Towards establishing practical multi-hazard bridge design limit states

In the U.S., the current Load and Resistance Factor Design （LRFD） Specifications for highway bridges is a reliability-based formulation that considers failure probabilities of bridge components due to the actions of typical dead load and frequent vehicular loads. Various extreme load effects, such as earthquake and vessel collision, are on the same reliability-based platform. Since these extreme loads are time variables, combining them with not considered frequent. non- extreme loads is a significant challenge. The number of design limit state equations based on these failure probabilities can be unrealistically large and unnecessary from the view point of practical applications. Based on the opinion of AASHTO State Bridge Engineers, many load combinations are insignificant in their states. This paper describes the formulation of a criterion to include only the necessary load combinations to establish the design limit states. This criterion is established by examining the total failure probabilities for all possible time-invariant and time varying load combinations and breaking them down into partial terms. Then, important load combinations can be readily determined quantitatively,

Seismic fragility analysis of highway bridges considering multi-dimensional performance limit state

Fragility analysis for highway bridges has become increasingly important in the risk assessment of highway transportation networks exposed to seismic hazards. This study introduces a methodology to calculate fragility that considers multi-dimensional performance limit state parameters and makes a first attempt to develop fragility curves for a multi-span continuous (MSC) concrete girder bridge considering two performance limit state parameters: column ductility and transverse deformation in the abutments. The main purpose of this paper is to show that the performance limit states, which are compared with the seismic response parameters in the calculation of fragility, should be properly modeled as randomly interdependent variables instead of deterministic quantities. The sensitivity of fragility curves is also investigated when the dependency between the limit states is different. The results indicate that the proposed method can be used to describe the vulnerable behavior of bridges which are sensitive to multiple response parameters and that the fragility information generated by this method will be more reliable and likely to be implemented into transportation network loss estimation.

THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF LIMIT STATE FUNCTION OF HINGED STRUCTURE

In this paper, the theorem of structure continual variation of truss structure in the analysis of structure reliability is derived, and it is used to generate limit state function automatically. We can avoid repeated assembly of global stiffness matrix and repeated inverse operations of the matrix caused by constant changes of structure topology. A new criterion of degenerate of the structure into mechanism is introduced. The calculation examples are satisfactory.

Magnetic Field Measurement with Heisenberg Limit Based on Solid Spin NOON State

The maximum entangled number state （NOON state） can improve the sensitivity of physical quantity measure- ment to the Heisenberg limit 1/N. In this work, the magnetic field measurement based on the individual solid spin NOON state is investigated. Based on the tunable effective coupling coefficient, we propose a generation scheme of the three-spin NOON state, i.e, the Creenberger-Horne-Zeilinger （CHZ） state, and discussed the mea- surement resolution reduction due to decoherence. It is unnecessary to entangle spins as many as possible when decoherence exists. In practice, defect spins in diamond and alp donors with long coherence time can be applied with current techniques in the nano-scaled high resolution magnetic measurement.

Effects of vertical seismic acceleration on 3D slope stability

The conventional pseudo-static approach often neglects the effect of the vertical＇ seismic acceleration on the stability of a slope, but some analyses under plane-strain （2D） conditions show a significant effect on the slope stability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the vertical acceleration on the safety of three-dimensional （3D） slopes. In the strict framework of limit analysis, a 3D kinematically admissible rotational failure mechanism is adopted here for 3D homogeneous slopes in frictional/cohesive soils. A set of stability charts is presented in a wide range of parameters for 3D slopes under combined horizontal and vertical seismic loading conditions. Accounting for the effects of the vertical seismic acceleration, the difference in safety factors for 3D slopes can exceed 10%, which will significantly overestimate the safety of the 3D slopes.

Advanced response surface method for mechanical reliability analysis

Based on the classical response surface method （RSM）, a novel RSM using improved experimental points （EPs） is presented for reliability analysis. Two novel points are included in the presented method. One is the use of linear interpolation, from which the total EPs for determining the RS are selected to be closer to the actual failure surface; the other is the application of sequential linear interpolation to control the distance be- tween the surrounding EPs and the center EP, by which the presented method can ensure that the RS fits the actual failure surface in the region of maximum likelihood as the center EPs converge to the actual most probable point （MPP）. Since the fitting precision of the RS to the actual failure surface in the vicinity of the MPP, which has significant contribution to the probability of the failure surface being exceeded, is increased by the presented method, the precision of the failure probability calculated by RS is increased as well. Numerical examples illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the presented method.

具有不同初始缺陷模型的潜艇在不同极限状态下的剩余能力评估

The current design philosophy for submarine hulls,in the preliminary design stage,generally considers as governing limit states material yielding along with various buckling modes.It is common belief that,beyond the design pressure,material yielding of the shell plating should occur first,eventually followed by local buckling,while global buckling currently retains the highest safety factor.On the other hand,in the aeronautical field,in some cases structural components are designed in such a way that local instability may occur within the design loads,being the phenomena inside the material elastic range and not leading to a significant drop in term of stiffness.This paper is aimed at investigating the structural response beyond a set of selected limit states,using nonlinear FE method adopting different initial imperfection models,to provide the designers with new information useful for calibrating safety factors.It was found that both local and global buckling can be considered as ultimate limit states,with a significant sensitivity towards initial imperfection,while material yielding and tripping buckling of frames show a residual structural capacity.In conclusion,it was found that the occurrence of local buckling leads to similar sudden catastrophic consequences as global buckling,with the ultimate strength capacity highly affected by the initial imperfection shape and amplitude.

Thermal-stress induced phenomena in two-component material:part I

The paper deals with analytical fracture mechanics to consider elastic thermal stresses acting in an isotropic multi-particle-matrix system. The multi-particle-matrix system consists of periodically distributed spherical particles in an infinite matrix. The thermal stresses originate during a cooling process as a consequence of the difference αm - αp in thermal expansion coefficients between the matrix and the particle, αm and αp, respectively. The multi-particle-matrix system thus represents a model system applicable to a real two-component material of a precipitation-matrix type. The infinite matrix is imaginarily divided into identical cubic cells. Each of the cubic cells with the dimension d contains a central spherical particle with the radius R, where d thus corresponds to inter-particle distance. The parameters R, d along with the particle volume fraction v = v（R, d） as a function of R, d represent microstructural characteristics of a twocomponent material. The thermal stresses are investigated within the cubic cell, and accordingly are functions of the microstructural characteristics. The analytical fracture mechanics includes an analytical analysis of the crack initiation and consequently the crack propagation both considered for the spherical particle （q = p） and the cell matrix （q = m）. The analytical analysis is based on the determination of the curve integral Wcq of the thermal-stress induced elastic energy density Wq. The crack initiation is represented by the determination of the critical particle radius Rqc = Rqc（V）. Formulae for Rqc are valid for any two-component mate- rial of a precipitate-matrix type. The crack propagation for R 〉 Rqc is represented by the determination of the function fq describing a shape of the crack in a plane perpendicular

An Explicit Iteration Algorithm for Structural Reliability and its Realization by MATLAB

Based on the improved first order second moment method of the structural reliability, an explicit iteration algorithm is proposed, which can avoid solving structural performance function to obtain reliability index β and have simple calculation forms. Finally, the validity of the explicit iteration algorithm is illustrated through two examples by MATLAB programming.

船舶复合材料强度极限状态与设计方法方面的近来工业进展

To further exploit the potential of marine composites applications in building ship hulls,offshore structures,and marine equipment and components,design approaches should be improved,facing the challenge of a more comprehensive and explicit assessment of appropriately defined limit states.The structure ultimate/limit conditions shall be verified in principle within the whole structural domain and throughout the ship service life.What above calls for extended and reliable materials characterization on the one hand and for accurate and wide-ranging procedures in structural analyses.This paper presents an overview of recent industrial developments of marine composites limit states assessments and design approaches,as available in open literature,focusing on pleasure crafts and yachts as well as navy ships and thus showing a starting point to fill the gap in this respect.After a general introduction about composites characterization techniques,current design practice and rule requirements are briefly summarized.Both inter-ply and intra-ply failure modes and corresponding limit states are then presented along with recently proposed assessment approaches.Three-dimensional aspects in failure modes and manufacturing methods have been identified as the main factors influencing marine composite robustness.Literature review highlighted also fire resistance and hybrid joining techniques as significant issues in the use of marine composites.

Critical Slope and Plasticity

Limit analysis based on upper bound theorem into slope stability is presented. A rotational failure mechanism (log spiral) passing through the toe in an inclined slope is assumed for getting the critical height. The proposed limit analysis, although on the kinematical admissible velocity field, always satisfies the equilibrium of forces acting on sliced rigid blocks. And the most critical slip surface can be searched by random technique. A new solution scheme is also developed for rapid searching critical slip surface. It is also applicable to a variety of slope models. The method is shown having a high accuracy compared with limit solution for simple slope.

水下薄壁加筋圆柱壳概念设计的快速实用方法

Goal based and limit state design is nowadays a well-established approach in many engineering fields.Ship construction rules started introducing such concepts since early 2000.However,classification societies’rules do not provide hints on how to verify limit states and to determine the structural layout of submerged thin-walled stiffened cylinders,whose most prominent examples are submarines.Rather,they generally offer guidance and prescriptive formulations to assess shell plating and stiffening members.Such marine structures are studied,designed and built up to carry payloads below the sea surface.In the concept-design stage,the maximum operating depth is the governing hull scantling parameter.Main dimensions are determined based on the analysis of operational requirements.This study proposes a practical conceptdesign approach for conceptual submarine design,aimed at obtaining hull structures that maximize the payload capacity in terms of available internal volume by suitably adjusting structural layout and stiffening members’scantling,duly accounting for robustness and construction constraints as well as practical fabrication issues.The proposed scantling process highlights that there is no need of complex algorithms if sound engineering judgment is applied in setting down rationally the hull scantling problem.A systematic approach based on a computer-coded procedure developed on purpose was effectively implemented and satisfactorily applied in design practice.

Experimental Study on Flexural Behavior of Post-Tensioning Bonded Partially Prestressed Ultra-High Strength Concrete Beams

This paper presents the results of four partially prestressed ultra-high strength concrete beams in flexure. The test results are used to evaluate the effects of prestressing tendon depth and area on flexure behavior of specimen beams. The test results indicate that: the cracking load,yielding load,peak load and stiffness postcracking of specimen beams are enhanced by reducing prestressing tendon depth or increasing prestressing tendon area, and the flexural ductility is improved by increasing prestressing tendon depth or reducing prestressing tendon area. The effect of complex reinforcement index considering the strength of the equivalence principle and the reinforcement position on loading levels under serviceability limit state,flexural strength and displacement ductility factor are studied. The influence coefficient of prestressing tendon kpis introduced in the complex reinforcement index. As the complex reinforcement index increases, the loading levels under serviceability limit state and flexural strength increases linearly,and the displacement ductility factor decreases linearly. The test results also verify the conventional beam flexural theory based on the plane cross-section assumption for predicting ultimate flexural strength of partially prestressed ultra-high strength concrete beams is valid. After the introduction of the coefficient kp,the calculation method of cracks in code for design of concrete structure in china are appropriated for the specimen beams.

Lifetime Reliability Analysis of Flexural Cracking for Prestressed Concrete Bridge

Time-dependant reliability is analyzed for the flexural cracking of prestressed concrete bridges under service limit state. The limit state function and random variables are derived from Chinese highway bridge design specifications. For deterioration of structural performances, chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion is emphasized. Through integrating first order reliability method （FORM） and time discretized approach, the time-variant reliability is evaluated. For illustrative propose, the reliability of a typical simply supported prestressed concrete beam is exemplified.

Using Radial Neural Network to Predict the Ultimate Moment of a Reinforced Concrete Beam Reinforced with Composites

This article is intended as a proposal for a numerical model for the prediction of the ultimate moment of a reinforced concrete beam reinforced with composite materials based on neural networks, which are classified in the artificial intelligence method. In this work, a RBF network or radial basis function type model was created and tested. The validation of the RBF architecture consists in judging its predictive capacity by using the weights and biases computed during the training, to apply them to another database which did not participate to the training and testing of the model. So, with Bayesian regularization, a maximum error of 0.0813 Tm in absolute value was found between the targets and predicted outputs. The value of the mean square error MSE = 1.1106 * 10-4 allowed us to quantify and justify the prediction performance of this network. Through this article, RBF network model was justified perform and can be used and exploited by our engineers with a high reliability rate.

Structural Analysis of Timber Gridshell Covered by OSB Panels Considering the Effect of Wind

Timber gridshells have been increasingly gaining attention for combining structural efficiency with an attractive architectural design.The use of timber in this structural system gives freedom to the architectural configuration and implies light and efficient construction.This study presents a methodology for the structural analysis of a gridshell covered by OSB(oriented strand board)panels,taken as a case study,and evaluates the model using finite element analysis.The gridshell’s final geometry was obtained from simulations of the effect of permanent load on the mesh.The structural evaluation was numerically estimated via ANSYS software’s CFX platform,considering the effect of wind on the fluid-structure interaction,as well as the results of a static analysis of the structure,including ultimate and serviceability limit state verifications.To assess the influence of the OSB panels on the gridshell’s behavior,two values of elastic modulus are considered.The analysis of a timber gridshell,which covers a span of 14 m by 28 m,demonstrated that this lightweight structure can be considered rigid,and the increase in stiffness of the OSB panels,used as the structure’s coating,can represent an expressive strength and stiffness gain for this type of gridshell.

Proper interpretation of sectional analysis results

Displacement control algorithms commonly used to evaluate axial force-bending moment(PM)diagrams may lead to incorrect interpretations of the strength envelopes for asymmetric sections.This paper aims to offer valuable insights by comparing existing displacement control algorithms with a newly proposed force control algorithm.The main focus is on the PM diagrams of three example sections that exhibit varying degrees of asymmetry.The comparative study indicates that conventional displacement control algorithms inevitably introduce non-zero out-of-plane bending moments.The reported PM diagram in such cases erroneously neglects the out-of-plane moment and fails to represent the strength envelope accurately.This oversight results in significant and unconservative errors when verifying the strength of asymmetric sections.

Prediction of plane-strain specimen geometry to efficiently obtain a forming limit diagram by Marciniak test

Plane-strain forming limit strain （also known as FLD0） is an important data point on a forming limit diagram （FLD）. The effects of friction coefficients and material parameters on the specimen width associated with the FLDo （W FLD0） in Marciniak test were studied by finite element simulation. WFLD0 was expressed as a function of the Lankford coefficients, n-value, k-value and sheet thickness and validated with various sheet materials. The determination of W FLD0 is of significance not only to reduce iterative attempts to accurately obtain FLDo, but also to obtain a full valid FLD with the least number of test specimens, which largely increases the efficiency and reduces cost to experimentally measure valid FLDs.

Reliability analysis of shallow tunnels using the response surface methodology

A probabilistic study of a circular tunnel excavated in a soil mass using the response surface methodology(RSM)is presented.A deterministic model based on two-dimensional numerical simulations in a transversal section is used,and the serviceability limit state(SLS)is considered in the analysis.The model permits the surface settlement curve and the bending moment on the tunnel lining to be obtained.Only the soil parameters are considered as random variables.Thefirst-order reliability method(FORM)and the response surface methodology(RSM)are utilized for the assessment of the Hasofer-Lind reliability index(bHL)optimized by the use of a genetic algorithm(GA).Two assumptions(normal and non-normal distribution)were used for the random variables.The comparison analysis considering a correlation between the friction angle and the cohesion indicates that the results are conservative if a negative correlation among strength parameters is not taken into account.The assumption of a non-normal distribution for the random variables has an important effect on the reliability index for the practical range of values of surface settlements.

Axial compression behavior of CFRP-confined rectangular concrete-filled stainless steel tube stub column

The mechanical properties of CFRP-confined rectangular concrete-filled stainless steel tube(CFSST)stub columns under axial compression were experimentally studied.A total of 28 specimens(7 groups)were fabricated for the axial compression test to study the influences of length-to-width ratio,CFRP constraint coefficient,and the thickness of stainless steel tube on the axial compression behavior.The specimen failure modes,the stress development of stainless steel tube and CFRP wrap,and the load-strain ratio curves in the loading process were obtained.Meanwhile,the relationship between axial and transverse deformations of each specimen was analyzed through the typical relative load-strain ratio curves.A bearing capacity prediction method was proposed based on the twin-shear strength theory,combining the limit equilibrium state of the CFRP-confined CFSST stub column under axial compression.The prediction method was calibrated by the test data in this study and other literature.The results show that the prediction method is of high accuracy.