Estima-se que existam cerca de seis mil edifícios tipo caixão na região metropolitana do Recife que apresentam estrutura em situação de risco. Cerca de doze edifícios colapsaram espontaneamente, treze foram demolidos e dezenas de outros foram constatadas manifestações patológicas graves, motivando suas interdições. Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para o enfrentamento do problema, contemplando não apenas os aspectos técnicos, mas questões referentes aos riscos. Com isso se espera eliminar o estigma dessas edificações e resgatar a dignidade e segurança dos moradores dos prédios, através de um trabalho que tenham como base conceitos técnicos e científicos consagrados na Engenharia. A solução para o problema trata-se de uma proposta de criação de uma estrutura metálica a ser implantada nos prédios construídos em alvenaria resistente, em casos de falência das alvenarias que originalmente serviram de suporte para cargas que atuam na referida obra. Esta estrutura foi modelada e dimensionada pelo programa computacional Metálica 3D, apresentando resultados que responderam com total segurança todas as ações de carregamento que atuam nesse tipo de edificação para a modelagem adotada. Espera-se que a solução aqui proposta tenha um impacto social bastante significativo, dado a ocorrência de diversos acidentes com edifícios desta natureza, construídos em alvenaria resistente com a utilização de tijolos de vedação, vulgarmente conhecidos como prédios caixão / One can estimate that there are approximately six thousand four storey residential box-type buildings in Recife Metropolitan Region which presents structures in risk situation. Among those buildings, twelve collapsed spontaneously, thirteen were demolished and in many others it was observed serious pathologies that demanded restrictions to their occupation. This work presents a methodology to deal with this problem, contemplating technical aspect as well as risks issues. One expects to eliminate the stigma of these buildings and to contribute to give dignity and security back to their inhabitants through a work that must be done based on technical and scientific concepts accepted worldwide in structural engineering. The solution to the problem consists of a proposal to create a steel structure to be installed in such building that, in case of collapse of their support walls, should carry all loads that act on them. This solution was modeled and designed using a software called Metálica 3D, showing results that assure security to all load cases that usually act in this type of structure. One expects that the proposed solution can generate significant social impact, due to the occurrence of several accidents with this type of buildings constructed with non structural bricks carrying loads beyond its own weight

The use of the cold-formed steel sheet bolted connections without washers is so significant; however, the North American Specifications for the Design of Cold Formed Steel Structural Members, NASPEC, doesn't provide provisions for such connections. The bearing failure of sheet and the shear failure of sheet were considered in this study. For the sheet shear strength, it was found that the NASPEC (2007) design provisions can be used for oversized holes in both single and double shear configurations and for the double shear connections on short slotted holes. For the sheet bearing strength, a new design method was proposed to be used for low and high ductile steel sheets. The method was compared with the NASPEC and the University of Waterloo approach. Washers were still required for single shear connections on short slotted holes. Besides, connections using ASTM A325 bolts yielded higher bearing strength than connections using ASTM A307 bolts.

In this research, monotonic and cyclic tests on cold-formed steel shear walls sheathed with steel sheets on one side were conducted to (1) verify the published nominal shear strength for 18-mil and 27-mil steel sheets; and (2) investigate the behavior of 6-ft. wide shear walls with multiple steel sheets. In objective 1: this research confirms the discrepancy existed in the published nominal strength of 27-mil sheets discovered by the previous project and verified the published nominal strength of 18 mil sheet for the wind design in AISI S213. The project also finds disagreement on the nominal strength of 18-mil sheets for seismic design, which is 29.0% higher than the published values. The research investigated 6-ft. wide shear wall with four framing and sheathing configurations. Configuration C, which used detailing, could provide the highest shear strength, compared to Configurations A and B. Meanwhile, the shear strength and stiffness of 2-ft. wide and 4-ft. wide wall can be improved by using the seismic detailing.

In cold-formed steel (CFS) construction, bolted connections without washers for either oversized or slotted holes may significantly expedite the installation process and lower the cost. However, the North American Specification (AISI S100, 2007) for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members requires washers to be installed in bolted connections with oversized or slotted holes. A research project (Phase 1) sponsored by American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) was recently completed at the University of North Texas (UNT) that investigated the performance and strength of bolted CFS connections with oversized and slotted holes without using washers. The research presented in this thesis is the Phase 2 project in which the bolted CFS connections were studied in a broader respect in terms of the failure mechanism, the material thickness, and the hole configurations. Single shear and double shear connections without washers using oversized holes, oversized combined with standard or slotted holes were experimentally examined. Combined with Phase 1 results, the Phase 2 gives a comprehensive evaluation of the behavior and strength of bolted CFS connections with oversized and slotted holes without using washers. Revisions to the existing AISI North American Specification requirements for bolted connections are proposed to account for the reduction in the connection strength caused by the oversized and slotted hole configurations without washers. Specific LRFD and LSD resistance factors and ASD safety factors for different hole configurations in terms of the new proposed methods were presented.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and, (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 124-127. / by Enrique J. Laya. / M.S.

This thesis presents a research effort aimed at developing a stronger, lighter, and more economic shelter using rigid wall panels. Reported herein is insulation research, wall and roof panel design and testing, floor section modeling and strength calculations, and cost and weight calculations. Beginning stages focus on developing solid wall and roof panels using cold-formed steel corrugated sheathing and members, as well as polyurethane spray foam for insulation. This research includes calculating uniform load density, to determine the overall strength of the panel. The next stage focuses on the flexural strength of the wall and roof panels, as well as finalizing the floor design for the shelter. This includes determining maximum flexural strength required to meet the standards set by the project goal. Direct strength method determined the correct thickness of members to use based on the dimension selected for the design. All Phases incorporated different connection methods, with varied stud spacing, to determine the safest design for the new shelters. Previous research has shown that cold-formed steel corrugated sheathing performs better than thicker flat sheathing of various construction materials, with screw and spot weld connections. Full scale shear wall tests on this type of shear wall system have been conducted, and it was found that the corrugated sheathing had rigid board behavior before it failed in shear buckling in sheathing and sometimes simultaneously in screw connection failures. Another aspect of the research is on the insulation of the wall panels. Research was conducted on many different insulation options for the mobile facilities. Specifically, insulation made of lightweight material, is non-combustible, added rigidity to the structure, and has high thermal properties. Closed cell polyurethane spray foam was selected for full-scale testing in this research. Closed cell polyurethane adds extra rigidity, is lighter than common honeycomb insulation, and has a higher R-value. Several polyurethane foam companies were studied for this research, and promising products were identified. The research focuses on the impacts of the polyurethane foam to the structural performance of the wall panels. Both shear and 4-point bending tests were completed to investigate the strength and behavior of the cold-formed steel framed wall panels with polyurethane foam insulation. Comparing the cost and weight of the current shelter, and the new design is reported herein. The material studies, specimen details, and test results are reported in this thesis.

Developing a rational method of design has long been the goal of structural engineering. For steel structures, through the development of plastic design and electronic computation, this now seems possible. Several methods have been proposed within the last five years, and one method has been programmed for the digital computer. Five methods are here discussed and compared and the method of Heyman and Prager is investigated in detail. The assumptions and restrictions of the Heyman-Prager method, along with the computer program developed by Kalker, are investigated and discussed. The author attempts to evaluate the usefulness of, and place the Heyman-Prager method in a proper perspective in the overall planning, design, analysis phases of the total structural evolution. It is concluded that a more efficient computer program could be developed to facilitate the structural solution and some methods by which this might be accomplished are suggested. A comprehensive bibliography is provided which traces the development of practical minimum weight, plastic design from its inception up to the present time. / Master of Science

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction expressed concern with regard to the unit definition of the effective length factor, K, stipulated for compressive elements of parallel chord trusses in Clause 15 of SANS 10162-1:2005 - Limit state design of hot-rolled steelwork. The simplified method for truss design specified in the code assumes all compression members are pin-connected, which allows for greater design simplicity and reduces the amount of code interpretation required by the designer. In addition to this, Clause 15 requires the additional reduction in resistance of the first web compression members by a factor of 0.85. However, this approach may be considered overly conservative and in current design practice the effective length factor is often reduced to less than 1.0. This research investigates the effective length factor of web compression members in parallel chord trusses, by means of investigative structural analyses of representative trusses using ANGELINE and Prokon analytical programs, and by designing, constructing and testing six representative trusses, using current design practices. A comparative study of a number of different countries’ codified approaches to truss design is also included. The structural analyses revealed that in-plane buckling of the web compression members was the consistent mode of failure, however at a much greater applied load than the design load determined according to SANS 10162-1:2005. Contrary to the expected mode of failure, all six tests performed on the representative trusses exhibited elastic out-of-plane buckling, or strongaxis buckling, of the web compression members, but still at a much greater applied load than the design load. The unexpected out-of-plane buckling of the web members is due to the inplane stiffness of the end connections used. In order to stay true to current design practice, gusset plates and longitudinal welds were used to join the web members to the chords. The stiffness of the gusset plates therefore significantly reduced the effective length of the web compression members in-plane, but did not reduce the effective length out-of-plane. Despite the unanticipated behaviour of the tests performed, certain conclusions can still be drawn from the results. The unit definition of the effective length factor for in-plane buckling of web compression members is too conservative and a K factor of 0.8 is recommended. In addition to this an effective length factor for out-plane-buckling of web compression members of 1.1 is recommended for trusses with welded connections. The necessity of the reduction in resistance of 0.85 of the first web compression members requires further investigation. The most important conclusion to be drawn is that out-of-plane buckling of web compression members can be the dominant failure mode, which is not taken into consideration in current design practice.

Este trabalho objetiva o estudo e a aplicação de um método de monitoramento da integridade de uma estrutura metálica baseado em ondas Lamb. Para o monitoramento são utilizadas pastilhas piezoelétricas, em função de seu baixo custo monetário. As pastilhas são utilizadas como atuadores e receptores empregando a propriedade dos materiais piezoelétricos que associa a impedância elétrica coma impedância mecânica. O mecanismo da análise parte da criação de um sinal formado por um pulso elétrico no formato de ondas Lamb e sua aplicação em uma pastilha piezoelétrica fixada na estrutura em estudo, causando uma vibração que se propaga ao longo do elemento estrutural. Segue na captação dessa vibração por outra pastilha piezoelétrica também acoplada à estrutura que a converte em um sinal e finaliza na interpretação desse sinal. A onda Lamb que gera o pulso de excitação enviado ao elemento piezoelétrico é uma função Wavelet. A estrutura é monitorada em seu estado íntegro e em seu estado danificado. Com base nos estudos de vibração e uso da Transformada de Wavelet Contínua, comparam-se as leituras de sinais obtidos em ensaios realizados na estrutura íntegra em seguida na estrutura danificada. Utilizando uma métrica que correlaciona essas leituras, definida como Índice de Dano, verifica-se se o método detecta a existência de dano na estrutura. São executados três experimentos consistindo em uma estrutura formada por uma única viga metálica onde são fixados atuadores e receptores em posições variadas. Insere-se um parafuso em sua constituição, com a função de simular o dano. A estrutura contendo o parafuso configura seu estado íntegro e quando o parafuso é retirado da estrutura, tem-se o estado danificado. Os resultados dos ensaios permitem a avaliação qualitativa da detecção, em função da distância relativa à posição do dano. Também se utiliza um acelerômetro como receptor, visando obter um fator de comparação para os resultados obtidos. Decorrente da quantidade de dados observados se utiliza um tratamento estatístico com medidas resumo e dispersões para a análise. Conclui-se que a metodologia apresentada utilizando a técnica das ondas Lamb em conjunto com a aplicação do Índice de Dano produz resultados satisfatórios e pode ser utilizada como uma alternativa na interpretação de sinais onde o objetivo é a detecção de danos, visto que a metodologia foi capaz indicar a existência do dano independente da sua posição na estrutura proposta. / This work aims at the study and application of a method of monitoring the integrity of a metal structure based on Lamb waves. For monitoring piezoelectric pads are used, in function on your low monetary cost. The pellets are used as actuators and receivers using the property of piezoelectric materials that associates the electrical impedance with mechanical impedance. The analysis part of the creation of a sign consisting of an electrical pulse in the Lamb waves and your format application in a piezoelectric structure mounted insert in study, causing a vibration that propagate along the structural element. Follows on the uptake of this vibration for piezoelectric other pad also coupled to the structure that converts it into a signal and terminates in the interpretation of this signal. The Lamb wave that generates the excitation pulse sent to the piezoelectric element is a Wavelet function. The structure is monitored in your healthy state and in your damaged state. Based on studies of vibration and use of Continuous Wavelet transform, compare the readings of signals obtained in trials conducted in full structure then the structure damaged. Using a metric that correlates these readings, defined as Damage index, the method detects the existence of damage to the structure. Three experiments are performed. The experiments consisting in the analysis of a structure formed by a single metal beam where actuators and receptors are disposed in various positions. Was inserted a screw in your Constitution, with the function to simulate the damage. The structure containing the screw configures your healthy state and when the bolt is removed from the structure, has been damaged. The results of the tests allow the qualitative evaluation of the discovery, on the basis of distance on the position of the damage. Also uses an accelerometer as a receiver, in order to obtain a comparison factor to the results obtained. Due to the amount of observed data was using a statistical summary measures treatment and dispersions for the analysis. It is concluded that the methodology presented using Lamb wave technique in conjunction with the application of the index of damage produces satisfactory results, and can be used as an alternative in the interpretation of signs where the goal is the detection of damage, Since the methodology was able to indicate the existence of damage regardless of your position in the proposed structure.

Cette thèse a pour objectifs de développer une modélisation aussi fine que possible des structures aciers et mixtes acier-béton sous sollicitations cycliques avec prise en compte d'une part du comportement des assemblages et d'autre part des non-linéarités géométriques et du contact à l'interface acier-béton. Notre attention porte en particulier sur l'assemblage de type poutre acier/mixte sur poteau métallique par platine d'extrémité boulonnée. L'objectif étant de proposer un modèle «élément fini» d'assemblage qui reproduit aussi fidèlement que possible le comportement cyclique de ce dernier pour ensuite l'assembler à un élément fini de poutre non-linéaire acier ou mixte avec prise en compte, pour ce dernier, du soulèvement à l'interface. Le travail se compose de 3 parties distinctes. Un premier modèle qui se base sur la méthode des composantes a été développé ayant pour objectif de suivre la déformation de chaque composante au cours des cycles et de prendre en compte les non-linéarités induites par la séparation entre la platine d'extrémité et la semelle du poteau auquel elle est boulonnée. Ce modèle type composantes, a été développé pour une rangée de boulons. Dans le cas le plus fréquent, de deux rangées de boulons, une résistance de groupe (en plus des résistances individuelles de chacune des rangées) est susceptible de se développer. Pour rendre compte de ce phénomène, nous avons implanté le modèle proposé par Cerfontaine qui repose sur la définition d'une surface de charge et une règle d'écoulement associée pour déterminer les allongements des ressorts équivalents. Seul le cas de plasticité parfaite est considéré. Il est mis en évidence que l'influence de l'effet de groupe s'avère non négligeable sur le comportement post-élastique de l'assemblage et donc de la structure. Dans une seconde phase, nous proposons un modèle de poutre métallique classique en grands déplacements (approche co-rotationnelle) avec rotules généralisées aux extrémités. Nous faisons l'hypothèse que les déformations plastiques sont concentrées aux rotules dont le comportement plastique est contrôlé par une surface de charge asymétrique (anisotrope) qui peut prendre différentes formes selon la valeur donnée à un facteur q dit « facteur de forme». Chacune de ces rotules plastiques comprend un ressort longitudinal pour l'effort normal Net un ressort spiral pour le moment fléchissant M. L'interaction (M-N) entre ces deux efforts dans le domaine plastique est régie par le critère de plasticité. Le modèle de rotule plastique généralisé proposé permet de rendre compte de l'adoucissement cyclique, de la ductilité et du « pinching effect ».Nous montrons aux travers de plusieurs exemples la pertinence mais également les limites d'une telle approche. Dans une troisième partie, nous proposons un nouvel élément fini de poutre mixte (à 6 ddl par nœud) en petits déplacements avec prise en compte de la non-linéarité matérielle de la poutre ainsi que du contact entre l'acier et le béton. Une stratégie efficace de type nœud mobile (Flying Node) est proposée pour déterminer l'étendue de la surface de contact au sein d'un élément fini et d'adapter le maillage de l'élément poutre/poteau. Pour la résolution du problème de contact, la technique du Lagrangien Augmenté a été retenue. On montre que dans certaines situations, le soulèvement modifie la redistribution des efforts. / The goal of this thesis is to develop computational tools for the nonlinear analysis of steel and composite steel-concrete structures under cyclic loading taking into account the actual behaviour of joint, material and geometry non-linearities and contact conditions at the steel-to-concrete interface. In particular, our efforts focuses on typical bolted end-plate connection between steel or composite beam and steel column. The objective is to develop a new «joint finite element" able to reproduce accurately the cyclic behavior of the beam-to-column connection. Next this model is combined with a non-linear steel/composite beam element considering slip and possible uplift at the interface. The thesis consists of three major parts. The first part deals with the behavior of a steel beam-to-column bolted end-plate connection under arbitrarily cyclic loading. The proposed model is based on an improved component method that closely follows the deformation of each component taking into account non-linearities induced by possible gap between the column flange and the end-plate. This model has been developed for a single row connection. In the case of multiple row bolted connection group effects may develop. Possible group effect between two bolt-rows has been implemented considering the model proposed by Cerfontaine based on the definition of the multi-surface yield criterion and the associated flow rule that govern deformation of equivalent springs. Only the case of perfect plasticity is considered. It is shown that the influence of the group effect is not negligible on the nonlinear response of the joint. In the second part, we have developed a flexible co-rotational two-noded beam with generalized elasto-plastic hinges at the beam ends. It is assumed that plastic deformations concentrate at these hinges. These hinges have the ability to elongate/shorten along the beam axis and to rotate. A family of asymmetric and convex yield surfaces of super-elliptic shape is considered for the plastic behavior of the hinges. By varying the roundness factor, an infinite nun1ber of yield surface are obtained. It is shown that the nonlinear response of bolted connections subjected to both bending and tension are conveniently modeled with such a yield surface. It was observed that cyclic loading produces pinching effect, cyclic softening and ductile behavior. Advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed. Finally, the third part is dedicated to the problem of contact at the interface of steel-concrete composite beams. A "new" finite element for composite steelconcrete beam is proposed. The beam element has 6 degrees of freedom per node. The concrete beam is allowed to separate from the steel beam. An efficient contact algorithm is proposed. The Flying node concept is introduced and used to determine the extent of the contact area within a single element and modify the mesh of the beam structure. The contact problem is solve using the Augmented Lagrangian Method. The influence of contact on the loading capacity of the beam and its influence on some design variables are highlighted.