Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-161).

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A nonlinear finite element model was developed to study the behaviour of unstiffened steel plate shear walls. The model was validated using the results from quasi-static and dynamic experimental programs. With the validated finite element model, the performance of 4-storey and 8-storey Type D (ductile) and Type LD (limited-ductility) steel plate shear walls with moment-resisting beam-to-column connections was studied under spectrum-compatible seismic records. A design procedure that aims to achieve optimal seismic behaviour for steel plate shear walls was proposed. The proposed method uses the concepts of indirect capacity design principles of CAN/CSA-S16-01 to identify the infill plates that are likely to yield in the design earthquake. The proposed method was used for the design of two 4-storey and one 8-storey shear walls. Design axial forces and moments in the boundary columns for the shear walls were shown to be in good agreement with nonlinear seismic analysis results. Results also showed that some of the other capacity design methods available generally underestimate the maximum design forces in the columns, while others can be overly conservative. The effect of loading rate on the dynamic behaviour of steel plate shear walls was also investigated, as was the P-Delta effect in terms of its influence on seismic demand in shear and flexure. A shear strength model of the infill plate with circular openings at any location was developed based on a strip model where all the strips with perforations were partially discounted. A design method for steel plate shear walls with perforations was introduced. The method was applied for the design of boundary columns of a 4-storey steel plate shear wall with perforations. The predicted design forces in the columns for the 4-storey perforated shear wall agreed well with the forces obtained from nonlinear seismic analysis. Finally, an improved simple formula for estimating the fundamental period of steel plate shear walls was developed by regression analysis of the period data obtained from frequency analysis of series of steel plate shear walls. In addition, the effectiveness of a shearflexure cantilever formulation for determining fundamental periods and P-Delta effects of steel plate shear walls was studied. / Structural Engineering

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (p. 391-394). Also available via the World Wide Web.

The objective of this thesis is to report the concept of driving a non-contacting steel plate conveyance system with a DSP-based closed-loop control structure. The lift force of the system is first estimated from the magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) analysis, and the estimation results have been verified through three-dimensional finite element analysis (3-D FEA). Based on the force calculations and the fuzzy control theory, a closed-loop control structure has been designed. Through accurate signal detections, a real-time lift force control of the conveyance system can be realized. Finally, by feeding AC sources with DC bias to the stator windings of the motor, the lift and propulsive forces can be supplied to the steel plate simultaneously.

Based on the design concepts of linear induction motors, a non-contacting steel plate conveyance system for steel mill application has been constructed. To reduce the noise and friction from conventional roller conveyance system, the designed system is aimed to simultaneously provide adequate lift, propulsive, and guide forces to the steel plate. At first, the preliminary understandings of the characteristics of lift force have been gained through the simple magnetic circuit analyses, and together with other mechanical concepts develop the laboratory prototype. Then, through three-dimensional finite element analyses and state model developments, the system¡¦s static and quasi-dynamic/dynamic operational characteristics are investigated. Finally, the validity of this system has been verified by experimental measurement. Thus, the analyses and results of the experiment clearly show that the designed non-contacting steel plate conveyance system is certainly feasible.