• Wind and Structures
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.541-560
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• 2013

The aim of the paper is to use optimization and advanced numerical computation of a sail fiber-reinforced composite model to increase the performance of a yacht under wind action. Designing a composite-shell system against the wind is a very complex problem, which only in the last two decades has been approached by advanced modeling, optimization and computer fluid dynamics (CFDs) based methods. A sail is a tensile structure hoisted on the rig of a yacht, inflated by wind pressure. Our objective is the multiple criteria optimization of a sail, the engine of a yacht, in order to obtain the maximum thrust force for a given load distribution. We will compute the best possible yarn thickness orientation and distribution in order to minimize the total fiber volume with some displacement constraints and in order to leave the most uniform stress distribution over the whole structure. In this paper our attention will be focused on computer simulation, modeling and optimization of a sail-shape mathematical model in different regatta and wind conditions, with the purpose of improving maneuverability and speed made good.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.689-704
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• 2017

The paper presents experimental and numerical investigations of prefabricated composite structural building reinforced concrete slabs with the insulating material for a residential building construction. The building slabs were composed of concrete and expanded polystyrene. In experiments, the slabs in the full-scale 1:1 were subjected to vertical concentrated loads and failed along a diagonal shear crack. The experiments were numerically evaluated using the finite element method based on two different constitutive continuum models for concrete. First, an elasto-plastic model with the Drucker-Prager criterion defined in compression and with the Rankine criterion defined in tension was used. Second, a coupled elasto-plastic-damage formulation based on the strain equivalence hypothesis was used. In order to describe strain localization in concrete, both models were enhanced in the softening regime by a characteristic length of micro-structure by means of a non-local theory. Attention was paid to the formation of critical diagonal shear crack which was a failure precursor.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.501-514
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• 2018

The paper presents the thermo-mechanically induced non-linear response of multiwall carbon nanotube reinforced laminated composite beam (MWCNTRCB) supported by elastic foundation using higher order shear deformation theory and von-Karman non-linear kinematics. The elastic properties of MWCNT reinforced composites are evaluated using Halpin-Tsai model by considering MWCNT reinforced polymer matrix as new matrix by dispersing in it and then reinforced with E-glass fiber in an orthotropic manner. The laminated beam is supported by Pasternak elastic foundation with Winkler cubic nonlinearity. A generalized static analysis is formulated using finite element method (FEM) through principle of minimum potential energy approach.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2019

This study presents experimental and numerical results of prestressed concrete composite beams with different casting and stressing sequence. The beams were tested under three-point bending and it was found that prestressed concrete composite beams could not achieve monolith behavior due to interface slippage between two layers. The initial stress distribution due to different construction sequence has little effect on the maximum load of composite beams. The multi-step FE analyses could simulate different casting and stressing sequence thus correctly capturing the initial stress distribution induced by staged construction. Three contact algorithms were considered for interaction between concrete layers in the FE models namely tie constraint, cohesive contact and surface-to-surface contact. It was found that both cohesive contact and surface-to-surface contact could simulate the interface slip even though each algorithm considers different shear transfer mechanism. The use of surface-to-surface contact for beams with more than 2 layers of concrete is not recommended as it underestimates the maximum load in this study.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.2
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• pp.245-259
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• 2021

In this research, the influence of the laminate stacking sequence on thermal stress distribution in symmetric composite plates with a quasi-square cutout subjected to uniform heat flux is examined analytically using the complex variable technique. The analytical solution is obtained based on the thermo-elastic theory and the Lekhnitskii's method. Furthermore, by employing a suitable mapping function, the solution of symmetric laminates containing a circular cutout is extended to the quasi-square cutout. The effect of important parameters including the stacking sequence of laminates, the angular position, the bluntness, the aspect ratio of cutout, the flux angle and the composite material are examined on the thermal stress distribution. It is found out that the circular shape for cutout may not necessarily be the optimum geometry for all stacking sequences. The finite element analysis results are used to validate the analytical solution.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.345-352
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• 2023

A thermal-mechanical coupling finite element model of the steel-plate concrete composite (SC) wall is established, taking into account the strain rate effect and variation in mechanical and thermal properties under different temperatures. Verifications of the model against previous fire test and impact test results are carried out. The impact response of the SC wall under elevated temperatures is further investigated. The influences of the fire exposure time on the impact force and displacement histories are discussed. The results show that as the fire exposure time increases, the deflection increases and the impact resistance decreases. A formula is proposed to calculate the reduction of the allowable impact energy considering the fire exposure time.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2023

The network theory studies interconnection between discrete objects to find about the behavior of a collection of objects. Also, nanomaterials are a collection of discrete atoms interconnected together to perform a specific task of mechanical or/and electrical type. Therefore, it is reasonable to use the network theory in the study of behavior of super-molecule in sport nano-scale. In the current study, we aim to examine vibrational behavior of spherical nanostructured composite with different geometrical and materials properties. In this regard, a specific shear deformation displacement theory, classical elasticity theory and analytical solution to find the natural frequency of the spherical nano-composite sport structure equipment. The analytical results are validated by comparison to finite element (FE). Further, a detail comprehensive results of frequency variations are presented in terms of different parameters. It is revealed that the current methodology provides accurate results in comparison to FE results. On the other hand, different geometrical and weight fraction have influential role in determining frequency of the structure.

• International Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 2023

Even though the recent development trend of wind turbine systems has been focused on larger MW Classes, the small-scale wind turbine system has been continuously developed because it has some advantages due to easy personnel establishment and use with low cost and energy saving effect. This work is to propose a specific structural design and analysis procedure for development of a low noise 500W class small wind turbine system which will be applicable to relatively low wind speed region like Korea. The proposed structural feature has a skin-spar-foam sandwich composite structure with the E-glass/Epoxy face sheets and the Urethane foam core for lightness, structural stability, low manufacturing cost and easy manufacturing process. Moreover this type of structure has good behaviors for reduction of vibration and noise. Structural analysis including load cases, stress, deformation, buckling and vibration was performed using the Finite Element Method. In order to evaluate the designed blade structure the structural tests were done, and their test results were compared with the estimated results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.4
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• pp.369-377
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• 2023

In this study, previously developed algorithm is used for Optimization of hybrid composite plates using Tsai-Wu criteria. For the stress-based Design Optimization problems, Von-Mises stress uses as design variable for isotropic materials. Maximum stress, maximum strain, Tsai Hill, and Tsai-Wu criteria are generally used to determine failure of composite materials. In this study, failure index value is used as design variable in the optimization algorithm and Tsai-Wu criteria is utilized to calculate this value. In the analyses, commonly used design domains according to different hybrid orientations are optimized and results are presented. When the optimization algorithm was applied, 50% material reduction was obtained without exceeding allowable failure index value.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.35-41
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• 2011

Recently, as large structures, which should support large design loads have been constructed, the study on the large diameter composite pile becomes necessary. The large diameter composite pile has the diameter over 700mm and consists of two parts of the upper steel pipe pile and the lower PHC pile by a mechanical joint. In this research, to analyze the bearing capacity and the material strength of the composite pile, three dimensional numerical analyses were performed. First, the numerical modeling method was verified by comparing the calculated load-movement curves of the pile with those of the field pile load tests. Then, a total of twelve analyses were performed by varying pile diameter and loading direction for three pile types of PHC, steel pipe and composite piles. The results showed that the vertical and the horizontal load-movement curves of the composite pile were identical with those of the steel pipe pile and the horizontal material strength of the composite pile was 60-80% larger than that of the PHC pile.