• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.563-582
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• 2021

The present study experimentally and analytically investigated the push-out behaviour of H-shaped steel section embedded in ultrahigh-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). The effect of significant parameters such as the concrete types, fibre content, embedded steel length, transverse reinforcement ratio and concrete cover on the bond stress, development of bond stress along the embedded length and failure mechanism has been reported. The test results show that the bond slip behaviour of steel-UHPFRC is different from the bond slip behaviour of steel-normal concrete and steel-high strength concrete. The bond-slip curves of steel-normal concrete and steel-high strength concrete exhibit brittle behaviour, and the bond strength decreases rapidly after reaching the peak load, with a residual bond strength of approximately one-half of the peak bond strength. The bond-slip curves of steel-UHPFRC show an obvious ductility, which exhibits a unique displacement pseudoplastic effect. The residual bond strength can still reach from 80% to 90% of the peak bond strength. Compared to steel-normal concrete, the transverse confinement of stirrups has a limited effect on the bond strength in the steel-UHPFRC substrate, but a higher stirrup ratio can improve cracking resistance. The experimental campaign quantifies the local bond stress development and finds that the strain distribution in steel follows an exponential rule along the steel embedded length. Based on the theory of mean bond and local bond stress, the present study proposes empirical approaches to predict the ultimate and residual bond resistance with satisfactory precision. The research findings serve to explain the interface bond mechanism between UHPFRC and steel, which is significant for the design of steel-UHPFRC composite structures and verify the feasibility of eliminating longitudinal rebars and stirrups by using UHPFRC in composite columns.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.327-341
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• 2020

Advanced forms of structural design (e.g., displacement-based methods) require knowledge of the non-linear force-displacement behavior of both the overall building and individual lateral load resisting elements, i.e., walls or building cores. Similarly, understanding the non-linear behaviour of the elements in a structure can also allow for a less conservative structural response to be calculated by better understanding the cracked (i.e., effective) properties of the various RC elements. Calculating the non-linear response of an RC section typically involves using 'black box' analysis packages, wherein the user may not be in complete control nor be aware of all the intricate settings and/or decisions behind the scenes. This paper introduces a user-friendly and transparent analysis program for predicting the back-bone force displacement behavior of slender (i.e., flexure controlled) RC walls, building cores or columns. The program has been validated and benchmarked theoretically against both commonly available and widely used analysis packages and experimentally against a database of 16 large-scale RC wall test specimens. The program, which is called WHAM, is written using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets to promote transparency and allow users to further develop or modify to suit individual requirements. The program is available free-of-charge and is intended to be used as an educational tool for structural designers, researchers or students.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-142
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• 2013

Pile load tests using Osterberg cells (O-cell) were conducted on cast-in-place concrete piles founded in oil sand fill and in situ oil sand at an industrial plant site in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Interpreted pile test results show that very high pile shaft resistance (with the Bjerrum-Burland or Beta coefficient of 2.5-4.5) against oil sand could be mobilized at small relative displacements of 2-3% of shaft diameter. Finite element simulations based on linear elastic and elasto-plastic models for oil sand materials were used to analyze the pile load test measurements. Two constitutive models yield comparable top-down load versus pile head displacement curves, but very different behaviour in mobilization of pile shaft and end bearing resistances. The elasto-plastic model produces more consistent matching in both pile shaft and end bearing resistances whereas the linear elastic under- and over-predicts the shaft and end bearing resistances, respectively. The mobilization of high shaft resistance in oil sand under pile load is attributed to the very dense and interlocked structure of oil sand which results in high matrix stiffness, high friction angle, and high shear dilation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.139-149
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• 2022

To simplify the design and reduce the construction cost of traditional multi-girder structural systems, twin I-girder structures are widely used in many countries in recent years. Due to the concern on post-fracture redundancy, however, twin girder bridges are currently classified as fracture critical structures in AASHTO specifications for highway bridges. To investigate the after-fracture behavior of such structures, a composite steel and concrete twin girder specimen was built and an artificial fracture through the web and the bottom flange was created on one main girder. The static loading test was performed to investigate its mechanical performance after a severe fracture occurred on the main girder. Applied load and vertical displacement curves, and the applied load versus strain relationships at key sections were measured. To investigate the load distribution and transfer capacities between two steel girders, the normal strain development on crossbeams was also measured during the loading test. In addition, both shear and normal strains of studs were also measured in the loading test to explore the behavior of shear connectors in such bridges. The functions and structural performance of structural members and possible load transfer paths after main girder fractures in such bridges were also discussed. The test results indicate in this study that a typical twin I-girder can resist a general fracture on one of its two main girders. The presented results can provide references for post-fracture performance and optimization for the design of twin I-girder bridges and similar structures.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.307-317
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• 1991

A displacement-based finite element method is presented for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of eccentrically stiffened plates. The nonlinear degenerated shell and eccentric isobeam(isoparametric beam) elements are formulated on the basis of total Lagrangian and updated Lagrangian descriptions. To describe the stiffener's local plate buckling mode, some additional local degrees of freedom are used in the eccentric isobeam element. The eccentric isobeam element can be affectively employed to model the eccentric stiffener just like the case of the degenerated shell element. A detailed nonlinear analysis including the effects of stiffener's eccentricity is performed to estimate the critical load and the post buckling behaviour of an eccentrically stiffened plate. The critical buckling loads are found higher than analytic plate buckling load but lower than Euler buckling load which are the buckling strength requirements of classification society.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-67
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• 2005

This paper presents a new approach to predict the racking load-displacement response of plasterboard clad walls found in Australian light-framed residential structures under monotonic racking load. The method is based on a closed-form mathematical model, described herein as the 'Modularised' Closed-Form Mathematical model or MCFM model. The model considers the non-linear behaviour of the connections between the plasterboard cladding and frame. Furthermore, the model is flexible as it enables incorporation of different nailing patterns for the cladding. Another feature of this model is that the shape of stud deformation is not assumed to be a specific function, but it is computed based on the strain energy approach to take account of the actual load deformation characteristics of particular walls. Verification of the model against the results obtained from a detailed Finite Element (FE) model is also reported. Very good agreement between the closed form solution and that of the FE model was achieved.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.393-410
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• 2011

The eight-node 3D solid element is one of the most extensively used elements in computational mechanics. This is due to its simple shape and easy of discretization. However, due to the parasitic shear locking, it should not be used to simulate the behaviour of structural members in bending dominant conditions. Previous researches have indicated that the introduction of incompatible mode into the displacement field of the solid element could significantly reduce the shear locking phenomenon. In this study, an incompatible mode eight-node solid element, which considers both geometric and material nonlinearities, is developed for modelling of structural members at elevated temperatures. An algorithm is developed to extend the state determination procedure at ambient temperature to elevated temperatures overcoming initially converged stress locking when the external load is kept constant. Numerical studies show that this incompatible element is superior in terms of convergence, mesh insensitivity and reducing shear locking. It is also showed that the solid element model developed in this paper can be used to model structural behaviour at both ambient and elevated temperatures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.239-253
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• 2009

This paper reviews the concept of tensegrity structures and proposes a new type of dismountable steel tensegrity grids for possible deployment as light-weight roof structures. It covers the fabrication of the prototype structures followed by their instrumentation, destructive testing and numerical analysis. First, a single module, measuring $1m{\times}1m$ in size, is fabricated based on half-cuboctahedron configuration using galvanised iron (GI) pipes as struts and high tensile stranded cables as tensile elements. Detailed instrumentation of the structure is carried out right at the fabrication stage. The structure is thereafter subjected to destructive test during which the strain and the displacement responses are carefully monitored. The structure is modelled and analyzed using finite element method (FEM) and the model generated is updated with the experimental results. The investigations are then extended to a $2{\times}2$ grid, measuring $2m{\times}2m$ in size, fabricated uniquely by the cohesive integration of four single tensegrity modules. After updating and validating on the $2{\times}2$ grid, the finite element model is extended to a $8{\times}8$ grid (consisting of 64 units and measuring $8m{\times}8m$) whose behaviour is studied in detail for various load combinations expected to act on the structure. The results demonstrate that the proposed tensegrity grid structures are not only dismountable but also exhibit satisfactory behaviour from strength and serviceability point of view.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.167-180
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• 2004

In this study finite element analysis using hyperbolic model was performed to predict the characteristics of stress-strain behaviour on concrete face earth dam (CFED : a tentative name) raised with coarse-grained materials corresponding to the face slab bedding zone of concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD). The results of finite element analysis were compared with field monitoring data, and the comparison showed a good agreement. And, the analysis results including locus of maximum displacement, maximum stress, stress concentration, and irregular load transfer would be used to devise rational field monitoring schemes for construction management and quality control during construction of CFED.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.309-324
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• 2014

In the design of reinforced concrete structural walls, in order to ensure adequate inelastic displacement behaviour and to sustain deformation demands imposed by strong ground motions, special reinforcement is considered while designing. However, these would lead to severe reinforcement congestion and difficulties during construction. Addition of randomly distributed discrete fibres in concrete improves the flexural behaviour of structural elements because of its enhanced tensile properties and this leads to reduction in congestion. This paper deals with effect of addition of steel fibres on the behavior of high performance fibre reinforced cement concrete (HPFRCC) slender structural walls with the different volume fractions of steel fibres. The specimens were subjected to quasi static lateral reverse cyclic loading until failure. The high performance concrete (HPC) used was obtained based on the guidelines given in ACI 211.1 which was further modified by prof.Aitcin (1998). The volume fraction of the fibres used in this study varied from 0 to 1% with an increment of 0.5%. The results were analysed critically and appraised. The study indicates that the addition of steel fibres in the HPC structural walls enhances the first crack load, strength, initial stiffness and energy dissipation capacity.