published_or_final_version / Civil and Structural Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Civil and Structural Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1967 L46

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 L43 / Master of Science / Civil Engineering

This study presents a concept that provides a structural dynamicist the ability to analyze the effects of making sophisticated (beam-type) structural changes to a structural system whose modal database is known. The modification technique combines the Dual Modal Space Modification Method (DMSM) and the Transfer-Matrix Method to institute general beam modifications. The DMSM method is employed to implement the beamtype modification, while the transfer-matrix method is used to formulate the modification element. The use of transfer-matrix methods provides the ability to model virtually any beam modification a designer might consider in terms of the two points being connected without the loss of any dynamic information between the points. The result is a modification scheme which is both flexible and universal. Two numerical examples are considered. One example demonstrated the performance of the modification scheme in instituting a severe structural change. The second example demonstrated a change to a complex structure. In both cases, continuum beams were used as modification elements. The results of these two examples show that the modification scheme provides very promising results, providing an adequate modal database was used. Modal truncation was determined to be the primary source of error. / Ph. D.

A two-dimensional structural analysis design approach has been the universally accepted method for a small structural engineering design firm. The tools to perform the analysis have been paper and pencil, calculators and more recently personal computers with two-dimensional software. With the introduction of three-dimensional software, a major shift is occurring on how small structural engineering firms approach analysis and design. This thesis research reviews the analysis of an existing building utilizing the standard two-dimensional approach, including horizontal diaphragm-action within wood floors. This study also reviews the research performed on horizontal diaphragms and investigates the use of three-dimensional, finite element modeling (RISA-3D) for the analysis of horizontal diaphragms. It is shown that the three-dimensional model can provide results similar to the two-dimensional hand calculations. However, the thickness of the diaphragm elements has to be significantly modified for flexible diaphragm action. The experience described herein is useful for structural engineer interfacing within three-dimensional CAD systems. The thesis concludes with a discussion on the challenges facing small structural engineering firms, including computer based technologies, engineering expertise to develop contract documents and review shop drawings, and outsourcing of design services.

The concept of using aluminum as the primary construction material for high speed ships and the hydroelastic behavior of the structure is widely gaining importance as a significant research topic in naval architecture. Aluminum is lighter than steel and hence can be predominantly used in high speed crafts which experiences significant slamming. This thesis work is focused on wedge shaped models. Free fall wedge impact is studied and a FORTRAN 90 computer program is developed to estimate the structural response of the wedge experiencing slamming by the use of matrix methods, finite element techniques and Newmark-Beta numerical time integration methods. The numerical solution is validated by comparison with the static solution. The theoretical hydrodynamic pressures which are used as input for this work was originally developed by using a flat cylinder theory [26]. The wedge drop at 0.6096 m (24 inch) drop height with an impact veloc- ity of v=3.05 m/s is based as the premise and the experimental pressure distributions measured by the pressure-transducers and the theoretical pressure predictions are used as inputs and the structural response is derived. Additionally, the response is compared for three different plate thicknesses and the results are compared against each other. The maximum deflection is comparable to the deflection evaluated from the experiment and tends to attain convergence as well. As the plate thickness reduces there tends to be a significant rise in the deflection values for the wedge plate, in the manner that when the plate thickness is halved there is a deviation of more than 75% in the deflection values as such.

A modification of the matrix iteration using the power method, in conjunction with Hotelling deflation, for the solution of the problem K.x = ω².M.x is here proposed. The problem can be written in the form D.x =λ.x, and the modification consists of raising the matrix D to an appropriate power p before carrying out the iteration process. The selection of a satisfactory value of p is investigated, based on the spacing between the eigenvalues. The effect of p on the accuracy of the results is also discussed. / M.S.

The intent of this study is to develop an algorithm for structural design based on allowable displacements for structural members, independent of stresses caused by the configurations imposed. Structural design can be based on displacement constraints applied in the same basic format as stress constraints so that convergence is based on allowable displacements rather than on stresses. / Master of Science