• Computers and Concrete
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.411-440
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• 2013

Large fluctuations in surface strain at the level of steel are expected in reinforced concrete flexural members at a given stage of loading due to the emergent structure (emergence of new crack patterns). This has been identified in developing deterministic constitutive models for finite element applications in Ibrahimbegovic et al. (2010). The aim of this paper is to identify a suitable probability distribution for describing the large deviations at far from equilibrium points due to emergent structures, based on phenomenological, thermodynamic and statistical considerations. Motivated by the investigations reported by Prigogine (1978) and Rubi (2008), distributions with heavy tails (namely, alpha-stable distributions) are proposed for modeling the variations in strain in reinforced concrete flexural members to account for the large fluctuations. The applicability of alpha-stable distributions at or in the neighborhood of far from equilibrium points is examined based on the results obtained from carefully planned experimental investigations, on seven reinforced concrete flexural members. It is found that alpha-stable distribution performs better than normal distribution for modeling the observed surface strains in reinforced concrete flexural members at these points.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1540-1545
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• 2018

SiGe alloy is widely used thermoelectric materials for high temperature thermoelectric generator applications. However, its high thermoelectric performance has been thus far realized only in alloys synthesized employing mechanical alloying techniques, which are time-consuming and employ several materials processing steps. In the current study, for the first time, we report an enhanced thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) ~ 1.1 at $900^{\circ}C$ in ntype $Si_{80}Ge_{20}$ nano-alloys, synthesized using a facile and up-scalable methodology consisting of rapid solidification at high optimized cooling rate ${\sim}3.4{\times}10^7K/s$, employing melt spinning followed by spark plasma sintering of the resulting nano-crystalline melt-spun ribbons. This enhancement in ZT > 20% over its bulk counterpart, owes its origin to the nano-crystalline microstructure formed at high cooling rates, which results in crystallite size ~7 nm leading to high density of grain boundaries, which scatter heat-carrying phonons. This abundant scattering resulted in a very low thermal conductivity ${\sim}2.1Wm^{-1}K^{-1}$, which corresponds to ~50% reduction over its bulk counterpart and is amongst the lowest reported thus far in n-type SiGe alloys. The synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, based on which the enhancement in their thermoelectric performance has been discussed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.439-459
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• 2013

Main objective of the present study is to determine the statistical properties and suitable probability distribution functions of spectral displacements from nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic analysis within the frame work of Monte Carlo simulation for typical low rise and high rise RC framed buildings located in zone III and zone V and designed as per Indian seismic codes. Probabilistic analysis of spectral displacement is useful for strength assessment and loss estimation. To the author's knowledge, no study is reported in literature on comparison of spectral displacement including the uncertainties in capacity and demand in Indian context. In the present study, uncertainties in capacity of the building is modeled by choosing cross sectional dimensions of beams and columns, density and compressive strength of concrete, yield strength and elastic modulus of steel and, live load as random variables. Uncertainty in demand is modeled by choosing peak ground acceleration (PGA) as a random variable. Nonlinear static analysis (NSA) and nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA) are carried out for typical low rise and high rise reinforced concrete framed buildings using IDARC 2D computer program with the random sample input parameters. Statistical properties are obtained for spectral displacements corresponding to performance point from NSA and maximum absolute roof displacement from NDA and suitable probability distribution functions viz., normal, Weibull, lognormal are examined for goodness-of-fit. From the hypothesis test for goodness-of-fit, lognormal function is found to be suitable to represent the statistical variation of spectral displacement obtained from NSA and NDA.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.623-647
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• 2014

In this paper, a probability distribution which is consistent with the observed phenomenon at the roof corner and, also on other portions of the roof, of a low-rise building is proposed. The model is consistent with the choice of probability density function suggested by the statistical thermodynamics of open systems and turbulence modelling in fluid mechanics. After presenting the justification based on physical phenomenon and based on statistical arguments, the fit of alpha-stable distribution for prediction of extreme negative wind pressure coefficients is explored. The predictions are compared with those actually observed during wind tunnel experiments (using wind tunnel experimental data obtained from the aerodynamic database of Tokyo Polytechnic University), and those predicted by using Gumbel minimum and Hermite polynomial model. The predictions are also compared with those estimated using a recently proposed non-parametric model in regions where stability criterion (in skewness-kurtosis space) is satisfied. From the comparisons, it is noted that the proposed model can be used to estimate the extreme peak negative wind pressure coefficients. The model has an advantage that it is consistent with the physical processes proposed in the literature for explaining large fluctuations at the roof corners.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.605-619
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• 2009

This paper presents the details of finite element (FE) modeling and analysis of an external prestressing technique to strengthen a prestressed concrete (PSC) end block. Various methods of external prestressing techniques have been discussed. In the proposed technique, transfer of external force is in shear mode on the end block creating a complex stress distribution. The proposed technique is useful when the ends of the PSC girders are not accessible. Finite element modeling issues have been outlined. Brief description about material nonlinearity including key aspects in modeling inelastic behaviour has been provided. Finite element (FE) modeling including material, loading has been explained in depth. FE analysis for linear and nonlinear static analysis has been conducted for varying external loadings. Various responses such as out-of-plane deformation and slip have been computed and compared with the corresponding experimental observations. From the study, it has been observed that the computed slope and slip of the steel bracket under external loading is in good agreement with the corresponding experimental observations.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.08a
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• pp.67.1-67.1
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• 2008

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.99-102
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• 2008

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.489-500
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• 2012

Cold-formed steel profile sheets acting as decks have been popularly used in composite slab systems in steel structural works, since it acts as a working platform as well as formwork for concreting during construction stage and also as tension reinforcement for the concrete slab during service. In developing countries like India, this system of flooring is being increasingly used due to the innate advantage of these systems. Three modes of failure have been identified in composite slab such as flexural, vertical shear and longitudinal shear failure. Longitudinal shear failure is the one which is difficult to predict theoretically and therefore experimental methods suggested by Eurocode 4 (EC 4) of four point bending test is in practice throughout world. This paper presents such an experimental investigation on embossed profile sheet acting as a composite deck where in the longitudinal shear bond characteristics values are evaluated. Two stages, brittle and ductile phases were observed during the tests. The cyclic load appears to less effect on the ultimate shear strength of the composite slab.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.399-409
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• 2018

This paper demonstrates the potential application of machine learning algorithms for approximate prediction of the load and deflection capacities of the novel type of Laced Steel Concrete-Composite (LSCC) beams proposed by Anandavalli et al. (Engineering Structures 2012). Initially, global and local responses measured on LSCC beam specimen in an experiment are used to validate nonlinear FE model of the LSCC beams. The data for the machine learning algorithms is then generated using validated FE model for a range of values of the identified sensitive parameters. The performance of four well-known machine learning algorithms, viz., Support Vector Regression (SVR), Minimax Probability Machine Regression (MPMR), Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) and Multigene Genetic Programing (MGGP) for the approximate estimation of the load and deflection capacities are compared in terms of well-defined error indices. Through relative comparison of the estimated values, it is demonstrated that the algorithms explored in the present study provide a good alternative to expensive experimental testing and sophisticated numerical simulation of the response of LSCC beams. The load carrying and displacement capacity of the LSCC was predicted well by MGGP and MPMR, respectively.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-57
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• 2009

This paper presents the details of a novel external prestressing technique for strengthening of concrete members. In the proposed technique, transfer of external force is in shear mode on the end block thus creating a complex stress distribution and the required transverse prestressing force is lesser compared to conventional techniques. Steel brackets are provided on either side of the end block for transferring external prestressing force and these are connected to the anchor blocks by expansion type anchor bolts. In order to validate the technique, an experimental investigation has been carried out on post-tensioned end blocks. Performance of the end blocks have been studied for design, cracking and ultimate loads. Slip and slope of steel bracket have been recorded at various stages during the experiment. Finite element analysis has been carried out by simulating the test conditions and the responses have been compared. From the analysis, it has been observed that the computed slope and slip of the steel bracket are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental observations. A simplified analytical model has been proposed to compute load-deformation of the loaded steel bracket with respect to the end block. Yield and ultimate loads have been arrived at based on force/moment equilibrium equations at critical sections. Deformation analysis has been carried out based on the assumption that the ratio of axial deformation to vertical deformation of anchor bolt would follow the same ratio at the corresponding forces such as yield and ultimate. It is observed that the computed forces, slip and slopes are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental observations.