• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.657-668
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• 2001

Fiber reinforced cementitious composites are nowadays widely applied in civil engineering. The postcracking performance of this material depends on the interaction between a steel fiber, which is obliquely across a crack, and its surrounding matrix. While the partly debonded steel fiber is subjected to pulling out from the matrix and simultaneously subjected to transverse force, it may be modelled as a Bernoulli-Euler beam partly supported on an elastic foundation with non-linearly varying modulus. The fiber bridging the crack may be cut into two parts to simplify the problem (Leung and Li 1992). To obtain the transverse displacement at the cut end of the fiber (Fig. 1), it is convenient to directly solve the corresponding differential equation. At the first glance, it is a classical beam on foundation problem. However, the differential equation is not analytically solvable due to the non-linear distribution of the foundation stiffness. Moreover, since the second order deformation effect is included, the boundary conditions become complex and hence conventional numerical tools such as the spline or difference methods may not be sufficient. In this study, moment equilibrium is the basis for formulation of the fundamental differential equation for the beam (Timoshenko 1956). For the cantilever part of the beam, direct integration is performed. For the non-linearly supported part, a transformation is carried out to reduce the higher order differential equation into one order simultaneous equations. The Runge-Kutta technique is employed for the solution within the boundary domain. Finally, multi-dimensional optimization approaches are carefully tested and applied to find the boundary values that are of interest. The numerical solution procedure is demonstrated to be stable and convergent.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.31 no.4 s.117
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

A torsional damper comprised of two stage pre-dampers was used to reduce the rattle noise generated in the PTO gear box of a direct engine-PTO driveline of agricultural tractors. It was designed and mounted to the engine flywheel to reduce the torque fluctuation-induced speed variations at the driving gears in the PTO gearbox, which were found to be main cause of the rattle noise. The effects of a hysteresis torque and a torsional stiffness of the damper on the speed variation were analyzed using an 11 degree of freedom non-linear model of the damped PTO driveline. The torsional damper was represented by a single degree of freedom model with 7 parameters. Under a constant hysteresis torque, velocity variation was reduced with decrease in the torsional stiffness of the damper. The velocity variation was also decreased with decrease in the hysteresis torque under a constant torsional stiffness. Optimum values of the torsional stiffness and hysteresis torque were obtained by the model simulation for the PTO driveline under the study. When the optimum values of the damper were used, the sound pressure level of the rattle noise was reduced by 81%, resulting in a reduction of 15dB(A). The optimum damper also reduced the engine speed variation, resulting in a reduction of 80% at the driving gears in the PTO gearbox. The torsional damper showed a good performance in reducing the rattle noise caused by the speed variation in the direct engine-PTO driveline.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2012

A double split tee connection is used as a connection that is suitable for ordinary moment frames or special moment frames according to the combination of variables of the thickness of the T-stub flange and the gauge distance of the high-strength bolts. In order to demonstrate safe structural behavior, a double split tee connection must meet the requirements for inter-story drift angles and the moment of connection, as defined in the Korea Building Code-Structural. In order to determine whether the these requirements are met, it is necessary to predict rotational stiffness and the ultimate plastic moment of the connection. Therefore, this study primarily aimed to propose an analytical model for predicting the rotational stiffness of a double split tee connection under a static load. Toward this end, a three-dimensional, non-linear finite element analysis was carried out. Then, the applicability of the proposed model was verified after comparing the test results of this study with other studies.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.349-366
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• 2009

The composite slim beam has become popular throughout Europe in recent years and has also been used on some projects in China. With its steel section encased in a concrete slab, the steel-concrete composite slim beam can provide the floor construction with minimum depth and high fire resistance. However, the design method of the T-shape steel-concrete composite beam is no longer applicable to the composite slim beam with deep deck for its special construction, of which the present design models are not available but mainly depend on experiences. The elevation of the flexural stiffness and bending capacity of composite slim beams with deep deck is rather complicated, because the influences of many factors should be taken into account, such as the variable section dimensions, development of cracks and non-linear characteristics of concrete, etc. In this paper, experimental investigations have been conducted into the flexural behavior of two specimens of simply supported composite slim beam with deep deck. The emphases were laid on the bonding force on the interface between steel beam and concrete, the stress distribution of beam section, the flexural stiffness and bending capacity of the composite beams. Based on the experimental results, the reduction factor of equivalent stress distribution in concrete flange is suggested, and the calculation method of flexural stiffness and bending capacity of simply supported slim beams are proposed.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.93-106
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• 2021

In general, segment lining tunnel refers to a tunnel formed by connecting precast concrete segments as a ring and connecting such rings to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tunnel. As the structural properties of the segment lining is highly dependent on the behavior of the segment joints, thus correct modelling of joint behavior is crucial to understand and design the segment tunnel lining. When the tunnel is subjected to ground loads, the segment joint behaves like a hinge that resists rotation, and when the induced moment exceeds a certain limit of the rotation then it may enter into non-linear field. In understanding the effect of the segment joint on the lining behavior, a moment-rotation relationship of the segment joint was explored based on the Japanese practice and Janssen's approach commonly used in the actual design. This study also presents a method to determine the rotational stiffness of joint refer to the bearing strength. The rotation of the segment joint was estimated in virtual design conditions based on the existing models and the proposed method. And the sectional force of the segment lining and joint were calculated along with the estimated rotation. As the rotation at the segment joint increases, the joint contact area decreases, so the designer have to verify the segment joint for bearing strength as well. This paper suggests a consistent method to determine the rotational stiffness and bearing strength of joints.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.439-455
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• 2018

Within a probabilistic framework, this paper addresses the determination of the static structural response of beams and frames with partially restrained (semi-rigid) connections. The flexibility of the nodal connections is incorporated via an idealized linear-elastic behavior of the beam constraints through the use of rotational springs, which are here considered uncertain for taking into account the largely scattered results observed in experimental findings. The analysis is conducted via the Probabilistic Transformation Method, by modelling the spring stiffness terms (or equivalently, the fixity factors of the beam) as uniformly distributed random variables. The limit values of the Eurocode 3 fixity factors for steel semi-rigid connections are assumed. The exact probability density function of a few indicators of the structural response is derived and discussed in order to identify to what extent the uncertainty of the beam constraints affects the resulting beam response. Some design considerations arise which point out the paramount importance of probability-based approaches whenever a comprehensive experimental background regarding the stiffness of the beam connection is lacking, for example in steel frames with semi-rigid connections or in precast reinforced concrete framed structures. Indeed, it is demonstrated that resorting to deterministic approaches may lead to misleading (and in some cases non-conservative) outcomes from a design viewpoint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.623-643
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• 2013

Concrete filled steel tubular members (CFST) become a popular choice for modern building construction due to their numerous structural benefits and at the same time aging of those structures and member deterioration are often reported. Therefore, actions like implement of new materials and strengthening techniques become essential to combat this problem. The application of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) with concrete structures has been widely reported whereas researches related to strengthening of steel structures using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) have been limited. The main objective of this study is to experimentally investigate the suitability of CFRP to strengthening of CFST members under flexure. There were three wrapping schemes such as Full wrapping at the bottom (fibre bonded throughout entire length of beam), U-wrapping (fibre bonded at the bottom throughout entire length and extended upto neutral axis) and Partial wrapping (fibre bonded in between loading points at the bottom) introduced. Beams strengthened by U-wrapping exhibited more enhancements in moment carrying capacity and stiffness compared to the beams strengthened by other wrapping schemes. The beams of partial wrapping exhibited delamination of fibre and were failed even before attaining the ultimate load of control beam. The test results showed that the presence of CFRP in the outer limits was significantly enhanced the moment carrying capacity and stiffness of the beam. Also, a non linear finite element model was developed using the software ANSYS 12.0 to validate the analytical results such as load-deformation and the corresponding failure modes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.267-282
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• 2013

This paper presents the behavior and design of axially loaded normal and steel fiber reinforced concrete in-filled steel tube (SFRCFT) columns, to examine the contribution of steel fibers on the compressive strength of the composite columns. Non-linear finite element analysis model (FEA) using ANSYS software has been developed and used in the analysis. The confinement effect provided by the steel tube is considered in the analysis. Comparisons of the analytical model results, along with other available experimental outputs from literature have been done to verify the structural model. The compressive strength and stiffness of SFRC composite columns were discussed, and the interpretation of the FEA model results has indicated that, the use of SFRC as infill material has a considerable effect on the strength and stiffness of the composite column. The analytical model results were compared with the existing design methods of composite columns - (EC4, AISC/LRFD and the Egyptian code of Practice for Steel Construction, ECPSC/LRFD). The comparison indicated that, the results of the FEA model were evaluated to an acceptable limit of accuracy. The code design equations were modified to introduce the steel fiber effect and compared with the results of the FEA model for verification.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.153-177
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• 2013

Pendulums can be used as passive vibration control devices in several structures and machines. In the present work, the nonlinear behavior of a pendulum-tower system is studied. The tower is modeled as a bar with variable cross-section with concentrated masses. First, the vibration modes and frequencies of the tower are obtained analytically. The primary structure and absorber together constitute a coupled system which is discretized as a two degrees of freedom nonlinear system, using the normalized eigenfunctions and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The analysis shows the influence of the geometric nonlinearity of the pendulum absorber on the response of the tower. A parametric analysis also shows that, with an appropriate choice of the absorber parameters, a pendulum can decrease the vibration amplitudes of the tower in the main resonance region. The results also show that the pendulum nonlinearity cannot be neglected in this type of problem, leading to multiplicity of solutions, dynamic jumps and instability. In order to improve the effectiveness of the control during the transient response, a hybrid control system is suggested. The added control force is implemented as a non-linear variable stiffness device based on position and velocity feedback. The obtained results show that this strategy of nonlinear control is attractive, has a good potential and can be used to minimize the response of slender structures under various types of excitation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.285-302
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• 2017

Buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) are commonly used as the lateral force-resisting systems in building structures in the seismic regions. The nearly-symmetric hysteretic response and the delayed brace core fracture of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) under the axial cyclic loading provide the adequate lateral force and deformation capacity to BRBFs under the earthquake excitation. However, the smaller axial stiffness of BRBs result in the undesirable higher residual drift response of BRBFs in the post-earthquake scenario. Two alternative approaches are investigated in this study to improve the elastic axial stiffness of BRBs, namely, (i) by shortening the yielding cores of BRBs; and (ii) by reducing the BRB assemblies and adding the elastic brace segments in series. In order to obtain the limiting yielding core lengths of BRBs, a modified approach based on Coffin-Manson relationship and the higher mode compression buckling criteria has been proposed in this study. Both non-linear static and dynamic analyses are carried out to analytically evaluate the seismic response of BRBFs fitted with short-core BRBs of two medium-rise building frames. Analysis results showed that the proposed brace systems are effective in reducing the inter-story and residual drift response of braced frames without any significant change in the story shear and the displacement ductility demands.