The interstate highway system is vitally dependent upon current and future bridges. These bridges must be designed economically to continue the serviceability with limited maintenance. For precast bridge construction a portion of the design must consider the bridge connections. Some current connections have proved insufficient in serviceability as there is uncontrolled cracking. In other connections there are uncertainties in the calculations (or lack of calculations) which require design guidelines. This thesis presents design recommendations for precast decking u-bar reinforcement in tension which results from negative moment over a pier. Testing results from the University of Tennessee were analyzed to determine the design recommendations. The calculated capacity of the specimens was determined first by strut and tie modeling by AASHTO and ACI, but was shown to be insufficient. Proposed changes to the current calculation of the strut width as specified in AASHTO and ACI STM methods were discussed in order to match the test results. However, strut and tie modeling demonstrated that the design for the lacer bar was inadequate. Since the strut and tie modeling method resulted in an inaccurate lacer bar size, another method was developed. A triangular shape develops from the flow of forces in the connection joint zone; as a result, a free body diagram (FBD) was developed from the concrete triangular shape. This diagram showed how the forces flow in the in-situ joint as well as how they are resisted. A formula was developed from the FBD to determine the capacity of the joint which accurately reflected the capacities from tests. A FBD was also made of the lacer bar utilizing the forces and geometry calculated from the capacity calculations. A computer analysis program was used to determine the forces in the lacer bar. The lacer bar could then be designed since the required forces to resist (moment and shear) were known. A comparison of the strut and tie model to the triangular method led to the conclusion that both can determine the longitudinal reinforcement spacing, joint overlap length, and concrete strength, but only the triangular method can determine a more sufficient lacer bar size.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:48:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JulioCCD_DISSERT.pdf: 5293520 bytes, checksum: 35065f2bef6951ad4ce1b2b752aa3b02 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-28 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The main objective of this thesis was the study of bracing panels of structural masonry, by applying the Finite Element Method and Strut and Tie Method. It was analyzed the following aspects: the effect of orthotropy on the behavior of the panels; distribution of horizontal forces between panels for buildings; comparison between Equivalent Frame and Finite Elements models; panels design with the Strut and Tie Method. The results showed that one should not disregard the orthotropy, otherwise this can lead to models stiffer than the real. Regarding the distribution of horizontal forces, showed that the disregard of lintels and shear deformation leads to significant differences in the simplified model. The results showed also that the models in Finite Element and Equivalent Frame exhibit similar behavior in respect to stiffness of panels and stress distribution over the sessions requested. It was discussing criteria for designing Strut and Tie Method models in one floor panels. Then, the theoretical strength these panels was compared with the rupture strength of panels tested in the literature. The theoretical maximum strength were always less than the rupture strength of the panels obtained in tests, due to the fact that the proposed model cannot represent the behavior of the masonry after the start of the panel cracking due to plasticization of the reinforcement / O objetivo principal desta disserta??o foi o estudo de pain?is de contraventamento de alvenaria estrutural, atrav?s da aplica??o do M?todo dos Elementos Finitos e do M?todo de Bielas e Tirantes. Foram analisados os seguintes aspectos: o efeito da ortotropia no comportamento de pain?is; distribui??o de for?as horizontais entre pain?is de edif?cios; compara??o entre os modelos de P?rtico Equivalente e Elementos Finitos; c?lculo de pain?is com o M?todo de Bielas e Tirantes. Os resultados permitiram concluir que n?o se deve desconsiderar a ortotropia, sob pena de conduzir a modelos mais r?gidos que o real. Em rela??o ? distribui??o de for?as horizontais, evidenciou-se que a desconsidera??o dos lint?is e da deforma??o por cisalhamento acarretam diferen?as significativas relativamente ao modelo de barras isoladas. Os resultados permitiram concluir, ainda que os modelos em Elementos Finitos e de P?rtico Equivalente apresentam comportamento semelhante no que se refere ? rigidez de pain?is e distribui??o de tens?es nas sess?es mais solicitadas. Foram discutidos crit?rios para a concep??o de modelos de bielas e tirantes em pain?is isolados. Em seguida, a for?a horizontal te?rica destes pain?is foi comparada com a carga de ruptura de pain?is ensaiados dispon?veis na literatura. As for?as m?ximas te?ricas foram sempre inferiores ? for?a de ruptura dos pain?is, obtidas em ensaios, devido ao fato de que o modelo proposto n?o ? capaz de representar o comportamento da alvenaria ap?s o inicio da fissura??o do painel devido ? plastifica??o das armaduras

The present research is conducted to investigate the structural behaviour of continuously supported deep beams made with SCC. A series of tests on eight reinforced two-span continuous deep beams made with SCC was performed. The main parameters investigated were the shear span-to-depth ratio, the amount and configuration of web reinforcement and the main longitudinal reinforcement ratio. All beams failed due to a major diagonal crack formed between the applied mid-span load and the intermediate support separating the beam into two blocks: the first one rotated around the end support leaving the rest of the beam fixed on the other two supports. The amount and configuration of web reinforcement had a major effect in controlling the shear capacity of SCC continuous deep beams. The shear provisions of the ACI 318M-11 reasonably predicted the load capacity of SCC continuous deep beams. The strut-and-tie model recommended by different design codes showed conservative results for all SCC continuous deep beams. The ACI Building Code (ACI 318M-11) predictions were more accurate than those of the EC2 and Canadian Code (CSA23.3-04). The proposed effectiveness factor equations for the strut-and-tie model showed accurate predictions compared to the experimental results. The different equations of the effectiveness factor used in upper-bound analysis can reasonably be applied to the prediction of the load capacity of continuously supported SCC deep beams although they were proposed for normal concrete (NC). The proposed three dimensional FE model accurately predicted the failure modes, the load capacity and the load-deflection response of the beams tested.

A pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar e discutir o comportamento de blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas submetidos à ação de força centrada e excêntrica. Desenvolveu-se uma análise numérica tridimensional não-linear de blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas. A análise numérica levou em consideração a fissuração do concreto e a influência das armaduras no comportamento estrutural dos blocos. Por meio da análise numérica, foi possível perceber o comportamento e a forma geométrica das bielas de compressão, com isso, obteve-se melhor entendimento do modelo de bielas (escoras) e tirantes aplicado a blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas. A geometria observada nos modelos numéricos analisados preliminarmente difere da usualmente sugerida por vários autores. Realizou-se investigação experimental de blocos, com o fim principal de observar, de modo mais abrangente, a geometria das bielas de compressão. A instrumentação foi posicionada nas faces dos blocos com extensômetros espaçados de modo a ocuparem boa parte da largura e, conseqüentemente, indicarem as suas geometrias. A análise experimental de blocos sobre duas estacas submetidos à ação de força excêntrica permitiu observar o comportamento das bielas e tirantes que diferem dos observados quando a força é centrada. Também foi analisada a eficiência dos ganchos das barras de aço que compõem os tirantes, verificando-se que os ganchos podem ser omitidos sem prejuízo da segurança estrutural dos blocos. Em função dos resultados obtidos por meio das análises experimental e numérica desenvolveram-se modelos de bielas e tirantes aplicados a blocos sobre duas estacas / The research had as objective to analyze and to argue about the behavior of two pile caps submitted to the action of a centered and eccentric load. A nonlinear three-dimensional numerical analysis of two pile caps was developed. The numerical analysis included the cracking and the influence of the reinforcement in the structural behavior of the pile caps. By the numerical analysis, it was possible to perceive the behavior and the geometric form of the strut, with this understand the model strut-and-tie applied to the two pile caps. The geometry observed in the numerical models analyzed at first differs from the usually suggested by some authors. This project realized experimental tests of piles caps to observe the geometry of the struts. The instrumentation was located in the faces of the pile caps with spaced strain-gages in order to occupy good part of the width and, consequently, indicate its geometry. The experimental analysis of two pile caps submitted to the eccentric load allowed the behavior observation of the strut and tie that differ from the one observed when the load was centered. Also the efficiency of the hooks of the reinforced bar was analyzed, therefore, in the experimental analysis of pile caps already developed, it was verified that the hooks can be omitted without damage of the structural security of the pile caps. For treating the procedure defined in the project, and taking advantage of the experimental analysis realized, it was understood that this requirement can be analyzed and that the results will bring benefits to the project. In function of the results obtained through the experimental and numeric analysis strut-and-tie models were developed to be applied in two pile caps

Esta pesquisa realiza a análise do comportamento estrutural de blocos rígidos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas submetidos à ação de força vertical centrada, com pilares de seções quadradas e retangulares e diferentes taxas de armaduras de pilares. Nestes elementos utilizam-se o método das Bielas e Tirantes para o projeto estrutural, mas normalmente não se considera a influência da seção geométrica dos pilares e suas taxas de armadura no projeto do bloco. Apresenta-se um estudo experimental de doze modelos de blocos sobre duas estacas, na escala 1:2. Foi desenvolvida uma análise numérica tridimensional e não linear, pelo método dos elementos finitos, com o auxílio de um programa de computador. Com a análise experimental e numérica foi investigada a distribuição do fluxo das tensões principais de compressão e tração nos modelos e constataram-se diferenças na transmissão de forças para os blocos quando se altera a taxa de armadura e a seção transversal dos pilares. Esta constatação modifica o modelo de Biela e Tirante inicialmente adotado. As deformações em armaduras construtivas complementares também foram estudadas possibilitando o entendimento do modelo estrutural. Um modelo de Bielas e Tirantes para blocos sobre estaca com pilares alongados foi proposto. / This research presents an analysis of the rigid two-pile caps structural behavior. The models were subjected to force action centered and supported columns with different rate of armor and square and rectangular cross sections. These elements can be rigid or flexible, rigid pile-caps can be sized using the Method of Strut and Tie. In most cases the Method of Strut and Tie and the influence of column reinforcement are not considered in the pile-cap´s structural projects. This research presents an experimental investigation of two-pile caps with the objective of improve criteria structural projects. Twelve rigid two-pile caps were builded using 1:2 scaled models. Three-dimensional numerical analyses using software based on element finite method (FEM) were developed considering the reinforced concrete nonlinear behavior. Using results of experimental analysis and numerical analysis an investigation of the flow distribution of the principal stresses of compression and tension in the models was performed, differences in the transmission of forces to the pile-caps, when changing the reinforcement ratio and the cross section of the columns, were detected. The initial model of strut and tie may be modified due to results. The understanding of the structural model was also possible by analysis of the stirrups and upper constructive reinforcement stress-strain behavior. A strut and tie model for pile-caps with an elongated rectangular column was proposed.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-04-23T19:28:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Victor Mark Pontes dos Santos - 2014.pdf: 4740430 bytes, checksum: 86ddafe465639f636facb827295fa18a (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-04-23T19:30:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Victor Mark Pontes dos Santos - 2014.pdf: 4740430 bytes, checksum: 86ddafe465639f636facb827295fa18a (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-23T19:30:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Victor Mark Pontes dos Santos - 2014.pdf: 4740430 bytes, checksum: 86ddafe465639f636facb827295fa18a (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work explores the use of reliability techniques for selecting strut and tie models and explores the use of topology optimization techniques to generate these models automatically. A literature review is presented exploring probability concepts useful in reliability analysis, concepts about classic approaches to generate strut and topology optimization. The formulation is based on concepts of the limit analysis thus they are the theoretical basis of the strut and tie model. Formulations used in reliability analysis are presented, such as the Monte Carlo simulation and the methods FOSM and FORM. These techniques are applied in nine numerical applications. The first two examples explore alternative techniques on the topology optimization field so as enable appropriate strut and tie results consistent with the project of concrete structures. The following examples are used to validate the tools used in the reliability analysis and in the limit analysis. Finally the four following examples apply reliability analysis with failure function based on limit analysis to compare classic models with those obtained by using topology optimization and analyze the security level of the models with respect to changes in concrete strength, reinforcement provided by the ties and thickness of the struts. / Este trabalho tem o objetivo de utilizar técnicas de confiabilidade para a seleção de modelos de bielas e tirantes e verificar a viabilidade da utilização de técnicas de otimização de topologia para geração automática desses modelos. Apresenta-se uma revisão bibliográfica com conceitos de probabilidade úteis na análise de confiabilidade, conceitos sobre modelos de bielas e tirantes e sobre a otimização de topologia. A metodologia do trabalho emprega formulações utilizadas na análise limite por ser a base teórica do modelo de bielas e tirantes. Apresentam-se também formulações utilizadas na análise de confiabilidade como a simulação de Monte Carlo e os métodos FOSM e FORM. Essas técnicas são utilizadas em nove exemplos de aplicação. As primeiras aplicações exploram variações nas técnicas de otimização de topologia que possibilitam resultados de modelos de bielas e tirantes mais adequados ao projeto de estruturas de concreto armado. As aplicações seguintes validam as ferramentas utilizadas na análise de confiabilidade e na análise limite. Por fim, nas últimas quatro aplicações, aplica-se a análise de confiabilidade com função de falha baseada na análise limite para comparar modelos clássicos e modelos obtidos com otimização de topologia e analisar o nível de segurança dos modelos em relação a algumas variáveis como resistência do concreto, área de aço e espessura de bielas.

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-01-29T14:45:57Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Flávio Augusto Xavier Carneiro Pinho - 2015.pdf: 5478560 bytes, checksum: 3507be4593cbd586348d2f5a2bfe2f9f (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-02-01T11:53:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Flávio Augusto Xavier Carneiro Pinho - 2015.pdf: 5478560 bytes, checksum: 3507be4593cbd586348d2f5a2bfe2f9f (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-01T11:53:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Flávio Augusto Xavier Carneiro Pinho - 2015.pdf: 5478560 bytes, checksum: 3507be4593cbd586348d2f5a2bfe2f9f (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Optimization techniques have been widely used in different engineering applications. In the case of structural conception, these techniques can be applied from the architectural concept, determining, for example, bracing structures to setting the best topology for concrete structures, as those compared to strut and tie models. In this context, this thesis presents techniques applied to topology optimization in subsystems of buildings. It is also presented a new software tool, modelled in object-oriented programming, seeking the solution for topology optimization problems assembling various technical problems unified in a single approach. The software tool was used to determine the best shape to bracing frames on a building submited to different loading combinations as well to compare the strut and tie models to foundation blocks. Results were compared to literature review, validating the unified computational procedure. Strut and tie models found in literature were compared to piled foundation blocks varying the number of piles, and whose geometry for larger number of piles are still not clearly defined. / Técnicas de otimização têm sido especialmente utilizadas em diversos problemas de engenharia. No caso da concepção estrutural de grandes edifícios, essas técnicas podem ser utilizadas desde o partido arquitetônico. Neste caso, podem ser determinadas, por exemplo, estruturas de contraventamento. Outro exemplo é a aplicação da otimização de topologia para determinação do modelo de bielas e tirantes de estruturas de concreto armado. Neste trabalho, são utilizadas técnicas de otimização de topologia aplicadas em subsistemas de edifícios. Apresenta-se um software em linguagem de programação orientada a objeto para a solução de problemas de otimização de topologia em que são reunidas diferentes técnicas características do problema as quais são unificadas em uma única abordagem. Esse software é aplicado para determinar a melhor forma da estrutura de contraventamento de edifícios altos submetidos a diversas combinações de carregamentos e para determinação do modelo de bielas e tirantes de blocos de fundações. Os resultados encontrados validam a utilização da uma abordagem unificada já que são condizentes com a literatura. Os modelos de bielas e tirantes encontrados para os blocos de fundações são iguais aos modelos clássicos encontrados na literatura. Também foram estudados blocos de fundações com uma maior quantidade de estacas cujos modelos ainda não possuem geometria bem definida na literatura.

This study is an investigation into sociolinguistic variation in a second language. More specifically, it is an investigation into the extent to which speakers of English as a second language acquire particular features of the variety of English they are exposed to. The speakers in question are Polish migrants, and the variety of English is that found in Manchester, a city in the North West of England.The research uses data gathered from 41 participants who have been in Manchester for various lengths of time and who came to the UK for a wide range of reasons. The aim was to explore the extent to which local accent features are acquired by second language English speakers, and the linguistic and social factors which influence this acquisition. Methodologically, the research draws on practices from variationist sociolinguistics, but by using them in a second language context, the study has the additional aim of developing the link between these two areas of study. Four linguistic features were identified, on the basis of them each exhibiting local variants that differ from any pedagogical model of English the speakers will have been exposed to in Poland. All four demonstrated some degree of change towards the local variants in the speech of many of the participants, but to greatly differing degrees. Multiple regression analyses helped to determine which factors might be influencing the patterns of variation, with the social constraints of length of residence, level of English, gender, attitude, and identity among those believed to be playing a part. The thesis ends with a discussion exploring the implications of the findings in terms of existing and future research, and looks at how they might usefully be applied to situations outside that of academic linguistics.

This work deals with the structural solution of selected parts of load bearing structure of apartment house - floor slabs of 1.PP and 2.NP, deep beam and its supporting column. The analysis is made by Finite Element Method, deep beam is solved by Strut-and-Tie model. The elements are designed and assessed according to valid standards.

This thesis deal with a suspension kinematics of racing vehicles a specialy group B. It processes an overview of axle suspensions of racing vehicles used at 80´ last century. Than it compare kinematics variables with actual axle suspensions systems.