• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.795-821
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• 2012

The size and topology of geometrically nonlinear dome structures are optimized thereby minimizing both its entire weight & joint (node) displacements and maximizing load-carrying capacity. Design constraints are implemented from provisions of American Petroleum Institute specification (API RP2A-LRFD). In accordance with the proposed design constraints, the member responses computed by use of arc-length technique as a nonlinear structural analysis method are checked at each load increment. Thus, a penalization process utilized for inclusion of unfeasible designations to genetic search is correspondingly neglected. In order to solve this complex design optimization problem with multiple objective functions, Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA II) approach is employed as a multi-objective optimization tool. Furthermore, the flexibility of proposed optimization is enhanced thereby integrating an automatic dome generating tool. Thus, it is possible to generate three distinct sphere-shaped dome configurations with varying topologies. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of brace (diagonal) members into the geometrical configuration of dome structure provides a weight-saving dome designation with higher load-carrying capacity. The proposed optimization approach is recommended for the design optimization of geometrically nonlinear dome structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2018

The main objective of this study is to develop a dual approach for geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis of plane truss structures. The geometric nonlinearity is considered using the Total Lagrangian formulation. The nonlinear solution is obtained by introducing and minimizing an objective function subjected to displacement-type constraints. The proposed method can fully trace the whole equilibrium path of geometrically nonlinear plane truss structures not only before the limit point but also after it. No stiffness matrix is used in the main approach and the solution is acquired only based on the direct classical stress-strain formulations. As a result, produced errors caused by linearization and approximation of the main equilibrium equation will be eliminated. The suggested algorithm can predict both pre- and post-buckling behavior of the steel plane truss structures as well as any arbitrary point of equilibrium path. In addition, an equilibrium path with multiple limit points and snap-back phenomenon can be followed in this approach. To demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and robustness of the proposed procedure, numerical results of the suggested approach are compared with theoretical solution, modified arc-length method, and those of reported in the literature.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 1988

A higher order plate bending finite element using cubic in-plane displacement profiles is proposed for geometrically nonlinear analysis of thin and thick plates. The higher order plate bending element has been derived from the three dimensional plate-like continuum by discretization of the equations of motion by Galerkin weighted residual method, together with enforcing higher order plate assumptions. Total Lagrangian formulation has been used for geometrically nonlinear analysis of plates and consistent linearization by Newton-Raphson method has been performed to solve the nonlinear equations. The element characteristics have been computed by, selective reduced integration technique using Gauss quadrature to avoid shear locking phenomenon in case of extremely thin plates. Several numerical examples were solved with FEAP macro program to demonstrate versatility and accuracy of the present higher order plate bending element.

• Selected Papers of The Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 1993

A displacement-based finite element method Is presented for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of eccentrically stiffened plates. A nonlinear degenerated shell element and a nonlinear degenerated eccentric isoparametric beam (isobeam) element are formulated on the basis of Total Agrangian and Updated Lagrangian descriptions. In the formulation of the isobeam element, some additional local decrees of freedom are implementd to describe the stiffener's local plate buckling modes. Therefore this element can be effectively employed to model the eccentric stiffener with fewer D.O.F's than the case of a degenerated shell element. Some detailed buckling and nonlinear analyses of an eccentrically stiffened plate are performed to estimate the critical buckling loads and the post buckling behaviors including the local plate buckling of the stiffeners discretized with the degenerated shell elements and the isobeam elements. The critical buckling loads are found to be higher than the analytical plate buckling load but lower than Euler buckling load of the corresponding column, i.e, buckling strength requirements of the Classification Societies for the stiffened plates.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.12-19
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• 2005

The single layer latticed dome is very sensitive on the slenderness ratio and half open angle of the elements, load condition and the connection type because it is organized by a lot of thin elements, so we have to use the geometrically nonlinear buckling load when the buckling behavior of the structures is analyzed But, it is very difficult to design the single layer latticed domes considered all conditions. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to propose the appropriate design method of the single layer latticed dome considered the geometrically nonlinear buckling load in base on the linear buckling load by the eigen-value analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.575-597
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• 2006

Enhanced three-dimensional finite elements for geometrically nonlinear analysis of cable-supported structures are presented. The cable element, derived by using the concept of an equivalent modulus of elasticity and assuming the deflection curve of a cable as catenary function, is proposed to model the cables. The stability functions for a frame member are modified to obtain a numerically stable solution. Various numerical examples are solved to illustrate the versatility and efficiency of the proposed finite element model. It is shown that the finite elements proposed in this study can be very useful for geometrically nonlinear analysis as well as free vibration analysis of three-dimensional cable-supported structures.

• Proceeding of KASS Symposium
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.113-118
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• 2008

This paper presents a flexural-torsional analysis of thin-walled open-section composite beams. A general geometrically nonlinear model for thin-walled composite beams and general laminate stacking sequences is given by using systematic variational formulation based on the classical lamination theory. The nonlinear algebraic equations of present theory are linearized and solved by means of an incremental Newton-Raphson method. Based on the analytical model, a displacement-based one-dimensional finite element model is developed to formulate the problem. Numerical results are obtained for thin-walled composite beams under general loadings, addressing the effects of fiber angle, laminate stacking sequence and loading parameters.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.381-386
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• 2007

The present study is concerned with the application of Constant arc-length method that proposed by Crisfield in the investigation of the geometrically nonlinear behaviour of spatial structures composed by truss or beam element. The arc-length method can trace the full nonlinear equilibrium path of Spatial structure far beyond the critical point such as limit or bifurcation point. So, we have developed the constant arc-length method of Crisfield to analysis spatial structure. The finite element formulation is used to develop the 3d truss/beam element including the geometrical nonlinear effect. In an effort to evaluate the merits of the methods, extensive numerical studies were carried out on a number of selected structural systems. The advantages of Constant arc length method in tracing the post-buckling behavior of spatial structures, are demonstrated.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.71-87
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• 2017

This study focuses on the efficiency and applicability of dynamic relaxation methods in form-finding of membrane structures. Membrane structures have large deformations that require complex nonlinear analysis. The first step of analysis of these structures is the form-finding process including a geometrically nonlinear analysis. Several numerical methods for form-finding have been introduced such as the dynamic relaxation, force density method, particle spring systems and the updated reference strategy. In the present study, dynamic relaxation method (DRM) is investigated. The dynamic relaxation method is an iterative process that is used for the static equilibrium analysis of geometrically nonlinear problems. Five different examples are used in this paper. To achieve the grading of the different dynamic relaxation methods in form-finding of membrane structures, a performance index is introduced. The results indicate that viscous damping methods show better performance than kinetic damping in finding the shapes of membrane structures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.10 no.4 s.37
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• pp.769-777
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• 1998

That main purpose of this paper is to clarify the effects of geometrically initial imperfection on the buckling characteristics of the pin-jointed single-layer lattice domes with triangular network. Additionally, this study is to get the data that is to formulate the general buckling-strength equation taking geometrically initial imperfection into consideration. Analysis is undertaken by using the frame analysis method which is based on the finite element method dealing with geometrically nonlinear problem.