• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.787-813
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• 2014

Starting with Hamilton's variational principle, the governing field equations for the steady state response of thin-walled beams under harmonic forces are derived. The formulation captures shear deformation effects due to bending and warping, translational and rotary inertia effects and as well as torsional flexural coupling effects due to the cross section mono-symmetry. The equations of motion consist of four coupled differential equations in the unknown displacement field variables. A general closed form solution is then developed for the coupled system of equations. The solution is subsequently used to develop a family of shape functions which exactly satisfy the homogeneous form of the governing field equations. A super-convergent finite element is then formulated based on the exact shape functions. Key features of the element developed include its ability to (a) isolate the steady state response component of the response to make the solution amenable to fatigue design, (b) capture coupling effects arising as a result of section mono-symmetry, (c) eliminate spatial discretization arising in commonly used finite elements, (d) avoiding shear locking phenomena, and (e) eliminate the need for time discretization. The results based on the present solution are found to be in excellent agreement with those based on finite element solutions at a small fraction of the computational and modelling cost involved.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.173-203
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• 2014

The cross-section warping due to the passage of high-speed trains can be a relevant issue to consider in the dynamic analysis of bridges due to (i) the usual layout of railway systems, resulting in eccentric moving loads; and (ii) the use of cross-sections prone to warping deformations. A thin-walled beam formulation for the dynamic analysis of bridges including the cross section warping is presented in this paper. Towards a numerical implementation of the beam formulation, a finite element with seven degrees of freedom is proposed. In order to easily consider the compatibility between elements, and since the coupling between flexural and torsional effects occurs in non-symmetric cross-sections due to dynamic effects, a single axis is considered for the element. The coupled flexural-torsional free vibration of thin-walled beams is analysed through the presented beam model, comparing the results with analytical solutions presented in the literature. The dynamic analysis due to an eccentric moving load, which results in a coupled flexural-torsional vibration, is considered in the literature by analytical solutions, being therefore of a limited applicability in practice engineering. In this paper, the dynamic response due to an eccentric moving load is obtained from the proposed finite element beam model that includes warping by a modal analysis.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.147-170
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• 2014

In the recent times, dimensions of heavy load carrying vehicle have changed significantly incorporating structural flexibility in vehicle body. The present paper outlines a procedure for the estimation of bridge response statistics considering structural bending modes of the vehicle. Bridge deck roughness has been considered to be non homogeneous random process in space. Influence of pre cambering of bridge surface and settlement of approach slab on the dynamic behavior of the bridge has been studied. A parametric study considering vehicle axle spacing, mass, speed, vehicle flexibility, deck unevenness and eccentricity of vehicle path have been conducted. Dynamic amplification factor (DAF) of the bridge response has been obtained for several of combination of bridge-vehicle parameters. The present study reveals that flexible modes of vehicle can reduce dynamic response of the bridge to the extent of 30-37% of that caused by rigid vehicle model. However, sudden change in the bridge surface profile leads to significant amount of increment in the bridge dynamic response even if flexible bending modes remain active. The eccentricity of vehicle path and flexural/torsional rigidity ratios plays a significant role in dynamic amplification of bridge response.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.269-284
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• 1994

The analysis and tests of thin-walled channel frames including nonlinear flexible or semi-rigid connection behaviour is presented. The semi-rigid connection behaviour is modelled using a mathematical approximation of the connection flexibility-moment relationship. Local instability such as local buckling and torsional flexural buckling of the member are included in the analysis. The full response of the frame, up to the collapse load, can be predicted. Experimental investigation was carried out on a series of simple double storey symmetrical frames with the purpose of verifying the accuracy and validity of the analysis. Agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is acceptable. The investigation also shows that connection flexibility and local instability such as local buckling and torsional flexural buckling can affect the behaviour and strength of thin-walled frames significantly. The results can also provide further insight into the advanced study of practical structures where interaction between flexible connections and phenomenon associated with thin-walled members are present.

• Proceeding of KASS Symposium
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.113-118
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• 2008

This paper presents a flexural-torsional analysis of thin-walled open-section composite beams. A general geometrically nonlinear model for thin-walled composite beams and general laminate stacking sequences is given by using systematic variational formulation based on the classical lamination theory. The nonlinear algebraic equations of present theory are linearized and solved by means of an incremental Newton-Raphson method. Based on the analytical model, a displacement-based one-dimensional finite element model is developed to formulate the problem. Numerical results are obtained for thin-walled composite beams under general loadings, addressing the effects of fiber angle, laminate stacking sequence and loading parameters.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-57
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• 1998

A three-degree-of-freedom base hinged assembly (BHA) for aeroelastic model tests of tall building was developed. The integral parts of a BHA, which consists of two perpendicular plane frames and a flexural pivot, enable this modeling technique to independently simulate building translational and torsional degree-of-freedom. A program of wind tunnel aeroelastic model tests of the CAARC standard tall building was conducted with emphasis on the effect of (a) torsional motion, (b) cross-wind/torsional frequency ratio and (c) the presence of an eccentricity between center of mass and center of stiffness on wind-induced response characteristics. The experimental results highlight the significant effect of coupled translational-torsional motion and the effect of eccentricity between center of mass and center of stiffness on the resultant rms acceleration responses in both along-wind and cross-wind directions especially at operating reduced wind velocities close to a critical value of 10. In addition, it was sound that the vortex shedding process remains the main excitation mechanism in cross-wind direction even in case of tall buildings with coupled translational-torsional motion and with eccentricity.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.489-505
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• 2012

This paper presents a simplified grid beam model for simulating the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete flat-plate structures. The beam elements are defined with nonlinear behavior for bending moment and torsion. The flexural stiffness and torsional strength of the beam elements are defined based on experimental data to implicitly account for slab two-way bending effects. A failure criterion that considers the interaction between the punching strength and slab flexural behavior is incorporated in the model. The effects of bond-slip of slab reinforcement on connection stiffness are examined. The proposed grid beam model is validated by simulating large-scale tests of slab-column connections subjected to concentric gravity loading and unbalanced moment. This study also determines the critical parameters for a hysteretic model used to simulate flat-plates subjected to cyclic lateral loading.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.125-145
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• 2011

Pushover analysis has gained significant popularity as an analytical tool for realistic determination of the inelastic behaviour of RC structures. Though significant work has been done to evaluate the demands realistically, the evaluation of capacity and realistic failure modes has taken a back seat. In order to throw light on the inelastic behaviour and capacity evaluation for the RC framed structures, a 3D Reinforced concrete frame structure was tested under monotonically increasing lateral pushover loads, in a parabolic pattern, till failure. The structure consisted of three storeys and had 2 bays along the two orthogonal directions. The structure was gradually pushed in small increments of load and the corresponding displacements were monitored continuously, leading to a pushover curve for the structure as a result of the test along with other relevant information such as strains on reinforcement bars at critical locations, failure modes etc. The major failure modes were observed as flexural failure of beams and columns, torsional failure of transverse beams and joint shear failure. The analysis of the structure was by considering all these failure modes. In order to have a comparison, the analysis was performed as three different cases. In one case, only the flexural hinges were modelled for critical locations in beams and columns; in second the torsional hinges for transverse beams were included in the analysis and in the third case, joint shear hinges were also included in the analysis. It is shown that modelling and capturing all the failure modes is practically possible and such an analysis can provide the realistic insight into the behaviour of the structure.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1041-1063
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• 2014

Some results on the hydroelasticity of ultra large container ships related to the beam structural model and restoring stiffness achieved within EU FP7 Project TULCS are summarized. An advanced thin-walled girder theory based on the modified Timoshenko beam theory for flexural vibrations with analogical extension to the torsional problem, is used for formulation of the beam finite element for analysis of coupled horizontal and torsional ship hull vibrations. Special attention is paid to the contribution of transverse bulkheads to the open hull stiffness, as well as to the reduced stiffness of the relatively short engine room structure. In addition two definitions of the restoring stiffness are considered: consistent one, which includes hydrostatic and gravity properties, and unified one with geometric stiffness as structural contribution via calm water stress field. Both formulations are worked out by employing the finite element concept. Complete hydroelastic response of a ULCS is performed by coupling 1D structural model and 3D hydrodynamic model as well as for 3D structural and 3D hydrodynamic model. Also, fatigue of structural elements exposed to high stress concentration is considered.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.275-293
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• 2005

When a thin-walled multicell box girder is subjected to an eccentric load, the distortion becomes an important global response in addition to flexure and torsion. The three global responses appear in a combined form when a conventional shell element is used thus it is not an easy task to examine the three global responses separately. This study is to propose an analysis method using conventional shell element in which the three global responses can be separately decomposed. The force decomposition method which was designed for a single-cell box girder by Nakai and Yoo is expanded herein to multicell box girders. The eccentric load is decomposed in the expanded method into flexural, torsional, and multimode distortional forces by using the force equilibrium. From the force decomposition, the combined global responses of multicell box girders can be resolved into separate responses and the distortional response which is of primary concern herein can be obtained separately. It is shown from a series of extensive comparative studies using three box girder bridge models that the expanded method produces accurate decomposed results. Noting that the separate consideration of individual global response is of paramount importance for optimized multicell box girder design, it can be said that the proposed expanded method is extremely useful for practicing engineers.