• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.459-475
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• 2022

In this paper a model for the prediction of the ultimate axial compressive capacity of square and rectangular Concrete Filled Steel Tubes, based on an Artificial Neural Network modeling procedure is presented. The model is trained and tested using an experimental database, compiled for this reason from the literature that amounts to 1193 specimens, including long, thin-walled and high-strength ones. The proposed model was selected as the optimum from a plethora of alternatives, employing different activation functions in the context of Artificial Neural Network technique. The performance of the developed model was compared against existing methodologies from design codes and from proposals in the literature, employing several performance indices. It was found that the proposed model achieves remarkably improved predictions of the ultimate axial load.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.521-544
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• 2021

In this work, we present the development of a 3D lattice-type model at microscale based upon the Voronoi-cell representation of material microstructure. This model can capture the coupling between mechanic and electric fields with non-linear constitutive behavior for both. More precisely, for electric part we consider the ferroelectric constitutive behavior with the possibility of domain switching polarization, which can be handled in the same fashion as deformation theory of plasticity. For mechanics part, we introduce the constitutive model of plasticity with the Armstrong-Frederick kinematic hardening. This model is used to simulate a complete coupling of the chosen electric and mechanics behavior with a multiscale approach implemented within the same computational architecture.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.355-369
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• 2016

Changes in chemical structure have profound effects on the physical properties of epoxy-based materials, and eventually affect the durability of the entire system. Microscopic structural voids generally existing in the epoxy cross-linked networks have a detrimental influence on the epoxy mechanical properties, but the relation remains elusive, which is hindered by the complex structure of epoxy-based materials. In this paper, we investigate the effect of structural voids on the epoxy-based materials by using our developed mesoscale model equipped with the concept of multiscale modeling, and SU-8 photoresist is used as a representative of epoxy-based materials. Developed from the results of full atomistic simulations, the mesoscopic model is validated against experimental measurements, which is suitable to describe the elastic deformation of epoxy-based materials over several orders of magnitude in time- and length scales. After that, a certain quantity of the structure voids is incorporated in the mesoscale model. It is found that the existence of structural voids reduces the tensile stiffness of the mesoscale epoxy network, when compared with the case without any voids in the model. In addition, it is noticed that a certain number of the structural voids have an insignificant effect on the epoxy elastic properties, and the mesoscale model containing structural voids is close to those found in real systems.

• Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-50
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• 1996

In this paper, a finite element analysis based on the local approach concept to fracture in the continuum damage mechanics is performed to analyze ductile fracture in two dimensional quasi-static state. First an isotropic damage model based on the generalized concept of effective stress is proposed for structural materials in the context of large deformation. In this model, the stiffness degradation is taken as a measure of damage and so, the fracture phenomenon can be explained as the critical deterioration of stiffness at a material point. The modified Riks' continuation technique is used to solve incremental iterative equations. Crack propagation is achieved by removing critically damaged elements. The mesh size sensitivity analysis and the simulation of the well known shearing mode failure in plane strain state are carried out to verify the present formulation. As numerical examples, an edge cracked plate and the specimen with a circular hole under plane stress are taken. Load-displacement curves and successively fractured shapes are shown. From the results, it can be concluded that the proposed model based on the local approach concept in the continuum damage mechanics may be stated as a reasonable tool to explain ductile fracture initiation and crack propagation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2018

In this paper, a Cloud Model based Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (CMFOA) is presented for structural damage identification, which is a global optimization algorithm inspired by the foraging behavior of fruit fly swarm. It is assumed that damage only leads to the decrease in elementary stiffness. The differences on time-domain structural acceleration data are used to construct the objective function, which transforms the damaged identification problem of a structure into an optimization problem. The effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy of the CMFOA are demonstrated by two different numerical simulation structures, including a simply supported beam and a cantilevered plate. Numerical results show that the CMFOA has a better capacity for structural damage identification than the basic Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (FOA) and the CMFOA is not sensitive to measurement noise.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.137-155
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• 2015

This paper presents a simple procedure to obtain a substitute, homogenized mechanical response of single layer graphene sheet. The procedure is based on the judicious combination of molecular mechanics simulation results and homogenization method. Moreover, a series of virtual experiments are performed on the representative graphene lattice. Following these results, the constitutive model development is based on the well-established continuum mechanics framework, that is, the non-linear membrane theory which includes the hyperelastic model in terms of principal stretches. A proof-of-concept and performance is shown on a simple model problem where the hyperelastic strain energy density function is chosen in polynomial form.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2012

The dilatancy of granular materials has significant influence on its mechanical behaviors. The dilation angle is taken as a constant in conventional associated or non-associated flow rules based on Drucker-Prager yields theory. However, various experimental results show the dilatancy changes during progressive failure of granular materials. A non-associated flow rule with evolution of dilation angle is adopted in this study, and Cosserat continuum theory is used to describe the behaviors of granular materials for considering to some extent the its internal structure. Numerical examples focus on the bearing capacity and localization of granular materials, and results illustrate the capability and performance of the presented model in modeling the effect on failure behavior of granular materials.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.677-686
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• 2018

Aimed at serious casing damage problem during the process of oilfield development by injecting water, based on seepage mechanics, fluid mechanics and the theory of rock mechanics, the multi-physics coupling theory was also taken into account, the mathematical model for production of petroleum with water flooding was established, and the method to solve the coupling model was presented by combination of Abaqus and Eclipse software. The Q9G3 block in Jibei oilfield was taken for instance, the well log data and geological survey data were employed to build the numerical model of Q9G3 block, the method established above was applied to simulate the evolution of seepage and stress. The production data was imported into the model to conduct the history match work of the model, and the fitting accuracy of the model was quite good. The main mechanism of casing damage of the block was analyzed, and some wells with probable casing damage problem were pointed out, the displacement of the well wall matched very well with testing data of the filed. Finally, according to the simulation results, some useful measures for preventing casing damage in Jibei oilfield was proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.553-571
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• 2016

The progressive collapse potential of steel moment framed structures due to abrupt removal of a column is investigated based on the energy principle. Based on the changes of component's internal energy, this paper analyzes structural member's sensitivity to abrupt removal of a column to determine a sub-structure resisting progressive collapse. An energy-based structural damage index is defined to judge whether progressive collapse occurs in a structure. Then, a simplified beam damage model is proposed to analyze the energies absorbed and dissipated by structural beams at large deflections, and a simplified modified plastic hinges model is developed to consider catenary action in beams. In addition, the correlation between bending moment and axial force in a beam during the whole deformation development process is analyzed and modified, which shows good agreement with the experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.687-702
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• 2015

A method based on derivatives of eigen-parameters is presented for damage detection in discrete systems with dampers. The damage is simulated by decrease on the stiffness coefficient and increase of the damping coefficient. In the forward analysis, the derivatives of eigen-parameters are derived for the discrete system. In the inverse analysis, a derivative of eigen-parameters based model updating approach is used to identify damages in frequency domain. Two numerical examples are investigated to illustrate efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. Studies in this paper indicate that the proposed method is efficient and robust for both single and multiple damages and is insensitive to measurement noise. And satisfactory identified results can be obtained from few numbers of iterations.