• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2012

Given an object, its positioning in the space is a main concern in structural monitoring and a required feedback in structural health monitoring, structural control and robotics. In addition, to make the sensor unit wireless is a crucial issue for advanced applications. This paper deals with the exploitation of wireless transmission technology to long-term monitoring GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers - like the Leica GMX 902 and the Leica GRX 1200-pro. These GPS receivers consist of five parts: antenna, receiver, user client computer, interface and power supply. The antenna is mounted on the object to be monitored and is connected with the receiver by a coaxial-cable through which the radio frequency signals are transmitted. The receiver unit acquires, tracks and demodulates the satellite signals and provides, through an interface which in this paper is made wireless, the resulting GPS raw data to the user client computer for being further processed by a suitable positioning algorithm. The power supply reaches the computer by a wired link, while the other modules rely on batteries re-charged by power harvesting devices. Two wireless transmission systems, the 24XStream and the CC1110, are applied to replace the cable transmission between the receiver and the user client computer which up to now was the only market offer. To verify the performance and the reliability of this wireless transmission system, some experiments are conducted. The results show a successful cable replacement.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.297-316
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• 2017

With rapid growth in the complexity of large scale engineering systems, the application of multidisciplinary analysis and design optimization (MDO) in the engineering design process has garnered much attention. MDO addresses the challenge of integrating several different disciplines into the design process. Primary challenges of MDO include computational expense and poor scalability. The introduction of a distributed, collaborative computational environment results in better utilization of available computational resources, reducing the time to solution, and enhancing scalability. SORCER, a Java-based network-centric computing platform, enables analyses and design studies in a distributed collaborative computing environment. Two different optimization algorithms widely used in multidisciplinary engineering design-VTDIRECT95 and QNSTOP-are implemented on a SORCER grid. VTDIRECT95, a Fortran 95 implementation of D. R. Jones' algorithm DIRECT, is a highly parallelizable derivative-free deterministic global optimization algorithm. QNSTOP is a parallel quasi-Newton algorithm for stochastic optimization problems. The purpose of integrating VTDIRECT95 and QNSTOP into the SORCER framework is to provide load balancing among computational resources, resulting in a dynamically scalable process. Further, the federated computing paradigm implemented by SORCER manages distributed services in real time, thereby significantly speeding up the design process. Part 1 covers SORCER and the algorithms, Part 2 presents results for aircraft panel design with curvilinear stiffeners.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.317-334
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• 2017

With rapid growth in the complexity of large scale engineering systems, the application of multidisciplinary analysis and design optimization (MDO) in the engineering design process has garnered much attention. MDO addresses the challenge of integrating several different disciplines into the design process. Primary challenges of MDO include computational expense and poor scalability. The introduction of a distributed, collaborative computational environment results in better utilization of available computational resources, reducing the time to solution, and enhancing scalability. SORCER, a Java-based network-centric computing platform, enables analyses and design studies in a distributed collaborative computing environment. Two different optimization algorithms widely used in multidisciplinary engineering design-VTDIRECT95 and QNSTOP-are implemented on a SORCER grid. VTDIRECT95, a Fortran 95 implementation of D. R. Jones' algorithm DIRECT, is a highly parallelizable derivative-free deterministic global optimization algorithm. QNSTOP is a parallel quasi-Newton algorithm for stochastic optimization problems. The purpose of integrating VTDIRECT95 and QNSTOP into the SORCER framework is to provide load balancing among computational resources, resulting in a dynamically scalable process. Further, the federated computing paradigm implemented by SORCER manages distributed services in real time, thereby significantly speeding up the design process. Part 1 covers SORCER and the algorithms, Part 2 presents results for aircraft panel design with curvilinear stiffeners.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.549-561
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• 2018

Sobol method is applied as a powerful variance decomposition technique in the field of global sensitivity analysis (GSA). The paper is devoted to increase convergence speed of the extracted Sobol indices using a new proposed sampling technique called genetic based Latine hypercube sampling (GBLHS). This technique is indeed an improved version of restricted Latine hypercube sampling (LHS) and the optimization algorithm is inspired from genetic algorithm in a new approach. The new approach is based on the optimization of minimax value of LHS arrays using manipulation of array indices as chromosomes in genetic algorithm. The improved Sobol method is implemented to perform factor prioritization and fixing of an uncertain comprehensive high speed rotor-bearing system. The finite element method is employed for rotor-bearing modeling by considering Eshleman-Eubanks assumption and interaction of axial force on the rotor whirling behavior. The performance of the GBLHS technique are compared with the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), LHS and Optimized LHS (Minimax. criteria). Comparison of the GBLHS with other techniques demonstrates its capability for increasing convergence speed of the sensitivity indices and improving computational time of the GSA.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2021

Composite nature of the masonry structures in general causes complex and non-linear behaviour, especially in intense vibration conditions. The presence of different types and forms of structural elements and different materials is a major problem for the analysis of these type of structures. For this reason, the analysis of the behaviour of masonry structures requires a combination of experimental tests and non-linear mathematical modelling. The famous UNESCO Heritage Old Bridge in Mostar was selected as an example for the analysis of the global behaviour of reinforced stone arch masonry bridges. As part of the experimental research, a model of the Old Bridge was constructed in a scale of 1:9 and tested on a shaking table platform for different levels of seismic excitation. Non-linear mathematical modelling was performed using a combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), including the effect of connection elements. The paper presents the horizontal displacement of the top of the arch and the failure mechanism of the Old Bridge model for the experimental and the numerical phase, as well as the comparison of the results. This research provided a clearer insight into the global behaviour of stone arch masonry structures reinforced with steel clamps and steel dowels, which is significant for the structures classified as world cultural heritage.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.283-294
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• 2022

In this study, a new seismic retrofit scheme of building structures is developed by combining a steel moment frame and steel slit plates to be installed inside of an existing reinforced concrete frame. This device has the energy dissipation capability of slit dampers with slight loss of stiffness compared to the conventional steel frame reinforcement method. In order to investigate the seismic performance of the retrofit system, it was installed inside of a reinforced concrete frame and tested under cyclic loading. Finite element analysis was carried out for validation of the test results, and it was observed that the analysis and the test results match well. An analytical model was developed to apply the retrofit system to a commercial software to be used for seismic retrofit design of an example structure. The effectiveness of the retrofit scheme was investigated through nonlinear time-history response analysis (NLTHA). The cyclic loading test showed that the steel frame with slit dampers provides significant increase in strength and ductility to the bare structure. According to the analysis results of a case study building, the proposed system turned out to be effective in decreasing the seismic response of the model structure below the given target limit state.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.857-865
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• 2023

This study aimed to develop a seismic retrofit technique using a steel frame which can be easily transported and assembled on site. This enables the retrofit steel frame to be easily attached to an existing structure minimizing the unwanted gap between the structure and the steel frame assembly. A one-story one-bay RC frame was tested with and without seismic retrofit using the proposed steel frame to verify the seismic retrofit effect of the proposed system, and an analysis model was developed in Opensees for seismic performance evaluation of a case study soft first-story model structure retrofitted with the developed steel frame assembly. Seismic performance of the model structure was also evaluated considering soil structure interaction effect. The experimental study confirmed that the proposed seismic retrofit system can be applied effectively to improve the seismic performance of framed structures. Time history analysis results of the model structure showed that the proposed steel frame assembly was effective in increasing the seismic load resisting capacity of the soft first-story structure. However more steel frame assemblies were required to satisfy the given performance limit state of the model structure located on weak soil due to the negative soil-structure interaction effect.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.287-312
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• 2023

The global performance of a 15 MW floating offshore wind turbine, a newly designed semisubmersible floating foundation with multiple heave plates by CNOOC, is investigated with two independent turbine-floater-mooring coupled dynamic analysis programs CHARM3D-FAST and OrcaFlex. The semisubmersible platform hosts IEA 15 MW reference wind turbine modulated for VolturnUS-S and hybrid type (chain-wire-chain with clumps) 3×2 mooring lines targeting the water depth of 100 m. The numerical free-decay simulation results are compared with physical experiments with 1:64 scaled model in 3D wave basin, from which appropriate drag coefficients for heave plates were estimated. The tuned numerical simulation tools were then used for the feasibility and global performance analysis of the FOWT considering the 50-yr-storm condition and maximum operational condition. The effect of tower flexibility was investigated by comparing tower-base fore-aft bending moment and nacelle translational accelerations. It is found that the tower-base bending moment and nacelle accelerations can be appreciably increased due to the tower flexibility.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.549-562
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• 2024

In this study a steel moment frame system to be installed on the exterior surface of an existing structure is proposed as a seismic retrofit device. The seismic performance of the retrofit system was investigated by installing it on the exterior of a single story single bay reinforced concrete frame and testing it under cyclic loading. The cyclic loading test results indicated that the steel frame significantly enhanced the strength and ductility of the bare structure. Finite element analysis was carried out to validate the test results, and it was observed that there was good agreement between the two results. An analytical model was developed in order to apply the retrofit system to an example structure subjected to seven mainshock-aftershock sequential earthquake records. It was observed that the model structure was severely damaged due to the mainshock earthquakes, and the seismic response of the model structure increased significantly due to the subsequent aftershock earthquakes. The seismic retrofit of the model structure using the proposed steel frame turned out to be effective in decreasing the seismic response below the given limit state.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.893-907
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• 2014

Meshless local collocation method produces much better conditioned matrices than meshless global collocation methods. In this paper, the meshless local collocation method based on thin plate spline radial basis function and first-order shear deformation theory are used to calculate the natural frequencies and mode shapes of laminated composite shells. Through numerical experiments, the accuracy and efficiency of present method are demonstrated.