• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.533-542
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• 2002

This paper considers the buckling and post-buckling behavior of empty metal storage tanks under wind load. The structures of such tanks may be idealized as cantilever cylindrical shells, and the structural response is investigated using a computational model. The modeling employs a doubly curved finite element based on a theory by Simo and coworkers, which is capable of handling large displacements and plasticity. Buckling results for tanks with four different geometric relations are presented to consider the influence of the ratios between the radius and the height of the shell (R/L), and between the radius and the thickness (R/t). The studies aim to clarify the differences in the shells regarding their imperfection-sensitivity. The results show that thin-walled short tanks, with R/L = 3, display high imperfection sensitivity, while tanks with R/L = 0.5 are almost insensitive to imperfections. Changes in the total potential energy of tanks that would buckle under the same high wind pressures are also considered.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.441-459
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• 2012

Identification of vibration parameters from the analysis of the dynamic response of a structure plays a key role in current health monitoring systems. This study evaluates the capabilities of the recently developed Synchrosqueezed Wavelet Transform (SWT) to extract instant frequencies and damping values from the simulated noise-contaminated response of a structure. Two approaches to estimate the modal damping ratio from the results of the SWT are presented. The results obtained are compared to other signal processing methods based on Continuous Wavelet (CWT) and Hilbert-Huang (HHT) transforms. It was found that the time-frequency representation obtained via SWT is sharped than the obtained using just the CWT and it allows a more robust extraction of the individual modal responses than using the HHT. However, the identification of damping ratios is more stable when the CWT coefficients are employed.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.75.3-75.3
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• 2016

We present a new survey of nearby galaxies to obtain deep wide-field images of 200 nearby bright galaxies in the southern hemisphere using Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet). We are taking very deep and wide-field images, spending 4.5 hours for the B and R filters for each object. Using this dataset, we will look for diffuse, low-surface brightness structures including outer disks, truncated disks, tidal features and stellar streams, and faint companions. The multicolor data will enable us to estimate the incidence and star formation history of those features. We present an outline of the data reduction pipeline, and preliminary results from the commissioning data.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.161-176
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• 2010

Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations were developed to investigate the effectiveness of geosynthetic reinforcement and the effectiveness of maintenance techniques performed on a simulated ballast bed subjected to dynamic loading. The results from four samples subjected each one to a total of 425 load cycles are presented: one unreinforced and unmaintained sample, one unmaintained but reinforced sample, one unreinforced sample subjected to maintenance in the form of stoneblowing after 200 load cycles, and one unreinforced sample subjected to maintenance in the form of tamping after 200 load cycles. The obtained values of permanent deformation as a function of the applied number of load cycles for the four cases are presented together allowing a comparison of the effectiveness of each technique. Moreover, snapshots of the simulated track sections are presented at different moments of the simulations. The simulations indicated that the geosynthetic reinforcement may not be beneficial for the analyzed case while stoneblowing was the most effective maintenance technique.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.383-397
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• 2015

This article identifies and addresses current limitations on the use of numerical models for validation and/or calibration of damage detection methodologies that are based on the analysis of the high frequency response of the structure to identify the occurrence of abrupt anomalies. Distributed-plasticity non-linear fiber-based models in combination with experimental data from a full-scale reinforced concrete column test are used to point out current modeling techniques limitations. It was found that the numerical model was capable of reproducing the global and local response of the structure at a wide range of inelastic demands, including the occurrences of rebar ruptures. However, when abrupt sudden damage occurs, like rebar fracture, a high frequency pulse is detected in the accelerations recorded in the structure that the numerical model is incapable of reproducing. Since the occurrence of such pulse is fundamental on the detection of damage, it is proposed to add this effect to the simulated response before it is used for validation purposes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2015

This article presents a theoretical parametric analysis on the ultimate torsional behaviour of axially restrained reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This analysis is performed by using a computing procedure based on a modification of the Variable Angle Truss Model. This computing procedure was previously developed to account for the influence of the longitudinal compressive stress state due to the axial restraint conditions provided by the connections of the beams to other structural members. The presented parametric study aims to check the influence of some important variable studies, namely: torsional reinforcement ratio, compressive concrete strength and axial restraint level. From the results of this parametric study, nonlinear regression analyses are performed and some design charts are proposed. Such charts allow to correct the resistance torque of RC beams (rectangular sections with small height to width ratios) to account for the favorable influence of the axial restraint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.225-238
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• 2012

Steel structural elements with web-tapered I cross section, are usually made of welded thin plates. Due to the nonrectangular shape of the element, thin web section may be obtained at the maximum cross section height. The buckling strength is directly influenced by lateral restraining, end support and initial imperfections. If no lateral restraints, or when they are not effective enough, the global behaviour of the members is characterized by the lateral torsional mode and interaction with sectional buckling modes may occur. Actual design codes do not provide a practical design approach for this kind of elements. The paper summarizes an experimental study performed by the authors on a relevant number of elements of this type. The purpose of the work was to evaluate the actual behaviour of the web tapered beam-columns when applying different types of lateral restraints and different web thickness.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2009

This paper reports results of the structural response of empty steel tanks under vertical ground motions. The tanks are modeled using a finite element discretization using shell elements, and the vertical motion is applied and analyzed using nonlinear dynamics. Several excitation frequencies are considered, with emphasis on those that may lead to resonance of the roof. The computational results illustrate that as the base motion frequency is tuned with the frequency of the first roof-mode of the tank, the system displays large-amplitude displacements. For frequencies away from such mode, small amplitude displacements are obtained. The effect of the height of the cylinder on the dynamic response of the tank to vertical ground motion has also been investigated. The vertical acceleration of the ground motion that induces significant changes in the stiffness of the tank was found to be almost constant regardless of the height of the cylinder.

• International Journal of Reliability and Applications
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.241-251
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• 2001

In this paper, optimal bum-in time to minimize the total mean cost, which is the sum of manufacturing cost with burn-in and cumulative warranty-related cost, is obtained. When the products with cumulative pro-rata warranty have high failure rate in the early period (infant mortality period), a burn-in procedure is adopted to eliminate early product failures. After burn-in, the posterior product life distribution and the warranty-related cost are dependent on burn-in time; long burn-in period may reduce the warranty-related cost, but it increases the manufacturing cost. The paper provides a methodology to obtain total mean cost under burn-in and cumulative pro-rata warranty. Property of the optimal burn-in time is analyzed, and numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are studied.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-94
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• 2004

Steel beam-to-column joints are often subjected to a combination of bending and axial forces. The level of axial forces in the joint may be significant, typical of pitched-roof portal frames, sway frames or frames with incomplete floors. Current specifications for steel joints do not take into account the presence of axial forces (tension and/or compression) in the joints. A single empirical limitation of 10% of the beam's plastic axial capacity is the only enforced provision in Annex J of Eurocode 3. The objective of the present paper is to describe some experimental and numerical work carried out at the University of Coimbra to try to extend the philosophy of the component method to deal with the combined action bending moment and axial force.