• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2021

The use of composite beams with partial interaction, with less shear connectors than those required for full interaction, may be advantageous in many situations. However, these beams tend to show higher deflections compared to beams with full interaction, and codified expressions for the calculation of such deflections are not fully developed and validated. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive numerical study on the deflections of steel-concrete composite beams with partial interaction. Efficient numerical models of full-scale composite beams considering material nonlinearities and contact between their parts have been developed by means of the advanced software ABAQUS, including a damage model to simulate the concrete slab. The FE models were validated against experimental results, and subsequently parametric studies were developed to investigate the influence of the shear connection degree and the coefficient of friction in the deflection of composite beams. The comparison of predicted deflections using reference codes (AISC, Eurocode-4 and AS-2327.1) against numerical results showed that there are still inaccuracies in the estimation of deflections for the verification of the serviceability limit state, according to some of the analyzed codes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2021

An exact solution based on refined third-order theory (TOT) has been presented for functionally graded porous curved beams having deep curvature. The displacement field of the refined TOT is derived by imposing the shear free conditions at the outer and inner surfaces of curved beams. The properties of the two phase composite are tailored according the power law rule and the effective properties are computed using Mori-Tanaka homogenization scheme. The equations of motion as well as consistent boundary conditions are derived using the Hamilton's principle. The curved beam stiffness coefficients (A, B, D) are obtained numerically using six-point Gauss integration scheme without compromising the accuracy due to deepness (1 + z/R) terms. The porosity has been modeled assuming symmetric (even) as well as asymmetric (uneven) distributions across the cross section of curved beam. The programming has been performed in MATLAB and is validated with the results available in the literature as well as 2D finite element model developed in ABAQUS. The effect of inclusion of 1 + z/R terms is studied for deflection, stresses and natural frequencies for FG curved beams of different radii of curvature. Results presented in this work will be useful for comparison of future studies.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.271-287
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• 2022

This study investigates the bending behavior of a composite concrete slab roof with different methods of externally strengthing using steel plates and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. First, the concrete slab model which was reinforced with CFRP strips on the bottom surface of it is validated using experimental data, and then, using numerical modeling, 7 different models of square-shaped composite slab roofs are developed in ABAQUS software using the finite element modeling. Developed models include steel rebar reinforced concrete slab with variable thickness of CFRP and steel plates. Considering the control sample which has no external reinforcement, a set of 8 different reinforcement states has been investigated. Each of these 8 states is examined with 6 different uncertainties in terms of the properties of the materials in the construction of concrete slabs, which make 48 numerical models. In all models loading process is continued until complete failure occurs. The results from numerical investigations showed using the steel plates as an executive method for strengthening, the bending capacity of reinforced concrete slabs is increased in the ultimate bearing capacity of the slab by about 1.69 to 2.48 times. Also using CFRP strips, the increases in ultimate bearing capacity of the slab were about 1.61 to 2.36 times in different models with different material uncertainties.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.673-688
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• 2022

Post-earthquake fire is a major threat since most structures are designed allowing some damage during strong earthquakes, which will expose a more vulnerable structure to post-earthquake fire compared to an intact structure. A series of experimental research on steel-concrete composite beam-to-column joints subjected to fire after cyclic loading has been carried out and a clear reduction of fire resistance due to the partial damage caused by cyclic loading was observed. In this paper, by using ABAQUS a robust finite element model is developed for exploring the performance of steel-concrete composite joints in post-earthquake fire scenarios. After validation of these models with the previously conducted experimental results, a comprehensive numerical analysis is performed, allowing influential parameters affecting the post-earthquake fire behavior of the steel-concrete composite joints to be identified. Specifically, the level of pre-damage induced by cyclic loading is regraded to deteriorate mechanical and thermal properties of concrete, material properties of steel, and thickness of the fire protection layer. It is found that the ultimate temperature of the joint is affected by the load ratio while fire-resistant duration is relevant to the heating rate, both of which change due to the damage induced by the cyclic loading.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2022

Major engineering requirements and technological developments in the steel construction industry are discussed to support a new innovative system, namely corrugated web beams, for future structural projections. These new-generation steel beams, fabricated as welded plate girders with corrugated webs, are designed to combine large spans with very low weight. In the present study, the flexural capacity of optimally designed trapezoidal and sinusoidal corrugated web beams was aimed at. For this purpose, the new metaheuristic methods, specifically hunting search and firefly algorithms, were used for the minimum weight design of both beams according to the rules of Eurocode EN 1193 15 and DASt-Ri 015. In addition, the strengthening effects of the corrugation geometry at the web posts on the load capacity of fabricated steel beams were tested in a reaction frame. The experimental tests displayed that the lateral capacity of trapezoidal web beams is more durable under flexural loads compared to sinusoidal web beams. These thin-walled beams were also simulated using a 3-D finite element model with plane strain to validate test results and describe the effectiveness of the ABAQUS software.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.525-538
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• 2023

This paper focuses on the energy absorption of lattice core sandwich structures of different configurations. The diamond lattice unit cell, which has been extensively investigated for energy absorption applications, is the starting point for this research. The energy absorption behaviour of sandwich structures with an expanded metal sheet as the core is investigated at low-velocity impact loading. Numerical simulations were carried out using ABAQUS/EXPLICIT and the results were thoroughly compared with the experimental results, which indicated desirable accuracy. A parametric analysis, using a Box-Behnken design (BBD), as a method for the design of experiments (DOE), was performed. The samples fabricated in three levels of parameters include 0.081, 0.145, and 0.562 mm² Cell sizes, and 0, 45, and 90-degree cell orientation, which were investigated. It was observed from experimental data that the angle of cells orientation had the highest degree of influence on the specific energy absorption. The results showed that the angle of cells orientation has been the most influential parameter to increase the peak forces. The results from using the design expert software showed the optimal specific energy absorption and peak force to be 1786 J/kg and 26314.4 N, respectively. The obtained R2 values and normal probability plots indicated a good agreement between the experimental results and those predicted by the model.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.227-242
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• 2023

Polyester composites play a vital role in civil engineering applications, especially in bridge and car park structures. Therefore, the addition of waste silica-based fillers will both improve the mechanical and durability performance of composites and produce an environmentally friendly material. In this study, the mechanical performance of polyester composites was investigated experimentally and numerically by adding micro and nano-sized silica-based fillers, marble powder, silica fume and nano-silica. 24 cubes for the compression test and 18 prisms for the flexural test were produced in six different groups containing 30% marble powder, 5% silica fume and 1% nano-silica by weight. SEM/EDS testing was used to investigate the distribution of filler particles in the matrix. Experimentally collected results were used to validate tests in the Abaqus software. Additionally, the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was used to estimate the fracture process for the flexural test. The results show that the added silica fume, marble powder and nano silica improves the compressive strength of polyester composites by 32-38% and the flexural tensile strength by 10-60% compared to pure polyester composite. The numerically obtained results matched well with the experimental data, demonstrating the accuracy and feasibility of the calibrated finite element model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2023

In order to strengthen the reinforced concrete T-beams having insufficient shear strength, several strengthening techniques are available in the literature. In this study, three different strengthening strategies were numerically studied. First one is affixing steel plates to the beam surfaces. Second one includes tightening external steel bars vertically similar to beam stirrups. The last one is simultaneous application of these two strengthening procedures which is particularly proposed in this work. Available experimental test series in the literature were handled in the study. Finite element (FE) models of reinforced concrete beam specimens having sufficient (Beam-1) and low shear capacity (Beam-2) were created within ABAQUS environment. Strengthened beams with different techniques were also modelled to reflect improved shear capacity. FE simulations made it possible to investigate parameters that were not examined during the previous experimental studies. The results of the analyses were then compared and found consistent with the experimentally obtained data. Experimental and FEM analysis results are in agreement between 1% (closest) and 6%. (maximum). Beam-2 was stregthened with 5 new porposed methods. The rate of increase in shear strength varies between 33% and 64%. It was found that, the strengthening techniques were fairly useful in improving the shear capacity of the considered girder. The model with the proposed strengthening alternative has accomplished a higher load carrying capacity, ductility and stiffness than all of the other models.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2022

For long underground box utility tunnels, post-tensioned precast concrete is often used. Between precast tunnel segments, sealed waterproof flexible joints are often specified. Fault displacement can lead to excessive deformation of the joints, which can lead to reduction in waterproofing due to diminished contact pressure between the sealant strip and the tunnel segment. This paper authenticates utilization of a finite element model for a prefabricated tunnel fault-crossing founded on ABAQUS software. In addition, material parameter selection, contact setting and boundary condition are reviewed. Analyzed under normal fault action are: the influence of fault displacement; buried depth; soil friction coefficient, and angle of crossing at the fault plane. In addition, distribution characteristics of the utility tunnel structure for vertical and longitudinal/horizontal relative displacement at segmented interface for the top and bottom slab are analyzed. It is found that the effect of increase in fault displacement on the splice joint deformation is significant, whereas the effects of changes in burial depth, pipe-soil friction coefficient and fault-crossing angle on the overall tunnel and joint deformations were not so significant.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.805-821
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• 2023

This study developed an evaluation system to explore the effect of the environmental temperature on the stress redistribution produced by cable stress relaxation of structural members in a steel cable-stayed bridge. The generalized Maxwell model is used to estimate stress relaxation at different temperatures. The environmental temperature is represented using the thermal coefficients and temperature loads. The fmincon optimization function is used to determine the set of stress relaxation parameters at different temperatures for all cables. The ABAQUS software is employed to investigate the stress redistribution of the steel cable-stayed bridge caused by the cable stress relaxation and the environmental temperature. All of these steps are set up as an evaluation system to save time and ensure the accuracy of the study results. The developed evaluation system is then employed to investigate the effect of environmental temperature and cable type on stress redistribution. These studies' findings show that as environmental temperatures increased up to 40 ℃, the redistribution rate increased by up to 34.9% in some girders. The results also show that the cable type with low relaxation rates should be used in high environmental temperature areas to minimize the effect of cable stress relaxation.