published_or_final_version / abstract / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Physics / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / Physics / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Physics / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Timber has experienced new interest as a building material in recent times. Although traditionally in New Zealand it has been the main choice for residential construction, with recently introduced engineered wood products like Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), the use of timber has developed to other sectors like commercial, industrial, and multi-story buildings. The application of timber in office and commercial buildings poses some challenges with requirements for long span timber beams yet with holes to pass services. The current construction practice with timber is not properly suited for the aforementioned types of structures. There has been significant progress in designing timber structures since the introduction of timber codes like NZ3603-Timber Structures Standard; however, there are still a number of problems such as holes in beams not being addressed in the code. Experimental and numerical investigation is required to address the problem properly. In Europe, there have been a few attempts to address the problem of cutting holes and strength reduction because of holes/penetrations in glulam beams. However, LVL has not received much attention due to smaller production and use. While other researchers are focusing on glulam beams with holes, this research is targeting LVL beams with holes. This thesis extends existing knowledge on LVL beams with holes and reinforcement around the holes through experimental tests and numerical analysis. An experimental program on LVL specimens has been performed to indicate the material properties of interest that will be used in the analysis and design chapters through whole of the thesis. A wide-ranging experimental program was also performed on beams with holes, and beams with reinforcement around the holes. The experimental program pushes forward existing methods of testing by measuring the load in the reinforcement

A new mathematical model for the fundamental mode of a propagating Gaussian beam is presented. The model is two-fold, consisting of a mathematical expression and a corresponding geometrical representation which interprets the expression in the light of geometrical optics. The mathematical description arises from the (0,0) order of a new family of exact, closed-form solutions to the scalar Helmholtz equation. The family consists of nonseparable functions in the oblate spheroidal coordinate system and can easily be transformed to a different set of solutions in the prolate spheroidal coordinate system, where the (0,0) order is a spherical wave. This transformation consists of two substitutions in the coordinate system parameters and represents a more general method of obtaining a Gaussian beam from a spherical wave than assuming a complex point source on axis. Further, each higher-order member of the family of solutions possesses an amplitude consisting of a finite number of higher-order terms with a zero-order term that is Gaussian. The geometrical interpretation employs the skew-line generator of a hyperboloid of one sheet as a ray-like element on a contour of constant amplitude in the Gaussian beam. The geometrical characteristics of the skew line and the consequences of treating it as a ray are explored in depth. The skew line is ultimately used to build a nonorthogonal coordinate system which allows straight-line propagation of a Gaussian beam in three-dimensional space. Highlights of the research into other methods used to model a propagating Gaussian beam--such as complex rays, complex point sources and complex argument functions--are reviewed and compared with this work.

No description available.

This study investigates the feasibility of strengthening reinforced concrete beams with epoxy-bonded Glass-Fiber-Reinforced-Plastic (GFRP) plates. The composite plate is epoxy-bonded to the tension flange of the beam to increase its stiffness and strength. Seven rectangular and one T-beam, retrofitted with composite plates, were tested to failure under symmetrical 4-point bending. The load versus deflection and the load versus strain in the composite plate, steel rebar and the extreme compression fiber of concrete were measured and plotted for the midspan section throughout the entire range of loading up to failure. Analytical models based on the equilibrium of forces and compatibility of deformations were developed to predict the stresses and deformations of the beam in the linear and nonlinear regions. The predicted and measured results correlated well. The analytical models were used in a parametric study to investigate the effects of design variables such as, plate area, plate strength and stiffness, reinforcement ratio, etc., on the moment-curvature relationships of typical rectangular and T cross sections.

No description available.