Comparison among different dynamic shakedown approaches

The paper concerns the search for the limit load multiplier of structures subjected to seismic actions under shakedown conditions. The search problem is treated referring to two fundamental different approaches: The unrestricted dynamic shakedown approach and a new stochastic one recently proposed. The comparison between the above cited approaches is effected with the aim of evaluate the goodness of the obtainable results and the related computational effort. The structure sensitivity with respect to shakedown is evaluated through the analysis of the shakedown limit load multiplier cumulative distribution function. This function is determined by means of the stochastic approach, adopting th…

A proposal for improving the elastic behaviour of dogbone

The Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connections are one of the prequalified connections approved by international standards and adopted to improve the seismic behaviour of steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) also protecting the joint between beams and columns. This goal is reached by locally reducing the resistance of a selected portion of the beam element by suitably trimming the flanges, to promote in that portion the onset of plastic deformations. In the framework of RBS, the most important typology proposed is the so-called dogbone (DB) connections that are widely diffused in seismic engineering. The essential advantages of DB are related to the protection of the welded cross section between…

INFLUENZA DEL TRATTAMENTO SUPERFICIALE SUL COMPORTAMENTO MECCANICO DEL DACRON TNF 360

Dynamic elastic analysis of MDOF structures with random strengths

Fixed strength and stiffness hinges for steel frames

A new type of device able to connect steel beam elements is proposed. Specifically, the device is designed in such a way that the required bending stiffness and limit resistance can be independently imposed. To this goal, the device is realized as a "sandwich" section whose wings possess a particular geometry able to guarantee the required characteristics. Further technological requirement is that the device has to engage plan dimensions equal to those of the elements to which it is connected. The procedure to design the device is presented in the paper with reference to a simple plane steel portal constituted by appropriate profiles in such a way it behaves following an assigned force/disp…

Crack identification in a beam by measure of the response to white noise

The aim of this paper is to inspect the vibrational response of a beam with an edge non-propagating crack by means of stochastic analysis, in order to detect the presence and the location of structural damage. The non- linear behavior of the beam due to the opening and closing of the crack is fully exploited. The non-linearity measure is based on the response evaluation of the beam subjected to a white noise process. Both numerical and experimental investigations regarding a cantilever beam with a crack are reported in the paper.

Structural Design of Frames Able to Prevent Element Buckling

Two formulations of a special multicriterion optimal design problem devoted to elastic perfectly plastic steel frame structures subjected to different combinations of static and dynamic loads are presented. In particular, two minimum volume design problem formulations are proposed: in the first one the structure is designed so as to be able to elastically behave for the assigned fixed loads, to elastically shakedown for serviceability seismic load conditions and to prevent the instantaneous collapse for suitably chosen combinations of fixed and ultimate seismic loadings; in the second one the structure must also satisfy further appropriate constraints related to element buckling. The action…

Non-Gaussian Approach for Stochastic Analysis of Offshore Structures

An approach that is able to obtain the stochastic characteristics in terms of, stochastic momen.ts of a SDOF system excited by loads due to a fluid-structure mteraction is presented. In This approach the fluid horizontal velocity is considered as a filtered white noise, and the actual load expression is replaced by a Thirddegree polynomial of this velocity. The tools needed to p.romptly obtain the filters parameters and the equations governing the response moments are also presented; in particular, if the structure is sufficiently stiff, It is shown that these equations do not need any closure scheme III order to be solved. © ASCE.

Dynamic shakedown design of structures under repeated seismic loads

The paper is devoted to the formulation of an optimal design (minimum volume) problem of elastic perfectly plastic structures subjected to suitable combinations of static (fixed) and dynamic (seismic) loads. The structure is constrained to simultaneously respect two different safety criteria; actually, it must exhibit an elastic shakedown behaviour for the combination of loads characterizing the serviceability conditions and it must prevent the instantaneous collapse for the highest expected load condition (combination of loads characterized by the presence of fixed loads and maximum expected intensity of seismic action). The shakedown limit behaviour for the optimal structure will be impos…

On the modern use of the bòvedas tabicadas

The paper concerns the study of the so-called “bòvedas tabicadas” (i.e. thin vaults constituted by layers of “rasillas” suitably superimposed) based on the results obtained by specific experimental investigations effected on the material of which they are constituted as well as on a vault that is still working. In particular, aim of the present research is the implementation of a first analysis of the structure in its present configuration (often unusable), with the purpose to evaluate the real structure serviceability related to the prescribed intensity of the acting loads, and moreover the execution of a new second analysis of the same structure but suitably reinforced by placing further …