• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2017

A $C^0$ FE model developed based on an efficient higher order zigzag theory is used for hygrothermal analysis of laminated composite plates. The $C^0$ FE model satisfies the inter-laminar shear stress continuity at the interfaces and zero transverse shear stress conditions at plate top and bottom. In this model the first derivatives of transverse displacement have been treated as independent variables to circumvent the problem of $C^1$ continuity associated with the above plate theory. In the present theory the above mentioned $C^0$ continuity of the present element is compensated in the stiffness matrix formulation by using penalty parameter approach. In order to avoid stress oscillations observed in the displacement based finite element, the stress field derived from temperature/moisture fields (initial strains) must be consistent with total strain field. Special steps are introduced by field consistent approach (e.g., sampling at gauss points) to compensate this problem. A nine noded $C^0$ continuous isoparametric element is used in the proposed FE model. Comparison of present numerical results with other existing solutions shows that the proposed FE model is efficient, accurate and free of locking.

• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

In this paper, a simple and accurate finite element model coupled to quasi-brittle damage law able to describe the multiple cracks initiation and their progressive propagation is developed in order to predict the complete force-displacement curve and the fracture pattern of human proximal femur under quasi-static load. The motivation of this work was to propose a simple and practical FE model with a good compromise between complexity and accuracy of the simulation considering a limited number of model parameters that can predict proximal femur fracture more accurately and physically than the fracture criteria based models. Different damage laws for cortical and trabecular bone are proposed based on experimental results to describe the inelastic damage accumulation under the excessive load. When the damage parameter reaches its critical value inside an element of the mesh, its stiffness matrix is set to zero leading to the redistribution of the stress state in the vicinity of the fractured zone (crack initiation). Once a crack is initiated, the propagation direction is simulated by the propagation of the broken elements of the mesh. To illustrate the potential of the proposed approach, the left femur of a male (age 61) previously investigated by Keyak and Falkinstein, 2003 (Model B: male, age 61) was simulated till complete fracture under one-legged stance quasi-static load. The proposed finite element model leads to more realistic and precise results concerning the shape of the force-displacement curve (yielding and fracturing) and the profile of the fractured edge.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.277-293
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• 2024

Shored Mechanically Stabilized Earth (SMSE) walls are types of soil retaining structures that increase soil stability under static and dynamic loads. The damage caused by an earthquake can be determined by evaluating the probabilistic seismic response of SMSE walls. This study aimed to assess the seismic performance of SMSE walls and provide fragility curves for evaluating failure levels. The generated fragility curves can help to improve the seismic performance of these walls through assessing and controlling variables like backfill surface settlement, lateral deformation of facing, and permanent relocation of the wall. A parametric study was performed based on a non-linear elastoplastic constitutive model known as the hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness, HSsmall. The analyses were conducted using PLAXIS 2D, a Finite Element Method (FEM) program, under plane-strain conditions to study the effect of the number of geogrid layers and the axial stiffness of geogrids on the performance of SMSE walls. In this study, three areas of damage (minor, moderate, and severe) were observed and, in all cases, the wall has not completely entered the stage of destruction. For the base model (Model A), at the highest ground acceleration coefficient (1 g), in the moderate damage state, the fragility probability was 76%. These values were 62%, and 54%, respectively, by increasing the number of geogrids (Model B) and increasing the geogrid stiffness (Model C). Meanwhile, the fragility values were 99%, 98%, and 97%, respectively in the case of minor damage. Notably, the probability of complete destruction was zero percent in all models.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.305-321
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• 2020

In this paper is presented the solution method for three-dimensional problem of transversely isotropic body's elastoplastic deformation by the finite element method (FEM). The process of problem solution consists of: determining the effective parameters of a transversely isotropic medium; construction of the finite element mesh of the body configuration, including the determination of the local minimum value of the tape width of non-zero coefficients of equation systems by using of front method; constructing of the stiffness matrix coefficients and load vector node components of the equation for an individual finite element's state according to the theory of small elastoplastic deformations for a transversely isotropic medium; the formation of a resolving symmetric-tape system of equations by summing of all state equations coefficients summing of all finite elements; solution of the system of symmetric-tape equations systems by means of the square root method; calculation of the body's elastoplastic stress-strain state by performing the iterative process of the initial stress method. For each problem solution stage, effective computational algorithms have been developed that reduce computational operations number by modifying existing solution methods and taking into account the matrix coefficients structure. As an example it is given, the problem solution of fibrous composite straining in the form of a rectangle with a system of circular holes.

• International Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.19-23
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• 2015

This work deals with the study of buckling and post buckling characteristics of laminated composite plates with and without localized regions of damage. The need of a detailed study on Finite Element Analysis of buckling and post buckling of laminated composite structures considering various aspects enhances the interest among researchers. Mathematical formulation is developed for damaged composite plates using a finite element technique based on Inverse Hyperbolic Shear Deformation Theory. This theory satisfies zero transverse shear stresses conditions at the top and bottom surfaces of the plate and provides a non-linear transverse shear stress distribution. Damage modeling is done using an anisotropic damage formulation, which is based on the concept of stiffness change. The structural elements are subjected to in-plane loading. The computer program is developed in MATLAB environment. The numerical results are presented after through validation of developed finite element code. The effect of damage on buckling and post buckling has been carried out for various parameters such as amount of percentage of damaged area, damage intensity, etc. The results show that the presence of internal flaws will significantly affect the buckling characteristics of laminated composite plates. The outcomes and remarks from this work will assist to address some key issues concerning composite structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.229-247
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• 2020

This study analyzed stresses in concrete and its reinforcement, computing the additional loading transferred by concrete creep. The loading varied from zero, structure exclusively under its self-weight, up to the critical buckling load. The studied structure was a real, tapered, reinforced concrete pole. As concrete is a composite material, homogenizing techniques were used in the calculations. Due to the static indetermination for determining the normal forces acting on concrete and reinforcement, equations that considered the balance of forces and compatibility of displacement on cross-sections were employed. In the mathematical solution used to define the critical buckling load, all the elements of the structural dynamics present in the system were considered, including the column self-weight. The structural imperfections were linearized using the geometric stiffness, the proprieties of the concrete were considered according to the guidelines of the American Concrete Institute (ACI 209R), and the ground was modeled as a set of distributed springs along the foundation length. Critical buckling loads were computed at different time intervals after the structure was loaded. Finite element method results were also obtained for comparison. For an interval of 5000 days, the modulus of elasticity and critical buckling load reduced by 36% and 27%, respectively, compared to an interval of zero days. During this time interval, stress on the reinforcement steel reached within 5% of the steel yield strength. The computed strains in that interval stayed below the normative limit.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.52-59
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• 1997

An experimental study is presented for the characteristics of the high temperature superconductor as an application of the repulsive type magnetic bearing. A ring shaped YBCO type superconductor and Neodium permanent magnets are employed for the experiment. For the case of field cooling, superconductor shows strong repulsive force, which is due to the Meissner effect, as the gap between the superconductor and the magnet gets closer. The repulsive force variation with respect to the gap change shows hysterisis characteristics. The area of the loop of the hysterisis curve represents the dissipation of energy, which reveals that the magnetic bearing with superconductor has large damping. The effect of the initial gap and the magnetic flux density on the repulsive force is analyzed experimentally and the static stiffness variation is calculated from the measured repulsive force variation. The relative sliding velocity between the superconductor and the magnet has little effect on the repulsive force which is quite different from the usual sliding element bearing. As the initial gap for the field cooling becomes larger, the maximum repulsive force at the minimum gap increases and approaches to the value for the case of zero field cooling.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.25-42
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• 2023

This paper presents a finite element (FE) simulation of eccentrically loaded lightweight aggregate concrete-encased steel (LACES) columns with H-shaped steel sections, analytical equations are also established to estimate the columns' axial and bending moment interaction capacities. The validity of the proposed models is checked by comparing the results with experimental data. Good agreements between the test and proposed models' results are found with acceptable agreements. Moreover, design parameters, including the lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) strength, eccentricity, column slenderness ratio, and confinement, are studied using the FE analysis, and their efficiency factors are discussed. The results show that the ultimate axial capacity of the LACES composite columns subjected to eccentric loading is negatively affected by the increase in the columns' height, but it is positively affected by the increase of the confinement. Increasing the eccentricity and columns' height reduced the columns'stiffness. In addition, the ultimate capacity of the LACES column is significantly influenced by the LWAC strength and eccentricity, where the ultimate capacity of the LACES column is significantly increased by increasing LWAC strength, and it is remarkably decreased by increasing the eccentricity. When the eccentricity changed from zero to 70 mm, the ultimate axial capacity and stiffness decreased by 67.97% and 63.56%, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.5
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• pp.601-612
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• 2021

To study the vibration characteristics of a high-speed railway continuous girder bridge-track coupling system (HSRCBT), a coupling vibration analysis model of an m-span continuous girder bridge-subgrade-track system with n-span approach bridge was established. The model was based on the energy and its variational method, where both the interlaminar slip and shear deformation effects were considered. In addition, the free vibration equations and natural boundary conditions of the HSRCBT were derived. Further, according to the coordination principle of deformation and mechanics, an analytical method for calculating the natural vibration frequencies of the HSRCBT was obtained. Three typical bridge-subgrade-track coupling systems of high-speed railway were taken and the results of finite element analysis were compared to those of the analytical method. The errors between the simulation results and calculated values of the analytical method were less than 3%, thus verifying the analytical method proposed in this paper. Finally, the analytical method was used to investigate the influence of the number of the approach bridge spans and the interlaminar stiffness on the natural vibration characteristics of the HSRCBT based on the degree of sensitivity. The results suggest the approach bridges have a critical number of spans and in general, the precision requirements of the analysis could be met by using 6-span approach bridges. The interlaminar vertical compressive stiffness has very little influence on the low-order natural vibration frequency of HSRCBT, but does have a significant influence on higher-order natural vibration frequency. As the interlaminar vertical compressive stiffness increases, the degree of sensitivity to interlaminar stiffness of each of the HSRCBT natural vibration characteristics decrease and gradually approach zero.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.37-52
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• 2012

In this study, a new 4-node general shell element with 6 DOFs per node is presented. Drilling rotational degrees of freedom are introduced by the variational principle with an independent rotation field. In formulation of the element, substitute transverse shear strain fields are used to avoid shear locking, while four nonconforming modes are applied in the in-plane displacement fields as a remedy for membrane locking. In addition, a direct modification method for nonconforming modes is employed in the numerical implementation of nonconforming modes to represent constant strain states. A 9-points integration rule is adopted for volume integration in the computation of the element stiffness matrix. With the combined use of these techniques, the developed shell element has no spurious zero energy modes, and can represent a constant strain state. Several numerical tests are carried out to evaluate the performance of the new element developed. The test results show that the behavior of the elements is satisfactory.