Research and TLS (LiDAR) Construction Diagnostics of Clay Brick Masonry Arched Stairs

The study presents the terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) diagnostic of the clay brick masonry arched staircase in a historic building. Based on the measurements of the existing arched stair flights, 1:1 scale experimental models with and without stair treads were made. Strength tests of the models were carried out for different concentrated force locations in relation to the supporting structure. Force, deflections and reaction in the upper support of the run were measured during the tests. The influence of the masonry steps on the curved vault on the load capacity and stiffness of the run structure was analyzed. The conducted experimental investigations showed that the key element responsible for the actual load-bearing capacity and stiffness of this type of stair flights were the treads above the masonry arch.

Serviceability of Post-fire RC Rafters with Openings of Different Sizes and Shapes

This study deals with the serviceability of reinforced concrete solid and perforated rafters with openings of different shapes and sizes based on an experimental study that includes 12 post-fire non-prismatic reinforced concrete beams (solid and perforated). Three groups were formed based on heating temperature (room temperature, 400 °C, and 700 °C), each group consisting of four rafters (solid, rafters with 6 and 8 trapezoidal openings, and rafter with eight circular openings) under static loading. A developed unified calculation technique for deflection and crack widths under static loading at the service stage has been provided, which comprises non-prismatic beams with or without opening exposed to flexure concentrated force. Two approaches were used to compute the deflection: The first attempt was conducted by using the moment of inertia for solid non-prismatic beam and reduced for those with openings by the ratio of residual rafter self-weight. The second was performed by using the moment of inertia of transformed cracked sections depending on the segmental rafter method. The crack width was determined using the ACI code's equation. The analytical and experimental results were evaluated and found to be in good agreement.

APPLICATION OF ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR BENDING BEAMS IN THE METHOD OF MOVEMENT

Introduction: Usually, to analyze statically indeterminate rod systems, the classical displacement method and preprepared tables for two types of rods of the main system are used. A mathematically correct representation of local loads with the use of generalized functions makes it possible to find an accurate solution of the differential equation for the equilibrium of a beam exposed to an arbitrary transverse load. Purpose of the study: We aimed to obtain analytical expressions for functions of deflection, rotation angles, transverse forces, and bending moments depending on four types of local loads for beams with different boundary conditions, so as to apply accurate solutions in the displacement method. Methods: We propose an analytical form of the displacement method to analyze rod structural models. For beams exposed to different types of transverse load (uniformly distributed force, concentrated force, or a couple of forces), accurate analytical solutions were obtained for functions of deflection, bending moments, and transverse forces at different types of beam ends’ restraint. This is possible due to the fact that concentrated load and load in the form of the moment of force can be specified by using unit column functions. By transforming Mohr’s integrals, using integration by parts, we show that the system of canonical equations of the displacement method was obtained based on the Lagrange principle. Results: Based on the analysis of a statically indeterminate frame, the effectiveness of the proposed analytical method is shown as compared with the classical displacement method.

On the kinematics of a concave sidecut line deformed on a flat surface

The present paper investigates the static equilibrium of a thin elastic structure with concave sidecut pressed against a flat rigid surface, as an idealization of a ski or snowboard undergoing the conditions of a carved turn. An analytical model is derived to represent the contact behaviour and provide an explanation for concentrated loads occurring at the sidecut extremities. The deformations are prescribed assuming tied contact along the sidecut line and neglecting torsional deformations. The loading conditions leading to this ideal deformed state are then sought, in order to better understand the mechanics of the turn. The results are illustrated with different sidecut geometries and compared with finite element computations for validation purposes. Depending on the function describing the sidecut line, concentrated force and moment are found to take place at the sidecut extremities.

Effects of tendon viscoelasticity in the distribution of forces over sutures in a model tendon-to-bone repair

Tears to the rotator cuff often require surgical repair. These repairs often culminate in re-tearing when the sutures break through the tendon in the weeks following repair. Although numerous studies have been performed to identify suturing strategies that reduce this risk by balancing forces across sutures, none have accounted for how the viscoelastic nature of tendon influences load sharing. With the aim of providing insight into this problem, we studied howviscoelasticity, tendon stiffness, and spacing affect this balancing of forces across sutures. Results from a model of a three-row sutured re-attachment demonstrated that an optimized distribution of the stiffness and spacing of the sutures can balance the forces across sutures to within a few percent, even when accounting for tendon viscoelasticity. Non-optimized distributions resulted in concentrated force, typically in the outermost sutures. Results underscore the importance of accounting for viscoelastic effects in the design of tendon to bone repairs

Application of exponential functions in weighted residuals method in structural mechanics. Part 3: infinite cylindrical shell under concentrated forces

Solution for cylindrical shell under concentrated force is a fundamental problem which allow to consider many other cases of loading and geometries. Existing solutions were based on simplified assumptions, and the ranges of accuracy of them still remains unknown. The common idea is the expansion of them into Fourier series with respect to circumferential coordinate. This reduces the problem to 8th order even differential equation as to axial coordinate. Yet the finding of relevant 8 eigenfunctions and exact relation of 8 constant of integrations with boundary conditions are still beyond the possibilities of analytical treatment. In this paper we apply the decaying exponential functions in Galerkin-like version of weighted residual method to above-mentioned 8th order equation. So, we construct the sets of basic functions each to satisfy boundary conditions as well as axial and circumferential equilibrium equations. The latter gives interdependencies between the coefficients of circumferential and axial displacements with the radial ones. As to radial equilibrium, it is satisfied only approximately by minimizations of residuals. In similar way we developed technique for application of Navier like version of WRM. The results and peculiarities of WRM application are discussed in details for cos2j concentrated loading, which methodologically is the most complicated case, because it embraces the longest distance over the cylinder. The solution for it clearly exhibits two types of behaviors – long-wave and short-wave ones, the analytical technique of treatment of them was developed by first author elsewhere, and here was successfully compared. This example demonstrates the superior accuracy of two semi analytical WRM methods. It was shown that Navier method while being simpler in realization still requires much more (at least by two orders) terms than exponential functions.

Modeling of complex construction problems for randomly changing technological processes

Summary Modeling of complex construction problems for randomly changing technological processes occurs during the production of rubber compounds. Without a good knowledge of the technology of producing rubber compounds, durable and efficient mixers cannot be designed. The conducted industrial research has been shown that the process of mixing the raw materials varies in time and that the forces acting inside the mixer chamber are distributed randomly. During the mixing process of the chemical components, the position of the force changes inside the mixing chamber. The load on the mixer changes over time - as a result of mixing the raw materials and the pressure of the beater. After feeding the raw materials into the mixing chamber, a big concentrated force is reacted on the ram of the mixer, which over time is transformed into several concentrated forces acting simultaneously. Then, as a result of mixing raw materials, temperature and chemical reactions, a pressure acts on the walls of the chamber and the ram of mixer. The conducted research has proved that the most dangerous, from the point of view of the mechanical durability of the mixer, is the first stage of production, in which the beater is subjected to concentrated force. Then, the compactor deforms much more and it can scratch the surface leading to damage to the mixer. The conducted research allows for a much better understanding of the process and thus to carry out a variant simulation of deformations occurring during operation, and thus to improve the durability of the mixer mechanisms.

Research on Optimization of Cross-sectional shape for Aircraft Door Rubber Seal

Rubber seals are widely used in aircraft door structures, which play important roles on sealing, sound insulation and heat preservation. Aircraft door rubber seals are critical to the normal flight of the aircraft and the safety of the passengers. In this paper, a finite element model of rubber seals for aircraft door with different cross-sections is established. The deformation and stress distribution of the seals under the action of concentrated force and compressive displacement are analyzed, and the calculation results of seals with different cross-sections are compared. The optimal structural form of the cross-sectional shape of the seal is obtained. The research results are of great significance to improve the safety and durability of seals and enhance the sealing performance.

An infinite plate loaded with a normal force moving along a complex open trajectory

Introduction. A method for solving the problem on the action of a normal force moving on an infinite plate according to an arbitrary law is considered. This method and the results obtained can be used to study the effect of a moving load on various structures.Materials and Methods. An original method for solving problems of the action of a normal force moving arbitrarily along a freeform open curve on an infinite plate resting on an elastic base, is developed. For this purpose, a fundamental solution to the differential equation of the dynamics of a plate resting on an elastic base is used. It is assumed that the movement of force begins at a sufficiently distant moment in time. Therefore, there are no initial conditions in this formulation of the problem. When determining the fundamental solution, the Fourier transform is performed in time. When the Fourier transform is inverted, the image is expanded in terms of the transformation parameter into a series in Hermite polynomials.Results. The solution to the problem on an infinite plate resting on an elastic base, along which a concentrated force moves at a variable speed, is presented. A smooth open curve, consisting of straight lines and arcs of circles, was considered as a trajectory. The behavior of the components of the displacement vector and the stress tensor at the location of the moving force is studied, as well as the process of wave energy propagation, for which the change in the Umov-Poynting energy flux density vector is considered. The effect of the speed and acceleration of the force movement on the displacements, stresses and propagation of elastic waves is investigated. The influence of the force trajectory shape on the stress-strain state of the plate and on the nature of the propagation of elastic waves is studied. The results indicate that the method is quite stable within a wide range of changes in the speed of force movement.Discussion and Conclusions. The calculations have shown that the most significant factor affecting the stress-strain states of the plate and the propagation of elastic wave energy near the concentrated force is the speed of its movement. These results will be useful under studying dynamic processes generated by a moving load.

A Method for Monitoring the Technical Condition of Large-Scale Bearing Nodes in the Bodies of Machines Operating for Extended Periods of Time

Failure of systems applied in machines comprising rolling and slewing bearings usually causes downtime of the entire heavy machine. The problem of failures can be aggravated by extremely difficult operating conditions, such as significant loads or a harsh environment. The entire issue inspired us to develop a method of monitoring the condition of such units. A study was carried out for six different large-scale excavators which examined strain distributions in the tested subassemblies. In order to estimate the technical condition of wheeled bogies, we used the phenomenon of strain propagation caused by the concentrated force acting in the ring girder web. Flamant theory was utilized to describe this phenomenon. Measurements were performed using strain gauges and the obtained results were compared with the FEM model. To determine whether bearing joints were in a good or bad condition, a coefficient of variation and an impulse factor were introduced as diagnostic indicators. It turned out that by evaluating these indicators, it was possible to distinguish between these two conditions. The method was successfully validated on machines that are in operation.