Wind-induced fragility assessment of urban trees with structural uncertainties

Peng, Yongbo,Wang, Zhiheng,Ai, Xiaoqiu Techno-Press 2018 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.26 No.1

Wind damage of urban trees arises to be a serious issue especially in the typhoon-prone areas. As a family of tree species widely-planted in Southeast China, the structural behaviors of Plane tree is investigated. In order to accommodate the complexities of tree morphology, a fractal theory based finite element modeling method is proposed. On-site measurement of Plane trees is performed for physical definition of structural parameters. It is revealed that modal frequencies of Plane trees distribute in a manner of grouped dense-frequencies; bending is the main mode of structural failure. In conjunction with the probability density evolution method, the fragility assessment of urban trees subjected to wind excitations is then proceeded. Numerical results indicate that small-size segments such as secondary branches feature a relatively higher failure risk in a low wind level, and a relatively lower failure risk in a high wind level owing to windward shrinks. Besides, the trunk of Plane tree is the segment most likely to be damaged than other segments in case of high winds. The failure position tends to occur at the connection between trunk and primary branches, where the logical protections and reinforcement measures can be implemented for mitigating the wind damage.

Wind-induced fragility assessment of urban trees with structural uncertainties

Yongbo Peng,Zhiheng Wang,Xiaoqiu Ai 한국풍공학회 2018 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.26 No.1

Wind damage of urban trees arises to be a serious issue especially in the typhoon-prone areas. As a family of tree species widely-planted in Southeast China, the structural behaviors of Plane tree is investigated. In order to accommodate the complexities of tree morphology, a fractal theory based finite element modeling method is proposed. On-site measurement of Plane trees is performed for physical definition of structural parameters. It is revealed that modal frequencies of Plane trees distribute in a manner of grouped dense-frequencies; bending is the main mode of structural failure. In conjunction with the probability density evolution method, the fragility assessment of urban trees subjected to wind excitations is then proceeded. Numerical results indicate that small-size segments such as secondary branches feature a relatively higher failure risk in a low wind level, and a relatively lower failure risk in a high wind level owing to windward shrinks. Besides, the trunk of Plane tree is the segment most likely to be damaged than other segments in case of high winds. The failure position tends to occur at the connection between trunk and primary branches, where the logical protections and reinforcement measures can be implemented for mitigating the wind damage.

Field measurement and CFD simulation of wind pressures on rectangular attic

Yongbo Peng,Weijie Zhao,Xiaoqiu Ai 한국풍공학회 2019 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.29 No.6

Wind pressure is a critical argument for the wind-resistant design of structures. The attempt, however, to explore the wind pressure field on buildings still encounters challenges though a large body of researches utilizing wind tunnel tests and wind field simulations were carried out, due to the difficulty in logical treatments on the scale effect and the modeling error. The full-scale measurement has not yet received sufficient attention. By performing a field measurement, the present paper systematically addresses wind pressures on the rectangular attic of a double-tower building. The spatial and temporal correlations among wind speed and wind pressures at measured points are discussed. In order to better understand the wind pressure distribution on the attic facades and its relationship against the approaching flow, a full-scale CFD simulation on the similar rectangular attic is conducted as well. Comparative studies between wind pressure coefficients and those provided in wind-load codes are carried out. It is revealed that in the case of wind attack angle being zero, the wind pressure coefficient of the cross-wind facades exposes remarkable variations along both horizontal and vertical directions; while the wind pressure coefficient of the windward facade remains stable along horizontal direction but exposes remarkable variations along vertical direction. The pattern of wind pressure coefficients, however, is not properly described in the existing wind-load codes.

Analysis of Bearing Capacity of Circular Concrete Filled CFRP-Steel Tubular Beam-Column

Kuan Peng,Yongbo Shao,Qingli Wang 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.26 No.1

In practice, it is common for circular concrete-filled CFRP-steel tube (C-CF-CFRP-ST) member severing under eccentric load, but there are few related investigations on its mechanical behavior currently. In this study, experimental study and finite element analysis are employed to reveal the static behavior of circular concrete filled CFRP-steel tube under eccentric compression. Total 32 C-CF-CFRP-ST specimens, taking the slenderness ratio (λ) and eccentric ratio (e) as principal parameters, were designed and tested firstly, obtaining the failure modes, N-um curve and the strains in the steel tube and CFRP. It was found that the damage of concrete became more serious with the decrease of the slenderness ratio but got mitigated with the increase of eccentricity. Additionally, it was indicated that the N-um curve of C-CF-CFRP-ST consisted of three stages, namely elastic stage, elastic-plastic stage and plastic stage. In the elastic-plastic stage, the damage is gradually accumulated in CFRP and concrete, and the specimens finally exhibited ductile failure in the end of plastic stage. In the entire loading process, CFRP has almost same strains compared to the steel tube. Following the experimental study, finite element analysis was conducted to investigate the static behavior of C-CF-CFRP-ST comprehensively. The proposed finite element model reproduced the compressive behavior of C-CF-CFRP-ST, in terms of failure modes and N-um curves. The influence of material strength, layers of CFRP and steel ratio on the static behavior of C-CF-CFRP-ST specimens were then studied through numerical parametric study. In the end, equations for predicting the bearing capacity of C-CF-CFRP-ST are proposed, and the predicted static strengths of the specimens are basically consistent with the experimental results.

Scheme and application of phase delay spectrum towards spatial stochastic wind fields

Qi Yan,Yongbo Peng,Jie Li 한국풍공학회 2013 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.16 No.5

A phase delay spectrum model towards the representation of spatial coherence of stochastic wind fields is proposed. Different from the classical coherence functions used in the spectral representation methods, the model is derived from the comprehensive description of coherence of fluctuating wind speeds and from the thorough analysis of physical accounts of random factors affecting phase delay, building up a consistent mapping between the simulated fluctuating wind speeds and the basic random variables. It thus includes complete probabilistic information of spatial stochastic wind fields. This treatment prompts a ready and succinct scheme for the simulation of fluctuating wind speeds, and provides a new perspective to the accurate assessment of dynamic reliability of wind-induced structures. Numerical investigations and comparative studies indicate that the developed model is of rationality and of applicability which matches well with the measured data at spatial points of wind fields, whereby the phase spectra at defined datum mark and objective point are feasibly obtained using the numerical scheme associated with the starting-time of phase evolution. In conjunction with the stochastic Fourier amplitude spectrum that we developed previously, the time history of fluctuating wind speeds at any spatial points of wind fields can be readily simulated.

Scheme and application of phase delay spectrum towards spatial stochastic wind fields

Yan, Qi,Peng, Yongbo,Li, Jie Techno-Press 2013 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.16 No.5

A phase delay spectrum model towards the representation of spatial coherence of stochastic wind fields is proposed. Different from the classical coherence functions used in the spectral representation methods, the model is derived from the comprehensive description of coherence of fluctuating wind speeds and from the thorough analysis of physical accounts of random factors affecting phase delay, building up a consistent mapping between the simulated fluctuating wind speeds and the basic random variables. It thus includes complete probabilistic information of spatial stochastic wind fields. This treatment prompts a ready and succinct scheme for the simulation of fluctuating wind speeds, and provides a new perspective to the accurate assessment of dynamic reliability of wind-induced structures. Numerical investigations and comparative studies indicate that the developed model is of rationality and of applicability which matches well with the measured data at spatial points of wind fields, whereby the phase spectra at defined datum mark and objective point are feasibly obtained using the numerical scheme associated with the starting-time of phase evolution. In conjunction with the stochastic Fourier amplitude spectrum that we developed previously, the time history of fluctuating wind speeds at any spatial points of wind fields can be readily simulated.

Targeting treatment of bladder cancer using PTK7 aptamer-gemcitabine conjugate

Xiang Wei,Peng Yongbo,Zeng Hongliang,Yu Chunping,Zhang Qun,Liu Biao,Liu Jiahao,Hu Xing,Wei Wensu,Deng Minhua,Wang Ning,Liu Xuewen,Xie Jianfei,Hou Weibin,Tang Jin,Long Zhi,Wang Long,Liu Jianye 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Gemcitabine (GEM) is one of the first-line chemotherapies for bladder cancer (BC), but the GEMs cannot recognize cancer cells and have a low long-term response rate and high recurrence rate with side effects during the treatment of BC. Targeted transport of GEMs to mediate cytotoxicity to tumor and avoid the systemic side effects remains a challenge in the treatment of BC.Based on a firstly confirmed biomarker in BC-protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), which is overexpressed on the cell membrane surface in BC cells, a novel targeting system protein tyrosine kinase 7 aptamer-Gemcitabine conjugate (PTK7-GEMs) was designed and synthesized using a specific PTK7 aptamer and GEM through auto-synthesis method to deliver GEM against BC. In addition, the antitumor effects and safety evaluation of PTK7-GEMs was assessed with a series of in vitro and in vivo assays.PTK7-GEMs can specifically bind and enter to BC cells dependent on the expression levels of PTK7 and via the macropinocytosis pathway, which induced cytotoxicity after GEM cleavage from PTK7-GEMs respond to the intracellular phosphatase. Moreover, PTK7-GEMs showed stronger anti-tumor efficacy and excellent biosafety in three types of tumor xenograft mice models.These results demonstrated that PTK7-GEMs is a successful targeted aptamer-drug conjugates strategy (APDCs) to treat BC, which will provide new directions for the precision treatment of BC in the field of biomarker-oriented tumor targeted therapy.

Nonlinear dynamics and failure wind velocity analysis of urban trees

Ai, Xiaoqiu,Cheng, Yingyao,Peng, Yongbo Techno-Press 2016 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.22 No.1

With an aim to assess the wind damage to urban trees in more realistic conditions, the nonlinear dynamics of structured trees subjected to strong winds with different levels is investigated in the present paper. For the logical treatment of dynamical behavior of trees, material nonlinearities of green wood associated with tree biomechanics and geometric nonlinearity of tree configuration are included. Applying simulated fluctuating wind velocity to the numerical model, the dynamical behavior of the structured tree is explored. A comparative study against the linear dynamics analysis usually involved in the previous researches is carried out. The failure wind velocity of urban trees is then defined, whereby the failure percentages of the tree components are exposed. Numerical investigations reveal that the nonlinear dynamics analysis of urban trees results in a more accurate solution of wind-induced response than the classical linear dynamics analysis, where the nonlinear effect of the tree behavior gives rise to be strengthened as increasing of the levels of wind velocity, i.e., the amplitude of 10-min mean wind velocity. The study of relationship between the failure percentage and the failure wind velocity provides a new perspective towards the vulnerability assessment of urban trees likely to fail due to wind actions, which is potential to link with the practical engineering.

Full Scale Experiment for Vibration Analysis of Ice-Coated Bundled-Conductor Transmission Lines

Guifeng Zhao,Zhongbin Lu,Xu Wang,Yongbo Peng,Shaojun Chang 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Vol.26 No.1

Full scale experiment has received increasing attention in recent years for the reliability analysis of power supplies and power systems. In this paper, the vibration behaviours of conductors with and without D-section ice coatings are addressed by virtue of a field test platform consisting of the prototype of a transmission tower-line system. Utilizing fibre Bragg grating sensors, the vibration of conductors under artificial displacement and natural wind excitations are monitored, and their dynamic characteristics are assessed by the spectral analysis and the identification technique of Hilbert-Huang transform. It is revealed that the vibrations of ice-free and ice-coated multi-bundled conductors vary wildly despite under similar artificial displacements and natural wind excitations. The vibration of ice-coated conductors is mainly dominated by their low-order modes, especially in the frequency range of 0.24 − 2.0 Hz; while the vibration of ice-free conductors gains more benefits from their high-order modes. Compared to the ice-free conductors, the conductors with eccentric ice coating are prone to suffer from galloping under specified wind attack angle; although their vibrations are still controlled by the low-order modes, yet the frequency values of the dominant modes have changed from one wind attack angle case to another. This kind of frequency modulation phenomenon indicates that nonlinear vibration characteristics of ice-coated conductors might change under different wind conditions, which brings great challenges to the research of wind-induced vibration characteristics of ice-coated conductors.