• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.239-253
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• 2009

This paper reviews the concept of tensegrity structures and proposes a new type of dismountable steel tensegrity grids for possible deployment as light-weight roof structures. It covers the fabrication of the prototype structures followed by their instrumentation, destructive testing and numerical analysis. First, a single module, measuring $1m{\times}1m$ in size, is fabricated based on half-cuboctahedron configuration using galvanised iron (GI) pipes as struts and high tensile stranded cables as tensile elements. Detailed instrumentation of the structure is carried out right at the fabrication stage. The structure is thereafter subjected to destructive test during which the strain and the displacement responses are carefully monitored. The structure is modelled and analyzed using finite element method (FEM) and the model generated is updated with the experimental results. The investigations are then extended to a $2{\times}2$ grid, measuring $2m{\times}2m$ in size, fabricated uniquely by the cohesive integration of four single tensegrity modules. After updating and validating on the $2{\times}2$ grid, the finite element model is extended to a $8{\times}8$ grid (consisting of 64 units and measuring $8m{\times}8m$) whose behaviour is studied in detail for various load combinations expected to act on the structure. The results demonstrate that the proposed tensegrity grid structures are not only dismountable but also exhibit satisfactory behaviour from strength and serviceability point of view.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.437-454
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• 2014

The influence of spacers on the behaviour and ultimate capacity of intermediate length CFS open section columns under axial compression is investigated in this paper. The focus of the research lies in the cross- section predominantly, failed by distortional buckling. This paper made an attempt to either delay or eliminate the distortional buckling mode by the introduction of transverse elements referred herein as spacers. The cross-sections investigated have been selected by performing the elastic buckling analysis using CUFSM software. The test program considered three different columns having slenderness ratios of 35, 50 & 60. The test program consisted of 14 pure axial compression tests under hinged-hinged end condition. Models have been analysed using finite element simulations and the obtained results are compared with the experimental tests. The finite element package ABAQUS has been used to carry out non-linear analyses of the columns. The finite element model incorporates material, geometric non-linearities and initial geometric imperfection of the specimens. The work involves a wide parametric study in the column with spacers of varying depth and number of spacers. The results obtained from the study shows that the depth and number of spacers have significant influence on the behaviour and strength of the columns. Based on the nonlinear regression analysis the design equation is proposed for the selected section.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2007

Additional cutouts in the floorbeam webs of orthotropic plated bridge decks relieve the highly stressed lower flange of the ribs passing through these floorbeam webs from possible fatigue damage. Conversely, the floorbeam webs themselves suffer from high stress concentrations, especially along the free edges of the additional cutouts. These stresses result from a combination of direct introduction of vertical traffic loads in the weakened web and from the truss action of the floorbeam. The latter differs from a simple beam action due to the presence of the openings and corresponds more to the behaviour of a Vierendeel truss. Close assessment of the appearing stresses, highly relevant for fatigue resistance, requires the use of elaborate finite element modelling. However, a full finite element analysis merely provides the results of total stresses, leaving the researcher or designer the difficult task of finding the origin of these stress components. This paper presents a calculation method for cutout stresses based on a combination of a framework analysis and a two dimensional finite element analysis of much smaller parts of the floorbeam. This method provides more insight in the origin of the stress components, as well as it simplifies any comparison of different additional cutout geometries, independent of the floorbeam topology.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.19-34
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• 2007

This paper presents results of a non-linear finite element analysis of axially loaded slender hollow structural section (HSS) columns, strengthened using high modulus carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) longitudinal sheets. The model was developed and verified against both experimental and other analytical models. Both geometric and material nonlinearities, which are attributed to the column's initial imperfection and plasticity of steel, respectively, are accounted for. Residual stresses have also been modeled. The axial strength in the experimental study was found to be highly dependent on the column's imperfection. Consequently, no specific correlation was established experimentally between strength gain and amount of CFRP. The model predicted the ultimate loads and failure modes quite reasonably and was used to isolate the effects of CFRP strengthening from the columns' imperfections. It was then used in a parametric study to examine columns of different slenderness ratios, imperfections, number of CFRP layers, and level of residual stresses. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of high modulus CFRP in increasing stiffness and strength of slender columns. While the columns' imperfections affect their actual strengths before and after strengthening,the percentage gain in strength is highly dependent on slenderness ratio and CFRP reinforcement ratio, rather than the value of imperfection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.655-670
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• 2018

A coupled method, that combines the Ritz method and the finite element (FE) method, is proposed to solve the vibration problem of rectangular thin and thick plates with general boundary conditions. The eigenvalue partial differential equation(s) of the plate is (are) first reduced to a set of eigenvalue ordinary differential equations by the application of the Ritz method. The resulting eigenvalue differential equations are then reduced to an eigenvalue algebraic equation system using the finite element method. The natural boundary conditions of the plate problem including the free edge and free corner boundary conditions are also implemented in a simple and accurate manner. Various boundary conditions including simply supported, clamped and free boundary conditions are considered. Comparisons with existing numerical and analytical solutions show that the proposed mixed method can produce highly accurate results for the problems considered using a small number of Ritz terms and finite elements. The proposed mixed Ritz-FE formulation is also compared with the mixed FE-Ritz formulation which has been recently proposed by the present author and his co-author. It is found that the proposed mixed Ritz-FE formulation is more efficient than the mixed FE-Ritz formulation for free vibration analysis of rectangular plates with Levy-type boundary conditions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.293-305
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• 2020

This article presented a nanoscale modified continuum model to investigate the free vibration of functionally graded (FG) porous nanobeam by using finite element method. The main novelty of this manuscript is presenting effects of four different porosity models on vibration behaviors of nonlocal nanobeam structure including size effect, that not be discussed before The proposed porosity models are, uniform porosity distribution, symmetric with mid-plane, bottom surface distribution and top surface distribution. The nano-scale effect is included in modified model by using the differential nonlocal continuum theory of Eringen that adding the length scale into the constitutive equations as a material parameter constant. The graded material is distributed through the beam thickness by a generalized power law function. The beam is simply supported, and it is assumed to be thin. Therefore, the kinematic assumptions of Euler-Bernoulli beam theory are held. The mathematical model is solved numerically using the finite element method. Results demonstrate effects of porosity type, material gradation, and nanoscale parameters on the free vibration of nanobeam. The proposed model is effective in vibration analysis of NEMS structure manufactured by porous functionally graded materials.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.632-642
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• 1998

A method based on finite element discretization is developed for optimizing the polarization profile of PVDF film to create the modal transducer for specific modes. Using this concept, one can design the modal transducer in two-dimensional structure having arbitrary geometry and boundary conditions. As a practical means for implementing this polarization profile without repoling the PVDF film the polarization profile is approximated by optimizing electrode patterns, lamination angles, and poling directions of the multi-layered PVDF transducer. This corresponds to the approximation of a continuous function using discrete values. The electrode pattern of each PVDF layer is optimized by deciding the electrode of each finite element to be used or not. Genetic algorithm, suitable for discrete problems, is used as an optimization scheme. For the optimization of each layers lamination angle, the continuous lamination angle is encoded into discrete value using binary 5 bit string. For the experimental demonstration, a modal sensor for first and second modes of cantilevered composite plate is designed using two layers of PVDF films. The actuator is designed based on the criterion of minimizing the system energy in the control modes under a given initial condition. Experimental results show that the signals from residual modes are successfully reduced using the optimized multi-layered PVDF sensor. Using discrete LQG control law, the modal peaks of first and second modes are reduced in the amount of 12 dB and 4 dB, resepctively.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.361-373
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• 2018

This paper presents the development of finite element (FE) models to simulate the behavior of diagonally stiffened steel plate shear wall systems (SPSWs) with differently shaped openings subjected to a cyclic load. This walling system has the potential to be used for shear elements that resist lateral loads in steel-framed buildings. A number of $\text\tiny{^1/_2}$-scale one-story buildings that were un-stiffened, stiffened and stiffened with opening SPSWs are modeled and simulated using the finite element method based on experimental data from previous research. After validating the finite element (FE) models, the effects of infill plate thickness on the cyclic behavior of steel shear walls are investigated. Furthermore, triple diagonal stiffeners are added to the steel infill plates of the SPSWs, and the effects are studied. Moreover, the effects of a number of differently shaped openings applied to the infill plate are studied. The results indicate that the bearing capacity and shear resistance are affected positively by increasing the infill plate thickness and by adding triple diagonal stiffeners. In addition, the cyclic behavior of SPSWs is improved, even with an opening in the SPSWs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.353-370
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• 2020

This paper describes a new type of replaceable fuse for moment resisting frames. Column-tree connections with beam splice connections are frequently preferred in the moment resisting frames since they eliminate field welding and provide good quality. In the column-tree connections, a part of the beam is welded to the column in the shop and the rest of the beam is bolted with the splice connection in the field. In this study, a replaceable reduced beam section (R-RBS) connection is proposed in order to eliminate welding process and facilitate assembly at the site. In the proposed R-RBS connection, one end is connected by a beam splice connection to the beam and the other end is connected by a bolted end-plate connection to the column. More importantly is that the proposed R-RBS connection allows the replacement of the damaged R-RBS easily right after an earthquake. Pursuant to this goal, experimental and numerical studies have been undertaken to investigate the performance of the R-RBS connection. An experimental study on the RBS connection was used to substantiate the numerical model using ABAQUS, a commercially available finite element software. Additionally, five different finite element models were developed to conduct a parametric study. The results of the analysis were compared in terms of the moment and energy absorption capacities, PEEQ, rupture and tri-axiality indexes. The design process as well as the optimum dimensions of the R-RBS connections are presented. It was also demonstrated that the proposed R-RBS connection satisfies AISC criteria based on the nonlinear finite element analysis results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1185-1201
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• 2015

The aim of this experimental research is to investigate the conformity of the four-bolt unstiffened moment end-plate connections consisting of European steel sections which do not meet the limitations specified for beam flange width and overall beam depth in ANSI/AISC 358-10 to the requirements of seismic application. However, the connections are satisfactory with the limitations required by Turkish Earthquake Code. For this purpose, four test specimens were designed and cyclic load was applied to three specimens while one was tested under monotonic loading to provide data for the calibration of the analytical models. The moment-rotation hysteresis loops and the failure modes for all test specimens are presented. A full three-dimensional finite element model is also developed for each test specimen for use to predict their behavior and to provide a tool for generating subsequent extensive parametric studies. The test results show that all specimens performed well in terms of rotation capacity and strength. Finite element models are found to be capable of approximating the cyclic behavior of the extended end-plate connection specimens.