• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-96
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• 2005

For the spatially coupled free vibration analysis of shear deformable thin-walled non-symmetric curved beam subjected to initial axial force, an exact dynamic element stiffness matrix of curved beam is evaluated. Firstly equations of motion and force-deformation relations are rigorously derived from the total potential energy for a curved beam element. Next a system of linear algebraic equations are constructed by introducing 14 displacement parameters and transforming the second order simultaneous differential equations into the first order simultaneous differential equations. And then explicit expressions for displacement parameters are numerically evaluated via eigensolutions and the exact $14{\times}14$ dynamic element stiffness matrix is determined using force-deformation relations. To demonstrate the accuracy and the reliability of this study, the spatially coupled natural frequencies of shear deformable thin-walled non-symmetric curved beams subjected to initial axial forces are evaluated and compared with analytical and FE solutions using isoparametric and Hermitian curved beam elements and results by ABAQUS's shell elements.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.731-744
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• 2004

Modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI) technique has become very popular for computation of strain energy release rate (SERR) and stress intensity factor (SIF) for 2-D crack problems. The objective of this paper is to propose a numerical integration procedure for MVCCI so as to generalize the technique and make its application much wider. This new procedure called as numerically integrated MVCCI (NI-MVCCI) will remove the dependence of MVCCI equations on the type of finite element employed in the basic stress analysis. Numerical studies on fracture analysis of 2-D crack (mode I and II) problems have been conducted by employing 4-noded, 8-noded (regular & quarter-point), 9-noded and 12-noded finite elements. For non-singular (regular) elements at crack tip, NI-MVCCI technique generates the same results as MVCCI, but the advantage for higher order regular and singular elements is that complex equations for MVCCI need not be derived. Gauss numerical integration rule to be employed for 8-noded singular (quarter-point) element for accurate computation of SERR and SIF has been recommended based on the numerical studies.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.229-239
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• 2018

Under strong ground motion, pounding can be caused because of the different dynamic properties between two adjacent buildings. Using different structural systems in two adjacent structures makes a difference in the lateral stiffness and thus changes the pounding force between them. In this paper, the effect of the structural system of adjacent buildings on the amount of force applied by pounding effects has been investigated. Moment resisting frame systems (MRFs), lateral X-bracing system (LBS), shear wall system (SWS) and dual system (DS) have been investigated. Four different cases has been modelled using finite element (FE) method. The number of stories of the two adjacent buildings is different in each case: case 1 with 6 and 4 stories, case 2 with 9 and 6 stories, case 3 with 15 and 6 stories and case 4 with 10 and 10 stories. The structures have been modelled three-dimensionally. Non-linear time history analysis has been done on the structures using the finite element software SAP2000. In order to model pounding effects, the non-linear gap elements have been used.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.525-535
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• 2019

The seismic performance of steel frames equipped with a particular type of bending dissipative braces (BDBs) having U elements, which has recently been introduced and tested by the authors, is investigated. For this purpose, two structural systems, i.e., simple and dual steel building frames, both with diagonal BDBs and different number of stories, are considered. After providing a design method of this new BDB, the detailed structural models are developed in the OpenSees platform to perform nonlinear dynamic analyses. Seismic performance factors like ductility, overstrength, response modification and deflection amplification factors are calculated using incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). In addition, to assess the damage probability of the structural models, their seismic fragilities are developed. The results show high energy dissipation capacity of both structural systems while the number of U elements needed for the bracing system of each story in the moment frames are less than those in the corresponding non-moment (simple) frames. The average response modification and deflection amplification factors for both structural schemes are obtained about 8.6 and 5.4, respectively, which are slightly larger than the corresponding recommended values of ASCE for the typical buckling-restrained braces (BRBs).

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.8
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• pp.841-856
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• 1998

During the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu Earthquake, a reinforced concrete building, called Jeunesse Rokko, suffered intermediate damage by forming a beam-yielding (weak-beam strong-column) mechanism, which has been regarded as the most desirable earthquake resisting mechanism throughout the world. High cost to repair damage at many beam ends and poor appearance expected after the repair work made the owner decide to tear down the building. Nonlinear earthquake response analyses were conducted to simulate the behavior of the building during the earthquake. The influence of non-structural members was considered in the analysis. The calculated results were compared with the observed damage, especially the location of yield hinges and compression failure of spandrel beams, and the degree of cracking in columns and in column-girder connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1581-1598
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• 2015

A concentric braced steel frame is a very efficient structural system because it requires relatively smaller amount of materials to resist lateral forces. However, primarily developed as a structural system to resist wind loads based on an assumption that the structure behaves elastically, a concentric braced frame possibly experiences the deterioration in energy dissipation after brace buckling and the brittle failure of braces and connections when earthquake loads cause inelastic behavior. Consequently, plastic deformation is concentrated in the floor where brace buckling occurs first, which can lead to the rupture of the structure. This study suggests reinforcing H-shaped braces with non-welded cold-formed stiffeners to restrain flexure and buckling and resist tensile force and compressive force equally. Weak-axis reinforcing members (2 pieces) developed from those suggested in previous studies (4 pieces) were used to reinforce the H-shaped braces in an inverted V-type braced frame. Monotonic loading tests, finite element analysis and cyclic loading tests were carried out to evaluate the structural performance of the reinforced braces and frames. The reinforced braces satisfied the AISC requirement. The reinforcement suggested in this study is expected to prevent the rupture of beams caused by the unbalanced resistance of the braces.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.27-34
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• 1998

A versatile flat shell element has been developed by combining a membrane element with drilling degree-of-freedom and a plate bending element. This element is formulated by the enhanced displacement field with the additional non-conforming displacement modes. Thus the element possesses six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) per node which permits an easy connection to other six DOF elements as well as the improvement of the element behavior. In plate bending part, this element is established by the combined use of the addition of non-conforming modes, the reduced (or selective) integration scheme, and the construction of the substitute shear strain fields. The achieved improvement may be attributable to the fact that the merits of these individual techniques are merged into the new element in a complementary manner. In membrane part, this element shows better membrane behavior as the nonconforming displacement mode is added to drilling mode.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.335-342
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• 2002

A continuum-based design sensitivity analysis (DSA) method fur non-shape problems is developed for geometrically nonlinear elastic structures. The non-shape problem is characterized by the design variables that are not associated with the domain of system like sizing, material property, loading, and so on. Total Lagrangian formulation with the Green-Lagrange strain and the second Piola-Kirchhoff stress is employed to describe the geometrically nonlinear structures. The spatial domain is discretized using the 4-node isoparametric plane stress/strain elements. The resulting nonlinear system is solved using the Newton-Raphson iterative method. To take advantage of the derived analytical sensitivity In topology optimization, a fast and efficient design sensitivity analysis method, adjoint variable method, is employed and the material property of each element is selected as non-shape design variable. Combining the design sensitivity analysis method and a gradient-based design optimization algorithm, an automated design optimization method is developed. The comparison of the analytical sensitivity with the finite difference results shows excellent agreement. Also application to the topology design optimization problem suggests a very good insight for the layout design.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.611-619
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• 2018

This paper addresses numerical modeling and nonlinear analysis of unreinforced masonry walls and vaults externally strengthened using fiber reinforced polymers (FRP). The aim of the research is to provide a simple method for design of strengthening interventions for masonry arched structures while considering the nonlinear behavior. Several brick masonry walls and vaults externally strengthened by FRP which have been previously tested experimentally are modeled using finite elements. Numerical modeling and nonlinear analysis are performed using commercial software. Description of the modeling, material characterization and solution parameters are given. The obtained numerical results demonstrate that externally applied FRP strengthening increased the ultimate capacity of the walls and vaults and improved their failure mode. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimentally obtained ultimate failure load, maximum displacement and crack pattern; which demonstrates the capability of the proposed modeling scheme to simulate efficiently the actual behavior of FRP-strengthened masonry elements. Application is made on a historic masonry dome and the numerical analysis managed to explain its structural behavior before and after strengthening. The modeling approach may thus be regarded a practical and valid tool for design of strengthening interventions for contemporary or historic unreinforced masonry elements using externally bonded FRP.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.9-16
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• 1995

A new three-dimensional transition solid element with drilling degrees of freedom is presented. The proposed transition element is established by adding variable nodes to a basic 8-node element for an effective connection between the refined region and the coarse. The derivation of the element in this paper is based on the variational principles in which the drilling rotations are introduced as independent variables. This element was also improved through the addition of modified non-conforming modes. Numerical examples show that performance of the element and the applicability to 3D adaptations are satisfactory.