The Stressing State Features of a Bottom Frame Structure Revealed from the Shaking Table Strain Data

As a classic issue, structural seismic bearing capacity could not be accurately predicted since it was based on a structural ultimate state with inherent uncertainty. This result led to rare research efforts to discover structures' general and definite working laws from their experimental data. This study is to reveal the seismic working law of a bottom frame structure from its shaking table strain data by applying structural stressing state theory: (1) The tested strains are transformed into generalized strain energy density (GSED) values. (2) The method is proposed to express the stressing state mode and the corresponding characteristic parameter. (3) According to the natural law of quantitative and qualitative change, the Mann-Kendall criterion detects the mutation feature in the evolution of characteristic parameters versus seismic intensity. Moreover, it is verified that the stressing state mode also presents the corresponding mutation feature, which reveals the starting point in the seismic failure process of the bottom frame structure. (4) The Mann-Kendall criterion distinguishes the elastic-plastic branch (EPB) feature in the bottom frame structure's normal working process, which could be taken as the design reference. This study presents a new theoretical basis to determine the bottom frame structure's seismic working law and update the design code. Meanwhile, this study opens up the application of seismic strain data in structural analysis.

Analysis of The Working Performance of Large Curvature Prestressed Concrete Box Girder Bridges

Based on numerical shape functions and the structural stressing state theory, the mechanical properties of the curved prestressed concrete box girder (CPCBG) bridge model under different loading cases are presented. First, the generalized strain energy density (GSED) obtained from the measured strain data is used to represent the stressing state pattern of the structure; then, the stressing state of the concrete section is analyzed by plotting the strain and stress fields of the bridge model. The stressing state pattern and strain fields of the CPCBG are shown to reveal its mechanical properties. In addition, the measured concrete strain data are interpolated by the non-sample point interpolation (NPI) method. The strain and stress fields of the bridge model have been plotted to analyze the stressing state of the concrete cross-section. The internal forces in the concrete sections are calculated by using interpolated strains. Finally, the torsional effects are simulated by measuring the displacements to show the torsional behavior of the cross-section. The analysis and comparison of the internal force and strain fields reveal the common and different mechanical properties of the bridge model. The results of the analysis of the curved bridge model provide a reference for the future rational design of bridge projects.

Internal Forces Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Box Girder Bridge by Using Structural Stressing State Theory

This paper analyzes the working behavior characteristics of a prestressed concrete transverse large cantilever continuous (PCTLCC) box girder bridge model based on structural stressing state theory and the numerical shape function (NSF) method. At first, the normalized generalized strain energy density (GSED) is established to model the stressing state of the bridge model. Subsequently, the Mann Kendall (M–K) criterion is applied to detect three characteristic loads, respectively, elastic–plastic branch load P (200 kN), failure load Q (300 kN), and progressive failure load H (340 kN), and the failure load Q is found to be the starting load of the damage process of the bridge model, rather than the ultimate load where the structure has been destroyed. Finally, the NSF method is adopted to interpolate the test data, and a detailed analysis for the variation characteristics of the working behavior of the bridge model under loads is performed based on the interpolation results. The characteristic load detection method and experimental data extension method for PCTLCC box girder bridge established in this study can provide valuable references for the design and analysis of such bridges.

Stressing State Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beam Strengthened by CFRP Sheet with Anchoring Device

This paper investigates the working performance of reinforcement concrete (RC) beams strengthened by Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) with different anchoring under bending moment, based on the structural stressing state theory. The measured strain values of concrete and Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) sheet are modeled as generalized strain energy density (GSED), to characterize the RC beams' stressing state. Then the Mann-Kendall (M-K) criterion is applied to distinguish the characteristic loads of structural stressing state from the curve, updating the definition of structural failure load. In addition, for tested specimens with middle anchorage and end anchorage, the torsion applied on the anchoring device and the deformation width of anchoring device are respectively set parameters to analyze their effects on the reinforcement performance of CFRP sheet through comparing the strain distribution pattern of CFRP. Finally, in order to further explore the strain distribution of the cross-section and analyze the stressing-state characteristics of the RC beam, the numerical shape function (NSF) method is proposed to reasonably expand the limited strain data. The research results provide a new angle of view to conduct structural analysis and a reference to the improvement of reinforcement effect of CFRP.

Strength without Size Effect and Formula of Strength for Concrete and Natural Marble

Throughout the several-hundred-year-long history of the concept of strength, inaccurate material strength as a result of the size effect and the inconsistency of strength theories have been two continuous and challenging issues, and have even been taken to be inherent attributes of material strength. Applying the structural stressing state theory and method, this study experimentally investigates the uniaxial load-bearing process of concrete specimens and reveals their stressing state mutation features at specific load levels. Exploration of this general feature resulted in the discovery of essential strength, which is basically without size effect. Then, biaxial and triaxial experiments with concrete specimens were conducted in order to obtain the results for various combinations of principal stresses on essential strength. Consequently, according to Yu's unified strength theory, the formula for strength of concrete was determined by fitting the relation between the combined principal stresses and the essential strength, which was verified by experiments carried out using natural marble specimens. Essential strength could promote the accuracy of strength indices, and the formula for strength might replace the existing strength theories for brittle materials. The initial solution of these two classic issues could make a new contribution to Yu's unified strength theory and its final goal, promoting related research on material strength and leading to a more rational use of material strength in practical engineering.

Stressing State Analysis of an Integral Abutment Curved Box-Girder Bridge Model

This paper experimentally investigates the working behavior characteristics of an integral abutment curved box-girder (IACBG) bridge model based on the structural stressing state theory. First, the stressing state of the bridge model is represented by generalized strain energy density (GSED) values at each load F_j and characterized by the normalized GSED sum E_j,norm. Then, the Mann-Kendall (M-K) criterion is adopted to detect the stressing state mutations of the bridge model from E_j,norm-F_j curve in order to achieve the new definition of structural failure load. Correspondingly, the stressing state modes for the bridge model’s sections and internal forces are reached in order to investigate their variation characteristics and the coordinated working behavior around the updated failure load. The unseen knowledge is revealed by studying working behavior characteristics of the bridge model. Therefore, the analytical results could provide a new structural analysis method, which updates the definition of the existing structural failure load and provides a reference for future design of the bridges.