• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.241-256
• /
• 2000

The major sources of energy dissipation in steel frames with partially restrained (PR) connections are evaluated. Available experimental results are used to verify the mathematical model used in this study. The verified model is then used to quantify the energy dissipation in PR connections due to hysteretic behavior, due to viscous damping and at plastic hinges if they are formed. Observations are made for two load conditions: a sinusoidal load applied at the top of the frame, and a sinusoidal ground acceleration applied at the base of the frame representing a seismic loading condition. This analytical study confirms the general behavior, observed during experimental investigations, that PR connections reduce the overall stiffness of frames, but add a major source of energy dissipation. As the connections become stiffer, the contribution of PR connections in dissipating energy becomes less significant. A connection with a T ratio (representing its stiffness) of at least 0.9 should not be considered as fully restrained as is commonly assumed, since the energy dissipation characteristics are different. The flexibility of PR connections alters the fundamental frequency of the frame. Depending on the situation, it may bring the frame closer to or further from the resonance condition. If the frame approaches the resonance condition, the effect of damping is expected to be very important. However, if the frame moves away from the resonance condition, the energy dissipation at the PR connections is expected to be significant with an increase in the deformation of the frame, particularly for low damping values. For low damping values, the dissipation of energy at plastic hinges is comparable to that due to viscous damping, and increases as the frame approaches failure. For the range of parameters considered in this study, the energy dissipations at the PR connections and at the plastic hinges are of the same order of magnitude. The study quantitatively confirms the general observations made in experimental investigations for steel frames with PR connections; however, proper consideration of the stiffness of PR connections and other dynamic properties is essential in predicting the dynamic behavior.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.417-432
• /
• 2000

A comprehensive analytic study has been conducted to investigate the instability problems of metal-plate-connected (MPC) joints in light frame trusses. The primary objective in this study is to determine the governing factors that constitute the buckling of the metal connectors and their effects on the structural response of joints. Another objective is to recommend design curves for the daily structural design of these joints. The numeric data presented in this paper has emerged from a broad base that was founded on over 350 advanced computer simulations, and was supported by available experimental results obtained by others. This basic-to-applied research includes practical engineering parameters such as size of gaps, shear lengths, gauge (plate thickness) of connectors, size of un-braced areas, failure modes, and progressive disintegration of joints. Square-end members have been emphasized though the results cover the custom-made fitted joints. The results indicate that chord shears cause and dominate the buckling of MPC joints, and the shear length has a more pronounced effect than the size of gaps. Further, large gauges and small un-braced areas improve the buckling response. Several practical recommendations have been suggested throughout the paper such as keeping the ratio of gap/shear length below 3/4 for improving the buckling strength. The study reveals that multi-area joints should not be simplified as single web-to-chord MPC joints such as keeping the ratio of gap/shear length below 3/4 for improving the buckling strength, even where one web is in tension and the other in compression. Finally, the results obtained from this study favorably agree with experimental data by others, and the classic buckling theories for other structural components.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2012

Concrete sleepers are essential components of the conventional railway. As support elements, sleepers are always subjective to a variety of time-dependent loads attributable to the train operations, either wheel or rail abnormalities. It has been observed that the sleepers may deteriorate due to these loads, inducing the formation of hairline cracks. There are two areas along the sleepers that are more prone to crack: the central and the rail seat sections. Several non-destructive methods have been developed to identify failures in structures. Health monitoring techniques are based on vibration responses measurements, which help engineers to identify the vibration-based damage or remotely monitor the sleeper health. In the present paper, the dynamic effects of the cracks in the vibration signatures of the railway pre-stressed concrete sleepers are investigated. The experimental modal analysis has been used to evaluate the modal bending changes in the vibration characteristics of the sleepers, differentiating between the central and the rail seat locations of the cracks. Modal parameters changes of the 'healthy' and cracked sleepers have been highlighted in terms of natural frequencies and modal damping. The paper concludes with a discussion of the most suitable failure indicator and it defines the vibration signatures of intact, central cracked and rail seat cracked sleepers.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.101-116
• /
• 2018

As one of the most important engineering structures, arch dams are huge constructions built with human hands and have strategical importance. Because of the fact that long construction duration, water supply, financial reasons, major loss of life and material since failure etc., the design of arch dams is very important problem and should be done by expert engineers to determine the structural behavior more accurately. Finite element analyses and non-destructive experimental measurements can be used to investigate the structural response, but there are some difficulties such as spending a long time while modelling, analysis and in-situ testing. Therefore, it is more useful to conduct the research on the laboratory conditions and to transform the obtained results into real constructions. Within the scope of this study, it is aimed to determine the structural behavior of arch dams considering experimentally validated prototype laboratory model using similitude and scaling laws. Type-1 arch dam, which is one of five arch dam types suggested at the "Arch Dams" Symposium in England in 1968 is selected as reference prototype model. The dam is built considering dam-reservoir-foundation interaction and ambient vibration tests are performed to validate the finite element results such as dynamic characteristics, displacements, principal stresses and strains. These results are considered as reference parameters and used to determine the real arch dam response with different scales factors such as 335, 400, 416.67 and 450. These values are selected by considering previously examined dam projects. Arch heights are calculated as 201 m, 240 m, 250 m and 270 m, respectively. The structural response is investigated between the model and prototype by using similarity requirements, field equations, scaling laws etc. To validate these results, finite element models are enlarged in the same scales and analyses are repeated to obtain the dynamic characteristics, displacements, principal stresses and strains. At the end of the study, it is seen that there is a good agreement between all results obtained by similarity requirements with scaling laws and enlarged finite element models.

• Computational Structural Engineering
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.69-81
• /
• 1994

This paper summarizes a dynamic analysis of the shallow circular arches under dynamic loading, considering the geometric nonlinearity. The major emphasis is placed on the development of computer program, which is utilized for the analysis of the nonlinear dynamic behavior and for the evaluation of the critical buckling loads of the shallow circular arches. Geometric nonlinearity is modeled using Lagrangian description of the motion and a finite element analysis procedure is used to solve the dynamic equation of motion. A circular arch subject to normal step load is analyzed and the results are compared with those from other researches to verify the developed program. The critical buckling loads of arches are estimated using the non-dimensional time, load and shape parameters and the results are also compared with those from the linear analysis. It is found that geometric nonlinearity plays and important role in the analysis of shallow arches and the probability of buckling failure is getting higher as arches become shallower.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.417-428
• /
• 2020

Investigations of the commercial aircraft impact effect on nuclear island infrastructures have been drawing extensive attention, and this paper aims to perform the safety assessment of Generation III nuclear power plant (NPP) buildings subjected to typical commercial aircrafts crash. At present Part III, the local damage of the rigid components of aircraft, e.g., engine and landing gear, impacting the steel concrete (SC) structures of NPP containment is mainly discussed. Two typical SC target panels with the thicknesses of 40 mm and 100 mm, as well as the steel cylindrical projectile with a mass of 2.15 kg and a diameter of 80 mm are fabricated. By using a large-caliber air gas gun, both the projectile penetration and perforation test are conducted, in which the striking velocities were ranged from 96 m/s to 157 m/s. The bulging velocity and the maximal deflection of rear steel plate, as well as penetration depth of projectile are derived, and the local deformation and failure modes of SC panels are assessed experimentally. Then, the commercial finite element program LS-DYNA is utilized to perform the numerical simulations, by comparisons with the experimental and simulated projectile impact process and SC panel damage, the numerical algorithm, constitutive models and the corresponding parameters are verified. The present work can provide helpful references for the evaluation of the local impact resistance of NPP buildings against the aircraft engine.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate relative bioavailability of the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in emulsion and three liposome formulations after a single oral administration (60 mg/kg) into rats. Emulsion formulation of CoQ10 was prepared by conventional method using Phospholipon 85G as an emulsifier, and three liposome formulations (neutral, anionic, and cationic) of CoQ10 were prepared by traditional lipid film hydration technique using Phospholipon 85G, cholesterol, and charge carrier lipids (1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride salt for cationic liposome and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate monosodium salt for anionic liposome). Mean particle size of all CoQ10-loaded liposome was less than a micron, and size distribution of the liposome population was homogeneous. Bioavailability of CoQ10 in emulsion was 1.5 to 2.6-fold greater than liposome formulations in terms of $AUC_{0-24\;h}$. $T_{max}$ was 3 h when administered as emulsion while it was greater than 6 h in liposome formulations. Notably, it was approximately 8 h in cationic liposome. $C_{max}$ was highest in emulsion and was significantly decreased when administered as liposome. Charged liposome showed even lower $C_{max}$ than neutral liposome, especially in cationic liposome. In conclusion, therefore, it is suggested that clinicians and patients consider bioavailability issue a primary concern when choosing a CoQ10 product, especially when very high plasma level is required such as in the treatment of heart failure and Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2010

The current trends in steel construction involve the use of tapered sections to minimize the use of excess materials to the extent possible, by choosing cross-sections that are as economical as possible abandoning the classical approach of using prismatic members. In addition, snug-tightened connections, especially the end-plate type, have the advantage of fetching less construction costs and shorter assembly times as opposed to fully tightened joints. Although they have many merits, however, snug-tightened bolted end plates are extremely complex in their structural behavior. In this study, an experimental investigation of the snug-tightened flush end-plate connections of tapered beams were conducted. The primary test parameters were the torque for the clamping bolt, the loading pattern, the bolt type and the connection failure type. Using initial stiffness and load-carrying capacity as proposed by Silva et al. and AISC (2003), the moment-rotation curve of a linearly tapered member with a snug-tightened flush end-plate connection was predicted. Moreover, numerical and experimental data for moment-rotation curves were compared.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• v.18 no.3E
• /
• pp.173-181
• /
• 2006

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the reliability of an existing nonlinear analysis program for predicting the inelastic behavior of reinforced concrete frame with seismic details and to observe the redistribution of the internal forces, which can not be easily measured by an experiment. In order to carry out this task, the nonlinear analysis program of IDARC 2D(3) was run on a 2-bay, 2-story moment-resisting reinforced concrete plane frame with seismic details. (1) The effort to obtain the results of the analysis similar to those of experiment was made by determining the appropriate values of model parameters. The comparison of the analysis results with those of experiment and the observation of the distribution of internal forces obtained through nonlinear analysis points to the following conclusions. (1) The overall relationship between lateral load and lateral displacement given by the analysis is similar to that of experiment. However, the values of initial stiffness and the amount of energy dissipation in the initial displacement steps given by the analysis show larger values than those of experiment. (2) The analysis provided detailed information on the distribution and redistribution of internal forces and proved useful in elucidating the crack pattern, the sequence of the occurrence of plastic hinges, and the failure or yielding mechanism for the whole structure. (3) In spite of the similarity in overall behavior of analysis and experiment, there exists a significant discrepancy in some local behaviors. Furthermore, the hysteresis in the relationship between moment and curvature in some column ends have shown sudden deteriorations in strength, which can not be interpreted satisfactorily at the present time. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a better analytical model to fill this knowledge gap.

• KCI Concrete Journal
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.85-93
• /
• 2000

Potentially significant mechanical improvements in tension can be achieved by the incorporation of randomly distributed, short discrete fibers in concrete. The improvements due to the incorporation fibers significantly influence the composite stress - strain ($\sigma$-$\varepsilon$) characteristics. In general incorporating fibers in a plain concrete has relatively small effect on its precracking behavior. It, however, alters its post-cracking behavior quite significantly, resulting in greatly improved ductility, crack controls, and energy absorption capacity (or toughness). Therefore, a thorough understanding the complete tensile stress - strain ($\sigma$-$\varepsilon$) response of fiber reinforced concrete is necessary for proper analysis while using structural components made with fiber reinforced concrete. Direct tensile stress applied to a specimen is in principle the simplest configuration for determining the tensile response of concrete. However, problems associated with testing brittle materials in tension include (i) the problem related to gripping of the specimen and (ii) the problem of ensuring centric loading. Routinely, indirect tension tests for plain concrete, flexural and split-cylinder tests, have been used as simpler alternatives to direct uniaxial tension test. They are assumed to suitable for fiber reinforced concrete since typically such composites comprise 98% by volume of plain concrete. Clearly since the post-cracking characteristics are significantly influenced by the reinforcing parameters and interface characteristics, it would be fundamentally incorrect to use indirect tensile tests for determining the tensile properties of fiber reinforced concrete. The present investigation represents a systematic look at the failure and toughening mechanisms and macroscopic stress - strain ($\sigma$-$\varepsilon$) characteristics of fiber reinforced concrete in the uniaxial tension test. Results from an experimental parametric study involving used fiber quantity, type, and mechanical properties in the uniaxial tension test are presented and discussed.