This thesis deals with the subject of lateral bracing between the bottom flanges of I-girder composite bridges. The focus is on the impact of adding lateral bracing on existing bridges, as well as on new bridges. Experience and knowledge from bridge projects around the world are investigated and implemented in the evaluation of the research subject. Many existing bridges are in need of being strengthened or replaced, due to the increased traffic volume and heavier traffic loads. Different approaches can be used to prolong the lifetime of existing bridges. The approach is different depending on the cause, but for increasing the lifetime regarding fatigue some of the most suitable options are described in this thesis. A proposed concept is presented, in this thesis, along with some research questions to be answered. The use of lateral bracings in composite bridges varies between different parts of the world. In one country it can be a requirement/common praxis for long span composite bridges with two I-girders, in other countries there are no requirements of using them. Some parts of these regulations and requirements can be traced back to the tradition in both manufacturing and construction of this type of bridges. This thesis investigates how lateral bracing is used around the world to distribute eccentric loads between primary longitudinal structural members, provide resistance to lateral loads, and to permit an existing two-girder structural system to be retrofitted to behave similarly to an often more expensive closed steel box girder. Furthermore, several case studies have been conducted to investigate the impact on the structural behavior of composite bridges where a lateral bracing is implemented in the structure. The results from these case studies are presented in the thesis and show the advantages of the quasi-box section for which the lateral bracing is closing the composite cross section. By making the I-girder composite cross section acting more like a box-section, the distribution of eccentric loads between the girders is improved. The impact on longitudinal stresses from traffic loads and the additional effects on internal sectional parts are also evaluated and discussed. Furthermore, proposals of the connection design for lateral bracings in existing bridges are suggested. Finally, conclusions from the results are stated.

The performance of nonstructural components in critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants (NPPs), has been primarily based on experience and historical data. This topic has been attracting increased interest from researchers following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. This disaster demonstrated the importance of using batteries in NPPs as an auxiliary power system, where such systems can provide the necessary power to mitigate the risk of serious accidents. However, little research has been conducted on such nonstructural components to evaluate their performance following the post- Fukushima safety requirements, recommended by several nuclear regulators worldwide [e.g., Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC)]. To address this research gap, this dissertation investigates the lateral performance of an auxiliary battery power system (ABPS) similar to those currently existing/operational in NPPs in Canada. The ABPS was experimentally tested under displacement-controlled quasi-static cyclic fully-reversed loading that simulates lateral seismic demands. Due to the presence of sliding batteries, the ABPS was then tested dynamically under increased ground motion levels on a shake table. The experimental results demonstrated that the design guidelines and fragility curves currently assigned to battery rack systems in the FEMA P58 prestandards do not encompass all possible failure mechanisms. A 3D numerical model was also developed using OpenSees software. The model was validated using the experimental results. The model results showed that the lateral performance of ABPS with different configurations (i.e. different lengths, tiers, and seismic categories) is influenced by the capacity of the L-shaped connection between the side rails and the end rail. However, the model was not able to predict all the damage states from the dynamic experimental tests, since the rocking/sliding/impact behavior of the batteries is a highly complex nonlinear problem by nature and beyond the scope of this study. The model presented is limited to the assessment of the lateral performance of different ABPS statically. This dissertation demonstrated the difference between the observed behavior of laboratory-controlled lateral performance tests of ABPSs operational/existing in NPPs and the behavior of ABPSs found in the literature that relied on limited historical and experience data. Finally, this dissertation laid the foundations for the need to further investigate the behavior of other safety-related components in NPPs and assess their compliance with new post-Fukushima design requirements. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

[pt] Os pórticos espaciais de aço são amplamente utilizados na engenharia civil, desempenhando um papel essencial em diversas construções, como centros comerciais, residências e estádios. Apesar de suas vantagens em resistência e leveza, o aumento da altura dessas estruturas apresenta desafios significativos, tais como deslocamentos devido ao vento e comprometimento do comportamento dinâmico. Para lidar com tais questões, sistemas de contraventamento são empregados, sendo essenciais para garantir também a estabilidade estrutural. A presente tese propõe uma abordagem abrangente para otimizar pórticos espaciais de aço, com o objetivo de equilibrar custo e desempenho. Além da minimização de custos, os objetivos incluem maximizar a frequência natural de vibração, o fator de carga crítica relacionado à flambagem global, bem como reduzir o máximo deslocamento no topo, o número de perfis distintos e o peso total da estrutura. A metodologia adotada envolve a aplicação de quatro algoritmos evolutivos baseados em evolução diferencial e uma análise multicritério de tomada de decisões para a extração das soluções das frentes de Pareto, considerando diferentes cenários de estudo. Destaca-se como aspecto inovador a consideração conjunta de variáveis de projeto, como o sistema de contraventamento, o conjunto de orientações dos eixos principais de inércia dos pilares e perfis comerciais, permitindo a avaliação simultânea de até quatro funções objetivo, além da inclusão de restrições adicionais. Os experimentos numéricos realizados demonstram a eficácia das metodologias propostas, fornecendo soluções viáveis para diferentes cenários com objetivos diversos. Também é explorada a automatização do agrupamento de pilares nos experimentos numéricos, através da formulação multiobjetivo, bem como a consideração de efeitos de segunda ordem na análise estrutural. Os resultados obtidos oferecem informações valiosas aos projetistas, permitindo a extração de soluções da frente de Pareto que balanceiam os objetivos conflitantes, resultando em estruturas mais eficientes, econômicas e sustentáveis. / [en] Steel space frames are widely used in various civil engineering projects such as shopping centers, residences, and stadiums. Despite their strength and lightness, increasing their height poses challenges like wind-induced displacements and compromised dynamic behavior. To address these issues, bracing systems are employed to also ensure the structural stability. This thesis presents a comprehensive approach to optimizing steel space frames, aiming to balance cost and performance. Alongside cost reduction, objectives include maximizing natural frequency of vibration, the critical load factor for global buckling, and minimizing maximum displacement at the top, the number of distinct profiles, and total weight of the structure. The methodology involves using four evolutionary algorithms based on differential evolution and a multi-criteria decision-making analysis to extract solutions from the Pareto front for different study scenarios. An innovative aspect is the integrated assessment of design variables, including the bracing system configuration, orientations of the principal inertia axes of the columns, and commercial profiles. This allows simultaneous evaluation of up to four objective functions, along with additional design constraints. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies, offering feasible solutions for various scenarios with different objectives. The automation of column grouping and consideration of second-order effects in structural analysis are also explored. The results provide valuable insights to designers, enabling them to extract solutions from the Pareto front that balance conflicting objectives, resulting in more efficient, economical, and sustainable structures.

Design of load bearing steel structure of a curling building. Examination of main load bearing building blocks. Examination of selected details. Drawing of disposition and selected details. Elaboration of manufactory drawings of chosen segments.

The topic of the thesis is a project of roof of a multifunctional sport object with a ground-plan covering area 35x48m, and maximum height of 16m. This construction is projected for Brno and its surroundings. The project of roofing is evolved in two different variants. First one is formed by double-jointed arched latticed truss. Supporting components such as purlins, lateral and longitudal bracings, frontal column and anchorage are designed and assessed in static calculation. At the end of the thesis, comparison of both variants is elaborated. Design documentation, which consists of dispositional drawing, drawing of truss for manufacturing, drawing of indicative details and plan of anchorage, is a part of the thesis.

Diploma thesis is developed the design and static assessment supporting steel structure Exhibition Hall of the overall ground dimensions 47x66m with a maximum height of 15.4 meters. Layout is designed in accordance with architectural requirements. The design is considered for Brno´s area. The proposal of roof system is designed in two versions whose dimensions are identical. The first option consists of a two-aisle hall object, parabolic truss girder, pin supported on fixed columns. The second variant also two-aisle building with truss frame structure assessed in static calculation. At the end of the thesis, comparison of both variants is elaborated. Design documentation, which consist layout drawing, drawing of truss for manufacturing, drawing indicative details and plan of anchorage, is a part od thesis

The aim of this final thesis was static protection for castle in Miroslavské Knínice. It was necessary to explore several respects and find signs of violation. Next analyze and propose suitable assurance of individual parts. Separe into the stages of construction and to consider the proposal in terms of ensuring the resistance of materials. Finally create a detailed documentation in the range suitable for performance. Based on engineering geology and visual survey was designed horizontal bracing prestressing cables at three levels. The first level "A" consists of a closed circuit of prestressed reinforced concrete passports, supplemented by the cross and construction of prestressed reinforced concrete passports. Next level "B,C" is used to secure the top of the building. Levels “B,C” are proposed using prestressed cable in spare cable channels.

This thesis is about designing and assessmenting timber structure of hangar in Brno - Medlánky. Hangar is designed for small planes at Medlanky airport. Plan view of hangar is 116 m × 64 m and hight is 10,6 m. The building is curved and building forms part of a semicircle. The main frames are irregular and formed of solid girder which statically acting as a double-jointed arches. The structure is designed from glued laminated timber, solid timber and steel connecting elements. Substructure is solved by concrete blocks and foundation strips. A spatial rigidity of the structure is provided by the sway and longitudinal bracings. Roof and peripheral walls are made by sandwich panels.

Esta dissertação apresenta em primeira etapa o trabalho desenvolvido para averiguar a adequação dos modelos reológicos de Mohr-Coulomb e de Endurecimento de solo, para representar as deformações e distorções que ocorrem no sistema soloestrutura, quando do processo de escavação de valas escoradas. Além disto, em uma segunda etapa fazem-se estimativas de previsão de danos causados em edificações, em decorrência das escavações de uma vala escorada da linha 1 do Metropolitano de São Paulo (Metrô S.P.). A primeira e a segunda etapa foram feitas através de 810 simulações numéricas, em elementos finitos utilizando-se o software PLAXIS, associadas a retroanálise por processo direto do módulo de deformabilidade a 50% da tensão de ruptura dos solos utilizando-se para isto o processo direto. Apresenta-se também uma síntese da formação e dos tipos de solos que constituem a bacia sedimentar de São Paulo, onde se localiza a seção experimental nº1 objeto de estudo desta dissertação. Faz-se uma breve revisão bibliográfica a respeito das técnicas de retroanálise. Apresentam-se critérios para escolha de intervalos de parâmetros geotécnicos que representem o sistema solo-estrutura no processo de escavação. Foram feitas análises paramétricas para determinar os parâmetros geotécnicos que mais influenciam o sistema solo-estrutura. Comparam-se os modelos constitutivos de Mohr-Coulomb e de endurecimento na previsão das deformações. Por fim, faz-se a previsão do nível de danos causados pelas escavações da vala, a um edifício hipotético / This dissertation presents, in a first part, the work done to verify how appropriate are the Mohr-Coulomb and hardening soil constitutive models to represent the strains and the distortions associated with escavations of braced wall process. In the second part, estimates are made of the damages in constructions due to the braced excavations of line one of Sao Paulo Subway (Metrô S.P.). In the two phases, 810 numeric simulations were made, in finite elements using the software PLAXIS, associated the back analysis for direct process. It is presented a synthesis of the formation and the types of soils that constitute the basin of the sediments of the city of São Paulo, where is located the section experimental nº1, object of study of this dissertation. It is presented an short bibliographical revision regarding the back analysis techniques. Criteria for choice of intervals of parameters geotechnical that represent the system soil-structure in the excavation process are presented. Parametric analyses are made to determine which the parameters have larger influence in the behavior of the system soil-structure. The behavior of the soil-structure system is simulated using the Mohr-Coulomb and hardening soil constitutive models. The Mohr-Coulomb and hardening soil constitutive models are compared in the forecast of the deformations. Finally, it is made the forecast of the level of damages to a hypothetical building caused by the braced excavations

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