• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제82권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2022

This work elaborately investigates the influences of the guideway geometry parameters and track irregularity on the dynamic performances of the suspended monorail vehicle-guideway system (SMVGS). Firstly, a spatial dynamic analysis model of the SMVGS is established by adopting ANSYS parameter design language. Then, the dynamic interaction between a vehicle with maximum design load and guideway is investigated by numerical simulation and field tests, revealing the vehicle-guideway dynamic features. Subsequently, the influences of the guideway geometry parameters and track irregularity on the dynamic performances of the SMVGS are analyzed and discussed in detail, and the reasonable ranges of several key geometry parameters of the guideway are also obtained. Results show that the vehicle-guideway dynamic responses change nonlinearly with an increase of the guideway span, and especially the guideway dynamic performances can be effectively improved by reducing the guideway span; based on a comprehensive consideration of all performance indices of the SMVGS, the deflection-span ratio of the suspended monorail guideway is finally recommended to be 1/1054~1/868. The train load could cause a large bending deformation of the pier, which would intensify the car-body lateral displacement and decrease the vehicle riding comfort; to well limit the bending deformation of the pier, its cross-section dimension is suggested to be more than 0.8 m×0.8 m. The addition of the track irregularity amplitude has small influences on the displacements and stress of the guideway; however, it would significantly increase the vehicle-guideway vibrations and rate of load reduction of the driving tyre.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제82권1호
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• pp.121-131
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• 2022

The main goal of this study is to prepare a program for analyzing High Strength Steel Fibrous Reinforced Concrete (HSSFRC) slabs and predict the response and strength of the slab instead of preparing a prototype and testing it in the laboratory. For this purpose, new equations are proposed to represent the material properties of High Strength Steel Fibrous Reinforced Concrete. The proposed equations obtained from performing regression analysis on many experimental results using statistical programs. The finite element method is adopted for non-linear analysis of the slabs. The eight-node "Serendipity element" (3 DoF) is chosen to represent the concrete. The layered approach is adopted for concrete elements and the steel reinforcement is represented by a smeared layer. The compression properties of the concrete are modeled by a work hardening plasticity approach and the yield condition is determined depending on the first two stress invariants. A tensile strength criterion is adopted in order to estimate the cracks propagation. many experimental results for testing slabs are compared with the numerical results of the present study and a good agreement is achieved regarding load-deflection curves and crack pattern. The response of the load deflection curve is slightly stiff at the beginning because the creep effect is not considered in this study and for assuming perfect bond between the steel reinforcement and the concrete, however, a great agreement is achieved between the ultimate load from the present study and experimental results. For the models of the tension stiffening and cracked shear modulus, the value of Bg and Bt (Where Bg and Bt are the curvature factor for the cracked shear modulus and tension stiffening models respectively) equal to 0.005 give good results compared with experimental result.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.437-454
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• 2022

The hydro-mechanical (HM) two-way sequential coupling in the TOUGH2-FLAC3D linking algorithm is validated completely and successfully in both M to H and H to M directions, which are initiated by mechanical surface loading for geomechanical validation and hydrological groundwater pumping for hydrogeological validation, respectively. For such complete and successful validation, a TOUGH2-FLAC3D linked numerical model is developed first by adopting the TOUGH2-FLAC3D linking algorithm, which uses the two-way (fixed-stress split) sequential coupling scheme and the implicit backward time stepping method. Two geomechanical and two hydrogeological validation problems are then simulated using the linked numerical model together with basic validation strategies and prerequisites. The second geomechanical and second hydrogeological validation problems are also associated with the Mandel effect and the Noordbergum and Rhade effects, respectively, which are three phenomenally well-known but numerically challenging HM effects. Finally, sequentially coupled numerical solutions are compared with either analytical solutions (verification) or fully coupled numerical solutions (benchmarking). In all the four validation problems, they show almost perfect to extremely or very good agreement. In addition, the second geomechanical validation problem clearly displays the Mandel effect and suggests a proper or minimum geometrical ratio of the height to the width for the rectangular domain to maximize agreement between the numerical and analytical solutions. In the meantime, the second hydrogeological validation problem clearly displays the Noordbergum and Rhade effects and implies that the HM two-way sequential coupling scheme used in the linked numerical model is as rigorous as the HM two-way full coupling scheme used in a fully coupled numerical model.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.547-557
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• 2022

Dune sands are poorly graded collapsible soils lacking fines. This experimental study explored the technical feasibility of sustainable invigoration of fine waste materials to improve the geotechnical properties of dune sand. The fine waste considered in this study is fine marble waste. The fine waste powder was mixed with dune sand at different contents (5, 10,15, 20, 25, 50%), where the gradation, void ratio, compaction, and shear strength characteristics were assessed for each fine marble waste -dune sand blend. The geotechnical properties of the dune sand-fine marble waste mix delineated in this study reveal the enhancement in compaction and gradation characteristics of dune sand. According to the results, the binary mixture of dune sand with 20% of fine marble waste gives the highest maximum dry density and results in shear strength improvement. In addition, a numerical study is conducted for the practical application of the binary mix in the field and tested for an isolated shallow foundation. The elemental analysis of the fine marble waste confirms that the material is non-contaminated and can be employed for engineering applications. Furthermore, the numerical study elucidated that the shallow surface replacement of the site with the dune sand mixed with 20% fine marble waste gives optimal performance in terms of stress generation and settlement behavior of an isolated footing. For a sustainable mechanical performance of the fine marble waste mixed sand, an optimum dose of 20% fine marble waste is recommended, and some correlations are proposed. Thus, for improving dune sand's geotechnical characteristics, the addition of fine marble waste to the dune sand is an environment-friendly solution.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.613-624
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• 2022

A study of the evolution of overburden fractures under the solid-fluid coupling state was conducted based on the geological and mining characteristics of the coal seam depth, weak strata cementation, and high-intensity mining in the mining areas of West China. These mining characteristics are key to achieving water conservation during mining or establishing groundwater reservoirs in coal mines. Based on the engineering background of the Daliuta Coal Mine, a non-hydrophilic simulation material suitable for simulating the weakly cemented rock masses in this area was developed, and a physical simulation test was carried out using a water-sand gushing test system. The study explored the spatial distribution and dynamic evolution of the fractured zone in the mining overburden under the coupling of stress and seepage. The experimental results show that the mining overburden can be vertically divided into the overall migration zone, the fracture extension zone and the collapse zone; additionally, in the horizontal direction, the mining overburden can be divided into the primary fracture zone, periodic fracture zone, and stop-fracture zone. The scope of groundwater flow in the overburden gradually expands with the mining of coal seams. When a stable water inrush channel is formed, other areas no longer generate new channels, and the unstable water inrush channels gradually close. Finally, the primary fracture area becomes the main water inrush channel for coal mines. The numerical simulation results indicate that the overlying rock breaking above the middle of the mined-out area allows the formation of the water-conducting channel. The water body will flow into the fracture extension zone with the shortest path, resulting in the occurrence of water bursting accidents in the mining face. The experimental research results provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of water conservation mining or the establishment of groundwater reservoirs in western mining areas, and this theoretical basis has considerable application and promotion value.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제81권5호
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• pp.617-631
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• 2022

In this paper the viscoelastic responses of four experimental steel-concrete composite beams subjected to highly variable environmental conditions are investigated by means of a finite element (FE) model. Concrete specimens submitted to stepped stress changes are also evaluated to validate the current formulations. Here, two well-known approaches commonly used to solve the viscoelastic constitutive relationship for concrete are employed. The first approach directly solves the integral-type form of the constitutive equation at the macroscopic level, in which aging is included by updating material properties. The second approach is postulated from a rate-type law based on an age-independent Generalized Kelvin rheological model together with Solidification Theory, using a micromechanical based approach. Thus, conceptually both approaches include concrete hardening in two different manners. The aim of this work is to compare and analyze the numerical prediction in terms of long-term deflections of the studied specimens according to both approaches. To accomplish this goal, the performance of several well-known model codes for concrete creep and shrinkage such as ACI 209, CEB-MC90, CEB-MC99, B3, GL 2000 and FIB-2010 are evaluated by means of statistical bias indicators. It is shown that both approaches with minor differences acceptably match the long-term experimental deflection and are able to capture complex oscillatory responses due to variable temperature and relative humidity. Nevertheless, the use of an age-independent scheme as proposed by Solidification Theory may be computationally more advantageous.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.697-711
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• 2021

In this work, a simple quasi 3-D parabolic shear deformation theory is developed to examine the bending response of antisymmetric cross-ply laminated composite plates under different types of mechanical loading. The main feature of this theory is that, in addition to including the transverse shear deformation and thickness stretching effects, it has only five-unknown variables in the displacement field modeling like Mindlin's theory (FSDT), yet satisfies the zero shear stress conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without requiring a shear correction factor. The static version of principle of virtual work was employed to derive the governing equations, while the bending problem for simply supported antisymmetric cross-ply laminated plates was solved by a Navier-type closed-form solution procedure. The adequacy of the proposed model is handled by considering the impact of side-to-thickness ratio on bending response of plate through several illustrative examples. Comparison of the obtained numerical results with the other shear deformation theories leads to the conclusion that the present model is more accurate and efficient in predicting the displacements and stresses of laminated composite plates.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제29권 6호
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• pp.407-418
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• 2022

This paper numerically investigates the effect of changes in the mechanical properties (displacement, strain, and stress) of the ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) without rebar and the reinforced concrete (RC) using steel re-bars. This reinforced concrete is mostly used in the concrete bridge decks. A mixture of sand, gravel, cement, water, steel fiber, superplasticizer, and micro silica was used to fabricate UHPC specimens. The extended finite element method as used in the ABAQUS software is applied for considering the mechanical properties of UHPC, RC, and ordinary concrete specimens. To calibrate the ABAQUS, some experimental tests have been carried out in the laboratory to measure the direct tensile strength of UHPC by the compressive-to-tensile load converting (CTLC) device. This device contains a concrete specimen and is mounted on a universal tensile testing apparatus. In the experiments, three types of mixed concrete were used for UHPC specimens. The tensile strength of these specimens ranges from 9.24 to 11.4 MPa, which is relatively high compared with ordinary concrete specimens, which have a tensile strength ranging from 2 to 5 MPa. In the experimental tests, the UHPC specimen of size 150×60×190 mm with a central hole of 75 mm (in diameter)×60 mm (in thickness) was specially made in the laboratory, and its direct tensile strength was measured by the CTLC device. However, the numerical simulation results for the tensile strength and failure mechanism of the UHPC were very close to those measured experimentally. From comparing the numerical and experimental results obtained in this study, it has been concluded that UHPC can be effectively used for bridge decks.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.451-469
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• 2023

The use of precast hollow-core slabs (PCHCS) in civil construction has been increasing due to the speed of execution and reduction in the weight of flooring systems. However, in the literature there are no studies that present a finite element model (FEM) to predict the load-slip relationship behavior of pushout tests, considering headed stud shear connector and PCHCS placed at the upper flange of the downstand steel profile. Thus, the present paper aims to develop a FEM, which is based on tests to fill this gap. For this task, geometrical non-linear analyses are carried out in the ABAQUS software. The FEM is calibrated by sensitivity analyses, considering different types of analysis, the friction coefficient at the steel-concrete interface, as well as the constitutive model of the headed stud shear connector. Subsequently, a parametric study is performed to assess the influence of the number of connector lines, type of filling and height of the PCHCS. The results are compared with analytical models that predict the headed stud resistance. In total, 158 finite element models are processed. It was concluded that the dynamic implicit analysis (quasi-static) showed better convergence of the equilibrium trajectory when compared to the static analysis, such as arc-length method. The friction coefficient value of 0.5 was indicated to predict the load-slip relationship behavior of all models investigated. The headed stud shear connector rupture was verified for the constitutive model capable of representing the fracture in the stress-strain relationship. Regarding the number of connector lines, there was an average increase of 108% in the resistance of the structure for models with two lines of connectors compared to the use of only one. The type of filling of the hollow core slab that presented the best results was the partial filling. Finally, the greater the height of the PCHCS, the greater the resistance of the headed stud.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.211-224
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• 2023

This work presents a modified analytical model for the bending behavior of axially functionally graded (AFG) carbon nanotubes reinforced composite (CNTRC) nanobeams. New higher order shear deformation beam theory is exploited to satisfy parabolic variation of shear through thickness direction and zero shears at the bottom and top surfaces.A Modified continuum nonlocal strain gradient theoryis employed to include the microstructure and the geometrical nano-size length scales. The extended rule of the mixture and the molecular dynamics simulations are exploited to evaluate the equivalent mechanical properties of FG-CNTRC beams. Carbon nanotubes reinforcements are distributed axially through the beam length direction with a new power graded function with two parameters. The equilibrium equations are derived with associated nonclassical boundary conditions, and Navier's procedure are used to solve the obtained differential equation and get the response of nanobeam under uniform, linear, or sinusoidal mechanical loadings. Numerical results are carried out to investigate the impact of inhomogeneity parameters, geometrical parameters, loadings type, nonlocal and length scale parameters on deflections and stresses of the AFG CNTRC nanobeams. The proposed model can be used in the design and analysis of MEMS and NEMS systems fabricated from carbon nanotubes reinforced composite nanobeam.