Structural Analysis Software Research Articles

Adaptation of FEM-based open-source software for ship structural analysis

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the challenges and opportunities emerging from the application of finite element method-based open-source software in ship structural analysis. Application of general procedure for development and assessment of FEA software used for ship structures is presented and demonstrated on the new upgrade of open-source FEA software OOFEM (Object-Oriented Finite Element Method). Properties of new quadrilateral shell FEs implemented in OOFEM are presented. The new FEs comply with relevant class requirements and are suitable for the usage in the analysis of real-world ship structures. The implemented software upgrade is validated on a series of test problems ranging from simple engineering structures to a real-world model of one part of megayacht’s superstructure. The benefits of validation tests and challenges encountered in the process of selecting the tests and interpreting their results are also discussed.

Epitaxial (110)-oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 film directly on flexible mica substrate

Manufacture and characterizations of perovskite-mica van der Waals epitaxy heterostructures are a critical step to realize the application of flexible devices. However, the fabrication and investigation of the van der Waals epitaxy architectures grown on mica substrates are mainly limited to (111)-oriented perovskite functional oxide thin films up to now and buffer layers are highly needed. In this work, we directly grew La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) thin films on mica substrates without using any buffer layer. By the characterizations of x-ray diffractometer and scanning transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate the epitaxial growth of the (110)-oriented LSMO thin film on the mica substrate. The LSMO thin film grown on the mica substrate via van der Waals epitaxy adopts domain matching epitaxy instead of conventional lattice matching epitaxy. Two kinds of domain matching relationships between the LSMO thin film and mica substrate are sketched by Visualization for Electronic and STructural Analysis software and discussed. A decent ferromagnetism retains in the (110)-oriented LSMO thin film. Our work demonstrates a new pathway to fabricate (110)-oriented functional oxide thin films on flexible mica substrates directly.

How to Increase Customer Satisfaction by Beautifying Sports Facilities? What is the Key Role of Service Quality?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the key role of service quality and beauty of sports facilities in increasing customer satisfaction. The research method is descriptive and correlational research. The statistical population of the study was 154188 organized athletes covered by sports insurance (103890 men, 50298 women) who were working in sports halls of Mazandaran province and according to Morgan table, 384 athletes were randomly selected by cluster Were. Aesthetic questionnaire, service quality and customer satisfaction were used to collect information. Data analysis was performed using Pearson test and structural equation modeling by SPSS24 and Amos structure analysis software. According to the research results, the indirect effect of aesthetics of sports venues on increasing customer satisfaction through service quality is significant. Managers can take effective steps to increase their presence and increase the income of gyms by using quality improvement strategies and customer satisfaction.

Post-tensioned ceramic structures: design, analysis and prototyping

This research reports on numerical and experimental methods for the use of post-tensioning with brittle ceramic extrusions. It proposes a novel construction approach, including new joint typologies, and demonstrates the viability of ceramic as a primary structural material in a bending-active context through two pavilion-scale prototypes. The research proceeded in three distinct phases. First, relevant material properties —compressive strength, bending strength, modulus—were determined experimentally. Next, several post-tensioned beam prototypes were tested to examine the interaction between post-tensioning steel and ceramic, understand failure modes, and refine construction details. Finally, two post-tensioned prototypes were designed based on these findings, the Vierendeel Arch and the Hypar Tower. The design process for each prototype involved a novel digital workflow that utilized multiple parametric models to generate and analyze global design geometry, link to structural analysis software, discretize the forms into components based on available stock sizes, accommodate for assembly tolerances, and generate component cut lists. The prototypes behaved as predicted, demonstrating that post-tensioning can successfully control bending stresses in ceramic extrusions, and introducing entirely new applications for the material.

ICn3D: From Web-Based 3D Viewer to Structural Analysis Tool in Batch Mode.

iCn3D was initially developed as a web-based 3D molecular viewer. It then evolved from visualization into a full-featured interactive structural analysis software. It became a collaborative research instrument through the sharing of permanent, shortened URLs that encapsulate not only annotated visual molecular scenes, but also all underlying data and analysis scripts in a FAIR manner. More recently, with the growth of structural databases, the need to analyze large structural datasets systematically led us to use Python scripts and convert the code to be used in Node. js scripts. We showed a few examples of Python scripts at https://github.com/ncbi/icn3d/tree/master/icn3dpython to export secondary structures or PNG images from iCn3D. Users just need to replace the URL in the Python scripts to export other annotations from iCn3D. Furthermore, any interactive iCn3D feature can be converted into a Node. js script to be run in batch mode, enabling an interactive analysis performed on one or a handful of protein complexes to be scaled up to analysis features of large ensembles of structures. Currently available Node. js analysis scripts examples are available at https://github.com/ncbi/icn3d/tree/master/icn3dnode. This development will enable ensemble analyses on growing structural databases such as AlphaFold or RoseTTAFold on one hand and Electron Microscopy on the other. In this paper, we also review new features such as DelPhi electrostatic potential, 3D view of mutations, alignment of multiple chains, assembly of multiple structures by realignment, dynamic symmetry calculation, 2D cartoons at different levels, interactive contact maps, and use of iCn3D in Jupyter Notebook as described at https://pypi.org/project/icn3dpy.

Prediction and mitigation of AC interference on the pipeline system

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to predict and mitigate AC interference on buried pipeline systems due to transmission lines. Modeling and field verification of AC interference is done. The article also presents the issue of optimizing the mitigation measures. The paper uses the field data on soil resistivity, transmission line, and pipeline details to develop a model using current distribution electromagnetic interference grounding and soil structure analysis (CDEGS) software to predict the AC interference on the pipeline system. The model is validated with field measurements, and post-mitigation measures are considered. Mitigation measures are optimized to develop an economical mitigation plan. The case demonstrates the use of modeling techniques to predict and mitigate AC interference on pipelines. The field validation of modeling results helps improve the modeling results and plan optimized mitigation measures. The study requires providing comprehensive field data relevant to the pipeline system under consideration. The accuracy of the field data may have a bearing on the outcome of the study. The study enables designing and optimizing mitigation measures using modeling. Comparisons with field measurements help achieve desired pipeline system integrity against AC corrosion.

The Effect of Openings' Size and Location on Selected Dynamical Properties of Typical Wood Frame Walls.

The wooden frame constructions are now popular in many developed countries of the world. Many of these locations where such buildings are constructed are exposed to seismic and other shocks which are generated by human activities. This paper discusses the effect of the size and location of openings in the wooden frame walls under dynamic loadings. Natural frequencies of such frames with and without openings have been determined. Three 14 m high walls with different widths, including 3, 6, and 12 m, have been considered. Dynamic analysis has been made using finite element method structural analysis software Dlubal RFEM 5.17. The results show that the effect of the size and location of the openings on the natural frequency is significant. Numerically speaking, the relative change of the natural frequencies of a wall without and with an opening in a specific place could be up to 30%. In addition, the change of the natural frequency for the location of the openings is more sensitive than that to the sizes. Furthermore, the appropriate sizes and locations of openings of the wooden frame walls have been suggested. The appropriate size and place were found to be small openings in the top of the walls.

Fluid Structure Interaction Analysis of Aorta Using OpenFOAM and CalculiX

Currently, biomechanical simulations of blood vessels and organs are widely used in medical research, and it is expected to realize rapid and accurate medical diagnosis by personalized biological simulations for each individual using high-speed and high-precision 3D modeling of the body internal geometry by Multi Detector-row Computed Tomography (MDCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In particular, biomechanical simulation approach using Open Source Software (OSS) has been developed for use in the medical field, and recently, its application to more challenging multiphysics simulation has been studied. However, OSS has many issues such as assurance of accuracy and validity of the analysis, the computation time and stability of Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI), and the lack of analysis functions for complex phenomena. In particular, blood flow simulation using OpenFOAM, a fluid analysis OSS, has issues in the representation of blood pressure changes caused by pulsation and body movement, and the stability of coupled analysis in conjunction with other structural analysis software. In this study, we added the Windkessel model, which is one of the models for expressing blood pressure changes, to OpenFOAM and developed a two-way coupled multi-physics simulation approach using OpenFOAM and CalculiX. As an example of personalized biomechanical simulation, we applied the method to simulate blood flow in the thoracic aorta and evaluated its effectiveness.

ON OPTIMAL DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS SUBJECTED TO COMBINED BIAXIAL BENDING AND AXIAL LOAD

This paper presents a new procedure for designing rectangular columns subjected to combined biaxial bending and axial load. The new procedure is realized within a new comprehensive structural analysis software for building analysis and design. Compared to existing engineering packages, the new program does not require pre-setting the distribution of bars before designing and gives more detailed results: not only the required reinforcement amount, but also a distribution of bars of a certain diameter along the sides of the column section. The program starts by inserting four reinforcement bars into the corners of the column, and checks if this reinforcement bars provide required resistance to the applied loads. If the reinforced concrete column fails to withstand the applied loads, then the program increases the reinforcement by adding new bars and checks required resistance again. This process continues until the reinforced concrete column is able to withstand the applied loads. The proposed procedure is realized within following methods: (I) calculation of the so-called column capacity interaction volume using a large number of interaction curves (usually 24 curves); (II) the elliptical approximation of the column capacity interaction volume (the load contour equation). Within the second method, the program calculates two interaction curves only: the first curve is for an eccentric case in X direction and the second curve is for an eccentric case in Y direction. In both methods, the interaction curves are calculated according to American concrete institute standards. The use of the new procedure within the second method gives results very close to the first method (the most accurate), but it requires much less time for calculation. This is very important when designing large structures with multiple columns.

Performance evaluation and strengthening of reinforced concrete buildings

In view of the past earthquakes, it is stated that several structures are located in active seismic zones around the world. So, improvement of the earthquake performance levels of the existing buildings by using various strengthening methods has been the major interest in structural engineering. Non-linear analysis procedures that are defined in several seismic codes exhibit reliable results in the evaluation of seismic performances of existing buildings. In this study, seismic performances of three, five and eight storey existing and strengthened reinforced concrete buildings having the common floor plan, material and section properties of the structural members are investigated according to Turkish Building Earthquake Code-2018 and American Standard, ASCE. To obtain the earthquake performance results of reinforced concrete buildings, displacement demands of the buildings have been obtained and utilized in nonlinear analyses. SAP2000 structural analysis software is used in the solutions. The determined strengthening techniques are provided by adding concentric steel bracing members to existing reinforced concrete buildings and jacketing of the determined columns. As a result of non-linear analyses applied to the existing and strengthened buildings, damage situations of the structural members are determined, seismic performances of the buildings are evaluated according to both codes and the results are interpreted in the end.

Collapsible roof attachment – An all-weather protective shield for two-wheeler drivers

The effect of rain on two-wheeler users in India can be seen everywhere. An attempt is made to design and develop a roof attachment for Indian two-wheelers. The transparent Polyvinyl chloride roof designed here covers the side as well as front and has less drag force and lift compared to other existing attachments. The roof, front support and rear support structures are detachable using fasteners, which makes the assembly modular and easier for stoving. The front and rear supports are made of steel and their height can be adjusted with a ball catch mechanism. The rear support can be used as handrail. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software and static structural analysis software are used to evaluate the drag force, lift force and also the deformation and stresses of the support frames. Based on conceptual designs an optimal design has been arrived at for manufacturing the attachment. The parts required for assembly have been purchased and fabricated. The final attachment is assembled on an Indian scooter and tested in the real time environment.

KELAIKAN BANGUNAN FASILITAS UMUM UNTUK TEMPAT EVAKUASI TSUNAMI DI KECAMATAN BAITUSSALAM

Tsunami evacuation buildings in the tsunami-prone zone area are essential to minimize the number of fatalities. The purpose of this study is to analyze the behavior of the existing building structures caused by earthquake and tsunami loads in the Baitussalam District. The existing buildings that were reviewed were the SD 1 Lambada Klieng Building and the Syahamah Aceh Putra Foundation Building. The methodology in determining the capacity of the existing structures by conducting a field assessment to obtain data on existing buildings which will then be modeled, both existing buildings and a potential design of buildings using structural analysis software. for analysis. The results of the analysis show that the existing buildings need to be strengthened and redesigned to be able to withstand the effects of earthquake and tsunami loads. The remodeled of the buildings included modifying the column dimensions and also additional building stories. The remodeled of the existing building structures to become the tsunami evacuation structures is safe enough against earthquake loads and tsunami loads that occur.

Morphing Winglet Design for Aerodynamic Performance Optimization of the CRJ-700 Aircraft. Part 1 – Structural Design

This study aims to design a morphing winglet structure for the CRJ-700 regional transport aircraft. The morphing technology is applied on winglets to demonstrate a significant increase of the aerodynamic performance of aircraft. From the aerodynamic data of the LARCASE Virtual Research Simulator VRESIM, the aerodynamic benefits in the cruising phase were obtained through a study on the ParaView software. The morphing winglet design was drawn using CATIA V5; this new concept included several structural components, as well as a simple and light mechanism allowing to orientate the winglet angles between 90° and -90° of inclination. The structural model was exported to HyperMesh structural analysis software. Maximum stresses were obtained, and the model demonstrated its resistance to maximum aerodynamic loads as well as load factors of -2G to 7G.

Application of BIM for structural engineering: a case study using Revit and customary structural analysis and design software

Building information modelling (BIM) represents a workflow whose application on a construction project will enable all involved players to compile as well as work with information on every aspect of a building in a common model/database. Through BIM, the entire building can be virtually designed and built on a computer. BIM touches every part of a building’s life cycle starting from the design phase well into the construction phase and beyond that into asset management. This research examines the experiences of early adopters of BIM and use that insight to introduce BIM, specially focusing on the structural analysis and design stage of a building. The study demonstrates how all structural design activities can be integrated with each other and how cross-discipline collaboration with the architect can be achieved through the adoption of BIM without leaving ones customary structural design platform. As a demonstration, a sample building is modelled using Revit along with conventional structural software packages ETABS and SAFE. Plugins and applications were developed for these software packages to facilitate interoperability amongst them so that they all act together as a single platform. Modelling, analysis, design and clash detections were facilitated by applying BIM. Major benefits of employing BIM in a structural design project are illustrated through this research.

Effects of Material Properties in Fabricating the Assistive Headrest Orthosis

- These days, numerous decisions and efforts are contributing to cerebral palsy (CP) cases. Patient with spastic or dyskinetic CP has to survive independently, where most of the time is spent in a wheelchair. An extension headrest must be applied to maximize independence and functionality in the sitting position for routine activities. This study aims to investigate the effects of material selection in fabricating the 3D-printed adjustable headrest. Expected headrest users would be children (age seven to nine years old). There are five materials in this research: Polycarbonate (PC), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyamide (Nylon), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG). In the designing process, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software focuses on designing the structure and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to analyze various parts. To conclude this study, PLA is chosen as the best material based on the best stress, deformation, and safety factors. Keywords-- Adjustable headrest; finite element analysis; material selection; 3D printing

Modeling of rocking frames under seismic loading

AbstractA novel modeling approach for the seismic response assessment of rocking frames is presented. Rocking frames are systems with columns that are allowed to fully, or partially, uplift. Despite the apparent lack of a mechanism to resist lateral forces, they have a remarkable capacity against earthquake loading. Rocking frames are found in old structures, for example, ancient monuments, but it is also a promising design concept for modern structures such as bridges or buildings. The proposed modeling can be implemented in a general‐purpose structural analysis software, avoiding the difficulties that come with the need of formulating and solving specifically tailored differential equations, or the use of detailed computational models. Different configurations of a rocking portal frame problem are examined. The model is based on rigid, or flexible, beam elements that describe the members of the frame. Negative‐stiffness rotational springs are smartly positioned at the rocking interfaces in order to simulate the rocking restoring moment, while the mass and the rotational moment of inertia are considered either lumped or distributed. Both the cases of rigid and flexible piers/columns are discussed, while it is shown that frames with restrained columns can be considered in a straightforward manner. A simple alternative based on an equivalent oscillator that follows the generalized rocking equation of motion is also investigated. The efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed modeling is demonstrated with the aid of carefully chosen case studies.

Analysis of temperature stress of roof of super-long basement

In this paper with a practical project as an example of super-long basement, using structural analysis software MIDAS/Gen (2014) Chinese version, through the analysis of the temperature effect of indirect effect, analyze the super-long basement roof temperature stress of concrete structure, calculation of super-long structure under temperature influence of temperature stress, and according to the temperature stress calculation reinforcement, and the structure of the combination of action effects, to solve the temperature stress generated in the basement of super long concrete structure.

Optimal construction method and demonstration application of multi-in-one station grounding system

Mutual influence may be driven by different models and operating mechanisms of grounding systems in multi-in- one substations. Even equipment damage and personal injury will occur in the event of a short-circuit or lightning strike. To meet the construction requirements of different multi-in-one substations, two typical application modes of grounding systems in multi-in-one substations are analyzed in this paper: plane and longitudinal layout schemes. First, the safety index and withstand voltage of secondary equipment in multi-in-one substations are introduced. Second, the plane layout scheme of grounding grids is examined. Based on a 35-kV multi-in-one substations in Shanghai, it was verified that the overall grounding grid needs to be laid to meet the safety of secondary equipment in the station. Finally, considering that it is feasible to rebuild the upper layer of a substation, the longitudinal layout scheme of the grounding grid in multi-in-one substations is also examined. Safety assessment is carried out in terms of aspects such as short-circuits and lightning strikes, and relevant optimization construction methods are analyzed. In this study, a real 35-kV substation in Shanghai was selected as an example. Simulation and field tests based on Current Distribution, Electromagnetic Fields, Grounding and Soil Structure Analysis (CDEGS) software verified that the proposed construction scheme can achieve safe operation of multi-in-one substations. This construction idea can also serve as a reference for the future construction of multi-in-one substations.

Appraising seismic vulnerability of masonry aggregates through an automated mechanical-typological approach

The paper presents an automated procedure, named META-FORMA (MEchanical-Typological Approach FOR Masonry Aggregates), to investigate the global seismic performance of masonry aggregates according to a simplified approach. The proposed procedure faces the challenge of using few mechanical and geometrical parameters of individual buildings belonging to an existing masonry aggregate as the input of a proper vulnerability algorithm based on the direct interaction between the programming software MATLAB and the structural analysis and design software POR2000. In this way, all possible combinations of the input parameters can be taken into account and a large set of numerical models is generated and analysed by nonlinear static analyses. The output of the procedure is represented by the bilinear capacity curves of the equivalent single degree of freedom models and by the values of the capacity/demand ratios. The entire approach has been firstly accurately defined and after applied on the pilot case study of the historical centre of the municipality of Foggia, Puglia, Southern Italy. The main advantage that META-FORMA offers is the possibility to generate a wide mechanical/typological-based database, which provides a direct and simplified estimate of the seismic behaviour of masonry aggregates by knowing only few parameters, being at the same time simple and time-saving. Albeit the presented procedure has only developed for building aggregates with linear configurations and composed by the same repeated structural units, META-FORMA is open to further development and modification for accounting any kind of aggregation form.

Passive control of HALE aircraft wings with tuned mass dampers / Controle passive de asas de aeronaves HALE com tuned mass dampers

In this paper we study the control of vibrations of a HALE aircraft wing using TMD devices. The structure was modeled using a commercial structural analysis software. The wing profile and material characteristics used were provided in available literature. Aerodynamic loads of random nature are simulated. When the first natural frequencies of the structure are close to the aerodynamic loads frequencies it can lead to unsafe flying conditions due to resonance. In addition, it can shorten the frame life due to material fatigue and further maintenance may be required. Processing suggests the presence of accelerations above the desired or anticipated by several international standards on the subject. To mitigate them, passive vibration absorber (TMD's, Tuned Mass Dampers) control is proposed for vertical and lateral vibrations.