Unitized aircraft structures have the potential to be more efficient than current aircraft structures. The Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF3) process can be used to manufacture unitized aircraft structures. The structural efficiency of blade stiffened panels made with EBF3 was compared to panels made by integrally machining from thick plate. The panels were tested under two load cases in a combined compression-shear load test fixture. One load case tested the panels' responses to a higher compressive load than the shear load. The second load case tested the panels' responses to an equal compressive and shear load. Finite element analysis was performed to compare with the experimental results. The EBF3 panels failed at a 18.5% lower buckling load than the machined panels when loaded mostly in compression but at an almost two times higher buckling load than the machined panels when the shear matched the compressive load. The finite element analysis was in good agreement with the experimental results prior to buckling. The results demonstrate that the EBF3 process has the capabilities of manufacturing stiffened panels that behave similarly to machined panels prior to buckling. Once the EBF3 panels buckled, the buckled shape of the EBF3 panels was different from the machined panels, generally buckling in the opposite direction of what was observed with the machined panels. This was also expected based on the finite element analysis. The different post-buckling response between the two manufacturing techniques was attributed to the residual stress and associated distortion induced during the EBF3 manufacturing process. / Master of Science

A deterministic approach based on a modal expansion and modal receptance method has been developed to evaluate the airborne sound insulation of aircraft panels with stringer and ring frame attachments. Furthermore, this method was extended to predict the noise radiation of stiffening panel subjected to TBL excitation. This approach integrates with the fast and accurate methods in evaluating the modal excitation terms and modal radiation efficiency. Based on these advantages, the effects of the curvature, overpressure, stringers, ring frames, hydrodynamic coincidence, composite structures and structural dissipation on the acoustical properties of a typical aircraft panel are able to be investigated efficiently. Theoretic predictions were compared with laboratory measurements conducted on both model structures and aircraft panels. It was found that a small curvature may result in significant deterioration of the sound transmission loss at frequencies of interest. Unlike a flat uniform panel, the theoretical prediction for curved panels from the infinite model can not provide good agreement with the measurement close to and well below the ring frequency. However, in this frequency range, the finite model has been proved to be applicable For the large curved airplane panels studied here, it was found that the ring frames have little influence on sound transmission loss in the frequency range of interest. However the stringers may have considerable influence on sound transmission loss. The stringer improves this for a curved panel around the ring frequency, but it may result in a potential deterioration of the sound transmission loss above the ring frequency. In this study it is evident that the sound transmission loss of the composite skin attached with composite stringers is lower than that of the metallic panel attached with metallic stringers. At frequencies higher than the corresponding ring frequency of the curved panel, both experiment and theoretical prediction reveal that the overpressure at the concave side tends to reduce the sound transmission loss at the rate of about 0.5dB /10000 Pa. While at lower frequencies, say well below the ring frequency, the overpressure may increase or reduce sound transmission loss of a finite panel, depending on the shift of the resonant frequencies resulting from the overpressure. For TBL excitation, numerical investigation reveals that the panel with the ring frames behaves more like a sub-panel between two frames. Below 500Hz, the ring frames slightly enhance the sound radiation while dramatically increasing it around 1.3kHz. The TBL forcing field excites the same vibration lever for the panel with and without ring frame attachments, but the modes excited for the panel with ring frames radiate more sound. Unlike the ring frames, the stringers increase sound radiation below 1kHz. Above 1kHz, the sub-panels between two bays respond independently and the stringer effects is therefore not obvious. / <p>QC 20100908</p>

No description available.

The Element Free Galerkin (EFG) method, which is based on the Moving Least Squares (MLS) approximation, is developed here for vibration, buckling and static analysis of homogenous and FGM plate with curvilinear stiffeners. Numerical results for different stiffeners configurations and boundary conditions are presented. All results are verified using the commercial finite element software ANSYS® and other available results in literature. In addition, the vibration analysis of plates with curvilinear stiffeners is carried out using Ritz method. A 24 by 28 in. curvilinear stiffened panel was machined from 2219-T851 aluminum for experimental validation of the Ritz and meshfree methods of vibration mode shape predictions. Results were obtained for this panel mounted vertically to a steel clamping bracket using acoustic excitation and a laser vibrometer. Experimental results appear to correlate well with the meshfree and Ritz method results. In reality, many engineering structures are subjected to random pressure loads in nature and cannot be assumed to be deterministic. Typical engineering structures include buildings and towers, offshore structures, vehicles and ships, are subjected to random pressure. The vibrations induced from gust loads, engine noise, and other auxiliary electrical system can also produce noise inside aircraft. Consequently, all flight vehicles operate in random vibration environment. These random loads can be modeled by using their statistical properties. The dynamical responses of the structures which are subjected to random excitations are very complicated. To investigate their dynamic responses under random loads, the meshfree method is developed for random vibration analysis of curvilinearly-stiffened plates. Since extensive efforts have been devoted to study the buckling and vibration analysis of stiffened panel to maximize their natural frequencies and critical buckling loads, these structures are subjected to in-plane loading while the vibration analysis is considered. In these cases the natural frequencies calculated by neglecting the in-plane compression are usually over predicted. In order to have more accurate results it might be necessary to take into account the effects of in-plane load since it can change the natural frequency of plate considerably. To provide a better view of the free vibration behavior of the plate with curvilinear stiffeners subjected to axial/biaxial or shear stresses several numerical examples are studied. The FEM analysis of curvilinearly stiffened plate is quite computationally expensive, and the meshfree method seems to be a proper substitution to reduce the CPU time. However it will still require many simulations. Because of the number of simulations may be required in the solution of an engineering optimization problem, many researchers have tried to find approaches and techniques in optimization which can reduce the number of function evaluations. In these problems, surrogate models for analysis and optimization can be very efficient. The basic idea in surrogate model is to reduce computational cost and giving a better understanding of the influence of the design variables on the different objectives and constrains. To use the advantage of both meshfree method and surrogate model in reducing CPU time, the meshfree method is used to generate the sample points and combination of Kriging (a surrogate model) and Genetic Algorithms is used for design of curvilinearly stiffened plate. The meshfree and kriging results and CPU time were compared with those obtained using EBF3PanelOpt. / Ph. D.

AASHTO LRFD requires the use of longitudinal stiffeners in plate girder webs when the web slenderness D/tw is greater than 150. This practice is intended to limit the lateral flexing of the web plate during construction and at service conditions. AASHTO accounts for an increase in the web bend buckling resistance due to the presence of a longitudinal stiffener. However, when the theoretical bend buckling capacity of the stiffened web is exceeded under strength load conditions, the Specifications do not consider any contribution from the longitudinal stiffener to the girder resistance. That is, the AASHTO LRFD web bend buckling strength reduction factor Rb applied in these cases is based on an idealization of the web neglecting the longitudinal stiffener. This deficiency can have significant impact on girder resistance in regions of negative flexure. This research is aimed at evaluating the improvements that may be achieved by fully considering the contribution of web longitudinal stiffeners to the girder flexural resistance. Based on refined FE test simulations, this research establishes that minimum size longitudinal stiffeners, per current AASHTO LRFD requirements, contribute significantly to the post buckling flexural resistance of plate girders, and can bring as much as a 60% increase in the flexural strength of the girder. A simple cross-section Rb model is proposed that can be used to calculate the girder flexural resistance at the yield limit state. This model is developed based on test simulations of straight homogenous girders subjected to pure bending, and is tested extensively and validated for hybrid girders and other limit states. It is found that there is a substantial deviation between the AISC/AASHTO LTB resistance equations and common FE test simulations. Research is conducted to determine the appropriate parameters to use in FE test simulations. Recommended parameters are identified that provide a best fit to the mean of experimental data. Based on FE simulations on unstiffened girders using these recommended parameters, a modified LTB resistance equation is proposed. This equation, used in conjunction with the proposed Rb model also provides an improved handling of combined web buckling and LTB of longitudinally stiffened plate girders. It is observed that the noncompact web slenderness limit in the Specifications, which is an approximation based on nearly rigid edge conditions for the buckling of the web plate in flexure is optimistic for certain cross-sections with narrow flanges. This research establishes that the degree of restraint at the edges of the web depend largely on the relative areas of the adjoining flanges and the area of the web. An improved equation for the noncompact web slenderness limit is proposed which leads to a better understanding and representation of the behavior of these types of members.

O Brasil, um país de dimensões continentais e inúmeros rios em seu território, tem uma enorme carência de pontes para pequenos e médios vãos. Atualmente, a elevada produção de madeira de reflorestamento traz à engenharia uma opção de material renovável e ecologicamente correto para se utilizar em prol do ser humano nas obras de infraestrutura, mais especificamente na construção de pontes, uma vez que a madeira possui ótimo desempenho quando sujeita a cargas de curta duração. A utilização de Madeira Laminada Colada (MLC) permite a fabricação de peças de grandes dimensões, com excelente estabilidade, e com elevado controle de qualidade, proporcionando segurança e confiabilidade à estrutura. Este trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo teórico de pontes em vigas de MLC e tabuleiros em painéis de MLC utilizando procedimentos desenvolvidos por pesquisadores internacionalmente renomados e adequando estes procedimentos para as normas e condições brasileiras. Apresentam-se neste trabalho tabelas para pré-dimensionamento deste tipo de ponte para vãos de 8m a 20m para TB-30 e TB-45. Além disso, analisam-se numérica e experimentalmente os ganhos de rigidez e redução de deslocamentos relativos proporcionados pela utilização de vigas de enrijecimento, bem como a influência da seção destas vigas e a quantidade de parafusos utilizados para interligar ao tabuleiro. Por fim, apresentam-se algumas disposições construtivas não estruturais fundamentais para o bom funcionamento deste tipo de estrutura. / Brazil, a continental size country and with many rivers in its territory, has a huge necessity for short and medium spans bridges. Nowadays, the high production of reforestation wood allows to engineering an option of renewable material and ecologically correct to be used in favor to humans in infrastructure works, most specifically in bridges construction, once timber has a great performance in quick loads. The use of Glued-Laminated Timber (Glulam) enable the manufacture of large sizes members, with excellent stability, and a high control of quality in its production, providing a safety and reliability structure. This work aim the theoretical study of glulam stringers bridge and glulam panels deck using procedures developed by international researchers and adapting those procedures for Brazilian conditions and normalizations. Pre-design tables are presented in this work for 8m to 20m spans for TB-30 and TB-45. In addition to, analyses numerical and experimentally the gain of stiffness and the reduction of relative displacements between panels provided by the use of stiffener beams, besides the influence of those beams section size and number of bolts used for deck interconnection. Finally, it is presented some not structural constructive arrangements essential for good performance of this kind of structure.

No description available.

O Brasil, um país de dimensões continentais e inúmeros rios em seu território, tem uma enorme carência de pontes para pequenos e médios vãos. Atualmente, a elevada produção de madeira de reflorestamento traz à engenharia uma opção de material renovável e ecologicamente correto para se utilizar em prol do ser humano nas obras de infraestrutura, mais especificamente na construção de pontes, uma vez que a madeira possui ótimo desempenho quando sujeita a cargas de curta duração. A utilização de Madeira Laminada Colada (MLC) permite a fabricação de peças de grandes dimensões, com excelente estabilidade, e com elevado controle de qualidade, proporcionando segurança e confiabilidade à estrutura. Este trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo teórico de pontes em vigas de MLC e tabuleiros em painéis de MLC utilizando procedimentos desenvolvidos por pesquisadores internacionalmente renomados e adequando estes procedimentos para as normas e condições brasileiras. Apresentam-se neste trabalho tabelas para pré-dimensionamento deste tipo de ponte para vãos de 8m a 20m para TB-30 e TB-45. Além disso, analisam-se numérica e experimentalmente os ganhos de rigidez e redução de deslocamentos relativos proporcionados pela utilização de vigas de enrijecimento, bem como a influência da seção destas vigas e a quantidade de parafusos utilizados para interligar ao tabuleiro. Por fim, apresentam-se algumas disposições construtivas não estruturais fundamentais para o bom funcionamento deste tipo de estrutura. / Brazil, a continental size country and with many rivers in its territory, has a huge necessity for short and medium spans bridges. Nowadays, the high production of reforestation wood allows to engineering an option of renewable material and ecologically correct to be used in favor to humans in infrastructure works, most specifically in bridges construction, once timber has a great performance in quick loads. The use of Glued-Laminated Timber (Glulam) enable the manufacture of large sizes members, with excellent stability, and a high control of quality in its production, providing a safety and reliability structure. This work aim the theoretical study of glulam stringers bridge and glulam panels deck using procedures developed by international researchers and adapting those procedures for Brazilian conditions and normalizations. Pre-design tables are presented in this work for 8m to 20m spans for TB-30 and TB-45. In addition to, analyses numerical and experimentally the gain of stiffness and the reduction of relative displacements between panels provided by the use of stiffener beams, besides the influence of those beams section size and number of bolts used for deck interconnection. Finally, it is presented some not structural constructive arrangements essential for good performance of this kind of structure.

The first part of the diploma thesis with name „Hybrid adhesive bonded joints of metals and composite materials“ comprise surface pretreatment review. There is also mentioned current review of adhesives for composite and aluminium adherends. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to lap hybrid joint shear strength tests. The effects of adherend thickness, overlap lenght and surface pretreatment on shear strength were investigated. Measured parameters of hybrid joints are proved with a FE analysis with enough accuracy. Conclusions could be used for optimum design of hybrid joint with aluminium and composite adherends.

Vid samverkansbroar fästes tvärförband mellan huvudbalkar med funktion att leda laster ut mot huvudbalkarna. Dessa kan fästas via s.k. livavstyvningsplåtar mot huvudbalkens liv samt flänsar. Denna infästning kan ske med svetsförband. Vid ett antal fall har utmattningssprickor uppkommit i svetsanslutningen mellan livavstyvningsplåten samt överfläns på huvudbalk. Tydliga riktlinjer finns ej i dagsläget för vilken typ av svetsförband som bör nyttjas vid uppförande av benämnd konstruktionsanslutning. Här genomförs en jämförande studie av kälsvetsförband mot stumsvetsförband, med samt utan svetsutbredning. Då risk för sprickinitiering till följd av utmattning i kälsvetsförbandet studerades beaktades risk för brott i såväl svetstå som svetsrot. Den aktuella studien ämnade ge svar på huruvida en korrelation mellan geometriska parametrar såsom avstånd mellan huvudbalkar samt konsollängd på farbana kunde kopplas till rekommendation gällande vilket svetsutförande som borde nyttjas vid olika dimensioner av dessa båda geometrier. Vidare ämnade studien utröna om eventuella gränsvärden för val av svetsanslutningar kunde fastställas. För framtagande av data nyttjades BRIGADE PLUS, ett beräkningsprogram som nyttjar FEM-modellering. Här användes ett uppfört projekt, Viadukt Söder, beläget i Östersund, som grundmodell för parameterstudien i BRIGADE PLUS. Detta var projekterat av ELU Konsult, på uppdrag av Trafikverket. Beräkningsmodellen bestod av en begränsad del av den aktuella bron, där utmattningslastfordon 3 i SS EN 1993-2 användes för att via influenslinjer återspegla trafiklast på bron och därmed finna värsta lastpositioner. Dessa positioner nyttjades sedermera för beräkning av påverkan från Utmattningslastfordon 3 på den studerade detaljen i form av spänningsamplitud. Analys av dessa spänningsamplituder omräknades sedermera till ett antal lastcykler till brott som sedan ställdes mot de riktlinjer som återfinns i SS EN 1993-1-9:2005. Här nyttjades de förbandsklasser som enligt nationella normer ses som gällande. Resultatet påvisade en exponentiell minskning av antal lastcykler till brott, med avseende på utmattning, då brogeometrin utökades. Utmärkande här var att risk för brott i livavstyvningsplåten klart översteg risk för brott i överflänsen, som i sin tur näst intill kunde bortses ifrån. Den geometriska parameter som blev styrande var konsollängd på farbana. Tydlig differens i livslängd mätt i antal cykler gick att utläsa för de olika svetsförbanden, där styrande faktor blev de respektive förbandsklasserna vid analys av sprickinitiering. Gränsvärden för då antal cykler till brott understeg gränsvärden enligt SS EN 1993-1-9:2005 kopplat till de geometriska parametrarna, gick att fastställa för respektive svetsförband. Kälsvetsens kapacitet med avseende på utmattning understeg vida stumsvetsens kapacitet. / For composite bridges, transverse bracings are attached between main girders with the function of distributing loads between the main girders. These can be attached via so-called web stiffeners against the main girders web and flanges. This attachment can be done via welded joints. In the event of emergence, fatigue cracks have arisen in the welding connection between the web stiffener and the top flange of the main girder. Clear guidelines do not exist at present for the type of welded joints that should be used in the construction of the termed design connection. Here, a comparative study is carried out between fillet welded joints and butt welded joints, with flat and inclined welds. When the risk of crack initiation as a result of fatigue in the fillet weld was studied, the risk of breakage in both toe and root was considered. The current study intended to provide answers as to whether a correlation between geometric parameters such as distance between main girders and cantilever length of the deck slab could be linked to recommendation regarding which welding design should be used at different dimensions of these two properties. Furthermore, the study intended to determine whether any limit values for the selection of welding connections could be determined. For the production of data, BRIGADE PLUS, a calculation program that utilizes FEM modeling, was used. Here, a constructed project, Viadukt Söder, situated in Östersund, was used as the basic model for the parameter study in BRIGADE PLUS. This was designed by ELU Konsult, on behalf of the Swedish Transport Administration. The calculation model consisted of a limited part of the current bridge, where Fatigue Load Vehicle 3 in SS EN 1993-2 was used to reflect traffic loads on the bridge via influenza lines and thereby find the worst load positions. These positions were subsequently used for calculating the influence of Fatigue Load Vehicle 3 on the studied part in the form of stress amplitude. Analysis of these stress amplitudes was subsequently recalculated to a number of load cycles to offenses that were then set against the guidelines found in SS EN 1993-1-9: 2005. Here, the fatigue resistance values were used which according to national standards are regarded as valid. The result showed an exponential decrease in the number of load cycles to fracture, with respect to fatigue, as the bridge geometry was increased. The characteristic feature here was that the risk of breakage in the web stiffener clearly exceeded the risk of breakage in the upper flange, which in turn could almost be disregarded. The geometric parameter that became guiding was cantilever length on the deck. Clear difference in service life measured in number of cycles could be read out for the different welded joints, where the controlling factor became the respective fatigue resistance values when analyzing crack initiation. Limit values for when the number of cycles to break below the limit values according to SS EN 1993-1-9:2005 linked to the geometric parameters, could be determined for each welded joint. The capacity of the fillet weld with respect to fatigue is far below the capacity of the butt weld.