• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.467-485
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• 2020

Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a meta-heuristic algorithm which is capable of providing robust solutions for optimal design of structural components, particularly those one needs considering many design requirements. Hence, it has been successfully used by engineers in the typology optimization of structural members. As a novel approach, this study employs GA in order for conducting a case study with high constraints on the optimum mechanical properties of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under different load combinations. Accordingly, unified optimum sections through a computer program are adopted to solve the continuous beams problem. Genetic Algorithms proved in finding the optimum resolution smoothly and flawlessly particularly in case of handling many complicated constraints like a continuous beam subjected to different loads as moments shear - torsion regarding the curbs of design codes.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.197-209
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• 2018

Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is a material with increasing application in civil engineering. Here it is assumed that the material consists of a great number of rather small fibers embedded into the concrete matrix. It would be advantageous to predict the mechanical properties of FRC using nondestructive testing; unfortunately, many testing methods for concrete are not applicable to FRC. In addition, design methods for FRC are either inaccurate or complicated. In three-point bending tests of FRC prisms, it has been observed that fiber reinforcement does not break but simply pulls out during specimen failure. Following that observation, this work is based on an assumption that the main components of a simple and rather accurate FRC model are mechanical properties of the concrete matrix and fiber pullout force. Properties of the concrete matrix could be determined from measurements on samples taken during concrete production, and fiber pullout force could be measured on samples with individual fibers embedded into concrete. However, there is no clear relationship between measurements on individual samples of concrete matrix with a single fiber and properties of the produced FRC. This work presents an inverse model for FRC that establishes a relation between parameters measured on individual material samples and properties of a structure made of the composite material. However, a deterministic relationship is clearly not possible since only a single beam specimen of 60 cm could easily contain over 100000 fibers. Our inverse model assumes that the probability density function of individual fiber properties is known, and that the global sample load-displacement curve is obtained from the experiment. Thus, each fiber is stochastically characterized and accordingly parameterized. A relationship between fiber parameters and global load-displacement response, the so-called forward model, is established. From the forward model, based on Levenberg-Marquardt procedure, the inverse model is formulated and successfully applied.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.225-228
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• 2008

This paper presents out-of-plane shear strength models for composite wall with steel plates based on limit theorem in the framework of the plasticity theory. The formulas proposed by JEAG 4618 need to be reconsidered with a couple of limitations; ignoring the effect of bond stress generated by studs in the process of calculating arch action, illogically discriminating between concrete shear cracking strength and arch strength by algebraic relation in short shear span ratio(0-2.0). In most cases, reinforcement ratio is not sufficient to yield, as a result, arch strength is determined by accounting equilibrium including both bond strength and concrete compressive strength. We conducted experimental research assuming that SC wall is a continuous beam under the simplified loading patterns, changing main valuables involving the number of studs, stirrups. The results show good agreements with the formula and we quoted the test results of JEAG.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.805-826
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• 2022

The free and live load-forced vibration behaviour of porous functionally graded (PFG) higher order nanobeams in the thermal and magnetic fields is investigated comprehensively through this work in the framework of nonlocal strain gradient theory (NLSGT). The porosity effects on the dynamic behaviour of FG nanobeams is investigated using four different porosity distribution models. These models are exploited; uniform, symmetrical, condensed upward, and condensed downward distributions. The material characteristics gradation in the thickness direction is estimated using the power-law. The magnetic field effect is incorporated using Maxwell's equations. The third order shear deformation beam theory is adopted to incorporate the shear deformation effect. The Hamilton principle is adopted to derive the coupled thermomagnetic dynamic equations of motion of the whole system and the associated boundary conditions. Navier method is used to derive the analytical solution of the governing equations. The developed methodology is verified and compared with the available results in the literature and good agreement is observed. Parametric studies are conducted to show effects of porosity parameter; porosity distribution, temperature rise, magnetic field intensity, material gradation index, non-classical parameters, and the applied moving load velocity on the vibration behavior of nanobeams. It has been showed that all the analyzed conditions have significant effects on the dynamic behavior of the nanobeams. Additionally, it has been observed that the negative effects of moving load, porosity and thermal load on the nanobeam dynamics can be reduced by the effect of the force induced from the directed magnetic field or can be kept within certain desired design limits by controlling the intensity of the magnetic field.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.165-183
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• 2022

Most transportation departments have recognized and developed procedures to address the ever-increasing weights of trucks traveling on bridges in a service today. Transportation agencies also recognize the issues with overheight vehicles' collisions with bridges, but few stakeholders have definitive countermeasures. Bridges are becoming more vulnerable to collisions from overheight vehicles. The exact response under lateral impact force is difficult to predict. In this paper, nonlinear impact analysis shows that the degree of deformation recorded through the modeling of the unprotected vehicle-girder model provides realistic results compared to the observation from the US-61 bridge overheight vehicle impact. The predicted displacements are 0.229 m, 0.161 m, and 0.271 m in the girder bottom flange (lateral), bottom flange (vertical), and web (lateral) deformations, respectively, due to a truck traveling at 112.65 km/h. With such large deformations, the integrity of an impacted bridge becomes jeopardized, which in most cases requires closing the bridge for safety reasons and a need for rehabilitation. We proposed different sacrificial cushion systems to dissipate the energy of an overheight vehicle impact. The goal was to design and tune a suitable energy absorbing system that can protect the bridge and possibly reduce stresses in the overheight vehicle, minimizing the consequences of an impact. A material representing a Sorbothane high impact rubber was chosen and modeled in ANSYS. Out of three sacrificial schemes, a sandwich system is the best in protecting both the bridge and the overheight vehicle. The mitigation system reduced the lateral deflection in the bottom flange by 89%. The system decreased the stresses in the bridge girder and the top portion of the vehicle by 82% and 25%, respectively. The results reveal the capability of the proposed sacrificial system as an effective mitigation system.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.327-335
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• 2009

In the seismic region, non-ductile structures often form soft story and exhibit brittle collapse. However, structure demolition and new structure construction strategies have serious problems, as construction waste, environmental pollution and popular complain. And these methods can be uneconomical. Therefore, to satisfy seismic performance, so many seismic retrofit methods have been investigated. There are some retrofit methods as infill walls, steel brace, continuous walls, buttress, wing walls, jacketing of column or beam. Among them, the infilled frames exhibit complex behavior as follows: flexible frames experiment large deflection and rotations at the joints, and infilled shear walls fail mainly in shear at relatively small displacements. Therefore, the combined action of the composite system differs significantly from that of the frame or wall alone. Purpose of research is evaluation on the seismic performance of infill walls, and improvement concept of this paper is use of SHCCs (strain-hardening cementitious composites) to absorb damage energy effectively. The experimental investigation consisted of cyclic loading tests on 1/3-scale models of infill walls. The experimental results, as expected, show that the multiple crack pattern, strength, and energy dissipation capacity are superior for SHCC infill wall due to bridging of fibers and stress redistribution in cement matrix.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.619-628
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• 2009

To predict the time-dependent behavior of concrete structures, the models which describe the time-dependent characteristics of concrete, i.e. creep and shrinkage are required. However, there must be significant differences between the displacements that are obtained using the given creep and shrinkage models and the measured displacements, because of the uncertainties of creep and shrinkage model itself and those of environmental condition. There are some efforts to reduce these error or uncertainties by using the model which are obtained from creep test for the concrete in construction site. Nevertheless, the predicted values from this model may be still different from the actual values due to the same reason. This study aimed to propose a method of estimating the creep coefficient from the measured displacements of concrete structure, where creep model uncertainty factor was considered as an error factor of creep model. Numerical validation for double composite steel box and concrete beam showed desirable feasibility of the presented method. Consideration of the time-dependent characteristics of creep as one of the error factors make it possible to predict long-term behaviors of concrete structures more realistically, especially long-span PSC girder bridges and concrete cable-stayed bridges of which major problem is the geometry control under construction and maintenance.