• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.549-580
• /
• 2022

This paper assesses the influences of modeling assumptions and uncertainties on the performance of the non-linear finite element (FE) model updating procedure and model clustering method. The results of a shaking table test on a four-story steel moment-resisting frame are employed for both calibrations and clustering of the FE models. In the first part, simple to detailed non-linear FE models of the test frame is calibrated to minimize the difference between the various data features of the models and the structure. To investigate the effect of the specified data feature, four of which include the acceleration, displacement, hysteretic energy, and instantaneous features of responses, have been considered. In the last part of the work, a model-based clustering approach to group models of a four-story frame with similar behavior is introduced to detect abnormal ones. The approach is a composition of property derivation, outlier removal based on k-Nearest neighbors, and a K-means clustering approach using specified data features. The clustering results showed correlations among similar models. Moreover, it also helped to detect the best strategy for modeling different structural components.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.61-82
• /
• 2007

This paper presents a novel finite element (FE) model for analyzing coupled flutter of long-span bridges using the commercial FE package ANSYS. This model utilizes a specific user-defined element Matrix27 in ANSYS to model the aeroelastic forces acting on the bridge, wherein the stiffness and damping matrices are expressed in terms of the reduced wind velocity and flutter derivatives. Making use of this FE model, damped complex eigenvalue analysis is carried out to determine the complex eigenvalues, of which the real part is the logarithm decay rate and the imaginary part is the damped vibration frequency. The condition for onset of flutter instability becomes that, at a certain wind velocity, the structural system incorporating fictitious Matrix27 elements has a complex eigenvalue with zero or near-zero real part, with the imaginary part of this eigenvalue being the flutter frequency. Case studies are provided to validate the developed procedure as well as to demonstrate the flutter analysis of cable-supported bridges using ANSYS. The proposed method enables the bridge designers and engineering practitioners to analyze flutter instability by using the commercial FE package ANSYS.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society for Simulation Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.373-379
• /
• 2001

There is a big issue to generate 3D hexahedral finite element (FE) model, since a process to divide the whole domain into several simple-shaped sub-domains is required before generating a continuous mesh with mapped mesh generators. In general, it is nearly impossible to set up proper division numbers interactively to keep mesh connectivity between sub-domains on a complicated arbitrary-shaped domain. If mesh continuity between sub-domains is not required in an analysis, this complicated process can be omitted. Element-free Galerkin method (EFGM) can accept discontinuous meshes, which only requires nodal information. However it is difficult to choose a reasonable influenced domain in moving least squares scheme with non-uniformly distributed nodes in discontinuous FE models. A new FE scheme fur discontinuous mesh is proposed in this paper by applying improved EFGM with some modification to derive FE approximated function in discontinuous parts. Its validity is evaluated on linear elastic problems.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.904-921
• /
• 2014

The main objective of this paper is to propose a new Finite Element (FE) model updating technique for damped beam structures. The present method consists of a FE model updating, a Degree of Freedom (DOF) reduction method and a damping matrix identification method. In order to accomplish the goal of this study, first, a sensitivity-based FE model updating method using the natural frequencies and the zero frequencies is introduced. Second, an Iterated Improved Reduced System (IIRS) technique is employed to reduce the number of DOF of FE model. Third, a damping matrix is estimated using modal damping ratios identified by a curve-fitting method and modified matrices which are obtained through the model updating and the DOF reduction. The proposed FE model updating method is verified using a real cantilever beam attached damping material on one side. The updated result shows that the proposed method can lead to accurate model updating of damped structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.247-261
• /
• 2008

Performance of shear-deficient reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips/sheets is analyzed through numerical simulations on four-point bending tests. The numerical simulations are carried out using the finite element (FE) program ABAQUS. A micromechanics-based constitutive model (Liang et al. 2006) is implemented into the FE program ABAQUS to model CFRP strips/sheets. The predicted results are compared with experiment data (Khalifa and Nanni 2002) to assess the accuracy of the proposed FE analysis approach. A series of numerical tests are conducted to investigate the influence of stirrup lay-ups on the shear strengthening performance of the CFRP strips/sheets, to illustrate the influence of the damage parameters on the microcrack density evolution in concrete, and to investigate the shear and flexural strengthening performance of CFRP strips/ sheets. It has been shown that the proposed FE analysis approach is suitable for the performance prediction of RC beams strengthened with CFRP strips/sheets.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.201-214
• /
• 2001

Four finite element (FE) models are examined to find the one that best estimates moment-rotation characteristics of top- and seat-angle with double web-angle connections. To efficiently simulate the real behavior of connections, finite element analyses are performed with following considerations: 1) all components of connection (beam, column, angles and bolts) are discretized by eight-node solid elements; 2) shapes of bolt shank, head, and nut are precisely taken into account in modeling; and 3) contact surface algorithm is applied as boundary condition. To improve accuracy in predicting moment-rotation behavior of a connection, bolt pretension is introduced before the corresponding connection moment being surcharged. The experimental results are used to investigate the applicability of FE method and to check the performance of three-parameter power model by making comparison among their moment-rotation behaviors and by assessment of deformation and stress distribution patterns at the final stage of loading. This research exposes two important features: (1) the FE method has tremendous potential for connection modeling for both monotonic and cyclic loading; and (2) the power model is able to predict moment-rotation characteristics of semi-rigid connections with acceptable accuracy.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.413-429
• /
• 2013

The primary aim of this study is to develop a three dimensional finite element (FE) model to predict the axial stress-strain relationship and ultimate strength of the FRP-wrapped UHPC columns by comparing experimental results. The reliability of four selected confinement models and three design codes such as ACI-440, CSA-S806-02, and ISIS CANADA is also evaluated in terms of agreement with the experimental results. Totally 6 unconfined and 36 different types of the FRP-wrapped UHPC columns are tested under monotonic axial compression. The values of ultimate strengths of FRP-wrapped UHPC columns obtained from the experimental results are compared and verified with finite element (FE) analysis results and the design codes mentioned above. The concrete damage plasticity model (CDPM) in Abaqus is utilized to represent the confined behavior of the UHPC. The results indicate that agreement between the test results and the non-linear FE analysis results is highly satisfactory. The CSA-S806-02 design code is considered more reliable than the ACI-440 and the ISIS CANADA design codes to calculate the ultimate strength of the FRP-wrapped UHPC columns. None of the selected confinement models that are developed for FRP-wrapped low and normal strength concrete columns can safely predict the ultimate strength of FRP-wrapped UHPC columns.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.97-106
• /
• 2005

The standard practice is to seismically qualify the safety related equipment and structural components used in the nuclear power plants. Among several qualification approaches the qualification by the analysis using finite element (FE) method is the most common approach used in practice. However the predictions by the FE model for a structure is known to show significant deviations from the dynamic behaviour of 'as installed' structure in many cases. Considering such limitation, few researchers have advocated re-qualification of such structures after installation at site to enhance the confidence in qualification vis-$\grave{a}$-vis plant safety. For such an exercise the validation of FE model with experimental modal data is important. A validated FE model can be obtained by the Model Updating methods in conjugation with the in-situ experimental modal data. Such a model can then be used for qualification. Seismic analysis using the updated FE model and its advantage has been presented through an example of an in-core component - a perforated horizontal tube of a nuclear reactor.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1001-1021
• /
• 2015

Ultra-lightweight cement composite (ULCC) with a compressive strength of 60 MPa and density of $1,450kg/m^3$ has been developed and used in the steel-concrete-steel (SCS) sandwich structures. This paper investigates the structural performances of SCS sandwich composite beams with ULCC as filled material. Overlapped headed shear studs were used to provide shear and tensile bond between the face plate and the lightweight core. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model was developed for the ultimate strength analysis of such SCS sandwich composite beams. The accuracy of the FE analysis was established by comparing the predicted results with the quasi-static tests on the SCS sandwich beams. The FE model was also applied to the nonlinear analysis on curved SCS sandwich beam and shells and the SCS sandwich beams with J-hook connectors and different concrete core including ULCC, lightweight concrete (LWC) and normal weight concrete (NWC). Validations were also carried out to check the accuracy of the FE analysis on the SCS sandwich beams with J-hook connectors and curved SCS sandwich structure. Finally, recommended FE analysis procedures were given.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.1074-1077
• /
• 2002

Biomechanical behavior of the human femur is very important in various clinical situations. In this study, the data of FE models based on DICOM file exported from Computed tomography(CT). We generated FE models(voxel model, tetra model) of human femur using CT slide image. We compared them with Yon Mises stress results derived from finite element analysis(FEA). Comparing the two models, we found a correlation of them. As a result, the tetra model based proposed marching cube algorithm is a valid and accurate method to predict parameters of the complex biomechanical behavior of human femur.