Using System Reliability to Evaluate and Maintain Structural Systems

Estes, Allen C.,Frangopol, Dan M. Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2001 Computational structural engineering Vol.1 No.1

A reliability approach to evaluate structural performance has gained increased acceptability and usage over the past two decades. Most reliability analyses are based on the reliability of an individual component without examining the entire structural system. These analyses often result in either unnecessary repairs or unsafe structures. This study uses examples of series, parallel, and series-parallel models of structural systems to illustrate how the component reliabilities affect the reliability of the entire system. The component-system reliability interaction can be used to develop optimum lifetime inspection and repair strategies for structural systems. These examples demonstrate that such strategies must be based on the reliability of the entire structural system. They also demonstrate that the location of an individual component in the system has a profound effect on the acceptable reliability of that component. Furthermore, when a structure is deteriorating over time, the reliability importance of various components is a1so changing with time. For this reason, the most critical component in the early life of the structure may not tie the most critical later.

Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures Using a Nodal Volume Fraction Method

Lee, Jin-Sik,Lim, O-Kaung Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2001 Computational structural engineering Vol.1 No.1

The general topology optimization can be considered as optimal material distribution. Such an approach can be unstable, unless composite materials are introduced. In this research, a nodal volume fraction method is used to obtain the optimum topology of continuum structures. This method is conducted from a composite material model composed of isotropic matter and spherical void. Because the appearance of the chessboard patterns makes the interpretation of the optimal material layout very difficult, this method contains a chessboard prevention strategy. In this research, several topology optimization problems are presented to demonstrate the validity of the present method and the recursive quadratic programming algorithm is used to solve the topology optimization problems.

Data Model for Hybrid Structural Experiments

이창호,토마스 마룰로,리차드 소스,Lee, Chang-Ho,Marullo, Thomas,Sause, Richard Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2009 한국전산구조공학회논문집 Vol.22 No.5

The hybrid approach for structural experiments decomposes a structure into independent substructures that can be tested or simulated. The results from the decomposed substructures are combined to predict the behaviors of the entires structure. The hybrid approach is especially useful for the hybrid pseudo-dynamic tests that overcome the limitations of size of a test structure present in a shaking table test. The development of a computer system for the hybrid experiment requires a data model that formally organizes the information involved in the hybrid experiments. This paper provides the data model for representing the information involved in the hybrid experiments, by modifying the classes and attributes for the hybrid experiments in the Lehigh Model that is one of the data models for structural experiments. The data model for the hybrid experiments includes the classes for the physical substructures being tested and the analytical substructures being analyzed, and the simulation coordinator managing the overall experiments. Some objects for classes are implemented as an example to show the links among the classes. The data model presented in this paper can be applied for developing a computer system that helps structural engineers and researchers store, share, and access the information for the hybrid experiments. 하이브리드 구조실험에서는 구조물을 여러 개의 부분구조물로 나누어서 실험과 해석을 하고 이의 결과를 합쳐서 전체적인 구조물의 거동을 파악한다. 이러한 방법은 진동대 실험과 비교하여 구조물의 크기제한의 영향을 받지 않는 유사동적 실험에 효과적이다. 하이브리드 구조실험과정에서 발생된 데이터와 관련 정보를 저장하고 검색할 수 있는 컴퓨터시스템을 만들기 위해서는 하이브리드 구조실험과 관련된 정보를 체계화시켜서 구성하는 작업이 선행되어야 한다. 본 논문은 하이브리드 구조실험에 관련된 정보를 표현하는 데이터 모델을 제시하고 있는데, 이 데이터 모델은 포괄적인 구조실험 정보를 표현하는 데이터 모델의 하나인 리하이 모델에서 하이브리드 실험부분을 개선한 것이다. 하이브리드 구조실험에서의 부분구조물들을 표현하기 위하여 실험모델 클래스와 해석모델 클래스를 정의하였고, 이러한 클래스들의 정보교환을 조정하는 클래스를 정의하였으며, 제한된 범위의 시스템을 구현하여 객체들 간의 연결 상태를 파악할 수 있도록 하였다. 본 논문에서 기술한 데이터 모델은 구조실험자와 연구자들이 사용할 수 있는 하이브리드 구조실험 정보를 저장하는 컴퓨터 시스템을 개발하는데 적용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Buckling Enhancement of Column Strips with Piezoelectric Layer

Wang, Quan,Wang, Dajun Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2003 Computational structural engineering Vol.3 No.1

This paper discusses the enhancement of the buckling capacity of column strips by use of piezoelectric layer. The analytical model for obtaining the buckling capacity of the piezoelectric coupled column with general boundary conditions modelled with different types of springs applied at the ends of the column is derived the first time. Based on this proposed model, the buckling capacity of the column strips can be accurately predicted by solving an eigenvalue problem. The computational results show the great potential of the piezoelectric materials in enhancing the buckling capacity of the column strips. The optimal locations of the piezoelectric layer for higher buckling capacity are also obtained for the columns with. standard pinned-pinned, fixed-free, and fixed-pinned structures. In addition, the buckling capacity and the increase of buckling capacity are discussed for those columns with the general boundaries as well. This research may provide a benchmark for the buckling analysis of the piezoelectric coupled strips.

Redundancy of Dual and Steel Moment Frame Systems under Earthquakes

Song, S.H.,Wen, Y.K. Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2001 Computational structural engineering Vol.1 No.2

The reliability/redundancy of structural system has become a serious concern among engineers and researchers after structural failures in Northridge and Kobe earthquakes. The reliability/redundancy factor, ρ, in current codes considers only member force and floor area and has received much criticism from dissatisfied engineers. Within a reliability framework. the redundancy is investigated for dual systems of primary shear walls and secondary moment frames and steel moment frame systems. Probabilistic performance analyses are carried out baled on nonlinear responses under SAC ground motion. The effects of structural configuration, ductilily capacity, 3-D motion, and uncertainty of demand verses capacity are investigated. Important redundancy-contributing factors are identified and a uniform-risk redundancy factor is developed for design. The result are compared with the p factor and its inconsistency is pointed out.

Sensitivity Property of Generalized CMAC Neural Network

Kim, Dong-Hyawn,Lee, In-Won Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2003 Computational structural engineering Vol.3 No.1

Generalized CMAC (GCMAC) is a type of neural network known to be fast in learning. The network may be useful in structural engineering applications such as the identification and the control of structures. The derivatives of a trained GCMAC is relatively poor in accuracy. Therefore to improve the accuracy, a new algorithm is proposed. If GCMAC is directly differentiated, the accuracy of the derivative is not satisfactory. This is due to the quantization of input space and the shape of basis function used. Using the periodicity of the predicted output by GCMAC, the derivative can be improved to the extent of having almost no error. Numerical examples are considered to show the accuracy of the proposed algorithm.

System Identification and Damage Estimation via Substructural Approach

Tee, K.-F.,Koh, C.-G.,Quek, S.-T. Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2003 Computational structural engineering Vol.3 No.1

For system identification of large structures, it is not practical to identify the entire structure due to the prohibitive computational time and difficulty in numerical convergence. This paper explores the possibility of performing system identification at substructure level, taking advantage of reduction in both the number of unknowns and the number of degrees of freedom involved. Another advantage is that different portions (substructures) of a structural system can be identified independently and even concurrently with parallel computing. Two substructural identification methods are formulated on the basis whether substructural approach is used to obtain first-order or second-order model. For substructural first-order model, identification at the substructure level will be performed by means of the Observer/Kalman filter Identification (OKID) and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) whereas identification at the global level will be performed to obtain second-order model in order to evaluate the system's stiffness and mass parameters. In the case of substructural second-order model, identification will be performed at the substructure level throughout the identification process. The efficiency of the proposed technique is shown by numerical examples for multi-storey shear buildings subjected to random forces, taking into consideration the effects of noisy measurement data. The results indicate that both the proposed methods are effective and efficient for damage identification of large structures.

MCMC Approach for Parameter Estimation in the Structural Analysis and Prognosis

An, Da-Wn,Gang, Jin-Hyuk,Choi, Joo-Ho Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2010 한국전산구조공학회논문집 Vol.23 No.6

Estimation of uncertain parameters is required in many engineering problems which involve probabilistic structural analysis as well as prognosis of existing structures. In this case, Bayesian framework is often employed, which is to represent the uncertainty of parameters in terms of probability distributions conditional on the provided data. The resulting form of distribution, however, is not amenable to the practical application due to its complex nature making the standard probability functions useless. In this study, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is proposed to overcome this difficulty, which is a modern computational technique for the efficient and straightforward estimation of parameters. Three case studies that implement the estimation are presented to illustrate the concept. The first one is an inverse estimation, in which the unknown input parameters are inversely estimated based on a finite number of measured response data. The next one is a metamodel uncertainty problem that arises when the original response function is approximated by a metamodel using a finite set of response values. The last one is a prognostics problem, in which the unknown parameters of the degradation model are estimated based on the monitored data.

Analysis for Torsion of Hollow Beam by Least Squares and Boundary Elements Method

김치경,배준태,Kim, Chi-Kyung,Bae, Joon-Tai Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2012 한국전산구조공학회논문집 Vol.25 No.2

본 연구에서는 뒤틀림을 받고 있는 정사각형 단면의 중공단면 보를 최소자승법과 경계요소법을 이용하여 수치 해석하고 구조물을 해석하였다. 임계하중은 하중을 점차적으로 증가하여 구조물이 파괴가 발생하여 안정성을 상실하는 상태에서 가장 작은 하중을 의미한다. 뒤틀림을 받고 있는 beam은 일반 구조물에서 많이 발생하는 현상이며, 구조물의 안정성에 크게 영향을 미치고 있다. 최소자승법과 경계요소법은 복잡한 구조물에서도 물론, 다양한 경계조건을 포함하는 문제에 이르기까지 구조물의 안정성을 검사하는데 효과적인 수치해석 방법이다. 특히 뒤틀림의 문제에서는 단순성 및 일반성에 기인하여 매우 적합한 해석방법이다. 본 연구에서는 뒤틀림을 받고 있는 중공단면 보의 해석해를 유도하여 최소자승법으로 수치 해석하고 또한 경계요소법을 적용하여 빔의 안정성을 비교 검토하였다. 개발한 컴퓨터 프로그램의 타당성을 증명하기 위하여 삼각형, 사각형 그리고 타원형 단면에 대하여 각각 해석하여 해석해와 비교 검토하였다. In this paper we are concerned with the performance of structural stability of torsion in square cross section of a beam with holes. The critical load is defined as the smallest load at which the equilibrium of the structure fails to be stable as the load is slowly increased from zero. The beams subjected to torsion are frequently encountered in general structures and these forces influence to the stability of structure. The boundary element method is found to be very efficient and accurate for the analysis of torsion problems including complex boundary conditions with respect to its simplicity and generality. In this paper, it is required to derive the boundary element formulation for torsion problem and integrate directly on the discrete boundary. To investigate the validity of the developed computer program, three distinctly solid cross-sections which are elliptical, rectangular and triangular one are analyzed, and comparisons are made with analytical approaches where these can also be used.

Three Dimensional Responses of Middle Rise Steel Building under Blast Loads

황영서,이완수,Hwang, Young-Seo,Lee, Wan-Soo Computational Structural Engineering Institute of 2011 한국전산구조공학회논문집 Vol.24 No.6

최근 들어 여러 테러에 의한 폭발사건에서 유발된 위험상황에서 보듯이 폭발에 의한 인명피해나 시설물의 손상은 우리가 고려하는 재해수준을 넘는 비참한 결과를 항상 수반한다. 하지만 폭발에 대한 구조물의 설계는 그 연구나 대책이 상당히 미비한 실정이다. 이에 미국건물설계기준(UBC94)을 바탕으로 내진설계(Welded Moment Resistant Frame)된 10층 건물의 폭발에 대한 해석적 모델을 제공하고자 한다. 현재 폭발하중의 정량적인 결과는 미국 육군(U.S.Department of Army)에서 개발된 경험적 방법에 기반을 둔 프로그램을 통해 폭간거리에 따른 하중의 크기와 분포를 알 수 있다. 본 연구에 사용된 폭원의 성격은 반구형 표면 폭발(Hemispherical Surface Burst)의 경우를 사용하였으며, 또한 선형 및 비선형 시간 이력해석을 통해 건물의 변위, 상대변위, 요구/수행비 및 비선형 거동에 대한 해석적 결과를 제공하였다. 또한 현재 사용되고 있는 내진기준(FEMA356)에 적용하여 소성힌지의 거동을 통해 폭발에 대한 건물의 성능수준을 예상하였다. It has been suggested that buildings designed for strong ground motions will also have improved resistance to air blast loads. As an initial attempt to quantify this behavior, the responses of a ten story steel building, designed for the 1994 building code, with lateral resistance provided by perimeter moment frames, is considered. An analytical model of the building is developed and the magnitude and distribution of blast loads on the structure are estimated using available computer software that is based on empirical methods. To obtain the relationship between pressure, time duration, and standoff distance, these programs are used to obtain an accurate model of the air blast loading. A hemispherical surface burst for various explosive weights and standoff distances is considered for generating the air blast loading and determining the structural response. Linear and nonlinear analyses are conducted for these loadings. Air blast demands on the structure are compared to current seismic guidelines. These studies present the displacement responses, story drifts, demand/capacity ratio and inelastic demands for this structure.