Showing papers in "Steel and Composite Structures in 2019"

Static and dynamic behavior of (FG-CNT) reinforced porous sandwich plate using energy principle

Abstract: This paper deals with the static and dynamic behavior of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotubes (FG-CNT)-reinforced porous sandwich (PMPV) polymer plate. The model of nanocomposite plate is investigated within the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Two types of porous sandwich plates are supposed (sandwich with face sheets reinforced / homogeneous core and sandwich with homogeneous face sheets / reinforced core). Functionally graded Carbon Nanotubes (FG-CNT) and uniformly Carbon Nanotubes (UD-CNT) distributions of face sheets or core porous plates with uniaxially aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes are considered. The governing equations are derived by using Hamilton's principle. The solution for bending and vibration of such type's porous plates are obtained. The detailed mathematical derivations are provided and the solutions are compared to some cases in the literature. The effect of the several parameters of reinforced sandwich porous plates such as aspect ratios, volume fraction, types of reinforcement, number of modes and thickness of plate on the bending and vibration analyses are studied and discussed. On the question of porosity, this study found that there is a great influence of their variation on the static and vibration of porous sandwich plate.

Application of Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and Genetic Programming (GP) to design steel-concrete composite floor systems at elevated temperatures

Abstract: This study is aimed to predict the behaviour of channel shear connectors in composite floor systems at different temperatures. For this purpose, a soft computing approach is adopted. Two novel intelligence methods, including an Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) and a Genetic Programming (GP), are developed. In order to generate the required data for the intelligence methods, several push-out tests were conducted on various channel connectors at different temperatures. The dimension of the channel connectors, temperature, and slip are considered as the inputs of the models, and the strength of the connector is predicted as the output. Next, the performance of the ELM and GP is evaluated by developing an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Finally, the performance of the ELM, GP, and ANN is compared with each other. Results show that ELM is capable of achieving superior performance indices in comparison with GP and ANN in the case of load prediction. Also, it is found that ELM is not only a very fast algorithm but also a more reliable model.

Bending analysis of anti-symmetric cross-ply laminated plates under nonlinear thermal and mechanical loadings

Abstract: The present paper addresses a refined plate theoryin order to describe the response of anti-symmetric cross-ply laminated plates subjected to a uniformlydistributed nonlinear thermo-mechanical loading. In the present theory, the undetermined integral terms are used and the variables number is reduced to four instead of five or more in other higher-order theories. The boundary conditions on the top and the bottom surfaces of the plate are satisfied; hence the use of the transverse shear correction factors isavoided. The principle of virtual work is used to obtain governing equations and boundary conditions. Navier solution for simply supported plates is used to derive analytical solutions. For the validation of the present theory, numerical results for displacements and stressesare compared with those of classical, first-order, higher-order and trigonometricshear theories reported in the literature.

Estimation of moment and rotation of steel rack connections using extreme learning machine

Abstract: The estimation of moment and rotation in steel rack connections could be significantly helpful parameters for designers and constructors in the initial designing and construction phases. Accordingly, Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) has been optimized to estimate the moment and rotation in steel rack connection based on variable input characteristics as beam depth, column thickness, connector depth, moment and loading. The prediction and estimating of ELM has been juxtaposed with genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) methods. Test outcomes have indicated a surpass in accuracy predicting and the capability of generalization in ELM approach than GP or ANN. Therefore, the application of ELM has been basically promised as an alternative way to estimate the moment and rotation of steel rack connection. Further particulars are presented in details in results and discussion.

Free vibration analysis of angle-ply laminated composite and soft core sandwich plates

Abstract: In this work, a simple four-variable trigonometric shear deformation model with undetermined integral terms to consider the influences of transverse shear deformation is applied for the dynamic analysis of anti-symmetric laminated composite and soft core sandwich plates. Unlike the existing higher order theories, the current one contains only four unknowns. The equations of motion are obtained using the principle of virtual work. The analytical solution is determined by solving the eigenvalue problem. The influences of geometric ratio, modular ratio and fibre angle are critically evaluated for different problems of laminated composite and sandwich plates. The eigenfrequencies obtained using the current theory are verified by comparing the results with those of other theories and with the exact elasticity solution, if any.

Free vibration of imperfect sigmoid and power law functionally graded beams

Abstract: In the present work, free vibration of beams made of imperfect functionally graded materials (FGMs) including porosities is investigated. Because of faults during process of manufacture, micro voids or porosities may arise in the FGMs, and this situation causes imperfection in the structure. Therefore, material properties of the beams are assumed to vary continuously through the thickness direction according to the volume fraction of constituents described with the modified rule of mixture including porosity volume fraction which covers two types of porosity distribution over the cross section, i.e., even and uneven distributions. The governing equations of power law FGM (P-FGM) and sigmoid law FGM (S-FGM) beams are derived within the frame works of classical beam theory (CBT) and first order shear deformation beam theory (FSDBT). The resulting equations are solved using separation of variables technique and assuming FG beams are simply supported at both ends. To validate the results numerous comparisons are carried out with available results of open literature. The effects of types of volume fraction function, beam theory and porosity volume fraction, as well as the variations of volume fraction index, span to depth ratio and porosity volume fraction, on the first three non-dimensional frequencies are examined in detail.

A simple quasi-3D HSDT for the dynamics analysis of FG thick plate on elastic foundation

Abstract: This work presents a dynamic investigation of functionally graded (FG) plates resting on elastic foundation using a simple quasi-3D higher shear deformation theory (quasi-3D HSDT) in which the stretching effect is considered. The culmination of this theory is that in addition to taking into account the effect of thickness extension (ez ≠ 0), the kinematic is defined with only 4 unknowns, which is even lower than the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The elastic foundation is included in the formulation using the Pasternak mathematical model. The governing equations are deduced through the Hamilton's principle. These equations are then solved via closed-type solutions of the Navier type. The fundamental frequencies are predicted by solving the eigenvalue problem. The degree of accuracy of present solutions can be shown by comparing it to the 3D solution and other closed-form solutions available in the literature.

Thermomechanical bending study for functionally graded sandwich plates using a simple quasi-3D shear deformation theory

Abstract: In this article, a simple quasi-3D shear deformation theory is employed for thermo-mechanical bending analysis of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates. The displacement field is defined using only 5 variables as the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Unlike the other high order shear deformation theories (HSDTs), the present formulation considers a new kinematic which includes undetermined integral variables. The governing equations are determined based on the principle of virtual work and then they are solved via Navier method. Analytical solutions are proposed to provide the deflections and stresses of simply supported FGM sandwich structures. Comparative examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the present theory. The effects of gradient index, geometrical parameters and thermal load on thermo-mechanical bending response of the FG sandwich plates are examined.

Numerical study on the structural performance of corrugated low yield point steel plate shear walls with circular openings

Abstract: Corrugated steel plate shear wall (CSPSW) as an innovative lateral load resisting system provides various advantages in comparison with the flat steel plate shear wall, including remarkable in-plane and out-of-plane stiffnesses and stability, greater elastic shear buckling stress, increasing the amount of cumulative dissipated energy and maintaining efficiency even in large story drifts. Employment of low yield point (LYP) steel web plate in steel shear walls can dramatically improve their structural performance and prevent early stage instability of the panels. This paper presents a comprehensive structural performance assessment of corrugated low yield point steel plate shear walls having circular openings located in different positions. Accordingly, following experimental verification of CSPSW finite element models, several trapezoidally horizontal CSPSW (H-CSPSW) models having LYP steel web plates as well as circular openings (for ducts) perforated in various locations have been developed to explore their hysteresis behavior, cumulative dissipated energy, lateral stiffness, and ultimate strength under cyclic loading. Obtained results reveal that the rehabilitation of damaged steel shear walls using corrugated LYP steel web plate can enhance their structural performance. Furthermore, choosing a suitable location for the circular opening regarding the design purpose paves the way for the achievement of the shear wall's optimal performance.

Intelligent design of retaining wall structures under dynamic conditions

Abstract: The investigation of retaining wall structures behavior under dynamic loads is considered as one of important parts for designing such structures. Generally, the performance of these structures is under the influence of the environment conditions and their geometry. The aim of this research is to design retaining wall structures based on smart and optimal systems. The use of accuracy and speed to assess the structures under different conditions is one of the important parts sought by designers. Therefore, optimal and smart systems are able to have better addressing these problems. Using numerical and coding methods, this research investigates the retaining wall structure design under different dynamic conditions. More than 9500 models were constructed and considered for modelling design. These designs include height and thickness of the wall, soil density, rock density, soil friction angle, and peak ground acceleration (PGA) variables. Accordingly, a neural network system was developed to establish an appropriate relationship between data to obtain safety factor (SF) of retaining walls under different seismic conditions. Different parameters were analyzed and the effect of each parameter was assessed separately. According to these analyses, the structure optimization was performed to increase the SF values. The optimal and smart design showed that under different PGA conditions, the structure performance can be appropriately improved while utilization of the initial (or basic) parameters leads to the structure failure. Therefore, by increasing accuracy and speed, smart methods could improve the retaining structure performance in controlling the wall failure. The intelligent design process of this study can be applied to some other civil engineering applications such as slope stability.

Behavior of steel-concrete composite beam using angle shear connectors at fire condition

Abstract: Fire is one of the environmental parameters affecting the structure causing element internal forces to change, as well as reducing the strength of the materials. One of the common types of floors in tall steel structures is the steel concrete composite slab. Shear connectors are used in steel and concrete composite beam in various shapes also has played significant role in a burning fire event of building with a steel concrete composite beam. The current study has reviewed the effects of temperature raising on the angle connector behavior through the use of push out tests and monotonic static force. The results have shown (1) the ductility of the samples is acceptable based on EC4 standard; (2) temperature raising has reduced the stiffness; (3) the shear ductility increment; and (4) the shear capacity reduction. Also, the amount of angle shear connector resistance has been decreased from 18.5% to 41% at ambient temperature up to 850°C.

Computational and experimental analysis of beam to column joints reinforced with CFRP plates

Abstract: In this paper, numerical and experimental assessments have been conducted in order to investigate the capability of using CFRP for the seismic capacity improvement and relocation of plastic hinge in reinforced concrete connections. Two scaled down exterior reinforced concrete beam to column connections have been used. These two connections from a strengthened moment frame have been tested under uniformly distributed load before and after optimization. The results of experimental tests have been used to verify the accuracy of numerical modeling using computational ABAQUS software. Application of FRP plate on the web of the beam in connections to improve its capacity is of interest in this paper. Several parametric studies were carried out for CFRP reinforced samples, with different lengths and thicknesses in order to relocate the plastic hinge away from the face of the column.

Wave dispersion properties in imperfect sigmoid plates using various HSDTs

Abstract: In this paper, wave propagations in sigmoid functionally graded (S-FG) plates are studied using new Higher Shear Deformation Theory (HSDT) based on two-dimensional (2D) elasticity theory. The current higher order theory has only four unknowns, which mean that few numbers of unknowns, compared with first shear deformations and others higher shear deformations theories and without needing shear corrector. The material properties of sigmoid functionally graded are assumed to vary through thickness according sigmoid model. The S-FG plates are supposed to be imperfect, which means that they have a porous distribution (even and uneven) through the thickness of these plates. The governing equations of S-FG plates are derived employed Hamilton's principle. Using technique of Navier, differential equations of S-FG in terms displacements are solved. Extensive results are presented to check the efficient of present methods to predict wave dispersion and velocity wave in S-FG plates.

An experimental study on the effect of CFRP on behavior of reinforce concrete beam column connections

Abstract: The aim of this research is reinforcing of concrete with variety of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) configurations and investigates the load capacity and ductility of these connections using an experimental investigation. Six scaled-down RC exterior joints were tested under moderately monotonic loads. The results show that, the shape of the FRP had a different effect on the joint capacity and the connection ductility coefficient. The greatest effect on increasing the ductility factor was seen in the sample where two reinforcement plates were used on both sides of the beam web (RCS5 sample). For the sample with the presence of FRP plates at the top and bottom of the beam (RCS3 sample), the ductility factor was reduced even the load capacity of this sample increased. Except for the RCS3 sample, the rest of the samples exhibited an increase in the ductility factor due to the FRP reinforcement.

An analytical solution to the mapping relationship between bridge structures vertical deformation and rail deformation of high-speed railway

Abstract: This paper describes a study of the mapping relationship between the vertical deformation of bridge structures and rail deformation of high-speed railway, taking the interlayer interactions of the bridge subgrade CRTS II ballastless slab track system (HSRBST) into account. The differential equations and natural boundary conditions of the mapping relationship between the vertical deformation of bridge structures and rail deformation were deduced according to the principle of stationary potential energy. Then an analytical model for such relationship was proposed. Both the analytical method proposed in this paper and the finite element numerical method were used to calculate the rail deformations under three typical deformations of bridge structures and the evolution of rail geometry under these circumstances was analyzed. It was shown that numerical and analytical calculation results are well agreed with each other, demonstrating the effectiveness of the analytical model proposed in this paper. The mapping coefficient between bridge structure deformation and rail deformation showed a nonlinear increase with increasing amplitude of the bridge structure deformation. The rail deformation showed an obvious "following feature"; with the increase of bridge span and fastener stiffness, the curve of rail deformation became gentler, the track irregularity wavelength became longer, and the performance of the rail at following the bridge structure deformation was stronger.

Vibration analysis of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite doubly-curved shallow shells on elastic foundations

Abstract: Based on a four-variable shear deformation shell theory, the free vibration analysis of functionally graded graphene platelet-reinforced composite (FGGPRC) doubly-curved shallow shells with different boundary conditions is investigated in this work. The doubly-curved shells are composed of multi nanocomposite layers that are reinforced with graphene platelets. The graphene platelets are uniformly distributed in each individual layer. While, the volume faction of the graphene is graded from layer to other in accordance with a novel distribution law. Based on the suggested distribution law, four types of FGGPRC doubly-curved shells are studied. The present shells are assumed to be rested on elastic foundations. The material properties of each layer are calculated using a micromechanical model. Four equations of motion are deduced utilizing Hamilton's principle and then converted to an eigenvalue problem employing an analytical method. The obtained results are checked by introducing some comparison examples. A detailed parametric investigation is performed to illustrate the influences of the distribution type of volume fraction, shell curvatures, elastic foundation stiffness and boundary conditions on the vibration of FGGPRC doubly-curved shells.

Thermoelastic static and vibrational behaviors of nanocomposite thick cylinders reinforced with graphene

Abstract: Current paper deals with thermoelastic static and free vibrational behaviors of axisymmetric thick cylinders reinforced with functionally graded (FG) randomly oriented graphene subjected to internal pressure and thermal gradient loads. The heat transfer and mechanical analyses of randomly oriented graphene-reinforced nanocomposite (GRNC) cylinders are facilitated by developing a weak form mesh-free method based on moving least squares (MLS) shape functions. Furthermore, in order to estimate the material properties of GRNC with temperature dependent components, a modified Halpin-Tsai model incorporated with two efficiency parameters is utilized. It is assumed that the distributions of graphene nano-sheets are uniform and FG along the radial direction of nanocomposite cylinders. By comparing with the exact result, the accuracy of the developed method is verified. Also, the convergence of the method is successfully confirmed. Then we investigated the effects of graphene distribution and volume fraction as well as thermo-mechanical boundary conditions on the temperature distribution, static response and natural frequency of the considered FG-GRNC thick cylinders. The results disclosed that graphene distribution has significant effects on the temperature and hoop stress distributions of FG-GRNC cylinders. However, the volume fraction of graphene has stronger effect on the natural frequencies of the considered thick cylinders than its distribution.

Experimental and numerical investigations on axial strength of back-to-back built-up cold-formed steel angle columns

Abstract: In cold-formed steel (CFS) structures, such as trusses, wall frames and columns, the use of back-to-back built-up CFS angle sections are becoming increasingly popular. In such an arrangement, intermediate fasteners are required at discrete points along the length, preventing the angle-sections from buckling independently. Limited research is available in the literature on the axial strength of back-to-back built-up CFS angle sections. The issue is addressed herein. This paper presents the results of 16 experimental tests, conducted on back-to-back built-up CFS screw fastened angle sections under axial compression. A nonlinear finite element model is then described, which includes material non-linearity, geometric imperfections and explicit modelling of the intermediate fasteners. The finite element model was validated against the experimental test results. The validated finite element model was then used for the purpose of a parametric study comprising 66 models. The effect of fastener spacing on axial strength was investigated. Four different cross-sections and two different thicknesses were analyzed in the parametric study, varying the slenderness ratio of the built-up columns from 20 to 120. Axial strengths obtained from the experimental tests and finite element analysis were used to assess the performance of the current design guidelines as per the Direct Strength Method (DSM); obtained comparison showed that the DSM is over-conservative by 13% on average. This paper has therefore proposed improved design rules for the DSM and verified their accuracy against the finite element and test results of back-to-back built-up CFS angle sections under axial compression.

Testing, simulation and design of back-to-back built-up cold-formed steel unequal angle sections under axial compression

Abstract: In cold-formed steel (CFS) structures, such as trusses, transmission towers and portal frames, the use of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections are becoming increasingly popular. In such an arrangement, intermediate welds or screw fasteners are required at discrete points along the length, preventing the angle sections from buckling independently. Limited research is available in the literature on axial strength of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections. The issue is addressed herein. This paper presents an experimental investigation on both the welded and screw fastened back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections under axial compression. The load-axial shortening and the load verses lateral displacement behaviour along with the deformed shapes at failure are reported. A nonlinear finite element (FE) model was then developed, which includes material nonlinearity, geometric imperfections and modelling of intermediate fasteners. The FE model was validated against the experimental test results, which showed good agreement, both in terms of failure loads and deformed shapes at failure. The validated FE model was then used for the purpose of a parametric study to investigate the effect of different thicknesses, lengths and, yield stresses of steel on axial strength of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections. Five different thicknesses and seven different lengths (stub to slender columns) with two different yield stresses were investigated in the parametric study. Axial strengths obtained from the experimental tests and FE analyses were used to assess the performance of the current design guidelines as per the Direct Strength Method (DSM); obtained comparisons show that the current DSM is conservative by only 7% on average, while predicting the axial strengths of back-to-back built-up CFS unequal angle sections.

Behavior study of NC and HSC RCCs confined by GRP casing and CFRP wrapping

Abstract: This paper presents the results of axial compression testing and numerical modeling on reinforced concrete columns (RCC) with normal concrete (NC) and high-strength concrete (HSC), RCC confined by glass-fiber reinforced plastic pipes (GRP) casing as well as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), The major parameters evaluated in the experiments were the effects of concrete type, GRP casing and CFRP wrapping, as well as the number of CFRP layers. 12 cylindrical RCC (150×600 mm) were prepared and divided into two groups, NC and HSC. Each group was divided into two parts; with and without GRP casing. In each part, one column was without CFRP strengthening layer, a column was wrapped with one CFRP layer and another column with two CFRP layers. All columns were tested under concentrated compression load. Numerical modeling was performed using ABAQUS software and the results of which were compared with experimental findings. A good agreement was found between the results. Results indicated that the utilization of CFRP wrapping and GRP casing improved compression capacity and ductility of RCC. The addition of one and two layer-FRP wrapping increased capacity in the NC group to an average of 18.5% and 26.5% and in the HSC group to an average of 10.2% and 24.8%. Meanwhile, the utilization of GRP casing increased the capacity of the columns by 3 times in the NC group and 2.38 times in the HSC group. The results indicated that although both CFRP wrapping and GRP casing increased confinement, the GRP casing gave more increase capacity and ductility of the RCC due to higher confinement. Furthermore, the confinement effect was higher on NC group.

The application of nonlocal elasticity to determine vibrational behavior of FG nanoplates

Abstract: Nonlocal elasticity and Reddy plant theory are used to study the vibration response of functionally graded (FG) nanoplates resting on two parameters elastic medium called Pasternak foundation. Nonlocal higher order theory accounts for the effects of both scale and the effect of transverse shear deformation, which becomes significant where stocky and short nanoplates are concerned. It is assumed that the properties of FG nanoplate follow a power law through the thickness. In addition, Poisson\'s ratio is assumed to be constant in this model. Both Winkler-type and Pasternak-type foundation models are employed to simulate the interaction of nanoplate with surrounding elastic medium. Using Hamilton\'s principle, size-dependent governing differential equations of motion and corresponding boundary conditions are derived. A differential quadrature approach is being utilized to discretize the model and obtain numerical solutions for various boundary conditions. The model is validated by comparing the results with other published results.

Damping and vibration response of viscoelastic smart sandwich plate reinforced with non-uniform Graphene platelet with magnetorheological fluid core

Abstract: This study considers the instability behavior of sandwich plates considering magnetorheological (MR) fluid core and piezoelectric reinforced facesheets. As facesheets at the top and bottom of structure have piezoelectric properties they are subjected to 3D electric field therefore they can be used as actuator and sensor, respectively and in order to control the vibration responses and loss factor of the structure a proportional-derivative (PD) controller is applied. Furthermore, Halpin-Tsai model is used to determine the material properties of facesheets which are reinforced by graphene platelets (GPLs). Moreover, because the core has magnetic property, it is exposed to magnetic field. In addition, Kelvin-Voigt theory is applied to calculate the structural damping of the piezoelectric layers. In order to consider environmental forces applied to structure, the visco-Pasternak model is assumed. In order to consider the mechanical behavior of structure, sinusoidal shear deformation theory (SSDT) is assumed and Hamilton's principle according to piezoelasticity theory is employed to calculate motion equations and these equations are solved based on differential cubature method (DCM) to obtain the vibration and modal loss factor of the structure subsequently. The effect of different factors such as GPLs distribution, dimensions of structure, electro-magnetic field, damping of structure, viscoelastic environment and boundary conditions of the structure on the vibration and loss factor of the system are considered. In order to indicate the accuracy of the obtained results, the results are validated with other published work. It is concluded from results that exposing magnetic field to the MR fluid core has positive effect on the behavior of the system.

Optimization of the braced dome structures by using Jaya algorithm with frequency constraints

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present new and an efficient optimization algorithm called Jaya for the optimum mass of braced dome structures with natural frequency constraints. Design variables of the bar cross-section area and coordinates of the structure nodes were used for size and shape optimization, respectively. The effectiveness of Jaya algorithm is demonstrated through three benchmark braced domes (52-bar, 120-bar, and 600-bar). The algorithm applied is an effective tool for finding the optimum design of structures with frequency constraints. The Jaya algorithm has been programmed in MATLAB to optimize braced dome.

Vibration characteristic analysis of high-speed railway simply supported beam bridge-track structure system

Abstract: Based on the energy-variational principle, a coupling vibration analysis model of high-speed railway simply supported beam bridge-track structure system (HSRBTS) was established by considering the effect of shear deformation. The vibration differential equation and natural boundary conditions of HSRBTS were derived by considering the interlayer slip effect. Then, an analytic calculation method for the natural vibration frequency of this system was obtained. By taking two simply supported beam bridges of high-speed railway of 24 m and 32 m in span as examples, ANSYS and MIDAS finite-element numerical calculation methods were compared with the analytic method established in this paper. The calculation results show that two of them agree well with each other, validating the analytic method reported in this paper. The analytic method established in this study was used to evaluate the natural vibration characteristics of HSRBTS under different interlayer stiffness and length of rails at different subgrade sections. The results show that the vertical interlayer compressive stiffness had a great influence on the high-order natural vibration frequency of HSRBTS, and the effect of longitudinal interlayer slip stiffness on the natural vibration frequency of HSRBTS could be ignored. Under different vertical interlayer stiffness conditions, the subgrade section of HSRBTS has a critical rail length, and the critical length of rail at subgrade section decreases with the increase in vertical interlayer compressive stiffness.

Prediction of ultimate load capacity of concrete-filled steel tube columns using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS)

Abstract: In the areas highly exposed to earthquakes, concrete-filled steel tube columns (CFSTCs) are known to provide superior structural aspects such as (i) high strength for good seismic performance (ii) high ductility (iii) enhanced energy absorption (iv) confining pressure to concrete, (v) high section modulus, etc. Numerous studies were reported on behavior of CFSTCs under axial compression loadings. This paper presents an analytical model to predict ultimate load capacity of CFSTCs with circular sections under axial load by using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). MARS is a nonlinear and non-parametric regression methodology. After careful study of literature, 150 comprehensive experimental data presented in the previous studies were examined to prepare a data set and the dependent variables such as geometrical and mechanical properties of circular CFST system have been identified. Basically, MARS model establishes a relation between predictors and dependent variables. Separate regression lines can be formed through the concept of divide and conquers strategy. About 70% of the consolidated data has been used for development of model and the rest of the data has been used for validation of the model. Proper care has been taken such that the input data consists of all ranges of variables. From the studies, it is noted that the predicted ultimate axial load capacity of CFSTCs is found to match with the corresponding experimental observations of literature.

Free and forced analysis of perforated beams

Abstract: This article presents a unified mathematical model to investigate free and forced vibration responses of perforated thin and thick beams. Analytical models of the equivalent geometrical and material characteristics for regularly squared perforated beam are developed. Because of the shear deformation regime increasing in perforated structures, the investigation of dynamical behaviors of these structures becomes more complicated and effects of rotary inertia and shear deformation should be considered. So, both Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories are proposed for thin and short (thick) beams, respectively. Mathematical closed forms for the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors as well as the forced vibration time response are derived. The validity of the developed analytical procedure is verified by comparing the obtained results with both analytical and numerical analyses and good agreement is detected. Numerical studies are presented to illustrate effects of beam slenderness ratio, filling ratio, as well as the number of holes on the dynamic behavior of perforated beams. The obtained results and concluding remarks are helpful in mechanical design and industrial applications of large devices and small systems (MEMS) based on perforated structure.

Nonlinear buckling and post-buckling of functionally graded CNTs reinforced composite truncated conical shells subjected to axial load

Abstract: This study deals with the nonlinear static analysis of functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) truncated conical shells subjected to axial load based on the classical shell theory. Detailed studies for both nonlinear buckling and post-buckling behavior of truncated conical shells. The truncated conical shells are reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes which alter according to linear functions of the shell thickness. The nonlinear equations are solved by both the Airy stress function and Galerkin method based on the classical shell theory. In numerical results, the influences of various types of distribution and volume fractions of carbon nanotubes, geometrical parameters, elastic foundations on the nonlinear buckling and post-buckling behavior of FG-CNTRC truncated conical shells are presented. The proposed results are validated by comparing with other authors.

Finite element modelling of back-to-back built-up cold-formed stainless-steel lipped channels under axial compression

Abstract: In cold-formed steel structures, such as trusses, wall frames and portal frames, the use of back-to-back built-up cold-formed stainless-steel lipped channels as compression members are becoming increasingly popular. The advantages of using stainless-steel as structural members are corrosion resistance and durability, compared with carbon steel. The AISI/ASCE Standard, SEI/ASCE-8-02 and AS/NZS do not include the design of stainless-steel built-up channels and very few experimental tests or finite element analyses have been reported in the literature for such back-to back cold-formed stainless-steel channels. Current guidance by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Australian and New Zealand (AS/NZS) standards for built-up carbon steel sections only describe a modified slenderness approach, to consider the spacing of the intermediate fasteners. Thus, this paper presents a numerical investigation on the behavior of back-to-back cold-formed stainless-steel built-up lipped channels. Three different grades of stainless steel i.e., duplex EN1.4462, ferritic EN1.4003 and austenitic EN1.4404 have been considered. Effect of screw spacing on the axial strength of such built-up channels was investigated. As expected, most of the short and intermediate columns failed by either local-global or local-distortional buckling interactions, whereas the long columns, failed by global buckling. All three grades of stainless-steel stub columns failed by local buckling. A comprehensive parametric study was then carried out covering a wide range of slenderness and different cross-sectional geometries to assess the performance of the current design guidelines by AISI and AS/NZS. In total, 647 finite element models were analyzed. From the results of the parametric study, it was found that the AISI & AS/NZS are conservative by around 10 to 20% for cold-formed stainless-steel built-up lipped channels failed through overall buckling, irrespective of the stainless-steel grades. However, the AISI and AS/NZS can be un-conservative by around 6% for all three grades of stainless-steel built-up channels, which failed by local buckling.

Effect of angle stiffeners on the flexural strength and stiffness of cold-formed steel beams

Abstract: Cold-formed steel (CFS) sections when used as primary load carrying members often require additional strengthening for retrofitting purposes. In some cases, it is also necessary to reduce deflections in order to satisfy serviceability requirements. The introduction of angle sections, screwed to the webs so as to act as external stiffeners, has the potential to both increase flexural strength as well as reduce deflections. This paper presents the results of ten four-point bending tests, on built-up CFS sections, both open and closed, with different stiffening arrangements. In the laboratory tests, the stiffening arrangements increased the moment capacity and stiffness of the CFS beams by up to 85% and 100% respectively. The increase in moment capacity was more evident for the open sections, while that reduction in deflection was largest for the closed sections.