• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.657-674
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• 2009

In this paper a 3-D continuum damage mechanics formulation for composite laminates and its implementation into a finite element model that is based on the layer-wise laminate plate theory are described. In the damage formulation, each composite ply is treated as a homogeneous orthotropic material exhibiting orthotropic damage in the form of distributed microscopic cracks that are normal to the three principal material directions. The progressive damage of different angle ply composite laminates under quasi-static loading that exhibit the free edge effects are investigated. The effects of various numerical modeling parameters on the progressive damage response are investigated. It will be shown that the dominant damage mechanism in the lay-ups of [+30/-30]s and [+45/-45]s is matrix cracking. However, the lay-up of [+15/-15] may be delaminated in the vicinity of the edges and at $+{\theta}/-{\theta}$ layers interfaces.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.455-468
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• 2011

Although retrofitting and strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) columns by wrapping fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have become a popular technique in civil engineering, the study on reinforced high-strength concrete (HSC) columns is still not sufficient. The objective of these companion papers is to investigate the mechanical properties of reinforced HSC square columns confined by aramid FRP (AFRP) jackets under concentric compressive loading. In the part I of these companion papers, an experiment was conducted on 54 confined RC specimens and nine unconfined plain specimens, the considered parameters were the concrete strength, the thickness of AFRP jackets, and the form of AFRP wrapping. The experimental process and results are presented in detail. Subsequently, some discussions on the confinement effect, failure modes, strength, and ductility of the columns are carried out.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.431-458
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• 2014

Construction of a new cavern close to an existing cavern will result in a modification of the state of stresses in a zone around the existing cavern as interaction between the twin caverns takes place. Extensive plane strain finite difference analyses were carried out to examine the deformations induced by excavation of underground twin caverns. From the numerical results, a fairly simple nonparametric regression algorithm known as multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) has been used to relate the maximum key point displacement and the percent strain to various parameters including the rock quality, the cavern geometry and the in situ stress. Probabilistic assessments on the serviceability limit state of twin caverns can be performed using the First-order reliability spreadsheet method (FORM) based on the built MARS model. Parametric studies indicate that the probability of failure $P_f$ increases as the coefficient of variation of Q increases, and $P_f$ decreases with the widening of the pillar.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.297-312
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• 2008

A concrete filled double skin tubular (called CFDST in abbreviation) member consists of two concentric circular steel tubes and filled concrete between them. Purpose of this study is to investigate their bending characteristics experimentally. The two test parameters of the tubes considered were an inner-to-outer diameter ratio and a thickness-diameter ratio. As a result, their observed failure modes were controlled by tensile cracking or local buckling of the outer tube. Discussion is focused on the confinement effect on the filled concrete due to the both tubes and also the influence of the inner-to-outer diameter ratios on their deformability and load carrying capacity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.231-250
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• 2007

The influence of masonry infills with eccentric openings on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (r/c) frames that were designed in accordance with current code provisions are investigated. Eight 1/3-scale, single-story, single-bay frame specimens were tested under cyclic horizontal loading up to a drift level of 4%. In all examined cases the shear strength of columns was higher than the cracking shear strength of solid infill. The parameters investigated include the shape and the location of the opening. Assessment of the behavior of the frames is also attempted, based on the observed failure modes, strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation capacity and degradation from cycling loading. Based on these results there can be deduced that masonry infills with eccentrically located openings has been proven to be beneficial to the seismic capacity of the bare r/c frames in terms of strength, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation. The location of the opening must be as near to the edge of the infill as possible in order to provide an improvement in the performance of the infilled frame.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2017

Purpose: In recent years, weight reduction for improving fuel efficiency of the vehicle and cost reduction have been developed. The structure of suspension link is widely used as a single plate press structure which can reduce process and weight compared to existing pipe welding method. However, it was found that the lifetime of a single plate press structure is determined by initial defects that occurred during initial manufacturing rather than fatigue damage caused by driving. Methods: I research the mechanism of failure phenomenon of the single plate press assist arm of rear wheel. In addition, I investigate durability effect parameters to determine the link lifetime in inserting bush into single plate press process through durability test. Conclusion: I discover significant durability effect parameter in inserting bush into single plate press process. It is expected that the durability can be improved by suggesting a bush inserting process inspection guide for similar suspension link like single plate press structure.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.360-374
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• 2016

The present paper studies the ultimate torsional strength of stiffened box girders with large deck opening due to the influence of cracks. Three types of hull girders with different spans are provided for comparison. Potential parameters which may have effects on the torsional strength including the mesh refinement, initial deflection, material strain hardening, geometric properties of crack and stiffener are discussed. Two new concepts that play an significant role in the ultimate strength research of damaged box girders are introduced, one of which is the effective residual section (ERS), the other is the initial damage of the failure zone (IDFZ) for intact structures. New simple formulas for predicting the residual ultimate torsional strength of cracked stiffened box girders are derived on the basis of the two new concepts.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.627-639
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• 2016

The analysis of thermally induced stresses in engineering structures is a very important and necessary task with respect to design and modeling of pressurized containers, heat exchangers, aircrafts segments, etc. to prevent them from failure and improve working conditions. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate elasto-plastic thermal stresses and deformations in a thin annular plate embedded into rigid container. To this end, analytical research devoted to mathematically and physically rigorous stress/strain analysis is performed. In order to evaluate the effect of logarithmic thermal gradients, commonly applied to structures which incorporate thin plate geometries, different thermal parameters such as temperature mismatch and varying constraint temperature were introduced into the model of elastic perfectly-plastic annular plate obeying the von Mises yield criterion with its associated flow rule. The results obtained may be used in sensitive to temperature differences aircraft structures where the thermal effects on equipment must be kept in mind.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1111-1133
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• 2015

Rebar corrosion in concrete is one of the main causes of reduction of service life of reinforced concrete buildings. This paper presents the influence of rebar corrosion on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings subjected to strong earthquake ground motion. Different levels of rebar corrosion scenarios were applied on a typical four story RC frame. The deteriorated conditions as a result of these scenarios include loss in cross-sectional area and loss of mechanical properties of the reinforcement bars, loss in bond strength, and loss in concrete strength and its modulus of elasticity. Dynamic analyses of the frame with different corrosion scenarios are performed with selected strong earthquake ground motion records. The influences of degradation in both concrete and reinforcement on structural behavior are investigated by comparing the various parameters of the frame under different corrosion scenarios with respect to each other. The results show that the progressive deterioration of the frame due to rebar corrosion causes serious structural behavior changes such as change in failure mode. The intensity, propagation time, and extensity of rebar corrosion have very important effects on the level of degradation of steel and concrete, as well as on the earthquake behavior of the structure.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2012

Soil foundations exhibit significant creeping deformation, which may result in excessive settlement and failure of superstructures. Based on the theory of viscoelasticity and fractional calculus, a fractional Kelvin-Voigt model is proposed to account for the time-dependent behavior of soil foundation under vertical line load. Analytical solution of settlements in the foundation was derived using Laplace transforms. The influence of the model parameters on the time-dependent settlement is studied through a parametric study. Results indicate that the settlement-time relationship can be accurately captured by varying values of the fractional order of differential operator and the coefficient of viscosity. In comparison with the classical Kelvin-Voigt model, the fractional model can provide a more accurate prediction of long-term settlements of soil foundation. The determination of influential distance also affects the calculation of settlements.