• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1163-1192
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• 2016

This paper presents the cost optimization of a composite I beam floor system, designed to be made from a reinforced concrete slab and steel I sections. The optimization was performed by the mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) approach. For this purpose, a number of different optimization models were developed that enable different design possibilities such as welded or standard steel I sections, plastic or elastic cross-section resistances, and different positions of the neutral axes. An accurate economic objective function of the self-manufacturing costs was developed and subjected to design, resistance and deflection (in)equality constraints. Dimensioning constraints were defined in accordance with Eurocode 4. The Modified Outer-Approximation/Equality-Relaxation (OA/ER) algorithm was applied together with a two-phase MINLP strategy. A numerical example of the optimization of a composite I beam floor system, as presented at the end of this paper, demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach. The optimal result includes the minimal produced costs of the structure, the optimal concrete and steel strengths, and dimensions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2018

The first part shows the optimal contact surface for T-shaped combined footings to obtain the most economical dimensioning on the soil (optimal area). This paper presents the second part of a new model for T-shaped combined footings, this part shows a the mathematical model for design of such foundations subject to axial load and moments in two directions to each column considering the soil real pressure acting on the contact surface of the footing with one or two property lines restricted, the pressure is presented in terms of an axial load, moment around the axis "X" and moment around the axis "Y" to each column, and the methodology is developed using the principle that the derived of the moment is the shear force. The classic model considers an axial load and a moment around the axis "X" (transverse axis) applied to each column, i.e., the resultant force from the applied loads is located on the axis "Y" (longitudinal axis), and its position must match with the geometric center of the footing, and when the axial load and moments in two directions are presented, the maximum pressure and uniform applied throughout the contact surface of the footing is considered the same. To illustrate the validity of the new model, a numerical example is presented to obtain the design for T-shaped combined footings subjected to an axial load and moments in two directions applied to each column. The mathematical approach suggested in this paper produces results that have a tangible accuracy for all problems.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.478-492
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• 2021

In this study, hull dimensions of an FPSO were optimized to maximize its operability at Brazil field. In contrast with the previous works which have used simplified models to evaluate some indicators related to stability and hydrodynamic performances of FPSOs for its own optimal design, we developed a generic hull and compartment modeler and sophisticated stability and hydrodynamic calculation modules. With the aid of the developed tools, the hull optimization was performed with initial dimensions of an FPSO originally designed for west Africa field. The optimization results indicated the relative importance of hydrodynamic performances compared with stability performances for the FPSO hull dimensioning by showing that there were 3 active constraints related to them, which were the natural periods of heave and roll and the maximum pitch angle under 1-year return period waves at full load condition. To the author's knowledge, this study is the first attempt to combine altogether the hull and compartment modeling and full set of stability and hydrodynamic calculations precisely to optimize an FPSO's hull dimensions within 30 min. Also, it is worthwhile to mention that the developed methods are generic enough to be applied to all types of ship-shaped offshore platforms.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-121
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• 2019

This paper presents the second part of the modeling for the strap combined footings, this part shows a mathematical model for design of strap combined footings subject to axial load and moments in two directions to each column considering the soil real pressure acting on the contact surface of the footing for one and/or two property lines of sides opposite restricted, the pressure is presented in terms of an axial load, moment around the axis "X" and moment around the axis "Y" to each column, and the methodology is developed using the principle that the derived of the moment is the shear force. The first part shows the optimal contact surface for the strap combined footings to obtain the most economical dimensioning on the soil (optimal area). The classic model considers an axial load and a moment around the axis "X" (transverse axis) applied to each column, i.e., the resultant force from the applied loads is located on the axis "Y" (longitudinal axis), and its position must match with the geometric center of the footing, and when the axial load and moments in two directions are presented, the maximum pressure and uniform applied throughout the contact surface of the footing is considered the same. A numerical example is presented to obtain the design of strap combined footings subject to an axial load and moments in two directions applied to each column. The mathematical approach suggested in this paper produces results that have a tangible accuracy for all problems and it can also be used for rectangular and T-shaped combined footings.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.194-202
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• 2020

In this paper, experimental and numerical study on a combined sheet metal forming and plate forging of a seal part of a passenger car's hub bearing is conducted to develop the new process of which target is to remove machining process by plate forging and to achieve near-net shape manufacturing. The previous process of a sheet metal forming inevitably needed a machining process for making stepped sheet after conventional sheet metal forming in a progressive way. The stepped sheet is intended to be formed by plate forging in this study. Through the systematic way of developing the combined forming process using solid elements based-elastoplastic finite element method (FEM), several conceptual designs are made and an optimized process design in terms of geometric dimensioning and tolerance of straightness of the thin part is found, which is exposed to bending in metal forming of axisymmetric part. The predicted straightness measured by the slope angle of the tilted thin region is compared with the experimental straightness, showing that they are in a good agreement with each other. Through this study, a systematic approach to optimal process design, based on elastoplastic FEM with solid elements, is established, which will contribute to innovating the conventional small-scaled sheet metal forming processes which can be dealt with by solid elements.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.3-38
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• 2000

Slope draperies in soil and rock are a well known method to avoid rockfalls into the roads or onto housings. Common wire mesh or a combination of wire mesh and wire rope nets are pinned to the slope by the means of fully grouted nails or anchors. Most of these installations have not been designed to stabilize the slope, but simply avoid the rocks from bouncing. The combination of soil- or rocknailing with a designable flexible facing system offers the advantage of a longterm stabilization of slopes and can replace other standard methods for slope stabilization. The capability to transfer axial and shear loads from the flexible facing system to the anchor points is most decisive for the design of the stabilization system. But the transfer of forces by mesh as pure surface protection devices is limited on account of their tensile strength and above all also by the possible force transmission to the anchoring points. Strong wire rope nets increase the performance for slope stabilizations with greater distances between nails and anchors and are widely used in Europe. However, they are comparatively expensive in relation to the protected surface. Today, special processes enable the production of diagonally structured mesh from high-tensile steel wire. These mesh provide tensile strengths comparable to wire rope nets. The interaction of mesh and fastening to nail / anchor has been investigated in comprehensive laboratory tests. This also in an effort to find a suitable fastening plates which allows an optimal utilization of the strength of the mesh in tangential (slope-parallel) as well as in vertical direction (perpendicular to the slope). The trials also confirmed that these new mesh, in combination with suitable plates, enable substantial pretensioning of the system. Such pretensioning increases the efficiency of the protection system. This restricts deformations in the surface section of critical slopes which might otherwise cause slides and movements as a result of dilatation. Suitable dimensioning models permit to correctly dimension such systems. The new mesh with the adapted fastening elements have already been installed in first pilot projects in Switzerland and Germany and provide useful information on handling and effects.