Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 229-239).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 181-194).

This thesis presents an analytic solution for the stress distribution in a semi-infinite strip subjected to symmetrical loads on the transverse edge. Three different types of loading on the transverse edge are considered: (i) a segment of uniform load, (ii) two concentrated normal loads, and (iii) two concentrated tangential loads. The solution is constructed by the method of images. Under successive reflections the given strip and the resulting images become a semi-infinite plate with a series of periodic loads on the edge. The stress function for such a plate is constructed by superposing the known solutions of a simple nature. To satisfy the boundary conditions along the longitudinal edges of the semi-infinite strip, additional stress functions are introduced. When the boundary conditions are adjusted, a system of integral equations and a system of algebraic equations are obtained, which are further reduced. to a single system of algebraic equations. The latter system is solved by the method of successive approximations. In each case, the expressions for normal stresses along the longitudinal axis are derived and numerical values for these stresses are given. / Master of Science

Errata inserted inside back end-paper. / Bibliography: p. 243-249. / xvi, 249 p. : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis presents a brief overview of microstrip antenna analysis and describes the connections between spectral and spatial domain periodic Green's functions in integral equation methods. A hybrid formulation is applied to a variety of problems from simple metal strip dipoles to more complicated microstrip geometries. A further development to finite array analysis is described. An improvement in the accuracy of this approximative technique is explored. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 1997

Errata inserted inside back end-paper. / Bibliography: p. 243-249. / xvi, 249 p. : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis presents a brief overview of microstrip antenna analysis and describes the connections between spectral and spatial domain periodic Green's functions in integral equation methods. A hybrid formulation is applied to a variety of problems from simple metal strip dipoles to more complicated microstrip geometries. A further development to finite array analysis is described. An improvement in the accuracy of this approximative technique is explored. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 1997

Elastic Buckling Simplified Methods for Structural Members with Edge-Stiffened Holes: Presently, the current design methods available to engineers to predict the strength of cold-formed steel members with edge-stiffened holes remains largely unaddressed in the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (NAS). Research was conducted to explore and develop a further understanding of the effects of stiffened edge holes on the elastic buckling parameters for local, distortional, and global buckling. Elastic buckling parameter studies have been conducted on a suite of cold-formed members including recently developed DeltaSTUDs manufactured by Steelform Building Products, Inc. and a series of common Steel Stud Manufacturers Association (SSMA) members. Furthermore, a suite of simplified methods for determining elastic buckling parameters used to predict capacity with the Direct Strength Method (DSM) for members with edge stiffened holes were developed and validated. The elastic buckling studies are used to validate the simplified methods presented in this thesis. All simplified methods are further validated with thin shell finite element eigen-buckling parameter studies where the edge-stiffened holes are explicitly modeled. Purlin Distortional Buckling Strength Under Gravity Loading: Laterally braced cold-formed steel beams generally fail due to local and/or distortional buckling in combination with yielding. For many members, distortional buckling is the dominant buckling mode and is addressed in the current North American Specification for the Design of Cold-formed Steel Structural Members. The current main code equation, AISI C3.1.4-10 for calculating the available distortional buckling stress was derived experimentally based on a series of four-point bending tests at John Hopkins University. Where this provides a good basis for determining capacity, in most loading conditions purlins are subjected to a downward uniform loading that provides additional resistance to distortional buckling in the top flange beyond the resistance of the steel roofing panel. This research describes an experimental study to explore and quantify the difference in distortional buckling flexural capacity of metal building Z-purlins treated as isolated components and Z-purlins loaded with a constant pressure applied to metal roof panels. A series of three different types of tests have been developed to quantify the system effect provided by the metal roof panels as well as downward pressure on distortional buckling. Results are also extended to validate the Direct Strength Method when predicting flexural capacity of purlins in a roof system. / Master of Science

<p>Ova doktorska teza analizira problem re&scaron;avanja karakterističnih<br />jednačina, koje se koriste prilikom re&scaron;avanja jednačina svojstvenih<br />oblika, definisanih kroz harmonijski spojen metod konačnih<br />traka. U slučaju složenijih graničnih uslova pokazano<br />je da gre&scaron;ke određivanja korenova karakteristične jednačine rastu<br />gotovo eksponencijalno sa svakim narednim modom, usled<br />prirode s&acirc;mih karakterističnih jednačina. Tako dobijeni korenovi<br />karakteristične jednačine značajno i nepovoljno utiču na<br />tačnost re&scaron;avanja jednačina svojstvenih oblika, izračunavanja<br />određenih integrala, kao i celokupnih proračuna. Predstavljena<br />je hibridna metoda putem koje se na pouzdan nacin određuju<br />korenovi karakterističnih jednačina, re&scaron;avaju jednačine svojstvenih<br />oblika i izračunavaju određeni integrali. Razvijen je<br />prototip referentne Open Source implementacije hibridne metode,<br />uz podsistem za automatsku verifikaciju koji rigorozno<br />verifikuje karakteristike hibridne metode i njene referentne implementacije,<br />za sve navedene granične uslove i integrale.</p> / <p>This PhD thesis analyzes the problem of solving the characteristic<br />equations of the basic functions, as defined by the harmonic<br />coupled finite strip method. It&rsquo;s found that with each increasing<br />mode the characteristic equation root-finding error grows<br />exponentially for all but the most trivial edge boundary conditions,<br />due to the hyperbolic functions involved. These large rootfinding<br />errors will lead to severe accuracy issues when computing<br />basic functions and their integrals, especially for higher modes.<br />A hybrid method for accurately solving characteristic equations<br />and obtaining the required integrals is presented, along with its<br />reference Open Source implementation. An extensive test suite<br />has been developed to verify the hybrid method and its implementation<br />for all the presented boundary conditions and integrals.</p>

Apresenta-se neste trabalho um estudo teórico-experimental sobre a instabilidade de perfis formados a frio submetidos à flexão. A instabilidade distorcional se faz comum na presença de tensões de compressão atuando sobre perfis enrijecidos e fabricados com aços de elevada resistência mecânica. A parte teórica abrange os métodos de cálculo analíticos e numéricos para a análise de instabilidade distorcional de perfis de seção aberta formados a frio. Na parte experimental inclui-se o estudo de perfis formados a frio com seções do tipo U enrijecidos submetidos aos ensaios à flexão. Nestes ensaios variou-se a altura de alma e espessura de chapa procurando-se abranger maior número de condições geométricas para análise da estabilidade distorcional. Inclui-se também a análise de instabilidade numérica dos perfis do programa experimental através do método de resistência direta via método das faixas finitas. Com base nos resultados experimentais, numéricos e na análise teórica do problema, verificou-se o procedimento adotado pela NBR14762/2001 e efetuou-se comparação entre curvas de resistência propostas para o dimensionamento de perfis formados a frio à flexão. Foi verificado que o fenômeno de instabilidade distorcional pode ser o estado limite último crítico para o dimensionamento dos perfis formados a frio. / This work present a study theoretical-experimental about the distortional buckling of cold-formed steel members under bending. The distortional buckling is common for members with edge-stiffened sections and manufactured with steel of high strength. The theorical part present the analitic and numerical methods for stability analysis by distortional buckling. The experimental part included the study of cold-formed with sections channel altering flange width and thickness by proof in flexural members. Included too the numerical analysis by Direct Strength Method in Finite Strip Method on members with the same configurations of experimental investigation. Based on the experimental measurements, numerical analysis and in the theorical analysis of work, verified the procedures adopted in brazilian code NBR14762/2001 and compared with others distortional curve proposed for to design of cold-formed members under bending. Verified that the distortional buckling may control the design being the critical mode for the ultimate limit state.

To meet the economic, social and infrastructure needs of the community for safe and efficient transportation systems, long span bridges have been built throughout the world. Long span bridges are one of the most challenging kinds of structures in civil engineering. The cable-stayed bridges are of great interest mainly as an alternative and a more economic solution than the one of suspension bridges. In addition, the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are, nowadays, successfully used for constructing modern bridges, where the significant weight saving provides additional benefits. Because of the great flexibility, modern long-span cable-stayed bridges are usually very susceptible to dynamic loads especially to the earthquake and strong winds. Therefore, the earthquake-resistant and wind-resistant designs become one of key issues for successful construction of bridges. The objective of the present research is to develop a very efficient spline finite strip technique, for modelling and analysis of both conventional and hybrid FRP cable-stayed bridges. The study falls into the categories of bending, free vibration, seismic, and aerodynamic flutter analysis. The spline finite strip method (SFSM) is one of the most efficient numerical methods for structural analysis of bridges, reducing the time required for estimating the structural response without affecting the degree of accuracy. In the finite strip method, the degrees of freedom could be significantly reduced due to the semi-analytical nature of this method. However, the previous versions of SFSM are not able to model the entire bridge system. For that reason, the structural interactions between different structural components of the bridge could not be handled. In addition, the vibrations and displacements of the towers and cables could not be investigated. In the present formulation, all these obstacles have been eliminated. Moreover, the proposed finite strip technique is very efficient and accurate due to the drastic reduction in the formulation time, simplicity of data preparation, rapid rate convergence of the results, and the semi-analytical nature. Last but not least, and for the first time, a fully finite strip solution is extended to the area of wind engineering. Using the spline finite strip discretization, the aerodynamic stiffness and mass properties of the long-span cable-stayed bridge are derived. The aerodynamic properties along with the structural properties of long-span plates and bridges are formulated in the aerodynamic equation of motion and are used to analyze the flutter problem. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed advanced finite strip method is verified against the finite element and field measurement results. The results demonstrate that this methodology and the associated computer code can accurately predict the dynamic and aerodynamic responses of the conventional and FRP long-span cable-stayed bridge systems. The outcome of the present research will lead to a comprehensive structural analysis of bridges in the framework of the proposed discretization which is more efficient and straightforward than the finite element analysis.

Apresenta-se neste trabalho um estudo teórico-experimental sobre a instabilidade de perfis formados a frio submetidos à flexão. A instabilidade distorcional se faz comum na presença de tensões de compressão atuando sobre perfis enrijecidos e fabricados com aços de elevada resistência mecânica. A parte teórica abrange os métodos de cálculo analíticos e numéricos para a análise de instabilidade distorcional de perfis de seção aberta formados a frio. Na parte experimental inclui-se o estudo de perfis formados a frio com seções do tipo U enrijecidos submetidos aos ensaios à flexão. Nestes ensaios variou-se a altura de alma e espessura de chapa procurando-se abranger maior número de condições geométricas para análise da estabilidade distorcional. Inclui-se também a análise de instabilidade numérica dos perfis do programa experimental através do método de resistência direta via método das faixas finitas. Com base nos resultados experimentais, numéricos e na análise teórica do problema, verificou-se o procedimento adotado pela NBR14762/2001 e efetuou-se comparação entre curvas de resistência propostas para o dimensionamento de perfis formados a frio à flexão. Foi verificado que o fenômeno de instabilidade distorcional pode ser o estado limite último crítico para o dimensionamento dos perfis formados a frio. / This work present a study theoretical-experimental about the distortional buckling of cold-formed steel members under bending. The distortional buckling is common for members with edge-stiffened sections and manufactured with steel of high strength. The theorical part present the analitic and numerical methods for stability analysis by distortional buckling. The experimental part included the study of cold-formed with sections channel altering flange width and thickness by proof in flexural members. Included too the numerical analysis by Direct Strength Method in Finite Strip Method on members with the same configurations of experimental investigation. Based on the experimental measurements, numerical analysis and in the theorical analysis of work, verified the procedures adopted in brazilian code NBR14762/2001 and compared with others distortional curve proposed for to design of cold-formed members under bending. Verified that the distortional buckling may control the design being the critical mode for the ultimate limit state.