New method of inelastic buckling analysis for steel frames

In general, the concept of bifurcation stability cannot be used to evaluate the critical load of typical steel frames that have geometric imperfections and primary bending moment due to transverse loads. These cases require a plastic zone or plastic hinge analysis based on the concept of limit-load stability instead. However, such analyses require large computation times and complicated theories that are unsuitable for practical designs. The present paper proposes a new method of inelastic buckling analysis in order to determine the critical load of steel frames. This inelastic analysis is based on the concept of modified bifurcation stability using a tangent modulus approach and the column strength curve. Criteria for an iterative eigenvalue analysis are proposed in order to consider the primary bending moment as well as the axial force by using the interaction equation for beam-column members. The validity and applicability of the proposed inelastic buckling analysis were evaluated alongside elastic buckling analysis and refined plastic hinge analysis. Simple columns with geometric imperfections and a four-story plane frame were analyzed as benchmark problems. The results show that the proposed inelastic buckling analysis suitably evaluates the critical load and failure modes of steel frames, and can be a good alternative for the evaluation of critical load in the design of steel frames.     

Dynamic effects on buckling and energy absorption of cylindrical shells under axial impact

The crushing behaviour of aluminium and steel cylindrical shells, when subjected to an axial impact, is examined using a numerical simulation. The influence of the material properties, shell geometry, boundary conditions and loading techniques on the energy absorbed and the buckling shapes is explored. Various shell response characteristics, such as the peak load, fold lengths, axial compression and energy absorption are studied. An examination is also made of the influence of filtering on the accuracy of data obtained usually in dynamic tests.     

A numerical study on local buckling and energy dissipation of CHS seismic bracing

Seismic provisions for steel buildings present limiting width-thickness and slenderness ratios for bracing members, most of which were established based on experimental observations. A finite element study has been undertaken to evaluate these limits for pin-ended circular hollow section (CHS) steel braces. Uncertainties in modeling and quantification arise in the simulation of cyclic brace buckling. A finite element modeling procedure was developed and calibrated using existing experimental data. Sensitivity of the finite element analysis results to the uncertainties in modeling and quantification methods were studied in detail. A parametric study was conducted utilizing the calibrated modeling technique. Fifty four CHS brace models possessing different diameter-to-thickness ratios varying from 5 to 30 and slenderness ratios varying from 40 to 200 were analyzed. The effect of cyclic hardening modulus on the response of braces was explored. In all analysis, the models were subjected to reversed cyclic displacements up to ten times the yield displacement. In this paper, the results are presented in terms of the ductility level attained by the member at the onset of local buckling. It is shown that local buckling of the section is not only a function of the diameter-to-thickness ratio but is also influenced by the slenderness ratio of the member. Moreover, the amount of hardening modulus was found to affect the local buckling response significantly. The need to include this material property into seismic provisions is demonstrated. Finally, the hysteretic energy dissipated by the member was quantified for each displacement excursion.     

铝合金板式节点网壳稳定承载力试验研究

为研究铝合金板式节点刚度对单层球面网壳整体稳定性能的影响,制作一个跨度为8m、矢高为0.5m的K6型网壳模型,对网壳顶点施加4次单向循环荷载。试验结果表明,加载初期网壳表现出超刚性特征,即其刚度大于刚接节点网壳刚度;而后的节点螺栓滑移变形会降低网壳刚度,螺栓滑移引起的网壳变形很大且不可恢复。网壳的失稳属于整体跳跃失稳,但网壳屈曲后可继续承载,且荷载可进一步增大。最后一次单向循环加载时网壳因顶点杆件下翼缘的拉裂而破坏。另外,随着循环荷载逐级增大,网壳再加载初始刚度都有一定弱化。采用ANSYS有限元软件建立网壳分析模型,采用BEAM 188单元和COMBINE 39单元模拟考虑节点半刚性的铝合金板式节点网壳杆件,节点弯矩-转角关系曲线采用四折线模型,有限元分析结果与试验结果吻合较好。     

Experimental and numerical study of circular,stainless thin tube energy absorber under axial impact by a control rod

In this study, several crashworthiness parameters of a circular, thin tube energy-absorbing structure, which is used in a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor (HTR), are studied experimentally and numerically at various tube thicknesses, temperatures and impact velocities. The average crushing force is fundamentally dependent on strain hardening, strain rate hardening, and, particularly, temperature softening of the material. The peak forces during buckling are significantly affected by the local strain rate in the material and exhibit a decreasing trend in sequentially formed folds. Reducing the tube thickness is an effective method to weaken the average crushing force, but it does not weaken the maximum crushing force. Additionally, the stress concentration at the edge of the backplate–graphite contact surface is evaluated in detail to ensure the structural security of the energy absorber.     

Effects of the circular economy,environmental policy,energy transition,and geopolitical risk on sustainable electricity generation

The recent global paradigm shift toward sustainable green development necessitates revealing the likely green determinants of sustainable electricity generation in order to derive key policy recommendations for dealing with the global energy crisis. As a result, the current study focuses on the drivers of global electricity generation (EG) and identifies environmental policy (EP), energy transition (ET), geopolitical risk (GPR), and circular economy (CE) as novel determinants. The study employs a battery of advanced econometric techniques, including quantile VAR, quantile slope estimate, and wavelet-based correlation methods, for empirical analysis. The quantile VAR-based connectedness confirms the modeled series' significant interconnectedness. Furthermore, the findings suggest that CE plays an important role in promoting the global EG process, as evidenced by positive effects across quantiles. When the effects of ET and EP are considered, a positive relationship between ET, EP, and EG is discovered, implying that ET and EP are important drivers of electricity generation. Furthermore, GPR has significant and negative effects on EG across most quantiles, indicating that the EG process suffers a significant loss as a result of GPR. Furthermore, the wavelet-based correlation method confirms the significant association between selected series, supporting the preceding findings. In order to achieve sustainable electricity generation, several results-based policies are proposed for local and global authorities.     

Dynamic critical load based on different stability criteria for coupled buckling of columns with stiffened open cross-sections

The dynamic coupled buckling loads were determined for the columns with intermediate stiffener subjected to in-plane pulse loading. The pulse loading of a rectangular shape was concerned. Columns made of isotropic material were assumed to be simply supported at loaded ends. A plate model was adopted in the analysis. The discussed problem of interactive buckling is solved by the analytical–numerical method (ANM) using Koiter’s perturbations method. The differential equations of motion were obtained from Hamilton’s Principle, taking into account all components of inertia forces. In this study, the interactions of two global modes with two local ones were presented. The results obtained by the analytical–numerical method (ANM) were compared with finite element method (FEM)—ANSYS. The dynamic critical loads using the most popular Budiansky–Hutchinson’s criterion, the Kleiber–Kotula–Saran’s criterion with Kubiak’s modifications and the phase plane criterion were determined. New versions of criteria: Kleiber–Kotula–Saran’s quasi-bifurcation dynamic criterion and the phase plane criterion were proposed.     

Calculation of the yearly energy performance of heating systems based on the European Building Energy Directive and related CEN standards

According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) all new European buildings (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) must since 2006 have an energy declaration based on the calculated energy performance of the building, including heating, ventilating, cooling and lighting systems. This energy declaration must refer to the primary energy or CO₂ emissions.The European Organization for Standardization (CEN) has prepared a series of standards for energy performance calculations for buildings and systems. This paper presents related standards for heating systems. The relevant CEN-standards are presented and a sample calculation of energy performance is made for a small single family house, an office building and an industrial building in three different geographical locations: Stockholm, Brussels, and Venice.The additional heat losses from heating systems can be 10-20% of the building energy demand. The additional loss depends on the type of heat emitter, type of control, pump and boiler.