• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.603-623
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• 2022

This article is dedicated to predict the natural frequencies of joined conical shell structures made of Functionally Graded Material (FGM). The structure includes two conical segments. The equivalent material properties are found by using the rule of mixture based on Voigt model. In addition, three well-known patterns are employed for distribution of material properties throughout the thickness of the structure. The main objective of the present research is to propose a novel exponential pattern and obtain the related equivalent material properties. Furthermore, the Donnell type shell theory is used to obtain the governing equations of motion. Note that these equations are obtained by employing First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT). In order to discretize the governing system of differential equations, well-known and efficient semi-analytical scheme, namely Generalized Differential Quadrature Method (GDQM), is utilized. Different boundary conditions are considered for various types of single and joined conical shell structures. Moreover, an applicable modification is considered for the continuity conditions at intersection position. In the first step, the proposed formulation is verified by solving some well-known benchmark problems. Besides, some new numerical examples are analyzed to show the accuracy and high capability of the suggested technique. Additionally, several geometric and material parameters are studied numerically.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.233-246
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• 2023

Bending and buckling analysis of multi-directional porous functionally graded sandwich plate has been performed for two cases namely: FG skin with homogeneous core and FG core with homogeneous skin. The principle of virtual displacements was employed and the solution was obtained using Navier's technique. This theory imposes traction-free boundary conditions on the surfaces and does not require shear correction factors. The validation of the present study has been performed with those available in the literature. The composition of metal-ceramic-based FGM changes in longitudinal and transverse directions according to the power law. Different porosity laws, such as uniform distribution, unevenly and logarithmically uneven distributions were used to mimic the imperfections in the functionally graded material that were introduced during the fabrication process. Several sandwich plates schemes were studied based on the plate's symmetry and the thickness of each layer. The effects of grading parameters and porosity laws on the bending and buckling of sandwich plates were examined.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.2
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• pp.147-161
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• 2023

Based on the ideas of variational differential quadrature (VDQ) and finite element method (FEM), a numerical approach named as VDQFEM is applied herein to study the large deformations of plate-type structures under static loading with arbitrary shape hole made of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) in the context of higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The material properties of composite are approximated based upon the modified Halpin-Tsai model and rule of mixture. Furthermore, various FG distribution patterns are considered along the thickness direction of plate for GPLs. Using novel vector/matrix relations, the governing equations are derived through a variational approach. The matricized formulation can be efficiently employed in the coding process of numerical methods. In VDQFEM, the space domain of structure is first transformed into a number of finite elements. Then, the VDQ discretization technique is implemented within each element. As the last step, the assemblage procedure is performed to derive the set of governing equations which is solved via the pseudo arc-length continuation algorithm. Also, since HSDT is used herein, the mixed formulation approach is proposed to accommodate the continuity of first-order derivatives on the common boundaries of elements. Rectangular and circular plates under various boundary conditions with circular/rectangular/elliptical cutout are selected to generate the numerical results. In the numerical examples, the effects of geometrical properties and reinforcement with GPL on the nonlinear maximum deflection-transverse load amplitude curve are studied.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2022

Steel laminated elastomeric bearings are commonly used in bridge structures to control displacements and rotations and transfer forces from the superstructure to the substructure. Proper knowledge of design, fabrication and erection procedures is important to ensure stability and adequate structural performance during the lifetime of the bridge. Difference in elevations sometimes leads to large size gaps between the bearing and the girder which makes the grout thickness that is commonly used for leveling deviate beyond standards. This paper investigates the structural response of High Strength Fiber Reinforced Cementitious (HSFRC) thin plinths that are used to close gaps between bearing pads and precast girders. An experimental program was developed for this purpose where HSFRC plinths of different size were cast and tested under vertical loads that simulate bridge loading in service. The structural performance of the plinths was closely monitored during testing, mainly crack propagation, vertical reaction and displacement. Analytically, the HSFRC plinth was analyzed using the beam on elastic foundation theory as the supporting elastomeric bearing pads are highly compressible. Closed form solutions were derived for induced displacement and forces and comparisons were made between analytical and experimental results. Finally, recommendations were made to facilitate the practical use of HSFRC plinths in bridge construction based on its enhanced load carrying capacity in shear and flexure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.6
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• pp.717-728
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• 2023

The effect of temperature dependent material properties on the free vibration of FG porous beams is investigated in the present paper. A quasi-3D shear deformation solution is used involves only three unknown function. The mechanical properties which are considered to be temperature-dependent as well as the porosity distributions are assumed to gradually change along the thickness direction according to defined law. The beam is supposed to be simply supported and lying on variable elastic foundation. The differential equation system governing the free vibration behavior of porous beams is derived based on the Hamilton principle. Navier's method for simply supported systems is then used to determine and compute the frequencies of FG porous beam. The results of the present formulation are validated by comparing with those available literatures. Finally, the effects of several parameters such as porosity distribution and the parameters of variable elastic foundation on the free vibration behavior of temperature-dependent FG beams are presented and discussed in detail.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.621-640
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• 2022

In the present article, the vibration response of a geometrically imperfect bi-directional functionally graded plate (2D-FGP) with geometric discontinuities and micro-structural defects (porosities) has been investigated. A porosity model has been developed to incorporate the effective material properties of the bi-directional FGP which varies in two directions i.e. along the axial and transverse direction. The geometric discontinuity is also introduced in the plate in the form of a circular cut-out at the center of the plate. The structural kinematic formulation is based on the non-polynomial trigonometric higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). Finite element formulation is done using C° continuous Lagrangian quadrilateral four-noded element with seven degrees of freedom per node. The equations of motion have been derived using a variational approach. Convergence and validation studies have been documented to confirm the accuracy and efficiency of the present formulation. A detailed investigation study has been done to evaluate the influence of the circular cut-out, geometric imperfection, porosity inclusions, partial supports, volume fraction indexes (along with the thickness and length), and geometrical configurations on the vibration response of 2D-FGP. It is concluded that after a particular cut-out dimension, the vibration response of the 2D FGP exhibits non-monotonic behavior.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.641-652
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• 2022

Fluid-conveying tubes are widely used to transport oil and natural gas in industries. As an advanced composite material, functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (FG-CNTRC) have great potential to empower the industry. However, nonlinear free vibration of the FG-CNTRC fluid-conveying pipe has not been attempted in thermal environment. In this paper, the nonlinear free vibration characteristic of functionally graded nanocomposite fluid-conveying pipe reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in thermal environment is investigated. The SWCNTs gradient distributed in the thickness direction of the pipe forms different reinforcement patterns. The material properties of the FG-CNTRC are estimated by rule of mixture. A higher-order shear deformation theory and Hamilton's variational principle are employed to derive the motion equations incorporating the thermal and fluid effects. A two-step perturbation method is implemented to obtain the closed-form asymptotic solutions for these nonlinear partial differential equations. The nonlinear frequencies under several reinforcement patterns are presented and discussed. We conduct a series of studies aimed at revealing the effects of the flow velocity, the environment temperature, the inner-outer diameter ratio, and the carbon nanotube volume fraction on the nature frequency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.749-766
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• 2022

This paper investigates the seismic performance of exposed RCFST column-base joints, in which the high-strength steel bars (USD 685) are set through the column and reinforced concrete foundation without any base plate and anchor bolts. Three specimens with different axial force ratios (n = 0, 0.25, and 0.5) were tested under cyclic loadings. Finite element analysis (FEA) models were validated in the basic indexes and failure mode. The hysteresis behavior of the exposed RCFST column-base joints was studied by the parametrical analysis including six parameters: width of column (D), width-thickness ratio (D/t), axial force ratio (n), shear-span ratio (L/D), steel tube strength (f_y) and concrete strength (f_c). The bending moment of the exposed RCFST column-base joint increased with D, f_y and f_c. But the D/t and L/D play a little effect on the bending capacity of the new column-base joint. Finally, the calculation formula is proposed to assess the bending moment capacities, and the accuracy and stability of the formula are verified.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.46-51
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• 2022

The piercing process of creating holes in sheet metals for mechanical fastening generates high shear force. Real-time monitoring technology could predict tool damage and product defects due to this severe condition, but there are few applications for piercing high-strength aluminum. In this study, we analyzed the load signal to predict the punch's wear level during the process with a piezoelectric sensor installed piercing tool. Experiments were conducted on Al6061 T6 with a thickness of 3.0 mm using piercing punches whose edge angle was controlled by reflecting the wear level. The piercing load increases proportionally with the level of tool wear. For example, the maximum piercing load of the wear-shaped punch with the tip angle controlled at 6 degrees increased by 14% compared to the normal-shaped punch under the typical clearance of 6.7% of the aluminum piercing tool. In addition, the tool wear level increased compression during the down-stroke, which is caused by lateral force due to the decrease in the diameter of pierced holes. Our study showed the predictability of the wear level of punches through the recognition of changes in characteristic elements of the load signal during the piercing process.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2023

The present article focuses on the thermoelastic deformation behavior of inhomogeneous functionally graded metal/ceramic cylindrical shell structure with multiple perforations using 2D finite element approximation. Here, cylindrical shell structure is considered with single (1×1) and multiple (2×2, 3×3 and 4×4) perforations. The temperature-dependent elastic and thermal properties of functionally graded material are evaluated using Voigt's micromechanical material scheme via power-law function. The kinematics of the proposed model is based on the equivalent single-layer first-order shear deformation mid-plane theory with five degrees-of-freedom. Here, 2D isoparametric finite element solutions are obtained using eight-node quadrilateral elements. The mesh refinement of present finite element model is performed to confirm the appropriate number of elements and nodes for the analysis purpose. Subsequently, a comparison test is conducted to demonstrate the accuracy of present results. In later section, numerous numerical illustrations are demonstrated at different set of conditions by varying structural, material and loading parameters and that confirms the significance of various parameters such as power-law index, aspect ratio, thickness ratio, curvature ratio, number of perforations and temperature on the deformation characteristics of functionally graded cylindrical shell structure.