• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.1153-1160
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• 2018

Rockbursts, catastrophic events involving the violent release of elastic energy stored in rock features, remain a worldwide challenge for geoengineering. Especially at deep-mining sites, rockbursts can occur in hard, high-stress, brittle rock zones, and the associated risk depends on such factors as mining activity and the stress on surrounding rocks. Rockbursts are often sudden and destructive, but there is still no unified standard for predicting them. Based on previous studies, a new Bayesian multi-index model was introduced to predict and evaluate rockbursts. In this method, the rock strength index, energy release index, and surrounding rock stress are the basic factors. Values from 18 rock samples were obtained, and the potential rockburst risks were evaluated. The rockburst tendencies of the samples were modelled using three existing methods. The results were compared with those obtained by the new Bayesian model, which was observed to predict rockbursts more effectively than the current methods.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.731-744
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• 2004

Modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI) technique has become very popular for computation of strain energy release rate (SERR) and stress intensity factor (SIF) for 2-D crack problems. The objective of this paper is to propose a numerical integration procedure for MVCCI so as to generalize the technique and make its application much wider. This new procedure called as numerically integrated MVCCI (NI-MVCCI) will remove the dependence of MVCCI equations on the type of finite element employed in the basic stress analysis. Numerical studies on fracture analysis of 2-D crack (mode I and II) problems have been conducted by employing 4-noded, 8-noded (regular & quarter-point), 9-noded and 12-noded finite elements. For non-singular (regular) elements at crack tip, NI-MVCCI technique generates the same results as MVCCI, but the advantage for higher order regular and singular elements is that complex equations for MVCCI need not be derived. Gauss numerical integration rule to be employed for 8-noded singular (quarter-point) element for accurate computation of SERR and SIF has been recommended based on the numerical studies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.321-341
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• 2010

The seismic-induced failure of a dam could have catastrophic consequences associated with the sudden release of the impounded reservoir. Depending on the severity of the seismic hazard, the characteristics and size of the dam-reservoir system, preventing such a failure scenario could be a problem of critical importance. In many cases, the release of water is controlled through a reinforced-concrete intake tower. This paper describes the application of a static nonlinear procedure known as the Capacity Spectrum Method (CSM) to evaluate the structural integrity of intake towers subject to seismic ground motion. Three variants of the CSM are considered: a multimodal pushover scheme, which uses the idea proposed by Chopra and Goel (2002); an adaptive pushover variant, in which the change in the stiffness of the structure is considered; and a combination of both approaches. The effects caused by the water surrounding the intake tower, as well as any water contained inside the hollow structure, are accounted for by added hydrodynamic masses. A typical structure is used as a case study, and the accuracy of the CSM analyses is assessed with time history analyses performed using commercial and structural analysis programs developed in Matlab.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.501-507
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• 2017

The predictive utility of a damage model depends heavily on its particular choice of a damage variable, which serves as a macroscopic approximation in describing the underlying micromechanical processes of microdefects. In the case of spatially perfectly randomly distributed microcracks or microvoids in all directions, isotropic damage model is an appropriate choice, and scalar damage variables were widely used for isotropic or one-dimensional phenomenological damage models. The simplicity of a scalar damage representation is indeed very attractive. However, a scalar damage model is of somewhat limited use in practice. In order to entirely characterize the isotropic damage behaviors of damaged materials in multidimensional space, a system theory of isotropic double scalar damage variables, including the expressions of specific damage energy release rate, the coupled constitutive equations corresponding to damage, the conditions of admissibility for two scalar damage effective tensors within the framework of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes, was provided and analyzed in this study. Compared with the former studies, the theoretical formulations of double scalar damage variables in this study are given in the form of matrix, which has many features such as simpleness, directness, convenience and programmable characteristics. It is worth mentioning that the above-mentioned theoretical formulations are only logically reasonable. Owing to the limitations of time, conditions, funds, etc. they should be subject to multifaceted experiments before their innovative significance can be fully verified. The current level of research can be regarded as an exploratory attempt in this field.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.577-591
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• 2016

In this study, the transfer length of 2400 MPa, seven-wire high-strength steel strands with a 15.2 mm diameter in pretensioned prestressed concrete (PSC) beams utilizing high strength concrete over 58 MPa at prestress release was evaluated experimentally. 32 specimens, which have the variables of concrete compressive strength, concrete cover depth, and the number of PS strands, were fabricated and corresponding transfer lengths were measured. The strands were released gradually by slowly reducing the pressure in the hydraulic stressing rams. The measured results of transfer length showed that the transfer length decreased as the concrete compressive strength and concrete cover depth increased. The number of strands had a very small effect, and the effect varied with both the concrete cover depth and concrete strength. The results were compared to current design codes and transfer lengths predicted by other researchers. The comparison results showed that the current transfer length prediction models in design codes may be conservatively used for 2400 MPa high-strength strands in high-strength concrete beams exceeding 58 MPa at prestress release.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.191-204
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• 2015

Control of the mechanical behavior of composite materials and structures under monotonic and dynamic loads for cracks and damage is a vast and complex area of research. The modeling of the different physical phenomena and behavior characteristics of a composite material during deformation play an important role in the structural design. Our study aims to analyze numerically the energy release rate parameter G of a composite laminated plate (glass or boron / epoxy) cross-ply [$+{\alpha}$, $-{\alpha}$] in the presence of a crack between two circular notches under the effect of several parameters such as fiber orientation ${\alpha}$, the crack orientation ${\beta}$, the orientation ${\gamma}$ of the two considered circular notches and the effect of mechanical properties. Our results show clearly that both notches orientation has more effect on G than the cracks and fibers orientations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.473-490
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• 2015

This paper presents the analysis of intermediate crack-induced (IC) debonding failure loads for reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with adhesively-bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) plates or sheets. The analysis consists of the energy release and simple ACI methods. In the energy release method, a fracture criterion is employed to predict the debonding loads. The interfacial fracture energy that indicates the resistance to debonding is related to the bond-slip relationships obtained from the shear test of FRP-to-concrete bonded joints. The section analysis that considers the effect of concrete's tension stiffening is employed to develop the moment-curvature relationships of the FRP-strengthened sections. In the ACI method, the onset of debonding is assumed when the FRP strain reaches the debonding strain limit. The tension stiffening effect is neglected in developing a moment-curvature relationship. For a comparison purpose, both methods are used to numerically investigate the effects of relevant parameters on the IC debonding failure loads. The results show that the debonding failure load generally increases as the concrete compressive strength, FRP reinforcement ratio, FRP elastic modulus and steel reinforcement ratio increase.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.1-17
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• 2019

The present paper deals with delamination fracture analyses of the multilayered functionally graded non-linear elastic Symmetric Split Beam (SSB) configurations. The material is functionally graded in both width and height directions in each layer. It is assumed that the material properties are distributed non-symmetrically with respect to the centroidal axes of the beam cross-section. Sine laws are used to describe the continuous variation of the material properties in the cross-sections of the layers. The delamination fracture is analyzed in terms of the strain energy release rate by considering the balance of the energy. A comparison with the J-integral is performed for verification. The solution derived is used for parametric analyses of the delamination fracture behavior of the multilayered functionally graded SSB in order to evaluate the effects of the sine gradients of the three material properties in the width and height directions of the layers and the location of the crack along the beam width on the strain energy release rate. The solution obtained is valid for two-dimensional functionally graded non-linear elastic SSB configurations which are made of an arbitrary number of lengthwise vertical layers. A delamination crack is located arbitrary between layers. Thus, the two crack arms have different widths. Besides, the layers have individual widths and material properties.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.297-313
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• 2023

This paper deals with delamination analysis of non-linear viscoelastic multilayered beam subjected to bending in the plane of the layers. For this purpose, first, a non-linear viscoelastic model is presented. In order to take into account the non-linear viscoelastic behaviour, a non-linear spring and a non-linear dashpot are assembled in series with a linear spring connected in parallel to a linear dashpot. The behaviours of the non-linear spring and dashpot are described by applying non-linear stress-strain and stress-rate of strain relationships, respectively. The constitutive law of the model is derived. Due to the non-linear spring and dashpot, the constitutive law is non-linear. This law is used for describing the time-dependent mechanical behaviour of the beam under consideration. The material properties involved in the constitutive law vary along the beam length due to the continuous material inhomogeneity of the layers. Solution of the strain energy release rate for the delamination is obtained by analyzing the balance of the energy with considering of the non-linear viscoelastic behaviour. The strain energy release rate is found also by using the complementary strain energy for verification. A parametric study is carried-out by using the solution obtained. The solutions derived and the results obtained help to understand the time-dependent delamination of non-linear viscoelastic beams under loading in the plane of layers.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.439-447
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• 2020

This paper presents two sets of full three-dimensional thermoelastic finite element analyses of superimposed thermo-mechanically loaded Spar Wingskin Joints made with laminated Graphite Fiber Reinforced Plastic composites. The study emphasizes the influence of residual thermal stresses and material anisotropy on the inter-laminar delamination behavior of the joint structure. The delamination has been pre-embedded at the most likely location, i.e., in resin layer between the top and next ply of the fiber reinforced plastic laminated wingskin and near the spar overlap end. Multi-Point Constraint finite elements have been made use of at the vicinity of the delamination fronts. This helps in simulating the growth of the embedded delamination at both ends. The inter-laminar thermoelastic peel and shear stresses responsible for causing delamination damage due to a combined thermal and a static loading have been evaluated. Strain energy release rate components corresponding to the Mode I (opening), Mode II (sliding) and Mode III (tearing) of delamination are determined using the principle of Virtual Crack Closure Technique. These are seen to be different and non-self-similar at the two fronts of the embedded delamination. Residual stresses developed due to the thermoelastic anisotropy of the laminae are found to strongly influence the delamination onset and propagation characteristics, which have been reflected by the asymmetries in the nature of energy release rate plots and their significant variation along the delamination front.