Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

O presente trabalho relaciona-se à modelagem viscoelástica estrutural, objetivando-se a simulação numérica, com ênfase às estruturas de concreto. Faz-se, inicialmente, uma revisão dos modelos reológicos básicos unidimensionais para facilitar o entendimento das características intrínsecas da resposta viscoelástica das estruturas, tais como o fenômeno de fluência. Dentre as teorias que permitem levar em conta a idade do concreto no instante da aplicação do carregamento, são apresentadas a da hereditariedade e a do envelhecimento. Apresentam-se, em seguida, as funções de fluência e relaxação em notação apropriada à implementação numérica, combinada com o Método dos Elementos Finitos. Alguns aspectos da integração numérica das relações constitutivas ao longo do tempo são discutidos, com a apresentação, em particular, de um esquema de solução explícito fundamentado na Técnica dos \'Núcleos Degenerados\'. Finalmente, exemplos constituídos da análise de treliças planas ilustram a aplicabilidade dos modelos e procedimentos numéricos comentados. / The present work is related to structural viscoelastic modeling aiming numerical simulation, with emphasis on concrete structures. First of all, a revision of unidimentional basic reologic models is given, in order to enhance the inherent features of structural viscoelastic response, such as creep phenomenon. Among the theories able to consider the concrete age at the instant of loading, the hereditary and the aging theories are here presented. After that, the creep and relaxation functions are given in appropriate notation for numerical implementation, combined with the Finite Element Method. Some aspects of time numerical integration of constitutiva relations are discussed, mainly an explicit solution scheme based on the so called Degenerate Kernel Technic. Finally, examples consisting of plane trusses analysis illustrate the applicability of the models and numerical procedures commented.

The contribution of the clamping force in the technique used in this study to stretch-bend low carbon steel samples was investigated to support the subsequent changes in the microstructure and properties of the formed material with regard to parent material. Although plastic deformation by cold working is known to induce texture or preferred orientation to the grains of a formed material while decreasing its ductility and increasing the strength, as well as inducing residual stress, it is not known how the different directions (rolling, transverse and oblique/45°) of the sheet steel will respond to this stretch bending technique. The first part of the research work involved a thorough literature review on sheet metal forming processes and their effect on the formed material with interest on the above mentioned directions of the sheet. It became clear from the literature overview that cold working of a material will induce strain-hardening which varies with the magnitude of cold work, resulting in changes in the strength and ductility of the material. Besides, when plastic deformation is not uniform (e.g., tensile and compressive) throughout the entire cross section of the formed part, residual stresses remain in the material with the grains been elongated along the direction of the maximum strain. The main parameters that were considered and controlled in this study are as follows: strain experienced / stress induced into the form sample, the sample direction, the stroke length and the clamping torque, the generated radius of curvature. The chapters that follow the literature review, deal with the set-up of the different equipment used in this study, the specimen preparation as well as the recording, the calculation and interpretation of the results. It was found that the stress magnitude that generated the different radii of curvature (120 mm, 150 mm and 185 mm) was between 1 percent & 13 percent higher than the parent material’s yield strength with the lower stress been associated to the smaller radius of curvature and the higher stress to the higher radius. The stress induced into the sample during forming was not only proportional to the stroke length but also to the distance between the punch’s tip and the sample and the sample to the die’s nadir. The clamping torque adopted was restricted to the manual capacity of the operator who used a preset torque wrench to fasten the plate sample into the jig. Plate samples of low carbon steel were cut to angles of 0°, 45°, and 90° to the rolling direction of the sheet material and stretch-bent on a single-action mechanical press to 120 mm, 150 mm, and 185 mm radii of curvature. The preliminary results indicate that stretch-bent samples had increased hardness to the parent plate, in particular below the surface layers up to around 1.1 mm depth. Since there is a well established relationship between hardness, yield and tensile strengths for steel, the yield and tensile strengths of the formed material were estimated using the Nobre et al [34] incremental relation, which relates the linearity between relative increments of hardness and yield strength. Changes were not noticeable at the microstructural level of the formed samples. Meanwhile, samples from which higher plastic deformation stress values were calculated were not those absorbing higher impact energy when Charpy specimen cut from plate and stretch-bent samples were tested. The maximum relieved residual stress in the parent material was predominantly compressive and represents in magnitude approximately 12 percent (average for the three directions) of its original yield strength. In the stretch-bent samples, the relieved residual stress was compressive in the outer curved section with a magnitude about 50 percent of the parent material yield strength and tensile in the inner curved section with a magnitude approximately 25 percent of the parent material yield strength.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

This thesis presents the results of a theoretical and experimental study of the lateral buckling of straight beams of rectangular cross-section resting on columns, a type of structure commonly found in the roofing system of multi-bayed buildings. The structure is analyzed as a simply supported beam, uniformly loaded, restrained at one end against longitudinal torsion and resting near the other end on a flexible column which may provide various torsional and lateral restraints. Beyond the column is a cantilevered projection of various lengths and loads. The entire top edge of the beam is considered as fastened to a continuous decking which restrains it against horizontal displacement but permits free rotation about this edge. The method of solution of the theoretical lateral buckling load is by using a computer program to calculate the structure stiffness matrix's determinant at increasing load levels, and a plot of the determinant versus load level yields the critical load (at determinant equals zero). This theoretical approach is verified by model experiments in the laboratory. Design curves and equations are produced incorporating the usual flexural beam and axially loaded column strength concepts, with lateral buckling considerations. Recommended design code procedures are forwarded based on these curves which would permit more economical use of deep beams. Included in the thesis is the computer program listing used in the solution technique. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Master of Engineering

No description available.

No description available.

The design of steel framed buildings must take into consideration the lateral drift of the structure due to wind loading and any serviceability issues that may arise from this lateral movement. This thesis focuses on one of these issues, damage to nonstructural components. Although there are no specific requirements in the United States governing the effects of wind drift, it is an important issue which may significantly impact the buildings structural performance and economy. Furthermore, because these serviceability issues are not codified, there is a wide variation among design firms in how they are dealt with, leading to a greater economic disparity. This thesis begins with a comprehensive review of the literature that covers all pertinent aspects of wind drift in steel framed buildings. Next an analytical study of the variations in modeling parameters is performed to demonstrate how simple assumptions can affect the overall buildings stiffness and lateral displacements. A study is then carried out to illustrate the different sources of elastic deformation in a variety of laterally loaded steel frames. The different modeling variables demonstrate how deformation sources vary with bay width, the number of bays and the number of stories, providing a useful set of comparisons. To ascertain how serviceability issues are dealt with from firm to firm, a survey of the practice is developed to update the one conducted in 1988 (ASCE). In effect, the thesis is presented with the intention of suggesting and establishing a comprehensive, performance based approach to the wind drift design of steel framed buildings. / Master of Science

<p> A detailed synopsis of the state-of-the-art in the field of the Structural Analysis of sandwich beams is presented. Deficiencies, inaccuracies, lack of clarity, and the imposition. of unnecessary assumptions of behaviour found -in the related bibliography are presented in a comparative fashion. A method of analysis with obvious advantages over the others studied in this thesis is derived, and its use is suggested. The presentation of all methods of analysis is made under the most general cases of dimensions and loadings to make them as applicable as possible to the common cases encountered in sandwich components for the building industry. </p> <p> Experimental work carried out on several materials with some potential to be used in sandwich members for buildings and the tests carried out on some sandwich beams and beam-columns are reported. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)