• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.349-359
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• 2023

This paper presents a technique for determining the optimal number of elements in stochastic finite element analysis based on reliability analysis. Using the change-of-variable perturbation stochastic finite element approach, the probability density function of the dynamic responses of stochastic structures is explicitly determined. This method combines the perturbation stochastic finite element method with the change-of-variable technique into a united model. To further examine the relationships between the random fields, discretization of the random field parameters, such as the variance function and the scale of fluctuation, is also performed. Accordingly, the reliability index is calculated based on the explicit probability density function of responses with Gaussian or non-Gaussian random fields in any number of elements corresponding to the random field discretization. The numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for a one-dimensional cantilever reinforced concrete column and a two-dimensional steel plate shear wall. The benefit of this method is that the probability density function of responses can be obtained explicitly without the use simulation techniques. Any type of random variable with any statistical distribution can be incorporated into the calculations, regardless of the restrictions imposed by the type of statistical distribution of random variables. Consequently, this method can be utilized as a suitable guideline for the efficient implementation of stochastic finite element analysis of structures, regardless of the statistical distribution of random variables.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2010

Reliable dynamic analysis is essential in order to properly maintain structures so that structural hazards may be minimized. The finite element method (FEM) is proven to be an affective approximate method of structural analysis if proper element types and meshes are chosen. When the method is applied to dynamics analyzed in time domain, the meshes may need to be modified at each time step. As many meshes need to be generated, adaptive mesh generation schemes have become an important part in complex time domain dynamic finite element analyses of structures. In this paper, an adaptive mesh generation scheme for dynamic finite element analyses of structures is described. The concept of representative strain value is used for error estimates and the refinements of meshes use combinations of the h-method (node movement) and the r-method (element division). The validity of the scheme is shown through a cantilever beam example under a concentrated load with varying values. The example shows reasonable accuracy and efficient computing time. Furthermore, the study shows the potential for the scheme's effective use in complex structural dynamic problems such as those under seismic or erratic wind loads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.643-667
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• 2010

The classical flexibility difference method detects damage by observing the difference of conventional deflection flexibility matrices between pre- and post-damaged states of a structure. This method is not able to identify multiple damage scenarios, and its criteria to identify damage depend upon the boundary conditions of structures. The key point behind the inability and dependence is revealed in this study. A more feasible flexibility for damage detection, the Angle-between-String-and-Horizon (ASH) flexibility, is proposed. The physical meaning of the new flexibility is given, and synthesis of the new flexibility matrix by modal frequencies and translational mode shapes is formulated. The damage indicators are extracted from the difference of ASH flexibility matrices between the pre- and post-damaged structures. One feature of the ASH flexibility is that the components in the ASH flexibility matrix are associated with elements instead of Nodes or DOFs. Therefore, the damage indicators based on the ASH flexibility are mapped to structural elements directly, and thus they can pinpoint the damaged elements, which is appealing to damage detection for complex structures. In addition, the change in the ASH flexibility caused by damage is not affected by boundary conditions, which simplifies the criteria to identify damage. Moreover, the proposed method can determine relatively the damage severity. Because the proposed damage indicator of an element mainly reflects the deflection change within the element itself, which significantly reduces the influence of the damage in one element on the damage indicators of other damaged elements, the proposed method can identify multiple damage locations. The viability of the proposed approach has been demonstrated by numerical examples and experimental tests on a cantilever beam and a simply supported beam.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.833-839
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• 2013

In this study, an experiment was performed to monitor the two-dimensional shape of a cantilever composite structure using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. To monitor the shape of a composite structure, a deflection equation developed by NASA was applied and a composite beam attached to three FBG sensors was used. In the experiment, the shape of the composite beam was successfully estimated and an error was evaluated by comparing a real deflection. The error increased with real deflection; therefore, it was compensated by using the linear relationship between the error and the real deflection. After compensating the error, the measured deflection shows good agreement with the real deflection. Finally, the experiment shows that the FBG sensor and the deflection equation are suitable for monitoring the deflection curve of the beam structure with compensation of the error.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.391-401
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• 2020

The present article reports the feasibility of the electrical energy generation from ambient low-frequency vibration using a piezoelectric material mounted on a bimorph cantilever beam actuator. A corresponding higher-order analytical model is developed using MATLAB in conjunction with finite element method under low-frequency with both damped and undamped conditions. An alternate model is also developed to check the material and dimensional viability of both piezoelectric materials (mainly focussed to PVDF and PZT) and the base material. Also, Genetic Algorithm is implemented to find the optimum dimensions which can produce the higher values of voltage at low-frequency frequencies (≤ 100 Hz). The delamination constraints are employed to avoid inter-laminar stresses and to increase the fracture toughness. The delamination has been done using a Teflon sheet sandwiched in between base plates and the piezo material is stuck to the base plate using adhesives. The analytical model is tested for both homogenous and isotropic material characteristics of the base material and extended to investigate the effect of the different geometrical parameters (base plate dimensions, piezo layer dimensions and placement, delamination thickness and placement, excitation frequency) on the model responses of the bimorph cantilever beam. It has been observed that when the base material characteristics are homogenous, the efficiency of the model remains higher when compared to the condition when it is of isotropic material. The necessary convergence behaviour of the current numerical model has been established and checked for the accuracy by comparing with available published results. Finally, using the results obtained from the model, a prototype is fabricated for the experimental validation via a suitable circuit considering Glass fibre and Aluminium as the bimorph material.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 1998

Static deformation theory of elastoplastic structures can be applied only if the magnitude of loading is less than the plastic collapse force $F_c$. However, with impact or explosive blast loading, the structure can be subjected to an intense but short-duration force pulse that exceeds the plastic collapse force and initiates structural collapse. In this paper, the dynamic response of a rigid-perfectly plastic cantilever subject to intense impact loading is examined in terms of the plastic collapse force. When a step loading is applied, the motion of the beam is calculated and analyzed through the non-dimensionalization of variables. It is concluded that the motion of a beam can be characterized as a function of the nondimensionalized force parameter, $f{\equiv}F/F_c$, where $F_c$ represents the critical force for plastic collapse. This result is used to the analysis of the beam motion subject to rectangular force pulse.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.579-601
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• 2013

Interference effects are of considerable concern for group hyperboloidal cooling towers, but evaluation methods and results are different from each other because of the insufficient understanding on the structure behavior. Therefore, the mechanical performance of hyperboloidal cooling tower shell under wind loads was illustrated according to some basic properties drawn from horizontal rings and cantilever beams. The hyperboloidal cooling tower shell can be regarded as the coupling of horizontal rings and meridian cantilever beams, and this perception is beneficial for understanding the mechanical performance under wind loads. Afterwards, the mean external latitude wind pressure distribution, CP(${\theta}$), was artificially adjusted to pursue the relationship between different CP(${\theta}$) and wind-induced responses. It was found that the maximum responses in hyperboloidal cooling tower shell are primarily dominated by the non-uniformity of CP(${\theta}$) but not the local pressure amplitude CP or overall resistance/drag coefficient CD. In all the internal forces, the maximum amplitude of meridian axial tension shows remarkable sensitivity to the variation of CP(${\theta}$) and it's also the controlling force in structure design, so it was selected as an indicator to evaluate the influence of CP(${\theta}$) on responses. Based on its sensitivity to different adjustment parameters of CP(${\theta}$), an comprehensive response influence factor, RIF, was deduced to assess the meridian axial tension for arbitrary CP(${\theta}$).

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.615-630
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• 2021

The main purpose of the present work was to study the dynamic instability of a three-layered, thick composite sandwich beam with the functionally graded (FG) flexible core subjected to an axial compressive follower force. Flutter instability of a sandwich cantilever beam was analyzed using the high-order theory of sandwich beams, for the first time. The governing equations in general for sandwich beams with an FG core were extracted and could be used for all types of sandwich beams with any types of face sheets and cores. A polynomial function is considered for the vertical distribution of the displacement field in the core layer along the thickness, based on the results of the first Frosting's higher order model. The governing partial differential equations and the equations of boundary conditions of the dynamic system are derived using Hamilton's principle. By applying the boundary conditions and numerical solution methods of squares quadrature, the beam flutter phenomenon is studied. In addition, the effects of different geometrical and material parameters on the flutter threshold were investigated. The results showed that the responses of the dynamic instability of the system were influenced by the follower force, the coefficients of FGs and the geometrical parameters like the core thickness. Comparison of the present results with the published results in the literature for the special case confirmed the accuracy of the proposed theory. The results showed that the follower force of the flutter phenomenon threshold for long beams tends to the corresponding results in the Timoshenko beam.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.619-632
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• 2022

There are numerous structural details (Longitudinal beam, web plate, U-ribs and I-ribs) in the top and bottom plates of steel box girders, which have significant influences on the longitudinal stress (normal stress) distribution. Clarifying the influence of these structural details on the normal stress distribution is important. In this paper, the ultra-wide steel box girder with large cantilevers of the Jinhai Bridge in China, which is the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world, has been analyzed. A 1:4.5 scale laboratory model of the steel box girder has been manufactured, and the influence of structural details on the normal stress distribution in the top and bottom plates for four different load cases has been analyzed in detail. Furthermore, a three-dimensional finite element model has been established to further investigate the influence regularity of structural details on the normal stress. The experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) results have shown that different structural details of the top and bottom plates have varying effects on the normal stress distribution. Notably, the U-ribs and I-ribs of the top and bottom plates introduce periodicity to the normal stress distribution. The period of the influence of U-ribs on the normal stress distribution is the sum of the single U-rib width and the U-rib spacing, and that of the influence of I-ribs on the normal stress distribution is equal to the spacing of the I-ribs. Furthermore, the same structural details but located at different positions, will have a different effect on the normal stress distribution.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.872-880
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• 2002

The finite element analysis is frequently used to predict dynamic responses of complex structures. Since the predicted responses often differ from experimentally measured ones, updating of the finite element models is performed to make the finite element results agree with the measured ones. Among several model updating methods, one is to use FRF(frequency response function) data without a modal analysis. This paper investigates characteristics of the model updating method in order to improve the method. The investigation is focused on how to obtain FRFs for unmeasured rotational displacements and how to consider damping. For the investigation simulated data and experimental data for a cantilever beam are used.