Thesis--Ph. D., University of Hong Kong, 1986.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-73).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-149).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [25-89]).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-185). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 102 p.: ill (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Ayres G.D'Costa, College of Education. Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-102).

We encounter granular materials on a daily basis. We walk up a gravel path or we eat our breakfast cereals. When handling granular materials on an industrial scale it is important to do so efficiently, to avoid unnecessary energy losses, wear and tear. To help designing efficient tools for handling these materials engineers uses numerical simulations. This project investigates the difference between the two main approaches to simulation of granular materials, the Smooth- and Non-smooth Discrete Element Methods by implementing the Smooth method into AgX dynamics were the Non-smooth method already is implemented, and then setup and execute a range of experiments to investigate their differences. The investigation shows both advantages and weaknesses for both methods. The result of simulations with smooth discrete element method are more consistent than with the nonsmooth discrete element method with respect to choice of time step and other parameters that can be chosen for the simulation. Smooth discrete element method have problems when it comes to extreme situations. The relative simulation time for system as large as treated by this project (more than1000) can not be shown to depend on the size of the system.

This report is the documentation for a stiffness formulation to perform rigid diaphragm analysis for wood structures subjected to wind loads. Traditionally, rigid diaphragm analysis has been performed using a vaguely-defined superposition approach; however, this report details a more rational stiffness approach to solving for forces placed on walls resulting from a rigid diaphragm, and its implementation is via a simple spreadsheet application. In addition to the formulation of the spreadsheet, the report contains a User’s Guide and examples of the spreadsheet’s use. The purpose of the spreadsheet is not as a replacement to more sophisticated and comprehensive finite element analysis software, but as a tool to aid designers who practice engineering and may not have access to such software. In general, the application is developed for wood diaphragms as will be noted by references to wood-related codes. However, much of the approach may be used for diaphragms constructed with other materials as well. / text

This report explores several applications of iteration and the various connections that can be made to different areas of mathematics. The ties iteration has to the Wada Property, bifurcation diagram, root finding, and applications in geometry are all investigated. Finally, a rationale for incorporating iteration into secondary mathematics courses to support a more robust curriculum is discussed. / text

A nonlinear finite element program to simulate the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) members under the action of monotonic increasing loading has been developed. The nonlinear response of the RC members is mainly due to the nonlinear material characteristics including nonlinear biaxial stress-strain relations and cracking of concrete and yielding of steel reinforcement. A constitutive model of concrete under biaxial stress state is adopted in this thesis. In this model, concrete fails and critical cracks occur when the tensile strain of concrete exceeds the limiting tensile strain. The complete stress-strain relationship of concrete under compression and tension are employed in the study to investigate the post-peak behavior of reinforced concrete members. An elaborate cracking model has been implemented which allows concrete to crack in one or two directions. The tension stiffening effect of cracked concrete is also incorporated into this model by including a descending branch in the stress-strain curve of concrete under tension. Other nonlinear effects such as crushing of concrete in compression and yielding or strain hardening of steel reinforcement are also taken into account. A nonlinear finite element program was developed, in which the abovementioned nonlinear effects have all been included in modeling the reinforced concrete structures. The nonlinear equations of equilibrium are solved using an incremental-iterative technique performed under displacement control. The validity of the model including the confinement effect of secondary reinforcements has been examined by analyzing three reinforced concrete beams. The performance of the numerical model was assessed by comparing results with those from available experimental data. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy