• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2001.04a
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2001

In this paper the efficient finite element for stress analysis of plane stress/strain problems is proposed. This element is achieved by adding the bubble-mode function to 8-node element. The stiffness matrix of the element is calculated by using modified numerical integration order to avoid spurious zero energy mode. In order to demonstrate the performance of this element numerical tests for various verification problems are carried out. The results of numerical tests show accuracy and reliability of the element presented in this paper.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.153-163
• /
• 2011

This research describe improved algorithm that is able to decide terminal criterion of Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO), reducing load of calculation to search load path of concrete beam, and apply to agricultural facilities. The ESO method is that make to discrete structure, structural analyze each element stress through FEM. And repeat generation with next material condition to become for most suitable composing. Individual element introduces concept of zero stiffness, but zero stiffness decisions are gone to direction of exclusion. In this stduy, improve algorithm to be convergence by 'Rule of Alive or Die' in arrival because is most suitable. Also, existing terminal criterion lack consistency because that used depend on experience of researcher. This research procedure is fellowed. First, all modulus of elasticity assume a half of elasticity modulus of material, Second, structural analysis by FEM, Third, apply to the remove ratio and restoration ratio for the 'rule of alive or die'. Forth, reconstruct the element and material conditions. And repeat the first to forth process. The terminal time of evolutional procedure is the all elastic modulus of element changed to blank value or elasticity modulus value of original. Therefore, in this study, consist the algorithm for programming, and apply to the agricultural facilities with concrete.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2000

The Oktalok nodal connection system is an aesthetic and efficient system. It has been widely used throughout Australia. The paper will briefly introduce the concept and application of the Oktalok nodal system. The existing design method is based on the assumption that the joints are pin-ended, i.e., the rotational stiffness of the joints is zero. However the ultimate capacity of the frame may increase significantly depending on the rotational stiffness of the joints. Stiffness tests and finite element simulations were carried out to determine the rotational stiffness of the Oktalok joints. Column buckling tests and non-linear finite element analyses were performed to determine the member capacity of columns with semi-rigid end conditions. A simple formulae for the effective length factor of column buckling is derived based on the above experimental and theoretical investigations.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.11-17
• /
• 2012

In this study, a damage detection method that uses sensitivity-based finite (FE) element model updating with the natural frequency and zero frequency was proposed. The stiffness matrix for a structure was modified using the sensitivity-based FE model updating method. A sensitivity analysis was used to update the FE model, and the natural frequencies and zero frequencies were considered as target parameters to supplement the information on the vibration characteristics. The locations and values of the damages were estimated from the modified stiffness matrix. Several numerical examples were considered to verify the performance of the proposed method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.437-453
• /
• 2002

In this paper, dynamic stiffness and flexibility for circular membranes are analytically derived using an efficient mixed-part dual boundary element method (BEM). We employ three approaches, the complex-valued BEM, the real-part and imaginary-part BEM, to determine the dynamic stiffness and flexibility. In the analytical formulation, the continuous system for a circular membrane is transformed into a discrete system with a circulant matrix. Based on the properties of the circulant, the analytical solutions for the dynamic stiffness and flexibility are derived. In deriving the stiffness and flexibility, the spurious resonance is cancelled out. Numerical aspects are discussed and emphasized. The problem of numerical instability due to division by zero is avoided by choosing additional constraints from the information of real and imaginary parts in the dual formulation. For the overdetermined system, the least squares method is considered to determine the dynamic stiffness and flexibility. A general purpose program has been developed to test several examples including circular and square cases.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.65 no.1
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2018

In this paper, using modified couple stress theory in place of classical continuum theory, and using shell model in place of beam model, vibrational behavior of nanotubes is investigated via the finite element method. Accordingly classical continuum theory is unable to correctly compute stiffness and account for size effects in micro/nanostructures, higher order continuum theories such as modified couple stress theory have taken on great appeal. In the present work the mass-stiffness matrix for cylindrical shell element is developed, and by means of size-dependent finite element formulation is extended to more precisely account for nanotube vibration. In addition to modified couple stress cylindrical shell element, the classical cylindrical shell element can also be defined by setting length scale parameter to zero in the equations. The boundary condition were assumed simply supported at both ends and it is shown that the natural frequency of nano-scale shell using the modified coupled stress theory is larger than that using the classical shell theory and the results of Ansys. The results have indicated using the modified couple stress cylindrical shell element, the rigidity of the nano-shell is greater than that in the classical continuum theory, which results in increase in natural frequencies. Besides, in addition to reducing the number of elements required, the use of this type of element also increases convergence speed and accuracy.

• Computational Structural Engineering
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.169-177
• /
• 1996

The focus of this study is on the problem of the design of structure of undetermined topology. This problem has been regarded as being the most challenging of structural optimization problems, because of the difficulty of allowing topology to change. Conventional approaches break down when element sizes approach to zero, due to stiffness matrix singularity. In this study, a novel nonlinear programming formulation of the topology problem is presented. Its main feature is the ability to account for topology variation through zero element sizes. Stiffness matrix singularity is avoided by embedding the equilibrium equations as equality constraints in the optimization problem. Although the formulation is general, two dimensional plane elasticity examples are presented. The design problem is to find minimum weight of a plane structure of fixed geometry but variable topology, subject to constraints on stress and displacement. Variables are thicknesses of finite elements, and are permitted to assume zero sizes. The examples demonstrate that the formulation is effective for finding at least a locally minimal weight.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.28 no.5A
• /
• pp.649-656
• /
• 2008

The enhancement of the service life of damaged or cracked structures is a major issue for researchers and engineers. The hierarchic void element based on the integrals of Legendre polynomials is used to characterize the fracture behaviour of unpatched crack as well as repaired crack with bonded composite patches by computing the stress intensity factors and stress contours at the crack tip. Since the equivalent single layer approach is adopted in this study, the proposed element is necessary to represent a discontinuous crack part as a continuum body with zero stiffness. Thus the aspect ratio of this element to represent the crack should be extremely slender. The sensitivity of numerical solution with respect to energy release rate, displacement and stress has been tested to show the robustness of zero stiffness element as the aspect ratio is increased up to 2000. The stiffness derivative method and displacement extrapolation method have been applied to calculate the stress intensity factors of Mode I problem. It is noted that the proposed hierarchical void element can be one of alternatives to analyze the patched crack problems.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.29 no.7 s.238
• /
• pp.990-997
• /
• 2005

The objective of this paper is to present the element connectivity parameterization (ECP) fur three dimensional problems. In the ECP method, a continuum structure is viewed as discretized finite elements connected by zero-length elastic links whose stiffness values control the degree of inter-element connectivity. The ECP method can effectively avoid the formation of the low-density unstable elements. These elements appear when the standard element density method is used for geometrical nonlinear problems. In this paper, this ECP method developed fur two-dimensional problems is expanded to the design of three-dimensional geometrical nonlinear structures. Among others, the automatic procedure converting standard finite element models to the models suitable for the ECP approach is developed and applied for optimization problems defined on general three-dimensional design domains.

• Geotechnical Engineering
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.35-48
• /
• 1996

Reinforced soil structures may experience large local movements between soil and reinforcement. The failure modes of a reinforced structure depend on several factors which are governed by deformation and slipping of the reinforcement. In some cases, pulling out of the reinforcement may occur instead of rupturing, The growing use of geosynthetic liner system for storage of solid and liquid wastes has led to a number of slope instability problems where the synthetic liner may undergo a large amount of stretching and slipping as a result of the loading. The conventional finite element model for the soil-reinforcement interface uses a zero thickness joint element with normal and shear stiffnesses and can only accommodate a small amount of deformation. When a large slippage occurs, the model provides an i ncorrect mechanism for deformation. This paper presents a new interface finite element model which is able to simulate a large amount of slippage between soil and reinforcement. The formulation of the model is presented and the capability of the model is demonstrated using illustrative examples.