Structural Engineering Research Centre

About: Structural Engineering Research Centre is a facility organization based out in Chennai, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Finite element method & Fracture mechanics. The organization has 520 authors who have published 703 publications receiving 7298 citations.

Study of the Effect of Manufacturing Tolerances in a Model of Large Butterfly Valve by Holographic Interferometry

Abstract: Holographic interferometry is a powerful experimental technique which can measure deformations of surface of an object with high precision. In case of an object undergoing a generalised state of displacements, it is possible either numerically or optically to separate and determine the scalar components of the displacement for quantitative analysis.

Shear Behavior of Joints in Precast Prestressed Concrete Segments-A Finite Element Study

Abstract: The behavior of segmental structures depends mainly on the behavior of the joints between the segments. Even though joints forms a discontinuity; they should have the capacity to transmit compressive and shear stresses. Shear behavior of the joints is greatly influenced by the confining pressure and the surface properties. According to shear friction approach, shear capacity of joints can be improved by varying the surface properties of joints. It is observed that limited studies were done on the factors affecting the friction at joints and only few Finite Element studies on joints were done. In this study, a three-dimensional Finite Element study using ABAQUS has being carried out on joints with various surface properties. The Finite Element Analysis model consisted of two parts in surface to surface contact. The C3D8R element and B31 element with a refined mesh size of 10 mm is used for modelling concrete and reinforcement respectively. The material properties considered were modulus of elasticity of 27.38 GPa and Poisson’s ratio of 0.2 for concrete and for reinforcement steel were Young’s Modulus 210 GPa and poisson’s ratio 0.3. Material nonlinearity is introduced by Concrete Damage Plasticity model. Parameters studied are prestressing force and coefficient of friction at joints. The shear resistance of joints under different surface properties were evaluated using FE study and compared with experimental results available from a reported literature (Jiang et al in Mech Comput 19(1):1–16 2015, [1]).

Partial Factors for Safety Assessment of T-Girder of RC Bridges Subjected to Chloride-Induced Corrosion Against Shear Limit State

Abstract: The health assessment of bridge is becoming increasingly important in the view of the life extension programs. The main focus of this study is to develop a reliability-based procedure to carry out safety assessment against the shear limit state for a typical T-Girder bridge. Chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement is considered to be the primary reason for deterioration of shear capacity with time. The girder is modeled by series connection of elements in the shear critical region. The shear capacity is determined by mechanical behavior (brittle or ductile) of each element depending on degree of corrosion in each element. Using the time-variant shear capacity obtained from the stochastic analysis, an attempt has been made to determine the partial factors using first-order reliability method (FORM). These partial factors can be used for safety assessment of similar T-Girder bridges located in marine environment and subjected to similar traffic loading.

Experimental Studies on Qualification of Structural Integrity of Eddy Current Flow Meter

Abstract: An eddy current flow sensor (ECFS) is used for measuring the sodium flow through the reactor core in prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR). Being a safety critical system, ensuring the structural integrity of the sensor and associated support systems has a direct bearing on the safety and the availability of the reactor. The sensor operates in a harsh environment with maximum sodium temperature up to 525 °C, subjected to thermal shocks, seismic-induced loading, and flow-induced vibrations. The sensor employs special materials, components (MgO coil) which are not covered by codes. Due to non-availability of design guidelines in design codes for these sensors, the structural integrity of this sensor was demonstrated experimentally. Codal guidelines were extended wherever possible to aid in the experimental program. All the experiments done, other than FIV, are presented in the paper. During these tests, in addition to integrity, other functional checks were also carried out. The tests demonstrated the structural integrity of the ECFM and provided basis for obtaining regulatory clearance for ECFM.

Geological defect and its geophysical prediction method in Karst Tunnel

Abstract: With the rapid development of traffic tunnels construction in mountain area in the world, hydrogeological conditions are becoming unprecedentedly complex, water inrush and mud gushing is one of the typical common geologic hazards for the karst tunnel construction. .Based on the analyzing karst tunnel water inrush examples in recent years in china, the mechanism of geologic structure for water inrush has been explained through analyzing different karst hydrogeological storage structures. The unfavorable geologic bodies can be forecasted by geophysical method, and the detecting device and the signal receiving sensor would be selected for different water-bearing structure. The seismic wave, electromagnetic wave will be reflected and received by sensor when encountered geological defect, and the attributes of unfavorable geologic bodies were identified based on the returned signal. Risk assessment of water inrush must be done firstly during tunnel construction, an optimal system for water-bearing structure detecting in which prediction methods vary with the risk level of water inrush can be probed. As a result, the hazard prevention & controlling technological system of water inrush of karst tunnel is composed of risk evaluation system and comprehensive geological prediction system. It has been successfully used for hazards prevention and control for water inrush of Qiyueshan Tunnel in Hurong highway, including risk assessment and hazard source detection. Conclusions will benefit further research on hazards control of underground construction. Streszczenie: Wraz z szybkim rozwojem budowy tuneli w terenach gorskich rośnie znaczenie oceny warunkow hydrogeologicznych: W szczegolności, w przypadku tuneli w terenach krasowych, typowym niebezpieczenstwem jest napor wody i tryskające bloto. Na podstawie analizy wypadkow w tunelach krasowych w Chinach w ostatnich latach, wyjaśniono mechanizm naporu wody przez analize roznych formacji hydrogeologicznych w obszarach krasowych. Niekorzystne warunki geologiczne mozna prognozowac metodami geofizycznymi, przez zastosowanie urządzenia detekcji sygnalow odbitych od roznych struktur wodonośnych. Podczas projektowania tunelu nalezy ocenic ryzyko wystąpienia naporu wody i przeprowadzic wszechstronną prognoze geologiczną. Przy budowie tunelu Qiyushan linii kolejowej Hurong przeprowadzono badania obejmujące oszacowanie ryzyka i wskazano źrodla niebezpieczenstw. Defekt geologiczny i jego geofizyczna prognoza w tunelach krasowych