• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제6권6호
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• pp.633-641
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• 1998

Finite element solutions are presented for the optimal design of symmetrically laminated rectangular plates with various types of internal line supports. These plates are subject to a combination of simply supported, clamped and free boundary conditions. The design objective is the maximisation of the biaxial buckling load. This is achieved by determining the fibre orientations optimally with the effects of bending-twisting coupling taken into account. The finite element method coupled with an optimisation routine is employed in analysing and optimising the laminated plate designs. The effect of internal line support type and boundary conditions on the optimal ply angles and the buckling load are numerically studied. The laminate behavior with respect to fibre orientation changes significantly in the presence of internal line supports as compared to that of a laminate where there is no internal supporting. This change in behavior has significant implications for design optimisation as the optimal values of design variables with or without internal supporting differ substantially.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.661-669
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• 2018

Engineering system problems consist of multi-objective optimisation and the performance analysis is generally time consuming. To optimise the system concerning its performance, many researchers perform the optimisation using an approximation model. The Response Surface Method (RSM) is usually used to predict the system performance in many research fields, but it shows prediction errors for highly nonlinear problems. To create an appropriate metamodel for marine systems, Lee (2015) compares the prediction accuracy of the approximation model, and multi-objective optimal design framework is proposed based on a confirmed approximation model. The proposed framework is composed of three parts: definition of geometry, generation of approximation model, and optimisation. The major objective of this paper is to confirm the applicability/usability of the proposed optimal design framework and evaluate the prediction accuracy based on sensitivity analysis. We have evaluated the proposed framework applicability in derrick structure optimisation considering its structural performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.739-759
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• 2012

The tailoring optimization technique recently developed by the author for improving structural response and energy absorption of composites is extended to sandwich shells using a previously developed zig-zag shell model with hierarchic representation of displacements. The in-plane variation of the stiffness properties of plies and the through-the thickness variation of the core properties are determined solving the Euler-Lagrange equations of an extremal problem in which the strain energy due to out-of-plane strains and stresses is minimised, while that due to their in-plane counterparts is maximised. In this way, the energy stored by unwanted out-of-plane modes involving weak properties is transferred to acceptable in-plane modes. As shown by the numerical applications, the critical interlaminar stress concentrations at the interfaces with the core are consistently reduced without any bending stiffness loss and the strength to debonding of faces from the core is improved. The structural model was recently developed by the author to accurately describe strain energy and interlaminar stresses from the constitutive equations. It a priori fulfills the displacement and stress contact conditions at the interfaces, considers a second order expansion of Lame's coefficients and a hierarchic representation that adapts to the variation of solutions. Its functional d.o.f. are the traditional mid-plane displacements and the shear rotations, so refinement implies no increase of the number of functional d.o.f. Sandwich shells are represented as multilayered shells made of layers with different thickness and material properties, the core being treated as a thick intermediate layer.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.231-256
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• 2016

This study concerns the derivation of optimum tuning formulas for a passive Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) device, for the case of benchmark ideal excitations acting on a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) damped primary structure. The free TMD parameters are tuned first through a non-linear gradient-based optimisation algorithm, for the case of harmonic or white noise excitations, acting either as force on the SDOF primary structure or as base acceleration. The achieved optimum TMD parameters are successively interpolated according to appropriate analytical fitting proposals, by non-linear least squares, in order to produce simple and effective TMD tuning formulas. In particular, two fitting models are presented. The main proposal is composed of a simple polynomial relationship, refined within the fitting process, and constitutes the optimum choice. A second model refers to proper modifications of literature formulas for the case of an undamped primary structure. The results in terms of final (interpolated) optimum TMD parameters and of device effectiveness in reducing the structural dynamic response are finally displayed and discussed in detail, showing the wide and ready-to-use validity of the proposed optimisation procedure and achieved tuning formulas. Several post-tuning trials have been carried out as well on SDOF and MDOF shear-type frame buildings, by confirming the effective benefit provided by the proposed optimum TMD.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.1451-1465
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• 2016

The effectiveness of base isolation (BI) systems for mitigation of seismic vibration of bridges have been extensively studied in the past. It is well established in those studies that the performance of BI system is largely dependent on the characteristics of isolator yield strength. For optimum design of such systems, normally a standard nonlinear optimization problem is formulated to minimize the maximum response of the structure, referred as Stochastic Structural Optimization (SSO). The SSO of BI system is usually performed with reference to a problem of unconstrained optimization without imposing any restriction on the maximum isolator displacement. In this regard it is important to note that the isolator displacement should not be arbitrarily large to fulfil the serviceability requirements and to avoid the possibility of pounding to the adjacent units. The present study is intended to incorporate the effect of excessive isolator displacement in optimizing BI system to control seismic vibration effect of bridges. In doing so, the necessary stochastic response of the isolated bridge needs to be optimized is obtained in the framework of statistical linearization of the related nonlinear random vibration problem. A simply supported bridge is taken up to elucidate the effect of constraint condition on optimum design and overall performance of the isolated bridge compared to that of obtained by the conventional unconstrained optimization approach.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.427-445
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• 2016

Star sensors are the attitude estimation sensors of the satellite orbiting in its path. It gives information to the control station on the earth about where the satellite is heading towards. It captures the images of a predetermined reference star. By comparing this image with that of the one captured from the earth, exact position of the satellite is determined. In the process of imaging, stray lights are eliminated from reaching the optic lens by the mechanical enclosures of the star sensors called Baffles. Research in space domain in the last few years is mainly focused on increased payload capacity and reduction in launch cost. In this paper, a star sensor baffle made of Aluminium is considered for the study. In order to minimize the component weight, material wastage and to improve the structural performance, an alternate material to Aluminium is investigated. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer is found to be a better substitute in this regard. Design optimisation studies are carried out by adopting suitable design modifications like implementing an additional L-shaped flange, Upward flange projections, downward flange projections etc. A better configuration of the baffle, satisfying the design requirements and achieving manufacturing feasibility is attained. Geometrical modeling of the baffle is done by using UNIGRAPHICS-Nx7.5(R). Structural behavior of the baffle is analysed by FE analysis such as normal mode analysis, linear static analysis, and linear buckling analysis using MSC/PATRAN(R), MSC-NASTRAN(R) as the solver to validate the stiffness, strength and stability requirements respectively. Effect of the layup sequence and the fiber orientation angle of the composite layup on the stiffness are also studied.

• 국제초고층학회논문집
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.131-139
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• 2013

The field of structural fire engineering has evolved within the construction industry, driven largely by the acceptance of performance-based or goal-based design. This evolution has brought two disciplines very close together - that of structural engineering and fire engineering. This paper presents an overview of structural systems that are frequently adopted in tall building design; typical beams and columns, concrete filled steel tube columns and long span beams with web openings. It is shown that these structural members require a structural analysis in relation to their temperature evolution and failure modes to determine adequate thermal protection for a given fire resistance period. When this is accounted for, a more explicit understanding of the behaviour of the structure and significant cost savings can be achieved. This paper demonstrates the importance of structural fire assessments in the context of tall building design. It is shown that structural engineers are more than capable of assessing structural capacity in the event of fire using published methodologies. Rather than assumed performance, this approach can result in a safe and quantified design in the event of a fire.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.85-105
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• 2017

Monitoring is the most important part of the construction and operation of the embankment dams. Applied instruments in these dams should be determined based on dam requirements and specifications. Instruments selection considered as one of the most important steps of monitoring plan. Competent instruments selection for dams is very important, as inappropriate selection causes irreparable loss in critical condition. Lack of a systematic method for determining instruments has been considered as a problem for creating an efficient selection. Nowadays, decision making methods have been used widely in different sciences for optimal determination and selection. In this study, the Multi-Attribute Decision Making is applied by considering 9 criteria and categorisation of 8 groups of geotechnical instruments. Therefore, the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Multi-Criteria Optimisation and Compromise Solution methods are employed in order to determine the attributes' importance weights and to prioritise of instruments for embankment dams, respectively. This framework was applied for a rock fill with clay core dam. The results indicated that group decision making optimizes the selection and prioritisation of monitoring instruments for embankment dams, and selected instruments are reliable based on the dam specifications.

• Journal of Ship and Ocean Technology
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.14-29
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• 2001

Concept and preliminary structural design methods, including large scale FEM analysis and optimisation, for large passenger ships, car passenger and RoRo/ passenger ships are dis-cussed. Applications and experiences in practical design usage are presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제81권3호
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• pp.293-303
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• 2022

As infrastructure ages and traffic load increases, serious public concerns have arisen for the well-being of bridges. The current health monitoring practice focuses on large-scale bridges rather than short span bridges. However, it is critical that more attention should be given to these behind-the-scene bridges. The relevant information about the construction methods and as-built properties are most likely missing. Additionally, since the condition of a bridge has unavoidably changed during service, due to weathering and deterioration, the material properties and boundary conditions would also have changed since its construction. Therefore, it is not appropriate to continue using the design values of the bridge parameters when undertaking any analysis to evaluate bridge performance. It is imperative to update the model, using finite element (FE) analysis to reflect the current structural condition. In this study, a FE model is established to simulate a concrete culvert bridge in New South Wales, Australia. That model, however, contains a number of parameter uncertainties that would compromise the accuracy of analytical results. The model is therefore updated with a neural network (NN) optimisation algorithm incorporating Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to minimise the uncertainties in parameters. The modal frequency and strain responses produced by the updated FE model are compared with the frequency and strain values on-site measured by sensors. The outcome indicates that the NN model updating incorporating MC simulation is a feasible and robust optimisation method for updating numerical models so as to minimise the difference between numerical models and their real-world counterparts.