• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.641-657
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• 2015

Application of reduced web beam section (RWBS) as a sacrificial fuse element has become a popular research field in recent years. Weakening of beam web in these connections may cause local web buckling around the opening area which can affect cyclic behavior of connection including: maximum load carrying capacity, strength degradation rate, dissipated energy, rotation capacity, etc. In this research, effect of local web buckling on the cyclic behavior of RWBS connections is investigated using finite element modeling (FEM). For this purpose, a T-shaped moment connection which has been tested under cyclic loading by another author is used as the reference model. Fracture initiation in models is simulated using Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM) which is based on micro-void growth and coalescence. Included in the results are: effect of opening corner radii, opening dimensions, beam web thickness and opening reinforcement. Based on the results, local web buckling around the opening area plays a significant role on the cyclic behavior of connection and hence any parameter affecting the local web buckling will affect entire connection behavior.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.671-692
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• 2016

FRP stay-in-place (SIP) formworks are designed as a support for casting concrete and as a tension reinforcement when concrete is cured. Bond development between SIP formwork and concrete is critical for FRP tension element to be effective. This paper reports the bond strength between FRP formwork and concrete for different interfacial treatments. A novel experimental setup is prepared for observing the bond behaviour. Three different adhesives with varying workability have been investigated. Along with the load-deformation characteristics, bond slip and strains in the formwork have been measured. A finite element numerical simulation was conducted for the experiments to understand the underlying mechanism. The results show that the adhesive bonding has the best bond strength.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.109-122
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• 2012

An efficient and accurate algorithm is proposed to evaluate the reliability of cable-stayed bridges accounting for soil-pile interaction. The proposed algorithm integrates the finite-element method and the response surface method. The finite-element method is used to model the cable-stayed bridge including soil-pile interaction. The reliability index is evaluated based on the response surface method. Uncertainties in the superstructure, the substructure and load parameters are incorporated in the proposed algorithm. A long span steel cable-stayed bridge with a main span length of 1088 m built in China is considered as an illustrative example. The reliability of the bridge is evaluated for the strength and serviceability performance functions. Results of the study show that when strength limit states for both girder and tower are considered, soil-pile interaction has significant effects on the reliability of steel cable-stayed bridges. Further, a detailed sensitivity study shows that the modulus of subgrade reaction is the most important soil-pile interaction-related parameter influencing the reliability of steel cable-stayed bridges.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2017

Stainless steel exhibits high ductility and strain hardening capacity in comparison with carbon steel widely used in constructions. To analyze the particular behaviour of stainless steel cover-plate joints, an experimental study was conducted. It showed large ductility and complex failure modes of the joints. A non-linear finite element model was developed to predict the main parameters influencing the behaviour of these joints. The results of this deterministic model allow us to built a meta-model by using the quadratic response surface method, in order to allow for efficient reliability analysis. This analysis is then applied to the assessment of design formulae in the currently used codes of practice. The reliability analysis has shown that the stainless steel joint design according to Eurocodes leads to much lower failure probabilities than the Eurocodes target reliability for carbon steel, which incites revising the resisting model evaluation and consequently reducing stainless steel joint costs. This approach can be used as a basis to evaluate a wide range of steel joints involving complex failure modes, particularly bearing failure.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.16 no.8 s.113
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• pp.840-847
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• 2006

Dynamic modelingand active vibration control of smart hull structure using Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuators are conducted. Finite element modeling is used to obtain equations of motion and boundary effects of smart hull structure. Modal analysis is carried out to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the smart hull structure, and compared to the results of experimental investigation. Negative velocity feedback control algorithm is employed to investigate active damping of hull structure. It is observed that non-resonant vibration of hull structure is suppressed effectively by the MFC actuators.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Active vibration control of smart hull structure using Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator is performed. Finite element modeling is used to obtain governing equations of motion and boundary effects of end-capped smart hull structure. Equivalent interdigitated electrode model is developed to obtain piezoelectric couplings of MFC actuator. Modal analysis is conducted to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the hull structure, and compared to the results of experimental investigation. MFC actuators are attached where the maximum control performance can be obtained. Active controller based on Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) theory is designed to suppress vibration of smart hull structure. It is observed that closed loop damping can be improved with suitable weighting factors in the developed LQG controller and structural vibration is controlled effectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.237-260
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• 2005

This paper presents an experimental as well as a numerical analysis of the in-plane shear behaviour of hollow, $870{\times}840{\times}100mm$ masonry walls, externally strengthened with FRP composites. The experimental approach is devoted to the evaluation of the effectiveness of different composite strengthening configurations and the methodology consists in the diagonal compression of masonry walls. The numerical study assesses the stress and strain state distribution in the unreinforced and strengthened panels using a commercial finite element code. The effect of FRP reinforcement on the masonry behaviour and the capability of modelling to forecast a representative failure mode of the unreinforced and reinforced masonry walls is investigated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2015

The topic of this study is to investigate behaviors of masonry walls strengthened with reinforced fiber plaster under diagonal tensile loads. Full blend brick $100{\times}50{\times}30mm$ in dimensions were used to make masonry walls with dimensions of $400{\times}400{\times}100mm$. Three different samples were manufactured by plastering masonry walls with traditional style, with 3% polypropylene or with 5% steel fiber. All the samples were tested using ASTM 1391-81 standards. The propagation of damage on samples caused by diagonal tensile load was observed and load-displacement graphs were plotted for each sample. A finite element software (ABAQUS) was used to obtain numerical values for all samples and crack patterns and load-displacement responses were obtained. Experimental and numerical results were compared.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.183-205
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• 2011

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the post-buckling behaviour and ultimate strength of imperfect corroded steel plates used in ship and other marine-related structures. A series of elastic-plastic large deflection finite element analyses is performed on randomly corroded steel plates. The effects of general corrosion on both sides of the plates are introduced into the finite element models using a random thickness surface model. The effects on plate compressive strength as a result of parametric variation of the corroded surface geometry are evaluated. A proposal on the effective thickness is concluded in order to estimate the ultimate strength and explore the post-buckling behaviour of randomly corroded steel plates under uniaxial compression.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.539-560
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• 2012

This study uses an explicit numerical algorithm to evaluate the ultimate load capacity analysis of a unit Strarch frame, accounting for the initial imperfection effects of the stress-erection process. Displacement-based filament beam element and an explicit dynamic relaxation method with kinetic damping are used to achieve the analysis. The section is composed of the finite number of filaments that can be conveniently modeled by various material models. Ramberg-Osgood and bilinear kinematic elastic plastic material models are formulated to analyze the nonlinear material behaviors of filaments. The numerical results obtained in the present study are compared with the results of experiment for stress-erection and buckling of unit Strarch frames.