VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Singh, Mahendra P."

Browsing by Author "Singh, Mahendra P."

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Acceleration Feedback-Based Active and Semi-Active Seismic Response Control of Rail-Counterweight Systems of Elevators
Singh, Rildova; Singh, Mahendra P. (Hindawi, 2005-01-01)
Based on the observations in the past earthquake events, the traction elevators in buildings are known to be vulnerable to earthquake induced ground motions. Among several components of an elevator, the counterweight being heaviest is also known to be more susceptible than others. The inertial effects of the counterweight can overstress the guide rails on which it moves. Here we investigate to use the well-known acceleration feedback-based active and semi-active control methods to reduce stresses in the rails. The only way a control action can be applied to a moving counterweight-rail system is through a mass damper placed in the plane of the counterweight. For this, a part of the counterweight mass can be configured as a mass damper attached to a small actuator for an active scheme or to a magneto-rheological damper for a semi-active scheme. A comprehensive numerical study is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed configuration of control system. It is observed that the two control schemes are effective in reducing the stress response by about 20 to 25% and improve the system fragility over a good range of seismic intensities.
Active and Semi-Active Control of Civil Structures under Seismic Excitation
Matheu, Enrique E. (Virginia Tech, 1997-05-06)
The main focus of this study is on the active and semi-active control of civil engineering structures subjected to seismic excitations. Among different candidate control strategies, the sliding mode control approach emerges as a convenient alternative, because of its superb robustness under parametric and input uncertainties. The analytical developments and numerical results presented in this dissertation are directed to investigate the feasibility of application of the sliding mode control approach to civil structures. In the first part of this study, a unified treatment of active and semi-active sliding mode controllers for civil structures is presented. A systematic procedure, based on a special state transformation, is also presented to obtain the regular form of the state equations which facilitates the design of the control system. The conditions under which this can be achieved in the general case of control redundancy are also defined. The importance of the regular form resides in the fact that it allows to separate the design process in two basic steps: (a) selection of a target sliding surface and (b) determination of the corresponding control actions. Several controllers are proposed and extensive numerical results are presented to investigate the performance of both active and semi-active schemes, examining in particular the feasibility of application to real size civil structures. These numerical studies show that the selection of the sliding surface constitutes a crucial step in the implementation of an efficient control design. To improve this design process, a generalized sliding surface definition is used which is based on the incorporation of two auxiliary dynamical systems. Numerical simulations show that this definition renders a controller design which is more flexible, facilitating its tuning to meet different performance specifications. This study also considers the situation in which not all the state information is available for control purposes. In practical situations, only a subset of the physical variables, such as displacements and velocities, can be directly measured. A general approach is formulated to eliminate the explicit effect of the unmeasured states on the design of the sliding surface and the associated controller. This approach, based on a modified regular form transformation, permits the utilization of arbitrary combinations of measured and unmeasured states. The resulting sliding surface design problem is discussed within the framework of the classical optimal output feedback theory, and an efficient algorithm is proposed to solve the corresponding matrix nonlinear equations. A continuous active controller is proposed based only on bounding values of the unmeasured states and the input ground motion. Both active and semi-active schemes are evaluated by numerical simulations, which show the applicability and performance of the proposed approach.
Active control of coupled wave propagation in fluid-filled elastic cylindrical shells
Brevart, Bertrand J. (Virginia Tech, 1994-12-10)
The vibrational energy propagating in straight fluid-filled elastic pipes is carried by the structure as well as by the internal fluid. Part of the energy in the system may also transfer from one medium to the other as propagation occurs. For various types of harmonic disturbance, this study demonstrates that, whether the propagating energy is predominantly conveyed in the shell or in the fluid, large attenuations of the total power flow may be achieved by using an active control approach. As the shell and fluid motions are fully coupled, the implementation of intrusive sources/sensors in the acoustic field can be also avoided. The approach is based on using radial control forces applied to the outer shell wall and error sensors observing the structural motion. A broad analytical study gives insight into the control mechanisms. The cylindrical shell is assumed to be infinite, in vacuo or filled with water. The first disturbance source investigated is a propagating free wave of circumferential order n=0 or n= 1. The control forces are appropriate harmonic line forces radially applied to the structure. The radial displacement of the shell wall at discrete locations downstream of the control forces is minimized using linear quadratic optimal control theory. The attenuation of the total power flow in the system after control is used to study the impact of the fluid on the performance of the control approach. Results for the shell in vacuo are presented for comparison. Considering the breathing mode (n=O), the fluid decreases the control performance when the disturbance is a structural-type incident wave. Significant reductions of the transmitted power flow can be achieved when the disturbance is a fluid-type of wave. Regarding the beam mode (n=1), the fluid increases the control performance below the first acoustic cut-off frequency and decreases it above this frequency.
Active control of sound radiation due to subsonic wave scattering from discontinuities on thin elastic beams
Guigou, Catherine R. J. (Virginia Tech, 1992-07-05)
Much progress has been made in recent years in active control of sound radiation from vibrating structures. Reduction of the far-field acoustic radiation can be obtained by directly modifying the response of the structure by applying structural inputs rather than by adding acoustic sources. Discontinuities, which are present in many structures are often important in terms of sound radiation due to wave scattering behavior at their location. In this thesis, an edge or boundary type discontinuity (clamped edge) and a point discontinuity (blocking mass) are analytically studied in terms of sound radiation. When subsonic vibrational waves impinge on these discontinuities, large scattered sound levels are radiated. Active control is then achieved by applying either control forces, which approximate shakers, or pairs of control moments, which approximate piezoelectric actuators, near the discontinuity. Active control of sound radiation from a simply-supported beam is also examined. For a single frequency, the flexural response of the beam subject to an incident wave or an input force (disturbance) and to control forces or control moments is expressed in terms of waves of both propagating and near-field types. The far-field radiated pressure is then evaluated in terms of the structural response, using Rayleigh's formula or a stationary phase approach, depending upon the application. The control force and control moment magnitudes are determined by optimizing a quadratic cost function, which is directly related to the control performance. On determining the optimal control complex amplitudes, these can be resubstituted in the constitutive equations for the system under study and the minimized radiated fields can be evaluated. High attenuation in radiated sound power and radiated acoustic pressure is found to be possible when one or two active control actuators are located near the discontinuity, as is shown to be mostly associated with local changes in beam response near the discontinuity.. The effect of the control actuators on the farfield radiated pressure, the wavenumber spectrum, the flexural displacement and the near-field time averaged intensity and pressure distributions are studied in order to further understand the control mechanisms. The influence of the near-field structural waves is investigated as well. Some experimental results are presented for comparison.
Active control of sound radiation from fluid loaded plates
Gu, Yi (Virginia Tech, 1992-10-15)
Active control of sound radiation due to subsonic wave scattering from an infinite or a finite fluid-loaded plate excited below the critical frequency is analytically studied. The disturbance is caused by a flexural wave in an infinite plate, or by a point force on a finite plate at subsonic frequencies. The wave scattering is caused by discontinuities on the plate or by the boundary conditions. A feed-forward control approach is applied by implementing either point/line forces or piezoelectric actuators on the plate. The amplitude and phase of control forces are determined by the optimal solution of a cost function which minimizes the far-field radiated acoustic power over a prescribed surface in the half space of the fluid field. The results show that for subsonic excitations, high global reduction in radiated pressure is possible with properly located active control forces. The number and location of control forces employed in order to obtain high control performance are related to the excitation frequency. The far-field sound radiation directivity pattern, the modal amplitudes of the plate vibration, the plate vibration autospectrum in the wave number domain, and the near-field intensity distribution are extensively studied in order to uncover the mechanisms of control.
Active, Regenerative Control of Civil Structures
Scruggs, Jeffrey (Virginia Tech, 1999-05-10)
An analysis is presented on the use of a proof-mass actuator as a regenerative force actuator for the mitigation of earthquake disturbances in civil structures. A proof-mass actuator is a machine which accelerates a mass along a linear path. Such actuators can facilitate two-way power flow. In regenerative force actuation, a bi- directional power-electronic drive is used to facilitate power flow both to and from the proof-mass actuator power supply. With proper control system design, this makes it possible to suppress a disturbance on a structure using mostly energy extracted from the disturbance itself, rather than from an external power source. In this study, three main objectives are accomplished. First, a new performance measure, called the "required energy capacity," is proposed as an assessment of the minimum size of the electric power supply necessary to facilitate the power flow required of the closed-loop system for a given disturbance. The relationship between the required energy capacity and the linear control system design, which is based on positive position feedback concepts, is developed. The dependency of the required energy capacity on hybrid realizations of the control law are discussed, and hybrid designs are found which minimize this quantity for specific disturbance characteristics. As the second objective, system identification and robust estimation methods are used to develop a stochastic approach to the performance assessment of structural control systems, which evaluates the average worst-case performance for all earthquakes "similar" to an actual data record. This technique is used to evaluate the required energy capacity for a control system design. In the third objective, a way is found to design a battery capacity which takes into account the velocity rating of the proof-mass actuator. Upon sizing this battery, two nonlinear controllers are proposed which automatically regulate the power flow in the closed-loop system to accommodate a power supply with a finite energy capacity, regardless of the disturbance size. Both controllers are based on a linear control system design. One includes a nonlinearity which limits power flow out of the battery supply. The other includes a nonlinearity which limits the magnitude of the proof-mass velocity. The latter of these is shown to yield superior performance.
Analysis of Transient Seepage Through Levees
Sleep, Matthew David (Virginia Tech, 2011-10-25)
Levees are a significant part of the United States flood protection infrastructure. It is estimated that over 100,000 miles of levees exist in the United States. Most of these levees were designed many years ago to protect farmland and rural areas. As growth continues in the United States, many of these levees are now protecting homes and other important structures. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the levees in the United States a grade of D- in 2009. To bring flood protection up to modern standards there requires adequate methods of evaluating levees with respect to seepage, erosion, piping and slope instability. Transient seepage analyses provide an effective method of evaluating seepage through levees and its potentially destabilizing effects. Floods against levees usually last for days or weeks. In response to a flood, pore pressures within the levee will change from negative (suction) to positive as the phreatic surface progresses through the levee. These changes can be calculated by finite element transient seepage analyses. In order for the transient seepage analysis to be valid, appropriate soil properties and initial conditions must be used. The research investigation described here provides simple and practical methods for estimating the initial conditions and soil properties required for transient seepage analyses, and illustrates their use through a number of examples.
Analytical and Experimental Investigation of Improving Seismic Performance of Steel Moment Frames Using Synthetic Fiber Ropes
Ryan, John C. (Virginia Tech, 2006-09-22)
The presented research investigated the viability of a double-braided synthetic fiber rope for providing improved performance of steel moment frames subjected to earthquake-induced ground motions. A series of experimental tests, including a 1:3-scale dynamic test and 1:6-scale shaking table tests, was conducted using Northridge ground-motion input. A series of nonlinear dynamic analytical studies, using DRAIN-2DX, was conducted to develop the experimental tests. Throughout experimental testing, the ropes exhibited a hyper-elastic loading response and a reduced-stiffness unloading response. A conditioning cycle was defined as a loading cycle induced in the rope above the highest load expected to be experienced by the rope, and was determined to be requisite for ropes intended to be used for the stated objectives of the research program. After experiencing a conditioning cycle, the rope response returned to initial conditions without permanent deformation, demonstrating repeatability of response through several loading cycles below the conditioning load. In the 1:6-scale shaking-table experiments, the ropes drastically improved the performance of the steel moment frames. Maximum and residual drift were reduced significantly, with a corresponding minimal increase to the maximum base shear. Base shear was reduced at several peaks subsequent to the initial pulse of the Northridge ground-motion input. The analytical model developed was excellent for predicting elastic response of the 1:6-scale shaking table experiments and adequate for the purpose of planning shaking table studies. Correlation of peak rope forces between the analytical model and experimental results was poor, and was attributed to limitations of the pre-defined elements used to represent the rope devices in the software program. The inability of the elements to capture the complex unloading response of the rope was specifically noted.
Application of the Finite Element Method to the Seismic Design and Analysis of Large Moment End-Plate Connections
Mays, Timothy Wayne (Virginia Tech, 2004-08-12)
Due to problems associated with welded moment connections uncovered after the Northridge earthquake, large bolted connections are becoming a much more attractive alternative for design in seismic regions. However, stringent design requirements established by the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (1997) make current moment end-plate configurations and design procedures inadequate for multi-story buildings. This dissertation first examines and critiques current seismic design philosophies as applied to moment end-plate connections. Next, the finite element method is used to develop much-needed design procedures for large moment end-plate connections, and to improve the understanding of the role of geometric parameters (e.g., bolt pitch and stiffener locations) in the response of these connections. Finally, single-story and multi-story frames incorporating large moment end-plate connections with known moment-rotation characteristics are considered under seismic loading to determine the effectiveness of these systems in dissipating energy caused by the ground motion.
Biped robot with a vestibular system
Huang, Chuen-Chane (Virginia Tech, 1991-12-01)
The kinematics and dynamics of two legged or biped walking is considered. The resulting governing equations include actuator torques for a robot and muscle generated torques for a human. These torques are those necessary at each joint of a leg, including the foot, for a successful stride. The equations are developed from a consistent set variables with respect to a single inertial reference frame. This single reference frame approach has not been used by previous investigators. Control of the joint torques makes biped walking an extraordinary complex problem from a dynamics and control viewpoint. The control scheme that is developed incorporates the use of the direction of gravity as an important element in the overall control. The inclusion of gravity in biped robot walking has not previously been properly considered in other works. A way is described to separate gravity and acceleration which are measured by an accelerometer which is on the robot. This system incorporates the use of angular motion sensing of the robot segment that contains the linear accelerometers. This system was formulated based on human motion sensing and what probably is present in the human central nervous system for processing these signals.
Comparing Probabilistic and Fuzzy Set Approaches for Designing in the Presence of Uncertainty
Chen, Qinghong (Virginia Tech, 2000-08-08)
Probabilistic models and fuzzy set models describe different aspects of uncertainty. Probabilistic models primarily describe random variability in parameters. In engineering system safety, examples are variability in material properties, geometrical dimensions, or wind loads. In contrast, fuzzy set models of uncertainty primarily describe vagueness, such as vagueness in the definition of safety. When there is only limited information about variability, it is possible to use probabilistic models by making suitable assumptions on the statistics of the variability. However, it has been repeatedly shown that this can entail serious errors. Fuzzy set models, which require little data, appear to be well suited to use with designing for uncertainty, when little is known about the uncertainty. Several studies have compared fuzzy set and probabilistic methods in analysis of safety of systems under uncertainty. However, no study has compared the two approaches systematically as a function of the amount of available information. Such a comparison, in the context of design against failure, is the objective of this dissertation. First, the theoretical foundations of probability and possibility theories are compared. We show that a major difference between probability and possibility is in the axioms about the union of events. Because of this difference, probability and possibility calculi are fundamentally different and one cannot simulate possibility calculus using probabilistic models. We also show that possibility-based methods tend to be more conservative than probability-based methods in systems that fail only if many unfavorable events occur simultaneously. Based on these theoretical observations, two design problems are formulated to demonstrate the strength and weakness of probabilistic and fuzzy set methods. We consider the design of tuned damper system and the design and construction of domino stacks. These problems contain narrow failure zones in their uncertain variables and are tailored to demonstrate the pitfalls of probabilistic methods when little information is available for uncertain variables. Using these design problems we demonstrate that probabilistic methods are better than possibility-based methods if sufficient information is available. Just as importantly, we show possibility-based methods can be better if little information is available. Our conclusion is that when there is little information available about uncertainties, a hybrid method should be used to ensure a safe design.
Control of a Chaotic Double Pendulum Model for a Ship Mounted Crane
Hsu, Tseng-Hsing (Virginia Tech, 2000-02-22)
An extension of the original Ott-Grebogy-Yorke control scheme is used on a simple double pendulum. The base point of the double pendulum moves in both horizontal and vertical directions which leads to rather complicated behavior.A delay coordinate is used to reconstruct the attractor. The required dimension is determined by the False Nearest Neighbor analysis. A newly developed Fixed Point Transformation method is used to identify the unstable periodic orbit (UPO). Two different system parameters are used to control the motion. Minimum parameter constraints are studied. The use of discrete values for parameter changes is also investigated. Based on these investigations, a new on-off control scheme is proposed to simplify the implementation of the controller and minimize the delay in applying the control.
Coupled Electromechanical Peridynamics Modeling of Strain and Damage Sensing in Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites
Prakash, Naveen (Virginia Tech, 2017-09-05)
This work explores the computational modeling of electromechanical problems using peridynamics and in particular, its application in studying the potential of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced nanocomposites for the purpose of sensing deformation and damage in materials. Peridynamics, a non-local continuum theory which was originally formulated for modeling problems in solid mechanics, has been extended in this research to electromechanical fields and applied to study the electromechanical properties of CNT nanocomposites at multiple length scales. Piezoresistivity is the coupling between the electrical properties of a material and applied mechanical loads, more specifically the change in resistance in response to deformation. This can include both, a geometric effect due to change in dimensions as well as the change in resistivity of the material itself. Nanocomposites referred to in this work are materials which consist of CNTs dispersed in a binding polymer matrix. The origins of the extraordinary piezoresistive properties of nanocomposites lie at the nanoscale where the non-local phenomenon of electron hopping plays a significant role in establishing the properties of the nanocomposite along with CNT network formation and inherent piezoresistivity of CNTs themselves. Electron hopping or tunneling allows for a current to flow between neighboring CNTs even when they are not in contact, provided the energy barrier for electrons to hop is small enough. This phenomenon is highly nonlinear with respect to the intertube distance and is also dependent on other factors such as the potential barrier of the polymer matrix. To investigate this in more detail, peridynamic simulations are first employed to study the piezoresistivity at the CNT bundle scale by considering a nanoscale representative volume element (RVE) of CNTs within polymer matrix, and by explicitly modeling electron hopping effects. This is done by introducing electron hopping bonds and it is shown that the conductivity and the non-local length scale parameter in peridynamics (the horizon) can be derived from a purely physics based model rather than assuming an ad-hoc value. Piezoresistivity can be characterized as a function of the deformation and damage within the material and thereby used as an in-situ indicator of the structural health of the material. As such, a material system for which real time in-situ monitoring may be useful is polymer bonded explosives. While these materials are designed for detonation under conditions of a strong shock, they can be damaged or even ignited under certain low magnitude impact scenarios such as during accidental drop or transportation. Since these materials are a heterogeneous system consisting of explosive grains within a polymer matrix binder, it is proposed that CNTs can be dispersed within the binder medium leading to an inherently piezoresistive hybrid nanocomposite bonded explosive material (NCBX) material which can then be monitored for a continuous assessment of deformation and damage within the material. To explore the potential use of CNT nanocomposites for this novel application, peridynamic simulations are carried out at the microscale level, first under quasistatic conditions and subsequently under dynamic conditions to allow the propagation of elastic waves. Peridynamics equations, which can be discretized to obtain a meshless method are particularly suited to this problem as the explicit modeling of crack initiation and propagation at the microscale is essential to understanding the properties of this material. Moreover, many other parameters such as electrical conductivity of the grain and the properties of the grain-binder interface are studied to understand their effect on the piezoresistive response of the material. For example, it is found that conductivity of the grain plays a major role in the piezoresistive response since it affects the preferential pathways of current density depending on the relative ease of flow through grain vs. binder. The results of this work are promising and are two fold. Peridynamics is found to be an effective method to model such materials, both at the nanoscale and the microscale. It alleviates some of difficulties faced by traditional finite element methods in the modeling of damage in materials and can be extended to coupled fields with relative ease. Secondly, simulations presented in this work show that there is much promise in this novel application of nanocomposites in the field of structural health monitoring of polymer bonded explosives.
Design and Behavior of Precast, Prestressed Girders Made Continuous — An Analytical and Experimental Study
Newhouse, Charles David (Virginia Tech, 2005-04-21)
Over the past fifty years, many states have recognized the benefits of making precast, prestressed multi-girder bridges continuous by connecting the girders with a continuity diaphragm. Although there is widespread agreement on the benefits of continuous construction, there has not been as much agreement on either the methods used for design of these systems or the details used for the continuity connections. To aid designers in choosing the most appropriate method, an analytical and experimental study was undertaken at Virginia Tech. Analyses were done to compare the differences in the predicted continuity moments for different design methods and assumptions over a range of commonly used systems of Precast Concrete Bulb Tee (PCBT) girders and cast-in-place slabs. The results of the analyses were used to develop three continuity connection details for testing during the experimental study. Three different continuity connections were tested using full depth PCBT 45 in. deep girders made continuous with a 6 ft wide slab. The bottom of the ends of the girders were made continuous with the continuity connection by extending prestressing strands for one test and extending 180 degree bent bars for the other test. Both connections adequately resisted service, cyclic, and ultimate loads. But, the test with the extended bars remained stiffer during cyclic loading and is recommended for use. A third test was performed on a system using only a slab cast across the top of the girders. Two primary cracks formed above the ends of the girders at the joint during service testing, after which no significant increase in damage took place. Results from the analytical study indicate that the predicted positive thermal restraint moments may be significant, similar in magnitude to the actual positive cracking moment capacities. Results from the experimental study indicate that restraint moments develop early due to thermal expansion of the deck during curing and subsequent differential shrinkage; however, the magnitudes of the early age restraint moments are much less than conventional analyses predict.
Deterministic and stochastic responses of nonlinear systems
Abou-Rayan, Ashraf M. (Virginia Tech, 1991-12-03)
This dissertation is concerned with the responses of nonlinear systems to both deterministic and stochastic excitations. For a single-degree-of-freedom system, the response of a simply-supported buckled beam to parametric excitations is investigated. Two types of excitations are examined: deterministic and random. For the nonlinear response to a harmonic axial load, the method of multiple scales is used to determine to second order the amplitude-and phase-modulation equations. Floquet theory is used to analyze the stability of periodic responses. The perturbation results are verified by integrating the governing equation using both digital and analog computers. For small excitation amplitudes, the analytical results are in good agreement with the numerical solutions. The large-amplitude responses are investigated by using simulations on a digital computer and are compared with results obtained using an analog computer. For the stochastic response to a wide-band random excitation, the Gaussian and non-Gaussian closure schemes are used to determine the response statistics. The results are compared with those obtained from real-time analysis (analog-computer simulation). The normality assumption is examined. A comparison between the responses to deterministic and random excitations is presented.
Development and Applications of Finite Elements in Time Domain
Park, Sungho (Virginia Tech, 1996-12-04)
A bilinear formulation is used for developing the time finite element method (TFM) to obtain transient responses of both linear, nonlinear, damped and undamped systems. Also the formulation, used in the h-, p- and hp-versions, is extended and found to be readily amenable to multi-degree-of-freedom systems. The resulting linear and nonlinear algebraic equations for the transient response are differentiated to obtain the sensitivity of the response with respect to various design parameters. The present developments were tested on a series of linear and nonlinear examples and were found to yield, when compared with other methods, excellent results for both the transient response and its sensitivity to system parameters. Mostly, the results were obtained using the Legendre polynomials as basis functions, though, in some cases other orthogonal polynomials namely, Hermite, Chebyshev, and integrated Legendre polynomials were also employed (but to no great advantage). A key advantage of TFM, and the one often overlooked in its past applications, is the ease in which the sensitivity of the transient response with respect to various design parameters can be obtained. Since a considerable effort is spent in determining the sensitivity of the response with respect to system parameters in many algorithms for parametric identification, an identification procedure based on the TFM is developed and tested for a number of nonlinear single-and two-degree-of-freedom system problems. An advantage of the TFM is the easy calculation of the sensitivity of the transient response with respect to various design parameters, a key requirement for gradient-based parameter identification schemes. The method is simple, since one obtains the sensitivity of the response to system parameters by differentiating the algebraic equations, not original differential equations. These sensitivities are used in Levenberg-Marquardt iterative direct method to identify parameters for nonlinear single- and two-degree-of-freedom systems. The measured response was simulated by integrating the example nonlinear systems using the given values of the system parameters. To study the influence of the measurement noise on parameter identification, random noise is added to the simulated response. The accuracy and the efficiency of the present method is compared to a previously available approach that employs a multistep method to integrate nonlinear differential equations. It is seen, for the same accuracy, the present approach requires fewer data points. Finally, the TFM for optimal control problems based on Hamiltonian weak formulation is proposed by adopting the p- and hp-versions as a finite element discretization process. The p-version can be used to improve the accuracy of the solution by adding more unknowns to each element without refining the mesh. The usage of hierarchical type of shape functions can lead to a significant saving in computational effort for a given accuracy. A set of Legendre polynomials are chosen as higher order shape functions and applied to two simple minimization problems for optimal control. The proposed formulation provides very accurate results for these problems.
Development, Analysis and Testing of a Hybrid Passive Control Device for Seismic Protection of Framed Structures
Marshall, Justin D. (Virginia Tech, 2008-12-15)
A new seismic protection strategy called the hybrid passive control device (HPCD) has been developed which combines typical passive energy dissipation devices. It consists of a high damping rubber (HDR) sandwich damper in series with a buckling restrained brace (BRB). The HPCD provides energy dissipation at small deformations without significantly decreasing the structural period. The significant energy dissipation capacity of a BRB is provided for significant seismic events in the second phase. The transition between these two phases consists of an increasing stiffness as the device transitions from rubber damper to BRB. The HPCD reduces deformations, forces and accelerations from seismic events. The hyperelastic or stiffening effect also prevents resonant build-up and aids in collapse prevention due to p-delta effects. The first phase of this work included characterization of high damping rubber compounds and analytical modeling of the HPCD concept. Experimental testing was completed to measure both the static and dynamic material properties of six different rubber compounds. The two most promising rubber compounds were selected for possible inclusion in the device. Analytical models of these selected materials were developed for nonlinear solid finite element analysis. The most promising configuration of the device was selected from several options. The selected configuration was analyzed using the commercial finite element program ABAQUS. These models were used to confirm the validity of the theoretical behavior of the device. Additionally these tests were used to determine which of the rubber compounds performed best. Experimental testing of a half-scale HPCD specimen was carried out in the Structures and Materials Research Laboratory at Virginia Tech. The prototype was tested under cyclic and static loads. The experimental tests confirmed the potential of the hybrid device while highlighting minor issues with the design of the prototype. The final component in the research was an analytical study using hybrid devices in a 9-story steel moment frame structure. The devices were found to provide improved response over a special steel moment frame and a moment frame combined with a buckling restrained brace frame.
Disaggregated Seismic Hazard and the Elastic Input Energy Spectrum: An Approach to Design Earthquake Selection
Chapman, Martin C. (Virginia Tech, 1998-06-25)
The design earthquake selection problem is fundamentally probabilistic. Disaggregation of a probabilistic model of the seismic hazard offers a rational and objective approach that can identify the most likely earthquake scenario(s) contributing to hazard. An ensemble of time series can be selected on the basis of the modal earthquakes derived from the disaggregation. This gives a useful time-domain realization of the seismic hazard, to the extent that a single motion parameter captures the important time-domain characteristics. A possible limitation to this approach arises because most currently available motion prediction models for peak ground motion or oscillator response are essentially independent of duration, and modal events derived using the peak motions for the analysis may not represent the optimal characterization of the hazard. The elastic input energy spectrum is an alternative to the elastic response spectrum for these types of analyses. The input energy combines the elements of amplitude and duration into a single parameter description of the ground motion that can be readily incorporated into standard probabilistic seismic hazard analysis methodology. This use of the elastic input energy spectrum is examined. Regression analysis is performed using strong motion data from Western North America and consistent data processing procedures for both the absolute input energy equivalent velocity, (Vea), and the elastic pseudo-relative velocity response (PSV) in the frequency range 0.5 to 10 Hz. The results show that the two parameters can be successfully fit with identical functional forms. The dependence of Vea and PSV upon (NEHRP) site classification is virtually identical. The variance of Vea is uniformly less than that of PSV, indicating that Vea can be predicted with slightly less uncertainty as a function of magnitude, distance and site classification. The effects of site class are important at frequencies less than a few Hertz. The regression modeling does not resolve significant effects due to site class at frequencies greater than approximately 5 Hz. Disaggregation of general seismic hazard models using Vea indicates that the modal magnitudes for the higher frequency oscillators tend to be larger, and vary less with oscillator frequency, than those derived using PSV. Insofar as the elastic input energy may be a better parameter for quantifying the damage potential of ground motion, its use in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis could provide an improved means for selecting earthquake scenarios and establishing design earthquakes for many types of engineering analyses.
Dynamic Stability of Uncertain Laminated Beams Subjected to Subtangential Loads
Goyal, Vijay Kumar (Virginia Tech, 2002-07-02)
Because of the inherent complexity of fiber-reinforced laminated composites, it can be challenging to manufacture composite structures according to their exact design specifications, resulting in unwanted material and geometric uncertainties. Thus the understanding of the effect of uncertainties in laminated structures on their static and dynamic responses is highly important for a reliable design of such structures. In this research, we focus on the deterministic and probabilistic stability analysis of laminated structures subject to subtangential loading, a combination of conservative and nonconservative tangential loads, using the dynamic criterion. Thus a shear-deformable laminated beam element, including warping effects, is derived to study the deterministic and probabilistic response of laminated beams. This twenty-one degrees of freedom element can be used for solving both static and dynamic problems. In the first-order shear deformable model used here we have employed a more accurate method to obtain the transverse shear correction factor. The dynamic version of the principle of virtual work for laminated composites is expressed in its nondimensional form and the element tangent stiffness and mass matrices are obtained using analytical integration. The stability is studied by giving the structure a small disturbance about an equilibrium configuration, and observing if the resulting response remains small. In order to study the dynamic behavior by including uncertainties into the problem, three models were developed: Exact Monte Carlo Simulation, Sensitivity-Based Monte Carlo Simulation, and Probabilistic FEA. These methods were integrated into the developed finite element analysis. Also, perturbation and sensitivity analysis have been used to study nonconservative problems, as well as to study the stability analysis using the dynamic criterion.
Dynamic Strain Measurement Based Damage Identification for Structural Health Monitoring
Elbadawy, Mohamed Mohamed Zeinelabdin Mohamed (Virginia Tech, 2018-11-27)
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a non-destructive evaluation tool that assesses the functionality of structural systems that are used in the civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering practices. A much desirable objective of a SHM system is to provide a continuous monitoring service at a minimal cost with ability to identify problems even in inaccessible structural components. In this dissertation, several such approaches that utilize the measured dynamic response of structural systems are presented to detect, locate, and quantify the damages that are likely to occur in structures. In this study, the structural damage is identified as a reduction in the stiffness characteristics of the structural elements. The primary focus of this study is on the utilization of measured dynamic strains for damage identification in the framed structures which are composed of interconnected beam elements. Although linear accelerations, being more convenient to measure, are commonly used in most SHM practices, herein the strains being more sensitive to elemental damage are considered. Two different approaches are investigated and proposed to identify the structural element stiffness properties. Both approaches are mode-based, requiring first the identification of system modes from the measured strain responses followed by the identification of the element stiffness coefficients. The first approach utilizes the Eigen equation of the finite element model of the structure, while the second approach utilizes the changes caused by the damage in the structural curvature flexibilities. To reduce size of the system which is primarily determined by the number of sensors deployed for the dynamic data collection, measurement sensitivity-based sensor selection criterion is observed to be effective and thus used. The mean square values of the measurements with respect to the stiffness coefficients of the structural elements are used as the effective measures of the measurement sensitivities at different sensor locations. Numerical simulations are used to evaluate the proposed identification approaches as well as to validate the sensitivity-based optimal sensor deployment approach.

Browsing by Author "Singh, Mahendra P."

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