• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.711-731
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• 2020

This paper deals with free vibration of FG sandwich annular sector plates on Pasternak elastic foundation with different boundary conditions, based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. The plates with simply supported radial edges and arbitrary boundary conditions on their circular edges are considered. The influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) waviness, aspect ratio, internal pores and graphene platelets (GPLs) on the vibrational behavior of functionally graded nanocomposite sandwich plates is investigated in this research work. The distributions of CNTs are considered functionally graded (FG) or uniform along the thickness of upper and bottom layers of the sandwich sectorial plates and their mechanical properties are estimated by an extended rule of mixture. In this study, the classical theory concerning the mechanical efficiency of a matrix embedding finite length fibers has been modified by introducing the tube-to-tube random contact, which explicitly accounts for the progressive reduction of the tubes' effective aspect ratio as the filler content increases. The core of structure is porous and the internal pores and graphene platelets (GPLs) are distributed in the matrix of core either uniformly or non-uniformly according to three different patterns. The elastic properties of the nanocomposite are obtained by employing Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model. A semi-analytic approach composed of 2D-Generalized Differential Quadrature Method (2D-GDQM) and series solution is adopted to solve the equations of motion. The fast rate of convergence and accuracy of the method are investigated through the different solved examples. Some new results for the natural frequencies of the plate are prepared, which include the effects of elastic coefficients of foundation, boundary conditions, material and geometrical parameters. The new results can be used as benchmark solutions for future researches.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.223-239
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• 2021

This paper presents the analytical modeling and finite element (FE) analysis, using ABAQUS software, of the new types of steel reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (SRLAC) columns with cross-shaped (+shaped and X-shaped) steel section, using proposed three analytical and two FE models in total. The stress-strain material models for different components in the columns, including the confined zones of the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) using three and four concrete zones divisions approaches and with and without taking into account the stirrups reaction effect, are established first. The analytical models for determining the axial load-deformation behavior of the SRLAC columns are drawn based on the materials models. The analytical and FE models' results are compared with previously reported test results of the axially loaded SRLAC columns. The proposed analytical and FE models accurately predict the axial behavior and capacities of the new types of SRLAC columns with acceptable agreements for the load-displacement curves. The LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and steel section configuration affect the contact stress between the concrete and steel sections. The average ratios of the ultimate test load to the three analytical models and FEA model loads, Put /Pa1, Put /Pa2, Put /Pa3, and Put /PFE1, for the tested specimens are 0.96, 1.004, 1.016, and 1.019, respectively. Finally, the analytical parametric studies are also studied, in terms of the effects of confinement, LWAC strength, steel section ratio, and the reinforcement ratio on the axial capacity of the SRLAC column. When concrete strength, confinements, area of steel sections, or reinforcement bars ratio increased, the axial capacities increased.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.95-107
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• 2021

In this work, the dynamic response of functionally graded beams on variable elastic foundations is studied using a novel higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). Unlike the conventional HSDT, the present one has a new displacement field which introduces undetermined integral variables. The FG beams were assumed to be supported on Winkler-Pasternak type foundations in which the Winkler modulus is supposed to be variable in the length of the beam. The variable rigidity of the elastic foundation is assumed to be linear, parabolic and sinusoidal along the length of the beam. The material properties of the FG porous beam vary according to a power law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of the constituents. The equations of motion are determined using the virtual working principle. For the analytical solution, Navier method is used to solve the governing equations for simply supported porous FG beams. Numerical results of the present theory for the free vibration of FG beams resting on elastic foundations are presented and compared to existing solutions in the literature. A parametric study will be detailed to investigate the effects of several parameters such as gradient index, thickness ratio, porosity factor and foundation parameters on the frequency response of porous FG beams.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2021

This paper presents a high-order shear and normal deformation theory for the bending of FGM plates. The number of unknowns and governing equations of the present theory is reduced, and hence makes it simple to use. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved in displacement field is only four, as against five or more in the case of other shear and normal deformation theories. Based on the novel shear and normal deformation theory, the position of neutral surface is determined and the governing equilibrium equations based on neutral surface are derived. There is no stretching-bending coupling effect in the neutral surface-based formulation, and consequently, the governing equations of functionally graded plates based on neutral surface have the simple forms as those of isotropic plates. Navier-type analytical solution is obtained for functionally graded plate subjected to transverse load for simply supported boundary conditions. The accuracy of the present theory is verified by comparing the obtained results with other quasi-3D higher-order theories reported in the literature. Other numerical examples are also presented to show the influences of the volume fraction distribution, geometrical parameters and power law index on the bending responses of the FGM plates are studied.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.533-545
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• 2021

What is desirable in engineering is to bring the engineering model as close to reality as possible while the simplicity of model is also considered. In recent years, several studies have been performed on nanocomposites but some of these studies are somewhat far from reality. For example, in many of these studies, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are assumed completely straight, flawless and uniformly distributed throughout the matrix but by studying nanocomposites, we find that this is not the case. In this paper, three steps have been taken to bring the presented models for nanocomposites closer to reality. One is that assuming the straightness of nanotubes is removed and the waviness is considered. Also, the nanotubes are not considered to be pristine and the influence of defect is included in accordance with reality. In addition, the approximation of uniform distribution of nanotubes is ignored and according to experimental observations, the effect of nanotube aggregation is considered. As far as we know, this is the first study on these three topics together in an article. Moreover, we also include the size effects in our models for nanocomposites. To show the accuracy of our models, our results are calibrated with experimental results and compared with theoretical model. For numerical examples, we present the buckling behaviors of nanocomposites including the size effects using nonlocal theory and compare the results of our models with the results of models with above-mentioned approximations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-139
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• 2021

Ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC) encased steel columns are receiving growing interest in high-rise buildings owing to their economic and architectural advantages. However, UHSC encased steel columns are not covered by the modern fire safety design code. A total of 14 fire tests are conducted on UHSC (120 MPa) encased steel columns under constant axial loads and exposed to ISO-834 standard fire. The effect of load ratio, slenderness, stirrup spacing, cross-section size and concrete cover to core steel on the fire resistance and failure mode of the specimens are investigated. The applicability of the tabulated method in EC4 (EN 1994-1-2-2005) and regression formula in Chinese code (DBJ/T 15-81-2011) to fire resistance of UHSC encased steel columns are checked. Generally, the test results reveal that the vertical displacement-heating time curves can be divided into two phases, i.e. thermal expansion and shortening to failure. It is found that the fire resistance of column specimens increases with the increase of the cross-section size and concrete cover to core steel, but decreases with the increase of the load ratio and slenderness. The EC4 method overestimates the fire resistance up to 186% (220 min), while the Chinese code underestimates it down to 49%. The Chinese code has a better agreement than EC4 with the test results since the former considers the effect of the load ratio, slenderness, cross section size directly in its empirical formula. To estimate the fire resistance precisely can improve the economy of structural fire design of ultra-high strength concrete encased steel columns.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.65-80
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• 2021

Irregularities of a building in plan and elevation, which results in the change in stiffness on different floors highly affect the seismic performance and resistance of a structure. This study motivated to investigate the seismic responses of high-rise steel-frame buildings of twelve stories with various stiffness irregularities. The building has five spans of 3200 mm distance in both X- and Z-directions in the plan. The design package SAP2000 was adopted for the design of beams and columns and resulted in the profile IPE500 for the beams of all floors and box sections for columns. The column cross-section dimensions vary concerning the number of the story; one to three: 0.50×0.50×0.05m, four to seven: 0.45×0.45×0.05 m, and eight to twelve: 0.40×0.40×0.05 m. Real recorded ground accelerations obtained from the Vrancea earthquake in Romania together with dead and live loads corresponding to each story were considered for the applied load. The model was validated by comparing the results of the current method and literature considering a three-bay steel moment-resisting frame of eight-story height subject to seismic load. To investigate the seismic performance of the buildings, the time-history analysis was performed using ABAQUS. Deformed shapes corresponding to negative and positive peaks were provided followed by the story drifts and fragility curves which were used to examine the probability of collapse of the building. From the results, it was concluded that regular buildings provided a seismic performance much better than irregular buildings. Furthermore, it was observed that building with torsional irregularity was more vulnerable to seismic failure.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.465-470
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• 2020

Complex materials are widely used in aviation industries where lightweighting is essential because they have lighter properties than metals. However, composite materials can cause defects such as internal void formation, poor adhesive mixing, and non-adhesive parts during the production process, and there is a risk of micro-cracking and interlayer separation due to low energy impact. Therefore, a structural damage test is essential. As a result, structural integrity monitoring using FBG is drawing attention. Compared to conventional electrical sensors, FBG has the advantage of being more corrosion-resistant and multiplexed without being affected by electrical noise. However, interloggers measuring FBG are expensive and have a large disadvantage because they are made on the premise of measuring large structures. In this paper, low-cost interloggers were designed for use in unmanned or small aircraft using optical switche, WDM filter, and LTFs, and compared to conventional high-priced interrogator.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.367-379
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• 2022

In this paper, a multilayer radar absorbing structure was designed using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, and the characteristics of the multilayer radar absorbing structure were analyzed. It was shown that design values can be derived quickly and accurately by applying PSO to the design of a multilayer radar absorbing structure, and it is also shown that the optimal multilayer radar absorbing structure can be designed especially for an oblique incident. In addition, it was shown that the optimal value that meets the performance requirements can be determined even in a combination of various design parameters. It is presented through a comprehensive flowchart including the equations and detailed descriptions of all variables for each step. From the results of this paper, it is possible to omit complex and many calculations for designing a multilayer radar absorbing structure, and it is possible to use various composite materials. It can be utilized in the design and development of multilayer radar absorbing structures.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2022

Concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs) are increasingly used as composite sections in structures owing to their excellent load bearing capacity. Therefore, predicting the mechanical behavior of CFST sections under axial compression loading is vital for design purposes. This paper presents the first study on the nonlinear analysis of heated CFSTs with high-strength concrete core containing steel fiber and waste tire rubber under axial compression loading. CFSTs had steel fibers with 0, 1, and 1.5% volume fractions and 0, 5, and 10% rubber particles as sand alternative material. They were subjected to 20, 250, 500, and 750℃ temperatures. Using flow rule and analytical analysis, a model is developed to predict the load bearing capacity of steel tube, and hoop strain-axial strain relationship, and axial stress-volumetric strain relationship of CFSTs. An elastic-plastic analysis method is applied to determine the axial and hoop stresses of the steel tube, considering elastic, yield, and strain hardening stages of steel in its stress-strain curve. The axial stress in the concrete core is determined as the difference between the total experimental axial stress and the axial stress of steel tube obtained from modeling. The results show that steel tube in CFSTs under 750℃ exhibits a higher load bearing contribution compared to those under 20, 250, and 500℃. It is also found that the ratio of load bearing capacity of steel tube at peak point to the load bearing capacity of CFST at peak load is noticeable such that this ratio is in the ranges of 0.21-0.33 and 0.31-0.38 for the CFST specimens with a steel tube thickness of 2 and 3.5 mm, respectively. In addition, after the steel tube yielding, the load bearing capacity of the tube decreases due to the reduction of its axial stiffness and the increase of hoop strain rate, which is in the range of about 20 to 40%.