric imperfection. While the load-carrying capacity of samples with perfect surfaces was up to 140 kN, the load-carrying capacity of samples with 4 mm defects was around 130 kN. Likewise, while the load carrying capacity of samples with 10 mm defects was around 125 kN, the load carrying capacity of samples with 14 mm defects was measured around 120 kN.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.417-431
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• 2024

The fundamental period of vibration is one of the most critical parameters in the analysis and design of structures, as it depends on the distribution of stiffness and mass within the structure. Therefore, building codes propose empirical equations based on the observed periods of actual buildings during seismic events and ambient vibration tests. However, despite the fact that infill walls increase the stiffness and mass of the structure, causing significant changes in the fundamental period, most of these equations do not account for the presence of infills walls in the structure. Typically, these equations are dependent on both the structural system type and building height. The different values between the empirical and analytical periods are due to the elimination of non-structural effects in the analytical methods. Therefore, the presence of non-structural elements, such as infill panels, should be carefully considered. Another critical factor influencing the fundamental period is the effect of Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI). Most seismic building design codes generally consider SSI to be beneficial to the structural system under seismic loading, as it increases the fundamental period and leads to higher damping of the system. Recent case studies and postseismic observations suggest that SSI can have detrimental effects, and neglecting its impact could lead to unsafe design, especially for structures located on soft soil. The current research focuses on investigating the effect of infill panels on the fundamental period of moment-resisting and eccentrically braced steel frames while considering the influence of soil-structure interaction. To achieve this, the effects of building height, infill wall stiffness, infill openings and soil structure interactions were studied using 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18-story 3-D frames. These frames were modeled and analyzed using SeismoStruct software. The calculated values of the fundamental period were then compared with those obtained from the proposed equation in the seismic code. The results indicate that changing the number of stories and the soil type significantly affects the fundamental period of structures. Moreover, as the percentage of infill openings increases, the fundamental period of the structure increases almost linearly. Additionally, soil-structure interaction strongly affects the fundamental periods of structures, especially for more flexible soils. This effect is more pronounced when the infill wall stiffness is higher. In conclusion, new equations are proposed for predicting the fundamental periods of Moment Resisting Frame (MRF) and Eccentrically Braced Frame (EBF) buildings. These equations are functions of various parameters, including building height, modulus of elasticity, infill wall thickness, infill wall percentage, and soil types.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.83-103
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• 2024

Adhesive bonding is currently widely used in many industrial fields, particularly in the aeronautics sector. Despite its advantages over mechanical joints such as riveting and welding, adhesive bonding is mostly used for secondary structures due to its low peel strength; especially if it is simultaneously exposed to temperature and humidity; and often presence of bonding defects. In fact, during joint preparation, several types of defects can be introduced into the adhesive layer such as air bubbles, cavities, or cracks, which induce stress concentrations potentially leading to premature failure. Indeed, the presence of defects in the adhesive joint has a significant effect on adhesive stresses, which emphasizes the need for a good surface treatment. The research in this field is aimed at minimizing the stresses in the adhesive joint at its free edges by geometric modifications of the ovelapping part and/or by changing the nature of the substrates. In this study, the finite element method is used to describe the mechanical behavior of bonded joints. Thus, a three-dimensional model is made to analyze the effect of defects in the adhesive joint at areas of high stress concentrations. The analysis consists of estimating the different stresses in an adhesive joint between two 2024-T3 aluminum plates. Two types of single lap joints(SLJ) were analyzed: a standard SLJ and another modified by removing 0.2 mm of material from the thickness of one plate along the overlap length, taking into account several factors such as the applied load, shape, size and position of the defect. The obtained results clearly show that the presence of a bonding defect significantly affects stresses in the adhesive joint, which become important if the joint is subjected to a higher applied load. On the other hand, the geometric modification made to the plate considerably reduces the various stresses in the adhesive joint even in the presence of a bonding defect.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.595-608
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• 2024

In this study, aluminum lathe waste was used by replacing aggregates in certain proportions in order to obtain expansive concrete using recycled materials. For this reason, five different aluminum wastes of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% were selected and also reference without aluminum waste was produced. Based on the mechanical tests conducted, which included slump, compression, splitting tensile, and flexural tests, it was evident that the workability of the material declined dramatically once the volume ratio of aluminum exceeded 2%. As determined by the compressive strength test (CST), the CS of concrete (1% aluminum lathe wastes replaced with aggregate) was 11% reducer than that of reference concrete. It was noted that the reference concrete's CS values, which did not include aluminum waste, were greater than those of the concrete that contained 5% aluminum. When comparing for splitting tensile strength (STS), it was observed that the results of STS generally follow the parallel inclination as the CS. The reduction in these strengths when 1% aluminum is utilized is less than 10%. These ratios modified 18% when flexural strength (FS) is considered. Therefore, 1% of aluminum waste is recommended to obtain expansive concrete with recycled materials considering minimum loss of strength. Moreover, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis was performed and the results also confirm that there was expansion in the aluminum added concrete. The presence of pores throughout the concrete leads to the formation of gaps, resulting in its expansion. Additionally, for practical applications, basic equations were developed to forecast the CS, STS, and FS of the concrete with aluminum lathe waste using the data already available in the literature and the findings of the current study. In conclusion, this study establishes that aluminum lathe wastes are suitable, readily available in significant quantities, locally sourced eco-materials, cost-effective, and might be selected for construction using concrete, striking a balance among financially and ecological considerations.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.97-116
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• 2024

The standard l₁-norm regularization is recently introduced for impact force identification, but generally underestimates the peak force. Compared to l₁-norm regularization, l_p-norm (0 ≤ p < 1) regularization, with a nonconvex penalty function, has some promising properties such as enforcing sparsity. In the framework of sparse regularization, if the desired solution is sparse in the time domain or other domains, the under-determined problem with fewer measurements than candidate excitations may obtain the unique solution, i.e., the sparsest solution. Considering the joint sparse structure of impact force in temporal and spatial domains, we propose a general l_p-norm (0 ≤ p < 1) regularization methodology for simultaneous identification of the impact location and force time-history from highly incomplete measurements. Firstly, a nonconvex optimization model based on l_p-norm penalty is developed for regularizing the highly under-determined problem of impact force identification. Secondly, an iteratively reweighed l₁-norm algorithm is introduced to solve such an under-determined and unconditioned regularization model through transforming it into a series of l₁-norm regularization problems. Finally, numerical simulation and experimental validation including single-source and two-source cases of impact force identification are conducted on plate structures to evaluate the performance of l_p-norm (0 ≤ p < 1) regularization. Both numerical and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed l_p-norm regularization method, merely using a single accelerometer, can locate the actual impacts from nine fixed candidate sources and simultaneously reconstruct the impact force time-history; compared to the state-of-the-art l₁-norm regularization, l_p-norm (0 ≤ p < 1) regularization procures sufficiently sparse and more accurate estimates; although the peak relative error of the identified impact force using l_p-norm regularization has a decreasing tendency as p is approaching 0, the results of l_p-norm regularization with 0 ≤ p ≤ 1/2 have no significant differences.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.489-501
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• 2024

Geopolymers are part of a class of materials characterized by properties combining polymers, ceramics, and cement. These include exceptionally high thermal and chemical stability, excellent mechanical strength and durability in aggressive environments. This work deals with the synthesis, characterization, and sustainability evaluation of GP_GBFS-MK geopolymers by alkaline activation of a granulated blast furnace slag-metakaolin mixture. In the first step, elemental and oxide analyses by XRF and EDS showed that the main constituents of GP_GBFS-MK geopolymers are silicon, sodium, and aluminium oxides. The structural analyses by XRD and FTIR confirmed that the geopolymerization for GP_GBFS-MK geopolymers did occur, accompanied by the formation of disordered networks from the blends and a modification to the microstructure by the geopolymerization process. Similarly, the microstructural study made by SEM showed that the GP_GBFS-MK geopolymers are constituted by aluminosilicates in the form of dense clusters on which are adsorbed particles of unreacted GBFS in the form of spheroids and white residues of the alkaline activating solution. In addition, the study of the sustainability evaluation of GP_GBFS-MK geopolymers showed that the water absorption of geopolymeric materials is lower than that of OPC cement. As for the elevated temperature resistance, the analyses indicated an excellent elevated temperature resistance of GP_GBFS-MK. In the same way, the study of the resistance to chemical aggressions showed that the GP_GBFS-MK geopolymeric materials are unattackable, contrary to the OPC cement-based materials which are strongly altered.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.553-566
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• 2024

The core of this study is to review South Korea's individual-driven training scheme, identify factors hindering elderly participation, and derive implications to support their retention and participation of the elderly in the labor market. This study focuses on population aging, examining the National Lifelong Learning Card system and the current employment insurance scheme, both initiatives of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, to assess the status and issues surrounding elderly participation in vocational training. Based on this analysis, the study seeks to derive policy measures and academic significance to promote elderly participation in vocational training. Based on this analysis, the study aims to derive policy measures and academic significance to promote the participation of older adults in vocational training. The findings emphasized the importance of employment retention for elderly and highlighted the need for vocational training tailored to the specific characteristics of each individual, along with the necessity for professional life-career consulting. Based on these findings, the study proposed recommendations to promote self-directed training among elderly, including enhancing the diversity of vocational training to meet individuals' varied needs, implementing lifelong vocational training programs from a life-cycle perspective, creating age-friendly workplaces at the national level, encouraging individual-driven training participation for the self-realization of elderly, and strengthening the linkage between employment counseling and vocational training for elderly.