A method to Estimate Dynamic Responses of VLFS Based on Multi-Floating-Module Model Connected by Elastic Hinges

Based on the elastic foundation beam theory and the multi-floating-module hydrodynamic theory,a novel method is proposed to estimate the dynamic responses of VLFS(Very Large Floating Structure).In still water,a VLFS can be simplified as an elastic foundation beam model or a multi-floating-module model connected by elastic hinges.According to equivalent displacement of the two models in static analysis,the problem of rotation stiffness of elastic hinges can be solved.Then,based on the potential flow theory,the dynamic responding analysis of multi-floatingmodule model under wave loads can be computed in ANSYS-AQWA software.By assembling the time domain analysis results of each module,the dynamic responses of the VLFS can be obtained.Validation of the method is conducted through a series of comparison calculations,which mainly includes a continuous structure and a three-part structure connected by hinges in regular waves.The results of this paper method show a satisfactory agreement with the experiment and calculation data given in relative references.

A Numerical Method for Cavity Identification in Beams on an Elastic Foundation

An analytical solution for the natural frequencies of a beam containing a cavity on an elastic foundation is presented. Based on the analytical solution, a numerical method for identifying cavities in the foundation is developed. The position and size of the cavities are identified by minimizing an objective function, which is formulated according to the difference between the computed and measured natural frequencies of the system. The conjugate gradient algorithm is adopted for minimizing the objective function. Some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the presented cavity determination method. The results show that the presented method can be used to identify the cavity position and size conveniently and efficiently.

Enhanced elastic beam model with BADS integrated for settlement assessment of immersed tunnels

Excessive settlement may induce structural damage and water leakage in immersed tunnels,seriously threatening the tunnels’safety.However,making accurate assessment of the settlement in immersed tunnels is difficult due to the incomplete knowledge of the geotechnical parameters and the inadequacy of the model itself.This paper proposes an effective method to accurately assess the settlement in immersed tunnels.An enhanced beam on elastic foundation model(E-BEFM)is developed for the settlement assessment,with the Bayesian adaptive direct search algorithm adopted to estimate unknown model parameters based on previous observations.The proposed method is applied to a field case of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao immersed tunnel.The original BEFM is used for comparison to highlight the better assessment performance of E-BEFM,particularly for joints’differential settlement.Results show that the proposed method can provide accurate predictions of the total settlement,angular distortion(a representation of tubes’relatively differential settlement),and joints’differential settlement,which consequently supports the associated maintenance decision-making and potential risk prevention for immersed tunnels in service.

Seismic response evaluation of the impact of corrosion on buried pipelines based on the Markov process

Water distribution and gas supply systems are among the infrastructure systems that have many buried steel pipelines. Corrosion gradually appears inside and outside of the pipe walls over the service life of these pipelines, the corrosion is primarily caused by the surrounding soil and the materials that flow through the pipelines. However, due to the uncertainty of the characteristics of the soil and materials, the size of the corrosion region is a stochastic variable. In this paper, using a homogeneous Markov process, a model is presented to simulate the occurrence of corrosion. Then, in combinations with a linear corrosion development model, the probability density function of the pipeline area corrosion percentage is derived. Based on the corrosion model, the pipeline seismic displacements and stresses are predicted. Furthermore, using the random perturbation approach, the mean and variance of the pipeline seismic response are given. To illustrate the validity of the proposed approach, a 200-meter long pipeline is numerically investigated and its random seismic response is obtained.

JUMPING INSTABILITIES IN THE POST-BUCKLING OF A BEAM ON A PARTIAL NONLINEAR FOUNDATION

Mode jumping is an instability phenomenon in the post-buckling region, which causes a sudden change in the equilibrium configuration and is thus harmful to structure. The con- figuration of a partial elastic foundation can directly induce mode coupling from the buckling stage and through the whole post-buckling region. The mode coupling effect due to the configuration of partial foundation on mode jumping is investigated and demonstrated to be an important factor of determining mode jumping. By properly choosing the partial elastic foundation configuration, mode jumping can be avoided.