The aim of this paper is the development of the two different numerical techniques for the preloading of bolts by the finite element method using the software Abaqus Standard. Furthermore, this paper gave detailed guidelines for modelling contact, method for solving the numerical error problems such as numerical singularity error and negative eigenvalues due to rigid body motion or the problem of the extensive elongation of bolts after pretension which is occurring during the analysis. The behaviour of bolted joints depending on the two different approaches of pretension was shown on the example of an extended end-plate bolted beam-to-column connection under the monotonic loading. The behaviour of beam-to-column connection was shown in the form and moment-rotation (M-ϕ) curves and validated by experimental test. Advantages and disadvantages of pretension techniques, as well as the speed of numerical models, were also presented in this paper.

To simulate the effect of variable strains on steel grades S275 and S355, an experimental displacement control test of plate specimens was performed. Specimens were tested under monotonic and cyclic loading according to the standard loading protocol of SAC 2000. During experimental testing, strain values were measured with an extensometer at the tapered part of the specimen. Strains obtained by the experimental tests are disproportional to the applied displacements at the ends of the specimens. This phenomenon occurs due to the imperfections of the specimen, hardening of the material, and the buckling behaviour that appears in real structures due to the high deformation experienced during earthquakes. Due to the relative simplicity and wide applicability of the Chaboche hardening model of steel, the calibration of hardening parameters based on experimental test results was conducted. For the first time, calibration of steel hardening parameters was performed following the Chaboche procedure to define the cyclic behaviour with variable strain ranges. The accuracy of the hardening model with variable strain ranges, which were simulated using ABAQUS software, was verified using the experimental results.

Original scientific paper In the current European Code EN 1992-1-1 a truss model with variable inclination angle of concrete compressive struts with a quite wide range of inclination angle, from 21,8° to 45°, is intended for use for shear design of reinforced concrete beams. However, some researches and recommendations indicate special attention when choosing the lower bound of inclination angle of the concrete compressive struts, due to the reduced compressive strength of cracked concrete. This work reviews theoretical background and shear design methods of reinforced concrete beams. Relation of the shear resistance to crushing of the compressive struts as a function of their inclination angle has been investigated through a parametric study, where three different approaches have been used in order to limit stresses in the compressive struts. Based on the comparison of results from the analysis a recommendation for shear resistance calculation of reinforced concrete beams in dependence on concrete strength in compressive struts of the truss model is given. Keywords: compressive struts inclination angle; shear; truss model Nosivost armiranobetonskih greda na poprečne sile po kriteriju čvrstoće betonskih tlačnih štapovaIzvorni znanstveni članak U aktualnoj europskoj normi EN 1992-1-1 za dimenzioniranje armiranobetonskih greda na poprečne sile predviđa se uporaba rešetkastog modela sa slobodnim odabirom nagiba betonskih tlačnih ispunskih štapova u širokim granicama, to jest od 21,8° do 45° prema osi grede. Međutim, postoje istraživanja i prijedlozi koji upućuju na oprez kod odabira donje granice nagiba ispunskih tlačnih štapova s obzirom na umanjenje tlačne čvrstoće raspucanog betona u hrptu armiranobetonskih elemenata izloženih poprečnim silama. U radu je dan pregled teorijskih postavki i metoda proračuna armiranobetonskih elemenata na poprečne sile. Provedena je parametarska analiza nosivosti na poprečne sile pri drobljenju tlačnih štapova kao funkcije njihovog nagiba. Pri tom su korištena su tri različita pristupa za ograničenje naprezanja u tlačnim štapovima. Na temelju provedene analize i usporedbe rezultata u radu je dan prijedlog za određivanje nosivosti armiranobetonskih greda na poprečne sile po kriteriju čvrstoće betona ispunskih tlačnih štapova rešetkastog modela.

A new structural damage estimation procedure using grey relation coefficient and curvature of displacement influence line in beams using sparse measurement is proposed in this paper. The method is based on static structural response which can be obtained using single sensor. Determination of damage location as well as determination of corre­sponding damage severity can be easily calculated with simple arithmetic operations, which is the main advantage of the proposed method. Conducted numerical simulation for different damage scenarios and various measurement sparseness and experimental validation confirm the effectiveness of proposed damage severity estimation procedure.