• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.97-121
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• 2023

Through-the-thickness stress distribution in a tubular member has a profound effect on the fatigue behavior of tubular joints commonly found in steel offshore structures. This stress distribution can be characterized by the degree of bending (DoB). Although multi-planar joints are an intrinsic feature of offshore tubular structures and the multi-planarity usually has a considerable effect on the DoB values at the brace-to-chord intersection, few investigations have been reported on the DoB in multi-planar joints due to the complexity of the problem and high cost involved. In the present research, data extracted from the stress analysis of 243 finite element (FE) models, verified based on available parametric equations, was used to study the effects of geometrical parameters on the DoB values in two-planar tubular DYT-joints. Parametric FE study was followed by a set of nonlinear regression analyses to develop six new DoB parametric equations for the fatigue analysis and design of axially loaded two-planar DYT-joints.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.705-717
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• 2018

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the mechanical performance of concrete-filled dual steel tubular columns of circular section subjected to concentric axial load. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed and validated against a series of experimental tests. A good agreement is obtained between the experimental and numerical results, both in the peak load value and in the ascending and descending branches of the load-displacement curves. By means of the numerical model, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of the main parameters that determine the axial capacity of double-tube columns, such as the member slenderness, inner and outer steel tube thicknesses and the concrete grade - of both the outer concrete ring and inner core -, including ultra-high strength concrete. A total number of 163 numerical simulations are carried out, by combining the different parameters. Specific indexes are defined (Strength Index, Concrete-Steel Contribution Ratio, Inner Concrete Contribution Ratio) to help rating the relative mechanical performance of dual steel tubular columns as compared to conventional concrete-filled steel tubular columns, and practical design recommendations are subsequently given.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.615-633
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• 2015

Composite steel-concrete beams are used frequently in situations where axial forces are introduced. Some examples include the use in cable-stayed bridges or inclined members in stadia and bridge approach spans. In these situations, the beam may be subjected to any combination of flexure and axial load. However, modern steel and composite construction codes currently do not address the effects of these combined actions. This study presents an analysis of composite beams subjected to combined loadings. An analytical model is developed based on a cross-sectional analysis method using a strategy of successive iterations. Results derived from the model show an excellent agreement with existing experimental results. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of axial load on the flexural strength of composite beams. The parametric study is then extended to a number of section sizes and employs various degrees of shear connection. Design models are proposed for estimating the flexural strength of an axially loaded member with full and partial shear connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.277-293
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• 2012

The interaction between steel tube and concrete core is the key design considerations for concrete-filled steel tube columns. In a concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) column, the steel tube provides confinement to the concrete core which permits the composite action among the steel tube and the concrete. Due to construction faults and plastic shrinkage of concrete, the debonding separation at the steel-concrete interface weakens the confinement effect, and hence affects the behaviour and bearing capacity of the composite member. This study investigates the axial loading behavior of the concrete filled circular steel tube columns with debonding separation. A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model of CFST composite columns with introduced debonding gap was developed. The results from the finite element analysis captured successfully the experimental behaviours. The calibrated finite element models were then utilized to assess the influence of concrete strength, steel yield stress and the steel-concrete ratio on the debonding behaviour. The findings indicate a likely significant drop in the load carrying capacity with the increase of the size of the debonding gap. A design formula is proposed to reduce the load carrying capacity with the presence of debonding separation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2022

This paper presents results of numerical studies completed on unreinforced and doubler plate reinforced Elliptical Hollow Section (EHS) T-joints subjected to axial compressive loading on the brace member. Non-linear finite element (FE) models were developed using the finite element code, ABAQUS. Available test data in literature was used to validate the FE models. Subsequently, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects of various geometrical parameters of main members and reinforcement plates on the ultimate capacity of reinforced EHS T-joints. The parametric study found that the reinforcing plate significantly increases the ultimate capacity of EHS T-joints up to twice the capacity of the corresponding unreinforced joint. The thickness and length of the reinforcing plate have a positive effect on the ultimate capacity of Type 1 joints. This study, however, found that the capacity of Type 1 orientation is not dependent on the brace-to-chord diameter ratio. As for type 2 orientations, the thickness and length of the reinforcement have a minimal effect on the ultimate capacity. A new design method is introduced to predict the capacity of the reinforced EHS T-joints Type 1 and 2 based on the multiple linear regression analyses.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.47-54
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• 2023

In this study, the tensile behavior of concrete specimens reinforced with GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer), BFRP (Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer), and CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) bars was experimentally analyzed. The tensile strength of the FRP bars is appeared to be similar to the design strength, but the elastic modulus was somewhat lower. Additionally, the specimens for tension stiffening effect were manufacured using OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) and SFRC (Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete), with dimensions of 150(W)×150(B)×1000(H) mm. The crack spacing of specimens was most significant for GFRP reinforcement bars, which have a lower elastic modulus and a smoother surface, while BFRP and CFRP bars, with somewhat rougher surfaces and higher elastic moduli, showed similar crack spacings. In the load-strain relationship, GFRP bars exhibited a relatively abrupt behavior after cracking, whereas BFRP and CFRP bars showed a more stable behavior after the cracking phase, maintaining a certain level of tension stiffening effect. The tension stiffening index was somewhat smaller as the diameter increased, and GFRP, compared to BFRP, showed a higher tension stiffening index.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.497-516
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• 2014

The ultimate carrying capacity of axially loaded welded square box section members made of medium and high strength steels (nominal yield stresses varying from 345 MPa to 460 MPa), with large width-to-thickness ratios ranging from 35 to 70, is analyzed by finite element method (FEM). At the same time, the numerical results are compared with the predicted results using Direct Strength Method (DSM), modified DSM and Effective Yield Strength Method (EYSM). It shows that curve a, rather than curve b recommended in Code for design of steel structures GB50017-2003, should be used to check the local-overall interaction buckling strength of welded square section columns fabricated from medium and high strength steels when using DSM, modified DSM and EYSM. Despite all this, EYSM is conservative. Compared to EYSM and modified DSM, DSM provides a better prediction of the ultimate capacities of welded square box compression members with large width-thickness ratios over a wide range of width-thickness ratios, slenderness ratios and steel grades. However, for high strength steels (nominal yield strength greater than 460 MPa), the numerical and existent experimental results indicate that DSM overestimates the load-carrying capacities of the columns with width-thickness ratio smaller than 45 and slenderness ratio less than 80. Further, for the purpose of making it suitable for a wider scope, DSM has been modified (called proposed modified DSM). The proposed modified DSM is in excellent agreement with the numerical and existing experimental results.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.791-797
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• 2011

This paper presents the test results of 12 direct tensile specimens to investigate the effect of cover thickness on the tension stiffening behavior in axially loaded reinforced concrete tensile members. Six concrete cover thickness ratios are selected as a main experimental parameter. The results showed that, as cover thickness became thinner, more extensive split cracking along the reinforcement occurred and transverse crack spacing became smaller, making the effective tensile stiffness of thin specimens at the stabilized cracking stage to be much smaller than that of thick specimens. This observation is not implemented in the current design provisions, in which the significant reduction of tension stiffening effect can be achieved by applying thinner cover thickness. Based on the present results, a modified tension stiffening factor is proposed to account for the effect of the cover thickness.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2005

The objective of this paper is to numerically assess the behavior of tubular X-joints with an internal ing stiffener, and to evaluate the reinforcement effect of a ring stiffener, and to establish the strength formulae. Nonlinear finite element analysis is used to compute the static strength of axially loaded tubular joints. Numerical and experimental results are in good agreement for tubular X-joints. The chord lengths of simple and ring-stiffened X-joints are suggested to reduce chord end effect. And, internal ring stiffener is found to be efficient In improving static strength of tubular X-joints. Maximum strength ratios are calculated as $1.5\sim3.5$. Regression analyses are performed considering practical size of ring stiffener and strength estimation formulae for tubular X-joints with an internal ring stiffener are proposed.