Recent applications in the use of light gauge steel members have been concerned with developing large scale systems built entirely from cold-formed steel members. An explicit analysis of such structures is complicated by the different phenomena that the structure may be prone to during loading. In particular, elastic buckling phenomena is an important consideration in the design of such structures since the load at which buckling occurs often provides a close upper bound to the carrying capacity of the structure. The first part of this two-part thesis (Part I, Chaptersl-8) has been devoted to general methods of analysis of the torsional-flexural buckling of thin-walled structures. A review of previous investigations and the available methods of solution is presented. A general finite element formulation of the torsional-flexural buckling of thin-walled structures has been derived. The resulting elastic geometric matrix can be used to analyse structures with monosymmetrical members. It also includes the effect of sectorial-monosymmetry for cross-sections without any axis of symmetry. A general transformation matrix has been developed to allow for the application of the finite element method to the three-dimensional elastic stability analysis of space and portal frames. The validity and accuracy of the new finite element formulation have been checked by analysing a number of different elastic lateral buckling problems for which exact or highly accurate solutions by other techniques are available. An experimental program was carried out on simply supported cold-formed steel z-beams. The first part of this program was undertaken to check the validity of the finite element calculations of the bimoments caused by nonuniform torsion. The second part was devoted to elastic lateral buckling of z-beams under combined bending and torsion. The second part of this thesis (Part II, Chapter 9) deals with the analysis of hipped roof structures with corrugated steel roof sheeting. A simple theoretical model has been suggested. The model has been used to perform an elastic linear analysis of the behaviour of two types of the hipped roof structures. The theoretical results are compared with previous experimental results for these two structures.

The objective of this research was to analyse and investigate the behaviour of a composite space frame. The space frame is assembled from individual inverted square-based pyramids. Each pyramid consists of a steelangle section top-tray and diagonals. When the top trays are connected together, they form the top-chord members of a double-angle section connected back to back. The investigation is primarily concerned with the composite section within the space frame system which comprises the top chord members, profiled steel sheeting and a concrete slab. This composite section is also assumed to work as a system of intersecting composite Tbeams. Each composite T-beam comprises of a top chord member, a certain width of profiled steel sheet and a concrete slab. The composite action is ensured by a series of self-tapping screws. The experimental work is based on two-unit space frame specimens. Each specimen represents two adjacent units with their top chord member which carries the highest compressive axial load in the real structure. Each unit is tested in a situation which simulates its position and loading within the real structure. In addition to the composite T-beams being tested, steel struts composed of the top chord member double-angles were tested. In the theoretical section, the real structure is analysed as composite beam elements and thin steel plate elements which all represent the top composite T-beams. The diagonals and the ties were considered as truss elements. A successful method of analysis was developed using matrix and finite element methods resulting in the force distribution and deformations for a full composite space frame. Additionally, the experimental work yielded useful information on the behaviour of composite struts of this type. Recommendations for future work are made. The investigation of the behaviour of the composite T-beams with different locations and numbers of shear connectors together with the analysis of the structure comprise the main part of this work.

ABSTRACT DETERMINATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYBRID FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE Yurtseven, Alp Eren M.Sc. Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tokyay Co-Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. . &Ouml / zg&uuml / r Yaman August 2004, 82 pages Fiber reinforcement is commonly used to provide toughness and ductility to brittle cementitious matrices. Reinforcement of concrete with a single type of fiber may improve the desired properties to a limited level. A composite is termed as hybrid, if two or more types of fibers are rationally combined to produce a composite that derives benefits from each of the individual fibers and exhibits a synergetic response. This study aims to characterize and quantify the mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete. For this purpose nine mixes, one plain control mix and eight fiber reinforced mixes were prepared. Six of the mixes were reinforced in a hybrid form. Four different types of fibers were used in combination, two of which were macro steel fibers, and the other two were micro fibers. Volume percentage of fiber inclusion was kept constant at 1.5%. In hybrid reinforced mixes volume percentage of macro fibers was 1.0% whereas the remaining fiber inclusion was v composed of micro fibers. Slump test was carried out for each mix in the fresh state. 28-day compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, flexural toughness, and impact resistance tests were performed in the hardened state. Various numerical analyses were carried out to quantify the determined mechanical properties and to describe the effects of fiber inclusion on these mechanical properties. Keywords: Fiber Reinforcement, Hybrid Composite, Toughness, Impact Resistance

Perlite is a volcanic glass which has high amount of silica and alumina. Those properties make it a candidate, if finely ground, for being used as a pozzolan. The studies on the pozzolanic properties of perlite are very limited, and none of them has dealt with the use of perlite in the blended cement production. The aim of this study is to investigate the pozzolanic properties of perlite, and if appropriate to investigate perlite&rsquo / s usability in blended cement production. For this purpose, perlites from two different sources &ndash / Izmir and Erzincan - are used as replacement of portland cement clinker with two different percentages: 20% and 30% by weight of total cement. Then for each different composition, materials are ground with some gypsum in order obtain grinding curves for the resultant cements. After obtaining the grinding curves, a total of 22 cements with two different finenesses are produced by intergrinding and separately grinding the materials for each composition. The obtained cements are used in paste and mortar production so that normal consistencies, setting times, autoclave expansions, and compressive strengths are determined.

Perlite is a glassy volcanic rock that contains approximately 70-75% silica and 12-18% alumina. There are very large perlite reserves in the world (~6700 million tons) and approximately two thirds of these is in Turkey. Due to its high amounts of silica and alumina, at the beginning of such a study, it seemed that it would be worth first to find out whether perlite possesses sufficient pozzolanic property when it is a finely divided form and then to investigate whether it could be used as a pozzolanic addition in producing blended cements. In this study, perlites from two different regions (izmir and Erzincan) were tested for their pozzolanic properties. After obtaining satisfactory results, grindability properties of the clinker, perlites and their different combinations were investigated. Several blended cements with different fineness values and different perlite amounts were produced by either intergrinding or separate grinding methods. The tests performed on the cement pastes and mortars containing the blended cements produced were as follows: Water requirement, normal consistency, setting time, soundness, compressive strength, rapid chloride permeability, resistance to sulfate attack and resistance to alkali-silica reactions. The results showed that Turkish perlites possess sufficient pozzolanic characteristics to be used in cement and concrete industry. Moreover, the properties tested in this study satisfied the requirements stated in the standards for blended cements. The durability of the mortars was found to be improved by 20% or more perlite incorporation.

As the world faces an energy crisis with depleting fossil fuel reserves, alternate energy sources are being researched ever more seriously. In addition to renewable energy sources, energy recycling and energy scavenging technologies are also gaining importance. Technologies are being developed to scavenge energy from ambient sources such as vibration, radio frequency and low grade waste heat, etc. Waste heat is the most common form of wasted energy and is the greatest potential source of energy scavenging. Pyroelectricity is the property of some materials to change the surface charge distribution with the change in temperature. These materials produce current as temperature varies in them and can be utilized to convert thermal energy to electrical energy. In this work a novel approach to vary temperature in pyroelectric material to convert energy has been investigated. Microelectromechanical Systems or MEMS is the new technology trend that takes advantage of unique physical properties at micro scale to create mechanical systems with electrical interface using available microelectronic fabrication techniques. MEMS can accomplish functionalities that are otherwise impossible or inefficient with macroscale technologies. The energy harvesting device modeled and developed for this work takes full benefit of MEMS technology to cycle temperature in an embedded pyroelectric material to convert thermal energy from low grade waste heat to electrical energy. Use of MEMS enables improved performance and efficiency and overcomes problems plaguing previous attempts at pyroelectric energy conversion. A Numerical model provides accurate prediction of MEMS performance and sets design criteria, while physics based analytical model simplifies design steps. A SPICE model of the MEMS device incorporates electrical conversion and enables electrical interfacing for current extraction and energy storage. Experimental results provide practical implementation steps towards of the modeled device. Under ideal condition the proposed device promises to generate energy density of 400 W/L.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Supervisor: P.S. Nicholson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-157).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-99). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Carleton University, 1996. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Carleton University, 2001. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.