• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.6
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• pp.645-655
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• 2021

Performance-based reliability analysis is a practical approach to investigate the seismic performance and stochastic nonlinear response of structures considering a random process. This is significant due to the uncertainties involved in every aspect of the analysis. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the performance-based reliability within a stochastic finite element (FE) framework for reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls that are considered as one of the most essential elements of structures. To accomplish this purpose, deterministic FE analyses are conducted for both squat and slender shear walls to validate numerical models through experimental results. The presented numerical analysis is performed by using the ABAQUS FE program. Afterwards, a random-effects investigation is carried out to consider the influence of different random variables on the lateral load-top displacement behavior of RC members. Using these results and through utilizing the Monte-Carlo simulation method, stochastic nonlinear analyses are also performed to generate random FE models based on input parameters and their probabilistic distributions. In order to evaluate the reliability of RC walls, failure probabilities and corresponding reliability indices are calculated at life safety and collapse prevention levels of performance as suggested by FEMA 356. Moreover, based on reliability indices, capacity reduction factors are determined subjected to shear for all specimens that are designed according to the ACI 318 Building Code. Obtained results show that the lateral load and the compressive strength of concrete have the highest effects on load-displacement responses compared to those of other random variables. It is also found that the probability of shear failure for the squat wall is slightly lower than that for slender walls. This implies that 𝛽 values are higher in a non-ductile mode of failure. Besides, the reliability of both squat and slender shear walls does not change significantly in the case of varying capacity reduction factors.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.11-18
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• 1999

For the proper design of a slender compression member, the exact determination of the elastic critical load is crucial, In the cases of non-prismatic compression members, the determinations of the elastic critical load cannot be usually expressed in closed forms. h this paper, the non-symmetrically tapered compression members with arbitrary boundary conditions me analysed by using the finite element method to determine the elastic critical load. The main parameters considered in the numerical analysis are the In Parameter, $\alpha$ and the sectional property parameter, m. To generaliza the unmerical analysis, of the computed results for each sectional parameter, m are presented in algebraic equations, which agrees fairy well with those by F.E.M in most cases.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.252-259
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• 1999

One of the most important factors for a proper design of a slender compression member may be the exact determination of the elastic critical load of that member. In the cases of non-prismatic compression member, however, there are times when the exact critical load becomes impossible to determinate if one relies on the neutral equilibrium method or energy principle. Here in this paper, the approximate critical loads of symmetrically or non-symmetrically tapered members are computed by finite element method. The two parameters considered in this numerical analysis are the taper parameter, $\alpha$ and the sectional property parameters, m. The computed results for each sectional property parameter, m are presented in an algebraic equation which agrees with those by F.E.M The algebraic equation can be easily used by structural engineers, who are engaged in structural analysis and design of non-prismatic compression member.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.545-560
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• 2010

Two or more distinct materials are combined into a single functionally graded material (FGM) where the microstructural composition and properties change gradually. Thermal post-buckling behavior of uniform slender FGM beams is investigated independently using the classical Rayleigh-Ritz (RR) formulation and the versatile Finite Element Analysis (FEA) formulation developed in this paper. The von-Karman strain-displacement relations are used to account for moderately large deflections of FGM beams. Bending-extension coupling arising due to heterogeneity of material through the thickness is included. Simply supported and clamped beams with axially immovable ends are considered in the present study. Post-buckling load versus deflection curves and buckled mode shapes obtained from both the RR and FEA formulations for different volume fraction exponents show an excellent agreement with the available literature results for simply supported ends. Response of the FGM beam with clamped ends is studied for the first time and the results from both the RR and FEA formulations show a very good agreement. Though the response of the FGM beam could have been studied more accurately by FEA formulation alone, the authors aim to apply the RR formulation is to find an approximate closed form post-buckling solutions for the FGM beams. Further, the use of the RR formulation clearly demonstrates the effect of bending-extension coupling on the post-buckling response of the FGM beams.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1397-1409
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• 2018

Stiffened plates with high slenderness parameters show large out-of-plane deflections, due to elastic buckling, which may occur before the plates reach their ultimate strength. From a serviceability point of view, restriction of out-of-plane deflections exceeding the fabrication tolerance is of primary importance. Compressive strength at the serviceability limit state (SLS) for slender stiffened plates under uniaxial stress was investigated through nonlinear elasto-plastic finite element analysis, considering both geometric and material nonlinearity. Both normal and high-performance steel were considered in the study. The SLS was defined based on a deflection limit and an elastic buckling strength. Probabilistic distributions of the SLS strengths were obtained through Monte Carlo simulations, in association with the response surface method. On the basis of the obtained statistical distributions, partial safety factors were proposed for SLS. Comparisons with the ultimate strength of different design codes e.g. Japanese Code, AASHTO, and Canadian Code indicate that AASHTO and Canadian Code provide significantly conservative design, while Japanese Code matches well with a 5% non-exceedance probability for compressive strength at SLS.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.723-738
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• 2014

Prestressing is the most commonly employed technique in bridges and long span beams in commercial buildings as prestressing results in slender section with higher load carrying capacities. This work is an attempt to study the performance of a minimum weight prestressed concrete beam adopting a non-prismatic section so that there will be a reduction in the volume of concrete which in turn reduces the self-weight of the structure. The effect of adopting a non-prismatic section on parameters like prestressing force, area of prestressing steel, bending stresses, shear stresses and percentage loss of prestress are established theoretically. The analysis of non-prismatic prestressed beams is based on the assumption of pure bending theory. Equations are derived for dead load bending moment, eccentricity, and depth at any required section. Based on these equations an algorithm is developed which does the stress checks for the given section for every 500 mm interval of the span. Limit state method is used for the design of beam and finite difference method is used for finding out the deflection of a non-prismatic beam. All the parameters of nonprismatic prestressed concrete beams are compared with that of the rectangular prestressed concrete members and observed that minimum weight design and economical design are not same. Minimum weight design results in the increase in required area of prestressing steel.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2008

This study proposes a conceptual framework of in-situ vibration tests and analyses for quality appraisal of non-slender, cast-in-place piles with irregular cross-section configuration. It evaluates a frequency index from vibration recordings to a series of impulse loadings that is related to total soil-resistance forces around a pile, so as to assess if the pile achieves the design requirement in terms of bearing capacity. In particular, in-situ pile-vibration tests in sequential are carried out, in which dropping a weight from different heights generates series impulse loadings with low-to-high amplitudes. The high-amplitude impulse is designed in way that the load will generate equivalent static load that is equal to or larger than the designed bearing capacity of the pile. This study then uses empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert spectral analysis for processing the nonstationary, short-period recordings, so as to single out with accuracy the frequency index. Comparison of the frequency indices identified from the recordings to the series loadings with the design-based one would tell if the total soil resistance force remains linear or nonlinear and subsequently for the quality appraisal of the pile. As an example, this study investigates six data sets collected from the in-situ tests of two piles in Taipu water pump project, Jiangshu Province of China. It concludes that the two piles have the actual axial load capacity higher than the designed bearing capacity. The true bearing capacity of the piles under investigation can be estimated with accuracy if the amplitude of impact loadings is further increased and the analyses are calibrated with the static testing results.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.6A
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• pp.399-409
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• 2012

The flexural behavior of HSB plate girder with a non-slender web, due to inelastic lateral-torsional buckling, under uniform bending was investigated by the nonlinear finite element analysis. Both homogeneous sections fabricated from SM570-TMC, HSB600 or HSB800 steel and hybrid sections with HSB800 flanges and SM570-TMC web were considered. The flanges and web of selected noncomposite I-girders were modeled as thin shell elements and the geometrical and material nonlinear finite element analysis was performed by the ABAQUS program. The steel was assumed as an elasto-plastic strain hardening material. Initial imperfections and residual stresses were taken into account and their effects on the inelastic lateral-torsional buckling behavior were analyzed. The flexural strengths of selected sections obtained by the finite element analysis were compared with the nominal flexural strengths from KHBDC LSD, AASHTO LRFD, and Eurocode and the applicability of these codes in predicting the inelastic lateral torsional buckling strength of HSB plate girders with a non-slender web was assessed.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.229-240
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• 2020

In the present work, the main features of primary vortices and the vorticity concentrations downstream of vortex bursting in crossflow plane of a delta wing with a sweep angle of Λ=70° were investigated under the variation of the sideslip angles, β. For the pre-review of flow structures, dye visualization was conducted. In connection with a qualitative observation, a quantitative flow analysis was performed by employing Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The sideslip angles, β were varied with four different angles, such as 0°, 4°, 12°, and 20° while angles of attack, α were altered between 25° and 35°. This study mainly focused on the instantaneous flow features sequentially located at different crossflow planes such as x/C=0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. As a summary, time-averaged and instantaneous non-uniformity of turbulent flow structures are altered considerably resulting in non-homogeneous delta wing surface loading as a function of the sideslip angle. The vortex bursting location on the windward side of the delta wing advances towards the leading-edge point of the delta wing. The trajectory of the primary vortex on the leeward side slides towards sideways along the span of the delta wing. Besides, the uniformity of the lift coefficient, C_L over the delta wing plane was severely affected due to unbalanced distribution of buffet loading over the same plane caused by the variation of the sideslip angle, β. Consequently, dissimilarities of the leading-edge vortices result in deterioration of the mean value of the lift coefficient, C_L.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2015

In order to increase endurance flight efficiency of long endurance electric powered UAV, main wing of UAV should have high aspect ratio and low structural weight. Since a spar which consists of thin and slender structure for weight reduction can cause catastrophic failure during the flight, it is important to develop verification method of structural integrity of the spar with the light weight design. In this paper, process of structural analysis using non-linear finite element method was introduced for the verification of structural integrity of the spar. The static strength test of the spar was conducted to identify structural characteristic under the static load. Then, the experimental result of the spar was compared to the analytical result from the non-linear finite element analysis. It was found that the developed process of structural analysis could predict well the non-linear structural behavior of the spar under ultimate load.