• International Journal of Reliability and Applications
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2013

Modelling of failures is an important element of reliability modelling. Empirical modelling approach suitable for complex item is explored in this paper. First step of the empirical modelling approach is to plot hazard function, density function, Weibull probability plot as well as cumulative intensity function to see which model fits best for the given data. Next step of the empirical modelling approach is select appropriate model for the data and fit the parametric model accordingly and estimate the parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.387-403
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• 2014

This paper presents a high accuracy Finite Element approach for delamination modelling in laminated composite structures. This approach uses multi-layered shell element and cohesive zone modelling to handle the mechanical properties and damages characteristics of a laminated composite plate under low velocity impact. Both intralaminar and interlaminar failure modes, which are usually observed in laminated composite materials under impact loading, were addressed. The detail of modelling, energy absorption mechanisms, and comparison of simulation results with experimental test data were discussed in detail. The presented approach was applied for various models and simulation time was found remarkably inexpensive. In addition, the results were found to be in good agreement with the corresponding results of experimental data. Considering simulation time and results accuracy, this approach addresses an efficient technique for delamination modelling, and it could be followed by other researchers for damage analysis of laminated composite material structures subjected to dynamic impact loading.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2022

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed and built to remove contaminants from wastewater. WWTPs are composed of various facilities equipped with hydro-mechanical and electrical equipment. This paper presents a comparison of two different approaches for WWTPs modelling. Static modelling is suitable for determining the dimensions of facilities and equipment capacity. The special significance of this approach is for the design of new plants, i.e., when a very small number of input data on the quantities and composition of the influent wastewater is available. Dynamic modelling is expensive, time consuming and requires great expertise in the use of simulators, models and very good understanding of the treatment processes. Also, dynamic modelling is very important to use for optimization, consideration of future scenarios and also possible scenarios on the plant. The comparison of two approaches was made on the input data from the biggest and most important plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)-WWTP Butila (Sarajevo). The main idea is to show the differences between two demanding accesses. It is important to know how to apply an adequate approach to research and solve the set task. The II phase of the plant Butila, which includes the removal of nutrients, is planned in several years and therefore the importance of research has increased.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2010

In this paper one introduces a method of multiscale modelling called collection of dynamical systems with dimensional reduction. The method is suggested to be an appropriate approach to theoretical modelling of phenomena in mechanics of materials having in mind especially dynamics of processes. Within this method one formalizes scale of averaging of processes during modelling. To this end a collection of dynamical systems is distinguished within an elementary dynamical system. One introduces a dimensional reduction procedure which is designed to be a method of transition between various scales. In order to consider continuum models as obtained by means of the dimensional reduction one introduces continuum with finite-dimensional fields. Owing to geometrical elements associated with the elementary dynamical system we can formalize scale of averaging within continuum mechanics approach. In general presented here approach is viewed as a continuation of the rational mechanics.

• International Journal of CAD/CAM
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• v.3 no.1_2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2003

Viewpoint-dependent feature-based modelling in computer-aided design is developed for the purposes of supporting engineering design representation and automation. The approach of this paper uses a combination of a multi-level modelling approach. This has two stages of mapping between models, and the multi-level model approach is implemented in three-level architecture. Top of this level is a feature-based description for each viewpoint, comprising a combination of form features and other features such as loads and constraints for analysis. The middle level is an executable representation of the feature model. The bottom of this multi-level modelling is a evaluation of a feature-based CAD model obtained by executable feature representations defined in the middle level. The mappings involved in the system comprise firstly, mapping between the top level feature representations associated with different viewpoints, for example for the geometric simplification and addition of boundary conditions associated with moving from a design model to an analysis model, and secondly mapping between the top level and the middle level representations in which the feature model is transformed into the executable representation. Because an executable representation is used as the intermediate layer, the low level evaluation can be active. The example will be implemented with an analysis model which is evaluated and for which results are output. This multi-level modelling approach will be investigated within the framework aimed for the design automation with a feature-based model.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.343-362
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• 2018

A simplified spring connection modelling approach for steel flush endplate beam-to-column connections in fire has been developed to enable realistic behaviour of connections to be incorporated into full-scale frame analyses at elevated temperature. Due to its simplicity and reliability, the proposed approach permits full-scale high-temperature frame analysis to be conducted without high computational cost. The proposed simplified spring connection modelling approach has been used to investigate the influence of connection ductility (both axial and rotational) on frame behaviour in fire. 2D steel and 3D composite frames with a range of beam spans were modelled to aid the understanding of the differences in frame response in fire where the beam-to-column connections have different axial and rotational ductility assumptions. The modelling results highlight that adopting the conventional rigid or pinned connection assumptions does not permit the axial forces acting on the connections to be accurately predicted, since the axial ductility of the connection is completely neglected when the rotational ductility is either fully restrained or free. By accounting for realistic axial and rotational ductilities of beam-to-column connections, the frame response in fire can be predicted more accurately, which is advantageous in performance-based structural fire engineering design.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.359-373
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• 2008

The present parametric study deals with the meso-scale modelling of concrete subjected to cyclic compression, which exhibits hysteresis loops during unloading and reloading. Concrete is idealised as a two-dimensional three-phase composite made of aggregates, mortar and interfacial transition zones (ITZs). The meso-scale modelling approach relies on the hypothesis that the hysteresis loops are caused by localised permanent displacements, which result in nonlinear fracture processes during unloading and reloading. A parametric study is carried out to investigate how aggregate density and size, amount of permanent displacements in the ITZ and the mortar, and the ITZ strength influence the hysteresis loops obtained with the meso-scale modelling approach.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

This paper proposes a new numerical approach to model geocell reinforced soils, where the geocell is described as membrane elements and the complex interaction between geocell and soil is realized by coupling their degrees of freedom. The effectiveness and robustness of this approach are demonstrated using two examples, i.e., a geocell-reinforced foundation and a large scale retaining wall project. The first example validates the approach against established solutions through a comprehensive parametrical study to understand the influence of geocell on the improvement of bearing capacity of foundations. The study results show that reducing the geocell pocket size has a strong effect on improving the bearing capacity. In addition, when the aspect ratio maintains the same value, the bearing capacity improvement with increasing geocell height is insignificant. Comparing with the field monitoring and measurement in the project, the second example investigates the application of the approach to practical engineering projects. This paper provides a practically feasible and efficient modelling approach, where no explicit interface or contact is required. This allows geocell reinforced soils in large scale project can be effectively modelled where the mechanism for complex geocell-soil interaction can be explicitly observed.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.10 no.4_5
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• pp.485-499
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• 2012

Mode shape expansion is useful in structural dynamic studies such as vibration based structural health monitoring; however most existing expansion methods can not consider the modelling errors in the finite element model and the measurement uncertainty in the modal properties identified from vibration data. This paper presents a reliable approach for expanding mode shapes with consideration of both the errors in analytical model and noise in measured modal data. The proposed approach takes the perturbed force as an unknown vector that contains the discrepancies in structural parameters between the analytical model and tested structure. A regularisation algorithm based on the Tikhonov solution incorporating the L-curve criterion is adopted to reduce the influence of measurement uncertainties and to produce smooth and optimised expansion estimates in the least squares sense. The Canton Tower benchmark problem established by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is then utilised to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed expansion approach to the actual structure. The results from the benchmark problem studies show that the proposed approach can provide reliable predictions of mode shape expansion using only limited information on the operational modal data identified from the recorded ambient vibration measurements.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.223-236
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• 2017

Seismic assessment and rehabilitation of Monumental Buildings constitute an important issue in many regions around the world to preserve cultural heritage. On the contrary, many recent earthquakes have demonstrated the high vulnerability of this type of structures. The high nonlinear masonry behaviour requires ad hoc refined finite element numerical models, whose complexity and computational costs are generally unsuitable for practical applications. For these reasons, several authors proposed simplified numerical strategies to be used in engineering practice. However, most of these alternative methods are oversimplified being based on the assumption of in-plane behaviour of masonry walls. Moreover, they cannot be used for modelling the monumental structures for which the interaction between plane and out-plane behaviour governs the structural response. Recently, an innovative discrete-modelling approach for the simulation of both in-plane and out of-plane response of masonry structures was proposed and applied to study several typologies of historic structures. In this paper the latter model is applied with reference to a real case study, and numerically compared with an advanced finite element modelling. The method is applied to the St.Venerio church in Reggiolo (Italy), damaged during the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake and numerically investigated in the literature.