This paper attempts to improve the computational efficiency of the well known particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for tackling discrete sizing optimization problems of steel frame structures. It is generally known that, in structural design optimization applications, PSO entails enormously time-consuming structural analyses to locate an optimum solution. Hence, in the present study it i...

This study presents the optimal drift design method to control the elastic and inelastic performance of steel moment frames. This is formulated as a problem that minimizes the lateral displacement at the top of a building satisfying the constraints on the total structural weight and the column-to-beam strength ratios at the joints. This uses the resizing method based on the linear static analys...

Calculations were performed to quantify the damage parameters in the leading candidate structural and plasma facing materials when used in magnetic and inertial confinement fusion systems and when irradiated in fission reactors. The structural materials considered are ferritic steel, austenitic steel, vanadium alloy and SiC/SiC composite. Plasma facing materials included beryllium, tungsten, an...

The study of mechanical behavior of the structural steel S400 under quasi- static and dynamic loading has been the subject of this investigation. In oder to obtain different stress - triaxiality conditions the specimens were notched with 1, 1.5, 2 and 3.5 mm notch radius. The results of fractography show as the velocity of tension increases, ductility reduces and a ductile-brittle transition oc...

The twin-roll strip casting process is a typical steel-strip production method which combines continuous casting and hot rolling process. The production line from molten liquid steel to the final steel-strip is shortened and the production cost is reduced significantly compared to the conventional continuous casting. The twin-roll strip casting process can produce 1-5 mm thin steel strip direct...

Steel containing 0.03% carbon, 1.35% copper and 0.84% nickel had yield strength in the 540-625 MPa (78-90 Ksi) range depending on thickness, ultimate tensile strength in the 625-690 MPa (90100 Ksi) range, and 25-30% elongation when air cooled after hot rolling. No brittle heat-affected zone was formed during manual or automatic submerged arc welding without pre-heating or postheating. The fract...

Title of Document: RFID SENSOR-DRIVEN STRUCTURAL CONDITION MONITORING IN INTEGRATED BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING ENVIRONMENT Linjia Bai, Doctor of Philosophy, 2013 Directed By: Yunfeng Zhang, Associate Professor Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Steel structures are very popular structural forms for both buildings and bridges. Under extreme loading such as strong earthquakes or...

Performance-based design is an efficient strategy for assessing and reducing the risk that a construction violates some performance requirement. In this paper, a procedure for performance-based assessment of seismic risk is illustrated with reference to a composite steel-concrete frame structure. Such risk is conventionally evaluated in a simplified formulation, i.e. as the mean annual frequenc...

This paper studies the feasibility of calculating strains in aged F114 steel specimens with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors and infrared thermography (IT) techniques. Two specimens have been conditioned under extreme temperature and relative humidity conditions making comparative tests of stress before and after aging using different adhesives. Moreover, a comparison has been made with IT tec...