• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제31권1호
• /
• pp.113-127
• /
• 2022

The undrained shear strength of soil is considered one of the engineering parameters of utmost significance in geotechnical design methods. In-situ experiments like cone penetration tests (CPT) have been used in the last several years to estimate the undrained shear strength depending on the characteristics of the soil. Nevertheless, the majority of these techniques rely on correlation presumptions, which may lead to uneven accuracy. This research's general aim is to extend a new united soft computing model, which is a combination of random forest (RF) with grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA) to the pile set-up parameters' better approximation from CPT, based on two different types of data as inputs. Data type 1 contains pile parameters, and data type 2 consists of soil properties. The contribution of this article is that hybrid GOA - RF for the first time, was suggested to forecast the pile set-up parameter from CPT. In order to do this, CPT data and related bore log data were gathered from 70 various locations across Louisiana. With an R² greater than 0.9098, which denotes the permissible relationship between measured and anticipated values, the results demonstrated that both models perform well in forecasting the set-up parameter. It is comprehensible that, in the training and testing step, the model with data type 2 has finer capability than the model using data type 1, with R² and RMSE are 0.9272 and 0.0305 for the training step and 0.9182 and 0.0415 for the testing step. All in all, the models' results depict that the A parameter could be forecasted with adequate precision from the CPT data with the usage of hybrid GOA - RF models. However, the RF model with soil features as input parameters results in a finer commentary of pile set-up parameters.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제84권4호
• /
• pp.489-502
• /
• 2022

This paper is aimed at developing an optimization-based Finite Element model updating approach for structural damage identification and quantification. A modal flexibility-based error function is introduced, which uses modal assurance criterion to formulate the updating problem as an optimization problem. Because of the inexplicit input/output relationship between the candidate solutions and the error function's output, a robust and efficient optimization algorithm should be employed to evaluate the solution domain and find the global extremum with high speed and accuracy. This paper proposes a new multi-stage Selective Particle Swarm Optimization (SPSO) algorithm to solve the optimization problem. The proposed multi-stage strategy not only fixes the premature convergence of the original Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, but also increases the speed of the search stage and reduces the corresponding computational costs, without changing or adding extra terms to the algorithm's formulation. Solving the introduced objective function with the proposed multi-stage SPSO leads to a smart feedback-wise and self-adjusting damage detection method, which can effectively assess the health of the structural systems. The performance and precision of the proposed method are verified and benchmarked against the original PSO and some of its most popular variants, including SPSO, DPSO, APSO, and MSPSO. For this purpose, two numerical examples of complex civil engineering structures under different damage patterns are studied. Comparative studies are also carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed method in the presence of measurement errors. Moreover, the robustness and accuracy of the method are validated by assessing the health of a six-story shear-type building structure tested on a shake table. The obtained results introduced the proposed method as an effective and robust damage detection method even if the first few vibration modes are utilized to form the objective function.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.255-274
• /
• 2023

The aim of this paper is to enhance the accuracy of predicting time-averaged external surface pressures on low-rise buildings by utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. To achieve this, benchmark studies of the Silsoe cube and the Texas Tech University (TTU) experimental building are employed for comparison with simulation results. The paper is structured into three main sections. In the initial part, an appropriate domain size is selected based on the precision of mean pressure coefficients on the windward face of the cube, utilizing Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models. Subsequently, recommendations regarding the optimal computational domain size for an isolated building are provided based on revised findings. Moving on to the second part, the Silsoe cube model is examined within a horizontally homogeneous computational domain using more accurate turbulence models, such as Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and hybrid RANS-LES models. For computational efficiency, transient simulation settings are employed, building upon previous studies by the authors at the Windstorm Impact, Science, and Engineering (WISE) Lab, Louisiana State University (LSU). An optimal meshing strategy is determined for LES based on a grid convergence study. Three hybrid RANS-LES cases are investigated to achieve desired enhancements in the distribution of mean pressure coefficients on the Silsoe cube. In the final part, a 1:10 scale model of the TTU building is studied, incorporating the insights gained from the second part. The generated flow characteristics, including vertical profiles of mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and velocity spectra (small and large eddies), exhibit good agreement with full-scale (TTU) measurements. The results indicate promising roof pressures achieved through the careful consideration of meshing strategy, time step, domain size, inflow turbulence, near-wall treatment, and turbulence models. Moreover, this paper demonstrates an improvement in mean roof pressures compared to other state-of-the-art studies, thus highlighting the significance of CFD simulations in building aerodynamics.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.135-151
• /
• 2023

Using 3D asphalt pavement surface data, a deep and multiscale network named CrackNet-M is proposed in this paper for pixel-level crack detection for improvements in both accuracy and robustness. The CrackNet-M consists of four function-specific architectural modules: a central branch net (CBN), a crack map enhancement (CME) module, three pooling feature pyramids (PFP), and an output layer. The CBN maintains crack boundaries using no pooling reductions throughout all convolutional layers. The CME applies a pooling layer to enhance potential thin cracks for better continuity, consuming no data loss and attenuation when working jointly with CBN. The PFP modules implement direct down-sampling and pyramidal up-sampling with multiscale contexts specifically for the detection of thick cracks and exclusion of non-crack patterns. Finally, the output layer is optimized with a skip layer supervision technique proposed to further improve the network performance. Compared with traditional supervisions, the skip layer supervision brings about not only significant performance gains with respect to both accuracy and robustness but a faster convergence rate. CrackNet-M was trained on a total of 2,500 pixel-wise annotated 3D pavement images and finely scaled with another 200 images with full considerations on accuracy and efficiency. CrackNet-M can potentially achieve crack detection in real-time with a processing speed of 40 ms/image. The experimental results on 500 testing images demonstrate that CrackNet-M can effectively detect both thick and thin cracks from various pavement surfaces with a high level of Precision (94.28%), Recall (93.89%), and F-measure (94.04%). In addition, the proposed CrackNet-M compares favorably to other well-developed networks with respect to the detection of thin cracks as well as the removal of shoulder drop-offs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제49권5호
• /
• pp.487-502
• /
• 2023

In the realm of nanotechnology, the nonlocal strain gradient theory takes center stage as it scrutinizes the behavior of spinning cantilever nanobeams and nanotubes, pivotal components supporting various mechanical movements in sport structures. The dynamics of these structures have sparked debates within the scientific community, with some contending that nonlocal cantilever models fail to predict dynamic softening, while others propose that they can indeed exhibit stiffness softening characteristics. To address these disparities, this paper investigates the dynamic response of a nonlocal cantilever cylindrical beam under the influence of external discontinuous dynamic loads. The study employs four distinct models: the Euler-Bernoulli beam model, Timoshenko beam model, higher-order beam model, and a novel higher-order tube model. These models account for the effects of functionally graded materials (FGMs) in the radial tube direction, giving rise to nanotubes with varying properties. The Hamilton principle is employed to formulate the governing differential equations and precise boundary conditions. These equations are subsequently solved using the generalized differential quadrature element technique (GDQEM). This research not only advances our understanding of the dynamic behavior of nanotubes but also reveals the intriguing phenomena of both hardening and softening in the nonlocal parameter within cantilever nanostructures. Moreover, the findings hold promise for practical applications, including drug delivery, where the controlled vibrations of nanotubes can enhance the precision and efficiency of medication transport within the human body. By exploring the multifaceted characteristics of nanotubes, this study not only contributes to the design and manufacturing of rotating nanostructures but also offers insights into their potential role in revolutionizing drug delivery systems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제88권2호
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 2023

Cost-effective high precision hybrid elements are presented in a hierarchical form for dynamic analysis of plates. The costs associated with controlling the vibrations of ferromagnetic plates can be minimized by adequate determination of the amount of electric current and magnetic field. In the present study, the effect of magnetic field and electric current on nonlinear vibrations of ferromagnetic plates is investigated. The general form of Lorentz forces and Maxwell's equations have been considered for the first time to present new relationships for electromagnetic interaction forces with ferromagnetic plates. In order to derive the governing nonlinear differential equations, the theory of third-order shear deformations of three-dimensional plates has been applied along with the von Kármán large deformation strain-displacement relations. Afterward, the nonlinear equations are discretized using the Galerkin method, and the effect of various parameters is investigated. According to the results, electric current and magnetic field have different effects on the equivalent stiffness of ferromagnetic plates. As the electric current increases and the magnetic field decreases, the equivalent stiffness of the plate decreases. This is a phenomenon reported here for the first time. Furthermore, the magnetic field has a more significant effect on the steady-state deflection of the plate compared to the electric current. Increasing the magnetic field and electric current by 10-times results in a reduction of about 350% and an increase of 3.8% in the maximum steady-state deflection, respectively. Furthermore, the nonlinear frequency decreases as time passes, and these changes become more intense as the magnetic field increases.

• Design & Manufacturing
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.15-20
• /
• 2023

In the fine blanking process, which is a press operation known for producing parts with narrow clearances and high precision through the application of high pressure, die roll often occurs during the shearing process when the punch penetrates the material. This die roll phenomenon can significantly reduce the functional surface of the parts, leading to decreased product performance, strength, and fatigue life. In this research, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the factors influencing die roll in the curvature area of the fine blanking process and identified its root causes. Subsequently, we designed and experimentally verified a die roll reduction process specifically tailored for the door latch manufacturing process. Our findings indicate that die roll tends to increase as the curvature radius decreases, primarily due to the heightened bending moment resulting from reduced shape width-length. Additionally, die roll is triggered by the absorption of initial punch energy by scrap material during the early shearing phase, resulting in lower speed compared to the product area. To mitigate the occurrence of die roll, we strategically selected the Shaving process and carefully determined the shaving direction and clearance area length. Our experiments demonstrated a promising trend of up to 75% reduction in die roll when applying the Shaving process in the opposite direction of pre-cutting, with the minimum die roll observed at a clearance area length of 0.2 mm. Furthermore, we successfully implemented this approach in the production of door latch products, confirming a significant reduction in die roll. This research contributes valuable insights and practical solutions for addressing die roll issues in fine blanking processes.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.111-125
• /
• 2024

Recently, a lot of research has been done on the analysis of axial vibrations of homogeneous and FG nanotubes (nanorods) with various aspects of vibrations that have been fully mentioned in history. However, there is a lack of investigation of the dynamic internal resonances of FG nanotubes (nanorods) between them. This is one of the essential or substantial characteristics of nonlinear vibration systems that have many applications in various fields of engineering (making actuators, sensors, etc.) and medicine (improving the course of diseases such as cancers, etc.). For this reason, in this study, for the first time, the dynamic internal resonances of FG nanorods in the simultaneous presence of large-amplitude size dependent behaviour, inertial and shear effects are investigated for general state in detail. Such theoretical patterns permit as to carry out various numerical experiments, which is the key point in the expansion of advanced nano-devices in different sciences. This research presents an AFG novel nano resonator model based on the axial vibration of the elastic nanorod system in terms of derivation from large-amplitude size dependent internal modals interactions. The Hamilton's Principle is applied to achieve the basic equations in movement and boundary conditions, and a harmonic deferential quadrature method, and a multiple scale solution technique are employed to determine a semi-analytical solution. The interest of the current solution is seen in its specific procedure that useful for deriving general relationships of internal resonances of FG nanorods. The numerical results predicted by the presented formulation are compared with results already published in the literature to indicate the precision and efficiency of the used theory and method. The influences of gradient index, aspect ratio of FG nanorod, mode number, nonlinear effects, and nonlocal effects variations on the mechanical behavior of FG nanorods are examined and discussed in detail. Also, the inertial and shear traces on the formations of internal resonances of FG nanorods are studied, simultaneously. The obtained valid results of this research can be useful and practical as input data of experimental works and construction of devices related to axial vibrations of FG nanorods.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• 제16권6호
• /
• pp.623-638
• /
• 2024

This study investigates the thermal post-buckling behavior of concrete eccentric annular sector plates reinforced with graphene oxide powders (GOPs). Employing the minimum total potential energy principle, the plates' stability and response under thermal loads are analyzed. The Haber-Schaim foundation model is utilized to account for the support conditions, while the transform differential quadrature method (TDQM) is applied to solve the governing differential equations efficiently. The integration of GOPs significantly enhances the mechanical properties and stability of the plates, making them suitable for advanced engineering applications. Numerical results demonstrate the critical thermal loads and post-buckling paths, providing valuable insights into the design and optimization of such reinforced structures. This study presents a machine learning algorithm designed to predict complex engineering phenomena using datasets derived from presented mathematical modeling. By leveraging advanced data analytics and machine learning techniques, the algorithm effectively captures and learns intricate patterns from the mathematical models, providing accurate and efficient predictions. The methodology involves generating comprehensive datasets from mathematical simulations, which are then used to train the machine learning model. The trained model is capable of predicting various engineering outcomes, such as stress, strain, and thermal responses, with high precision. This approach significantly reduces the computational time and resources required for traditional simulations, enabling rapid and reliable analysis. This comprehensive approach offers a robust framework for predicting the thermal post-buckling behavior of reinforced concrete plates, contributing to the development of resilient and efficient structural components in civil engineering.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제37권1호
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2024

Water ingress poses a common and intricate geological hazard with profound implications for tunnel construction's speed and safety. The project's success hinges significantly on the precision of estimating water inflow during excavation, a critical factor in early-stage decision-making during conception and design. This article introduces an optimized model employing the gene expression programming (GEP) approach to forecast tunnel water inflow. The GEP model was refined by developing an equation that best aligns with predictive outcomes. The equation's outputs were compared with measured data and assessed against practical scenarios to validate its potential applicability in calculating tunnel water input. The optimized GEP model excelled in forecasting tunnel water inflow, outperforming alternative machine learning algorithms like SVR, GPR, DT, and KNN. This positions the GEP model as a leading choice for accurate and superior predictions. A state-of-the-art machine learning-based graphical user interface (GUI) was innovatively crafted for predicting and visualizing tunnel water inflow. This cutting-edge tool leverages ML algorithms, marking a substantial advancement in tunneling prediction technologies, providing accuracy and accessibility in water inflow projections.