• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.475-489
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• 2015

This study presents the validation of a numerical model developed for dynamic analysis of buildings with roller seismic isolation bearings. Experimental methods allowed validation of the motion equations of a physical model of a building with and without roller bearings under base excitation. The results are presented in terms of modal parameters, frequency response functions (FRFs) and acceleration response. The agreement between numerical and experimental results proves the accuracy of the developed numerical model. Finally, the performance of the constructed seismic protection system is assessed through a parametric study.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.673-685
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• 2014

The topic of this study is to strengthen cracked beams with prefabricated RC U cross-sectional plates. The damaged beams were repaired by epoxy based glue. The repaired beams were strengthened using prefabricated plates. The strengthening plates were bonded to the bottom and side faces of the beams by anchorage rods and epoxy. The strengthened beams were incrementally loaded up to maximum load capacities. The experimental results were satisfactory since the load carrying capacities of damaged beams were increased approximately 76% due to strengthening. It was observed that strengthening plates had a dominant effect on the performance of beams in terms of both the post-elastic strength enhancement and the ductility. The experimental program was supported by a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis. The experimental results were compared with the results obtained from the beam modeled with ANSYS finite element program.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.779-802
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• 2013

In this paper, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) techniques are developed and applied to identify damage in a model steel girder bridge using dynamic parameters. The required data in the form of natural frequencies are obtained from experimental modal analysis. A comparative study is made using the ANNs and ANFIS techniques and results showed that both ANFIS and ANN present good predictions. However the proposed ANFIS architecture using hybrid learning algorithm was found to perform better than the multilayer feedforward ANN which learns using the backpropagation algorithm. This paper also highlights the concept of ANNs and ANFIS followed by the detail presentation of the experimental modal analysis for natural frequencies extraction.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.523-537
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• 2017

This study aims to investigate the capacity of different models to reproduce the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete framed structures. To accomplish this goal, a combined experimental and analytical research program was carried out on a large scaled reinforced concrete frame. Analyses were performed by SAP2000 and compared to experimental and VecTor2 results. Models made in SAP2000 differ in the simulation of the plasticity and the type of the frame elements used to discretize the frame structure. The results obtained allow a better understanding of the characteristics of all numerical models, helping the users to choose the best approach to perform nonlinear analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.595-614
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• 2001

This paper studies the behaviour of a homogeneous cable in a horizontal rigid duct and loaded by an axial compressive force. This behaviour is characterized by spatial buckling modes, named sinusoidal and helical, due to friction and total or partial cable locking. The evaluation of critical buckling loads involved by drilling technology has been studied by many authors. This work presents a new formulation, taking the friction effects into account, for the transmission of the axial load during the postbuckling process. New analytical expressions of pitches in both buckling cases are also given. A life-sized bench is presented, which permits to study the laying of optical fiber cables by squeezing them into an underground duct. Finally, analytical solutions are compared with experimental tests and finite element simulations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.615-632
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• 2001

Ductility of open piled wharves under reversed cyclic loads has been investigated. Experimental testing of five wharf models having a scale of about 1:4 was conducted under the application of horizontal reversed cyclic loading. The experiments were designed to focus on the horizontal ultimate load, ductility and failure mode of the considered wharf models. Nonlinear numerical analyses using the finite element method were also performed on numerical models representing the experimentally tested wharves. The results of the experimental tests showed that open piled wharves possessed favourable ductile behaviour and that their load bearing capacity did not depreciate until a ductility factor of 3 to 4 was reached. The numerical analysis showed that the relative rotation that took place at the joints between the steel piles and the R.C. beam was responsible for a considerable portion of the total horizontal deformation of the wharves. Therefore, it was concluded that introducing the joint stiffness in calculating the deformations of open piled wharves was important to achieve reasonable accuracy.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.801-811
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• 2011

A new experimental technique was developed on the plate-inserted welded tubular joints of spatial grid structures. In the experimental technique, a microcomputer controlling instrument of moire intervention (MCIMI) was adopted. A test was designed on the plate-inserted welded tubular joints of spatial grid structures to show the effectiveness of the MCIMI technique. Both traditional electrical measuring technique and MCIMI technique were employed in the test. The test results showed that the MCIMI technique was feasible in the case of the complicated tests on steel structures. The MCIMI technique not only implemented the limitation of traditional electrical measuring technique, but also improved the accuracy of the test. According to the test results, we further examined the plate-inserted welded tubular joints in the cable-stayed spatial grids of the Binhai International Convention & Exhibition in Tianjin, China. The analysis showed the joints are safely designed with adequate conservatism. The research provided a new application of MCIMI in the field of large-scale structure engineering.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.423-437
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• 2009

In order to perform a step-by-step force-displacement response analysis or dynamic time-history analysis of large buildings with masonry infilled R/C frames, a continuous force-deformation model based on an equivalent strut approach is proposed for masonry infill panels containing openings. The model, which is applicable for degrading elements, can be implemented to replicate a wide range of monotonic force-displacement behaviour, resulting from different design and geometry, by varying the control parameters of the model. The control parameters of the proposed continuous model are determined using experimental data. The experimental program includes fifteen 1/3-scale, single-story, single-bay reinforced concrete frame specimens subjected to lateral cyclic loading. The parameters investigated include the shape, the size, the location of the opening and the infill compressive strength. The actual properties of the infill and henceforth the characteristics needed for the diagonal strut model are based on the assessment of its lateral resistance by the subtraction of the response of the bare frame from the response of the infilled frame.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.355-365
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• 2020

In this study, considering the hydroelastic response represented by the springing and whipping phenomena, we propose a method of estimating the fatigue damage in the longitudinal connections of ships. First, we screened the design sea states using a load transfer function based on the frequency domain. We then conducted a time domain fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis using WISH-FLEX, an in-house code based on the weakly nonlinear approach. To obtain an effective and robust analytical result of the hydroelastic response, we also conducted an experimental model test with a 1/50-scale backbone-based model of a ship, and compared the experimental results with those obtained from the FSI analysis. Then, by combining the results obtained from the hydroelastic response with those obtained from the numerical fatigue analysis, we developed a fatigue damage estimation method. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed method, we evaluated the fatigue strength for the longitudinal connections of the real ship and compared it with the results obtained from the model tests.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2006

The application of cellular materials in load-carrying and security-relevant structures requires the exact prediction of their mechanical behavior, which necessitates the development of robust simulation models and techniques based on appropriate experimental procedures. The determination of the yield surface requires experiments under multi-axial stress states because the yield behavior is sensitive to the hydrostatic stress and simple uniaxial tests aim only to determine one single point of the yield surface. Therefore, an experimental technique based on a uniaxial strain test for the description of the influence of the hydrostatic stress on the yield condition in the elastic-plastic transition zone at small strains is proposed and numerically investigated. Furthermore, this experimental technique enables the determination of a second elastic constant, e.g., Poisson's ratio.