A non-contacting steel plate conveyance system based on the linear induction motor scheme, which can provide lift and propulsive forces simultaneously, is proposed. It has the features of high power density, direct drive, simple mechanical structure, and being able to reduce the operation noise. A magnetic equivalent circuit method and electromagnetic theory incorporating with 3-D finite element analysis are involved to investigate the static and quasi-dynamic properties and confirm the electrical and mechanical designs. To realize the dynamic behavior and develop the closed-loop control, a proper stationary reference frame transformation of the system voltage equations is also introduced. By considering the practical operational environment, a fuzzy-based control structure integrated with remote optical measurement system has been established and implemented by a DSP-based controller combined with required peripheral circuits. The experimental results show the applicability of such control strategies. With the systematic procedures for design, analysis, and control provided in this dissertation, implementation feasibility of the proposed system can be conveniently demonstrated.

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Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第15723号 / 工博第3337号 / 新制||工||1504(附属図書館) / 28268 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科建築学専攻 / (主査)教授 中島 正愛, 教授 吹田 啓一郎, 教授 金子 佳生 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

The mechanical behavior of timber beams with a slotted-in steel plate connection is studied by creating a numerical model that is able to simulate the global bending behavior, the global load carrying capacity and the nonlinear plastic fastener force distribution in the connection. Experimental results from Material Testing Institute (MPA), University of Stuttgart were used to verify the simulation results from this study. The modeling of both the timber beams and the mechanical connections is performed with shell, beam and nonlinear connector elements. Three models were created, where the first model was a single-dowel double shear joint model to study the ability to use structural elements in the modeling of the test beams. It was used to simulate some of the basic failure modes in Eurocode 5 (EC5). The second model was a beam model used to simulate the bending of a jointed timber beam with a slotted-in steel plate connection, where only two connector elements were used to model the joint behavior of each dowel group. It can be used to study the global deflection and the load carrying capacity of the jointed timber beams. The third model was a combined beam-shell model where the beam elements are used for the timber parts outside the connection area and the fasteners, while the shell elements are used for the slotted-in steel plate and the timber parts within the connection area. It uses two nonlinear connectors to connect each dowel to the wood and a pure coupling constraint to connect the dowels to the slotted-in steel plate. This model can simulate the same phenomena as model two and also the development of the elasto-plastic shear force distribution in all the dowels. All the models were created using parameterized Python scripts, which makes it possible to easily change different input parameters. Most of the modeling results show good agreement with both experimental results and with calculated load carrying capacity results for individual dowels according to EC5. The use of the structural elements (beam, shell, and connector elements) was found to result in much less computational time compared to the use of solid elements.

This thesis documents the fabrication, testing techniques, and response of a plastic scale model of an orthotropic bridge deck. To economically investigate a two-lane steel bridge deck, plastic AcrylicR was used as a modeling material. Welds were simulated with dichloromethane, a capillary action solvent, and PS-30, a polymerizable cement. Deflections were measured with laboratory dial guages while strains were monitored with strain guages mounted on the deck. The response of the deck to AASHO vehicle axle loads was compared with a discrete element computer program used to analyze orthotropic bridge decks continuous over flexible supports. Results indicate good correlation between measured and computed values for deflection and strains.

<p>  </p> <p>The design of blast-resistant structures is critical for defense related facilities and industries. An emerging option for these applications is Steel-plate composite (SC) systems. SC systems include a steel module and concrete infill. Steel modules can include but are not limited to steel faceplates, tie bars, tie plates, diaphragm plates, and steel headed stud anchors. SC technologies have been adopted as a structural system in the design of nuclear powerplant containment vessels and high-rise buildings. These applications have benefitted from the inherent ductility and modular construction that SC systems provide.</p> <p>When designing structures to resist blast and impact, the desired behavior is for the structure to demonstrate ductility. Previous research has explored the behavior of a variety of SC elements; however, limited research on the behavior of L-joint connections exists. For L-joint connections to demonstrate ductile behavior, it is suggested that the joint that connects SC components- SC beams, columns, or slabs- be stronger than the connected elements. L-joint connections with joints stronger than the connected SC elements are considered full strength connections. As such, the connected elements reach their maximum bending moments and demonstrate ductile behavior. This study proposes a design philosophy for achieving full-strength L-joint connections using a diagonal steel reinforcing plate in the joint. This study evaluated the behavior of L-joint connections with joint reinforcement through large-scale experimental testing and subsequent benchmarked finite element analyses. The inclusion of a diagonal plate contributes to the L-joint connections ability to resist joint failure and develop a greater moment capacity in the SC members. This finding was also validated through finite element analyses comparing the specimen behavior with and without the joint reinforcement. The specimen without joint reinforcement experienced joint shear failure in the concrete while the experimental specimens were able to demonstrate ductile behavior prior to failure. </p>

Yes / In order to improve the efficiency of the structural lateral resistance system, a new type of Grid tubular-Double Steel Plate (GDSP) concrete composite shear walls is proposed and investigated in this paper. Six test specimens, namely one reinforced concrete (RC) shear wall, three GDSP concrete composite shear walls, one concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) frame, one CFST frame and GDSP concrete composite shear wall combined system were physically tested to failure. The seismic performance of the six test specimens, including hysteresis behavior, ductility, energy dissipation, degradation of stiffness and strength, are recorded and compared. The results show that the GDSP concrete composite shear walls exhibited typical bending failure under low reversed cycle loading, achieving good seismic performance with full hysteresis curve, high bearing capacity, excellent ductility, slow degradation of stiffness and bearing capacity. Under the same axial compression ratio, the yield load of GDSP concrete composite shear wall was about 2.73 times, whilst the peak load was 3.23 times, respectively, of those of RC shear wall. On the other hand, the peak displacement of GDSP concrete composite shear wall was 5 times while ultimate displacement was 3.86 times, respectively, of those of RC shear wall. For GDSP concrete composite shear walls, with the increase of axial compression ratio, the peak load of the new types of concrete composite shear wall increases, but the ductility decreases, gradually. The CFST frame and GDSP concrete composite shear wall can work together co-ordinately. The hysteretic curve of the combined system is fuller, the ductility is improved, the degradation of stiffness and strength are slow when compared with GDSP concrete composite shear wall. Under reversed cyclic loading, the GDSP concrete composite shear wall exhibits low stiffness degradation characteristics and excellent fatigue resistance. / The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support to the work by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (BK20201436), the Open Foundation of Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Prefabricated Building and Intelligent Construction (2021), the Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Construction System (2018ZD047, 2021ZD06), the Science and Technology Project of Gansu Construction System (JK2021-19), the Science and Technology Cooperation Fund Project of Yangzhou City and Yangzhou University (YZU212105), the Science and Technology Innovation Fund of Yangzhou University (2020-65) and the Blue Project Youth Academic Leader of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (2020).

<p dir="ltr">SC walls have emerged as an advantageous alternative to reinforced concrete (RC) construction for blast resistant structures. SC walls typically consist of shop fabricated steel modules which can be erected on site and filled with concrete, without additional formwork setup or removal. The steel modules typically consist of steel faceplates, tie bars between faceplates, and optional shear studs. SC members offer advantages in strength, ductility, constructability, and construction schedule when compared with RC. The behavior of SC structures have been previously demonstrated and adopted into many building design codes, but there is a knowledge gap on the post-elastic behavior of SC members in two-way bending. The desire to use SC walls for blast resistant design motivates the need to study this behavior for SC walls and slabs. In this study, the behavior of SC panels in two-way bending was evaluated by using analytical, experimental, and numerical methods.</p><p dir="ltr">Structural mechanics was used to develop simple predictions for the static behavior of rectangular, two-way SC panels under a uniform pressure loading. These predictions include the inelastic cross-section flexural capacity, the member static resistance function, the load-mass transformation factor for SDOF analysis, out-of-plane shear demands, and rotation demands. A quick-running SDOF computer algorithm was created to conduct blast load analysis incorporating the nonlinear member behavior predicted by mechanics.</p><p dir="ltr">The two-way bending behavior of a SC panel was experimentally investigated. A SC panel was fabricated and experimentally loaded in two-way bending until flexural failure of the panel was reached. A series of concentrated loads applied to the panel was designed to simulate the yield line pattern of a panel under a uniform applied pressure. The experimental test demonstrated the deformed shape, inelastic capacity, and progression of yield lines throughout a SC panel in two-way bending. A 2D, layered composite shell finite element analysis was benchmarked to the experimental results. The finite element modeled the inelastic flexural behavior of the SC panel, closely matching the capacity, deformed shape, and development of yield lines throughout the panel.</p><p dir="ltr">The finite element modeling approach was used to validate the SDOF predictions of two-way SC panel behavior under static and blast pressure loadings through a parametric study. Detailed comparisons of the two modeling results were made. Iso-damage pressure-impulse diagrams for multiple SC panel geometries were developed.</p>

Despite being the world’s second most important low-carbon source of electricity, the development of nuclear capacities is limited and does not comply with the International Energy Agency’s Sustainable Development Scenario. One of the main reasons for this lack of development is high and increasing costs of new nuclear capacities. In fact, capital costs can account for more than 80% of the Levelized Cost of Energy of a new nuclear power plant. Design accounts for about 10% and construction accounts for about 20% of the total capital cost.The importance of design and construction in nuclear power plants’ costs is partly due to limitations of traditional construction methods regarding both technical possibilities and realization schedules. Modular construction methods are proposed to reduce new nuclear power plants’ construction costs, and in particular steel-plate composite structures modular construction. Steel-plate composite structures consist of a structural interaction between thin steel plates and precast concrete. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the capacity of modular construction, using steel-plate composite panels, to fulfil nuclear safety and functional requirements; as well as to identify potential related gains and opportunities. Advantages and constraints of steel-plate composite modules were identified in scientific literature and intergovernmental opportunity studies, and were related to the specificities of nuclear structures’ design and construction.Steel-plate composite structures modular construction is based on the manufacturing of steel concrete composite modules outside of the civil works site. The higher productivity of workshops and the possible task parallelization may lead to significant construction schedules shortening and capital costs reduction. In addition, steel-plate composite modules offer new technical possibilities which may help solving some constructability issues. However, steel-plate composite structures modular construction requires a reconsideration of the traditional design and construction methods, as they imply new challenges and constraints. In particular, the modularization issue should be addressed as soon as possible in the design, and the module manufacturing capacities should be quickly identified or created in order to deliver properly manufactured modules on-time.Considering the advantages and constraints of steel-plate composite structures modular construction, it appears that steel-plate composite modules may fit advantageously most of the nuclear design requirements. However, due to the lack of feedback, it is proposed that the usage of steel-plate composite modules be limited to critical concrete structures of the containment building. In particular, it appears that the containment dome and the reactor pit construction may benefit from steel-plate composite structures construction methods.