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Analyzing Structures Using Soft Computing Techniques, Numerical Modelling and Finite Element Analysis

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Materials Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 3511

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
Interests: cold-formed steel structures; application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for the structural prediction of steel structures; finite element analysis; fire engineering; wall cladding and roofing structures under wind loading; modular construction; sustainability and life cycle analysis of structures
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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India
Interests: cold-formed steel structures; finite element analysis; steel–concrete composite structures; machine learning techniques; construction management; construction materials; sustainable construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite original research articles as well as high-quality review papers for this Special Issue on “Analyzing Structures using Soft Computing Techniques, Numerical Modelling and Finite Element Analysis”. The goal of this Special Issue is to assemble the most recent research trends using numerical methods and soft computing in structural engineering to support the needs of professionals and researchers working on civil structures subjected to a wide range of external forces, such as earthquakes, winds, extreme loads and fires. Contributions on the following topics (but not limited to this list) are welcome:

  • A variety of soft computing applications in structural engineering (fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks, deep learning, machine learning and other computing methods);
  • Numerical modelling and multiscale analysis (from nano- and micro- to meso- and macrolevels);
  • Analysis of structures composed of different materials;
  • Structural analysis using the finite-element method;
  • Innovative and sustainable construction materials in structures;
  • Earthquake engineering and structural dynamics;
  • Building seismic response;
  • Structural engineering based on performance;
  • Structural inspection, repair and strengthening methods using numerical techniques;
  • Analysis of smart materials and structures.

Dr. Krishanu Roy
Dr. G. Beulah Gnana Ananthi
Dr. Arthur Fang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • finite-element analysis
  • structural simulations and structural optimizations
  • advanced materials, especially nanomaterials, smart materials and biomaterials
  • novel applications of conventional techniques in structural analysis
  • structural health monitoring systems
  • numerical methods

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4831 KiB  
Article
Impact of Inclination of Girders and Columns on the Effort and Stability of Flat Bar Frames
by Jacek Abramczyk, Katarzyna Chrzanowska and Wiesław Bielak
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6284; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186284 - 19 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1065
Abstract
The article describes a specific method of using innovative transverse systems of flat bar frames as structures forcing elastic shape transformations of nominally flat folded sheets into the forms of ruled shell roof coverings. An innovative method for parametric shaping these forms and [...] Read more.
The article describes a specific method of using innovative transverse systems of flat bar frames as structures forcing elastic shape transformations of nominally flat folded sheets into the forms of ruled shell roof coverings. An innovative method for parametric shaping these forms and arrangement of frames constituting structural systems of sheds with folded thin-walled roof coverings, taking account of the specificity of designing elastically transformed roof sheeting, was proposed. The proposed method for defining the loads of the considered frames supporting lower shelves of the folds of transformed roof sheeting, as loads distributed uniformly along the length of the upper chord of a roof frame girder, is also an innovative approach. The above unconventional premises result in the innovative topic of the research presented in terms of checking the impact of changing the shape of subsequent flat frames (intended for the construction of sheds roofed with the transformed sheeting) on the geometric and mechanical properties of the members of these frames. For the defined loads and the proposed parameterization of the frame forms, an innovative set of conditions was developed to optimize their performance, and then a theoretical analysis of the observed dependencies was carried out. This analysis was performed in an unconventional, novel way using section modules of the cross-sections of all members. The performed computer simulations confirmed the significance of changes in the inclination of girders and columns on the geometric and mechanical properties of the members. The obtained results are the basis and justification for simulations and tests in the scope of further modification of the form, loads, work, and methods of using various configurations of flat frames in constructions. Full article
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19 pages, 8680 KiB  
Article
FEM Simulation of AlSi10Mg Artifact for Additive Manufacturing Process Calibration with Industrial-Computed Tomography Validation
by Cesare Patuelli, Enrico Cestino, Giacomo Frulla, Federico Valente, Guido Servetti, Fabio Esposito and Luca Barbero
Materials 2023, 16(13), 4754; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134754 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1515
Abstract
Dimensional accuracy of selective laser melting (SLM) parts is one of manufacturers’ major concerns. The additive manufacturing (AM) process is characterized by high-temperature gradients, consolidation, and thermal expansion, which induce residual stress on the part. These stresses are released by separating the part [...] Read more.
Dimensional accuracy of selective laser melting (SLM) parts is one of manufacturers’ major concerns. The additive manufacturing (AM) process is characterized by high-temperature gradients, consolidation, and thermal expansion, which induce residual stress on the part. These stresses are released by separating the part from the baseplate, leading to plastic deformation. Thermo-mechanical finite elements (FE) simulation can be adopted to determine the effect of process parameters on final geometrical accuracy and minimize non-compliant parts. In this research, a geometry for process parameter calibration is presented. The part has been manufactured and then analyzed with industrial computed tomography (iCT). An FE process simulation has been performed considering material removal during base plate separation, and the computed distortions have been compared with the results of the iCT, revealing good accordance between the final product and its digital twin. Full article
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24 pages, 8674 KiB  
Article
Composite Cold-Formed Steel Beams with Diagonal Rebars for Earthquake-Resistant Buildings
by James Samuel, Shalini Ramachandran Nair, Philip Saratha Joanna, Beulah Gnana Ananthi Gurupatham, Krishanu Roy and James Boon Piang Lim
Materials 2023, 16(8), 3002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16083002 - 10 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1897
Abstract
The construction industry is on the lookout for cost-effective structural members that are also environmentally friendly. Built-up cold-formed steel (CFS) sections with minimal thickness can be used to make beams at a lower cost. Plate buckling in CFS beams with thin webs can [...] Read more.
The construction industry is on the lookout for cost-effective structural members that are also environmentally friendly. Built-up cold-formed steel (CFS) sections with minimal thickness can be used to make beams at a lower cost. Plate buckling in CFS beams with thin webs can be avoided by using thick webs, adding stiffeners, or strengthening the web with diagonal rebars. When CFS beams are designed to carry heavy loads, their depth logically increases, resulting in an increase in building floor height. The experimental and numerical investigation of CFS composite beams reinforced with diagonal web rebars is presented in this paper. A total of twelve built-up CFS beams were used for testing, with the first six designed without web encasement and the remaining six designed with web encasement. The first six were constructed with diagonal rebars in the shear and flexure zones, while the other two with diagonal rebars in the shear zone, and the last two without diagonal rebars. The next set of six beams was constructed in the same manner, but with a concrete encasement of the web, and all the beams were then tested. Fly ash, a pozzolanic waste byproduct of thermal power plants, was used as a 40% replacement for cement in making the test specimens. CFS beam failure characteristics, load–deflection behavior, ductility, load–strain relationship, moment–curvature relationship, and lateral stiffness were all investigated. The results of the experimental tests and the nonlinear finite element analysis performed in ANSYS software were found to be in good agreement. It was discovered that CFS beams with fly ash concrete encased webs have twice the moment resisting capacity of plain CFS beams, resulting in a reduction in building floor height. The results also confirmed that the composite CFS beams have high ductility, making them a reliable choice for earthquake-resistant structures. Full article
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19 pages, 3918 KiB  
Article
Feasibility Study of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAP) as Recycled Aggregates Used in Rigid Pavement Construction
by M. K. Diptikanta Rout, Surya Kant Sahdeo, Sabyasachi Biswas, Krishanu Roy and Abdhesh Kumar Sinha
Materials 2023, 16(4), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16041504 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3342
Abstract
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as recycled aggregates is a relatively new construction process of rigid pavements due to the scarcity and degradation of natural aggregates. This study aims at the sequential characterization of RAP aggregate to obtain optimized proportions for strength. For this [...] Read more.
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as recycled aggregates is a relatively new construction process of rigid pavements due to the scarcity and degradation of natural aggregates. This study aims at the sequential characterization of RAP aggregate to obtain optimized proportions for strength. For this purpose, RAP aggregates were used for the replacement of natural aggregates (NA) in the concrete mix which was achieved by varying from 0–100%. Furthermore, zirconia silica fume (ZSF) was used as a partial replacement of the cement in the concrete mix, replacing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Experimental studies have shown that the incorporation of washed RAP (WRAP) slightly reduces the compressive strength of concrete by 2.7–37.35% as compared to the reference control concrete mix. Although the 7-days, 28-days and 56-day compressive strength of WRAP recycled aggregate-based concrete is slightly better than the 7-days, 28-days and 56-day compressive strength of dirty RAP (DRAP) recycled aggregate-based concrete. A similar trend was observed in the flexural strength and split tensile strength of WRAP recycled aggregate-based. Overall, the results show that 40% WRAP recycled aggregates with 10% ZSF as a replacement for cement outperform DRAP aggregates in concrete mixes. According to the ANOVA results, the combination of ZSF and WRAP aggregates met the cement concrete pavement strength standard, thereby contributing to sustainable development. Reclaimed Asphalt Concrete Pavements (RACP) are now seen as a potential and long-term answer to the present environmental and economic crisis. Full article
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