• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.297-314
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• 2009

When the temperature of a structure varies, there is a tendency to produce changes in the shape of the structure. The resulting actions may be of considerable importance in the analysis of the structures having non-prismatic members. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the modeling, analysis and behavior of the non-prismatic members subjected to temperature changes with the aid of finite element modeling. The fixed-end moments and fixed-end forces of such members due to temperature changes were computed through a comprehensive parametric study. It was demonstrated that the conventional methods using frame elements can lead to significant errors, and the deviations can reach to unacceptable levels for these types of structures. The design formulas and the dimensionless design coefficients were proposed based on a comprehensive parametric study using two-dimensional plane-stress finite element models. The fixed-end actions of the non-prismatic members having parabolic and straight haunches due to temperature changes can be determined using the proposed approach without necessitating a detailed finite element model solution. Additionally, the robust results of the finite element analyses allowed examining the sources and magnitudes of the errors in the conventional analysis.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.252-259
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• 1999

One of the most important factors for a proper design of a slender compression member may be the exact determination of the elastic critical load of that member. In the cases of non-prismatic compression member, however, there are times when the exact critical load becomes impossible to determinate if one relies on the neutral equilibrium method or energy principle. Here in this paper, the approximate critical loads of symmetrically or non-symmetrically tapered members are computed by finite element method. The two parameters considered in this numerical analysis are the taper parameter, $\alpha$ and the sectional property parameters, m. The computed results for each sectional property parameter, m are presented in an algebraic equation which agrees with those by F.E.M The algebraic equation can be easily used by structural engineers, who are engaged in structural analysis and design of non-prismatic compression member.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.849-866
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• 2012

Single span historic bridges often contain non-prismatic members identified with a varying depth along their span lengths. Commonly, the symmetric parabolic height variations having the constant haunch length ratio of 0.5 have been selected to lower the stresses at the high bending moment points and to maintain the deflections within the acceptable limits. Due to their non-prismatic geometrical configuration, their assessment, particularly the computation of fixed-end horizontal forces (FEFs) and fixed-end moments (FEMs) becomes a complex problem. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the behavior of non-prismatic beams with symmetrical parabolic haunches (NBSPH) having the constant haunch length ratio of 0.5 using finite element analyses (FEA). FEFs and FEMs due to vertical loadings as well as the stiffness coefficients and the carry-over factors were computed through a comprehensive parametric study using FEA. It was demonstrated that the conventional methods using frame elements can lead to significant errors, and the deviations can reach to unacceptable levels for these types of structures. Despite the robustness of FEA, the generation of FEFs and FEMs using the nodal outputs of the detailed finite element mesh still remains an intricate task. Therefore, this study advances to propose effective formulas and dimensionless estimation coefficients to predict the FEFs, FEMs, stiffness coefficients and carry-over factors with reasonable accuracy for the analysis and re-evaluation of the NBSPH. Using the proposed approach, the fixed-end reactions due to vertical loads, and also the stiffness coefficients and the carry-over factors of the NBSPH can be determined without necessitating the detailed FEA.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.787-796
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• 2015

When the temperature of a structure varies, there is a tendency to produce changes in the shape of the structure. The resulting actions may be of considerable importance in the analysis of the structures having non-prismatic members. The computation of design forces for the non-prismatic beams having symmetrical parabolic haunches (NBSPH) is fairly difficult because of the parabolic change of the cross section. Due to their non-prismatic geometrical configuration, their assessment, particularly the computation of fixed-end horizontal forces and fixed-end moments becomes a complex problem. In this study, the efficiency of the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) in predicting the design forces and the design moments of the NBSPH due to temperature changes was investigated. Previously obtained finite element analyses results in the literature were used to train and test the ANN and ANFIS models. The performances of the different models were evaluated by comparing the corresponding values of mean squared errors (MSE) and decisive coefficients ($R^2$). In addition to this, the comparison of ANN and ANFIS with traditional methods was made by setting up Linear-regression (LR) model.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2000.04b
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• pp.263-270
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• 2000

It is generally known that the stress and displacement of a member or a system under dynamic load with frequency ω are magnified by the factor 1/[1-(ω/ω/sub 0/)sup/ 2/]. When the member assumes non-prismatic shape, the natural frequency, ω/sub 0/ is hard or impossible to determine if the conventional method are adopted. In these cases, the numerical methods are provide powerful tools for the solution of frequency problems. In this paper, finite element method is applied to determine the natural frequencies of the non-symmetrically tapered members. The shape of the member is assumed to change sinusoidally along its axis. The results obtained by finite element method are expressed by some simple algebraic equations. The estimated frequencies calculated by the proposed equations coincide well with those by the finite element method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.93-96
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• 2000

The theory of non-prismatic folded plate structures was reported by the senior author in 1965 and 1966. Fiber reinforced composite materials are strong in tension. The structural element for such tension force is very thin and weak against bending because of small bending stiffnesses. Naturally, the box type section is considered as the optimum structural configuration because of its high bending stiffnesses. Such structures can be effectively analyzed by the folded plate theory with relative ease. The "hollow" bending member with uniform cross-section can be treated as prismatic folded plates which is a special case of the non-prismatic folded plates. Tn this paper, the result of analysis of a folded plates with one box type uniform cross-section is presented. Each plate is made of composite laminates with fiber orientation of [ABBCAAB]$_r$, with A=-B=$45^{\circ}$, and C=$90^{\circ}$. The influence of the span to depth ratio is also studied. When this ratio is 5, the difference between the results of folded plate theory and beam theory is 1.66%. is 1.66%.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.59-66
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• 2000

It is generally known that the lateral frequency( ω) of the vibration of a prismatic beam-column decreases according to the rele (equation omitted) (ω/sub 0/=natural frequency). In the cases of tapered members, the determination of P/ sub/ cr/(elastic critical load) and ω/ sub 0/ are not easy. Furthermore, the relationship between the compressive load and frequency can not be determined by the conventional analytical method. The axial force-frequency relationship of sinusolidally non-symmetrically tapered members with different shapes were investigated using the finite element method. To obtain the two eigenvalues, the axial thrust was increased step by step and the corresponding frequency was calculated. The result indicated that the axial thrust of the elastic critical load ratio and the square of the frequency ratio can be approximately represented in any case by a straight line. Finally, the linear relationship is also applicable to the sinusolidally non-symmetrically tapered member.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.11-18
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• 1999

For the proper design of a slender compression member, the exact determination of the elastic critical load is crucial, In the cases of non-prismatic compression members, the determinations of the elastic critical load cannot be usually expressed in closed forms. h this paper, the non-symmetrically tapered compression members with arbitrary boundary conditions me analysed by using the finite element method to determine the elastic critical load. The main parameters considered in the numerical analysis are the In Parameter, $\alpha$ and the sectional property parameter, m. To generaliza the unmerical analysis, of the computed results for each sectional parameter, m are presented in algebraic equations, which agrees fairy well with those by F.E.M in most cases.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 1993

Precast/Prestressed concrete segmental bridges with moderate range of span length normally have a constant section height for economic segment manufacturing. Inside sectional dimension is often controlled for design of non-prismatic section between supports when variable stiffness is required. It is usual, in the preliminary design stage, to adopt trial bridge sections by past experience or by approximately estimated member forces. Three bridge models of different member stiffness have been selected to investigate flexural stiffness effects on member forces for preliminary design stage. The selected bridge stiffness has been determined by the flexibility index from review of the practically usable sections.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.319-341
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• 2009

A new formulation based on lumped plasticity and inelastic hinges is presented in this paper for nonlinear analysis of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame structures. Inelastic hinge behaviour is described using the principles of Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM). Member formulation contains provisions to model stiffness degradation due to cracking of concrete and yielding of reinforcing steel. Depending on its nature, cracking is classified as concentrated or distributed. Concentrated cracking is accounted through a damage variable and its growth is defined based on strain energy principles. Presence of distributed flexural cracks in a member is taken care of by modelling it as non-prismatic. Plasticity theory supported by effective stress concept of CDM is applied to describe the post-yield response. Nonlinear quasi-static analysis is carried out on a RC column and a wide two-storey RC frame to verify the formulation. The column is subjected to constant axial load and monotonic lateral load while the frame is subjected to only lateral load. Computed results are compared with those due to experiments or other numerical methods to validate the performance of the formulation and also to highlight the contribution of distributed cracking on global response.