• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.75-90
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• 2022

The pointwise equilibrium polynomial (PEP) element considering local second-order effect has been widely used in direct analysis of many practical engineering structures. However, it was derived according to Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and therefore it cannot consider shear deformation, which may lead to inaccurate prediction for deep beams. In this paper, a novel beam-column element based on Timoshenko beam theory is proposed to overcome the drawback of PEP element. A fifth-order polynomial is adopted for the lateral deflection of the proposed element, while a quadric shear strain field based on equilibrium equation is assumed for transverse shear deformation. Further, an additional quadric function is adopted in this new element to account for member initial geometrical imperfection. In conjunction with a reliable and effective three-dimensional (3D) co-rotational technique, the proposed element can consider both member initial imperfection and transverse shear deformation for second-order direct analysis of frame structures. Some benchmark problems are provided to demonstrate the accuracy and high performance of the proposed element. The significant adverse influence on structural behaviors due to shear deformation and initial imperfection is also discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.363-380
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• 2018

This paper presented an integral design procedure for demountable bolted composite frames with semi-rigid joints. Moment-rotation relationships of beam-to-column joints were predicted with analytical models aiming to provide accurate and reliable analytical solutions. Among this, initial stiffness of beam-to-column joints was derived on the basis of Timoshenko's plate theory, and moment capacity was derived in accordance with Eurocodes. The predictions were validated with relevant test results prior to further applications. Frame analysis was conducted by using Abaqus software with material and geometrical nonlinearity considered. Variable lateral loads incorporating wind actions and earthquake actions in accordance with Australian Standards were adopted to evaluate the flexural behaviour of the composite frames. Strength and serviceability limit state criteria were utilized to verify configurations of designed models. A wide range of frames with the varied number of storeys and bays were thereafter programmed to ascertain bending moment envelopes under various load combinations. The analytical results suggest that the proposed approach is capable of predicting the moment-rotation performance of the semi-rigid joints reasonably well. Outcomes of the frame analysis indicate that the load combination with dead loads and live loads only leads to maximum sagging and hogging moment magnitudes in beams. As for lateral loads, wind actions are more crucial to dominate the design of the demountable composite frames than earthquake actions. No hogging moment reversal is expected in the composite beams given that the frames are designed properly. The proposed analysis procedure is demonstrated to be a simple and efficient method, which can be applied into engineering practice.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.353-364
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• 2023

In this study, a method has been proposed for the static and dynamic nonlinear analysis of multi-storey buildings, which takes into account the contribution of axial deformations in vertical load-bearing elements, which are especially important in tall and narrow structures. Shear deformations on the shear walls were also taken into account in the study. The presented method takes into account the effects that are not considered in the fishbone and flexural-shear beam models developed in the literature. In the Fishbone model, only frame systems are modeled. In the flexural shear beam model developed for shear wall systems, shear deformations and axial deformations in the walls are neglected. Unlike the literature, with the model proposed in this study, both shear deformations in the walls and axial deformations in the columns and walls are taken into account. In the proposed model, multi-storey building is represented as a sandwich beam consisting of Timoshenko beams pieced together with a double-hinged beam. At each storey, the total moment capacities of the frame beams and the coupled beams in the coupled shear walls are represented as the equivalent shear capacity. On the other hand, The sums of individual columns and walls moment at the relevant floor level are represented as equivalent moment capacity at that floor level. At the end of the study, examples were solved to show the suitability of the proposed method in this study. The SAP2000 program is employed in analyses. In a conclusion, it is observed that among the solved examples, the proposed sandwich beam model gives good results. As can be seen from these results, it is seen that the presented method, especially in terms of base shear force, gives very close results to the detailed finite element method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.697-713
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• 2022

In the context of the finite elements method, the dynamic behavior of porous functionally graded double wishbone vehicle suspension structural system incorporating joints flexibility constraints under road bump excitation is studied and analyzed. The functionally graded material properties distribution through the thickness direction is simulated by the power law including the porosity effect. To explore the porosity effects, both classical and adopted porosity models are considered based on even porosity distribution pattern. The dynamic equations of motion are derived based on the Hamiltonian principle. Closed forms of the inertia and material stiffness components are derived. Based on the plane frame isoparametric Timoshenko beam element, the dynamic finite elements equations are developed incorporating joint flexibilities constraints. The Newmark's implicit direct integration methodology is utilized to obtain the transient vibration time response under road bump excitation. The presented procedure is validated by comparing the computational model results with the available numerical solutions and an excellent agreement is observed. Obtained results show that the decrease of porosity percentage and material graduation tends to decrease the deflection as well as the resulting stresses of the control arms thus improving the dynamic performance and increasing the service lifetime of the control arms.