The main objective of the topology optimization is to fulfill the objective function with the minimum amount of material. This reduces the overall cost of the structure and at the same time reduces the assembly, manufacturing and maintenance costs because of the reduced number of parts in the final structure. The concept of reliability analysis can be incorporated into the deterministic topology optimization method; this incorporated scheme is referred to as Reliability-based Topology Optimization (RBTO). In RBTO, the statistical nature of constraints and design problems are defined in the objective function and probabilistic constraint. The probabilistic constraint can specify the required reliability level of the system. In practical applications, however, finding global optimum in the presence of uncertainty is a difficult and computationally intensive task, since for every possible design a full stochastic analysis has to be performed for estimating various statistical parameters. Efficient methodologies are therefore required for the solution of the stochastic part and the optimization part of the design process. This research will explore a reliability-based synthesis method which estimates all the statistical parameters and finds the optimum while being less computationally intensive. The efficiency of the proposed method is achieved with the combination of topology optimization and stochastic approximation which utilizes a sampling technique such as Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and surrogate modeling techniques such as Local Regression and Classification using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Local regression is comparatively less computationally intensive and produces good results in case of low probability of failures whereas Classification is particularly useful in cases where the reliability of failure has to be estimated with disjoint failure domains. Because classification using ANN is comparatively more computationally demanding than Local regression, classification is only used when local regression fails to give the desired level of goodness of fit. Nevertheless, classification is an indispensible tool in estimating the probability of failure when the failure domain is discontinuous. Representative examples will be demonstrated where the method is used to design customized meso-scale truss structures and a macro-scale hydrogen storage tank. The final deliverable from this research will be a less computationally intensive and robust RBTO procedure that can be used for design of truss structures with variable design parameters and force and boundary conditions.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is a timber scarce country that will most probably experience a shortage of structural timber in the near future. In this study the concept of using young finger‐jointed Eucalyptus grandis timber was evaluated for possible application in roof truss structures while the timber is still in the green, unseasoned state. 220 finger‐jointed boards of cross‐sectional dimension 48 x 73 mm and 36 x 111 mm timber, cut from 5‐18 year old Eucalyptus grandis trees were obtained from Limpopo province, South Africa. The boards were manufactured using a polyurethane (PU) adhesive at moisture content levels above fibre saturation point and no drying was performed. The objectives of this study were to determine various mechanical and physical properties of this finger‐jointed product. More specifically (1) to determine the strength and stiffness potential of the product in the wet and the dry condition, (2) to evaluate physical properties such as density, warp, checking and splitting, (3) to evaluate potential indicator properties to be used as structural grading parameters, and (4) to compare the flexural properties to the current SA pine resource and SANS structural grade requirements. The boards were divided into two groups of the same size, which constituted the wet and the dry samples. Each sample was further separated into six different groups for testing the different strength and stiffness properties. The dry group was stacked in a green‐house for nine weeks until equilibrium moisture content was reached. Afterwards selected physical properties such as warp, checking and splitting were assessed. Destructive testing was conducted on the boards and the results were used to determine various mechanical properties. Finally, each board was assessed for density and moisture content (MC) values. The study showed that the young finger‐jointed Eucalyptus grandis timber had very good flexural properties. Both mean modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) 5th percentile strength values for wet and dry boards complied with the current SANS 10163‐1 (2003) requirements for grade S7.The values of tensile perpendicular to grain and compression perpendicular to grain strength did not conform to SANS requirements for grade S5. The other strength properties for the wet and dry groups complied with one of the three SANS structural grades. The 5 year old (48 x 73 mm) boards’ showed significantly higher levels of twist and checking compared to 11 year old boards of the same dimension. Only 46.3% of the finger‐jointed products conformed to the density requirements in SANS 1783‐2 (2004) for grade S7. There was a significant difference in density between the three age groups (5, 11 and 18 years) presented in this study. The variation in both MOE and MOR values of the fingerjointed product proved to be significantly lower in comparison to currently used SA pine sources. Based on the results from this study the concept of producing roof trusses from wet, unseasoned and finger‐jointed young Eucalyptus grandis timber has potential. However, additional research on a number of issues not covered in this study is still required for this product including full scale truss evaluations, proof grading, PU adhesive evaluation at elevated temperatures, nail plate load capacity, and the possible need for chemical treatment of the product against Lyctus beetles. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid Afrika is ‘n land wat waarskynlik ‘n tekort aan strukturele hout sal ervaar in die nabye toekoms. In hierdie studie word die gebruik van jong gevingerlasde Eucalyptus grandis hout vir die moontlike gebruik in dakstrukture, terwyl nat en ongedroog, ondersoek. 220 gevingerlasde planke van deursnit 48 x 73 mm en 36 x 111 mm gesaag van 5‐18 jaar‐oue Eucalyptus grandis bome en afkomstig van die Limpopo provinsie in Suid Afrika, is gebruik. Die produk is vervaardig met poli‐uretaan (PU) lym uit planke met vog inhouds vlakke bo veselversadigingspunt. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om verskeie meganiese en fisiese eienskappe van die vingerlas produk vas te stel. Meer spesifiek (1) om die sterkte en modulus van elastisiteit (MOE) potensiaal van die vingerlas produk in die nat en droë toestand te analiseer, (2) om die fisiese eienskappe soos digtheid, vervorming, oppervlakbarse en spleting te ondersoek, (3) om potensiële graderingsparameters te evalueer, en (4) om die buigeienskappe van die produk te vergelyk met SA dennehout asook die SANS strukturele graad vereistes. Die planke is verdeel in twee groepe, ‘n nat groep en ‘n droë groep. Elke groep is verder verdeel in ses kleiner groepe soos buig, trek en drukmonsters. Die droë groep was in ‘n kweekhuis geplaas vir nege weke totdat veselversadigingspunt bereik is. Daarna is geselekteerde fisiese eienskappe soos vervorming, oppervlak barse en spleting gemeet. Destruktiewe toetsing is uitgevoer op die planke en die resultate was gebruik om verskeie meganiese eienskappe vas te stel. Laastens is elke plank se digtheid en voggehalte gemeet. Die studie het getoon dat die jong gevingerlasde Eucalyptus grandis hout goeie buigeienskappe het. Beide die gemiddelde MOE en buig sterkte 5de persentiel waardes van die nat en droë groep het voldoen aan die huidige SANS 10163‐1 (2003) vereistes vir graad S7. Die sterkte‐eienskappe van loodregte trekkrag en loodregte druk het nie die vereistes vir SANS graad S5 gemaak nie. Die ander sterkte‐eienskappe van die nat en droë groep het voldoen aan een van die drie SANS strukturele graadvereistes. Die 5 jaar‐oue (48 x 73 mm ) planke het beduidend hoër vlakke van draai‐trek en oppervlakbarste getoon as die 11 jaar‐oue planke van dieselfe dimensie. Slegs 46.3% van die vingerlas produk het voldoen aan digtheidsvereistes vir SANS graad S7. Daar was ‘n beduidende verskil in dightheid tussen die drie ouderdomsgroepe (5, 11 en 18 jaar). Die MOE en buigsterkte‐waardes van die Biligom produk het beduidend laer variasie as huidige SA denne houtbronne getoon. Die resultate verkry in die studie toon dat die konsep om dakkappe te vervaardig van nat, gevingerlasde jong Eucalyptus grandis hout die potensiaal het om suksesvol toegepas te word. Bykomende navorsing oor ‘n aantal faktore wat nie in hierdie studie ingesluit is nie word steeds benodig. Dit sluit in ‘n volskaalse dakkap evaluasie, proefgradering, PU lym evaluasie by hoë temperature, spykerplaat ladingskapasiteit en die moontlike noodsaaklikheid van chemiese behandeling van die produk teen Lyctus kewers, insluit.

[pt] Nesta dissertação foram desenvolvidos elementos estruturais passíveis de industrialização, utilizando o bambu como matéria prima principal, dando prosseguimento às pesquisas desenvolvidas pelo grupo de Materiais e Tecnologias Não Convencionais nesta Instituição, desde o final da década de 1970. Foram elaborados nós em bambu laminado contraplacado e ponteiras em material compósito polimérico, manufaturado com resíduo particulado proveniente da laminação do bambu Dendrocalamus giganteus. Foram ainda estudados colmos da espécie Phyllostachys aurea reforçados por toda a sua extensão com sisal trefilado embebido em poliéster. Estes componentes são destinados fundamentalmente à construção de treliças espaciais, retilíneas ou arqueadas, do tipo grelha em múltiplas camadas, aliando sustentabilidade e variabilidade formal para projetos de coberturas. Mediante pequenas adaptações, estes elementos podem ainda encontrar uso em outros tipos de estrutura como domos geodésicos, tensegritys e treliças planas, de caráter temporário ou permanente. A partir da análise experimental de materiais e componentes e de dados obtidos em literatura específica estudaram-se, os esforços solicitantes e deslocamentos desenvolvidos em diferentes geometrias de estruturas, via modelagem em programa comercial de elementos finitos, obtendo-se vãos livres de até 12m e áreas cobertas sobre 4 apoios com capitéis de até 324 metros quadrados com vão livre de 9m e balanços de 4,5m, elaboradas utilizando estes elementos. Os procedimentos desenvolvidos foram satisfatórios, permitindo a execução de elementos passíveis de industrialização e estocagem, de aplicação versátil e com acabamento variado, favorecendo a convencionalização do uso do bambu como material de construção. / [en] The research on non conventional materials and technologies has been carried out at the Civil Engineering Department of PUC-Rio since 1979, in order to stimulate its use in civil construction, reducing the pollution and the energy consumption provoked by industrialized materials such as steel and cement. To disseminate the application of the non-conventional materials and technologies (NOCMAT) in a very large scale, it is necessary to develop industrial methods to process them, ensuring high production with quality and durability. As a continuation of this line of research, the present study is concerned with the development of structural elements designed for space structures, using bamboo as the main material. For this purpose the bamboo Dendrocalamus giganteus, has been selected to prepare laminated composite for the joints. In turn, using its plaining residuals as an addition to a polyester matrix composite. This was molded as a conical capped connection designed and produced to provide safe links between the joints and the bar of the space truss elements. For the latter the Phyllostachys aurea bamboo transversally reinforced with a polyester treated sisal string along its entire length. These components were used to assemble plain or arched multiple layers space structures, binding sustainability and formal freedom to roof structures design. The load-displacement for different structural geometries were evaluated, using a commercial FEM software, based on the experimental data from this work and the available literature, presented 12m maximum free spans and 324 square meters covered area supported by four columns. The developed procedures were satisfactory, allowing the production of industrial processed elements, easy storage, different finishing and versatile application.

The objective of this study is to present information on the optimization of plane truss wooden structure using the method of genetic algorithms. All assessments are made by the computer program called Optimization Structures Plane (OTP). It was also used the computer program GESTRUT for determining forces and displacement. It was evaluated pitched trusses, with the goal of finding the best geometrical configuration in terms of the distribution of members and inclination between chords. It was evaluated three study cases of trusses with different configurations in relation to the length/width of the area covered. / O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar informações sobre a otimização de estruturas planas de madeira do tipo treliçado utilizando o método dos algoritmos genéticos. Todas as avaliações são feitas por meio do programa computacional denominado Otimização de Estruturas Planas (OTP). Também foi usado o programa computacional GESTRUT para a determinação de esforços e deslocamentos em estruturas. São avaliadas estruturas do tipo telhado duas águas, com o objetivo de encontrar a melhor configuração geométrica em termos da distribuição de barras e a inclinação entre banzos. Foram avaliados três casos de estruturas treliçadas com diferentes configurações em relação ao comprimento/largura da área coberta. / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

As estruturas metálicas espaciais de cobertura apresentam aspectos diferenciados de projeto. Existem diversos arranjos geométricos possíveis para estas estruturas, cuja escolha está associada, entre outros fatores, às formas e dimensões do contorno, aos pontos de apoio e aos sistemas de conexões empregadas. Neste trabalho, foi analisado o projeto destas estruturas, abordando aspectos históricos, os sistemas de ligação, o comportamento estrutural, as particularidades de projeto, e realizando uma análise numérica de diferentes arranjos geométricos. Foram analisados 27 arranjos geométricos quadrados (66 m x 66 m) e 6 arranjos geométricos retangulares (186 m x 66 m), todos os vãos centrais de 60 m, e com variações na quantidade e posicionamento dos apoios, na disposição das barras do reticulado, na altura e nas dimensões dos módulos. Adotou-se o modelo de treliça ideal em análise elástica linear (teoria de primeira ordem). Com os resultados dos processamentos, realizou-se uma comparação entre os modelos, abrangendo os seguintes aspectos: quantidade de nós e barras, consumo de material, deslocamentos máximos, reações de apoio máximas e esforços internos máximos. O fator que causou maior influência no comportamento dos arranjos analisados foi a disposição dos apoios. / The roofing space steel structures have differentiated aspects of design. There are many types of arrangements to these structures, and the choice is associate, among other factors, with the shapes e dimensions of the boundary, with the points of support and with the connection systems employed. In this work was analysed the design of these structures, including the historical aspects, the connection systems, the structural behaviour, the particulars aspects of the design, and a numerical analysis of differents arrangements. Twenty seven square structures (66 m x 66 m) and six rectangular structures (186 m x 66 m) were analysed, all them with 60 m span, and variations in the amount and position of supports, in the member arrangement, in the depth and in the node spacing. These structures were analysed adopting the ideal truss model with elastic linear behaviour. With the results were made a comparison between the arrangements that reports these aspects: amount of nodes and members, material consumption, displacements, support reactions and internal forces. The factor that caused the biggest influence in the behaviour of the space structures analysed was the amount and position of supports.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-03-07T17:42:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 denispiresrodriguesalves.pdf: 7315782 bytes, checksum: 6961087b46d541aeae9c4509e2d9a289 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-03-10T12:19:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 denispiresrodriguesalves.pdf: 7315782 bytes, checksum: 6961087b46d541aeae9c4509e2d9a289 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-10T12:19:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 denispiresrodriguesalves.pdf: 7315782 bytes, checksum: 6961087b46d541aeae9c4509e2d9a289 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-02 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As treliças espaciais são estruturas compostas de barras usualmente metálicas (aço ou alumínio) que são utilizadas para diversas finalidades, mas principalmente para sustentar a cobertura de grandes vãos presentes em galpões e pavilhões. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a modelagem computacional do comportamento termo-elastoplástico de treliças espaciais em regime de grandes deslocamentos e deformações, utilizando o modelo da equação de transferência de calor e um modelo constitutivo elastoplástico modificado para incluir a influência térmica. Simulações computacionais do modelo resultante podem ser usadas para o desenvolvimento de projetos de estruturas submetidas a grandes variações de temperatura, como as que ocorrem em um incêndio. O método dos elementos finitos (MEF) foi utilizado para determinar o campo de temperaturas na seção transversal das barras, enquanto que para encontrar os deslocamentos e as deformações nas barras em função da variação térmica e do carregamento foi utilizado o método da rigidez direta. Para resolver as equações de equilíbrio não-lineares resultantes do modelo constitutivo termomecânico foi utilizado o método de Newton-Raphson. O código desenvolvido foi inicialmente validado através de simulações computacionais em estruturas simples onde variações de temperatura alteram o módulo de elasticidade, o módulo plástico e a tensão de escoamento do material e podem causar a plastificação e até a ruptura das barras. Posteriormente são apresentados e discutidos os resultados obtidos a partir de treliças mais complexas, com geometria similar às usualmente utilizadas em aplicações de engenharia, submetido a uma situação simplificada de incêndio-padrão. A alta temperatura causa a diminuição da resistência e da rigidez das barras e informações importantes como o tempo de incêndio suportado pela estrutura e o número de barras plastificadas são extraídas das simulações e podem servir como uma medida de segurança para evitar danos maiores em locais com grandes aglomerados de pessoas. / Space trusses are structures usually composed of metalic rods (steel or aluminum) that are used for several purposes, but mainly to sustain the roof of large spans present in sheds and pavilions. The present work has the aim of computationally model the coupled thermo-elastoplastic behavior of space trusses under large displacements and large strains, using the heat transfer equation model and an elastoplastic constitutive model modified to include the thermal influence. Computer simulations of the resulting mathematical model can be used for the development of structural projects under large variations of temperature, as occurs in fire situations. The finite element method (FEM) was used to determine the temperature field in transversal section of rods. In order to find the displacements and strains due to thermal variation and loadings, it was used the direct stiffness method. The Newton-Raphson method was used to solve the resulting non-linear equilibrium equations of the thermomecanic constitutive model. The developed code was initially validated through computational simulations of simple structures where thermal variations affect the Young modulus, the plastic modulus and the yield stress of the material. The results of more complex trusses, with a geometry similar to the ones usually adopted in engineering applications, under a simplified standard fire situation are also presented. The high temperature causes a decrease in the rods' resistance and stiffness and important informations such as the fire time supported by the structure and the number of plastified rods are achieved from the simulations and can be used as a security measure to avoid greater damage in places with large crowds of people.

Orientador: João Alberto Venegas Requena / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T22:44:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sepulveda_BarbaraDanielaGiorgini_M.pdf: 5435418 bytes, checksum: 5d55af89b27e919b7c819e297b4cf056 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Este artigo apresenta o estudo da influência das ligações no comportamento das estruturas treliçadas compostas por perfis tubulares de aço. As ligações em treliças de aço são normalmente projetadas para união de barras por meio de chapas que garantam a transmissão e equilíbrio das forças. No caso em particular de treliças que utilizam perfis tubulares de aço as ligações são projetadas sem chapas. As barras são unidas diretamente por meio de soldas nos contatos dos perfis que são cortados geometricamente exatos para o ajuste da ligação. Este procedimento aumenta a produtividade de fabricação além de dar um aspecto visual melhor para a estrutura. Dependendo da geometria da ligação podem ocorrer excentricidades dos eixos provocando a introdução de momentos fletores, que quando não puderem ser evitados, devem ser levados em consideração não só no cálculo da ligação como também na determinação dos esforços da treliça. Outro aspecto importante é a análise do colapso da ligação que pode ocorrer quando uma barra é associada à outra de forma inadequada na ligação direta, sendo variados os tipos de falhas. Portanto, será analisada a influência das ligações no comportamento da estrutura a partir de gráficos baseado no estudo das equações de força resistente das ligações tubulares circulares. Este estudo gráfico permitiu a criação do processo de cálculo, denominado Processo Simplificado, que orientam para as combinações de perfis que atendam as exigências geométricas e de força resistente das ligações durante o dimensionamento de barras. O processo é baseado em de tabelas de cálculo desenvolvidas para a orientação de um bom projeto de estrutura treliçada considerando ou evitando estas influências sem onerar o projeto final / Abstract: This paper presents the study of connections influence in the behavior of hollow sections truss structures. Joints in steel trusses are usually designed considering sheets that will ensure the transmission and balance of forces. In particular case of trusses using hollow sections steel connections are designed without plates. The beams are directly welded to steel sections which are geometrically cut to fit the joint. This increases manufacturing productivity in addition to give the structure a better visual appearance. Axes eccentricities can occur depending on connection geometry resulting in introduction of bending moments. When this eccentricity cannot be avoided, it has to be taken into account in joint design and also in determining truss efforts. Another important aspect is analysis joint collapse which can occur when a beam is improperly associated to another beam, which can produce many kinds of fails. Therefore, graphics analyses were studied based on circular hollow sections joint strength equations that show the influence of joints on structures. The Simplified Process, created after graphics studies, shows the valid combinations of circular hollow sections geometry and strength during beam structure design verification. This process is based on tables developed to orient a good truss project considering or avoiding this influences without raising budget on final design / Mestrado / Estruturas e Geotécnica / Mestra em Engenharia Civil

Orientador: João Alberto Venegas Requena / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T15:27:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vieira_RodrigoCuberos_M.pdf: 3840052 bytes, checksum: b4860daa77b57af17db9c3c0885bb512 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: As coberturas metálicas são muito utilizadas em edificações que necessitam de grandes espaços internos livres e possuem um prazo de execução pequeno, como por exemplo, galpões comerciais, industriais e centros de armazenamento e distribuição. Dentre as suas partes constituintes, as terças são responsáveis por uma parcela considerável do peso total da cobertura. Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um amplo estudo sobre os diversos tipos de terças metálicas utilizadas em estruturas metálicas de médio e grande porte, com vãos de até 40 metros, abordando as terças em perfil laminado e formado a frio, e as terças treliçadas em perfis abertos e tubulares. Foram realizados estudos aprofundados sobre o dimensionamento de terças em perfil laminado e formado a frio, com o desenvolvimento de um programa de verificação e dimensionamento para esses tipos de terças. Também foram realizados estudos sobre o dimensionamento de terças treliçadas planas, também conhecidas como joists, que já têm a sua utilização bastante difundida, e de terças treliçadas tubulares multiplanares, cuja utilização ainda é pequena se comparada com os demais tipos de terças. Com esses estudos, foram feitas análises comparativas para diversos vãos, com as ações comumente utilizadas em estruturas que possuem coberturas metálicas, possibilitando identificar qual o tipo de terça mais adequado para cada situação estudada. Uma análise dos custos das terças também foi realizada, permitindo verificar a viabilidade da utilização das terças treliçadas tubulares em coberturas metálicas, principalmente das terças treliçadas tubulares multiplanares, cuja aplicação ainda é pequena. / Abstract: Steel roof systems are widely used in buildings that require large free internal spaces and small execution times, such as commercial and industrial warehouses and storage and distribution centers. The purlins have a considerable contribution in the roof system total weight composition. In this work was developed a study on the different types of purlins for medium and large spans, up to 40 meters, analyzing the hot-rolled sections, cold-formed sections and trusses with open or hollow sections. Purlin design studies were conducted for hot-rolled and cold-formed sections, with a computational software development for these purlin types. The use of planar trusses as purlins, also called steel joists, is already well known, and its design was studied too, as well as the multi-planar tubular trusses, whose use is still small when compared with the other purlin types. With these studies, a comparative analysis was made for various spans, applying the loads commonly used in steel roof systems, allowing the investigation of the best purlin type for each proposed situation. An analysis of the purlin costs was also performed, allowing to study the feasibility of the tubular trusses use in steel roof systems, especially the multi-planar tubular trusses, whose application is still small. / Mestrado / Estruturas / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

The main target is to design and asses the steel structure of a administartive multi-storey building. The steel structure is T shaped, with 30m span and 42m length. An analysis of two solutions of the supporting structure was performed. The first variant is consists of rigid bracing system. Trusses bracing in the second variant is an alternative solution. Both variants were compared and the amount of steel was found. The selected option was developed in greater details with static calculation, drawings and material report of steel.

The subject of this thesis is an architectural study of Roman spa and sauna world that connects seamlessly to a specialized atelier with theme Aquacentre - "Water Temple" Brno. The project is located to the upper floors front cupola waterpark, which is composed of monolithic reinforced concrete skeleton and its building envelope brings arched laminated wood trusses. The main task was to create the interior space. The source of inspiration was the whirlpool, which is transcribed into the design of furniture.