nÃo hà / As grandes questÃes do mundo globalizado tÃm passado, necessariamente, pelos temas ligados à sustentabilidade, energia limpa, exploraÃÃo do meio ambiente de forma ecologicamente correta e inovaÃÃo tecnolÃgica para manter o planeta saudÃvel. Nesse contexto, a energia eÃlica vem se destacando, principalmente na regiÃo Nordeste do Brasil, pelo grande potencial dos ventos e as caracterÃsticas de renovabilidade e complementaridade com a energia das hidrelÃtricas. As torres, que representam parcela significativa do custo do sistema, tendem a crescer buscando ventos com maiores velocidade e permitindo a utilizaÃÃo de turbinas eÃlicas de maior capacidade de geraÃÃo, acentuando-se a sua importÃncia como elemento estrutural do sistema. O objetivo geral deste trabalho à formular um modelo de otimizaÃÃo de torres tubulares de aÃo, composta de segmentos em tronco de cone. Busca-se a soluÃÃo de peso mÃnimo, tendo como variÃveis de projeto os diÃmetros externos e as espessuras de chapa caracterÃsticas de cada segmento. RestriÃÃes relativas à resistÃncia, à estabilidade e rigidez sÃo impostas com base em normas brasileiras. RestriÃÃes relativas à frequÃncia natural, a limitaÃÃes de transporte e geomÃtricas sÃo tambÃm requeridas. O conjunto nacele/rotor à modelado como uma massa rÃgida fixada no topo da torre, sem rotaÃÃo, e o carregamento atuante na estrutura inclui os pesos da torre e do conjunto rotor/nacele, o efeito estÃtico da aÃÃo do vento sobre a torre e as pÃs do rotor. A concepÃÃo de anÃlise adota modelo de viga engastada na base e livre no topo e emprega uma formulaÃÃo nÃo linear geomÃtrica pelo MÃtodo de Elementos finitos usando um programa em C++. O modelo de otimizaÃÃo foi implementado no MATLAB e, devido à natureza discreta das variÃveis de projeto e Ãs descontinuidades de funÃÃes de restriÃÃo e de suas derivadas, utilizam-se algoritmos genÃticos na soluÃÃo. Buscas na vizinhanÃa das soluÃÃes discretas sÃo realizadas usando um algoritmo baseado em informaÃÃo de gradiente (fmincon do MATLAB). AplicaÃÃes para vÃrias alturas de torre sÃo feitas, incluindo comparaÃÃes com uma torre cilÃndrica para validaÃÃo do modelo. Os resultados sÃo analisados frente aos de outros modelos da literatura. Os conceitos de projeto de torre rÃgida e flexÃvel sÃo discutidos relaxando-se as restriÃÃes de rigidez e de frequÃncia. SoluÃÃes obtidas sÃo analisadas usando elementos de casca do programa de anÃlise ABAQUS para verificaÃÃo de tensÃes e deslocamentos / The main subjects of the globalized world have passed necessarily by issues related to sustainability, clean energy, environment exploration in an ecologically correct way, and technology innovation to maintain a healthy planet. In this context, the wind has been highlighting, especially in the Northeast of Brazil, because of the large wind potential and the characteristics of renewability and complementarily with hydropower energy. The towers represent significant portion of the cost of the system, tends to grow seeking greatest wind speeds and allowing the use of wind turbines with bigger production capacity, emphasizing its importance as a structural element of the system. The main objective of this work is to formulate an optimization model of tubular steel towers, composed of segments in truncated cone. The aim is a minimum weight solution, having outer diameters and plate thicknesses characteristics of each segment as design variables. Constraints related to strength, stability and stiffness are imposed based on Brazilian codes. Constraints related to natural frequency, the limitations of transport and geometry are also required. The nacelle/rotor conjunct is modeled as a rigid mass attached to the top of the tower, without rotation, and the loading acting on the structure includes the weights of the tower and the nacelle/rotor conjunct, the static wind effect on the tower and on rotor blades. The analysis model adopts cantilever beam and employs a formulation for geometric nonlinear finite element method using a C++ program. The optimization model was implemented in MATLAB and due to the discrete nature of the design variables and the discontinuities of the constraint functions and their gradients we use genetic algorithms in the solution. Searches in the neighborhood of the discrete solutions are performed using a gradient based algorithm (fmincon in MATLAB). Applications to several tower heights are made, including comparisons with a cylindrical tower to validate the model. The results are analyzed against others models in the literature. The concepts of rigid and flexible tower project are discussed relaxing their stiffness and frequency constraints. Solutions obtained are analyzed using shell elements of ABAQUS analysis program to check tensions and displacements

The strength of thin-walled cylindrical shell structures is highly dependent on the nature and magnitude of imperfections. Most importantly, circumferential imperfections have been reported to have an especially detrimental effect on the buckling resistance of these shells under axial load. Due to the manufacturing techniques commonly used during the erection of steel silos and tanks, specific types of imperfections are introduced into these structures, among them circumferential weld-induced imperfections between strakes of steel plates. The main objective of this thesis was to investigate the exact nature of these circumferential welds and their influence on the buckling resistance of silos and tanks under axial load. The results of a survey of imperfections in existing silos at a location in Port Kembla / Australia (Ding 1992) were used to develop and calibrate a shape function which accurately describes the geometric features of circumferential weld imperfections. It was found that after filtering out the effects of overall imperfections, three parameters governed the shape of the surveyed imperfections: the depth; the wave length; and the roundness. A study on several factors influencing the buckling of silos and tanks was carried out using the finite element method. The interaction between neighbouring circumferential weld imperfections was investigated and it was found that the influence on the buckling behaviour depended on the strake height in relation to the linear meridional bending half wave length and the depth of the imperfection. The strengthening effect of weld-induced residual stress fields for a range of different geometries was also studied, and diagrams were derived giving the influence of the newly developed shape function on the buckling behaviour. A post-buckling analysis was undertaken and a model for the post-buckling behaviour of cylindrical thin-walled shells with circumferential weld imperfections was developed. The methods used for the analysis of thin-walled cylinders were applied in a study on the buckling behaviour of welded box-sections. It was found that weld-induced residual stress fields governed the buckling behaviour of these columns / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Master of Engineering (Research) / This report investigates the down-aisle buckling load capacity of steel storage rack uprights. The effects of discrete torsional restraints provided by the frame bracing in the cross-aisle direction is considered in this report. Since current theoretical methods used to predict the buckling capacity of rack uprights appear to be over-conservative and complex, this research may provide engineers an alternative method of design using detailed finite element analysis. In this study, the results from experimental testing of upright frames with K-bracing are compared to finite element predictions of displacements and maximum axial loads. The finite element analysis is then used to determine the buckling loads on braced and un-braced uprights of various lengths. The upright capacities can then be compared with standard design methods which generally do not accurately take into account the torsional resistance that the cross-aisle frame bracing provides to the upright. The information contained in this report would be beneficial to engineers or manufacturers who are involved in the design of rack uprights or other discretely braced complex light gauge steel members subject to axial loads.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 168-170.

No description available.

Steel moment frames are often used in structures to provide lateral strength and stiffness to the structure. These frames are subject to failure modes including buckling in the out of plane direction in a lateral-torsional buckling mode. This failure mode is influenced by interactions of the members through their connections. While the flexural behaviour has been studied in depth and for some time, the effect of torsional warping interaction between members has not been studied extensively. This work presents an analysis of the effect of including the effects of warping interaction or neglecting them, as is done in the current design practice. The issues of inelastic behaviour are considered, as well as the case of torsionally sensitive members. A joint element model is created to treat the warping displacements and their continuity through the joint. The study finds that the current practice of neglecting the warping displacement continuity appears to be a conservative assumption. It is recommended that the present practice of neglecting the effects of warping in analysis of frames continues. / Structural Engineering

Master of Engineering (Research) / This report investigates the down-aisle buckling load capacity of steel storage rack uprights. The effects of discrete torsional restraints provided by the frame bracing in the cross-aisle direction is considered in this report. Since current theoretical methods used to predict the buckling capacity of rack uprights appear to be over-conservative and complex, this research may provide engineers an alternative method of design using detailed finite element analysis. In this study, the results from experimental testing of upright frames with K-bracing are compared to finite element predictions of displacements and maximum axial loads. The finite element analysis is then used to determine the buckling loads on braced and un-braced uprights of various lengths. The upright capacities can then be compared with standard design methods which generally do not accurately take into account the torsional resistance that the cross-aisle frame bracing provides to the upright. The information contained in this report would be beneficial to engineers or manufacturers who are involved in the design of rack uprights or other discretely braced complex light gauge steel members subject to axial loads.

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-241).

Thesis (M. App. Sc.)--Carleton University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-99). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.App.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-143). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.