• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2023

An accurate and highly efficient inverse element labelled iPCB is developed based on the inverse finite element method (iFEM) for real-time shape estimation of plane-curved structures (such as arch bridges) utilizing onboard strain data. This inverse problem, named shape sensing, is vital for the design of smart structures and structural health monitoring (SHM) procedures. The iPCB formulation is defined based on a least-squares variational principle that employs curved Timoshenko beam theory as its baseline. The accurate strain-displacement relationship considering tension-bending coupling is used to establish theoretical and measured section strains. The displacement fields of the isoparametric element iPCB are interpolated utilizing nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) basis functions, enabling exact geometric modelling even with a very coarse mesh density. The present formulation is completely free from membrane and shear locking. Numerical validation examples for different curved structures subjected to different loading conditions have been performed and have demonstrated the excellent prediction capability of iPCBs. The present formulation has also been shown to be practical and robust since relatively accurate predictions can be obtained even omitting the shear deformation contributions and considering polluted strain measures. The current element offers a promising tool for real-time shape estimation of plane-curved structures.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.101-109
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• 2004

Ship structures is thin-walled structures and she has lots of curved platings. In these days, lots different kinds of closed-formulas are development for ultimate strength of flat plate but for curved panels, there are not enough study or papers for this field. In this study, the ultimate strength characteristics for ship curved plates are studied. The ship plating is generally subjected to combined in-plane and lateral pressure loads. In-plane loads included biaxial compression/tension and edge shear. This is first report about the developing of ultimate compressive strength for ship curved plating. A closed-form formula for predicting the ultimate compressive strength of curved plates are empirically derived by curve fitting based on the computed results. The results and insights developed in the present study will be useful for damage tolerant design of curved plated structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.707-720
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• 2005

The bending stress formula that taking into account the transverse deformation is developed for plane-curved, untwisted isotropic beams subjected to loadings that result in deformations in the plane of curvature. In order to account the transverse Poisson contraction effect, a new constitutive relation between force resultants, moment resultants, mid-plane strains and deformed curvatures for a curved plate is derived in a $6{\times}6$ matrix form. This constitutive relation will provide the fundamental basis to the analyses of curved structures composing of isotropic or anisotropic materials. Then, the bending stress formula of a curved isotropic beam can be deduced from this newly developed curved plate theory. The stress predictions by the present analysis are compared to those by the analysis that neglected the Poisson contraction effect. The results show that the Poisson effect becomes more significant as the Poisson ratio and the curvature are getting larger.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.421-438
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• 1999

In this paper a practical limit load estimating procedure is proposed for general pipe-elbow structures subjected to complex loading (in-plane and out-of-plane bending, internal pressure and axial force). The explicit calculating formulae are presented on the basis of theoretical analysis combined with numerical simulation. Von Mises' yield criterion is adopted in both analytical and numerical calculation. The finite element examination shows that the method provides a simple but satisfactory prediction of pipe structures in engineering plastic analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.169-186
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• 2011

This paper is devoted to the development of the equations which describe the elastic response of a curved laminate subjected to in-plane loads and bending moments. Similar to the classic $6{\times}6$ ABD matrix constitutive relation of a flat laminate, a new $6{\times}6$ matrix constitutive relation between force resultants, moment resultants, mid-plane strains and deformed curvatures for a curved laminate is formulated. This curved lamination theory will provide the fundamental basis for the analyses of curved laminated structures. The stress predictions by the present curved lamination theory are compared to those by the curved laminate analysis that neglected the nonlinear terms in the derivation of the constitutive relation. The results show that the curved laminate analysis that neglected the nonlinear terms cannot reflect the effect of curvature and can no longer predict the stresses accurately as the curvature becomes noticeable. In this paper, a curved lamination theory that retains the nonlinear terms and, therefore, accounts for the effect of the non-flat geometry of the structure will be developed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.503-526
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• 2016

In-plane and out-of-plane free vibration analysis of Timoshenko curved beams is addressed based on the isogeometric method, and an effective scheme to avoid numerical locking in both of the two patterns is proposed in this paper. The isogeometric computational model takes into account the effects of shear deformation, rotary inertia and axis extensibility of curved beams, and is applicable for uniform circular beams, and more complicated variable curvature and cross-section beams as illustrated by numerical examples. Meanwhile, it is shown that, the $C^{p-1}$-continuous NURBS elements remarkably have higher accuracy than the finite elements with the same number of degrees of freedom. Nevertheless, for in-plane or out-of-plane vibration analysis of Timoshenko curved beams, the NURBS-based isogeometric method also exhibits locking effect to some extent. To eliminate numerical locking, the selective reduced one-point integration and $\bar{B}$ projection element based on stiffness ratio is devised to achieve locking free analysis for in-plane and out-of-plane models, respectively. The suggested integral schemes for moderately slender models obtain accurate results in both dominated and non-dominated regions of locking effect. Moreover, this strategy is effective for beam structures with different slenderness. Finally, the influence factors of structural parameters of curved beams on their natural frequency are scrutinized.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.297-315
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• 2010

This paper is concerned with free vibration characteristics and natural frequency of horizontally curved composite plate girder bridges. Three-dimensional finite element models are developed for the girders using the software package LUSAS and analyses carried out on the models. The validity of the finite element models is first established through comparison with the corresponding results published by other researchers. Studies are then carried out to investigate the effects of total number of girders, number of cross-frames and curvature on the free vibration response of horizontally curved composite plate girder bridges. The results confirm the fact that bending modes are always coupled with torsional modes for horizontally curved bridge girder systems. The results show that the first bending mode is influenced by composite action between the concrete deck and steel beam at low subtended angle but, on the girders with larger subtended angle at the centre of curvature such influence is non-existence. The increase in the number of girders results in higher natural frequency but at a decreasing rate. The in-plane modes viz. longitudinal and arching modes are significantly influenced by composite action and number of girders. If no composite action is taken into account the number of girders has no significant effect for the in-plane modes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.673-691
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• 2018

The main goal of this research is to examine the in-plane and out-of-plane forced vibration of a curved nanocomposite microbeam. The in-plane and out-of-plane displacements of the structure are considered based on the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The curved microbeam is reinforced by functionally graded carbon nanotubes (FG-CNTs) and thus the extended rule of mixture is employed to estimate the effective material properties of the structure. Also, the small scale effect is captured using the strain gradient theory. The structure is rested on a nonlinear orthotropic viscoelastic foundation and is subjected to concentrated transverse harmonic external force, thermal and magnetic loads. The derivation of the governing equations is performed using energy method and Hamilton's principle. Differential quadrature (DQ) method along with integral quadrature (IQ) and Newmark methods are employed to solve the problem. The effect of various parameters such as volume fraction and distribution type of CNTs, boundary conditions, elastic foundation, temperature changes, material length scale parameters, magnetic field, central angle and width to thickness ratio are studied on the frequency and force responses of the structure. The results indicate that the highest frequency and lowest vibration amplitude belongs to FGX distribution type while the inverse condition is observed for FGO distribution type. In addition, the hardening-type response of the structure with FGX distribution type is more intense with respect to the other distribution types.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.567-578
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• 2020

Based on third-order shear deformation shell theory, the present paper investigates post-buckling properties of eccentrically stiffened metal foam curved shells/panels having initial geometric imperfectness. Metal foam is considered as porous material with uniform and non-uniform models. The single-curve porous shell is subjected to in-plane compressive loads leading to post-critical stability in nonlinear regime. Via an analytical trend and employing Airy stress function, the nonlinear governing equations have been solved for calculating the post-buckling loads of stiffened geometrically imperfect metal foam curved shell. New findings display the emphasis of porosity distributions, geometrical imperfectness, foundation factors, stiffeners and geometrical parameters on post-buckling properties of porous curved shells/panels.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.151-176
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• 2017

This paper deals with general equations of motion for free vibration analysis response of thick three-layer doubly curved sandwich panels (DCSP) under simply supported boundary conditions (BCs) using higher order shear deformation theory. In this model, the face sheets are orthotropic laminated composite that follow the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) based on Rissners-Mindlin (RM) kinematics field. The core is made of orthotropic material and its in-plane transverse displacements are modeled using the third order of the Taylor's series extension. It provides the potentiality for considering both compressible and incompressible cores. To find these equations and boundary conditions, Hamilton's principle is used. Also, the effect of trapezoidal shape factor for cross-section of curved panel element ($1{\pm}z/R$) is considered. The natural frequency parameters of DCSP are obtained using Galerkin Method. Convergence studies are performed with the appropriate formulas in general form for three-layer sandwich plate, cylindrical and spherical shells (both deep and shallow). The influences of core stiffness, ratio of core to face sheets thickness and radii of curvatures are investigated. Finally, for the first time, an optimum range for the core to face sheet stiffness ratio by considering the existence of in-plane stress which significantly affects the natural frequencies of DCSP are presented.