• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.25-51
• /
• 2016

In this study, graph product rules are applied to the dynamic analysis of regular skeletal structures. Graph product rules have recently been utilized in structural mechanics as a powerful tool for eigensolution of symmetric and regular skeletal structures. A structure is called regular if its model is a graph product. In the first part of this paper, the formulation of time history dynamic analysis of regular structures under seismic excitation is derived using graph product rules. This formulation can generally be utilized for efficient linear elastic dynamic analysis using vibration modes. The second part comprises of random vibration analysis of regular skeletal structures via canonical forms and closed-form eigensolution of matrices containing special patterns for symmetric structures. In this part, the formulations are developed for dynamic analysis of structures subjected to random seismic excitation in frequency domain. In all the proposed methods, eigensolution of the problems is achieved with less computational effort due to incorporating graph product rules and canonical forms for symmetric and cyclically symmetric structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• 제21권6호
• /
• pp.715-725
• /
• 2018

Truss-Z (TZ) is an Extremely Modular System (EMS). Such systems allow for creation of structurally sound free-form structures, are comprised of as few types of modules as possible, and are not constrained by a regular tessellation of space. Their objective is to create spatial structures in given environments connecting given terminals without self-intersections and obstacle-intersections. TZ is a skeletal modular system for creating free-form pedestrian ramps and ramp networks. The previous research on TZ focused on global discrete geometric optimization of the spatial configuration of modules. This paper reports on the first attempts at structural optimization of the module for a single-branch TZ. The internal topology and the sizing of module beams are subject to optimization. An important challenge is that the module is to be universal: it must be designed for the worst case scenario, as defined by the module position within a TZ branch and the geometric configuration of the branch itself. There are four variations of each module, and the number of unique TZ configurations grows exponentially with the branch length. The aim is to obtain minimum-mass modules with the von Mises equivalent stress constrained under certain design load. The resulting modules are further evaluated also in terms of the typical structural criterion of compliance.