A new type of steel plate shear wall has been devised which resists out-of-plane buckling without requiring stiffeners. The ring-shaped steel plate shear wall (RS-SPSW) includes a web plate that is cut with a pattern of holes leaving ring-shaped portions of steel connected by diagonal links. The ring shape resists out-of-plane buckling through the mechanics of how a circular ring deforms into an ellipse. It has been shown that the ring's compression diagonal will shorten a similar amount as the tension diagonal elongates, essentially eliminating the slack in the direction perpendicular to the tension field. Because of the unique features of the ring's mode of distortion, the load-deformation response of the resulting RS-SPSW system can exhibit full hysteretic behavior and possess greatly improved stiffness relative to thin unstiffened SPSW. The concept has been validated through testing on seven 34 in x 34 in panels. General conclusions about influence of different geometric parameters on plate behavior have been made. / Master of Science

Shear-acting structural fuses are steel plates with cutouts subjected to in-plane lateral displacements during extreme loading events such as earthquakes, that dissipate energy through localized shear or flexural yielding mechanisms. Although previous studies have reported that fuses with specific geometry can develop a stable hysteretic behavior, their small thickness makes them prone to buckling, reducing strength and energy dissipation capacity. In this work, topology optimization using genetic algorithms is performed to find optimized shapes for structural fuses with a square domain and constant thickness. The objective function uses the fuse's shear buckling load VB obtained from a 3D linear buckling analysis, and shear yield load VY obtained from a material nonlinear, but geometrically linear 2D plane-stress analysis. The two analyses are shown to be computationally efficient and viable for use in the optimization routine. The variations VY/VB=0.1,0.2,0.3 are investigated considering a target volume equal to 30%, 40% and 50% the fuse's original volume. A new set of optimized topologies are obtained, interpreted into smooth shapes, and evaluated using finite elements analyses with models subjected to monotonic and cyclic displacements histories. It was found that the drift angle when out-of-plane buckling occurs can be controlled using the VY/VB ratio, with optimized topologies buckling at drift angles (when subjected to a cyclic displacement protocol) as large as 9% as compared to 6% for previously studied fuses. / Master of Science / Shear-acting structural fuses are steel plates with cutouts that dissipate energy during extreme loading events such as earthquakes. These structural fuses have a fixed edge and an opposing edge subjected to in-plane lateral displacements. Although previous studies have reported that fuses with specific geometry have a good cyclic performance, their small thickness makes them prone to bend or buckle, reducing strength and energy dissipation capacity. Considering a structural fuse with a square domain and constant thickness, a mathematical method called topology optimization is implemented to optimize the distribution of material with the goal of controlling the amount of yielding in the structural fuse before it buckles. The optimization routine uses the fuse’s shear buckling capacity (VB) and shear yield strength (VY ) obtained from relative simple and computationally inexpensive procedures that are also valid to characterize the potential for buckling in a structural fuse. The variations VY /VB = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 are investigated considering a target volume equal to 30%, 40% and 50% the fuse’s original volume. A set of optimized topologies are interpreted into smooth shapes and evaluated using finite elements analyses. It was found that the drift angle when out-of-plane buckling occurs can be controlled by using the VY /VB ratio, with optimized topologies buckling at drift angles (when subjected to a cyclic displacement protocol) as large as 9% as compared to 6% for previously studied fuses.

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are an attractive option for lateral load resisting systems for both new and retrofit construction. They, however, present various challenges that can result in very thin web plates and excessively large boundary elements with moment connections, neither of which is economically desirable. Moreover, SPSW also suffers from buckling at small loads which results in highly pinched hysteretic behavior, low stiffness, and limited energy dissipation. To mitigate these shortcomings, a new type of SPSW has been developed and investigated. The buckling resistant steel plate shear wall (BR-SPSW) utilizes a unique pattern of cut-outs to reduce buckling. Also, it allows the use of simple shear beam-column connections and lends tunability to the shear wall system. A brief discussion of the concept behind the BR-SPSW is presented. A detailed parametric study is presented that investigates the sensitivity of the local and global system behavior to the geometric design variables using finite element models as the main tool. The key output parameters which define the system response are discussed in detail. Analytical solutions for some output parameters like strength and stiffness have been derived and resulting equations are proposed. Finally, preliminary suggestions have been made about how this system can be implemented in practice to improve the seismic resistance of the buildings. The proposed BR-SPSW system was found to exhibit relatively fuller hysteretic behavior with high resistance during the load reversals, without the use of moment connections. / Master of Science

No description available.

Trial and error and the use of highly time-consuming methods are often necessary for modeling, simulating and characterizing nonlinear dynamical systems. However, for the rather common special case when a nonlinear system has linear relations between many of its degrees of freedom there are particularly interesting opportunities for more efficient approaches. The aim of this thesis is to develop and validate new efficient methods for the theoretical and experimental study of mechanical systems that include significant zero-memory or hysteretic nonlinearities related to only small parts of the whole system. The basic idea is to take advantage of the fact that most of the system is linear and to use much of the linear theories behind forced response simulations. This is made possible by modeling the nonlinearities as external forces acting on the underlying linear system. The result is very fast simulation routines where the model is based on the residues and poles of the underlying linear system. These residues and poles can be obtained analytically, from finite element models or from experimental measurements, making these forced response routines very versatile. Using this approach, a complete nonlinear model contains both linear and nonlinear parts. Thus, it is also important to have robust and accurate methods for estimating both the linear and nonlinear system parameters from experimental data. The results of this work include robust and user-friendly routines based on sinusoidal and random noise excitation signals for characterization and description of nonlinearities from experimental measurements. These routines are used to create models of the studied systems. When combined with efficient simulation routines, complete tools are created which are both versatile and computationally inexpensive. The developed methods have been tested both by simulations and with experimental test rigs with promising results. This indicates that they are useful in practice and can provide a basis for future research and development of methods capable of handling more complex nonlinear systems.

Este trabalho discute o efeito do tamanho de grão e sobre o campo coercivo e perdas magnéticas em aços elétricos. Também foi avaliado o efeito da indução máxima sobre o campo coercivo. Partindo-se de chapas de aço elétrico 0,7%Si, extraídas de uma mesma bobina foram obtidos conjuntos de amostras com diferentes tamanhos de grão, na faixa entre 10 a 150m. Os diferentes tamanhos de grão foram medidos por dois métodos distintos: aumento do tamanho de grão por recristalização e aumento do tamanho de grão por crescimento. Sete conjuntos foram laminados, cada conjunto com um determinado grau de laminação, e posteriormente os conjuntos foram recozidos para sofrerem aumento do tamanho de grão por recristalização. Outros três conjuntos foram somente recozidos em tempos e temperaturas distintos e o aumento do tamanho de grão se deu por crescimento. Um conjunto passou por tratamento térmico para alívio das tensões introduzidas no corte. Os tamanhos de grão foram medidos por um método de análise semiautomático envolvendo a medição das áreas dos grãos individualmente e também pelo método dos interceptos. A caracterização magnética foi executada em regime quase estático para as induções máximas de 0,6; 0,8; 1,0; 1,2; 1,4 e 1,5T e a 60Hz para 1,0 e 1,5T. Os resultados mostram uma relação de linearidade entre o campo coercivo e o inverso do tamanho de grão. As perdas histeréticas apresentam crescimento determinado por uma lei de potência com relação à indução máxima. / This work discusses about grain size effect on the coercive field and magnetic losses in electrical steel. Also, it was evaluated the maximum induction effect on the coercive field and hysteresis loss. Starting from 0,7%Si electrical steel sheet sets of samples with different grain sizes in the range between 10 to 150m were obtained. The different grain sizes were obtained by two different methods: grain size increase by recrystallization and grain size increase by grain growth. Seven sets were cold rolled, each set with a cold work degree. Three other sets were only annealed at different times and temperatures and the increase in grain size was characterized by growth. A set underwent heat treatment to relieve the stress brought into cut. The grain sizes were measured by a method of analysis involving semiautomatic measurement of areas of individual grains and also by the method of intercepts. The magnetic characterization was performed under quasi-static regime for the maximum inductions of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.5 T and 60 Hz for 1.0 and 1.5 T. The results show a linear relation between the coercive field and the inverse grain size. Hysteresis losses presented a growth determined by a power law with respect to the maximal induction.

O trabalho trata da formulação e implementação numérica de um modelo de dano para o concreto. O objetivo é o de reproduzir laços de histerese observados experimentalmente em diagramas de tensão-deformação uniaxiais quando, a partir de um certo nível de solicitação, e dano correspondente, passam-se a realizar ciclos de descarregamento e recarregamento. O modelo propõe que os laços de histerese resultam da dissipação conjunta decorrente do dano evolutivo e do fenômeno de fricção interna nas faces das fissuras. O fenômeno de fricção interna está relacionado à suposição de que as fissuras não se abrem simplesmente por separação formando faces com superfícies lisas, mas tendem a combinar modos de separação e deslizamento segundo superfícies com uma certa rugosidade. O deslizamento entre as faces das fissuras dá origem a uma deformação por escorregamento, assumida como responsável por um comportamento plástico com encruamento cinemático não-linear. A abordagem termodinâmica considerada no sentido de contemplar a danificação e a fricção interna leva à dedução de que a tensão total num ponto do meio com dano resulta dividida em uma parcela dita tensão elasto-danificada e em uma outra denominada tensão de escorregamento, também dependente do nível de danificação da estrutura. Dois tipos básicos de aplicações são realizadas: as primeiras visam avaliar a influência das variáveis de estado e dos parâmetros do material na forma dos diagramas de tensão-deformação. As outras aplicações são dedicadas à utilização do modelo na análise do comportamento dinâmico de uma viga em concreto armado submetida à vibração forçada. Destaca-se o efeito dos laços de histerese sobre o amortecimento estrutural. Mostra-se que a utilização deste modelo de dano leva à geração de um amortecimento estrutural que com os modelos de dano usuais somente poderia ser obtido a partir da utilização do modelo de amortecimento de Rayleigh, por exemplo, na equação do movimento. / This work deals with numerical formulation and implementation of a damage model to concrete. The aim is to reproduce hysteresis loops observed experimentally in uniaxial stress-strain diagram when cycles of unloading and reloading are produced. The model proposes that the hysteresis loops are due to the coupling between the dissipation of damage process and the internal friction phenomenon between the faces of crack lips. The phenomenon of internal friction is related to the supposition that the crack doesn\'t open itself by separation mode creating plane lips, but there is a tendency to combine opening and sliding modes across irregular surfaces. The sliding between the crack surfaces generates a sliding strain, which is assumed as responsible by a plastic behaviour with non-linear kinematics hardening. The thermodynamic approach considering damage and internal friction leads to the deduction that the total stress at a point is composted by one component named elasto-damage stress and another named sliding stress, both dependent of the structure damage level. Two basic kinds of simulation are performed: the first one aims to evaluate the influence of the state variables and the material parameters over the stress-strain diagrams. The following simulations are dedicated to the use of the model in dynamic analysis of a reinforced concrete beam subjected to vibration. It is emphasized the effect of the structural damping from hysteresis loops. It is showed that the present damage model generates structural damping that could only be obtained with conventional damage model by using the Rayleigh damping approach in the equation of motion.

With the rise in constructing using FRP reinforcement, owing to corrosion problems in steel-reinforced structures, there is a need for a system to resist lateral loads induced from wind and earthquake loads. The present study addressed the applicability of reinforced-concrete shear walls totally reinforced with glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars to attain reasonable strength and drift requirements as specified in different codes. Four large-scale shear walls - one reinforced with steel bars (as reference specimen) and three totally reinforced with GFRP bars - were constructed and tested to failure under quasi-static reversed cyclic lateral loading. The GFRP-reinforced walls had different aspect ratios covering the range of medium-rise walls. The reported test results clearly showed that properly designed and detailed GFRPreinforced walls could reach their flexural capacities with no strength degradation, and that shear, sliding shear, and anchorage failures were not major problems and could be effectively controlled. The results also showed recoverable and self-centering behavior up to allowable drift limits before moderate damage occurred and achieved a maximum drift meeting the limitation of most building codes. Acceptable levels of energy dissipation accompanied by relatively small residual forces, compared to the steel-reinforced shear wall, were observed. Finite element simulation was conducted and the analyses captured the main features of behavior. Interaction of flexural and shear deformations of the tested shear walls was investigated. It was found that relying on the diagonal transducers tended to overestimate shear distortions by 30% to 50%. Correcting the results based on the use of vertical transducers was assessed and found to produce consistent results. Decoupling the flexural and shear deformations was discussed. Using GFRP bars as elastic material gave uniform distribution of shear strains along the shear region, resulting in shear deformation ranging from 15 to 20% of total deformation. The yielding of the steel bars intensified the shear strains at the yielding location, causing significant degradation in shear deformation ranging from 2 to 40% of total deformation. The results obtained demonstrated significantly high utilization levels of such shear wall type, therefore, primary guidelines for seismic design of GFRP-reinforced shear wall in moderate earthquakes regions was presented, as no design guidelines for lateral load resistance for GFRP-reinforced walls are available in codes. The ultimate limit state was addressed by providing strength capacity that limit ductility demand to their safe flexural displacement capacity. The strength demands were derived from ground motion spectra using modification factors that depend on both the strength and energy absorption of the structure. Deformation capacity was derived by proposing new definitions for elastic (virtual yield) displacement and maximum allowable displacement. Strength modification factor was proposed based on the test results. The occurrence of "virtual plastic hinge" for GFRP-reinforced shear walls was described providing new definitions convenient with the behavior of the GFRP-reinforced shear walls. "Virtual plastic hinge" length was estimated based on observations and calculations. Subsequently, the experimental results were used to justify the proposed design procedure. The promising results could provide impetus for constructing shear walls reinforced with GFRP bars and constitute a step toward using GFRP reinforcement in such lateral-resisting systems.

With the growing trend of wireless electronics, frequency spectrum is crowded with different applications. High data transfer rate solutions that operate in license-exempt frequency spectrum range are sought. The most promising candidate is the 60 GHz multi-giga bit transfer rate millimeter wave circuit. In order to provide a cost-effective solution, circuits designed in CMOS are implemented in a single SOC. In this work, a modeling technique created in Cadence shows an error of less than 3dB in magnitude and 5 degree in phase for a single transistor. Additionally, less than 3dB error of power performance for the PA is also verified. At the same time, layout strategies required for millimeter wave front-end circuits are investigated. All of these combined techniques help the design converge to one simulation platform for system level simulation. Another aspect enabling the design as a single SOC lies in integration. In order to integrate digital and analog circuits together, necessary peripheral circuits must be designed. An on-chip voltage regulator, which steps down the analog power supply voltage and is compatible with digital circuits, has been designed and has demonstrated an efficiency of 65 percent with the specific area constraint. The overall output voltage ripple generated is about 2 percent. With the necessary power supply voltage, gate voltage bias circuit designs have been illustrated. They provide feasible solutions in terms of area and power consumption. Temperature and power supply sensitivities are minimized in first two designs. Process variation is further compensated in the third design. The third design demonstrates a powerful solution that each aspect of variations is well within 10%. As the DC conditions are achieved on-chip for both the digital and analog circuits, digital and analog circuits must be connected together with a DAC. A high speed DAC is designed with special layout techniques. It is verified that the DAC can operate at a speed higher than 3 Gbps from the pulse-shaping FIR filter measurement result. With all of these integrated elements and modeling techniques, a high data transfer rate CMOS RF SOC operating at 60 GHz is possible.

O trabalho trata da formulação e implementação numérica de um modelo de dano para o concreto. O objetivo é o de reproduzir laços de histerese observados experimentalmente em diagramas de tensão-deformação uniaxiais quando, a partir de um certo nível de solicitação, e dano correspondente, passam-se a realizar ciclos de descarregamento e recarregamento. O modelo propõe que os laços de histerese resultam da dissipação conjunta decorrente do dano evolutivo e do fenômeno de fricção interna nas faces das fissuras. O fenômeno de fricção interna está relacionado à suposição de que as fissuras não se abrem simplesmente por separação formando faces com superfícies lisas, mas tendem a combinar modos de separação e deslizamento segundo superfícies com uma certa rugosidade. O deslizamento entre as faces das fissuras dá origem a uma deformação por escorregamento, assumida como responsável por um comportamento plástico com encruamento cinemático não-linear. A abordagem termodinâmica considerada no sentido de contemplar a danificação e a fricção interna leva à dedução de que a tensão total num ponto do meio com dano resulta dividida em uma parcela dita tensão elasto-danificada e em uma outra denominada tensão de escorregamento, também dependente do nível de danificação da estrutura. Dois tipos básicos de aplicações são realizadas: as primeiras visam avaliar a influência das variáveis de estado e dos parâmetros do material na forma dos diagramas de tensão-deformação. As outras aplicações são dedicadas à utilização do modelo na análise do comportamento dinâmico de uma viga em concreto armado submetida à vibração forçada. Destaca-se o efeito dos laços de histerese sobre o amortecimento estrutural. Mostra-se que a utilização deste modelo de dano leva à geração de um amortecimento estrutural que com os modelos de dano usuais somente poderia ser obtido a partir da utilização do modelo de amortecimento de Rayleigh, por exemplo, na equação do movimento. / This work deals with numerical formulation and implementation of a damage model to concrete. The aim is to reproduce hysteresis loops observed experimentally in uniaxial stress-strain diagram when cycles of unloading and reloading are produced. The model proposes that the hysteresis loops are due to the coupling between the dissipation of damage process and the internal friction phenomenon between the faces of crack lips. The phenomenon of internal friction is related to the supposition that the crack doesn\'t open itself by separation mode creating plane lips, but there is a tendency to combine opening and sliding modes across irregular surfaces. The sliding between the crack surfaces generates a sliding strain, which is assumed as responsible by a plastic behaviour with non-linear kinematics hardening. The thermodynamic approach considering damage and internal friction leads to the deduction that the total stress at a point is composted by one component named elasto-damage stress and another named sliding stress, both dependent of the structure damage level. Two basic kinds of simulation are performed: the first one aims to evaluate the influence of the state variables and the material parameters over the stress-strain diagrams. The following simulations are dedicated to the use of the model in dynamic analysis of a reinforced concrete beam subjected to vibration. It is emphasized the effect of the structural damping from hysteresis loops. It is showed that the present damage model generates structural damping that could only be obtained with conventional damage model by using the Rayleigh damping approach in the equation of motion.