Development and evaluation of novel modules for deployable tension-strut structures

2021 ◽  
pp. 095605992110414
Author(s):  
Abdelrahman Abdelalim Taha ◽  
Adel Yahia Akl

There is a growing need for new alternatives of long-span roof structures with high level of transformability and structural robustness. This led to the development of deployable cable-strut structures, which are composed of a continuous net of struts and another continuous net of cables. Subsequently, a special type of these systems was pioneered and given the term deployable tension-strut structures (DTSSs). The motivation beyond this new concept was the lack of structural efficiency and form flexibility of conventional space trusses that are usually employed for covering large spaces. Typically, DTSSs are roof structures consisting of multiple modules put together to form the roof system. This paper is mainly concerned with developing new robust modules for DTSSs. The technique that was adopted for this purpose is a form-creation methodology previously introduced in the literature. A few modules were already developed based on this shape grammar. However, its potential to develop multiple efficient modules has not been sufficiently investigated. In this current work, the afore-mentioned algorithm was utilized to form 16 new modules. A comparative study based on a nonlinear finite element technique was conducted to investigate the efficiency of the novel modules as compared to that of the previously proposed in the literature. The results show that some of the new proposed modules are far more efficient than those presented in previous researches. Based on this comparative study, the most two efficient modules among the novel ones were picked for further study. Parametric studies were conducted on these two systems under gravity loads and wind loads considering the following parameters: no. of modules, span/depth ratio, and cables’ pre-stress level. For each parameter, the optimal range of values were determined to be used as a guide for the design of such systems.

Author(s):  
Furqan Qamar ◽  
Shunde Qin

AbstractAround the globe, the need for additional housing, due to the increase in world population, has led to the exploration of more cost effective and environmentally friendly forms of construction. Out of many technologies found, mortar-free interlocked masonry systems were developed to eliminate the deficiency of traditional masonry. For such systems against earthquakes, lateral resistance can be enhanced with plaster. But there is a need to further improve the performance of plaster in mortar-free interlocking walls for better ductility. The objective of this study is to develop nonlinear finite element (NLFE) models to explore the likely failure mechanism (e.g. bond failure) of such systems and to do parametric studies more cheaply than constructing many walls. Lateral failure load, load–displacement curves and crack patterns were compared with the experimental results. Parametric studies involving variation in block and plaster compressive strength and plaster thickness were undertaken using TNO DIANA NLFE models. A 150% increase in thickness of plaster only resulted in 28% increase in failure load, and column thickness can be reduced to theoretical 25 mm of blocks with 8 mm of plaster and yet exceed the lateral strength of a 150-mm-thick unplastered column. A cost analysis was also carried out, based on NLFE models, and showed that fibrous plastered column with 25-mm-thickness blocks gave equivalent performance to the 150-mm-thick unplastered column with 67% cost saving.


1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua-Ping Li ◽  
F. Ellyin

A plate weakened by an oblique penetration of a circular cylindrical hole has been investigated. The stress concentration around the hole is determined by a finite-element method. The results are compared with experimental data and other analytical works. Parametric studies of effects of angle of inclination, plate thickness, and width are performed. The maximum stress concentration factor (SCF) obtained from the finite-element analysis is higher than experimental results, and this deviation increases with the increase of angle of skewness. The major reason for this difference is attributed to the shear-action between layers parallel to the plate surface which cannot be directly included in the two-dimensional elements. An empirical formula is derived which accounts for the shear-action and renders the finite-element predictions in line with experimentally observed data.


Open Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 419-427
Author(s):  
Wenfeng He ◽  
Xia Liu ◽  
Zhijie Luo ◽  
Longmei Li ◽  
Xisheng Fang

Abstract FGF16 is implicated in the progression of some specific types of cancers, such as embryonic carcinoma, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer. Yet, the function of FGF16 in the development of lung cancer remains largely unexplored. In this study, we present the novel function of FGF16 and the regulation of miR-520b on FGF16 in lung cancer progression. In clinical lung cancer tissues, FGF16 is overexpressed and its high level is negatively associated with the low level of miR-520b. Furthermore, both the transcription and translation levels of FGF16 are restrained by miR-520b in lung cancer cells. For the regulatory mechanism investigation, miR-520b is able to directly bind to the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of FGF16 mRNA, leading to its mRNA cleavage in the cells. Functionally, miR-520b reduces the growth of lung cancer and its inhibitor anti-miR520b is able to promote the growth through competing endogenous miR-520b. Moreover, FGF16 silence using RNA interference is capable of doing great damage to anti-miR-520b-accelerated growth of lung cancer. Thus, our finding indicates that FGF16 is a new target gene of miR-520b in lung cancer. For lung cancer, FGF16 may serve as a novel biomarker and miR-520b/FGF16 may be useful in clinical treatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
He Zhang ◽  
Yang Xie

AbstractStart-gain mutations can introduce novel start codons and generate novel coding sequences that may affect the function of genes. In this study, we systematically investigated the novel start codons that were either polymorphic or fixed in the human genomes. 829 polymorphic start-gain SNVs were identified in the human populations, and the novel start codons introduced by these SNVs have significantly higher activity in translation initiation. Some of these start-gain SNVs were reported to be associated with phenotypes and diseases in previous studies. By comparative genomic analysis, we found 26 human-specific start codons that were fixed after the divergence between the human and chimpanzee, and high-level translation initiation activity was observed on them. The negative selection signal was detected in the novel coding sequences introduced by these human-specific start codons, indicating the important function of these novel coding sequences. This study reveals start-gain mutations are keeping appearing in the human genomes during the evolution and may be important sources altering the function of genes which may further affect the phenotypes or cause diseases.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kerry Alistair Nitz

<p>Iris Hanika’s commercially and critically successful novel Treffen sich zwei makes use of several techniques in the characterisation of its protagonists. Many of its reviews focus on the author’s deliberate placement of links to a wider literary context. Their interest extends from questions of genre-mixing through to the identification of direct quotes from other authors’ works. The critical preoccupation with intertexts demonstrates their importance for the readers’ response to the novel. More specifically, certain reviews highlight the important role intertexts play in the characterisation of the protagonists. This study catalogues the intertexts, metaphors and parodies in Treffen sich zwei and, by means of quantitative analysis, identifies high-level patterns in the use of these techniques. In particular, patterns are identified between, on the one hand, the different narrative functions of the intertexts and, on the other hand, the different ways in which they are interwoven in the text. The data also shows that distinct patterns are associated with each of the two protagonists and that certain patterns change in the course of the novel in parallel with the changes in the relationship between them. This quantitative evidence is supported by a more detailed, qualitative approach, which examines how specific intertexts or metaphors are used for the purposes of characterisation. In addition, variations in voice are used to distinguish the two main protagonists in a manner consistent with the intertexts and metaphors. It is thanks to the combination of these techniques that the theme of meeting encapsulated in the title, Treffen sich zwei, is woven into the textual fabric of the novel.</p>


2019 ◽  
pp. 183-202
Author(s):  
Mariia Onyshchuk

The study analyzes lexemes and word combinations of colloquial style, slang and low colloquial language, performs their comparative analysis at word level, looks into the transformational patterns that the structures undergo during literary translation into English and Russian, and discusses the advantages and flaws of the applied translation strategies through suggesting adequate translation solutions. In the article, the argument is made that the translation strategies of substandard lexis reflect the interdisciplinary nature of expressive meaning and connotation which can be conveyed differently through various language levels during literary translation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 640-654
Author(s):  
Do Quang Thang

Introduction: This paper focuses on the derived equations to evaluate the ultimate strength of ring-stiffened cylinders with local denting damage under combined loadings. The damage generation scenarios in this research are representing the collision accidents of offshore stiffened cylinders with supply ships. Methods: Numerical analysis of structures are performed using Abaqus software after validation against the experiments from the authors. The responses from seventeen cylinder specimens are analyzed to develop the numerical methods. Results: Good accuracy results were achieved when comparing the test results and the simulation results. Parametric studies are then performed on design examples of ring-stiffened cylinders when considering both intact and damaged conditions for assessing the reduction factor. Then, the novel simple design equations to assess the residual strength of ring-stiffened cylinders after ship collision are derived based on the regression analysis. These equations have good accuracy with mean value Xm (Uncertainty modeling factor) around 1.0 and together with COV (Coefficient of Variation) lower than 5.3%. Conclusion: The accuracy and reliability of the derived equations are validated by comparing it with the existing test data in open access. It is concluded that the proposed equations have high accuracy and reliability, and convenient application for the purpose of checking the residual strength of dented offshore cylinder under ship collisions.


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