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CONTENTS
Volume 58, Number 2, April25 2016
 


Abstract
A large number of bridges were built several decades ago, and most of which have gradually suffered serious deteriorations or damage due to the increasing traffic loads, environmental effects, and inadequate maintenance. However, very few studies were conducted to investigate the vibration behaviors of a damaged bridge under moving vehicles. In this paper, the vibration behaviors of such vehicle-bridge system are investigated in details, in which the effects of the concrete cracks and bridge surface roughness are particularly considered. Specifically, two vehicle models are introduced, i.e., a simplified four degree-of-freedoms (DOFs) vehicle model and a more complex seven DOFs vehicle model, respectively. The bridges are modeled in two types, including a single-span uniform beam and a full scale reinforced concrete high-pier bridge, respectively. The crack zone in the reinforced concrete bridge is considered by a damage function. The bridge and vehicle coupled equations are established by combining the equations of motion of both the bridge and vehicles using the displacement relationship and interaction force relationship at the contact points between the tires and bridge. The numerical simulations and verifications show that the proposed modeling method can rationally simulate the vibration behaviors of the damaged bridge under moving vehicles; the effect of cracks on the impact factors is very small and can be neglected for the bridge with none roughness, however, the effect of cracks on the impact factors is very significant and cannot be neglected for the bridge with roughness.

Key Words
bridges; simulation; dynamic analysis; cracks; surface roughness

Address
Xinfeng Yin and Yang Liu: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
Bo Kong: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803, USA

Abstract
Effects of temperature dependent material properties on mixed mode fracture parameters of functionally graded materials subjected to thermal loading are investigated. A domain form of the Jk-integral method including temperature-dependent material properties and its numerical implementation using finite element analysis is presented. Temperature and displacement fields are calculated using finite element analysis and are used to compute mixed mode stress intensity factors using the Jk-integral. Numerical results indicate that temperature-dependency of material properties has considerable effect on the mixed-mode stress intensity factors of cracked functionally graded structures.

Key Words
temperature dependent material properties; functionally graded materials; stress intensity factors; thermal gradient

Address
Mohammad Rajabi, Nasser Soltani and Iman Eshraghi: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Intelligence Based Experimental Mechanics Center, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
To minimize the compliance of frame, a method to optimize the topology of bracing system in a frame is presented. The frame is first filled uniformly with a truss-like continuum, in which there are an infinite number of members. The frame and truss-like continuum are analysed by the finite element method altogether. By optimizing the distribution of members in the truss-like continuum over the whole design domain, the optimal bracing pattern is determined. As a result, the frame\'s lateral stiffness is enforced. Structural compliance and displacement are decreased greatly with a smaller increase in material volume. Since optimal bracing systems are described by the distribution field of members, rather than by elements, fewer elements are needed to establish the detailed structure. Furthermore, no numerical instability exists. Therefore it has high calculation effectiveness.

Key Words
topology optimization; compliance; bracing systems; truss-like continuum; lateral stiffness

Address
Kemin Zhou: College of Civil Engineering, Huaqiao University, Fujian, 361021, China

Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the seismic resistance of dry stone arches under in-plane seismic loading. For that purpose, several numerical analyses were performed using the combined finitediscrete element method (FDEM). Twelve types of arches with different ratios of a rise at the mid-span to the span, different thicknesses of stone blocks and different numbers of stone blocks in the arch were subjected to an incremental dynamic analysis based on excitation from three real horizontal and vertical ground motions. The minimum value of the failure peak ground acceleration that caused the collapse of the arch was adopted as a measure of the seismic resistance. In this study, the collapse mechanisms of each type of stone arch, as well as the influence of the geometry of stone blocks and stone arches on the seismic resistance of structures were observed. The conclusions obtained on the basis of the performed numerical analyses can be used as guidelines for the design of dry stone arches.

Key Words
seismic resistance; dry stone arch; seismic loading; stability; combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM)

Address
Ivan Balic, Nikolina Zivaljic, Hrvoje Smoljanovic and Boris Trogrlic: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, University of Split, Matice hrvatske 15, 21000 Split, Croatia

Abstract
Lead-rubber bearings (LRBs) have been used worldwide in seismic design of buildings and bridges owing to their stable mechanical properties and good isolation effect. We have investigated the effectiveness of LRBs in framed underground structures on controlling structural seismic responses. Nonlinear dynamic time history analyses were carried out on the well-documented Daikai Station, which collapsed during the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake. Influences of strength ratio (ratio of yield strength of LRBs to yield strength of central column) and shear modulus of rubber on structural seismic responses were studied. As a displacement-based passive energy dissipation device, LRBs reduce dynamic internal forces of framed underground structures and improve their seismic performance. An optimal range of strength ratios was proposed for the case presented. Within this range, LRBs can dissipate maximum input earthquake energy. The maximum shear and moment of the central column can achieve more than 50% reduction, whereas the maximum shear displacement of LRBs is acceptable.

Key Words
lead-rubber bearing; framed underground structure; seismic response; strength ratio; rubber shear modulus; optimal range

Address
Zhi-Yi Chen: State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, China; Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, China
Hu Zhao: Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, China
Meng-Lin Lou: State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, China

Abstract
Cold-formed steel (CFS) sections are becoming an increasingly popular solution for constructing floors in residential, healthcare and education buildings. Their reduced weight, however, makes them prone to excessive vibrations, increasing the need for accurate prediction of CFS floor modal properties. By combining experimental modal analysis of a full-scale CFS framed building and its floors and their numerical finite element (FE) modelling this paper demonstrates that the existing methods (based on the best engineering judgement) for predicting CFS floor modal properties are unreliable. They can yield over 40% difference between the predicted and measured natural frequencies for important modes of vibration. This is because the methods were adopted from other floor types (e.g., timber or standard steel-concrete composite floors) and do not take into account specific features of CFS floors. Using the adjusted and then updated FE model, featuring semi-rigid connections led to markedly improved results. The first four measured and calculated CFS floor natural frequencies matched exactly and all relevant modal assurance criterion (MAC) values were above 90%. The introduction of flexible supports and more realistic modelling of the floor boundary conditions, as well as non-structural façade walls, proved to be crucial in the development of the new more successful modelling strategy. The process used to develop 10 identified and experimentally verified FE modelling parameters is based on published information and parameter adjustment resulting from FE model updating. This can be utilised for future design of similar lightweight steel floors in prefabricated buildings when checking their vibration serviceability, likely to be their governing design criterion.

Key Words
vibration analysis; FE model updating; lightweight steel floor; prefabricated building

Address
Smiljana P. Petrovic-Kotur: Faculty of Construction Management, University Union Nikola Tesla, Cara Dusana 62-64, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
Aleksandar P. Pavic: College of Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, UK

Abstract
An optimization method of patch shape was developed in this study, in order to improve repair of cracked plates. It aimed to minimize three objectives: stress intensity factor, patch volume and shear stresses in the adhesive film. The choice of these objectives ensures improving crack repair, gaining mass and enhancing the adhesion durability between the fractured plate and the composite patch. This was a multi-objective optimization combined with Finite elements calculations to find out the best distribution of patch height with respect to its width. The implementation of the method identified families of optimal shapes with specific geometric features around the crack tip and at the horizontal end of the patch. Considerable mass gain was achieved while improving the repair efficiency and keeping the adhesive shear stress at low levels.

Key Words
patch repair; stress intensity factor; adhesive shear; finite elements method; shape optimization

Address
Mohamed S. Bouchiba and Boualem Serier: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sidi Bel Abbes, BP89 cite Arbi Ben M\'Hidi, Sidi Bel Abbes 22 000, Algeria

Abstract
Many experimental and analytical studies have been conducted with beam-column subassemblages composed of a two-span beam to investigate the progressive collapse resistance of RC frames. Most study results reveal a strength-decreased transition phase in the nonlinear static load-deflection curve, which may induce dynamic snap-through response and increase the chord rotation demand for effective catenary action (ECA). In this study, the nonlinear static response is idealized as a piecewise linear curve and analytical pseudo-static response is derived for each linearized region to investigate the rotation demands for the ECA of the two-span RC beams. With analytical parameters determined from several published test results, numerical analysis results indicate that the rotation demand of 0.20 rad recommended in the design guidelines does not always guarantee the ECA. A higher rotation demand may be induced for the two-span beams designed with smaller span-to-depth ratios and it is better to use their peak arch resistance (PAR) as the collapse strength. A tensile reinforcement ratio not greater than 1.0% and a span-to-depth ratio not less than 7.0 are suggested for the two-span RC beams bridging the removed column if the ECA is expected for the collapse resistance. Also, complementary pseudo-static analysis is advised to verify the ECA under realistic dynamic column loss even though the static PAR is recovered in the nonlinear static response. A practical empirical formula is provided to estimate an approximate rotation demand for the ECA.

Key Words
progressive collapse; effective catenary action; pseudo-static response; chord rotation

Address
Meng-Hao Tsai: Department of Civil Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No.1 Hseuh-Fu Rd., Neipu, Pingtung County, 912 Taiwan

Abstract
Within the scope of the plane-strain state, by utilizing the three-dimensional linearized theory of elastic waves in initially stressed piezoelectric and elastic materials, Lamb wave propagation and the influence of the initial stresses on this propagation in a sandwich plate with pre-stressed piezoelectric face and pre-stressed metal elastic core layers are investigated. Dispersion equations are derived for the extensional and flexural Lamb waves and, as a result of numerical solution to these equations, the corresponding dispersion curves for the first (fundamental) and second modes are constructed. Concrete numerical results are obtained for the cases where the face layers\' materials are PZT-2 or PZT-6B, but the material of the middle layer is Steel (St) or Aluminum (Al). Sandwich plates PZT-2/St/PZT-2, PZT-2/Al/PZT-2, PZT-6B/St/PZT-6B and PZT-6B/Al/PZT-6B are examined and the influence of the problem parameters such as piezoelectric and dielectric constants, layer thickness ratios and third order elastic constants of the St and Al on the effects of the initial stresses on the wave propagation velocity is studied.

Key Words
extensional and flexural Lamb waves; initial stresses; wave dispersion; piezoelectric material; sandwich plate; third order elastic constants

Address
Ilkay Kurt: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Yildiz Campus, 34349, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
Surkay D. Akbarov: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Yildiz Campus, 34349, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey; Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, 37041, Baku, Azerbaijan
Semih Sezer: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Yildiz Campus, 34349, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract
A seismic strengthening method using Velcro is proposed to improve the seismic performance of columns in RC frame structures. The proposed method was evaluated experimentally using three fabricated RC specimens. Velcro was wrapped around the columns of the RC-frame specimen to prevent concrete spall falling. The reinforcing performance of the Velcro was determined from comparison of results on seismic performance (i.e., strength, displacement, failure mode, displacement ductility capacity and amount of dissipated energy). As the displacement of the reinforced specimens was increased, the amount of dissipated energy increased drastically, and the displacement-ductility-capacity of the reinforced specimens also increased. The final failure mode of RC frame structure was changed. As a result, it was concluded that the proposed seismic strengthening method using Velcro could be used to increase the displacement ductility of RC columns, and could be used to change the final failure mode of RC-frame structures.

Key Words
Velcro; RC column; seismic performance; concrete spalling; ductility

Address
Minho Kwon and Hyunsu Seo: Department of Civil Engineering, ERI, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, South Korea
Jinsup Kim: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA


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