Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Beams with and Without Web Openings using Direct Displacement Based Design

This paper describes analysis at the reinforced concrete building that contain web openings at the beam element in certain location. In the analytical modelling, the beams as treated as structural members comprising several segments which has a different dimension, and the equivalent stiffness of the opened beams has been derived. The whole structure including the beams are then analysed by the direct displacement based designed method. As the result from three analytical modelling within the variety of web openings and literature studies are compared with the evaluation of deflections and support reactions under service load. A numerical modelling is also supported the study to corroborate findings. In general, a good agreement has been obtained.

Membrane Action of Cladding Subjected to Blast Loading and Effects on the Supporting Structure

A recent blast design trend is to properly select cladding characteristics in order to limit blast consequences on its supporting structure. In this context, it is worth noting that cladding components may exhibit significant membrane action, and its effects may be decisive for the supporting structure. The main focus of the present study was to examine these effects through two-step dimensionless SDOF analyses, aimed at reaching conclusions that would be applicable to a large variety of cladding/supporting structure arrangements. The results of these analyses are presented by employing the dynamic load factor, representing the maximum supporting structure displacement. It was found that cladding membrane action has adverse effects over its supporting structure, as it does not allow for extensive plastic dissipation and leads to higher support reactions. On the contrary, insignificant membrane action leads to lower dynamic load factor for the supporting structure. Thus, membrane behavior should be activated only as a safety backup action in order to prevent cladding failure. A case study of a typical cladding/supporting structure is presented to demonstrate and verify the proposed two-step SDOF analyses and the obtained results.

Approximate Calculation of the Inclination Angle of Beams with Variable Cross Sections

In this paper a new approximate procedure is developed for calculating the inclination angle of the end points of statically determinate beams. The method is based on the topology comparison of simple (hinge-roller combination) supported beam and a resemblant cantilever beam. Assuming that the support reactions of the beam are active forces, the virtual displacements at the points of the reaction forces are calculated. Based on these values the inclination angle is calculated. Several examples are considered and the suggested in this paper, while the procedure is applied for various types of structures and loadings. The results, obtained by the suggested numerical procedure, are compared with analytical ones, and they are in good agreement.

Approximate Calculation of the Inclination Angle of Beams with Variable Cross Sections

In this paper a new approximate procedure is developed for calculating the inclination angle of the end points of statically determinate beams. The method is based on the topology comparison of simple (hinge-roller combination) supported beam and a resemblant cantilever beam. Assuming that the support reactions of the beam are active forces, the virtual displacements at the points of the reaction forces are calculated. Based on these values the inclination angle is calculated. Several examples are considered and the suggested in this paper, while the procedure is applied for various types of structures and loadings. The results, obtained by the suggested numerical procedure, are compared with analytical ones, and they are in good agreement.

A review on stability of polyhouse structures

Naturally ventilated polyhouse is popular all over the world for growing high value cropssuch as capsicum, tomato, lettuce, herbs etc. and these polyhouses are available in different designs as per different climatic conditions. Structure failure is the major problem faced by farmers throughout the world. The several studies carried out throughout the world shows that the single design of polyhouse cannot be adopted throughout the country due to different agro-climatic conditions.As per differentstudies, polyhousestability designs are analyzed for dead load, live load, snow load, wind load and load combination and Loads were calculated by adoptingdifferent National Standards. Moreover, Truss members, columns and foundation stability analysis is carried out by considering dead loads, live loads and wind loads in most of the studies. Support reactions arealso calculated on truss joints and column joints. The optimum design of any polyhouse generally depends on its structural design, specific mechanical and physical properties of the individual structural components i.e., foundation, hoops, lateral support, polygrip, assembly and end frame. From all the studies it is reported that in most parts of the world, wind is the major force responsible for the failure of any polyhouse structure.

A Vibrissa-Inspired Highly Flexible Tactile Sensor: Scanning 3D Object Surfaces Providing Tactile Images

Just as the sense of touch complements vision in various species, several robots could benefit from advanced tactile sensors, in particular when operating under poor visibility. A prominent tactile sense organ, frequently serving as a natural paragon for developing tactile sensors, is the vibrissae of, e.g., rats. Within this study, we present a vibrissa-inspired sensor concept for 3D object scanning and reconstruction to be exemplarily used in mobile robots. The setup consists of a highly flexible rod attached to a 3D force-torque transducer (measuring device). The scanning process is realized by translationally shifting the base of the rod relative to the object. Consequently, the rod sweeps over the object’s surface, undergoing large bending deflections. Then, the support reactions at the base of the rod are evaluated for contact localization. Presenting a method of theoretically generating these support reactions, we provide an important basis for future parameter studies. During scanning, lateral slip of the rod is not actively prevented, in contrast to literature. In this way, we demonstrate the suitability of the sensor for passively dragging it on a mobile robot. Experimental scanning sweeps using an artificial vibrissa (steel wire) of length 50 mm and a glass sphere as a test object with a diameter of 60 mm verify the theoretical results and serve as a proof of concept.

Wind Load Analysis on A Multistoreyed Building Curved in Plan

: In this study a tall G+8 storied curved in plan (comprising an external and internal curved facade) has been analysed for wind acting in specified directions using STAAD pro v8i.For the curved profile, the wind load component has been calculated for each radial beam line. The combination of static load and wind load are taken into consideration. In the first case, the wind has been assumed to act towards the centre of the arc of the circle and in the second, away from the centre. The post processing reverberation in terms of bending moments, shear forces and support reactions has been studied in relation to the wind directions. Due to the effect of wind load on the structure, the storey-sage variation of the result with respect to different parameters are to be compared. The stiffness of the structure as a whole is expected to vary with the changed direction of the wind. The result would result in a parametric study of the effect of wind direction on curved profile. The orientation of the curved structure with respect to the direction of wind load has been studied.

Effect of Web Inclination on Box Girder Bridges

Bridge is a key element in any transportation system which provides easy access over physical obstacles like road, valley, water bodies etc. without closing the way underneath. Among various types, use of box girder type bridges are gaining popularity in bridge engineering because of its better stability, serviceability, economy, aesthetics, structural efficiency and rigidity in torsion. In this study, a box girder is analyzed by changing its web inclination angle to the horizontal (90°, 83°, 76°, 69°, 62°) using finite element based software CSi Bridge. Finite element models are developed keeping material properties, span length, boundary conditions as constant parameters. All these models are analyzed for self-weight, including load of wearing coat and crash barrier, and live loads specified by Indian Road Congress (IRC) namely IRC Class 70R and IRC Class-A loading. Responses in terms of torsional moment, longitudinal moment, support reactions, displacement and stresses are determined.