• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.53-70
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• 2012

Sliding cable joints have been developed for the cable dome structures and the suspen-dome structures to reduce the cable pre-stressing loss and obtain a uniform inner force in each hoop cable. However, the relevant investigation is less addressed on the structural behavior of the cable dome structures and the suspen-dome structures with sliding cable joints due to the lack of analysis techniques. In this paper, a closed sliding polygonal cable element was established to analyze the structural behavior of the cable dome structures and the suspen-dome structures with sliding cable joints. The structural behaviors with sliding cable joints were obtained.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2018

In this paper the strain energy density (SED) model is used to analyze the seismic behavior of suspen-domes and a new criterion is established for judging the seismic failure based on a characteristic point in the SED model. Firstly, a nonlinear time-history response analysis was carried out using the finite-element package ANSYS for typical suspen-domes subjected to different ground motions. The seismic responses including nodal displacements, ratios of yielding members, strain energy density and structural maximum deformation energy were extracted corresponding to the increasing peak ground acceleration (A). Secondly, the SED sum ($I_d$) was calculated which revealed that the $I_d-A$ curve exhibited a relatively large change (called a characteristic point) at a certain value of A with a very small load increment after the structures entered the elastic-plastic state. Thirdly, a SED criterion is proposed to judge the seismic failure load based on the characteristic point. Subsequently, the case study verifies the characteristic point and the proposed SED criterion. Finally, this paper describes the unity and application of the SED criterion. The SED method may open a new way for structural appraisal and the SED criterion might give a unified criterion for predicting the failure loads of various structures subjected to dynamic loads.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1699-1709
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• 2018

Suspen-dome structures are extensively used due to their superiority over traditional structures. The friction between cable and joints may severely influence the distribution of cable force, especially during the pre-stressing construction period. An accurate and efficient numerical method has not yet been developed that can be used for estimating the influence of friction on cable force distribution. Thus, this study proposes an efficient friction element to simulate friction between cable and joint. A flowchart for estimating the value of friction force is introduced. These novel numerical methods were adopted to estimate the influence of friction on cable force distribution. The accuracy and efficiency of these numerical methods were validated through numerical tests.