• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.749-758
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• 2018

This article derived a hybrid coupling technique using the higher-order displacement polynomial and three soft computing techniques (teaching learning-based optimization, particle swarm optimization, and artificial bee colony) to predict the optimal stacking sequence of the layered structure and the corresponding frequency values. The higher-order displacement kinematics is adopted for the mathematical model derivation considering the necessary stress and stain continuity and the elimination of shear correction factor. A nine noded isoparametric Lagrangian element (eighty-one degrees of freedom at each node) is engaged for the discretisation and the desired model equation derived via the classical Hamilton's principle. Subsequently, three soft computing techniques are employed to predict the maximum natural frequency values corresponding to their optimum layer sequences via a suitable home-made computer code. The finite element convergence rate including the optimal solution stability is established through the iterative solutions. Further, the predicted optimal stacking sequence including the accuracy of the frequency values are verified with adequate comparison studies. Lastly, the derived hybrid models are explored further to by solving different numerical examples for the combined structural parameters (length to width ratio, length to thickness ratio and orthotropicity on frequency and layer-sequence) and the implicit behavior discuss in details.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.273-287
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• 2019

Elastoplastic analysis of an annular disc, being fully constrained on its outer rim and interacting with a purely elastic inclusion perfectly bonded with its inner rim, is conducted to study its plastic deformation and residual stress under thermal cycles. The system is termed the composite disc. Quasi-static plane-strain deformation is assumed, and the von Mises yield criterion with or without the Ludwik hardening rule is adopted in our finite element calculations. Effects of multiple material properties simultaneously being temperature dependent on the plastic behavior of the composite disc are considered. Residual stress is analyzed from a complete loading and unloading cycle. Results are discussed for various inclusion radii. It is found that when temperature dependent material properties are considered, the maximum residual stress may be greater than the maximum stress inside the disc at the temperature-loaded state due to lower temperature having larger yield stress. Temperature independent material properties overestimate stresses inside materials, as well as the elastic irreversible temperature and plastic collapse temperature.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.387-396
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• 2019

This paper deals with the effect of ply orientation and control gain on tip transverse displacement of functionally graded beam layer for both active constrained layer damping (ACLD) and passive constrained layer damping (PCLD) system. The functionally graded beam is taken as host beam with a bonded viscoelastic layer in ACLD beam system. Piezoelectric fiber reinforced composite (PFRC) laminate is a constraining layer which acts as actuator through the velocity feedback control system. A finite element model has been developed to study actuation of the smart beam system. Fractional order derivative constitutive model is used for the viscoelastic constitutive equation. The control voltage required for ACLD treatment for various symmetric ply stacking sequences is highest in case of longitudinal orientation of fibers of PFRC laminate over other ply stacking sequences. Performance of symmetric and anti-symmetric ply laminates on damping characteristics has been investigated for smart beam system using time and frequency response plots. Symmetric and anti-symmetric ply laminates significantly reduce the amplitude of the vibration over the longitudinal orientation of fibers of PFRC laminate. The analysis reveals that the PFRC laminate can be used effectively for developing very light weight smart structures.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2021

This paper present a three-dimensional unit cell finite element analysis to predict the pull-out behavior of a single stitch in a composite laminate. The stitching process used for this study correspond to the I-fiber stitching method that has been studied by the Composite Structures Lab (CSL) as a new through-thickness reinforced method. A total of six cases were analyzed, which were divided in two groups by the stitching yarn used, 6k and 12k. Each group of cases have three different thickness according to the amount of plies; 16 plies, 32 plies and 64 plies. The finite element analysis used the cohesive zone method to characterize the single stitch reinforcement in the interface. Due to the complexity of the load vs displacement curves taken from the experimental results, a bilinear and trilinear bridging laws were implemented in the models. The cohesive parameters used for each case showed a good agreement with the experimental data and can be used for future studies.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1666-1683
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• 2018

To explore seismic behavior of blind bolted concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) frames infilled with precast sandwich composite wall panels (SCWPs), a series tests of blind bolted square CFST frames with precast SCWPs under lateral low-cyclic loading were conducted. The influence of the type of wall concrete, wall-to-frame connection and steel brace setting, etc. on the hysteretic curves and failure modes of the type of composite structure was investigated. The seismic behavior of the blind bolted CFST frames with precast SCWPs was evaluated in terms of lateral load-displacement relation curves, strength and stiffness degradation, crack patterns of SCWPs, energy dissipation capacity and ductility. Then, a finite element (FE) analysis modeling using ABAQUS software was developed in considering the nonlinear material properties and complex components interaction. Comparison indicated that the FE analytical results coincided well with the test results. Both the experimental and numerical results indicated that setting the external precast SCWPs could heighten the load carrying capacities and rigidities of the blind bolted CFST frames by using reasonable connectors between frame and SCWPs. These experimental studies and FE analysis would enable improvement in the practical design of the SCWPs in fabricated CFST structure buildings.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.15-30
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• 2021

With improvement in innovative manufacturing technologies, it became possible to fabricate any complex shaped structural design for practical applications. This allows for the fabrication of curvilinearly stiffened pressure vessels and pipes. Compared to straight stiffeners, curvilinear stiffeners have shown to have better structural performance and weight savings under certain loading conditions. In this paper, an optimization framework for designing curvilinearly stiffened composite pressure vessels and pipes is presented. NURBS are utilized to define curvilinear stiffeners over the surface of the pipe. An integrated tool using Python, Rhinoceros 3D, MSC.PATRAN and MSC.NASTRAN is implemented for performing the optimization. Rhinoceros 3D is used for creating the geometry, which later is exported to MSC.PATRAN for finite element model generation. Finally, MSC.NASTRAN is used for structural analysis. A Bi-Level Programming (BLP) optimization technique, consisting of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Gradient-Based Optimization (GBO), is used to find optimal locations of stiffeners, geometric dimensions for stiffener cross-sections and layer thickness for the composite skin. A cylindrical pipe stiffened by orthogonal and curvilinear stiffeners under torsional and bending load cases is studied. It is seen that curvilinear stiffeners can lead to a potential 10.8% weight saving in the structure as compared to the case of using straight stiffeners.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.331-338
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• 2021

Ti-Al-Si target and Cr-Si target are sputtered alternately to develop a multi-layered nitride coating on a steel mold to improve die-casting lifetime. Prior to the multi-layer deposition, a CrN layer is developed as a buffer layer on the mold to suppress the diffusion of reactive elements and enhance the cohesive strength of the multi-layer deposition. Approximately 50 nm CrSiN and TiAlSiN layers are deposited layer by layer, and form about three ㎛-thickness of multi-layered coating. From the observation of the uncoated and coated steel molds after the acceleration experiment of liquid metal injection casting, the uncoated mold is severely eroded by the adhesion of molten metallic glass. On the other hand, the multi-layer coating on the mold prevents element diffusion from the metallic glass and mold erosion during the experiment. The multi-layer structure of the coating transforms the nano-composite structured coating during the acceleration test. Since the nano-composite structure disrupts element diffusion to molten metallic glass, despite microstructure changes, the coating is not eroded by the 1,050 ℃ molten metallic glass.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.645-661
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• 2023

Concrete-filled steel tubular columns with double inner steel tubes (CFST-DIST) are a novel type of composite members developed from conventional concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns. This paper investigates the structural performance of circular CFST-DIST stub columns using nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis. A numerical model was developed and verified against existing experimental test results. The validated model was then used to compare circular CFST-DIST stub columns' behavior with their concrete-filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) and CFST counterparts. A parametric study was performed to ascertain the effects of geometric and material properties on the axial performance of CFST-DISTs. The FE results and the available test data were used to assess the accuracy of the European and American design regulations in predicting the axial compressive capacity of circular CFST-DIST stub columns. Finally, a new design model was recommended for estimating the compressive capacity of CFST-DISTs. Results clarified that circular CFST-DIST columns had the advantages of their CFST counterparts but with better ductility and strength-to-weight ratio. Besides, the investigated design codes led to conservative predictions of the compressive capacity of circular CFST-DIST columns.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.445-459
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• 2023

The current investigation is the first endeavor to apply the full layerwise finite element method (FEM) in free vibration analysis of functionally graded (FG) composite plates reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) in thermal environment. Unlike the equivalent single-layer (ESL) theories, the layerwise FEM focuses on all three-dimensional (3D) effects. The GPLs weight fraction is presumed invariable in each layer but varies through the plate thickness in a layerwise model. The modified Halpin-Tsai model is employed to acquire the effective Young's modulus. The rule of mixtures is applied to specify the effective Poisson's ratio and mass density. First, the current method is validated by comparing the numerical results with those stated in the available works. Next, a thorough numerical study is performed to examine the influence of various factors involving the pattern of distribution, weight fraction, geometry, and size of GPLs, together with the thickness-to-span ratio, thermal environment, and boundary conditions of the plate, on its free vibration behaviors. Numerical results demonstrate that employing a small percentage of GPL as reinforcement considerably grows the natural frequencies of the pure epoxy. Also, distributing more square-shaped GPLs, involving a smaller amount of graphene layers, and vicinity to the upper and lower surfaces make it the most efficient method to enhance the free vibration behaviors of the plate.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.321-330
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• 2023

In this study, the structural performance of the specimen fabricated through 3D printing was evaluated through monotonic loading experiments analysis to apply to 3D printed structures. The compression and flexural experiments were carried out, and the experimental results were compared to the finite element model results. The loading directions of specimens were investigated to consider the capacity of specimens with different curing periods, such as 7 and 28 days. As a result, the strength tended to increase slightly depending on the stacking direction. Also, between the 3D-printed panel composite and the non-reinforced panel, the bending performance depended on the presence or absence of composite reinforcement.