Comparison of near- and far-fault ground motion effect on the nonlinear response of dam–reservoir–foundation systems

In this paper, it is aimed to compare the near- and far-fault ground motion effects on the nonlinear dynamic response of dams including dam–reservoir–foundation interaction. Two different types of dams, which are concrete arch and concrete faced rockfill dams, are selected to investigate the near- and far-fault ground motion effects on the dam responses. The behavior of reservoir water is taken into account using Lagrangian approach. The Drucker–Prager material model is employed in nonlinear analyses. Near and far-fault strong ground motion records, which have approximately identical peak ground accelerations, of Loma Prieta (1989) earthquake are selected for the analyses. Displacements, maximum and minimum principal stresses are determined using the finite element method. The displacements and principal stresses obtained from the analyses of dams subjected to each fault effect are compared with each other. It is clearly seen that there is more seismic demand on displacements and stresses when the dam is subjected to near-fault ground motion.     

Determination of the effective elastic–plastic response of metal–ceramic composites

The mechanical response of metal–ceramic composites is analysed through a homogenization model accounting for the mechanical behaviour of the constituent materials. In order to achieve this purpose a nonlinear homogenization method based on the phase field approach has been suitably implemented into a numerical code. A prescribed homogenized strain state is applied to a unit volume element of a metal–ceramic composite with proportional loading in which all components of the strain tensor are proportional to one scalar parameter. The mechanical response of the material has been modeled by considering a von Mises plasticity model for the metal phase and a Drucker–Prager associative elastic–plastic material model for the ceramic phase. A two stages plasticity has been obtained in which inelastic strain develops in the metal phase followed by a fully plastic response. A comparison with a finite element model of the stress–strain response of an axisymmetric unit cell has been carried out with the purpose to validate the homogenization based modeling presented in the paper. Plastic parameters of a Drucker–Prager yield surface for the homogenized composite have been calculated at different materials compositions. Associative Drucker–Prager plasticity has been found to be accurate for high ceramic content.     

Reservoir water level effects on nonlinear dynamic response of arch dams

In this study, reservoir water level effects on nonlinear dynamic response of arch dams are investigated. For this purpose, the nonlinear behaviour of the dam concrete is idealized as elasto-plastic using the Drucker–Prager model based on the associated flow rule assumption. Water in the reservoir is represented by the Lagrangian (displacement-based) fluid finite elements. The program NONSAP is modified for elasto-plastic analysis of fluid–structure systems and employed in the response calculations. Nonlinear dynamic analysis of an arch dam subjected to earthquake ground motion is performed for five different water levels. The El-Centro N–S component of the Imperial Valley earthquake, on May 18, 1940, has been used as the ground motion. The crest displacements, the maximum tensile stresses on the upstream and downstream faces of the dam and the time history of the yield function of an element in the dam body are presented. The results obtained from nonlinear analyses for different water levels are compared with each other. It is apparent that the reservoir water level effects must be considered in the elasto-plastic analyses of arch dams to earthquake ground motion.     

独塔斜拉桥的环境振动试验与分析

桥梁环境振动试验具有简单方便和花费少等优点.本文以吉林市临江门大桥为工程背景,通过动力试验,研究了该桥在天然脉动荷载作用下的固有特性.采用结构分析软件ANSYS建立全桥的空间模型,计算该桥的固有特性.有限元计算结果与动力试验结果比较吻合.结果表明,环境振动响应足以识别出该桥所感兴趣的模态,可作为该桥的有限元模型修正、损伤检测、使用状态评估和健康监测的基础.     

On the Justification of Plate Models

In this paper, we will consider the modelling of problems in linear elasticity on thin plates by the models of Kirchhoff–Love and Reissner–Mindlin. A fundamental investigation for the Kirchhoff plate goes back to Morgenstern (Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 4:145–152, 1959) and is based on the two-energies principle of Prager and Synge. This was half a century ago.     

An Investigation of the Seismic Behaviour of an Ancient Masonry Bastion Using Non-Destructive and Numerical Methods

Determining the structural behavior of masonry structures is a challenge due to their lack of homogeneity. The seismic behavior of masonry structures is especially complex. The aim of this study was to examine the structural behavior of Za?anos Bastion using both experimental and numerical methods. The Operational Modal Analysis technique, including the Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition Method, and the Stochastic Subspace Identification Method were used to illustrate experimentally the dynamic characteristic of the bastion. A finite element model was developed using ANSYS software in order that the dynamic characteristics of the bastion, including natural frequencies and mode shapes, could be calculated numerically. Seismic analysis was carried out using the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake ground motion record to determine the linear and nonlinear seismic behavior of the bastion. The Turkish Earthquake Code and its general technical specifications were used to evaluate the seismic results. The results show that the maximum and minimum principal stresses exerted on the masonry components exceeded the code requirements at some points, but in general the requirements for the stresses were satisfied.     

An accurate singularity-free geometrically exact beam formulation using Euler parameters

Wind-induced nonlinear oscillations of twin-box girder bridges are very sensitive to the aerodynamic shape of the deck (i.e., slot width ratio (SWR) and wind fairing shape) due to the complicated flow characteristics around the bridge deck. This paper presents a fully integrated finite element (FE) model in time domain, involving a nonlinear aerodynamic force model and a bridge FE model, to allow the investigation of nonlinear oscillation behaviors of long-span twin-box girder bridges with various SWRs and wind fairing shapes. The parameters in integrated FE model were firstly identified by using CFD simulation, and then, the proposed model was validated by conducting wind tunnel testing using sectional models and full-bridge aeroelastic models. It demonstrates that the developed integrated model has the capability of simulating the nonlinear flutter behaviors of twin-box girder bridges with various aerodynamic shapes. Furthermore, the prediction results show that the wind fairing shape has significant impact on the degree of freedom participation in coupled oscillation and failure modes, as well as flutter performance of the bridges. In addition, there is an increase in amplitudes of the limit cycle oscillations with the increase in the SWR of the twin-box girder bridges, and the relationships between the bending-torsional coupled oscillation, failure modes, and SWR of the bridges with anti-symmetric wind fairings are opposite to those with symmetric wind fairings.     

Non-linear finite element analysis of cone penetration in layered sandy loam soil – Considering precompression stress state

Axisymmetric finite element (FE) method was developed to simulate cone penetration process in layered granular soil. The FE was modeled using ABAQUS/Explicit, a commercially available package. Soil was considered as a non-linear elastic plastic material which was modeled using variable elastic parameters of Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s ratio and Drucker–Prager criterion with yield stress dependent material hardening property. The material hardening parameters of the model were estimated from the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory – Auburn University (NSDL-AU) soil compaction model. The stress–strain relationship in the NSDLAU compaction model was modified to account for the different soil moisture conditions and the influence of precompression stress states of the soil layers. A surface contact pair (‘slave-master’) algorithm in ABAQUS/Explicit was used to simulate the insertion of a rigid cone (RAX2 ABAQUS element) into deformable and layered soil medium (CAX4R ABAQUS element). The FE formulation was verified using cone penetration data collected on a soil chamber of Norfolk sandy loam soil which was prepared in two compaction treatments that varied in bulk density in the hardpan layer of (1) 1.64 Mg m⁻³ and (2) 1.71 Mg m⁻³. The FE model successfully simulated the trend of cone penetration in layered soils indicating the location of the sub-soil compacted (hardpan) layer and peak cone penetration resistance. Modification of the NSDL-AU model to account for the actual soil moisture content and inclusion of the influence of precompression stress into the strain behavior of the NSDL-AU model improved the performance of FE in predicting the peak cone penetration resistance. Modification of the NSDL-AU model resulted in an improvement of about 42% in the finite element-predicted soil cone penetration forces compared with the FE results that used the NSDL-AU ‘virgin’ model.     

Elasto‐plastic Hardening and Shakedown of Masonry Arch Joints

The behavior of joints made of sand–lime mortar, such as used in a wide variety of structures from ancient times through the early twentieth century, can be clearly distinguished from the behavior of joints made with hydraulic cement mortar. Experiments on confined mortar specimens have confirmed that the weaker and more ductile sand–lime mortar can be accurately modeled as a Drucker–Prager material with a compression cap and exponential hardening on the cap portion of the yield surface. Joints of sand–lime mortar subject to axial thrust and moment are found experimentally to yield under very small loads, and to follow a linear hardening rule beyond the yield point. This behavior can be replicated analytically using a Drucker–Prager constitutive law with exponential hardening. The yield surface and hardening function for an entire mortar joint are representable by Maier's theory of piecewise linear yield function and interacting yield planes. As a consequence, an arch jointed with sand–lime mortar is found to shake down under moving loads above the yield limit and below the collapse load. The shakedown behavior of a sand–lime mortar jointed masonry arch is confirmed experimentally.Sommario. II comportamento dei giunti realizzati con malta di calce, del tipo di quelli utilizzati in unampia varietà di strutture dall antichità sino allinizio di questo secolo, può essere chiaramente distinto dal comportamento dei giunti realizzati con malta idraulica. Esperimenti condotti su provini confinati di malta hanno infatti evidenziato che il comportamento della malta di calce, meno resistente e più duttile, può essere accuratamente modellato con un materiale di Drucker–Prager, adottando un troncamento della resistenza a compressione ed un incrudimento esponenziale della superficie di snervamento nella porzione troncata. Si è rilevato sperimentalmente che i giunti di malta di calce, soggetti a sforzo assiale e momento flettente, raggiungono lo snervamento sotto carichi molto modesti, e quindi seguono una legge di incrudimento lineare oltre il punto di snervamento. Questo comportamento può essere riprodotto analiticamente utilizzando la legge costitutiva di Drucker–Prager con incrudimento esponenziale. La superficie di snervamento e la funzione di incrudimento per un giunto di malta sono rappresentabili mediante la teoria di Maier delle funzioni di snervamento lineari a tratti e dei piani di snervamento interagenti. Di conseguenza, un arco con giunti di malta di calce perviene alladattamento plastico (shakedown) sotto carichi mobili superiori al limite di snervamento ed inferiori al carico di collasso. Tale raggiungimento della condizione di adattamento plastico di archi di muratura con giunti di malta di calce è confermato sperimentalmente.     

大跨度斜拉桥环境振动试验与分析

桥梁环境振动试验具有简单方便和花费少等优点。以青洲闽江大跨度斜拉桥为背景,介绍了通车前全桥环境激励动力试验,采用频域峰值法和时域随机子空间识别得到了该桥的基准的动力学特性,并与三维有限元模型计算结果进行了比较,二者吻合良好。结果表明环境振动响应足以识别出该桥所感兴趣的模态,结果可作为该桥的有限元模型修正、损伤检测、使用状态评估和健康监测的基础。     

设置反拱加固的拱结构力学性能研究

提出了一种设置反拱结构的拱桥加固方法,该方法是通过在主拱圈拱肋下方设置反拱,在反拱和拱肋之间用竖杆相连,并通过抗弯预埋件和抗剪锚栓把反拱的拱脚和拱肋连接,使反拱结构和原主拱圈共同形成结构受力体系。本文基于有限元参数分析方法,通过设置6个不同参数:拱的矢高f1、拱的拱轴系数m1、反拱的矢高f2、反拱的拱轴系数m2、反拱与待加固拱的等效半径比i、反拱纵向长度与待加固拱的总跨径的比值Kr,以考虑不同拱桥、反拱结构参数对原拱桥关键截面内力、跨中挠度及整体屈曲系数的影响。基于大量计算数据的参数拟合,分别获得跨中弯矩、跨中挠度、拱脚弯矩、拱脚推力、整体屈曲系数的拟合表达式。通过对拟合数据的分析,获得了反拱加固的拱桥结构力学特性的相关变化规律。最后对一个100m跨径拱桥进行加固计算分析,结果表明:本文提出的加固方法不但可以显著提高待加固桥梁的整体刚度与稳定性,而且可有效地降低主拱关键截面的内力。     

大跨斜拉桥结构健康监测实验室模型试验平台

本文基于山东滨州黄河公路大桥,建立面向结构健康监测的实验室模型试验平台.基于相似理论,分析模型相关参数的相似关系,确定模型缩尺比、材料和截面尺寸,并对模型附加质量和斜拉索进行合理地简化.采用ANSYS建立物理模型的三维空间实体有限元数值分析模型,实体建模能较好的体现模型局部特征和模拟损伤.模型制作采用分段整体浇注,分段之间设计连接件连接,模拟斜拉桥施工顺序进行实验室组装,基于影响矩阵法对斜拉索进行张拉成桥.建立了包括传感器系统、静动力加载系统、数据采集系统和数据处理四大部分的完整试验体系,并对隔离出的桥塔和桥面板子结构进行了静动力试验,对全桥模型进行了动力测试.子结构和全桥模型的试验结果与有限元计算结果,以及原桥实测值都吻合较好,验证了斜拉桥模型的准确性和试验平台的有效性.试验系统的建立,为结构健康监测技术提供了一个试验研究平台.     

In plane loaded masonry walls: DEM and FEM/DEM models. A critical review

This work is dedicated to the assessment of the nonlinear behaviour of masonry panels with regular texture and subject to in-plane loads, by means of numerical pushover analysis and an analytical homogenized model. Two numerical models are considered and adopted for performing a set of numerical tests: a discrete model developed by authors and a discrete/finite element model frequently adopted in rock mechanics field and effectively extended to masonry structures. In both models the hypotheses of rigid blocks and elastic–plastic joints following a Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion are adopted. The aim of this work is twofold: (1) a comparison and a calibration of the numerical models, evaluating their effectiveness in determining ultimate loads and collapse mechanisms of masonry panels, by assuming a nonlinear homogenized model for regular masonry as reference solution; (2) the evaluation of sensitivity of masonry behaviour and numerical models to panel dimension ratio and to varying masonry texture. In a first case study, sliding collapse mechanisms changing to overturning collapse mechanisms for increasing panel and block height-to-width ratio are obtained and the results given by the numerical models turn out to be in good agreement. Furthermore, a second case study, dedicated to square panels supported at base ends and vertically loaded, shows different ‘arch mechanisms’ depending on block height-to-width ratio.     

双曲面摩擦摆支座典型桥梁的地震响应研究

为研究不同因素对粤东高烈度地区双曲面摩擦摆支座高速公路典型桥梁工程地震响应的影响,选取潮安韩江特大桥主桥(55+4×90+55)m为研究对象,该桥所有墩梁之间均采用双曲面摩擦摆支座。采用ANSYS有限元软件建立全桥模型,基于时程分析法研究了多种因素下桥梁结构的地震响应。研究表明,在纵桥向地震动激励下,桩土的相互作用对各桥墩墩底地震响应影响显著;栓钉全部剪断比栓钉全部不剪断的各桥墩墩底弯矩和剪力分布更均匀,桥墩上的固定支座栓钉不剪断将会增加该桥墩的弯矩、剪力以及支座剪力,但对其他桥墩的影响较小;该研究成果可应用于带栓钉的摩擦摆支座桥梁的地震响应分析。     

青洲斜拉桥的基准动力有限元模型

讨论了斜拉桥有限元动力分析模型,给出了基于环境振动试验结果建立大跨度斜拉桥基准有限元模型的步骤;讨论了桥面初始平衡构型、几何非线性、桥面板、混凝土桥面板与钢梁的剪力连接和端部纵向约束对模型的影响。经通车前现场环境振动试验结果验证的青洲闽江斜拉桥三维有限元模型,反映了桥梁在运营前的真实动力行为,可作为该桥各种复杂响应分析和长期健康监测、使用状态评估的基准。     

非线性子结构方法中实现对结构抗震措施阻尼器的数值模拟

应用子结构理论,对设置伸缩横缝的小湾高拱坝结构,分别就正常高水位常遇低水位两种水位工况,考虑坝体伸缩横缝在地震交变荷载作用下反复开合引起的缝面问滑移．接触等效应的影响,坝体一库水的相互作用而产生的动水压力的影响,对坝体的抗震性能进行了地震反应分析。对伸缩缝问设置阻尼器这一新的设计思想进行了可行性的研究,论证推导了阻尼器的计算模型,探讨了阻尼器对坝体结构抗震性能的影响。     

Application of the NSCD method to analyse the dynamic behaviour of stone arched structures

In this paper, a masonry arch is simulated in order to assess both its structural and seismic vulnerability. The non-smooth contact dynamics (NSCD) computational method is used to simulate this type of structure as a collection of bodies under the hypothesis of unilateral constraints and frictional contact, with or without cohesion. Sinusoidal oscillations in three dimensions and real earthquake data have been applied to the supporting base element of the arch model.The primary aim of this study is to better understand the dynamic behaviour of the masonry arch, a typical component of historic unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. This study also assesses the influences of the input parameters on the mechanical and dynamic behaviour of the arch structure. Its collapse mechanism is studied for both cohesive and non-cohesive contact.In addition, we examine the behaviour under seismic loading of the Arles aqueduct, a real historical arched structure located in the south-east of France. Significant information can be obtained from the comparison of the results of advanced numerical analysis, taking into account the precise geometry of the model, the mechanical characteristics of the materials and the observation of the in situ monuments after their collapse.     

六面体单元下预应力等代荷载计算

对于具有复杂几何形状的桥梁,用体单元进行有限元分析有得天独厚的优势。预应力在有限元分析中一般按等代荷载考虑,但体单元的预应力等代荷载计算很少见到讨论。笔者提出一种运用高斯积分和牛顿迭代法的数值算法计算体单元情况下的预应力等代荷载,该方法能够适应各种复杂的预应力钢束形状。经过算例检验,该方法有很高的精度。     

Dynamic Characteristics of a Prototype Arch Dam

This study determines the dynamic characteristics of a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation system using Operational Modal Analysis method. Achievement of this purpose involved construction of a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation system under laboratory conditions. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam model identified its natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios. Natural excitations such as small impact loads vibrated to arch dam. Sensitivity accelerometers which were placed on the dam’s crest collected signals in measurements. Measurements were recorded for empty and full reservoirs. Operational Modal Analysis software processed signals which were collected from the ambient vibration tests. Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique estimated dynamic characteristics of the dam. Results showed that there was an approximate 20–25% difference between natural frequencies related to empty and full reservoirs.     

Mechanical competence of bone-implant systems can accurately be determined by image-based micro-finite element analyses

The precise failure mechanisms of bone implants are still incompletely understood. Micro-computed tomography in combination with finite element analysis appears to be a potent methodology to determine the mechanical stability of bone-implant constructs. To assess this microstructural finite element (μFE) analysis approach, pull-out tests were designed and conducted on ten sheep vertebral bodies into which orthopedic screws were inserted. μFE models of the same bone-implant constructs were then built and solved, using a large-scale linear FE-solver. μFE calculated pull-out strength correlated highly with the experimentally measured pull-out strength (r ² = 0.87) thereby statistically supporting the μFE approach. These results suggest that bone-implant constructs can be analyzed using μFE in a detailed and unprecedented way. This could potentially facilitate the development of future implant designs leading to novel and improved fracture fixation methods.