• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.801-811
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• 2011

A new experimental technique was developed on the plate-inserted welded tubular joints of spatial grid structures. In the experimental technique, a microcomputer controlling instrument of moire intervention (MCIMI) was adopted. A test was designed on the plate-inserted welded tubular joints of spatial grid structures to show the effectiveness of the MCIMI technique. Both traditional electrical measuring technique and MCIMI technique were employed in the test. The test results showed that the MCIMI technique was feasible in the case of the complicated tests on steel structures. The MCIMI technique not only implemented the limitation of traditional electrical measuring technique, but also improved the accuracy of the test. According to the test results, we further examined the plate-inserted welded tubular joints in the cable-stayed spatial grids of the Binhai International Convention & Exhibition in Tianjin, China. The analysis showed the joints are safely designed with adequate conservatism. The research provided a new application of MCIMI in the field of large-scale structure engineering.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.18 no.6 s.61
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• pp.51-57
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• 2004

In this study, the improved three-dimensional analysis model designed for a more accurate analysis of marine cable-supported structures, is presented. In this improved analysis model, the beam elements, of which the stability function is derived using Taylor's series expansions, are used to model space frame structures, and the truss elements. The equivalent elastic modulus of the truss elements is evaluated on the assumption that the deflection curve of a cable has a catenary function. By using the proposed three-dimensional analysis model, nonlinear static analysis is carried out for some cable-supported structures. The results are compared with previous studies and show good agreement with their findings.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.761-786
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• 2016

This paper proposes an automated procedure for optimum seismic design of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures. This procedure combines a smart pre-processing using a Tree Classification Method (TCM) and a nonlinear optimization technique. First, the TCM automatically creates sections database and assigns sections to structural members. Subsequently, a real valued model of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed in solving the optimization problem. Numerical examples on design optimization of three low- to high-rise RC frame structures under earthquake loads are presented with and without considering strong column-weak beam (SCWB) constraint. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the TCMin seismic design optimization of the structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.533-547
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• 2013

"Reciprocal Frame" refers to a self-supporting grid structure used both for floor and roof. Using Finite Element Methods for non-linear solid mechanics and frictional-contact, this paper intends to analytically and numerically investigate the collapse behaviour of a reciprocal frame structure made of fibre-reinforced concrete. Considering a simple 3-beam structure, it has been investigated using a solid finite element model. Once defined the collapse behaviour of the simple structure, the analysis has been generalized using a concentrated plasticity finite element method. Results provided will be useful for studying generic reciprocal frame structures with several beams.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-150
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• 2017

This paper focuses on the post-earthquake serviceability of steel arch bridges installed with three types of seismic dampers suffered mainshock-aftershock sequences. Two post-earthquake serviceability verification methods for the steel arch bridges are compared. The energy-absorbing properties of three types of seismic dampers, including the buckling restrained brace, the shear panel damper and the shape memory alloy damper, are investigated under major earthquakes. Repeated earthquakes are applied to the steel arch bridges to examine the influence of the aftershocks to the structures with and without dampers. The relative displacement is proposed for the horizontal transverse components in such complicated structures. Results indicate that the strain-based verification method is more conservative than the displacement-base verification method in evaluating the post-earthquake serviceability of structures and the seismic performance of the retrofitted structure is significantly improved.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2019

The aim of this paper is to present new and an efficient optimization algorithm called Jaya for the optimum mass of braced dome structures with natural frequency constraints. Design variables of the bar cross-section area and coordinates of the structure nodes were used for size and shape optimization, respectively. The effectiveness of Jaya algorithm is demonstrated through three benchmark braced domes (52-bar, 120-bar, and 600-bar). The algorithm applied is an effective tool for finding the optimum design of structures with frequency constraints. The Jaya algorithm has been programmed in MATLAB to optimize braced dome.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.315-325
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• 2019

Double skin composite walls offer structural and economic merits over conventional reinforced concrete counterparts in terms of higher capacity, greater stiffness, and better ductility. This paper investigated the axial behavior of double skin composite walls with steel truss connectors. Full-scaled tests were conducted on three specimens with different height-to-thickness ratios. Test results were evaluated in terms of failure mode, load-axial displacement response, buckling loading, axial stiffness, ductility, strength index, load-lateral deflection, and strain distribution. The test data were compared with AISC 360 and Eurocode 4 and it was found that both codes provided conservative predictions on the safe side.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1699-1709
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• 2018

Suspen-dome structures are extensively used due to their superiority over traditional structures. The friction between cable and joints may severely influence the distribution of cable force, especially during the pre-stressing construction period. An accurate and efficient numerical method has not yet been developed that can be used for estimating the influence of friction on cable force distribution. Thus, this study proposes an efficient friction element to simulate friction between cable and joint. A flowchart for estimating the value of friction force is introduced. These novel numerical methods were adopted to estimate the influence of friction on cable force distribution. The accuracy and efficiency of these numerical methods were validated through numerical tests.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.205-224
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• 2022

This paper presents a refined finite element formulation for nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of sliding cable structures, overcoming the limitation of the existing approaches that neglect or approximate the friction, pulley dimension, temperature and geometric nonlinearity. A new family of elements with the same framework is proposed, consisting of the cable-pulley (CP) elements considering sliding friction, and the non-sliding cable-pulley (NSCP) elements considering static friction. Thereafter, the complete procedure of static and dynamic analysis using the proposed elements is developed, with the capability of accurately dealing with the friction at each pulley. Several examples are utilized to verify the validity and accuracy of the proposed elements and analysis strategy, and investigate the frictional, thermal and pulley-dimension effects as well. The numerical examples show that the results obtained in this work are in good accordance with the existing works when using the same approximations of friction, pulley dimension and temperature. By avoiding the approximations, the proposed formulation can be effectively adopted in predicting the more precise nonlinear responses of sliding cable structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.4
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• pp.399-409
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• 2024

Assessment of existing concrete bridges is a challenge for owners. It has greater economic impact when compared to designing new bridges. When using conventional linear analyses, judgment of the engineer is required to understand the behavior of redundant structures after the first element in the structural system reaches its ultimate capacity. The alternative is to use a predictive tool such as advanced nonlinear finite element analyses (ANFEA) to assess the overall structural behavior. This paper proposes a new reliability framework for the assessment of existing bridge structures using ANFEA. A general framework defined in previous works, accounting for material uncertainties and concrete model performance, is adapted to the context of the assessment of existing bridges. A "shifted" reliability problem is defined under the assumption of quasi-deterministic dead load effects. The overall exercise is viewed as a progressive pushover analysis up to structural failure, where the actual safety index is compared at each event to a target reliability index.