Experimental and numerical approaches for structural assessment in new footbridge designs (SFRSCC–GFPR hybrid structure)

Within the civil engineering field, the use of the Finite Element Method has acquired a significant importance, since numerical simulations have been employed in a broad field, which encloses the design, analysis and prediction of the structural behaviour of constructions and infrastructures. Nevertheless, these mathematical simulations can only be useful if all the mechanical properties of the materials, boundary conditions and damages are properly modelled. Therefore, it is required not only experimental data (static and/or dynamic tests) to provide references parameters, but also robust calibration methods able to model damage or other special structural conditions. The present paper addresses the model calibration of a footbridge bridge tested with static loads and ambient vibrations. Damage assessment was also carried out based on a hybrid numerical procedure, which combines discrete damage functions with sets of piecewise linear damage functions. Results from the model calibration shows that the model reproduces with good accuracy the experimental behaviour of the bridge.

Rockburst laboratory tests database - Application of data mining techniques

Rockburst is characterized by a violent explosion of a block causing a sudden rupture in the rock and is quite common in deep tunnels. It is critical to understand the phenomenon of rockburst, focusing on the patterns of occurrence so these events can be avoided and/or managed saving costs and possibly lives. The failure mechanism of rockburst needs to be better understood. Laboratory experiments are undergoing at the Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering (SKLGDUE) of Beijing and the system is described. A large number of rockburst tests were performed and their information collected, stored in a database and analyzed. Data Mining (DM) techniques were applied to the database in order to develop predictive models for the rockburst maximum stress (σRB) and rockburst risk index (IRB) that need the results of such tests to be determined. With the developed models it is possible to predict these parameters with high accuracy levels using data from the rock mass and specific project.

Desenvolvimento de modelos numéricos e análise experimental de subestruturas soldadas de transformadores de potência, sujeitas a forças de curto-circuito em regime transitório

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Mecânica

Estudo e caracterização mecânica por via experimental de modelos de subestruturas eletromecânicas aplicadas ao fabrico de transformadores de grande potência

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Mecânica

Experimental procedures for the identification of material properties of intervertebal disc - a contribution for the development of biomimetic substitutes for the nucleus pulposus

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Mecânica.

Lightweight adjustable partition system: evaluation of resistance to horizontal loads and functional failure from impacts

This paper presents and discusses the results of the serviciability and use condition tests carried on an innovative solution for partitions, designated AdjustMembrane developed within a research project. The proposed system is a modular non-loadbearing wall, tensioned between the pavements and ceiling slabs, which are used as anchoring elements. It allows several advantages, related with the weight reduction to achieve a good sustainable performance, such as the reduction of construction costs, energy, and materials, and it is easy to recycle and to reuse, allowing self-construction. Apart from a general presentation of the partition technology, this paper presents and discusses the results of experimental tests carried out. From the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the solution fulfils the requirements for this typology of wall in terms of resistance to horizontal loads induced by soft and hard body impacts.

Behaviour of a dovetail joint solved using force analyses

Dovetail joints are one of the most cornrnonly used joints during Gothic and Baroque periods. Despite being coristructed in the sarne way during the ages, there is no analyticai solution available to help its analysis and design so required in reconstruction works of existing timber structures. An analytical solution based on the principie of virtual works under different types of loading is presented in this paper as weli as differences in bearing capacity of the joint for chosen types of loading, when different wood species are used. The accuracy of the presented solution is confirrned by data obtained from experimental tests of scaied modeis of a dovetail joint.

A model to simulate the moment-rotation and crack width of FRC members reinforced with longitudinal bars

The present work describes a model for the determination of the moment–rotation relationship of a cross section of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) elements that also include longitudinal bars for the flexural reinforcement (R/FRC). Since a stress–crack width relationship (σ–w)(σ–w) is used to model the post-cracking behavior of a FRC, the σ–w directly obtained from tensile tests, or derived from inverse analysis applied to the results obtained in three-point notched beam bending tests, can be adopted in this approach. For a more realistic assessment of the crack opening, a bond stress versus slip relationship is assumed to simulate the bond between longitudinal bars and surrounding FRC. To simulate the compression behavior of the FRC, a shear friction model is adopted based on the physical interpretation of the post-peak compression softening behavior registered in experimental tests. By allowing the formation of a compressive FRC wedge delimited by shear band zones, the concept of concrete crushing failure mode in beams failing in bending is reinterpreted. By using the moment–rotation relationship, an algorithm was developed to determine the force–deflection response of statically determinate R/FRC elements. The model is described in detail and its good predictive performance is demonstrated by using available experimental data. Parametric studies were executed to evidence the influence of relevant parameters of the model on the serviceability and ultimate design conditions of R/FRC elements failing in bending.

Shear strengthening of damaged reinforced concrete beams with hybrid composite plates

This paper aims to evaluate experimentally the potentialities of Hybrid Composite Plates (HCPs) technique for the shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams that were previously subjected to intense damage in shear. HCP is a thin plate of Strain Hardening Cementitious Composite (SHCC) reinforced with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates. For this purpose, an experimental program composed of two series of beams (rectangular and T cross section) was executed to assess the strengthening efficiency of this technique. In the first step of this experimental program, the control beams, without steel stirrups, were loaded up to their shear failure, and fully unloaded. Then, these pre-damaged beams were shear strengthened by applying HCPs to their lateral faces by using a combination of epoxy adhesive and mechanical anchors. The bolts were applied with a certain torque in order to increase the concrete confinement. The obtained results showed that the increase of load carrying capacity of the damaged strengthened beams when HCPs were applied with epoxy adhesive and mechanical anchors was 2 and 2.5 times of the load carrying capacity of the corresponding reference beams (without HCPs) for the rectangular and T cross section beam series, respectively. To further explore the potentialities of the HCPs technique for the shear strengthening, the experimental tests were simulated using an advanced numerical model by a FEM-based computer program. After demonstration the good predictive performance of the numerical model, a parametric study was executed to highlight the influence of SHCC as an alternative for mortar, as well as the influence of torque level applied to the mechanical anchors, on the load carrying capacity of beams strengthened with the proposed technique.

Plastic-damage smeared crack model to simulate the behaviour of structures made by cement based materials

This work proposes a constitutive model to simulate nonlinear behaviour of cement based materials subjected to different loading paths. The model incorporates a multidirectional fixed smeared crack approach to simulate crack initiation and propagation, whereas the inelastic behaviour of material between cracks is treated by a numerical strategy that combines plasticity and damage theories. For capturing more realistically the shear stress transfer between the crack surfaces, a softening diagram is assumed for modelling the crack shear stress versus crack shear strain. The plastic damage model is based on the yield function, flow rule and evolution law for hardening variable, and includes an explicit isotropic damage law to simulate the stiffness degradation and the softening behaviour of cement based materials in compression. This model was implemented into the FEMIX computer program, and experimental tests at material scale were simulated to appraise the predictive performance of this constitutive model. The applicability of the model for simulating the behaviour of reinforced concrete shear wall panels submitted to biaxial loading conditions, and RC beams failing in shear is investigated.

Effect of environmental ageing on the numerical response of FRP-strengthened masonry walls

Recent durability studies have shown the susceptibility of bond in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthened masonry components to hygrothermal exposures. However, it is not clear how this local material degradation affects the global behavior of FRP-strengthened masonry structures. This study addresses this issue by numerically investigating the nonlinear behavior of FRP-masonry walls after aging in two different environmental conditions. A numerical modeling strategy is adopted and validated with existing experimental tests on FRP-strengthened masonry panels. The model, once validated, is used for modeling of four hypothetical FRP-strengthened masonry walls with different boundary conditions, strengthening schemes, and reinforcement ratios. The nonlinear behavior of the walls is then simulated before and after aging in two different environmental conditions. The degradation data are taken from previous accelerated aging tests. The changes in the failure mode and nonlinear response of the walls after aging are presented and discussed.

Seismic evaluation of environmentally degraded FRP-strengthened masonry walls

Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) have been extensively used for externally bonded reinforcement of masonry structures during the last years. Available information shows that FRPs can significantly improve the seismic performance of masonry elements without altering their structural mass. However, the durability and long-term performance of the strengthened elements are not clearly known yet. Recent experimental results show that environmental conditions can lead to degradation of the bond between FRP and masonry and FRP delaminations. But the effect of these local degradation mechanisms on the global structural response is not studied yet. This paper is therefore aimed at numerically investigating the effect of environmental degradation on the global performance of strengthened masonry walls. The nonlinear behavior of masonry walls strengthened with FRP composites is initially simulated with the aim of a FE package. The adopted numerical modeling strategy is verified by comparison of numerical and experimental results. The model, once validated, is used for investigating the effect of materials and bond degradation on the global behavior and failure modes of strengthened walls. The effect of strengthening scheme on the long-term performance of strengthened walls is also investigated. The degradation data are taken from experimental tests previously performed by the authors. The numerical results show that the effect of local material degradation on the global response of strengthened walls depends on the strengthening schemes, and severity of the environmental conditions. Moreover, environmental induced degradations and FRP delaminations can lead to change of expected failure modes in the strengthened elements. These observations, that are usually neglected at the design stage, can be critical in the long-term performance of strengthened structures.

Shear strengthening of reinforced concrete beams with SHCC-FRP panels

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Civil

Innovative methodologies for the enhancement of the flexural strengthening performance of NSM CFRP technique for RC beams

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia Civil

Sistema de aquisição e comunicação para sensores magnetoelétricos

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Eletrónica Industrial e Computadores