• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.619-637
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• 2005

The objective of this research was to determine the Vlasov soil parameters for quadratically varying elasticity modulus $E_s$(z) of the compressible soil continuum and discuss the interaction affect between two close plates. Interaction problem carried on for uniformly distributed load carrying plates. Plate region was simulated by Kirchhoff plate theory based (mixed or displacement type) 2D elements and the foundation continuum was simulated by displacement type 2D elements. At the contact region, plate and foundation elements were geometrically coupled with each other. In this study the necessary formulas for the Vlasov parameters were derived when Young's modulus of the soil continuum was varying as a quadratic function of z-coordinate through the depth of the foundation. In the examples, first the elements and the iterative FE algorithm was verified and later the results of quadratic variation of $E_s$(z) were compared with the previous examples in order to discuss the general behavior. As a final example two plates close to each other resting on elastic foundation were handled to see their interaction influences on the Vlasov foundation parameters. Original examples were solved using both mixed and displacement type plate elements in order to confirm the results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

Topology optimization of structures seeking the best distribution of mass in a design space to improve the structural performance and reduce the weight of a structure is one of the most comprehensive issues in the field of structural optimization. In addition to structures stiffness as the most common objective function, frequency optimization is of great importance in variety of applications too. In this paper, an efficient multi-objective Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) method is developed for topology optimization of frequency and stiffness in continuum structures simultaneously. A software package including a Matlab code and Abaqus FE solver has been created for the numerical implementation of multi-objective BESO utilizing the weighted function method. At the same time, by considering the weaknesses of the optimized structure in single-objective optimizations for stiffness or frequency problems, slight modifications have been done on the numerical algorithm of developed multi-objective BESO in order to overcome challenges due to artificial localized modes, checker boarding and geometrical symmetry constraint during the progressive iterations of optimization. Numerical results show that the proposed Multiobjective BESO method is efficient and optimal solutions can be obtained for continuum structures based on an existent finite element model of the structures.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.429-444
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• 2023

The comprehension and structural modeling of masonry constructions is fundamental to safeguard the integrity of built cultural assets and intervene through adequate actions, especially in earthquake-prone regions. Despite the availability of several modeling strategies and modern computing power, modeling masonry remains a great challenge because of still demanding computational efforts, constraints in performing destructive or semi-destructive in-situ tests, and material uncertainties. This paper investigates the shear behavior of masonry walls by applying a plane-stress FE continuum model with the Modified Masonry-like Material (MMLM). Epistemic uncertainty affecting input parameters of the MMLM is considered in a probabilistic framework. After appointing a suitable probability density function to input quantities according to prior engineering knowledge, uncertainties are propagated to outputs relying on gPCE-based surrogate models to considerably speed up the forward problem-solving. The sensitivity of the response to input parameters is evaluated through the computation of Sobol' indices pointing out the parameters more worthy to be further investigated, when dealing with the seismic assessment of masonry buildings. Finally, masonry mechanical properties are calibrated in a probabilistic setting with the Bayesian approach to the inverse problem based on the available measurements obtained from the experimental load-displacement curves provided by shear compression in-situ tests.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.315-334
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• 2015

This study's primary aim is to check the existence of a representative volume element for granular materials and determine the link between the properties (responses) of macro structures and the size of the discrete particle assembly used to represent a constitutive relation in a two-scale model. In our two-scale method the boundary value problem on the macro level was solved using finite element method, based on the Cosserat continuum; the macro stresses and modulus were obtained using a solution of discrete particle assemblies at certain element integration points. Meanwhile, discrete particle assemblies were solved using discrete element method under boundary conditions provided by the macro deformation. Our investigations focused largely on the size effects of the discrete particle assembly and the radius of the particle on macro properties, such as deformation stiffness, bearing capacity and the residual strength of the granular structure. According to the numerical results, we suggest fitting formulas linking the values of different macro properties (responses) and size of discrete particle assemblies. In addition, this study also concerns the configuration and displacement fluctuation of discrete particle assemblies on the micro level, accompanied with the evolution of bearing capacity and deformation on the macro level.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2022

Soils are natural granular materials whose mechanical properties differ according to the size and composition of the particles, so soils exhibit an obvious scale effect. Traditional soil mechanics is based on continuum mechanics, which can not reflect the impact of particle size on soil mechanics. On that basis, a matrix-reinforcing-particle cell model is established in which the reinforcing particles are larger-diameter sand particles and the matrix comprises smaller-diameter bentonite particles. Since these two types of particles deform differently under shear stress, a new shear-strength theory under direct shear that considers the stress concentration and bypass phenomena of the matrix is established. In order to verify the rationality of this theory, a series of direct shear tests with different reinforcing particle diameter and volume fraction ratio are carried out. Theoretical analysis and experimental results showed that the interaction among particles of differing size and composition is the basic reason for the size effect of soils. Furthermore, the stress concentration and bypass phenomena of the matrix enhance the shear strength of a soil, and the volume ratio of reinforcing particles has an obvious impact on the shear strength. In addition, the newly proposed shear-strength theory agrees well with experimental values.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.351-370
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• 2006

In this study, the earthquake damage response of the concrete arch dams was investigated including dam-reservoir interaction. A continuum damage model which is a second-order tensor and includes the strain softening behavior was selected for the concrete material. Fluid-structure interaction problem was modeled by Lagrangian approach. Sommerfeld radiation condition was applied to the truncated boundary of reservoir. The improved form of the HHT-${\alpha}$ time integration algorithm was used in the solution of the equations of motion. The arch dam Type 5 was selected for numerical application. For the dynamic input, acceleration records of the 10 December 1967 Koyna earthquake were chosen. These records were scaled with earthquake acceleration scale factor (EASF) and then used in the analyses. Solutions were obtained for empty and full reservoir cases. The effects of EASF and damping ratio on the response of the dam were studied.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.751-759
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• 1994

Concrete contains numerous microcracks initially. The growth and propagation of microcracks cause failure of concrete. These processings are termed as "damage". The concepts of the continuum damage mechanics are presented and the damage evolution law and constitutive equation are derived by using the Helmholz free energy and the dissipation potential by means of the thermodynamic principles. The constitutive equation includes the effects of elasticity, damage and plasticity of concrete. The proposed model successfully predicts the nonlinear behavior of concrete subject to monotonic uniaxial and biaxial loadings.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.467-476
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• 2008

In this work, a nano-size rocksalt crystal (magnesium oxide) is considered as a continuous collection of unit cells, while each unit cell consists of discrete atoms; and modeled by a multiscale concurrent atomic/continuum field theory. The response of the crystal to an electromagnetic (EM) wave is studied. Finite element analysis is performed by solving the governing equations of the multiscale theory. Due to the applied EM field, the inhomogeneous motions of discrete atoms in the polarizable crystal give rise to the change of microstructure and the polarization wave. The relation between the natural frequency of this system and the driving frequency of the applied EM field is found and discussed.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.107-115
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• 1995

The long term behavior of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant(WIPP), a nuclear waste repository currently under construction near Carlsbad at New Mexico, depends upon the fracture and deformation behavior of bedded rock salt. Although many numerical analyses of the WIPP have been conducted, to our knowledge none have included the ability to simultaneously predict the effects of fracture and nonlinear deformation of the salt continuum. We are in the process of developing a finite element program to simulate the effects of nonlinear fracture mechanics and nonlinear continuum behavior of rock salt simultaneously.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.178-188
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• 2005

This paper introduces a structural damage identification method to identify 4he multiple directional damages generated within a cylindrical shell by using the measured frequency response function (FRF). The equations of motion for a damaged cylindrical shell are derived. by using a theory of continuum damage mechanics in which a small material volume containing a directional damage is represented by the effective orthotropic elastic stiffness. In contrast with most existing vibration-based structural damage identification methods which require the modal Parameters measured in both intact and damaged states, the present method requires only the FRF-data measured at damaged state. Numerically simulated damage identification tests are conducted to verify the feasibility of the Proposed structural damage identification method.