Dynamic test methods for natural frequency of footbridge

Using environmental random vibration as the excitation,traditional accelerometer method,non-contact video method and non-contact laser method were employed to determine the natural frequency of Kunyu River footbridge.All the results of these three methods are close to 2.70 Hz,which are concordant with each other and hence credible.

Performance Degradation Alarming M ethod Based on Local Flexural Stiffness Identification for Beams

Uncertain local flexural stiffness is recognized as one of the main barriers against the application of existing damage detection and performance degradation alarming techniques to real-world beams.Therefore,damage localization of beams with original uncertainty has been investigated to ensure their safety.For the beam before serving,it should be simply supported and subject to static load.Based on the concept of suppositional partition,a new loading pattern and mid-span displacement data processing method has been proposed.Actual local flexural stiffness value of each partition can be obtained by solving a set of linear equations.The obtained stiffness data can be used to establish the finite element model of beams.Subsequently,dynamic excitation and mode identification should be carried out for the beam in service.Mode shape curvature index is employed to detect the position of damage.It was validated by example that actual damage and original uncertainty of local flexural stiffness can be differentiated by this new method effectively.The combination of static load and dynamic excitation can keep the serviceability of beam.

Model Reduction Methods for High-Rise Buildings with Active Mass Damper Control Systems

To improve the performance of an active mass damper control system,the controller should be designed based on a reduced-order model. An improved method based on balanced truncation method was proposed to reduce the dimension of high-rise buildings,and was compared with other widely used reduction methods by using a framework with ten floors. This optimized method has improvement of reduction process and choice of the order. Based on the reduced-order model obtained by the improved method and pole-assignment algorithm,a controller was designed. Finally,a comparative analysis of structural responses,transfer functions,and poles was conducted on an actual high-rise building. The results show the effectiveness of the improved method.

Large Deformation Beam/Cable Element with Implicit Kinematic Model

This paper proposes a 3D 2-node element for beams and cables. Main improvements of the element are two new interpolation functions for beam axis and cross-sectional rotation. New interpolation functions employ implicit functions to simulate large deformations. In the translational interpolation function, two parameters which affect lateral deflection geometry are defined implicitly through nonlinear equations. The proposed translational interpolation function is shown to be more accurate than Hermitian function at large deformations. In the rotational interpolation function, twist rate is defined implicitly through a torsional continuity equation. Cross-sectional rotation which is strictly consistent to beam axis is obtained through separate bending rotation interpolation and torsional rotation interpolation. The element model fully accounts for geometric nonlinearities and coupling effects,and thus,can simulate cables with zero bending stiffness. Stiffness matrix and load vector have been derived using symbolic computation. Source code has been generated automatically.Numerical examples show that the proposed element has significantly higher accuracy than conventional 2-node beam elements under the same meshes for geometrically nonlinear problems.

Non-stationary Buffeting Response Analysis of Long Span Suspension Bridge Under Strong Wind Loading

The non-stationary buffeting response of long span suspension bridge in time domain under strong wind loading is computed. Modeling method for generating non-stationary fluctuating winds with probabilistic model for non-stationary strong wind fields is first presented. Non-stationary wind forces induced by strong winds on bridge deck and tower are then given a brief introduction. Finally,Non-stationary buffeting response of Pulite Bridge in China,a long span suspension bridge,is computed by using ANSYS software under four working conditions with different combination of time-varying mean wind and time-varying variance. The case study further confirms that it is necessity of considering non-stationary buffeting response for long span suspension bridge under strong wind loading,rather than only stationary buffeting response.

Design Capability Identify under Asymmetric Information

Under the condition of asymmetric information,the Spence 's Job Market Signaling Model is generally applied to inspect the design capability of a designer and his labor and efforts to be invested; however,since the"prior probability"and "posterior probability"have great uncertainties,the practical effect of this model is poor. On the basis of analyzing reverse selection questions,this paper provides a design capability screening model,which can make a designer automatically expose his hidden information so that necessary actions can be taken as required by the owner to realize risk sharing. A calculation example is finally given to demonstrate that the new model is helpful for an owner to select a designer with high professional level and to lead the designer to work hard,so it is of significant application value.

Arc-length technique for nonlinear finite element analysis

Nonlinear solution of reinforced concrete structures, particularly complete load-deflection response, requires tracing of the equilibrium path and proper treatment of the limit and bifurcation points. In this regard, ordinary solution techniques lead to instability near the limit points and also have problems in case of snap-through and snap-back. Thus they fail to predict the complete load-displacement response. The arc-length method serves the purpose well in principle, received wide acceptance in finite element analysis, and has been used extensively. However modifications to the basic idea are vital to meet the particular needs of the analysis. This paper reviews some of the recent developments of the method in the last two decades, with particular emphasis on nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures.