Project report (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (47-48). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-118). Also available via the Internet.

Zugl.: Paderborn, Univ., Diss.

No description available.

The current research analyzed the flutter response of the Stonecutters Cable-Stayed Bridge in Hong Kong, which has a twin deck configuration, under the effect of wind. The aerodynamic instability response of the bridge steel deck of the main span is mainly the focus of the current project. Initially, a complete finite element bridge model was created in ABAQUS finite element software, representing all the structural elements of the Stonecutters Cable-Stayed Bridge in a lumped mass bridge model. The natural frequencies and the vibration modes were validated against the data available in the literature at first. Secondly, the effect of the mean wind loading for wind speeds between 35 m/s and 211 m/s were determined. The vertical and horizontal displacements and the torsional angle at mid-span are indicated to determine the bridge performance under mean wind load. Moreover the flutter instability was modeled based on Scanlan’s theory and the response of the bridge model at several different locations along the main and the side span and the top of the tower, were determined for wind speeds of 35 m/s and higher, where this critical aerodynamic instability is expected to occur. In addition, the responses of the bridge under natural wind data were also determined by applying a wind speed recorded data to the bridge model. Finally, the critical flutter wind speed and the flutter frequency were determined by Fast Fourier Transform in MATLAB program. The flutter onset wind speed was also determined.

This thesis presents the results of an experimental, numerical and analytical study to develop a design method to calculate shear resistance of flanged ferrocement beams with vertical mesh reinforcements in the web. Two groups of full-scale testing were conducted comprising of three I beams and four U beams. The I beams had the same geometry and reinforcement arrangements, but differed in the matrix strength or shear span to depth ratio. The U beams differed in web and flange thickness, reinforcement arrangements, matrix strength and shear span to depth ratio. The experimental data were used for validation of finite element models which had been developed using the ABAQUS software. The validated models were subsequently employed to conduct a comprehensive parametric study to investigate the effects of a number of design parameters, including the effect of matrix strength, shear span to depth ratio, cross sectional area, length of clear span, volume fraction of meshes and amount of rebar. The main conclusion from the experiments and parametric studies were: shear failure may occur only when the shear span to depth ratio is smaller than 1.5; the shear strength may increase by increasing the matrix strength, volume fraction of meshes, cross sectional area and amount of rebar. The main type of shear failure for I beams was diagonal splitting while for U beams it was shear flexural. Based on the results from the experimental and numerical studies, a shear design guide for ferrocement beams was developed. A set of empirical equations for the two different failure types and an improved strut-and-tie were proposed. By comparison with the procedures currently in practice, it is demonstrated that the methodology proposed in this thesis is likely to give much better predictions for shear capacity of flanged ferrocement beams.

A prototype rigid wall relocatable shelter was designed and constructed using cold-formed steel (CFS) construction techniques including shear walls with corrugated sheathings. The design of the shelter was to be mechanically sound with adequate thermal performance and resistance to corrosion. Modeling of structural shear walls was performed using ABAQUS and verified with experimental results. At the project's conclusion, a completed full-scale prototype shelter was constructed.

Bridges are critical pieces of infrastructure important to public safety and welfare. Fires have the potential to damage bridges and have been responsible for taking many bridges out of service. The hazard fire poses to bridges is a little studied risk unlike more common threats such as impact, scour and earthquake. Information on the rate of occurrence of bridge fires and the mechanisms of structural response of bridges subjected to fire are both vital to policy makers seeking to address the hazard rationally. The investigation presented developed frequency statistics of bridge fire incidents from several sources of vehicle accident and fire statistics. To further investigate the fire hazard a computational model integrating the simulation of large fires and the simulation of bridge superstructure mechanical response was created. The simulation was used to perform a parametric study of fire size and location to investigate the relationship between these parameters and damage tot bridge super-""structure. The statistics investigation resulted in an observed rate of fires due to vehicle accidents of approximately 175 per year. Approximately one of these per year was the result of a tanker truck carrying a flammable liquid leading to extensive superstructure damage. The simulation showed that a tanker fire resulted in permanent damage to the bridge by several measures where as the affects of a bus fire were minimal. The simulations also demonstrated the mechanisms of bridge response; the importance of girder temperature in that response; and the differences in the response to a tanker fire that can lead to collapse. / Ph. D.

No description available.

A steel frame structure of a few storey building is considered in European project FRAMEUP. Each column of the building is constructed from steel profiles connected by column-to-column connection, called column splice. In FRAMEUP project new type of column splice connection is designed to facilitate assembly. This connection consists of a plate, called finger plate with characteristic shape of holes, called long open slotted holes. A column splice with long open holes is a type of friction connection, where finger plate transfer load between bottom of one column and top of a second part and preloaded bolts are used to clamp segments together. In this work, the behaviour of the connection is investigated. Moreover, general information about column splices, friction connection and loss of pretension are introduced in literature review. A recommendations, for the preloaded bolts are investigated in accordance with European standard EN 1993-1-8. An experimental static compression tests are performed in order to observe the real behaviour of the column splice with long open slotted holes. Several number of numerical tests are performed to predict behaviour of the connection by use of Abaqus software. The Numerical model is validated against experimental results. Further tests are performed in order to check an influence of other important factors on the behaviour of connection system. An influence of connection geometry i.e. filler plate thickness, characteristic of the surface and the material properties are analyzed. The variation of bolt forces as well as slip factor and reduction factor ks are investigated. Finally, experimental test and finite element method analysis are discussed and conclusion are given. / <p>Validerat; 20140913 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>