• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.351-367
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• 2005

Multi-span beams carrying multiple point masses are widely used in engineering applications, but the literature for free vibration analysis of such structural systems is much less than that of single-span beams. The complexity of analytical expressions should be one of the main reasons for the last phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to utilize the numerical assembly method (NAM) to determine the exact natural frequencies and mode shapes of a multi-span uniform beam carrying multiple point masses. First, the coefficient matrices for an intermediate pinned support, an intermediate point mass, left-end support and right-end support of a uniform beam are derived. Next, the overall coefficient matrix for the whole structural system is obtained using the numerical assembly technique of the finite element method. Finally, the natural frequencies and the associated mode shapes of the vibrating system are determined by equating the determinant of the last overall coefficient matrix to zero and substituting the corresponding values of integration constants into the related eigenfunctions respectively. The effects of in-span pinned supports and point masses on the free vibration characteristics of the beam are also studied.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.107-122
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• 2024

Following an internal column failure, adjacent double-span beams above the failed column will play a critical role in the load transfer and internal force redistribution within the remaining structure, and the span-to-depth ratios of double-span beams significantly influence the structural resistance capacity against progressive collapse. Most existing studies have focused on the collapse-resistant performances of single-story symmetric structures, whereas limited published works are available on the collapse resistances of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. To this end, in this study, numerical models based on shell elements were employed to investigate the structural behavior of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. The simulation models were validated using the previous experimental results obtained for single- and two-story steel frames, and the load-displacement responses and internal force development of unequal-span three-story steel frames under three cases were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, the specific contributions of the different mechanism resistances of unequal-span, double-span beams of each story were separated quantitatively using the energy equilibrium theory, with an aim to gain a deeper level of understanding of the load-resistance mechanisms in the unequal-span steel frames. The results showed that the axial and flexural mechanism resistances were determined by the span ratio and linear stiffness ratio of double-span beams, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.315-320
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• 2000

An investigation and structural safety analysis was conducted to get the basic data for establishing maintenance strategy of pipe framed greenhouses. The number of greenhouses investigated was 108 in total. Most multi-span greenhouses had narrower width and lower height than the standard 1-2W greenhouse, and most of single-span greenhouses were tunnel type. In multi-span greenhouses, the size and interval of frameworks such as rafter, purline, column, and cross beam were mostly suitable, but frameworks of single-span greenhouses were mostly insufficient.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.313-328
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• 2001

A multi-span bridge has the peak value of resultant girder moment or membrane stress at the interior support. In this paper, the spline finite strip method (FSM) is modified to obtain the more appropriate solution at the interior support where the peak values of solution exist. The modification has been achieved by expressing the shape function with non-periodic B-splines which have multiple knots at the boundary. The modified B-splines have the useful feature for interpolating the curve with sudden change in curvature. Moreover, the modified spline FSM is very efficient in analyzing multi-span box girder bridges, since a bridge can be modeled by an assembly of strips extended along the entire bridge length. Numerical examples of the bridge analysis have been performed to verify the efficiency and accuracy of the new spline FSM.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.283-291
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• 2019

Accurately determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a structural floor is an essential step to assess the floor's human-induced vibration serviceability. In the theoretical analysis, the prestressed concrete floor can be idealized as a multi-span continuous anisotropic plate. This paper presents a new analytical approach to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a multi-span continuous orthotropic plate. The suggested approach is based on the combined modal and perturbation method, which differs from other approaches as it decomposes the admissible functions defining the mode shapes by considering the intermodal coupling. The implementation of this technique is simple, requiring no tedious mathematical calculations. The perturbation solution is validated with the numerical results.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.669-677
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• 2011

The multi-span suspension bridge generally has more than three towers and two main spans. To economically and effectively design a multi-span suspension bridge, the proper stiffness ratio of the center tower to the side tower must be determined. This study was conducted to propose a method of figuring out briefly the structural behavior of the towers in a multi-span suspension bridge. In the equivalent suspension bridge model, the main cable of the multi-span suspension bridge is idealized as an equivalent cable spring, and the external loads of horizontal and vertical forces that were calculated using the tensile forces of the main cable were applied on top of the towers. The equilibrium equations of the equivalent multi-span suspension bridge model were derived and the equations were solved via nonlinear analysis. To verify the proposed method, a sample four-span suspension bridge with a main span length of 3,000 m was analyzed using thefinite element method. The displacements and moment reactions of each tower in the proposed method were compared with the FEM analysis results. Consequently, the results of the analysis of the equivalent suspension bridge model tended to be consistent with the results of the FEM analysis.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2016

This paper proposes a method to determine the initial equilibrium state of cable members for preliminary analysis of multi-span suspension bridge under dead load. The proposed method is simpler and more practical than the previous methods used in other studies. The proposed method can be applied to three-span or multi-span suspension bridges. To verify the proposed method, an three-span model as well as four-span models such as New Millenium Bridge in Korea and Yingwuzhou Bridge in China are analyzed. In the verification results, the initial coordinates and tensions of the members calculated by the proposed method are good agreement with those in the previous study for the three-span model and those in the design data of New Millenium Bridge. In addition, the proposed method gives the initial values to keep the initial configuration of Yingwuzhou Bridge.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.583-593
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• 2018

Seismic performance is particularly important for life-line structures, especially for long-span transmission tower line system subjected to multi-component ground motions. However, the influence of multi-component seismic loads and the coupling effect between supporting towers and transmission lines are not taken into consideration in the current seismic design specifications. In this research, shake table tests are conducted to investigate the performance of long-span transmission tower-line system under multi-component seismic excitations. For reproducing the genuine structural responses, the reduced-scale experimental model of the prototype is designed and constructed based on the Buckingham's theorem. And three commonly used seismic records are selected as the input ground motions according to the site soil condition of supporting towers. In order to compare the experimental results, the dynamic responses of transmission tower-line system subjected to single-component and two-component ground motions are also studied using shake table tests. Furthermore, an empirical model is proposed to evaluate the acceleration and member stress responses of transmission tower-line system subjected to multi-component ground motions. The results demonstrate that the ground motions with multi-components can amplify the dynamic response of transmission tower-line system, and transmission lines have a significant influence on the structural response and should not be neglected in seismic analysis. The experimental results can provide a reference for the seismic design and analysis of long-span transmission tower-line system subjected to multi-component ground motions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.6
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• pp.641-649
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• 2020

The determination of midtower longitudinal stiffness has become an essential component in the preliminary design of multi-tower suspension bridges. For a specific multi-tower suspension bridge, the midtower longitudinal stiffness must be controlled within a certain range to meet the requirements of sliding resistance coefficient and deflection-to-span ratio. This study presents a numerical method to divide different types of midtower and determine rational range of longitudinal stiffness for rigid midtower. In this method, influence curves of midtower longitudinal stiffness on sliding resistance coefficient and maximum vertical deflection-to-span ratio are first obtained from the finite element analysis. Then, different types of midtower are divided based on the regression analysis of influence curves. Finally, rational range for longitudinal stiffness of rigid midtower is derived. The Oujiang River North Estuary Bridge which is a three-tower four-span suspension bridge with two main spans of 800m under construction in China is selected as the subject of this study. This will be the first three-tower four-span suspension bridge with steel truss girders and concrete midtower in the world. The proposed method provides an effective and feasible tool for engineers to design midtower of multi-tower suspension bridges.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.253-267
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• 2023

The bearing capacities resisted by the two-bay beams of multi-story planar frames with unequal spans under column removal scenarios differ considerably owing to the asymmetric stress on the left and right beams connected to the failed column and cause the potential for beams with larger span-to-depth ratios to be unable to exert effectively, which is disadvantageous for resisting the vertical load in unequal-span frame structures. To address this problem, the structural measure of adding braces to the weak bays of multi-story unequal-span frames was proposed, with the objective of achieving a coordinated stress state in two-bay beams with unequal spans, thereby improving the collapse resistance of unequal-span frame structures. Before conducting the numerical simulation, the modeling methods were verified by previous experimental results of two multi-story planar frames with and without steel braces. Thereafter, the effects of the tensile and compressive braces on the collapse behavior of the frame structures were elucidated. Then, based on the mechanical action laws of the braces throughout the collapse process, a detailed design method for improving the collapse resistance of unequal-span frame structures was proposed. Finally, the proposed design method was verified by using sufficient example models, and the results demonstrated that the design method has good application prospects and high practical value.