• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.287-296
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• 2017

The buckling capacity of a radially retractable hybrid grid shell in the closed position was investigated in this paper. The geometrically non-linear elastic buckling and elasto-plastic buckling analyses of the hybrid structure were carried out. A parametric study was done to investigate the effects rise-to-span ratio, beam section, area and pre-stress of cables, on the failure load. Also, the influence of the shape and scale of imperfections on the elasto-plastic buckling loads was discussed. The results show that the critical buckling load is reduced by taking account of material non-linearity. Furthermore, increasing the rise-to-span ratio or the cross-section area of steel beams notably improves the stability of the structure. However, the cross section area and pre-stress of cables pose negligible effect on the structural stability. It can also be found that the hybrid structure is highly sensitive to geometric imperfection which will considerably reduce the failure load. The proper shape and scale of the imperfection are also important.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.5
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• pp.679-691
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• 2023

Many codes allow designers to use the bending moment diagram computed by elastic analysis and modify it by a certain amount of moment redistribution (MR) to account for plastic behaviour of continuous beams. However, several researchers indicated that the MR at the ultimate limit state (𝛽_u) for some beams deviate significantly from the specified values of various codes. This paper examines the applicability of the provisions on 𝛽_u in ACI 318-19 and Eurocode 2 through numerical investigations and comprehensively explores the influencing factors. The results show that some parameters not considered in those codes influence 𝛽_u to a certain extent, where the ratio of tensile reinforcement ratio at intermediate support to tensile reinforcement ratio at midspan (𝜌_s1/𝜌_s2) and load type are crucial parameters to consider. The specific combination of these two parameters may make the codes overestimate or significantly underestimate the 𝛽_u. On the other hand, the yield state of both critical sections is found to have an important influence on the influence degree of each parameter on 𝛽_u. The yield conditions are investigated, and an empirical judgment equation is proposed. In addition, the influence laws of the critical parameters on 𝛽_u have been further proved by theoretical derivation. Finally, due to 𝜀_t is found to have a better linear correlation with 𝛽_u than x_u/d, equations as a function of 𝜀_t for predicting the 𝛽_u of continuous beams under the two loads are proposed, respectively.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-22
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• 2024

Lightweight of plastic containers is becoming an important issue due to increasing environmental legislation and consumer awareness. In this study, the CAE analysis was conducted to optimize the shape of a 500 ml lightweight square polyethylene terephthalate(PET) bottle. First, the linear buckling alaysis using the finite element method was performed to analyze the correlation between the primary geometric parameters of the bottle and the buckling critical load. Then, the optimal geometry parameters were derived, and the actual buckling load was predicted by non-linear buckling simulation. The validity of the simulation results was verified by top-loading tests of PET bottles molded with the optimized geometry. The elastic modulus and tensile yield strength of PET through tensile tests were measured to improve the accuracy of the simulation. As a result of the tensile tests, the modulus of elasticity of PET increased from 2,900 MPa to 4,275 MPa, and the tensile yield strength increased from 52.4 MPa to 88.1 MPa. Finally the buckling load of the optimized PET bottle was found to be approximately 236 N, which is very similar to the simulation precition of 238 N. This study shows the feasibility and accuracy of the CAE analysis approach for the lightweight design of PET bottles, and will provide useful guidelines for the design of PET bottles.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

This paper focuses on the thermal deformation induced preload change in the tilting pad journal bearing, using a three-dimensional (3D) thermo-hydro-dynamic (THD) approach. Preload is considered as a critical factor in designing the tilting pad journal bearing. The initial preload measured under nil external load and nil thermal gradient is influenced by two factors, namely, the thermal deformation and elastic deformation. Thermal deformation is due to a temperature distribution in the bearing pads, whereas the elastic deformation is due to fluid forces acting on the pads. This study focuses on the changes induced in preload and film clearance due to thermal deformation. The generalized Reynolds equation is used to evaluate the force of the fluid and the 3D energy equation is used to calculate the temperature of the lubricant. The abovementioned equations are combined by establishing a relationship between viscosity and temperature. The heat transfer within the bearing pads, the lubricant, and the spinning journal is calculated using the heat flux boundary condition. The 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) is used in modeling the (1) heat conduction in the spinning journal and bearing pads, (2) thermal gradient induced thermal distortion of the spinning journal and pads, and (3) viscous shearing, and heat conduction and convection in a thin film. This evaluation method has an increased fidelity, and it can prove to be a cost-effective tool that can be used by designers to predict the dynamic behavior of a bearing.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.855-875
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• 2015

Many novel materials exhibit a property of different elastic moduli in tension and compression. One such material is graphene, a wonder material, which has the highest strength yet measured. Investigations on buckling problems for structures with different moduli are scarce. To address this new problem, firstly, the nondimensional expression of the relation between offset of neutral axis and deflection curve is derived based on the phased integration method, and then using the energy method, load-deflection relation of the rod is determined; Secondly, based on the improved constitutive model for different moduli, large deformation finite element formulations are developed and combined with the arc-length method, finite element iterative program for rods with different moduli is established to obtain buckling critical loads; Thirdly, material mechanical properties tests of graphite, which is the raw material of graphene, are performed to measure the tensile and compressive elastic moduli, moreover, buckling tests are also conducted to investigate the buckling behavior of this kind of graphite rod. By comparing the calculation results of the energy method and finite element method with those of laboratory tests, the analytical model and finite element numerical model are demonstrated to be accurate and reliable. The results show that it may lead to unsafe results if the classic theory was still adopted to determine the buckling loads of those rods composed of a material having different moduli. The proposed models could provide a novel approach for further investigation of non-linear mechanical behavior for other structures with different moduli.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.705-726
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• 2014

In general, cylindrically curved plates are used in ships and offshore structures such as wind towers, spa structures, fore and aft side shell plating, and bilge circle parts in merchant vessels. In a number of studies, it has been shown that curvature increases the buckling strength of a plate under compressive loading, and the ultimate load-carrying capacity is also expected to increase. In the present paper, a series of elastic and elastoplastic large deflection analyses were performed using the commercial finite element analysis program (MSC.NASTRAN/PATRAN) in order to clarify and examine the fundamental buckling and collapse behaviors of curved plates subjected to combined axial compression and lateral pressure. On the basis of the numerical results, the effects of curvature, the magnitude of the initial deflection, the slenderness ratio, and the aspect ratio on the characteristics of the buckling and collapse behavior of the curved plates are discussed. On the basis of the calculated results, the design formula was developed to predict the buckling and ultimate strengths of curved plates subjected to combined loads in an analytical manner. The buckling strength behaviors were simulated by performing elastic large deflection analyses. The newly developed formulations were applied in order to perform verification analyses for the curved plates by comparing the numerical results, and then, the usefulness of the proposed method was demonstrated.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.153-164
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• 2015

The methods of design of mat foundation may be classified as the rigid method and the flexible method according to the assumptions used. In the rigid method, the mat is assumed to be infinitely rigid and the contact pressure is assumed planar distribution. However, the contact pressure is not planar but curved surface because the real mat is not rigid. Therefore, it is not precise to analyze the mat foundation using the rigid method, and so there is no choice but to accept an error. On the other hand, in the flexible method, the mat is considered as the plate on the elastic foundation. This elastic plate theory is for the infinite plate acting a concentrated load on the elastic foundation. However, the functions for the moment, shear, and the deflection by the flexible method are very complex, there are many difficulties for the designer to use them. Also, it is impossible to use the design aid figures as a substitute of the complex functions, because they do not cover the values at the critical sections for the moment and shear. Therefore, in this research, the simplified functions for the moment, shear, and the deflection are proposed by regression analysis for an designer to use easily the flexible method. The simplified functions are very accurate and very ease to use.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.113-122
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• 1990

In case of repeated wheel-loads are acted on subbase course material, field test is generally executed to get the design standard, but the study shows dynamic properties of soils especially under repeated loads, which have not been well known to us. We try not only to obtain yield stress and elastic modulus of soil in terms of rheological model interpretation but also to investigate the influence of the repeated loads. Yield stress of soil induces hardening until approaching critical value along with the increase in number of cycle, whereas the change in modulus of elasticity with respect to the number of cycle greatly depends on the strength of repeated stress, if weak in strength of repeated stress, the modulus of elasticity increases along with the number of cycle, while if strong, it tends to decrease.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.131-147
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• 2011

The aim of this work is to provide some insights into the elasto-plastic behaviour of plate girder web square and rectangular panels with centred and eccentric holes under both compression and in-plane bending moment. The numerical study was validated comparing the numerical results obtained for one simple steel plate configuration with the corresponding experimental results, obtained at the University of Padova, observing the influence of the initial out-of-plane imperfections on the force vs. displacement relationship and ultimate strength. Once validated the numerical approach, the effect of bending moment on the stability of the plate is studied and some differences with respect to the uniform compression load case are shown. The influence of dimension and position of the hole, the plate aspect ratio and the steel grade on elasto-plastic behaviour is observed. Some indications regarding the critical slenderness (at which transition from elastic to plastic collapse occurs) are given for square and rectangular plates with symmetric and eccentric holes having small, medium and large diameter.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.297-306
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• 2016

This paper developed an analytical software, called Simulation of Concrete Structures (SCS), which is used for numerical analysis of shear-critical prestressed steel fiber concrete structures. Based on the previous research at the University of Houston (UH), SCS has been derived from an object-oriented software framework called Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (OpenSees). OpenSees was originally developed at the University of California, Berkeley. New module has been created for steel fiber concrete under prestress based on the constitutive relationships of this material developed at UH. This new material module has been integrated with the existing material modules in OpenSees. SCS thus developed has been used for predicting the behavior of the prestressed steel fiber concrete I-beams and Box-beams tested earlier in this research. The analysis could well predict the entire behavior of the beams including the elastic stiffness, yield point, post-yield stiffness, and maximum load for both web shear and flexure shear failure modes.