Higher-Order Free Vibration Analysis of Porous Functionally Graded Plates

The present work analyzes the free vibration response of functionally graded (FG) plates made of Aluminum (Al) and Alumina (Al2O3) with different porosity distributions, as usually induced by a manufacturing process. The problem is tackled theoretically based on a higher-order shear deformation plate theory, while proposing a Navier-type approximation to solve the governing equations for simply-supported plates with different porosity distributions in the thickness direction. The reliability of the proposed theory is checked successfully by comparing the present results with predictions available from literature based on further first-order or higher-order theories. A large parametric study is performed systematically to evaluate the effect of different mechanical properties, such as the material indexes, porosity volume fractions, porosity distributions, and length-to-thickness ratios, on the free vibration response of FG plates, as useful for the design purposes of most engineered materials and composite applications.

Metamodel Approaches in Predicting the Seismic Response of Asymmetric Buildings

Asymmetry formed as a result of the eccentricity between the positions of Centre of Mass and Centre of Stiffness can cause undesired torsional coupling and can weaken the seismic performance of buildings and structures. This dynamic response is further affected by the randomness in material, geometric and loading properties caused as a result of uncertainties in construction and functioning. Stochastic analyses methods such as Monte Carlo Simulation have been found to accurately characterize this randomness and uncertainty, but are computationally intensive as well as expensive. This necessitates the need for alternative analyses methods that are much simpler and can fairly represent the uncertainties while preserving the similarity in results. The present investigation considers the various metamodel approaches in non-statistical stochastic analyses methods in determining the seismic response of asymmetric buildings. The study observes the efficiency of the High Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) approach in accurately predicting the free vibration response of a reinforced concrete frame with the least number of samplings points as well as computational effort as compared to other response surface methods. For further validation, a non-linear reliability analysis was carried out at HDMR sampling points to obtain the seismic fragility of the building considered, the results of which satisfied the fragility obtained using conventional methods.

Free Vibration Analysis Of Horizontally Curved Composite Concrete Deck Over Steel I-Girder Bridges

Curved composite I-girder bridges provide an excellent solution to problems of urban congestion, traffic and pollution, but their behavior is quite complex due to the coupled bending and torsion response of the bridges. Moreover, dynamic behavior of curved bridges further complicates the problem. The majority of curved bridges today are designed using complex analytical methods; therefore, a clear need exists for simplified design methods in the form of empirical equations for the structural design parameters. In this thesis paper, a sensitivity study is conducted to examine the effect of various design parameters on the free-vibration response of curved composite I-girder bridges. To determine their fundamental frequency and corresponding mode shape an extensive parametric study is conducted on 336 straight and curved bridges. From the results of the parametric study, simple-to-use equations are developed to predict the fundamental frequency of curved composite I-girder bridges. It is shown that the developed equations are equally applicable to curved simply supported and composite multi-span bridges with equal span lengths.

Free Vibration Analysis Of Horizontally Curved Composite Concrete Deck Over Steel I-Girder Bridges

Curved composite I-girder bridges provide an excellent solution to problems of urban congestion, traffic and pollution, but their behavior is quite complex due to the coupled bending and torsion response of the bridges. Moreover, dynamic behavior of curved bridges further complicates the problem. The majority of curved bridges today are designed using complex analytical methods; therefore, a clear need exists for simplified design methods in the form of empirical equations for the structural design parameters. In this thesis paper, a sensitivity study is conducted to examine the effect of various design parameters on the free-vibration response of curved composite I-girder bridges. To determine their fundamental frequency and corresponding mode shape an extensive parametric study is conducted on 336 straight and curved bridges. From the results of the parametric study, simple-to-use equations are developed to predict the fundamental frequency of curved composite I-girder bridges. It is shown that the developed equations are equally applicable to curved simply supported and composite multi-span bridges with equal span lengths.

Simulation-based assessment of coupled frequency response of magneto-electro-elastic auxetic multifunctional structures subjected to various electromagnetic circuits

This article deals with the modeling of magneto-electro-elastic auxetic structures and developing a methodology in COMSOL Multiphysics® to assess the free vibration response of such structures when subjected to various electromagnetic circuit conditions. The triple energy interaction between elastic, magnetic, and electric fields are established in the COMSOL Multiphysics® using structural mechanics and electromagnetic modules. The multiphase magneto-electro-elastic material with different percentages of piezoelectric and piezomagnetic phases are used as the material. In the solid mechanics module, the piezoelectric and piezomagnetic materials were created in stress-charge and stress-magnetization forms, respectively. The electric and magnetic fields are defined in COMSOL Multiphysics® through electromagnetic equations. Further, the customized controlled meshing constituted of free tetrahedral and triangular elements is adapted to trade-off between the accuracy and the computational expenses. The eigenvalue analysis is performed to obtain the natural frequencies of the MEE re-entrant auxetic structures. Also, the efficiency of smart auxetic structures over conventional honeycomb structures is presented throughout the manuscript. In addition, the discrepancy in the natural frequencies of the structures considering coupled and uncoupled state is also illustrated. It is believed that the modeling procedure and its outcomes serve as benchmark solutions for further design and analysis of smart auxetic magneto-electro-elastic structures.