• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.171-186
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• 2020

This paper aims at providing insights on the use of thermosetting liner for the repair of offshore pipelines exposed to corrosion and leakage. The work which covers both experimental and numerical approaches were aspired due to the high cost of repair for pipelines, limitations of thermoplastic material and limited study of reinforced thermosetting liner. The experiment involves a destruction test called the burst test, carried out on an API 5L X42 carbon steel pipe under four case studies, namely (i) intact pipe, (ii) pipe with corrosion defect, (iii) pipe with corrosion defect and repaired with thermosetting liner and (iv) pipe with leakage and repaired with thermosetting liner. The numerical simulation was developed to first validate the experimental results and later to optimize the design of the thermosetting liner in terms of the number of layers required to restore the original strength of the pipe. The burst test shows an improvement in 23% of the burst capacity for the pipe with corrosion defects, after being repaired with a three-layer thermosetting liner. The parametric studies conducted showed that with an addition of thermosetting layers, the burst capacity improves by an average of 1.85 MPa. In conclusions, the improvement in strength can be further increased with increasing thickness of the thermosetting liner. The thermosetting liner was also determined to fail first inside the host pipe.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.269-277
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• 2020

In this study, numerical analyses were conducted to investigate the load transfer mechanisms and dynamic responses between the vertical shaft and the surrounding soil using a dynamic analysis method and a pseudo-static method (called response displacement method, RDM). Numerical solutions were verified against data from the literature. A series of parametric studies was performed with three different transient motions and various surrounding soils. The results showed that the soil stratigraphy and excitation motions significantly influenced the dynamic behavior of the vertical shaft. Maximum values of the shear force and bending moment occurred near an interface between the soil layers. In addition, deformations and load distributions of the vertical shaft were highly influenced by the amplified seismic waves on the vertical shaft constructed in multi-layered soils. Throughout the comparison results between the dynamic analysis method and the RDM, the results from the dynamic analyses showed good agreement with those from the RDM calculated by a double-cosine method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.1307-1325
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• 2016

Nonlinear behavior of two-span, continuous composite steel-concrete girders strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) bonded to the top of concrete slab over the negative moment region was evaluated using a non-linear Finite Element (FE) model in this paper. A three-dimensional FE model of continuous composite girder using commercial software ABAQUS simulated and validated with experimental results. The interfacial regions of the composite girder components were modeled using suitable interface elements. Validation of the proposed numerical model with experimental data confirmed the applicability of this model to predict the loading history, strain level for the different components and concrete-steel relative slip. The FE model captured the different modes of failure for the continuous composite girder either in the concrete slab or at the interfacial region between CFRP sheet and concrete slab. Through a parametric study, the thickness of CFRP sheet and shear connection required to develop full capacity of the continuous composite girder at negative moment zone have been investigated. The FE results showed that the proper thickness of CFRP sheet at negative moment region is a function of the adhesive strength and the positive moment capacity of the composite section. The shear connection required at the negative moment zone depends on CFRP sheet's tensile stress level at ultimate load.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.409-426
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• 2018

This paper presents the strengthening of tubular joint by wrapping Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP). In this study, total number of layers, stacking sequence and length of wrapping are the different parameters involved when fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) composites are used for strengthening. For this, parameters where varied and results were compared with the reference joint. The best stacking sequence was identified which has the highest value in ultimate load with lesser deflections. For determining the best stacking sequence, numerical investigation was performed on CFRP composites; length of wrapping and number of layers were fixed. Later, the studies were focused on CFRP and GFRP strengthened joint by varying the total number of layers and length of wrapping. An attempt was done to propose a parametric equation from multiple regression analysis, which can be used for CFRP strengthened joints. Hashin failure criteria was used to check the failure of composites. Results revealed that FRP was having a greater influence in the load bearing capacity of joints, and in reducing the deflections and stresses of joint under axial compressive loads. It was also seen that, CFRP was far better than GFRP in reducing the stresses and deflection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.735-748
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• 2018

In this paper, the cyclic behavior of steel beam-concrete encased steel (CES) column joints was investigated experimentally and numerically. Three frame middle joint samples with varying concrete slab widths were constructed. Anti-symmetrical low-frequency cyclic load was applied at two beam ends to simulate the earthquake action. The failure modes, hysteretic behavior, ultimate load, stiffness degradation, load carrying capacity degradation, displacement ductility and strain response were investigated in details. The three composite joints exhibited excellent seismic performance in experimental tests, showing high load-carrying capacity, good ductility and superior energy dissipation ability. All three joint samples reached their ultimate loads due to shear failure. Numerical results from ABAQUS modelling agreed well with the test results. Finally, the effect of the concrete slab on ultimate load was analyzed through a parametric study on concrete strength, slab thickness, as well as slab width. Numerical simulation showed that slab width and thickness played an important role in the load-carrying capacity of such joints. As a comparison, the influence of concrete grade was not significant.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제70권4호
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• pp.431-443
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• 2019

The present paper illustrates a numerical investigation on the failure behaviour of ring-stiffened cylinder subjected to external hydrostatic pressure. The published test data of steel welded ring-stiffened cylinder are surveyed and collected. Eight test models are chosen for the verification of the modelling and FE analyses procedures. The imperfection as the consequences of the fabrication processes, such as initial geometric deformation and residual stresses due to welding and cold forming, which reduced the ultimate strength, are simulated. The results show that the collapse pressure and failure mode predicted by the nonlinear FE analyses agree acceptably with the experimental results. In addition, the failure mode parameter obtained from the characteristic pressure such as interframe buckling pressure known as local buckling pressure, overall buckling pressure, and yield pressure are also examined through the collected data and shows a good correlation. A parametric study is then conducted to confirm the failure progression as the basic parameters such as the shell radius, thickness, overall length of the compartment, and stiffener spacing are varied.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.383-392
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• 2022

Although pipelines are composed of segmental tubes commonly connected by rubber gasket or push-in joints, current studies mainly simplified pipelines as continuous structures. Effects of joints on three-dimensional deformation mechanisms of existing pipelines due to tunnel excavation are not fully understood. By conducting three-dimensional numerical analyses, effects of pipeline burial depth, tunnel burial depth, volume loss, pipeline stiffness and joint stiffness on bending strain and joint rotation of existing pipelines are explored. By increasing pipeline burial depth or decreasing tunnel cover depth, tunneling-induced pipeline deformations are substantially increased. As tunnel volume loss varies from 0.5% to 3%, the maximum bending strains and joint rotation angles of discontinuous pipelines increase by 1.08 and 9.20 times, respectively. By increasing flexural stiffness of pipe segment, a dramatic increase in the maximum joint rotation angles is observed in discontinuous pipelines. Thus, the safety of existing discontinuous pipelines due to tunnel excavation is controlled by joint rotation rather than bending strain. By increasing joint stiffness ratio from 0.0 (i.e., completely flexible joints) to 1.0 (i.e., continuous pipelines), tunneling-induced maximum pipeline settlements decrease by 22.8%-34.7%. If a jointed pipeline is simplified as a continuous structure, tunneling-induced settlement is thus underestimated, but bending strain is grossly overestimated. Thus, joints should be directly simulated in the analysis of tunnel-soil-pipeline interaction.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제78권4호
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• pp.455-471
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• 2021

The present work focuses on experimental and numerical performance of the ferrocement RC walls reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh and tensar mesh individually. The experimental program comprised twelve RC walls having the dimensions of 450 mm×100 mm×1000 mm under concentric compression loadings. The studied variables are the type of reinforcing materials, the number of mesh layers and volume fraction of reinforcement. The main aim is to assess the influence of engaging the new inventive materials in reinforcing the composite RC walls. Non-linear finite element analysis; (NLFEA) was carried out to simulate the behavior of the composite walls employing ANSYS-10.0 Software. Parametric study is also demonstrated to check out the variables that can mainly influence the mechanical behavior of the model such as the change of wall dimensions. The obtained numerical results indicated the acceptable accuracy of FE simulations in the estimation of experimental values. In addition, the strength gained of specimens reinforced with welded steel mesh was higher by amount 40% compared with those reinforced with expanded steel mesh. Ferrocement specimens tested under axial compression loadings exhibit superior ultimate loads and energy absorbing capacity compared to the conventional reinforced concrete one.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.585-598
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• 2022

The monopile-friction wheel hybrid foundation is an innovative solution for offshore structures which are mainly subjected to large lateral eccentric load induced by winds, waves, and currents during their service life. This paper presents an extensive numerical analysis to investigate the lateral load and moment bearing performances of hybrid foundation, considering various potential influencing factors in sand-overlaying-clay soil deposits, with the complex lateral loads being simplified into a resultant lateral load acting at a certain height above the mudline. Finite element models are generated and validated against experimental data where very good agreements are obtained. The failure mechanisms of hybrid foundations under lateral loading are illustrated to demonstrate the effect of the friction wheel in the hybrid system. Parametric study shows that the load bearing performances of the hybrid foundation is significantly dependent of wheel diameter, pile embedment depth, internal friction angle of sand, loading eccentricity (distance from the load application point to the ground level), and the thickness of upper sandy layer. Simplified empirical formulae is proposed based on the numerical results to predict the corresponding lateral load and moment bearing capacities of the hybrid foundation for design application.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제83권4호
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• pp.475-493
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• 2022

The results of research focusing on the experimental and numerical performance of ferrocement RC beams with openings reinforced with welded steel mesh, expanded steel mesh, fiber glass mesh, and polyethylene mesh independently are presented in this article. Casting and testing of fourteen reinforced concrete beams with dimensions of 200×100×2000 mm under concentric compression loadings were part of the research program. The type of reinforcing materials, the volume fraction of reinforcement, the number of mesh layers, and the number of stirrups are the major parameters that change. The main goal is to understand the impact of using new appealing materials in reinforcing RC beams with openings. Using ANSYS-16.0 Software, nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was used to demonstrate the behavior of composite RC beams with openings. A parametric study is also conducted to discuss the variables that can have the greatest impact on the mechanical behavior of the proposed model, such as the number of openings. The obtained experimental and numerical results demonstrated the FE simulations' acceptable accuracy in estimating experimental values. Furthermore, demonstrating that the strength gained of specimens reinforced with fiber glass meshes was reduced by approximately 38% when compared to specimens reinforced with expanded or welded steel meshes is significant. In addition, when compared to welded steel meshes, using expanded steel meshes in reinforcing RC beams with openings results in a 16 percent increase in strength. In general, when ferrocement beams with openings are tested under concentric loadings, they show higher-level ultimate loads and energy-absorbing capacity than traditional RC beams.