DEFORMABILITY OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS UNDER THE ACTION OF CYCLIC LOADING

The aim of the article is an experimental research of the influence of low-cycle sign-constant loading, as well as the most significant design factors on the deformability of reinforced concrete beam elements. In this regard, for experimental research, the authors developed a four-factor three-level Boxing plan B4. The experimental factors of the plan were varied according to the literature review, which showed that the most significant factors are the following: the value of the relative shear span a/h0, the concrete class C, the value (amount) of transverse reinforcement on the beams support sections ρsw, the level of sign-constant loading η. The samples were tested according to the scheme of a single-span beam, alternately loaded with two centre-point forces. The number of cycles of sign-constant loading was accepted as 10. According to the results of the experiment, using the COMPEX program, adequate mathematical models of the basic parameters of reinforced concrete specimens-beams deformability under the action of low-cycle sign-constant loading were derived, that reflect the influence of these factors both individually and in interaction with each other. Analyzing these models, the features of the development of tensile reinforcement and compressed concrete deformations, as well as beams deflections in the specified conditions, were established. In particular, the factors that have the greatest influence on deformations and deflections are the relative shear span and the level of low-cycle loading. Thus, with their increase, the relative deformations of tensile reinforcement increase by 51% and 52%, the relative deformations of compressed concrete by 40% and 37%, accordingly, by series. The increase of deflections is 43% and 40% with an increase of relative shear span and 38% and 12% with an increase of loading level, accordingly, by series.

Motion Design with Efficient Actuator Placement for Adaptive Structures that Perform Large Deformations

Adaptive structures have great potential to meet the growing demand for energy efficiency in buildings and engineering structures. While some structures adapt to varying loads by a small change in geometry, others need to perform an extensive change of shape to meet varying demands during service. In the latter case, it is important to predict suitable deformation paths that minimize control effort. This study is based on an existing motion design method to control a structure between two given geometric configurations through a deformation path that is optimal with respect to a measure of control efficiency. The motion design method is extended in this work with optimization procedures to obtain an optimal actuation system placement in order to control the structure using a predefined number of actuators. The actuation system might comprise internal or external actuators. The internal actuators are assumed to replace some of the elements of the structure. The external actuators are modeled as point forces that are applied to the structure nodes. Numerical examples are presented to show the potential for application of the motion design method to non-load-bearing structures.

Analysis and modeling of human seat interaction with a focus on the upper body and backrest using biomechanics and contact mechanics

BACKGROUND: This paper outlines a method to study the interaction between the human body and the aircraft seat concerning the seat comfort. METHOD: Firstly, the human body is modeled based on biomechanics and divided into a number of body segments connected by joints according to human anatomy. The angles between the body segments are obtained by curve fitting of the existing biomechanical research data. The contact forces between the human body and the seat are modeled using pairs of bi-lateral point forces. These forces are calculated and located through the analysis of the center of gravity of each body segment and average muscular structure of the human body. The geometry of the human and the seat is obtained from a 3D scan model or a CAD model. Secondly, the pressure distribution between the human body and the seat is modeled and calculated using the contact stress theory. The results of the two parts are combined to analyze the comfortability in relation to different postures, backrest recline angles and changing in shape and material. RESULTS: Simulations were performed and they are compared with experimental measurement and various FEM studies for validation. It is found that accuracy of this method is comparable with most FEM calculation. CONCLUSION: This method provides a new direction in cushion conform research. It is faster and convenient to use comparing to the FEM, and the result is reliable.

The J-, M- and L-integrals of body charges and body forces: Maxwell meets Eshelby

In this work, we derive the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-integrals of body charges and point charges in electrostatics, and the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-integrals of body forces and point forces in elasticity and we investigate their physical interpretation. Electrostatics is considered as field theory of an electrostatic scalar potential [Formula: see text] (scalar field theory) and elasticity as field theory of a displacement vector [Formula: see text] (vector field theory). One of the basic quantities appearing in the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-integrals is the electrostatic Maxwell–Minkowski stress tensor in electrostatics and the Eshelby stress tensor in elasticity. Among others, it is shown that the [Formula: see text]-integral of body charges in electrostatics represents the electrostatic part of the Lorentz force, and the [Formula: see text]-integral of body forces in elasticity represents the Cherepanov force. The [Formula: see text]-integral between two-point sources (charges or forces) equals half the electrostatic interaction energy in electrostatics and half the elastic interaction energy in elasticity between these two-point sources. The [Formula: see text]-integral represents the configurational vector moment or torque between two body or point sources (charges or forces). Interesting mathematical and physical features are revealed through the connection of the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-integrals with their corresponding infinitesimal generators in both theories. Several important outcomes arise from the comparison between the examined concepts in electrostatics and elasticity. Differences and similarities, that provide a deeper insight into the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-integrals and the related quantities to them, are pointed out and discussed. The presented results show that the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-integrals are fundamental concepts which can be applied in any field theory.

A Proposed Guideline for Applying Waterhammer Predictions Under Transient Cavitation Conditions: Part 2 — Imbalanced Forces

Waterhammer analysis (herein referred to as Hydraulic Transient Analysis or simply “HTA”) becomes more complicated when transient cavitation occurs (also known as liquid column separation). This complication is exacerbated when trying to predict imbalanced forces as this often involves comparing pressure times area (“PxA”) forces at two locations (for example at elbow pairs). Whereas the pressure at each elbow location has increased uncertainty because of transient cavitation, the difference in PxA forces at elbow pairs involves subtracting one potentially uncertain pressure from another uncertain pressure. Exacerbating this uncertainty yet further, the existence of vapor in a liquid system can dramatically affect the fluid wavespeed and, hence, the timing of the pressure wave travel between two locations such as elbow pairs; so the pressure calculated at each location would not actually occur at exactly the same time. This Part 2 discusses methods of accounting for uncertainty in HTA imbalanced force predictions due to cavitation. The criteria in this paper assume that cavitation in the HTA has been assessed and accepted per the criteria in Part 1 of this paper. A guideline is proposed for accepting and applying such results and, in particular, makes recommendations on safety factors to use in pipe stress analysis for different cases. The specific recommendations depend on numerous factors including: • Presence or absence of cavitation in hydraulically connected or isolated parts of the system • If cavitation occurs, whether the peak forces occur before or after cavitation first occurs • Size of the cavitation vapor volumes with respect to the computing volumes • Use of point forces as a conservative substitute in place of potentially less certain elbow pair forces or the manual assessment of maximum envelope values for the force. Situations are discussed where waterhammer abatement is recommended to reduce hydraulic transient forces, and for increasing confidence in HTA results in specific cases. The result is a proposed comprehensive and pragmatic guideline which practicing engineers can use to perform waterhammer analysis and apply imbalanced force predictions to pipe stress analysis.

Capillary interactions between dynamically forced particles adsorbed at a planar interface and on a bubble

We investigate the dynamic interfacial deformation induced by micrometric particles exerting a periodic force on a planar interface or on a bubble, and the resulting lateral capillary interactions. Assuming that the deformation of the interface is small, neglecting the effect of viscosity and assuming point particles, we derive analytical formulas for the dynamic deformation of the interface. For the case of a planar interface the dynamic point force simply generates capillary waves, while for the case of a bubble it excites shape oscillations, with a dominant deformation mode that depends on the bubble radius for a given forcing frequency. We evaluate the lateral capillary force acting between two particles, by superimposing the deformations induced by two point forces. We find that the lateral capillary forces experienced by dynamically forced particles are non-monotonic and can be repulsive. The results are applicable to micrometric particles driven by different dynamic forcing mechanisms such as magnetic, electric or acoustic fields.

Nonlinear Responses of Inextensible Cantilever and Free–Free Beams Undergoing Large Deflections

A theoretical and computational model has been developed for the nonlinear motion of an inextensible beam undergoing large deflections for cantilevered and free–free boundary conditions. The inextensibility condition was enforced through a Lagrange multiplier which acted as a constraint force. The Rayleigh–Ritz method was used by expanding the deflections and the constraint force in modal series. Lagrange's equations were used to derive the equations of motion of the system, and a fourth-order Runge–Kutta solver was used to solve them. Comparisons for the cantilevered beam were drawn to experimental and computational results previously published and show good agreement for responses to both static and dynamic point forces. Some physical insights into the cantilevered beam response at the first and second resonant modes were obtained. The free–free beam condition was investigated at the first and third resonant modes, and the nonlinearity (primarily inertia) was shown to shift the resonant frequency significantly from the linear natural frequency and lead to hysteresis in both modes.