Search results for "Structural engineering"
showing 10 items of 1998 documents
Analysis of the accuracy of fiber-optic strain transducers installed by using composite smart patches
2015
The aim of this work is to investigate the accuracy of fiber-optic strain transducer related to the incomplete load transmission that can occur on composite smart patches used as base support for the installation of such transducer, commonly used for structural monitoring of concrete elements. In detail, since the dimensions of the transducer are generally very small compared to those of the structural element being monitored, attention is given not to the global reinforcement effect, which occurs when the transducer alters the entire strain field of the transversal section of the monitored element, but rather to the so-called local reinforcement effect, which is due to an incomplete load …
An execution, monitoring and replanning approach for optimal energy management in microgrids
2011
abstract This work develops a new approach for optimal energy management of electrical distribution ‘smart-grids’. Optimality aims at improving sustainability through the minimization of carbon emissions and atreducing production costs and maximizing quality. Input data are the forecasted loads and productionsfrom renewable generation units, output data are a set of control actions for the actuators. Theconsidered electrical distribution system includes storage units that must be considered over a 24 h timeinterval, to consider an entire charge and discharge cycle. The objectives for the optimal management ofdistributed (renewables and not) generation are technical, economical and environme…
Modeling of Wind Turbine Gearbox Mounting
2011
In this paper three bushing models are evaluated to find a best practice in modeling the mounting of wind turbine gearboxes. Parameter identification on measurements has been used to determine the bushing parameters for dynamic simulation of a gearbox including main shaft. The stiffness of the main components of the gearbox has been calculated. The torsional stiffness of the main shaft, gearbox and the mounting of the gearbox are of same order of magnitude, and eigenfrequency analysis clearly reveals that the stiffness of the gearbox mounting is of importance when modeling full wind turbine drivetrains.
A Mixed Approach for Determination of Initial Cable Forces in Cable-Stayed Bridges and the Parameters Variability
2015
The determination of initial cable forces in cable-stayed bridges is an important first step in design and analysis of the structure under external loads. Adjustments of stay forces are often required during construction in order to assure the requested behaviour of the bridge in terms of final geometrical configuration and internal force distribution. An accurate assessment of the stay tensioning system allows designers to obtain a good result at the end of construction, by considering the parameters involved as deterministic quantities, assuring the observance of the execution tolerances during works. Actual loads and their variations need instead a stochastic approach which can give usef…
Innovative modeling of tuned liquid column damper controlled structures
2016
In this paper a different formulation for the response of structural systems controlled by Tuned Liquid Column Damper (TLCD) devices is developed, based on the mathematical tool of fractional calculus. Although the increasing use of these devices for structural vibration control, it has been demonstrated that existing model may lead to inaccurate prediction of liquid motion, thus reflecting in a possible imprecise description of the structural response. For this reason the recently proposed fractional formulation introduced to model liquid displacements in TLCD devices, is here extended to deal with TLCD controlled structures under base excitations. As demonstrated through an extensive expe…
A novel solar-geothermal trigeneration system integrating water desalination: Design, dynamic simulation and economic assessment
2016
Abstract In this paper, an innovative solar-geothermal polygeneration system is investigated. The system supplies a small community with electricity, desalinated water and space heating and cooling through a district network. The hybrid multi-purpose plant, based on an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) supplied by medium-enthalpy geothermal energy and by solar energy; this latter is provided by Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC). The geothermal brine is first used to drive the ORC loop, then to provide space heating at around 85÷90 °C (in the winter), or cooling (in the summer, by means of a single-effect absorption chiller). Finally, the geothermal brine drives a Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) s…
Incremental dynamic based fragility assessment of reinforced concrete structures: Stationary vs. non-stationary artificial ground motions
2017
Abstract Artificial and natural records are commonly employed by researches and practitioners to perform refined seismic assessments of structures. The techniques for the generation of artificial records and their effectiveness in producing signals which are significantly representative of real earthquakes are still debated as well as results of the consequent seismic assessment to expect from their application. The paper presents an in-depth comparative study highlighting the effect of employing different typologies of artificial ground motion records on seismic assessment results, especially addressing seismic fragility curves. Three sets of 50 stationary, nonstationary evenly modulated a…
Use of Automated Photoelasticity to Determine Stress Intensity Factors of Bimaterial Joints
2005
A new systematic experimental procedure has been developed to obtain the stress intensity factors governing the singular stress field that occurs near the intersection between the interface and free edges of bimaterial joints. A preliminary theoretical study of the singular stress field is carried out by the well-known Airy stress function method. The obtained stress laws are properly combined with the basic law of photoelasticity in order to define a procedure that permits the zone dominated by the singularity to be located and the stress intensity factors (SIFs) to be computed on the basis of full field data provided from automated photoelasticity. In particular, a systematic error analys…
Application of viscoelastic hybrid models to vehicle crash simulation
2011
This paper presents an application of physical models composed of springs, dampers and masses in various arrangements to simulate a real car collision with a rigid pole. Equations of motion of these systems are being established and subsequently solutions to obtain differential equations are formulated. We begin with a general model consisting of two masses, two springs and two dampers and illustrate its application to modelling fore-frame and aft-frame of a vehicle. Hybrid models, as being particular cases of two-mass–spring–damper model, are elaborated afterwards and their application to predict results of real collision is shown. Models’ parameters are obtained by fitting their response …
Performance of two innovative stress sensors imbedded in mortar joints of new masonry elements
2021
Abstract Many historical cities enjoy the presence of masonry buildings with inestimable historical, artistic and cultural value. Old masonry buildings often suffer structural deficiencies, design faults and materials aging process. In recent years, many researchers focused their attention on the opportunities that structural health monitoring (SHM) can ensure for the health state of existing masonry structures, where damage can be difficult to be promptly predicted, pontentially causing abrupt collapses, with high risks for the community. This paper presents an experimental study on the effectiveness of two types of stress sensor for SHM of new masonry elements. Ceramic piezoelectric senso…