O piso misto usual é formado pela laje mista, de aço e concreto, apoiada na mesa superior da viga metálica. No piso misto de pequena altura, a laje mista se apoia na mesa inferior da viga, diminuindo assim a altura total do piso. A forma de aço, utilizada nesse sistema, tende a ser três vezes mais alta, que as formas de aço usuais. No Brasil não há uma forma de aço para uso nos sistemas mistos de pequena altura, comercializada. Este estudo trata do desenvolvimento de uma forma de aço trapezoidal para pisos mistos de pequena altura. Foi desenvolvida uma geometria de forma de aço trapezoidal com mossas estampadas nas laterais. Foram realizados ensaios experimentais com modelos de lajes mistas, confeccionados com a forma de aço desenvolvida no presente estudo. Esses ensaios visaram avaliar a resistência e o comportamento de lajes mistas fabricadas com a forma desenvolvida. A geometria da forma de aço e das mossas apresentaram um bom comportamento frente aos esforços cisalhantes, com resistências comparáveis as formas de aço comercializadas, mostrando que podem ser utilizadas em trabalhos futuros. / The usual composite floor is formed by the composite slab, of steel and concrete, supported on the top flange of the steel beam. On the shallow floor systems, the steel beams are contained within the depth occupied by the floor. The steel form steel used in this composite shallow floor systems is around three times higher than usual forms of steel decking. In Brazil there is not a form of steel for use in shallow floor systems, marketed. This study concerns the development of a steel decking to shallow floor systems. Developed a geometry shape of trapezoidal steel and embossements on the sides. Experimental tests were conducted with composite slabs, made of steel the shape developed in this study. These tests were intended to assess the strength and behavior of composite slabs made with the developed form. The geometry of the steel form and embossements showed good behavior against shearing efforts, forms with resistances comparable steel deckings marketed, showing that may be used in future work.

Na construção de novas estruturas ou mesmo durante sua recuperação, a velocidade de construção influencia de maneira significativa, não apenas nos custos, mas também pelo potencial efeito nocivo (ruído, poluição, problemas no transito de veículos e pessoas, etc.) advindo da construção. Assim, para a construção, é desejável um período de construção tão breve quanto possível. As estruturas mistas de aço e concreto correspondem satisfatoriamente a essa necessidade, pois tanto os elementos de aço quanto os de concreto podem ser pré-fabricados industrialmente, ficando apenas as etapas de içamento e montagem a serem realizadas in-loco. Correntemente, entretanto, as ligações entre aço e concreto utilizadas em estruturas mistas, não estão bem adaptadas à utilização de lajes pré-fabricadas, pois tendem a diminuir a rapidez de montagem e a durabilidade do pavimento. Desta forma, a necessidade de desenvolvimento de novos tipos de ligações se evidencia. Ligações por aderência, na qual a resistência se dá pelo atrito entre varias interfaces, constitui-se de uma solução particularmente promissora. O conhecimento atual a respeito deste tipo de ligações é incompleto, e necessita ser complementado de maneira a possibilitar a utilização das ligações por aderência na prática. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar e discutir o comportamento das ligações por aderência aço concreto, por meio da ligação entre lajes pré-fabricadas e vigas de aço de seção I através de ensaios estáticos. Em complemento, ensaios dinâmicos não destrutivos visando à observação do comportamento vibracional do protótipo provocado por impacto, foram realizados a fim de avaliar a influência do estado de danificação na frequência natural da viga mista, após o ensaio monotônico. Complementando a avaliação experimental, a simulação numérica dos protótipos experimentais foi realizada utilizando o pacote computacional Fx + Diana® e uma análise paramétrica desenvolvida. Os resultados obtidos na presente investigação para a ligação proposta se demostraram promissores, para todos os conectores analisados, L, R e RP, especialmente no que se refere à resistência ao cisalhamento da ligação. Ressalta-se que o modelo numérico desenvolvido foi capaz de estimar satisfatoriamente a capacidade resistente dos protótipos experimentais e o deslizamento na carga máxima. / For new structures, or even retrofitting old ones, the speed of construction has a significant impact not only on costs but also by potential harmful effects (noise, pollution, traffic of vehicles and people, etc.) provoked during the process. In this way, it is desirable a construction period as short as possible. Steel concrete composite structures respond satisfactorily to this need, since they have steel and concrete elements that can be industrially pre-fabricated, and only lifting and assembly are developed in-loco. Currently, however, the connections between steel and concrete used in composite structures are not well adapted to the use of precast concrete slabs, reducing the speed of assembling and also the durability of the produced floor. So, the need for the development of new types of connections becomes evident. Connections based on adherence, where the resistance comes from friction at interface, are a promising solution. Due to the lack of knowledge regarding this type of connections, additional studies must be conducted to make possible the use of connections by adherence. Present research aimed to analyze and discuss the behavior of connections by adherence between steel and concrete, through the combination of precast concrete slabs and steel beams with I cross sections. The connections are studied by means of experimental tests considering static loads. Additionally, dynamic tests are also carried out, aiming to observe the vibration produced by impact after static loads. The influence of damage provoked by static test on the natural frequencies of the beams was also investigated. The results obtained in the experimental program showed the good performance of the proposed connection and the feasibility of applying this solution to future composite structures. A nonlinear numerical analysis using commercially available software based on finite elements method was also performed, showing a good agreement with the experimental results.

O crescimento do emprego de materiais compósitos e a flexibilização dos processos de manufatura permitem a adoção deste tipo de material em diversos casos que antes não eram explorados. Este trabalho investiga técnicas de otimização aplicáveis a painéis compósitos laminados e com reforçadores co-curados. Painéis reforçados são amplamente utilizados na indústria aeronáutica por conferirem resistência a carregamentos no plano e de flexão à elementos de baixo peso estrutural que são empregados em estruturas aeronáuticas típicas, como fuselagens. Por meio da otimização paramétrica que adota como variáveis de projeto parâmetros pré-definidos da estrutura, a geometria e posicionamento dos reforçadores, bem como a orientação das lâminas dos painéis e reforçadores compósitos são otimizadas. O problema de otimização é formulado como a maximização da carga de flambagem do painel, calculada através de um programa de Elementos Finitos comercial (Abaqus), sujeito a restrições de massa, máxima deformação admissível e ordem de empilhamento das camadas dentro do laminado. O método de Otimização Discreta de Material (ODM) é utilizado para parametrizar as variáveis de orientação do laminado, de modo a tentar reduzir a ocorrência de mínimos locais dentre as soluções encontradas pelo otimizador, o algoritmo Método das Assíntotas Móveis. Esta metodologia de implementação do problema de otimização é comparada com técnicas baseadas em Algoritmo Genético e variáveis contínuas de orientação das fibras. Os resultados obtidos por meio da metodologia proposta são comparados com aqueles de um painel reforçado representativo com geometria e sequência de empilhamento típicos e por fim, são apresentadas as vantagens e desvantagens entre as metodologias. Em seguida, a utilização de otimização topológica para o projeto de estruturas compósitas é explorada, considerando como função objetivo a maximização da rigidez do painel, sujeita a restrições de volume e de tensão. Neste tipo de otimização, não presume-se a existência de uma distribuição de material fixa na estrutura, com material podendo ser inserido ou retirado de dentro do domínio. O desenvolvimento de técnicas de manufatura com a deposição automática de fibras pré-impregnadas com matriz torna possível este tipo de projeto. Neste caso, para a modelagem do material compósito um elemento finito de casca de 8 nós é implementado e associado à técnica de ODM, de modo a otimizar a distribuição de material no domínio, juntamente com o empilhamento das camadas do laminado nas regiões que contém material. Este método é aplicado em diversos casos exemplos, com formulações de otimização e condições de carregamento diferentes. Ao final, um painel típico aeronáutico é conceitualmente projetado e os resultados são discutidos e comparados com uma configuração típica. / The increased use of composite materials and flexible manufacturing processes allows the application of this type of material in many cases not generally explored. This work investigates optimization techniques applied to composite panels with co-cured stiffeners. Reinforced panels are widely used in the aircraft industry to confer resistance under in-plane and bending loads for lightweight structural elements that are employed in typical aircraft structures such as fuselages. Through parametric optimization which considers as design variables pre-defined structure parameters, stringers geometric dimensions, their positioning, and also the stacking sequence of laminated composite material employed for the panel and stringers layups are optimized. The optimization problem is formulated as the maximization of the panel buckling load obtained through commercial Finite Element software (Abaqus), subjected to constraints such as mass, maximum allowable strains, and stacking order of the laminate. The Discrete Material Optimization (DMO) method is used to parameterize the laminate orientation variables in order to try reduce the occurrence of local minima in the solution found by the optimizer, the Method of Moving Assimptotes (MMA) algorithm. This implementation of the optimization problem is compared with Genetic Algorithm and continuous fiber orientation variables methodologies. The results obtained from the proposed methodology are compared with those from a representative reinforced panel, with typical topology and lay-up sequences. Then, benefits and drawbacks of these methodologies are presented. The design of composite structures by employing topology optimization became possible through the development of manufacturing techniques such as fiber placement, since this kind of optimization does not require a previously fixed material distribution inside of the structure. In this work, this possibility is explored by considering as objective function the mass minimization subjected to stress constraints. For composite modeling, an eight-node finite element shell element is implemented and then associated to the DMO technique, in order to optimize the material distribution within the domain and also the layup in regions where material was inserted. This methodology is then applied in various example cases, with different optimization formulations and loading conditions. Concluding, a typical aeronautical panel is conceptually designed and the results discussed and compared with a baseline panel configuration.

O presente trabalho consiste basicamente no desenvolvimento de um programa de engenharia denominado SAJ (sistema de análise de juntas) capaz de realizar uma análise detalhada do comportamento de dois dos diversos tipos de juntas coladas existentes, a junta simples colada (\"single lap joint\") e a junta dupla colada (\"double lap joint\"). Sendo que foram analisadas juntas coladas com aderentes de material compósito ou, então, compostas de aderentes de compósitos e metal. O programa de engenharia desenvolvido possibilita o cálculo das tensões, dos esforços e dos deslocamentos nessas juntas. Para validar o referido programa, os resultados obtidos do mesmo foram confrontados com os resultados obtidos para condições semelhantes utilizando \"softwares\" comerciais de elementos finitos e de cálculo de juntas. Após a validação do programa, são apresentados alguns estudos de fatores que influenciam na resistência da junta colada, verificando a influência do comprimento de \"overlap\" (sobreposição), a rigidez do adesivo e a espessura da camada adesiva. Também é apresentada uma análise de falha dos aderentes de compósito evidenciando assim, as potencialidades e limitações desta ferramenta computacional para a área de desenvolvimento de produto. / This work consists on the development of software called SAJ which can analyze a bonded joint behavior in detail, not only for single lap joint, but also, for double lap joint. These joints could be made of composite/composite materials or metal/composite as adherentes. The software developed can calculate the joints stresses, loads and displacements. The results obtained are compared to the results obtained using commercial software and the same problems proposed. After the validation of SAJ, some studies were performed in order to determine how some characteristics affect the joint stresses distribution as overlap length, adhesive elastic modulus, adhesive thickness and a failure analysis of composite adherents showing the potential and limitation of this computational tool for the product development area.

Devido a suas vantagens comparadas aos métodos tradicionais de união mecânica, a utilização de juntas coladas estruturais só tende a crescer, entretanto, devido suas propriedades e modos de falha dependerem de diversos parâmetros (tratamento superficial, geometria, material, condições de tralho, etc.) uma utilização mais ampla desta técnica ainda é restrita pela ausência de modelos de falhas confiáveis. O presente trabalho consiste na apresentação de métodos para fabricação de juntas coladas em material compósito e verificação da influência da espessura da camada adesiva na resistência de juntas simples coladas (single lap joints) submetidas à tração. São também apresentados métodos para fabricação dos aderentes, corpos de prova de adesivo puro para ensaios de caracterização e realização de ensaios mecânicos para obtenção das propriedades mecânicas tanto dos aderentes quanto do adesivo. As propriedades mecânicas dos aderentes e do adesivo foram obtidas através de ensaios realizados em uma máquina de tração universal com o auxílio da técnica de correlação digital de imagem, e a obtenção das energias críticas de resistência à fratura (GIc,GIIc) da camada adesiva foram calculadas através de ensaios Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) e End Notched Flexure (ENF). Foram estudados métodos para gerar falha coesiva nas juntas adesivas, sendo que o melhor método encontrado foi o de tratamento superficial dos aderentes com jateamento abrasivo seguido pela limpeza superficial com acetona. O controle preciso da espessura da camada adesiva foi alcançado através do desenvolvimento de um dispositivo de fácil construção, compostos por suportes de madeira, hastes e linhas de nylon. Nos ensaios em juntas coladas foi constatado uma relação inversamente proporcional entre a espessura da camada adesiva e a resistência máxima suportada pela junta, ou seja, quanto maior a espessura do adesivo menor sua resistência. Os métodos aqui apresentados foram os resultados de vários meses de estudo e compreensão das normas e técnicas disponíveis na literatura, o aprimoramento das técnicas foram frutos de um ciclo compostos por fabricação, testes e análise de resultados. / Amongst the joining techniques, adhesively bonding joints are one of the most commonly applied nowadays. However, a lack of reliable failure criteria still exists, limiting in this way a more widespread application of adhesively bonded joints in principal load-bearing structural applications. An accurate strength prediction of the adhesively bonded joints is essential to decrease the amount of expensive testing at the design stage. This work consists to show methods for manufacturing single lap joints and to verify the adhesive thickness influence on the joint resistance. The manufacturing process of the composite adherends and adhesives for bulk tests was also covered. The mechanical properties of the adherends and bulk adhesive were performed on a universal testing machine with assistance of a digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The fracture toughness energy release rates (GIc,GIIc) of the adhesive layer were obtained respectively through Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) and End Notched Flexure (ENF) tests. Cohesive failure was achieved by grit blasting the adherents followed by cleaning with acetone. A constant adhesive thickness was guaranteed by placing nylon fishing lines between the adherents. Single lap joints tests showed that the joint resistance decrease with increasing adhesive thickness.

Proposed in this thesis is a methodology to enable yacht designers to develop innovative structural concepts, even when the loads experienced by the yacht are highly uncertain, and has been implemented in sufficient detail to confirm the feasibility of this new approach. The new approach is required because today??s yachts are generally lighter, getting larger and going faster. The question arises as to how far the design envelope can be pushed with the highly uncertain loads experienced by the structure? What are the effects of this uncertainty and what trade-offs in the structural design will best meet the overall design objectives? The new approach provides yacht designers with a means of developing innovative structural solutions that accommodate high levels of uncertainty, but still focus on best meeting design objectives constrained by trade-offs in weight, safety and cost. The designer??s preferences have a large, and not always intuitive, influence on the necessary design trade-offs. This in turn invites research into ways to formally integrate decision algorithms into knowledge-based design systems. A lean and robust design system has been achieved by developing a set of tools which are blanketed by a fuzzy decision algorithm. The underlying tool set includes costing, material optimisation and safety analysis. Central to this is the innovative way in which the system allows non-discrete variables to be utilized along with new subjective measures of structural reliability based on load path algorithms and topological (shape) optimisation. The originality in this work is the development of a knowledge-based framework and methodology that uses a fuzzy decision making tool to navigate through a design space and address trade-offs between high level objectives when faced with limited design detail and uncertainty. In so doing, this work introduces the use of topological optimisation and load path theory to the structural design of yachts as a means of overcoming the historical focus of knowledge-based systems and to ensure that innovative solutions can still evolve. A sensitivity analysis is also presented which can quantify a design??s robustness in a system that focuses on a global approach to the measurement of objectives such as cost, weight and safety. Results from the application of this system show new and innovative structural solutions evolving that take into account the designers preferences regarding cost, weight and safety while accommodating uncertain parameters such as the loading experienced by the hull.

The application of static shape control was investigated in this thesis particularly for a composite plate configuration using piezoelectric actuators. A new electro-mechanically coupled mathematical model was developed for the analysis and is based on a third order displacement field coupled with a layerwise electric potential concept. This formulation, TODL, is then implemented into a finite element program. The mathematical model represents an improvement over existing formulations used to model intelligent structures using piezoelectric materials as actuators and sensors. The reason is TODL does not only account for the electro-mechanical coupling within the adaptive material, it also accounts for the full structural coupling in the entire structure due to the piezoelectric material being attached to the host structure. The other significant improvement of TODL is that it is applicable to structures which are relatively thick whereas existing models are based on thin beam / plate theories. Consequently, transverse shearing effects are automatically accounted for in TODL and unlike first order shear deformation theories, shear correction factors are not required. The second major section of this thesis uses the TODL formulation in static shape control. Shape control is defined here as the determination of shape control parameters, including actuation voltage and actuator orientation configuration, such that the structure that is activated using these parameters will conform as close as possible to the desired shape. Several shape control strategies and consequently algorithms were developed here. Initial investigations in shape control has revealed many interesting issues which have been used in later investigations to improve shape controllability and also led to the development of improved algorithms. For instance, the use of discrete actuator patches has led to greater shape controllability and the use of slopes and curvatures as additional control criteria have resulted in significant reduction in internal stresses. The significance of optimizing actuator orientation and its relation to piezoelectric anisotropy in improving shape controllability has also been presented. Thus the major facets of shape control has been brought together and the algorithms developed here represent a comprehensive strategy to perform static shape control.

In the present thesis a novel numerical approach for the optimization of composite structures fabricated from woven composite materials is developed. The aim is to increase the ultimate strength of the structure while at the same time decreasing its weight. The numerical approach is based on a combination of the numerical algorithm of progressive damage modelling (PDM), along with shape optimization (SO) in an iterative subroutine. PDM, which is comprised of three steps, namely stress analysis, failure analysis and material property degradation, is used to predict the initiation and propagation of failure in the structure. During the phase of SO certain geometrical parameters are varied within limits in order to minimize the stresses that lead the structure to ultimate failure as indicated by PDM results. Finally the resulting geometry is solved with PDM to ensure the enhancement in the ultimate strength and the decrease in ultimate weight. Within the frame of this approach, a new methodology for the numerical modeling and the simulation of mechanical behavior of woven composite materials is proposed. The highly inhomogeneous nature of woven composite materials in the micro-scale is taken under consideration to create accurate representative volume element (RVE) FE models which represent the actual material. Then PDM is used for the simulation of their mechanical response. The calculated properties, in terms of stiffnesses and strengths, are then inserted as inputs in the global FE model of the composite structure. Additionally, the reliability and applicability of a continuum damage model (CDM), in comparison with cohesive zone model (CZM), are assessed in order to use the CDM for the modeling of the adhesive’s mechanical behavior. The mentioned numerical approach is applied in an H-shaped joining element fabricated from two different woven composite materials for the loading case of tension. In the first case NCF composite is used while in the second case the joint is made of 3D fully interlaced weave (FIW) composite. The purpose of the H-shaped element is the joining of two composite plates via the method of adhesive bonding. / Στην παρούσα διατριβή αναπτύχθηκε μια νέα μέθοδος αριθμητικής βελτιστοποίησης δομικών στοιχείων από σύνθετα υλικά με σκοπό την αύξηση της αντοχής τους. Η μέθοδος βασίζεται σε έναν αριθμητικό αλγόριθμο Προοδευτικής Εξέλιξης της Βλάβης (ΠΕΒ) και τη Βελτιστοποίηση Σχήματος (ΒΣ) τα οποία συνδυάζονται σε μια επαναληπτική υπό-ρουτίνα. Στην ΠΕΒ περιλαμβάνονται τα βήματα της ανάλυσης τάσεων, ανάλυσης αστοχίας και υποβάθμιση των ιδιοτήτων των στοιχείων. Η χρησιμότητα της έγκειται στην πρόβλεψη της έναρξης και εξέλιξης της αστοχίας στο δομικό στοιχείο κάτι απαραίτητο για την κατανόηση της μηχανικής συμπεριφοράς. Η ΒΣ έχει ως σκοπό την μεταβολή συγκεκριμένων γεωμετρικών παραμέτρων για να επιτευχθεί ελαχιστοποίηση των κρίσιμών τάσεων που προκύπτουν από τα αποτελέσματα της ΠΕΒ και οδηγούν στην αστοχία του στοιχείου. Παράλληλα, για την μοντελοποίηση και τον υπολογισμό των μηχανικών ιδιοτήτων πρωτότυπων πλεγμένων σύνθετων υλικών προτείνεται καινούργια μια μεθοδολογία η οποία λαμβάνει υπ’ όψιν την υψηλή ανομοιογένεια των υλικών στην μικρό-κλίμακα για να υπολογίσει τις ιδιότητες τους. Η μεθοδολογία εφαρμόστηκε σε ένα νέο συνδετικό στοιχείο σχήματος H κατασκευασμένο από δύο διαφορετικά πλεγμένα σύνθετα υλικά, τα μη πτυχωτά και τα τρισδιάστατα πλεγμένα σύνθετα υλικά, για την περίπτωση του εφελκυσμού. Σκοπός του συνδέσμου είναι η ένωση δύο πλακών από σύνθετα υλικά χρησιμοποιώντας κόλλα. Αρχικά το μοντέλο πεπερασμένων στοιχείων του συνδέσμου δημιουργείται και επιλύεται με την μέθοδο ΠΕΒ. Για την προσομοίωση της μη-γραμμικής συμπεριφοράς της κόλλας αναπτύσσεται ένα δι-γραμμικό μοντέλο. Για την προσομοίωση της πλήρης μηχανικής συμπεριφοράς των μη πτυχωτών και τρισδιάστατα πλεγμένων συνθέτων υλικών, αναπτύσσεται μια διαδικασία η οποία περιλαμβάνει τα βήματα της γεωμετρικής μοντελοποίησης, της κατασκευής του μοντέλου πεπερασμένων στοιχειών και την επίλυση αυτού με την μέθοδο ΠΕΒ. Τα αποτελέσματα, σε όρους διαγραμμάτων τάσεων-παραμορφώσεων, χρησιμοποιούνται ως δεδομένα στο μοντέλο πεπερασμένων στοιχείων του συνδέσμου το οποίο επιλύεται και υπολογίζεται το διάγραμμα δύναμης-μετατόπισης. Στην συνέχεια, λαμβάνει μέρος η γεωμετρική βελτιστοποίηση βασιζόμενη στα αποτελέσματα της επίλυσης της αρχικής γεωμετρίας. Σε αυτό το σημείο επιλέγεται η μεταβλητή προς ελαχιστοποίηση στην διαδικασία της βελτιστοποίησης. Το μέγεθος αυτό ονομάζεται Συνάρτηση Σκοπού (ΣΣ) και ορίζεται ως ο συντελεστή βλάβης που ευθύνεται για την τελική αστοχία του δομικού στοιχείου. Ως ένα επιπλέον κριτήριο για την επιλογή της βέλτιστης γεωμετρίας επιλέγεται η μείωση βάρους δεδομένου ότι πρόκειται για αεροπορική κατασκευή. Η γεωμετρία που ελαχιστοποιεί την συνάρτηση σκοπού και ταυτόχρονα είναι ελαφρύτερη από την αρχική, επιλέγεται ως η τελική γεωμετρία. Τέλος, γίνεται η επιτυχής επικύρωση της βελτιστοποίησης με την σύγκριση των αριθμητικών αποτελεσμάτων μεταξύ της αρχικής και τελικής γεωμετρίας. Η μεθοδολογία της ΠΕΒ εφαρμόζεται στην τελική γεωμετρία και τα διαγράμματα δύναμης μετατόπισης συγκρίνονται για να διαπιστωθεί η αύξηση στο μέγιστο φορτίο που μπορεί να φέρει το συνδετικό στοιχείο πριν την τελική αστοχία.

The amount of total and relative sway of a framed or a composite (frame-shear wall) building is of utmost importance in assessing the seismic resistance of the building. Therefore, the design engineer must calculate the sway profile of the building several times during the design process. However, it is not a simple task to calculate the sway of a three-dimensional structure. Of course, computer programs can do the job, but developing the three-dimensional model becomes necessary, which is obviously tedious and time consuming. An easy to apply analytical method is developed, which enables the determination of sway profiles of framed and composite buildings subject to seismic loading. Various framed and composite three-dimensional buildings subject to lateral seismic loads are solved by SAP2000 and the proposed analytical method. The sway profiles are compared and found to be in very good agreement. In most cases, the amount of error involved is less than 5 %. The analytical method is applied to determine sway magnitudes at any desired elevation of the building, the relative sway between two consecutive floors, the slope at any desired point along the height and the curvature distribution of the building from foundation to roof level. After sway and sway-related properties are known, the requirements of the Turkish Earthquake Code can be evaluated and / or checked. By using the analytical method, the amount of shear walls necessary to satisfy Turkish Earthquake Code requirements are determined. Thus, a vital design question has been answered, which up till present time, could only be met by rough empirical guidelines. A mathematical derivation is presented to satisfy the strength requirement of a three-dimensional composite building subject to seismic loading. Thus, the occurrence of shear failure before moment failure in the building is securely avoided. A design procedure is developed to satisfy the stiffness requirement of composite buildings subject to lateral seismic loading. Some useful tools, such as executable user-friendly programs written by using &ldquo / Borland Delphi&rdquo / , have been developed to make the analysis and design easy for the engineer. A method is also developed to satisfy the ductility requirement of composite buildings subject to lateral seismic loading based on a plastic analysis. The commonly accepted sway ductility of &amp / #956 / &amp / #916 / =5 has been used and successful seismic energy dissipation is thus obtained.

Proposed in this thesis is a methodology to enable yacht designers to develop innovative structural concepts, even when the loads experienced by the yacht are highly uncertain, and has been implemented in sufficient detail to confirm the feasibility of this new approach. The new approach is required because today??s yachts are generally lighter, getting larger and going faster. The question arises as to how far the design envelope can be pushed with the highly uncertain loads experienced by the structure? What are the effects of this uncertainty and what trade-offs in the structural design will best meet the overall design objectives? The new approach provides yacht designers with a means of developing innovative structural solutions that accommodate high levels of uncertainty, but still focus on best meeting design objectives constrained by trade-offs in weight, safety and cost. The designer??s preferences have a large, and not always intuitive, influence on the necessary design trade-offs. This in turn invites research into ways to formally integrate decision algorithms into knowledge-based design systems. A lean and robust design system has been achieved by developing a set of tools which are blanketed by a fuzzy decision algorithm. The underlying tool set includes costing, material optimisation and safety analysis. Central to this is the innovative way in which the system allows non-discrete variables to be utilized along with new subjective measures of structural reliability based on load path algorithms and topological (shape) optimisation. The originality in this work is the development of a knowledge-based framework and methodology that uses a fuzzy decision making tool to navigate through a design space and address trade-offs between high level objectives when faced with limited design detail and uncertainty. In so doing, this work introduces the use of topological optimisation and load path theory to the structural design of yachts as a means of overcoming the historical focus of knowledge-based systems and to ensure that innovative solutions can still evolve. A sensitivity analysis is also presented which can quantify a design??s robustness in a system that focuses on a global approach to the measurement of objectives such as cost, weight and safety. Results from the application of this system show new and innovative structural solutions evolving that take into account the designers preferences regarding cost, weight and safety while accommodating uncertain parameters such as the loading experienced by the hull.