• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 2018

The present study focuses on the performance of basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) lining in tunnel situated in sandstone rock when subjected to internal blast loading. The blast analysis of the lined tunnel is carried out using the three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear finite element (FE) method. The stress-strain response of the sandstone rock is simulated using a crushable plasticity model which can simulate the brittle behavior of rock and that of BFRC lining is analyzed using a damaged plasticity model for concrete capturing damage response. The strain rate dependent material properties of BFRC are collected from the literature and that of rock are taken from the authors' previous work using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The constitutive model performance is validated through the FE simulation of SHPB test and the comparison of simulation results with the experimental data. Further, blast loading in the tunnel is simulated for 10 kg and 50 kg Trinitrotoluene (TNT) charge weights using the equivalent pressure-time curves obtained through hydrocode simulations. The analysis results are studied for the stress and displacement response of rock and tunnel lining. Blast performance of BFRC lining is compared with that of plain concrete (PC) and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) lining materials. It is observed that the BFRC lining exhibits almost 65% lesser displacement as compared to PC and 30% lesser displacement as compared to SFRC tunnel linings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.347-360
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• 2017

The goal of this study is to fill this apparent gap in the area about vibration analysis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) curved panels by providing 3-D vibration analysis results for functionally graded multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FG-MWCNTs) sandwich structure with power-law distribution of nanotube. The effective material properties of the FG-MWCNT structures are estimated using a modified Halpin-Tsai equation. Modified Halpin-Tsai equation was used to evaluate the Young's modulus of MWCNT/epoxy composite samples by the incorporation of an orientation as well as an exponential shape factor in the equation. The exponential shape factor modifies the Halpin-Tsai equation from expressing a straight line to a nonlinear one in the MWCNTs wt% range considered. Also, the mass density and Poisson's ratio of the MWCNT/phenolic composite are considered based on the rule of mixtures. Parametric studies are carried out to highlight the influence of MWCNT volume fraction in the thickness, different types of CNT distribution, boundary conditions and geometrical parameters on vibrational behavior of FG-MWCNT thick curved panels. Because of using two-dimensional generalized differential quadrature method, the present approach makes possible vibration analysis of cylindrical panels with two opposite axial edges simply supported and arbitrary boundary conditions including Free, Simply supported and Clamped at the curved edges. For an overall comprehension on 3-D vibration analysis of sandwich panel, some mode shape contour plots are reported in this research work.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.419-432
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• 2023

This paper studies the effects of porosity distributions on buckling and post-buckling behaviors of a functionally graded saturated porous (FGSP) circular plate. The plate is under the uniformly distributed radial loading and simply supported and clamped boundary conditions. Pores are saturated with compressible fluid (e.g., gases) that cannot escape from the porous solid. Elastic modulus is assumed to vary continuously through the thickness according to three different functions corresponding to three different cases of porosity distributions, including monotonous, symmetric, and asymmetric cases. Governing equations are derived utilizing the classical plate theory and Sanders nonlinear strain-displacement relations, and they are solved numerically via shooting method. Results are verified with the known results in the literature. The obtained results for the monotonous and symmetric cases with the asymmetric case presented in the literature are shown in comparative figures. Effects of the poroelastic material parameters, boundary conditions, and thickness change on the post-buckling behavior of the plate are discussed in details. The results reveal that buckling and post-buckling behaviors of the plate in the monotonous and symmetric cases differ from the asymmetric case, especially in small deflections, that asymmetric distribution of elastic moduli can be the cause.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.207-224
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• 2022

The mechanical behavior of prestressed concrete haunched beams (PSHBs) was investigated in depth using a finite element modeling technique in this study. The efficiency of finite element modeling was investigated in the first stage by taking into account a previous study from the literature. The first stage's findings suggested that finite element modeling might be preferable for modeling PSHBs. In the second stage of the research, a comprehensive parametric study was carried out to determine the effect of each parameter on PSHB load capacity, including haunch angle, prestress level, compressive strength, tensile reinforcement ratio, and shear span to depth ratio. PSHBs and prestressed concrete rectangular beams (PSRBs) were also compared in terms of capacity. Stochastic analysis was used in the third stage to define the uncertainty in PSHB capacity by taking into account uncertainty in geometric and material parameters. Standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and the most appropriate probability density function (PDF) were proposed as a result of the analysis to define the randomness of capacity of PSHBs. In the study's final section, a new equation was proposed for using symbolic regression to predict the load capacity of PSHBs and PSRBs. The equation's statistical results show that it can be used to calculate the capacity of PSHBs and PSRBs.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.431-446
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• 2017

As concrete is most usable material in construction industry it's been required to improve its quality. Nowadays, nanotechnology offers the possibility of great advances in construction. In this study, buckling of horizontal concrete columns reinforced with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is analyzed. Due to the presence of ZnO nanoparticles which have piezoelectric properties, the structure is subjected to electric field for intelligent control. The Column is located in foundation with vertical springs and shear modulus constants. Sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory (SSDBT) is applied to model the structure mathematically. Micro-electro-mechanic model is utilized for obtaining the equivalent properties of system. Using the nonlinear stress-strain relation, energy method and Hamilton's principal, the motion equations are derived. The buckling load of the column is calculated by Difference quadrature method (DQM). The aim of this study is presenting a mathematical model to obtain the buckling load of structure as well as investigating the effect of nanotechnology and electric filed on the buckling behavior of structure. The results indicate that the negative external voltage applied to the structure, increases the stiffness and the buckling load of column. In addition, reinforcing the structure by ZnO nanoparticles, the buckling load of column is increased.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 2020

Castellated beams fabricated from standard I-sections are being used for several structural applications such as commercial and industrial buildings, multistory buildings, warehouses and portal frames in view of numerous advantages. The advantages include enhanced moment of inertia, stiffness, flexural resistance, reduction in weight of structure, by passing the used plate girders, the passage of service through the web openings etc. In the present study, experimental and numerical investigations were carried out on concrete encased steel castellated beams with hexagonal openings under flexural loading. Various positions of openings such as along the neutral axis, above the neutral axis and below the neutral axis were considered for the study. From the experimental findings, it has been observed that the load-carrying capacity of the castellated beam with web opening above neutral axis is found to be higher compared to other configurations. Nonlinear finite element analysis was performed by using general purpose finite element software ABAQUS considering the material nonlinearities. Concrete damage plasticity model was employed to model the nonlinearity of concrete and elasto-plastic model for steel. It has been observed that FE model could able to capture the behaviour of concrete encased steel castellated beams and the predicted values are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental values.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.147-161
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• 2006

Recent developments in fractal theory suggest that fractal may provide a more realistic representation of characteristics of cementitious materials. In this paper, the roughness of fracture surfaces in cementitious material has been characterized by fractal theory. A systematic experimental investigation was carried out to examine the dependency of fracture parameters on the aggregate sizes as well as the loading rates. Three maximum aggregate sizes (4.76 mm, 12.7 mm, and 19.1 mm) and two loading rates (slow and fast loading rate) were used. A total of 25 compression tests and 25 tension tests were performed. All fracture parameters exhibited an increase, to varying degrees, when aggregates were added to the mortar matrix. The fracture surfaces of the specimens were digitized and analyzed. Results of the fractal analysis suggested that concrete fracture surfaces exhibit fractal characteristics, and the fractal geometry provide a useful tool for characterizing nonlinear fracture behavior of concrete. Fractal dimension D was monotonically increased as maximum aggregate sizes increase. A new fractal fracture model was developed which considers the size and shape of aggregate, and the crack paths in the constituent phases. Detailed analyses were given for four different types of fracture paths. The fractal fracture model can estimate fractal dimension for multiphase composites.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2002

Thermomechanical behavior and mechanical properties of A16061 matrix composite with shape memory alloy(SMA) fiber are studied by using fnite element analysis(FEA). The smartness of the SMA is given due to the shape memory effect of the TiNi fiber which generates compressive residual stress in the matrix material when healed after being prestrained. In this paper, an analytical model is assumed two dimentional axisymetric model of one fiber and around the matrix. To evaluate the strength of composite usig FEM, the concept of smart composite was simulated on computer. The Shape memory effect(SME) simulation is very difficult using FEM because of the nonlinear analysis and the elastic plastic analysis. Thus, in this paper, the FEA was carried out at two critical temperature conditions; room temperature and high temperature(363K). The analysis is compare the finite element analysis result with the test result for the analysis validity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.311-325
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• 2018

This article presents the bending analysis of FGM rectangular plates resting on non-uniform elastic foundations in thermal environment. Theoretical formulations are based on a recently developed refined shear deformation theory. The displacement field of the present theory is chosen based on nonlinear variations in the in-plane displacements through the thickness of the plate. The present theory satisfies the free transverse shear stress conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without using shear correction factor. Unlike the conventional trigonometric shear deformation theory, the present refined shear deformation theory contains only four unknowns as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The material properties of the functionally graded plates are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness, according to a simple power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. The elastic foundation is modeled as non-uniform foundation. The results of the shear deformation theories are compared together. Numerical examples cover the effects of the gradient index, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio and elastic foundation parameters on the thermo-mechanical behavior of functionally graded plates. Numerical results show that the present theory can archive accuracy comparable to the existing higher order shear deformation theories that contain more number of unknowns.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.657-668
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• 2017

In the most of previous studies, researchers have restricted their own studies to consider the effect of single walled carbon nanotubes as a reinforcement on the vibrational behavior of structures. In the present work, free vibration characteristics of functionally graded annular plates reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes resting on Pasternak foundation are presented. The response of the elastic medium is formulated by the Winkler/Pasternak model. Modified Halpin-Tsai equation was used to evaluate the Young's modulus of the multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy composite samples by the incorporation of an orientation as well as an exponential shape factor in the equation. The exponential shape factor modifies the Halpin-Tsai equation from expressing a straight line to a nonlinear one in the multi-walled carbon nanotubes wt% range considered. The 2-D generalized differential quadrature method as an efficient and accurate numerical tool is used to discretize the equations of motion and to implement the various boundary conditions. The effects of two-parameter elastic foundation modulus, geometrical and material parameters together with the boundary conditions on the frequency parameters of the plates are investigated. This study serves as a benchmark for assessing the validity of numerical methods or two-dimensional theories used to analysis of annular plates.