• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.67-86
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• 2020

The main goal of this study is to investigate the free vibration analysis of a large sag catenary with application to the jumper in hybrid riser system. The equation of motion is derived by using the variational method based on the virtual work principle. The finite element method is applied to evaluate the numerical solutions. The large sag catenary is utilized as an initial configuration for vibration analysis. The nonlinearity due to the large sag curvature of static configuration is taken into account in the element stiffness matrix. The natural frequencies of large sag catenary and their corresponding mode shapes are determined by solving the eigenvalue problem. The numerical examples of a large sag catenary jumpers are presented. The influences of bending rigidity and large sag shape on the free vibration behaviors of the catenary jumper are provided. The results indicate that the increase in sag reduces the jumper natural frequencies. The corresponding mode shapes of the jumper with large sag catenary shape are comprised of normal and tangential displacements. The large sag curvature including in the element stiffness matrix increases the natural frequency especially for a case of very large sag shape. Mostly, the mode shapes of jumper are dominated by the normal displacement, however, the tangential displacement significantly occurs around the lowest point of sag. The increase in degree of inclination of the catenary tends to increase the natural frequencies.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.279-301
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• 2008

This paper develops a 3D homogenization based continuum damage mechanics (HCDM) model for fiber reinforced composites undergoing micromechanical damage under monotonic and cyclic loading. Micromechanical damage in a representative volume element (RVE) of the material occurs by fiber-matrix interfacial debonding, which is incorporated in the model through a hysteretic bilinear cohesive zone model. The proposed model expresses a damage evolution surface in the strain space in the principal damage coordinate system or PDCS. PDCS enables the model to account for the effect of non-proportional load history. The loading/unloading criterion during cyclic loading is based on the scalar product of the strain increment and the normal to the damage surface in strain space. The material constitutive law involves a fourth order orthotropic tensor with stiffness characterized as a macroscopic internal variable. Three dimensional damage in composites is accounted for through functional forms of the fourth order damage tensor in terms of components of macroscopic strain and elastic stiffness tensors. The HCDM model parameters are calibrated from homogenization of micromechanical solutions of the RVE for a few representative strain histories. The proposed model is validated by comparing results of the HCDM model with pure micromechanical analysis results followed by homogenization. Finally, the potential of HCDM model as a design tool is demonstrated through macro-micro analysis of monotonic and cyclic damage progression in composite structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.321-332
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• 2020

The loss of composite action at the hogging moment zone for a continuous composite girder reduces the girder stiffness and strength. This paper presents an experimental investigation of the use of an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) slab at the hogging moment zone and a normal concrete (NC) slab at the sagging moment zone. The testing was conducted to verify the level of loading at which composite action is maintained at the hogging moment zone. Four two-span continuous composite girders were tested. The thickness of the UHPC varied between a half and a full depth of slab. The degree of shear connection at the hogging moment zone varied between full and partial. The experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of the UHPC slab to enhance the girder stiffness and maintain the composite action at the hogging moment zone at a load level much higher than the upper service load limit. To a lesser degree enhanced performance was also noted for the smaller thickness of the UHPC slab and partial shear connection at the hogging moment zone. Plastic analysis was conducted to evaluate the ultimate capacity of the girder which yielded a conservative estimation. Finite element (FE) modeling evaluated the girder performance numerically and yielded satisfactory results. The results indicated that composite action at the hogging moment zone is maintained for the degree of shear connection taken as 50% of the full composite action and use of UHPC as half depth of slab thickness.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1085-1103
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• 2016

The present paper is aimed to evaluate and compare the effective elastic properties of CNT- and graphene-based nanocomposites using 3-D nanoscale representative volume element (RVE) based on continuum mechanics using finite element method (FEM). Different periodic displacement boundary conditions are applied to the FEM model of the RVE to evaluate various elastic constants. The effects of the matrix material, the volume fraction and the length of reinforcements on the elastic properties are also studied. Results predicted are validated with the analytical and/or semiempirical results and the available results in the literature. Although all elastic stiffness properties of CNT- and graphene-based nanocomposites are found to be improved compared to the matrix material, but out-of-plane and in-plane stiffness properties are better improved in CNT- and graphene-based nanocomposites, respectively. It is also concluded that long nanofillers (graphene as well as CNT) are more effective in increasing the normal elastic moduli of the resulting nanocomposites as compared to the short length, but the values of shear moduli, except $G_{23}$ of CNT nanocomposite, of nanocomposites are slightly improved in the case of short length nanofillers (i.e., CNT and graphene).

• 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.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2010

This study proposes a lower-limb exoskeleton system that is controlled by a wearer's muscle activity. This system is designed by following procedure. First, analyze the muscle activation patterns of human leg while walking. Second, select the adequate actuator to support the human walking based on calculation of required force of knee joint for step walking. Third, unit type knee and ankle orthotics are integrated with selected actuator. Finally, using this knee-assistive system (KAS) and developed muscle stiffness sensors (MSS), the muscle activity pattern of the subject is analyzed while he is walking on the stair. This study proposes an operating algorithm of KAS based on command signal of MSS which is generated by motion intent of human. A healthy and normal subject walked while wearing the developed powered-knee exoskeleton on his/her knees, and measured effectively assisted plantar flexor strength of the subject's knees and those neighboring muscles. Finally, capabilities and feasibility of the KAS are evaluated by testing the adapted motor pattern and the EMG signal variance while walking with exoskeleton. These results shows that developed exoskeleton which controlled by muscle activity could help human's walking acceptably.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.2033-2048
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• 1992

This paper presents the theoretical development and qualitative evaluation of a new concept in the mathematical modeling of dynamic structures. We use both test data and analytical approximations to identify the parameters of an incomplete model. The model has the capability of predicting the response of the points of interest on the structure over the frequency range of interest and can be used to predict the changes in natural frequencies and normal modes due to structural changes. The theory was tested by running simulated tests on a relatively simple structure, identifying the parameters of the incomplete model, and using this model to predict the effects on frequency and mode shapes of several mass and stiffness changes. The conditions of the tests were varied by selecting different numbers of points of measurement, varying the frequency range, and by including assumed measurement error. It is recommended that the theoretical development be continued and that applications to more complex structures be carried out in order to develop a better understanding of the limitations and capabilities of the method. A successful, more definitive sevaluation could lead to immediate practical applications.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2020

The seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) columns made from high-strength materials was investigated experimentally. Six high-strength concrete specimen columns (1:4 scale), which included three with high-strength stirrups (HSSs) and three with normal-strength stirrups (NSSs), were tested under a combination of high axial and reversed cyclic loads. The effects of stirrup strength and the ratio of transverse reinforcement on the cracking patterns, hysteretic response, strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation and strain of transverse reinforcement were studied. The results indicate that good seismic behaviour of an RC column subjected to high axial compression can be obtained by using a well-shaped stirrup. Stirrup strength had little effect on the lateral bearing capacity. However, the ductility was significantly modified by improving the stirrup strength. When loaded with a large lateral displacement, the strength reduction of NSS specimens was more severe than that of those with HSSs, and increasing the stirrup strength had little effect on the stiffness reduction. The ductility and energy dissipation of specimens with HSSs were superior to those with NSSs. When the ultimate displacement was reached, the core concrete could be effectively restrained by HSSs.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.583-590
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• 2018

Nowadays, many tunnels have been commissioned for several decades, which require effective inspection methods to assess their health conditions. The ambient vibration test has been widely adopted for the damage identification of concrete structures. In this study, the vibration characters of tunnel lining shells built with forepoling method was analyzed based on the analytical solutions of the Donnell-Mushtari shell theory. The broken rock, foreploing, rock-concrete contacts between rock mass and concrete lining, was represented by elastic boundaries with normal and shear stiffness. The stiffness of weak contacts has significant effects on the natural frequency of tunnel lining. Numerical simulations were also carried out to compare with the results of the analytical methods, showing that even though the low nature frequency is difficult to distinguish, the presented approach is convenient, effective and accurate to estimate the natural frequency of tunnel linings. Influences of the void, the lining thickness and the concrete type on natural frequencies were evaluated.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1995

The behavior of a jointed rock mass depends mainly on the geometrical and mechanical properties of joints. The failure mode of a rock mass and kinematics of rock blocks are governed by the orientation, spacing, and persistence of joints. The mechanical properties such as dilation angle, shear strength, maximum closure, strength of asperities and friction coeffiient play important roles on the stability and deformation of the rock mass. The normal and shear behaviour of a joint are coupled due to dilation, and the joint deformation depends also on the boundary conditions such as stiffness conditons. In this paper, the joint constitutive law including the dilatant behaviour of a joint is numerically modelled using the edge-to-edge contact logic in distinct element method. Also, presented is the method to quantify the input parameters used in the joint law. The results from uniaxial compression and direct shear tests using the numeical model of the single joint were compared to the analytic results from them. The boundary effect on the behaviour of a joint is verified by comparing the results of direct shear test under constant stress boundary condition with those under constant stiffness boundary condition. The numerical model developed is applied to a complex jointed rock mass to examine its performance and to evaluate the effect of joint dilation on tunnel stability.