• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.557-570
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• 2017

In this study, the seismic performance levels of four bridges are determined using finite element modeling based on ambient vibration testing. The study includes finite element modeling, analytical modal analyses, ambient vibration testing and earthquake analyses of the bridges. For the purpose, four prestressed precast I beam bridges that were constructed for the Ankara-Sivas high speed railway line are selected for analytical and experimental studies. In the study, firstly a literature review related to the dynamic behavior of bridges especially precast beam bridges is given and then the formulation part related to ambient vibration testing and structural performance according to Turkish Seismic Code (2007) is presented. Next, 3D finite element models of the bridge are described and modeled using LARSA 4D software, and analytical dynamic characteristics are obtained. Then ambient vibration testing conducted on the bridges under natural excitations and experimental natural frequencies are estimated. Lastly, time history analyses of the bridges under the 1999 Kocaeli, 1992 Erzincan, and 1999 Duzce Earthquakes are performed and seismic performance levels according to TSC2007 are determined. The results show that the damage on the bridges is all under the minimum damage limit which is in the minimum damage region under all three earthquakes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.423-438
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• 2018

This pioneer study focuses on finite element modeling and numerical modeling of three types of Reinforced Concrete Haunched Beams (RCHBs). Firstly, twenty RCHBs, consisting of three types, and four prismatic beams which had been tested experimentally were modeled via a nonlinear finite element method (NFEM) based software named as, ATENA. The modeling results were compared with experimental results including load capacity, deflection, crack pattern and mode of failure. The comparison showed a good agreement between the results and thus the model used can be effectively used for further studies of RCHB with high accuracy. Afterwards, new mechanism modes and design code equations were proposed to improve the shear design equation of ACI-318 and to predict the critical effective depth. These equations are the first comprehensive formulas in the literature involving all types of RCHBs. The statistical analysis showed the superiority of the proposed equation to their predecessors where the correlation coefficient, $R^2$ was found to be 0.89 for the proposed equation. Moreover, the new equation was validated using parametric and reliability analyses. The parametric analysis of both experimental and predicted results shows that the inclination angle and the compressive strength were the most influential parameters on the shear strength. The reliability analysis indicates that the accuracy of the new formulation is significantly higher as compared to available design equations and its reliability index is within acceptable limits.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.85-104
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• 2016

Stability and loosening of implanted femoral stems in Total Hip Replacement have been well established as barriers to the primary concerns of osseointegration and long term implant survival. In-vitro experiments and finite element modeling have for years been used as a primary tool to assess the bone stem interface with variable methodologies leading to a wide range of micromotion, interference fit and stress shielding values in the literature. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive review of currently utilized methodologies for in-vitro mechanical testing as well as finite element modeling of both micromotion and interference of implanted femoral stems. A total of 12 studies detailed in 33 articles were selected for inclusion. Experimental values of micromotion ranged from 12 to $182{\mu}m$ while finite element analysis reported a wider range from 2.74 to $1,277{\mu}m$. Only two studies were found that modeled bone/implant contact with consideration for interference fit. In studies evaluating stem micromotion in THA, the reference surface at the bone/stem interface should be well defined. Additionally, the amount of penetration considered should be disclosed and associated with bone density and roughness.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.325-348
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• 2009

This paper is concerned with steel-concrete composite plate girders curved in plan. At the design stage these girders are assumed sometimes to act independent of the deck slabs resting on them in order to simplify the analysis. The advantage of composite action between the steel girders and concrete deck is not utilized. Finite element modeling of such composite action in plate girders is considered in this paper. Details of the finite element modeling and the non-linear analysis of the girders are presented along with the results obtained. Tension field action in the web panels similar to those observed in the straight plate girders is also noticed in these girders. Finite element and experimental results in respect of curved steel plate girders and straight composite plate girders tested by other researchers are presented first to assess the accuracy of the modeling. Effects of parameters such as curvature, steel flange width and web panel width that affect the behavior of composite girders are then considered in the analyses. An approximate method to predict the ultimate strength of horizontally curved composite plate girders is also presented.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.307-314
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• 2023

This study aims to evaluate the blast performance of shear and flexure failure modes of reinforced concrete columns using finite-element analyses. To accomplish this goal, finite-element models of flexure- and shear-governed columns were developed and validated using previous experimental results. A blast simulation model was developed using a coupling-modeling method, and the modeling method was applied to the validated-column models. Blast responses were obtained for various blast loading scenarios, and the blast performance was determined using limits based on ductility and axial loading capacity.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2003

An automatic quadrilateral mesh generator for large deformation finite element analysis such as metal forming simulation was developed. The NURBS interpolation method is used for modeling arbitrary 2-D free surface. This mesh generation technique is the modified paving algorithm, which is an advancing front technique with element-by-element resolving method for paving boundary intersection problem. The mesh density for higher analysis accuracy and less analysis time can be easily controlled with high-density points, maximum and minimum element size. A couple of application to large deformation finite element analysis is given as an example, which shows versatility and applicability of the proposed approach and the developed mesh generator for large deformation finite element analysis.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2020

This study aims to explore a purely mechanistic pavement analysis approach where viscoelasticity and fracture of asphalt mixtures are considered to accurately predict deformation and damage behavior of flexible pavements. To do so, the viscoelastic and fracture properties of designated pavement materials are obtained through experiments and a fully mechanistic damage analysis is carried out using a finite element method (FEM). While modeling crack development can be done in various ways, this study uses the cohesive zone approach, which is a well-known fracture mechanics approach to efficiently model crack initiation and propagation. Different pavement configurations and traffic loads are considered based on three main functional classes of roads suggested by FHWA i.e., arterial, collector and local. For each road type, three different material combinations for asphalt concrete (AC) and base layers are considered to study damage behavior of pavement. A concept of the approach is presented and a case study where three different material combinations for AC and base layers are considered is exemplified to investigate progressive damage behavior of pavements when mixture properties and layer configurations were altered. Overall, it can be concluded that mechanistic pavement modeling attempted in this study could differentiate the performance of pavement sections due to varying design inputs. The promising results, although limited yet to be considered a fully practical method, infer that a few mixture tests can be integrated with the finite element modeling of the mixture tests and subsequent structural modeling of pavements to better design mixtures and pavements in a purely mechanistic manner.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.219-235
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• 2022

Strengthening slender reinforced concrete (RC) columns is a challenge. They are susceptible to overall buckling that induces bending moment and axial compression. This study presents the precise three-dimensional finite element modeling of slender RC columns strengthened with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites sheets with various patterns under concentric or eccentric compression. The slenderness ratio λ (height/width ratio) of the studied columns ranged from 15 to 35. First, to determine the optimal modeling procedure, nine alternative nonlinear finite element models were presented to simulate the experimental behavior of seven FRP-strengthened slender RC columns under eccentric compression. The models simulated concrete behavior under compression and tension, FRP laminate sheets with different fiber orientations, crack propagation, FRP-concrete interface, and eccentric compression. Then, the validated modeling procedure was applied to simulate 58 FRP-strengthened slender RC columns under compression with minor eccentricity to represent the inevitable geometric imperfections. The simulated columns showed two cross sections (square and rectangular), variable λ values (15, 22, and 35), and four strengthening patterns for FRP sheet layers (hoop H, longitudinal L, partial longitudinal L_w, and longitudinal coupled with hoop LH). For λ=15-22, pattern L showed the highest strengthening effectiveness, pattern L_w showed brittle failure, steel reinforcement bars exhibited compressive yielding, ties exhibited tensile yielding, and concrete failed under compression. For λ>22, pattern L_w outperformed pattern L in terms of the strengthening effectiveness relative to equivalent weight of FRP layers, steel reinforcement bars exhibited crossover tensile strain, and concrete failed under tension. Patterns H and LH (compared with pattern L) showed minor strengthening effectiveness.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.993-1000
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• 1997

This paper presents a new technique of mathematical treatment using a finite element model for analyzing the vibration of the towed line array. Since the towed line array has the axisymmetricity, axisymmetric elements are used in finite element modeling for the towed array structure. The fluid-structure interaction is also considered. The array consists of a series of identical substructures which can include internal structures such as spacers, hydrophones and ropes. That periodicity of substrucutres permits the substructure synthesis technique using characteristic wave guide for analyzing the response of towed array system. This synthesis technique can reduce the cost of computing the array response. It is suggested that a response of towed array can be computed by the finite element method and substructure synthesis technique using wave guide. Several experiments for towed array were performed to verify the present computation technique. The predicted vibration for the towed array shows good agreement with the measured result.

• International Journal of CAD/CAM
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2009

Domain mapping is a bijective transformation of one domain to another, usually from a complicated general domain to a chosen convex domain. This is directly useful in many application problems like shape modeling, morphing, texture mapping, shape matching, remeshing, path planning etc. A new approach considering the domain as made up of structural elements, like membranes or trusses, is developed and implemented using the nonlinear finite element formulation. The mapping is performed in two stages, boundary mapping and inside mapping. The boundary of the 3-D domain is mapped to the surface of a convex domain (in this case, a sphere) in the first stage and then the displacement/distortion of this boundary is used as boundary conditions for mapping the interior of the domain in the second stage. This is a general method and it develops a bijective mapping in all cases with judicious choice of material properties and finite element analysis. The consistent global parameterization produced by this method for an arbitrary genus zero closed surface is useful in shape modeling. Results are convincing to accept this finite element structural approach for domain mapping as a good method for many purposes.