• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.65-75
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• 2022

Time and cost of construction are key factors in decision-making during a tunnel project's planning and design phase. Estimations of time and cost of tunnel construction projects are subject to significant uncertainties caused by uncertain geotechnical and geological conditions. The Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) technique for predicting ground condition and construction time and cost of mountain tunnel projects is used in this work. The GPR model is trained with data from past mountain tunnel projects. The model is applied to a case study in which the predicted time and cost of tunnel construction using the GPR model are compared with the actual construction time and cost for model validation and reducing the uncertainty for the future projects. In addition, the results obtained from the GPR have been compared with to other models of artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector regression (SVR) that the GPR model provides more accurate results.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.265-279
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• 2022

Tunnel convergence prediction is essential for the safe construction and design of tunnels. This study proposes five machine learning models of deep neural network (DNN), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Gaussian process regression (GPR), support vector regression (SVR), and decision trees (DT) to predict the convergence phenomenon during or shortly after the excavation of tunnels. In this respect, a database including 650 datasets (440 for training, 110 for validation, and 100 for test) was gathered from the previously constructed tunnels. In the database, 12 effective parameters on the tunnel convergence and a target of tunnel wall convergence were considered. Both 5-fold and hold-out cross validation methods were used to analyze the predicted outcomes in the ML models. Finally, the DNN method was proposed as the most robust model. Also, to assess each parameter's contribution to the prediction problem, the backward selection method was used. The results showed that the highest and lowest impact parameters for tunnel convergence are tunnel depth and tunnel width, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.175-189
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• 2012

This paper presents an algorithm for structural reliability with the response surface method. For this aim, an approach with three stages is proposed named as improved response surface method. In the algorithm, firstly, a quadratic approximate function is formed and design point is determined with First Order Reliability Method. Secondly, a point close to the exact limit state function is searched using the design point. Lastly, vector projected method is used to generate the sample points and Second Order Reliability Method is performed to obtain reliability index and probability of failure. Five numerical examples are selected to illustrate the proposed algorithm. The limit state functions of three examples (cantilever beam, highly nonlinear limit state function and dynamic response of an oscillator) are defined explicitly and the others (frame and truss structures) are defined implicitly. ANSYS finite element program is utilized to obtain the response of the structures which are needed in the reliability analysis of implicit limit state functions. The results (reliability index, probability of failure and limit state function evaluations) obtained from the improved response surface are compared with those of Monte Carlo Simulation, First Order Reliability Method, Second Order Reliability Method and Classical Response Surface Method. According to the results, proposed algorithm gives better results for both reliability index and limit state function evaluations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제65권6호
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• pp.707-719
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• 2018

In this article, a new method is introduced to improve the local search capability of meta-heuristic algorithms using the projection of the path on the border of constraints. In a mathematical point of view, the Gradient Projection Method is applied through a new approach, while the imposed limitations are removed. Accordingly, the gradient vector is replaced with a new meta-heuristic based vector. Besides, the active constraint identification algorithm, and the projection method are changed into less complex approaches. As a result, if a constraint is violated by an agent, a new path will be suggested to correct the direction of the agent's movement. The presented procedure includes three main steps: (1) the identification of the active constraint, (2) the neighboring point determination, and (3) the new direction and step length. Moreover, this method can be applied to some meta-heuristic algorithms. It increases the chance of convergence in the final phase of the search process, especially when the number of the violations of the constraints increases. The method is applied jointly with the authors' newly developed meta-heuristic algorithm, entitled Star Graph. The capability of the resulted hybrid method is examined using the optimal design of truss and frame structures. Eventually, the comparison of the results with other meta-heuristics of the literature shows that the hybrid method is successful in the global as well as local search.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.337-362
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• 2015

This paper presents a feasibility study on structural damage alarming and localization of long-span cable-supported bridges using multi-novelty indices formulated by monitoring-derived modal parameters. The proposed method which requires neither structural model nor damage model is applicable to structures of arbitrary complexity. With the intention to enhance the tolerance to measurement noise/uncertainty and the sensitivity to structural damage, an improved novelty index is formulated in terms of auto-associative neural networks (ANNs) where the output vector is designated to differ from the input vector while the training of the ANNs needs only the measured modal properties of the intact structure under in-service conditions. After validating the enhanced capability of the improved novelty index for structural damage alarming over the commonly configured novelty index, the performance of the improved novelty index for damage occurrence detection of large-scale bridges is examined through numerical simulation studies of the suspension Tsing Ma Bridge (TMB) and the cable-stayed Ting Kau Bridge (TKB) incurred with different types of structural damage. Then the improved novelty index is extended to formulate multi-novelty indices in terms of the measured modal frequencies and incomplete modeshape components for damage region identification. The capability of the formulated multi-novelty indices for damage region identification is also examined through numerical simulations of the TMB and TKB.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제75권5호
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• pp.585-594
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• 2020

Detecting the damage of indeterminate trusses is of major importance in the literature. This paper proposes a quick approach in this regard, utilizing a precise mathematical approach based on Finite Element Method. Different to a general two-step method defined in the literature essentially based on optimization approach, this method consists of three steps including Damage-Suspected Element Identification step, Imminent Damaged Element Identification step, and finally, Damage Severity Detection step and does not need any optimizing algorithm. The first step focuses on the identification of damage-suspected elements using an index based on modal residual force vector. In the second step, imminent damage elements are identified among the damage-suspected elements detected in the previous step using a specific technique. Ultimately, in the third step, a novel relation is derived to calculate the damage severity of each imminent damaged element. To show the efficiency and quick function of the proposed method, three examples including a 25-bar planar truss, a 31-bar planar truss, and a 52-bar space truss are studied; results of which indicate that the method is innovatively capable of suitably detecting, for indeterminate trusses, not only damaged elements but also their individual damage severity by carrying out solely one analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제66권3호
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• pp.399-409
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• 2018

This paper demonstrates the potential application of machine learning algorithms for approximate prediction of the load and deflection capacities of the novel type of Laced Steel Concrete-Composite (LSCC) beams proposed by Anandavalli et al. (Engineering Structures 2012). Initially, global and local responses measured on LSCC beam specimen in an experiment are used to validate nonlinear FE model of the LSCC beams. The data for the machine learning algorithms is then generated using validated FE model for a range of values of the identified sensitive parameters. The performance of four well-known machine learning algorithms, viz., Support Vector Regression (SVR), Minimax Probability Machine Regression (MPMR), Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) and Multigene Genetic Programing (MGGP) for the approximate estimation of the load and deflection capacities are compared in terms of well-defined error indices. Through relative comparison of the estimated values, it is demonstrated that the algorithms explored in the present study provide a good alternative to expensive experimental testing and sophisticated numerical simulation of the response of LSCC beams. The load carrying and displacement capacity of the LSCC was predicted well by MGGP and MPMR, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.527-540
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• 2001

A new sort of learning algorithm named whole learning algorithm is proposed to simulate the nonlinear and dynamic behavior of RC members for the estimation of structural integrity. A mathematical technique to solve the multi-objective optimization problem is applied for the learning of the feedforward neural network, which is formulated so as to minimize the Euclidean norm of the error vector defined as the difference between the outputs and the target values for all the learning data sets. The change of the outputs is approximated in the first-order with respect to the amount of weight modification of the network. The governing equation for weight modification to make the error vector null is constituted with the consideration of the approximated outputs for all the learning data sets. The solution is neatly determined by means of the Moore-Penrose generalized inverse after summarization of the governing equation into the linear simultaneous equations with a rectangular matrix of coefficients. The learning efficiency of the proposed algorithm from the viewpoint of computational cost is verified in three types of problems to learn the truth table for exclusive or, the stress-strain relationship described by the Ramberg-Osgood model and the nonlinear and dynamic behavior of RC members observed under an earthquake.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제73권4호
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• pp.455-462
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• 2020

The hybrid method using the extended finite element method (XFEM) and the forward Euler approach is widely employed to predict the fatigue life of plate structures. Due to the accuracy of the forward Euler approach is determined by a small step size, the performance of fatigue life prediction of the hybrid method is not agreeable. Instead the forward Euler approach, a prediction method using midpoint method and support vector regression (SVR) is presented to evaluate the stress intensity factors (SIFs) and the fatigue life. Firstly, the XFEM is employed to calculate the SIFs with given crack sizes. Then use the history of SIFs as a function of either number of fatigue life cycles or crack sizes within the current cycle to build a prediction model. Finally, according to the prediction model predict the SIFs at different crack sizes or different cycles. Three numerical cases composed by a homogeneous plate with edge crack, a composite plate with edge crack and center crack are introduced to verify the performance of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method enables large step sizes without sacrificing accuracy. The method is expected to predict the fatigue life of complex structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제77권2호
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• pp.231-243
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• 2021

In this paper, a dynamic response mapping model of the wheel-rail system is established by using the support vector regression (SVR) method, and the hierarchical safety thresholds of the subgrade void are proposed based on the reliability theory. Firstly, the vehicle-track coupling dynamic model considering the subgrade void is constructed. Secondly, the subgrade void area, the subgrade compaction index K30 and the fastener stiffness are selected as random variables, and the mapping model between these three random parameters and the dynamic response of the wheel-rail system is built by using the orthogonal test and the SVR. The sensitivity analysis is carried out by the range analysis method. Finally, the hierarchical safety thresholds for the subgrade void are proposed. The results show that the subgrade void has the most significant influence on the carbody vertical acceleration, the rail vertical displacement, the vertical displacement and the slab tensile stress. From the range analysis, the subgrade void area has the largest effect on the dynamic response of the wheel-rail system, followed by the fastener stiffness and the subgrade compaction index K30. The recommended safety thresholds for the subgrade void of level I, II and III are 4.01㎡, 6.81㎡ and 9.79㎡, respectively.