• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.335-346
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• 2023

For structures with underground basement walls, the soil-structure-interaction between the side soil and the walls affects the response of the system. There is interest in quantifying the relationship between the lateral earth pressure and the wall displacement using p-y curves. To date, passive p-y curves in available limited studies were assumed elastic-perfectly plastic. In reality, the relationship between earth pressure and wall displacement is complex. This paper focuses on studying the development of passive p-y curves behind rigid walls supporting granular soils. The study aims at identifying the different components of the passive p-y relationship and proposing a rigorous non-linear p-y model in place of simplified elastic-plastic models. The results of the study show that (1) the p-y relationship that models the stress-displacement response behind a rigid basement wall is highly non-linear, (2) passive p-y curves are affected by the height of the wall, relative density, and depth below the ground surface, and (3) passive p-y curves can be expressed using a truncated hyperbolic model that is defined by a limit state passive pressure that is determined using available logarithmic spiral methods and an initial slope that is expressed using a depth-dependent soil stiffness model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.245-268
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• 2001

The analysis of steel-concrete composite joints presents some particular aspects that increase their complexity when compared to bare steel joints. In particular, the influence of slab reinforcement and column concrete encasement clearly change the moment-rotation response of the joint. Starting from an energy approach developed in the context of steel joints, an extension to composite joints is presented in this paper that is able to provide closed-form analytical solutions. In addition, the possibility of tri-linear or non-linear component behaviour is also incorporated in the model, enabling adequate treatment of the influence of cracked concrete in tension and the softening response of the column web in compression. This methodology is validated through comparison with experimental tests carried out at the University of Coimbra.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.323-359
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• 2015

This paper presents an elasto-plastic model for determination of the ground response curve of a circular underwater tunnel excavated in elastic-strain softening rock mass compatible with a nonlinear Hoek-Brown yield criterion. The finite difference method (FDM) was used to propose a new solution to calculate pore water pressure, stress, and strain distributions on periphery of circular tunnels in axisymmetric and plain strain conditions. In the proposed solution, a modified non-radial flow pattern, for the hydraulic analysis, is utilized. To evaluate the effect of gravitational loads and variations of pore water pressure, the equations concerning different directions around the tunnel (crown, wall, and floor) are derived. Regarding the strain-softening behavior of the rock mass, the stepwise method is executed for the plastic zone in which parameters of strength, dilatancy, stresses, strains, and deformation are different from their elasto-plastic boundary values as compared to the tunnel boundary values. Besides, the analytical equations are developed for the elastic zone. The accuracy and application of the proposed method is demonstrated by a number of examples. The results present the effects of seepage body forces, gravitational loads and dilatancy angle on ground response curve appropriately.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.677-687
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• 2017

The nonlinear buckling response of nano composite anti-symmetric functionally graded polymeric microplate reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) rested on orthotropic elastomeric foundation with temperature dependent properties is investigated. For the carbon-nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) microplate, a uniform distribution (UD) and four types of functionally graded (FG) distribution are considered. Based on orthotropic Mindlin plate theory, von Karman geometric nonlinearity and Hamilton's principle, the governing equations are derived. Generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is employed to calculate the non-linear buckling response of the plate. Effects of FG distribution type, elastomeric foundation, aspect ratio (thickness to width ratio), boundary condition, orientation of foundation orthotropy and temperature are considered. The results are validated. It is found that the critical buckling load without elastic medium is significantly lower than considering Winkler and Pasternak medium.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.555-574
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• 2007

Static response of an elastic beam on a two-parameter tensionless foundation is investigated by assuming that the beam is symmetrically subjected to a uniformly distributed load and concentrated edge loads. Governing equations of the problem are obtained and solved by pointing out that a concentrated edge foundation reaction in addition to a continuous foundation reaction along the beam axis in the case of complete contact and a discontinuity in the foundation reactions in the case of partial contact come into being as a direct result of the two-parameter foundation model. The numerical solution of the complete contact problem is straightforward. However, it is shown that the problem displays a highly non-linear character when the beam lifts off from the foundation. Numerical treatment of the governing equations is accomplished by adopting an iterative process to establish the contact length. Results are presented in figures to demonstrate the linear and non-linear behavior of the beam-foundation system for various values of the parameters of the problem comparatively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.455-472
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• 2002

The paper involves the study on the elastic and elasto-plastic stress wave propagation in the 1-D and 2-D solid media. The Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics equations governing the elastic and elasto-plastic large deformation dynamic response of solid structures are presented. The proposed additional stress points are introduced in the formulation to mitigate the tensile instability inherent in the SPH approach. Both incremental rate approach and leap-frog algorithm for time integration are introduced and the new solution algorithm is developed and implemented. Two examples on stress wave propagation in aluminium bar and 2-D elasto-plastic steel plate are included. Results from the proposed SPH approach are compared with available analytical values and finite element solutions. The comparison illustrates that the stress wave propagation problems can be effectively solved by the proposed SPH method. The study shows that the SPH simulation is a reliable and robust tool and can be used with confidence to treat transient dynamics such as linear and non-linear transient stress wave propagation problems.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.437-447
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• 2023

Inclined piles are commonly used in civil engineering constructions where significant lateral resistance is required. Many researchers proved their positive performance on the seismic behavior of the supported structure and the piles themselves. However, most of these numerical studies were done within the framework of linear elastic or elastoplastic soil behavior, neglecting therefore the soil non-linearity at low and moderate soil strains which is questionable and could be misleading in dynamic analysis. The main objective of this study is to examine the influence of the pile inclination on the seismic performance of the soil-pile-structure system when both the linear elastic and the nonlinear soil models are employed. Based on the comparative responses, the adequacy of the soil's linear elastic behavior will be therefore evaluated. The analysis is conducted by generating a three-dimensional finite difference model, where a full interaction between the soil, structure, and inclined piles is considered. The numerical survey proved that the pile inclination can have a significant impact on the internal forces generated by seismic activity, specifically on the bending moment and shear forces. The main disadvantages of using inclined piles in this system are the bending forces at the head and pile-to-head connection. It is crucial to account for soil nonlinearity to accurately assess the seismic response of the soil-pile-structure system.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.585-595
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• 2022

Using the nonlinear static procedures has become very common in seismic codes to achieve the nonlinear response of the structure during an earthquake. The capacity spectrum method (CSM) adopted in ATC-40 is considered as one of the most known and useful procedures. For this procedure the seismic demand can be approximated from the maximum deformation of an equivalent linear elastic Single-Degree-of-Freedom system (SDOF) that has an equivalent damping ratio and period by using an iterative procedure. Data from the results of this procedure are plotted in acceleration- displacement response spectrum (ADRS) format. Different improvements have been made in order to have more accurate results compared to the Non Linear Time History Analysis (NL-THA). A new procedure is presented in this paper where the iteration process shall not be required. This will be done by estimation the ductility demand response spectrum (DDRS) and the corresponding effective damping of the bilinear system based on a new parameter of control, called normalized yield strength coefficient (η), while retaining the attraction of graphical implementation of the improved procedure of the FEMA-440. The proposed procedure accuracy should be verified with the NL-THA analysis results as a first implementation. The comparison shows that the new procedure provided a good estimation of the nonlinear response of the structure compared with those obtained when using the NL-THA analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.139-161
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• 2012

In this paper, the static behavior of bi-directional functionally graded (FG) non-uniform thickness circular plate resting on quadratically gradient elastic foundations (Winkler-Pasternak type) subjected to axisymmetric transverse and in-plane shear loads is carried out by using state-space and differential quadrature methods. The governing state equations are derived based on 3D theory of elasticity, and assuming the material properties of the plate except the Poisson's ratio varies continuously throughout the thickness and radius directions in accordance with the exponential and power law distributions. The stresses and displacements distribution are obtained by solving state equations. The effects of foundation stiffnesses, material heterogeneity indices, geometric parameters and loads ratio on the deformation and stress distributions of the FG circular plate are investigated in numerical examples. The results are reported for the first time and the new results can be used as a benchmark solution for future researches.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.261-278
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• 2021

In the current work, a series of seismic analyses of one-storey asymmetrical reinforced concrete (R/C) framed buildings is accomplished while the effect of soil deformability on the structural response is investigated. A comparison is performed between the simplified elastic behavior of R/C elements according to the structural regulations' instructions to the possible non-linear behavior of R/C elements under actual circumstances. The target of the time history analyses is the elucidation of the Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) effect in the seismic behavior of common R/C structures by examining the possible elastic or elastoplastic behavior of R/C sections because of the redistribution of the internal forces by employing a realistic damage index. The conclusions acquired from the presented elastic and elastoplastic analyses supply practical guidelines towards the safer design of structures.