• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.475-502
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• 2012

In this paper, the seismic analysis modeling technologies for sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) are presented with detailed descriptions for each structure, system and component (SSC) model. The complicated reactor system of pool type SFR, which is composed of the reactor vessel, internal structures, intermediate heat exchangers, primary pumps, core assemblies, and core support structures, is mathematically described with simple stick models which can represent fundamental frequencies of SSC. To do this, detailed finite element analyses were carried out to identify fundamental beam frequencies with consideration of fluid added mass effects caused by primary sodium coolant contained in the reactor vessel. The calculation of fluid added masses is performed by detailed finite element analyses using FAMD computer program and the results are discussed in terms of the ways to be considered in a seismic modeling. Based on the results of seismic time history analyses for both seismic isolation and non-isolation design, the functional requirements for relative deflections are discussed, and the design floor response spectra are proposed that can be used for subsystem seismic design.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.867-891
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• 2016

This paper addresses numerically the behavior of steel structures under Fire-after-Earthquake (FAE) loading. The study is focused on a four-storey library building and takes into account the damage that is induced in structural members due to earthquake. The basic objective is the assessment of both the fire-behavior and the fire-resistance of the structure in the case where the structure is damaged due to earthquake. The combined FAE scenarios involve two different stages: during the first stage, the structure is subjected to the ground motion record, while in the second stage the fire occurs. Different time-acceleration records are examined, each scaled to multiple levels of the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) in order to represent more severe earthquakes with lower probability of occurrence. In order to study in a systematic manner the behavior of the structure for the various FAE scenarios, a two-dimensional beam finite element model is developed, using the non-linear finite element analysis code MSC-MARC. The fire resistance of the structure is determined using rotational limits based on the ductility of structural members that are subjected to fire. These limits are temperature dependent and take into account the level of the structural damage at the end of the earthquake and the effect of geometric initial imperfections of structural members.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.347-360
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• 2018

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the available bond-slip laws which are being used for the numerical modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)/concrete interfaces. For this purpose, a set of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with external FRP were modeled using the 3D nonlinear Finite Element (FE) approach. All considered RC beams have been previously tested and the corresponding experimental data are available in the literature. The failure modes of these beams are concrete crushing, steel yielding and FRP debonding. Through comparison of the numerical and experimental results, the effectiveness of each FRP/concrete bond-slip model for the prediction of the structural behavior of externally retrofitted RC beams is assessed. The sensitivity of the numerical results against different modeling considerations of the concrete constitutive behavior and bond-slip laws has also been evaluated. The results show that the maximum allowable stress of FRP/concrete interface has an important role in the accurate prediction of the FRP debonding failure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-85
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• 2017

This study investigates numerically the behavior of tilted angle shear connectors embedded in solid concrete slabs. Two different tilted angle connectors were used, titled angle with 112.5 and 135 degrees between the angle leg and steel beam flange. A nonlinear finite element model was developed to simulate and validate the experimental push-out tests. Parametric studies were performed to investigate the variations in concrete strength and connector's dimensions. The results indicate that the ultimate strength of a tilted angle shear connector is directly related to the square root of the concrete compressive strength. The effects of variations in the geometry of tilted angle connectors on the shear capacity are discussed in details. Based on the numerical analyses, two equations are proposed to estimate the ultimate capacity of tilted angle shear connectors of 112.5 and 135 degrees in the defined range of parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.569-586
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• 2020

The behavior of composite steel-concrete beams depends on the transmission of forces between two parts: the concrete slab and the steel I-beam. The shear connector is responsible for the interaction between these two parts. Recently, an alternative shear connector, called Truss Type connector, has been developed; it aligns efficient structural behavior, fast construction and implementation, and low cost when compared to conventional connectors applied in composite structures. However, there is still a lack of full understanding of the mechanical behavior of the Truss Type connector, due to its novelty. Thus, this study aims to analyze the influence of variation of geometric and physical parameters on the shear resistance of the Truss Type connector. In order to investigate those parameters, a non-linear finite element model, able to simulate push-out tests of Truss Type connectors, was specifically developed and validated with experimental results. A thorough parametric study, varying the height, the angle between rods, the diameter, and the concrete strength, was conducted to evaluate the shear resistance of the Truss Type connector. In addition, an equation to predict the resistance of the original Truss Type shear connector was proposed.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.85-93
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• 2001

In this study, a computer program considering shape imperfections of arch under dynamic loading was developed. The shape imperfection of arch was assumed as higher degree polynomial expressed as $\omega$$_{i}$ = $\omega$$_{o}$ (1-(2$\chi$/L)$^{m}$ )$^n$and sinusoidal curve such as $\omega$$_{i}$ = $\omega$$_{o}$ sin(η$\pi$$\chi$/L). In finite element formulation, the material nonlinear behavior was assumed the elasto-viscoplastic model highly corresponding to the real behavior of the material and the geometrically nonlinear behavior was modeled using Lagrangian description of motion. Also, the behavior of steel was modeled by applying yield criteria of Von Mises. The developed program was applied to the analysis of the dynamic behavior for the clamped beam subjected to the concentrated load at midspan and the results were compared with those from other research to investigate accuracy of the presented finite element program. In numerical examples, the shape imperfections of L/500, L/1,000 and L/2,000 were considered and the modes of shape imperfections of the symmetric and antisymmetric were adopted. The effects of the shape imperfections on the dynamic behavior of arch were conspicuous and results of analysis indicate that the reasonable values of arch rise to arch span ratio ranged between 0.1 and 0.3.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.465-478
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• 2002

This study lays emphasis on the development of efficient analytical models for a multistory structure with wings, including the in-plane deformation of floor slabs. For this purpose, a multistory structure with wings is regarded as the combination of multistory structures with rectangular plan and their junctions. In addition, a multistory structure with a rectangular plan is considered to be an assemblage of two-dimensional frames and floor slabs connecting two adjacent frames at each floor level. This modeling, concept can be easily applied to multistory structures with plans in the shape of L, T, Y, U, H, etc. To represent the in-plane deformation of floor slabs efficiently, a two-dimensional frame and the floor slab connecting two adjacent frames at each floor level are modeled as a stick model with two degrees of freedom per floor and a stiff beam with shear deformations, respectively. Three models are used to investigate the effect of in-plane deformation of the floor slab at the junction of wings on the seismic behavior of structures. Based on the comparison of dynamic analysis results obtained using the proposed models and three-dimensional finite element models, it could be concluded that the proposed models can be used as an efficient tool for an approximate analysis of a multistory structure with wings.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.213-236
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• 2015

The paper presents an investigation into the mode conversion and scattering characteristics of guided waves at delaminations in laminated composite beams. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model, which is experimentally verified using data measured by 3D scanning laser vibrometer, is used in the investigation. The study consists of two parts. The first part investigates the excitability of the fundamental anti-symmetric mode ($A_0$) of guided wave in laminated composite beams. It is found that there are some unique phenomena, which do not exist for guided waves in plate structures, make the analysis become more complicated. The phenomena are observed in numerical study using 3D FE simulations. In the second part, several delaminated composite beams are studied numerically to investigate the mode conversion and scattering characteristics of the $A_0$ guided wave at delaminations. Different sizes, locations and through-thickness locations of the delaminations are investigated in detail. The mode conversion and scattering phenomena of guided waves at the delaminations are studied by calculating reflection and transmission coefficients. The results show that the sizes, locations and through-thickness locations of the delaminations have significant effects on the scattering characteristics of guided waves at the delaminations. The results of this research would provide better understanding of guided waves propagation and scattering at the delaminations in the laminated composite beams, and improve the performance of guided wave damage detection methods.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.263-274
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• 2013

A numerical technique for fluid-structure interaction, which is based on the finite element method (FEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), was developed for application to an industrial chimney equipped with a pendulum tuned mass damper (TMD). In order to solve the structural problem, a one-dimensional beam model (Navier-Bernoulli) was considered and, for the dynamical problem, the standard second-order Newmark method was used. Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible flow are solved in several horizontal planes to determine the pressure in the boundary of the corresponding cross-section of the chimney. Forces per unit length were obtained by integrating the pressure and are introduced in the structure using standard FEM interpolation techniques. For the fluid problem, a fractional step scheme based on a second order pressure splitting has been used. In each fluid plane, the displacements have been taken into account considering an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian approach. The stabilization of convection and diffusion terms is achieved by means of quasi-static orthogonal subscales. For each period of time, the fluid problem was solved and the geometry of the mesh of each fluid plane is updated according to the structure displacements. Using this technique, along-wind and across-wind effects have been properly explained. The method was applied to an industrial chimney in three scenarios (with or without TMD and for different damping values) and for two wind speeds, showing different responses.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.419-433
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• 2021

In composite structures, shear connectors are crucial components to resist the relative slip between the steel and concrete, and thereby to achieve the composite actions. In the service stage, composite structures are usually in elastic state, so the elastic stiffness of the shear connection is a quite important parameter in the structural analysis of composite structures. Nevertheless, the existing studies mainly focus on the load-slip relationship rather than the tangent stiffness at the initial elastic stage. Furthermore, when composite beams subjected to torque or local load, shear connections are affected by both tensile force and shear force. However, the stiffness of shear connections under combined effects appears not to have been discussed hitherto. This paper investigates the initial elastic stiffness of stud connections under combined effects of biaxial forces. The initial expression and the relevant parameters are obtained by establishing a simplified analytical model of the stud connection. Afterwards, parametric finite element analysis is performed to investigate the effects of the relevant factors, including the stud length, stud diameter, elastic modulus of concrete, elastic modulus of steel and volume ratio of reinforcement. The feasibility of the proposed modelling has been proved by comparing with sufficient experimental tests. Based on the analytical analysis and the extensive numerical simulations, design equations for predicting the initial elastic stiffness of stud connections are proposed. The comparison between the equations and the data of finite element models demonstrates that the equations are accurate enough to serve for engineering communities.