• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.307-317
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• 2024

To get a better understanding of the effect of drying-wetting cycles (DWC) on the mechanical behaviors of silty clay hiving different initial moisture content (IMC), the direct shear tests were performed on sliding band soil taken from a reservoirinduced landslide at the Three Gorges Reservoir area. The results indicated that, as the increasing number of DWC, the shear stress-displacement curves type changed from strain-hardening to strain-softening, and both the soil peak strengths and strength parameters reduced first and then nearly remain unchanged after a certain number of DWC. The effects of DWC on the cohesion were predominated that on the internal friction angle. The IMC of 17% is regarding as the critical moisture content, and the evolution laws of both peak shear strength and strength parameters presented a reversed 'U' type with the rising of the IMC. Based on it, a strength deterioration evolution model incorporating the influence of IMC and DWC was developed to describe the total degradation degree and degradation rate of strength parameters, and the degradation of strength parameters caused by DWC could be counterbalanced to some extent as the soil IMC close to critical moisture content. The microscopic mechanism for the soil strength caused by the IMC and DWC were discussed separately. The research results are of great significance for further understanding the water-weakening mechanicals of the silty clay subjected to the water absorption/desorption.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.349-365
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• 2023

Targeting a floating wave and offshore wind hybrid power generation system (FWWHybrid) designed in the Republic of Korea, this study examines the impact of the interaction, with multiple wave energy converters (WECs) placed on the platform, on platform motion. To investigate how the motion of WECs affects the behavior of the FWWHybrid platform, it was numerically compared with a scenario involving a 'single-body' system, where multiple WECs are constrained to the platform. In the case of FWWHybrid, because the platform and multiple WECs move in response to waves simultaneously as a 'multi-body' system, hydrodynamic interactions between these entities come into play. Additionally, the power take-off (PTO) mechanism between the platform and individual WECs is introduced for power production. First, the hydrostatic/dynamic coefficients required for numerical analysis were calculated in the frequency domain and then used in the time domain analysis. These simulations are performed using the extended HARP/CHARM3D code developed from previous studies. By conducting regular wave simulations, the response amplitude operator (RAO) for the platform of both single-body and multi-body scenarios was derived and subsequently compared. Next, to ascertain the difference in response in the real sea environment, this study also includes an analysis of irregular waves. As the floating body maintains its position through connection to a catenary mooring line, the impact of the slowly varying wave drift load cannot be disregarded. To assess the influence of the 2^nd-order wave exciting load, irregular wave simulations were conducted, dividing them into cases where it was not considered and cases where it was included. The analysis of multi-degree-of-freedom behavior confirmed that the action of multiple WECs had a substantial impact on the platform's response.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.199-215
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• 2024

The Caynarachi Bridge is a 130 m long posttensioned steel-concrete composite bridge built in Peru. The structural performance of this bridge under construction loads is reviewed in this paper using numerical simulation. Hence, a numerical model using shell finite elements to trace its deformational behavior at service conditions is proposed. The geometry and boundary conditions of the superstructure are updated according to the construction schedule. Firstly, the adequacy of the proposed model is validated with the field measurements obtained from the static truck load test. Secondly, the study of other scenarios less explored in research are performed to investigate the effect of some variables on bridge performance such as time effects, sequence of execution of concrete slabs and type of supports conditions at the abutments. The obtained results show that the original sequence of execution of the superstructure better behaves mechanically in relation to the other studied scenarios, yielding smaller stresses at critical cross sections with staging. It is also demonstrated that an improper slab staging may lead to more critical stresses at the studied cross sections and that casting the concrete slab at the negative moment regions first can lead to an optimal design. Also, the long-term displacements can be accurately predicted using an equivalent composite resistance cross section defined by a steel to concrete modulus ratio equal to three. This article gives some insights into the potential shortcomings or advantages of the original design through high-fidelity finite element simulations and reinforces the understating of posttensioned composite bridges with staging.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.237-248
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• 2024

In order to make the dynamic analysis and design of improved composite beam with corrugated steel web (CBGSCC) bridge more efficient and economical, the parametric self-cyclic analysis model (SCAM) was written in Python on Anaconda platform. The SCAM can call ABAQUS finite element software to realize automatic modeling and dynamic analysis. For the CBGSCC bridge, parameters were set according to the general value range of CBGSCC bridge parameters in actual engineering, the SCAM was used to calculate the large sample model generated by parameter coupling, the optimal value range of each parameter was determined, and the sensitivity of the parameters was analyzed. The number of diaphragms effects weakly on the dynamic characteristics. The deck thickness has the greatest influence on frequency, which decreases as the deck thickness increases, and the deck thickness should be 20-25 cm. The vibration frequency increases with the increase of the bottom plate thickness, the web thickness, and the web height, the bottom plate thickness should be 17-23mm, the web thickness should be 13-17 mm, and the web height should be 1.65-1.7 5 m. Web inclination and Skew Angle should not exceed 30°, and the number of diaphragms should be 3-5 pieces. This method can be used as a new method for structural dynamic analysis, and the importance degree and optimal value range of each parameter of CBGSCC bridge can be used as a reference in the design process.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.563-581
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• 2024

This paper presents a novel finite element model for the free vibration analysis of variable-thickness functionally graded porous (FGP) microplates resting on Pasternak's medium in the hygro-thermal environment. The governing equations are established according to refined higher-order shear deformation plate theory (RPT) in construction with the modified couple stress theory. For the first time, three-node triangular elements with twelve degrees of freedom for each node are developed based on Hermitian interpolation functions to describe the in-plane displacements and transverse displacements of microplates. Two laws of variable thickness of FGP microplates, including the linear law and the nonlinear law in the x-direction are investigated. Effects of thermal and moisture changes on microplates are assumed to vary continuously from the bottom surface to the top surface and only cause tension loads in the plane, which does not change the material's mechanical properties. The numerical results of this work are compared with those of published data to verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method. In addition, the parameter study is conducted to explore the effects of geometrical and material properties such as the changing law of the thickness, length-scale parameter, and the parameters of the porosity, temperature, and humidity on the free vibration response of variable thickness FGP microplates. These results can be applied to design of microelectromechanical structures in practice.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.515-529
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• 2024

Cold-formed steel (CFS) is a popular choice for construction due to its low cost, durability, sustainability, resistance to high environmental and seismic pressures, and ease of installation. The beam-column connections in residential and medium-rise structures are formed using self-drilling screws that connect two CFS channel sections and a gusset plate. In order to increase the moment capacity of these CFS screwed beam-column connections, stiffeners are often placed on the web area of each single channel. However, there is limited literature on studying the effects of stiffeners on the moment capacity of CFS screwed beam-column connections. Hence, this paper proposes a new test approach for determining the moment capacity of CFS screwed beam-column couplings. This study describes an experimental test programme consisting of eight novel experimental tests. The effect of stiffeners, beam thickness, and gusset plate thickness on the structural behaviour of CFS screwed beam-column connections is investigated. Besides, nonlinear elasto-plastic finite element (FE) models were developed and validated against experimental test data. It found that there was reasonable agreement in terms of moment capacity and failure mode prediction. From the experimental and numerical investigation, it found that the increase in gusset plate or beam thickness and the use of stiffeners have no significant effect on the structural behaviour, moment capacity, or rotational capacity of joints exhibiting the same collapse behaviour; however, the capacity or energy absorption capacities have increased in joints whose failure behaviour varies with increasing thickness or using stiffeners. Besides, the thickness change has little impact on the initial stiffness.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.121-134
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• 2024

To investigate the compressive behavior of partially encased recycled aggregate concrete (PERAC) stub columns after exposed to elevated temperatures, 22 specimens were tested. The maximum temperature suffered, the replacement ratio of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), the endurance time and the spacing between links were considered as the main parameters. It was found that the failure mode of post-heated PERAC columns generally matched that of traditional partially encased composite (PEC) columns, but the flange of specimens appeared premature buckling after undergoing the temperature of 400℃ and above. Additionally, the ultimate strength and ductility of the specimens deteriorated with the elevated temperatures and extended heating time. When 400℃< T ≤ 600℃, the strength reduction range is the largest, about 11% ~ 17%. The higher the replacement ratio of RCA, the lower the ultimate strength of specimens. At the temperature of 600℃, the ultimate strength of specimens with the RCA replacement ratio of 50% and 100% is 0.94 and 0.91 times than that of specimens without RCA, respectively. But the specimen with 50% replacement ratio of RCA showed the best ductility performance. And the bearing capacity and ductility of PERAC stub columns were changed for the better due to the application of links. When the RCA replacement ratio is 100%, the ultimate strength of specimens with the link spacing of 100 mm and 50 mm increased 14% and 25% than that of the specimen without links, respectively. Based on the results above, a formula for calculating the ultimate strength of PERAC stub columns after exposure to high temperatures was proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2024

Once the foundation displacement of the transmission tower occurs, additional stress will be generated on the tower members, which will affect the seismic response of transmission tower-line systems (TTLSs). Furthermore, existing research has shown that the reciprocating slippage of joints needs to be considered in the seismic analysis. The hysteretic behavior of joints is obtained by model tests or numerical simulations, which leads to the low modeling efficiency of TTLSs. Therefore, this paper first utilized numerical simulation and model tests to construct a BP neural network for predicting the skeleton curve of joints, and then a numerical model for a TTLS considering the bolt slippage was established. Then, the seismic response of the TTLS under foundation displacement was studied, and the member stress changes and the failed member distribution of the tower were analyzed. The influence of foundation displacement on the seismic performance were discussed. The results showed that the trained BP neural network could accurately predict the hysteresis performance of joints. The slippage could offset part of the additional stress caused by foundation settlement and reduce the stress of some members when the TTLS with foundation settlement was under earthquakes. The failure members were mainly distributed at the diagonal members of the tower leg adjacent to the foundation settlement and that of the tower body. To accurately analyze the seismic performance of TTLSs, the influence of foundation displacement and the joint effect should be considered, and the BP neural network can be used to improve modeling efficiency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.145-163
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• 2024

This paper presents six novel hybrid machine learning (ML) models that combine support vector machines (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and categorical gradient boosting (CGB) with the Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) algorithm. These models, namely HHO-SVM, HHO-DT, HHO-RF, HHO-GB, HHO-XGB, and HHO-CGB, are designed to predict the ultimate strength of both rectangular and circular reinforced concrete (RC) columns. The prediction models are established using a comprehensive database consisting of 325 experimental data for rectangular columns and 172 experimental data for circular columns. The ML model hyperparameters are optimized through a combination of cross-validation technique and the HHO. The performance of the hybrid ML models is evaluated and compared using various metrics, ultimately identifying the HHO-CGB model as the top-performing model for predicting the ultimate shear strength of both rectangular and circular RC columns. The mean R-value and mean a20-index are relatively high, reaching 0.991 and 0.959, respectively, while the mean absolute error and root mean square error are low (10.302 kN and 27.954 kN, respectively). Another comparison is conducted with four existing formulas to further validate the efficiency of the proposed HHO-CGB model. The Shapely Additive Explanations method is applied to analyze the contribution of each variable to the output within the HHO-CGB model, providing insights into the local and global influence of variables. The analysis reveals that the depth of the column, length of the column, and axial loading exert the most significant influence on the ultimate shear strength of RC columns. A user-friendly graphical interface tool is then developed based on the HHO-CGB to facilitate practical and cost-effective usage.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.165-182
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• 2024

Grouted sleeve splice (GSS) is an effective type of connection applied in the precast concrete structures as it has the advantages of rapidly assembly and reliable strength. To decrease the weight and cost of vertical rebar connection in precast shear walls, a light-weight sleeve is designed according to the thick-cylinder theory. Mechanical behaviour of the light-weighted GSS is investigated through experimental analysis. Two failure modes, such as rebar fracture failure and rebar pull-out failure, are found. The load-displacement curves exhibit four different stages: elastic stage, yield stage, strengthening stage, and necking stage. The bond strength between the rebar and the grout increases gradually from outer position to inner position of the sleeve, and it reaches the maximum value at the centre of the anchorage length. A finite element model predicting the mechanical properties of the light-weighted GSS is developed based on the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model and the Brittle Cracking (BC) model. The effect of the rebar anchorage length is significant, while the increase of the thickness of sleeve and the grout strength are not very effective. A model for estimating ultimate load, including factors of inner diameter of sleeves, anchorage length, and rebar diameter, is proposed. The proposed model shows good agreement with various test data.