Annals of Solid and Structural Mechanics 

About: Annals of Solid and Structural Mechanics is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Boundary value problem & Finite element method. It has an ISSN identifier of 1867-6936. Over the lifetime, 66 publications have been published receiving 591 citations.

Bending relationships between the modified couple stress-based functionally graded Timoshenko beams and homogeneous Bernoulli–Euler beams

Abstract: The Bernoulli–Euler and Timoshenko beam theories are reformulated using a modified couple stress theory and through-thickness power-law variation of a two-constituent material [functionally graded material (FGM)]. The model contains a material length scale parameter that can capture the size effect in a FGM. The equations are then used to develop algebraic relationships for the deflections, slopes, stress resultants of the Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) for microstructure-dependent FGM beams in terms of the same quantities of the conventional Bernoulli–Euler beam theory (BET). The relationships allow determination of the solutions of the TBT for microstructure-dependent FGM beams whenever solutions based on the BET are available. Examples of the use of the relationships are presented using straight beams with simply supported and clamped boundary conditions.

From local to global probabilistic modeling of concrete cracking

Abstract: The description of cracks in concrete is crucial when dealing with life expectancy of structures such as dams, nuclear power plants vessels, waste (nuclear or not) storage structures, tunnels, etc. The main objective is not only to describe the growth of a preexisting flaw, but also to predict the genesis and formation of cracks in an initially flaw-free structure (at least at the macroscopic level) subjected to tension. The presented paper provides a macroscopic model for tensile cracking (i.e., a model adequate for describing the behavior at the structure level), capable at the same time of providing information on the local response (i.e., cracks). The model takes into account scale effects as well as the heterogeneous nature of concrete via appropriate, experimentally validated, size effect laws and via a statistical distribution of mechanical properties. Results are provided and validated via a 2D comparison with an original experimental test.

A mixed explicit–implicit time integration approach for nonlinear analysis of base-isolated structures

Abstract: The paper investigates the accuracy, the stability and the computational efficiency of a mixed explicit–implicit time integration approach proposed for predicting the nonlinear response of base-isolated structures subjected to earthquake excitation. Adopting the central difference method for evaluating the response of the nonlinear base isolation system and the Newmark’s constant average acceleration method for estimating the superstructure linear response, the proposed partitioned solution approach is used to analyze a 3D seismically isolated structure subjected to a bidirectional earthquake excitation. Both isolation systems adopting lead rubber and friction pendulum bearings are considered. Numerical results show that the computational time required by the proposed method, in spite of its conditional stability arising from the use of the central difference method in the explicit integration substep, is clearly reduced in comparison to the widely used implicit time integration method adopted in conjunction with the pseudo-force approach (i.e., pseudo-force method). As a matter of fact, the typical low stiffness of the isolation system leads to a critical time step larger than the one used to define the ground acceleration accurately and the proposed method preserves its computational efficiency even in the case of isolators with very high initial stiffness (i.e., friction pendulum bearings) for which the critical time step size could become smaller.

Variational fracture mechanics to model compressive splitting of masonry-like materials

Abstract: A regularized variational model of fracture mechanics for masonry-like materials has been recently proposed: this is based upon the competition between bulk-energy release and surface-energy production due to the nucleation and/or progression of cracks, assumed they can open in mode I only. This model is applied here to derive a theory of strength in confined masonry-like materials, where an inhomogeneous state of stress is due to heterogeneous inclusions or boundary constraints. The theory accords the phenomenon of rupture an energetic interpretation. Under tension, opening of mode I fractures at right angle to the axis of loading is clearly energetically favorable; under compression, the solid splits because in doing so the stress is released so to reduce the total energy. Numerical experiments have been performed for prismatic solids under fixed lateral confinement and increasing uniaxial tension or compression up to failure. Representative domains for the strength under biaxial stress are thus deduced.

On the experimental determination of dynamical properties of laminated glass

Abstract: In this work, we address experimentally the determination of the dynamical properties, in particular natural frequencies and damping factors, of laminated structural glass. Various specimens, coming from different productions and manufactures, are investigated. Damped free vibrations experiments are performed, where the excitation is provided by an instrumented hammer. The boundary conditions are free–free (the specimens lay on a very flexible sponge substrate). The dynamical characteristics are determined by last squares fitting of time histories, a technique that is very simple, fast and provides very good results. Finally, two theoretical models (a two-layer beam model and a 2D finite element model) are employed to interpret the experimental results, and to determine the (dynamical) elastic properties of the interlayer (which in the present case is made of PVB), which are very difficult to be determined directly.