Pile buckling is infrequent, but sometimes it can occur in slender piles (i.e., micropiles) driven into soils with soft layers and/or voids. Buckling analysis of piles becomes more complex if the pile is surrounded by multi-layered soil. In this case, the well-known Timoshenko’s solution for pile buckling is of no use because it refers to single-layered soils. A variational approach for buckling analysis of piles in multi-layered soils is herein proposed. The proposed method allows for the estimation of the critical buckling load of piles in any multi-layered soil and for any boundary condition, provided that the distribution of the soil coefficient of the subgrade reaction is available. An eigenvalue-eigenvector problem is defined, where each eigenvector is the set of coefficients of a Fourier series describing the second-order displaced shape of the pile, and the related buckling load is the eigenvalue, thus obtaining the effective buckling load as the minimum eigenvalue. Besides the pile deformed shape, the stiffness distribution in the multi-layered soil is also described through a Fourier series. The Rayleigh–Ritz direct method is used to identify the Fourier development coefficients describing the pile deformation. For validation, buckling analysis results were compared with those obtained from an experimental test and a finite element analysis available in the literature, which confirmed this method’s reliability.
Architects and engineers have been always attracted by concrete shell structures due to their high efficiency and plastic shapes. In this paper the possibility to use concrete shells to support footbridges is explored. Starting from Musmeci’s fundamental research and work in shell bridge design, the use of numerical form-finding methods is analysed. The form-finding of a shell-supported footbridge shaped following Musmeci’s work is first introduced. Coupling Musmeci’s and Nervi’s experiences, an easy construction method using a stay-in-place ferrocement formwork is proposed. Moreover, the advantage of inserting holes in the shell through topology optimization to remove less exploited concrete has been considered. Curved shell-supported footbridges have been also studied, and the possibility of supporting the deck with the shell top edge, that is along a single curve only, has been investigated. The form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges has been performed using a Particle-Spring System and Thrust Network Analysis. Finally, the form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges subjected to both vertical and horizontal forces (i.e. earthquake action) has been implemented.
In the last few years, nonregular reinforced concrete (R/C) slabs have become more popular in buildings and bridges due to architectural or functional requirements. In these cases, an optimum design method to obtain the ultimate load capacity and the minimum reinforcement amount should be used. For simple R/C slabs, the yield-line method is extensively used in engineering practice. In addition to strength, the “true” failure mechanism is also obtained by identifying the parameters that define it and minimizing the collapse load. Unfortunately, when the mechanism is too complicated to be described or defined by several parameters (e.g., in slabs with complicated geometry), the method becomes more difficult because the system of nonlinear equations becomes harder to solve through traditional methods. In this case, an efficient and robust algorithm becomes necessary. In this paper, a structural analysis of R/C slabs is performed by using the yield-line method in association with a zero-th order optimization algorithm (the sequential simplex method) to avoid calculating gradients as well as any derivatives. The constraints that often limit these parameters are taken into account through the exterior penalty function method, leading to a successful solution of the problem. Considering that the direction of each yield-line is sought by minimizing the ultimate load and finding the parameters defining the collapse mechanism, another parameter concerned with the direction of an orthotropic reinforcement grid is introduced. In this way, the number of unknown parameters increases, but aside from obtaining the ultimate load and the parameters defining the collapse mechanism, the solution also finds both best and worst reinforcement orientations.
Energy audits play a crucial role in energy retrofit projects for existing buildings, as the accuracy and completeness of the collected data strongly affect the reliability of the design energy model. The present paper thus proposes a new BIM (Building Information Modelling)-based workflow to better manage data collection in an energy audit process, to minimize data losses and inconsistencies. The proposed framework is based on the use of a simplified BIM Model, linked to an external database (for data storing) and to a webpage (for in-situ data acquisition). This can be used as a geometrical and nongeometrical data container to implement a reliable model for energy simulations. The efficacy of the presented BIM-workflow has been successfully validated through a survey on window fixtures for a real case study.
<p>Structural optimization of arches under multi-load cases is faced. For this aim, truss-type arches are to be considered because, under different load cases, bending effects unavoidably occur in single-rib arches shaped under one load case only. An effective procedure for simultaneous topology, shape and size optimization of truss-arches under multi-load cases is proposed. For this aim, shape, size and topology variables are assembled in a unique set of variables that are simultaneously optimised by the optimization algorithm. For given Pratt-type brace pattern, different topologies have been considered by varying the node number, whereas Cubic Rational Bézier curves have been used to shape the arch chords. Optimum diameter and thickness of the circular hollow section members was also obtained. Optimization was performed in MATLAB environment, by applying a modified Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm implemented with a Constraint Domination Selection (CDS) criterion. For each design variable vector, a FEM analysis of the resulting model has been carried out by SAP2000 to evaluate the objective function value (volume) feasibility of each design variable vector in terms of structural performance. Optimal solutions have been found and compared, providing useful suggestions to consider as guidelines in truss-arche design.</p>
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