• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.715-725
• /
• 2018

Truss-Z (TZ) is an Extremely Modular System (EMS). Such systems allow for creation of structurally sound free-form structures, are comprised of as few types of modules as possible, and are not constrained by a regular tessellation of space. Their objective is to create spatial structures in given environments connecting given terminals without self-intersections and obstacle-intersections. TZ is a skeletal modular system for creating free-form pedestrian ramps and ramp networks. The previous research on TZ focused on global discrete geometric optimization of the spatial configuration of modules. This paper reports on the first attempts at structural optimization of the module for a single-branch TZ. The internal topology and the sizing of module beams are subject to optimization. An important challenge is that the module is to be universal: it must be designed for the worst case scenario, as defined by the module position within a TZ branch and the geometric configuration of the branch itself. There are four variations of each module, and the number of unique TZ configurations grows exponentially with the branch length. The aim is to obtain minimum-mass modules with the von Mises equivalent stress constrained under certain design load. The resulting modules are further evaluated also in terms of the typical structural criterion of compliance.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.229-233
• /
• 2003

This paper describes a practical formulation of Non-Bernoulli-Compatibility Truss Model. Not only equilibrium conditions but also some approximations are employed to solve for the unknowns included in the proposed model. By assuming that the ratio of $V_a$ to V remains to be constant along the shear span, the relationship between $\alpha$ and z is mathematically established as an arch shape function. $V_m$ is also approximated to be an empirical value that is equal to the least membrane shear strength. The coefficient a is made utilizing a nonlinear finite element analysis. The adequacy of the model is examined by test results available in literatures, and the predicted values are shown to be in excellent agreement with the experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.60 no.4
• /
• pp.729-747
• /
• 2016

This study aims to present a novel optimization algorithm known as gravitational search algorithm (GSA) for structural damage detection. An objective function for damage detection is established based on structural vibration data in frequency domain, i.e., natural frequencies and mode shapes. The feasibility and efficiency of the GSA are testified on three different structures, i.e., a beam, a truss and a plate. Results show that the proposed strategy is efficient for determining the locations and the extents of structural damages using the first several modal data of the structure. Multiple damages cases in different types of structures are studied and good identification results can be obtained. The effect of measurement noise on the identification results is investigated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.181-198
• /
• 2003

Six large scale models of conventionally reinforced concrete coupling beams with span/depth ratios ranging from 1.17 to 2.00 were tested under monotonically applied shear loads to study their nonlinear behavior using a newly developed test method that maintained equal rotations at the two ends of the coupling beam specimen and allowed for local deformations at the beam-wall joints. By conducting the tests under displacement control, the post-peak behavior and complete load-deflection curves of the coupling beams were obtained for investigation. It was found that after the appearance of flexural and shear cracks, a deep coupling beam would gradually transform itself from an ordinary beam to a truss composed of diagonal concrete struts and longitudinal and transverse steel reinforcement bars. Moreover, in a deep coupling beam, the local deformations at the beam-wall joints could contribute significantly (up to the order of 50%) to the total deflection of the coupling beam, especially at the post-peak stage. Finally, although a coupling beam failing in shear would have a relatively low ductility ratio of only 5 or even lower, a coupling beam failing in flexure could have a relatively high ductility ratio of 10 or higher.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.249-260
• /
• 2015

Damage detection based on a reference set of measured data usually has the problem of different environmental temperature in the two sets of measurements, and the effect of temperature difference is usually ignored in the subsequent model updating. This paper attempts to identify the structural damage including the temperature difference with artificial measurement noise. Both local damages and the temperature difference are identified in a gradient-based model updating method based on dynamic response sensitivity. The sensitivities of dynamic response with respect to the system parameters and temperature difference are calculated by direct integration method. The measured dynamic responses of the structure from two different states are used directly to identify the structural local damages and the temperature difference. A single degree-of-freedom mass-spring system and a planar truss structure are studied to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.665-680
• /
• 2016

This paper focuses on the study of seismic behavior of steel reinforced concrete special-shaped column-beam joints. Six specimens, which are designed according to the principle of strong-member and weak-joint core, are tested under low cyclic reversed load. Key parameters include the steel form in column section and the ratio of column limb height to thickness. The failure mode, load-displacement curves, ductility, stiffness degradations, energy dissipation capacity and shear deformation of joint core of the test subassemblies are analyzed. The results indicate that SRC special-shaped column-beam joints have good seismic behavior. All specimens failed due to the shear failure of the joint core, and the failure degree between the two sides of joint core is similar for the exterior joint but different for the corner joint. Compared to the joints with channel steel truss, the joints with solid web steel skeleton illustrate better ductility and energy dissipation capacity, but the loading capacity and stiffness are roughly close. With the increasing of the ratio of column limb height to thickness, the joints illustrate higher loading capacity and stiffness, better energy dissipation capacity, but worse ductility.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.58 no.1
• /
• pp.163-179
• /
• 2016

The Cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is a simple and efficient global optimization algorithm and it has been applied to figure out large range of real-world optimization problem. In this paper, a new formula is introduced to the discovering probability process to improve the convergence rate and the Tournament Selection Strategy is adopted to enhance global search ability of the certain algorithm. Then an approach for structural damage identification based on modified Cuckoo search (MCS) is presented. Meanwhile, we take frequency residual error and the modal assurance criterion (MAC) as indexes of damage detection in view of the crack damage, and the MCS algorithm is utilized to identifying the structural damage. A simply supported beam and a 31-bar truss are studied as numerical example to illustrate the correctness and efficiency of the propose method. Besides, a laboratory work is also conducted to further verification. Studies show that, the proposed method can judge the damage location and degree of structures more accurately than its counterpart even under measurement noise, which demonstrates the MCS algorithm has a higher damage diagnosis precision.