• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.647-675
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• 2011

Our ability to predict hydration behavior is becoming increasingly relevant to the concrete community as modelers begin to link material performance to the dynamics of material properties and chemistry. At early ages, the properties of concrete are changing rapidly due to chemical transformations that affect mechanical, thermal and transport responses of the composite. At later ages, the resulting, nano-, micro-, meso- and macroscopic structure generated by hydration will control the life-cycle performance of the material in the field. Ultimately, creep, shrinkage, chemical and physical durability, and all manner of mechanical response are linked to hydration. As a way to enable the modeling community to better understand hydration, a review of hydration models is presented offering insights into their mathematical origins and relationships one-to-the-other. The quest for a universal model begins in the 1920's and continues to the present, and is marked by a number of critical milestones. Unfortunately, the origins and physical interpretation of many of the most commonly used models have been lost in their overuse and the trail of citations that vaguely lead to the original manuscripts. To help restore some organization, models were sorted into four categories based primarily on their mathematical and theoretical basis: (1) mass continuity-based, (2) nucleation-based, (3) particle ensembles, and (4) complex multi-physical and simulation environments. This review provides a concise catalogue of models and in most cases enough detail to derive their mathematical form. Furthermore, classes of models are unified by linking them to their theoretical origins, thereby making their derivations and physical interpretations more transparent. Models are also used to fit experimental data so that their characteristics and ability to predict hydration calorimetry curves can be compared. A sort of evolutionary tree showing the progression of models is given along with some insights into the nature of future work yet needed to develop the next generation of cement hydration models.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.353-386
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• 2016

Realistic assessment of the performance of reinforced concrete structural members like columns is needed for designing new structures or maintenance of the existing structural members. This assessment requires analytical capability of employing proper material models and cyclic rules and considering various load and displacement patterns. A computer application was developed to analyze the non-linear, cyclic flexural performance of reinforced concrete structural members under various types of loading paths including non-sequential variations in axial load and bi-axial cyclic load or displacement. Different monotonic material models as well as hysteresis rules, were implemented in a fiber-based moment-curvature and in turn force-deflection analysis, using proper assumptions on curvature distribution along the member, as in plastic-hinge models. Performance of the program was verified against analytical results by others, and accuracy of the analytical process and the implemented models were evaluated in comparison to the experimental results. The computer application can be used to predict the response of a member with an arbitrary cross section and various type of lateral and longitudinal reinforcement under different combinations of loading patterns in axial and bi-axial directions. On the other hand, the application can be used to examine analytical models and methods using proper experimental data.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.105-118
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• 2023

The present work is an attempt to develop a simple and accurate finite element formulation for the assessment of thermal shock/thermally induced vibrations in pretwisted and tapered functionally graded material thin (FGM) blades obtained from Voigt and local representative volume elements (LRVE) homogenization models, based on neutral surface approach. The neutral surface of the FGM blade does not coincide with its mid-surface. A finite element model (FEM) is developed using first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and the FGM turbine blade is modelled according to the shallow shell theory. The top and the bottom layers of the FGM blade are made of pure ceramic and pure metal, respectively and temperature-dependent material properties are functionally graded in the thickness direction, the position of the neutral surface also depends on the temperature. The material properties are estimated according to two different homogenization models viz., Voigt or LRVE. The top layer of the FGM blade is subjected to high temperature and the bottom surface is either thermally insulated or kept at room temperature. The solution of the nonlinear profile of the temperature in the thickness direction is obtained from the Fourier law of heat conduction in the unsteady state. The results obtained from the present FEM are compared with the benchmark examples. Next, the effect of angle of twist, intensity of thermal shock, variable chord and span and volume fraction index on the transient response due to thermal shock obtained from the two homogenization models viz., Voigt and LRVE scheme is investigated. It is shown that there can be a significant difference in the transient response calculated by the two homogenization models for a particular set of material and geometric parameters.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.509-522
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• 2011

FRAPCON-3.4a and FRAPTRAN 1.4 are the most recent versions of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) steady-state and transient fuel performance codes, respectively. These codes have been assessed against separate effects data and integral assessment data and have been determined to provide a best estimate calculation of fuel performance. Recent updates included in FRAPCON-3.4a include updated material properties models, models for new fuel and cladding types, cladding finite element analysis capability, and capability to perform uncertainty analyses and calculate upper tolerance limits for important outputs. Recent updates included in FRAPTRAN 1.4 include: material properties models that are consistent with FRAPCON-3.4a, cladding failure models that are applicable for loss-of coolant-accident and reactivity initiated accident modeling, and updated heat transfer models. This paper briefly describes these code updates and data assessments, highlighting the particularly important improvements and data assessments. This paper also discusses areas of improvements that will be addressed in upcoming code versions.

• IE interfaces
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.482-489
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• 2004

As the functional characteristics of passenger cars have reached to a satisfactory level, customers place more concerns with the aesthetic aspects of interior designs. The present study developed satisfaction models of passenger car interior materials for six parts including crash pad, steering wheel, transmission gearshift knob, audio panel, metal grain, and wooden grain. Eight to fifteen material design variables such as color, embossing, and smoothness were defined for the six interior parts based on literature survey, customer reviews, and expert opinions. A satisfaction survey was conducted for 30 vehicles with 30 participants ($mean{\pm}SD$ of age = $28.7{\pm}6.6$) by using a modified magnitude estimation scale. Based on the survey results, the material design variables were screened from statistical, technical, and practical aspects. With the screened variables, satisfaction models were developed by using the quantification I method for the six interior parts, indicating the importance of material design variables and preferred material properties.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2020

Strain rate investigations are needed to calibrate strain-rate-dependent material models and numerical codes. An appropriate material model, which considers the rate effects, need to be used for proper numerical modeling. The plastic concrete cut-off wall is a special underground structure that acts as a barrier to stop or reduce the groundwater flow. These structures might be subjected to different dynamic loads, especially earthquake. Deformability of a structure subjected to dynamic loads is a principal issue which need to be undertaken during the design phase of these structures. The characterization of plastic concrete behavior under different strain rates is essential for proper designing of cut-off walls subjected to dynamic loads. The Cowper-Symonds model, as one of the most commonly applied material models, complies well with the behavior of a plastic concretes in low to moderate strain rates and will be useful in explicit dynamics simulations. This paper aims to present the results of an experimental study on mechanical responses of one of the most useful types of plastic concrete and Cowper-Symonds constant determination procedures in a wide range of strain rate from 0.0005 to 107 (1/s). For this purpose, SHPB, uniaxial, and triaxial compression tests were done on plastic concrete samples. Based on the results of quasi-static and dynamic tests, the dynamic increase factors (DIF) of this material in different strain rates and stress state conditions were determined for calibration of the Cowper - Symonds material models.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2018

The possibilities of non-linear analysis of reinforced-concrete structures are under development. In particular, current research areas include structural analysis with the application of advanced computational and material models. The submitted article aims to evaluate the possibilities of the determination of material properties, involving the tensile strength of concrete, fracture energy and the modulus of elasticity. To evaluate the recommendations for concrete, volume computational models are employed on a comprehensive series of tests. The article particularly deals with the issue of the specific properties of fracture-plastic material models. This information is often unavailable. The determination of material properties is based on the recommendations of Model Code 1990, Model Code 2010 and specialized literature. For numerical modelling, the experiments with the so called "classic" concrete beams executed by Bresler and Scordelis were selected. It is also based on the series of experiments executed by Vecchio. The experiments involve a large number of reinforcement, cross-section and span variants, which subsequently enabled a wider verification and discussion of the usability of the non-linear analysis and constitutive concrete model selected.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.369-383
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• 2015

In this study, effect of various material hardening models based on Holloman's isotropic, Ziegler's linear kinematic, non-linear kinematic and mixture of the isotropic and nonlinear kinematic hardening laws on springback prediction of titanium alloy (Ti-3Al-2.5V) in a tube rotary draw bending (RDB) process was investigated with presenting the keynotes for a comprehensive step by step ABAQUS simulation. Influence of mandrel on quality of the final product including springback, wall-thinning and cross-section deformation of the tube was investigated, too. Material parameters of the hardening models were obtained based on information of a uniaxial test. In particular, in the case of combined iso-nonlinear kinematic hardening the material constants were calibrated by a simple approach based on half-cycle data instead of several stabilized cycles ones. Moreover, effect of some material and geometrical parameters on springback was carried out. The results showed that using the various hardening laws separately cannot describe the material hardening behavior correctly. Therefore, it is concluded that combining the hardening laws is a good idea to have accurate springback prediction. Totally the results are useful for predicting and controlling springback and cross-section deformation in metal forming processes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.215-228
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• 2021

This paper investigates the effect of micromechanical models on the bending behavior of bidirectional functionally graded (BDFG) beams subjected to different mechanical loading. The material properties of the beam are considered to be graded in both axial and thickness directions according to a power law. The beam's behavior is modeled by the mean of quasi 3D displacement field that contain undetermined integral terms and involves a reduced unknown functions. Navier's method is employed to determine and compute the displacements and stress for a simply supported beam. Different homogenization schemes such as Voigt, Reus, and Mori-Tanaka are employed to analyze the response of the BDFG beam subjected to linear, uniform, exponential and sinusoidal distributed loading. The results obtained by the present method are compared with available results in the literature and a good agreement was found. Several numerical results are presented in tabular form and in figures to examine the effects of the material gradation, micromechanical models and types of loading on the bending response of BDFG beams. It can be concluded that the present theory is not only accurate but also simple in predicting the bending response of BDFG beam subjected to different static loads.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.143-162
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• 2011

Advanced material models for concrete are not widely available in general purpose finite element codes. Parameters to define them complicate the implementation because they are case sensitive. In addition to this, their validity under severe shear condition has not been verified. In this article, simple engineering plasticity material models available in a commercial finite element code are used to demonstrate that complicated shear behavior can be calculated with reasonable accuracy. For this purpose dynamic response of a squat shear wall that had been tested on a shaking table as part of an experimental program conducted in Japan is analyzed. Both the finite element and material aspects of the modeling are examined. A corrective artifice for general engineering plasticity models to account for shear effects in concrete is developed. The results of modifications in modeling the concrete in compression are evaluated and compared with experimental response quantities.