Sharif Digital Repository

In this second part of the two companion papers an effective numerical model is proposed using finite element method to simulate the push-out test of channel shear connectors. The focus is on the shear capacity of channel shear connectors embedded in a solid reinforced concrete slab under monotonic loading. The model has been validated against test results presented in Part (I) and compared with data given in North American design codes. Parametric studies using this nonlinear model are performed to investigate the variations in concrete strength, channel dimensions and the orientation of the channel. The results show that the concrete strength, web and flange thicknesses of the channel and... 

Axial flow compressor is one of the most important parts of gas turbine units. Therefore, its design and performance prediction are very important. One-dimensional modeling is a simple, fast and accurate method for performance prediction of any type of compressors with different geometries. In this approach, inlet flow conditions and compressor geometry are known and by considering various compressor losses, velocity triangles at rotor, and stator inlets and outlets are determined, and then compressor performance characteristics are predicted. Numerous models have been developed theoretically and experimentally for estimating various types of compressor losses. In present work, performance... 

Nonlinear numerical modeling of masonry-infilled frames is one of the most complicated problems in structural engineering field. This complexity is attributed to the existence of joints as the major source of weakness and material nonlinearities as well as the infill-frame interaction which cannot be properly modeled using the traditional finite element methods. Although there are many numerical studies available on solid masonry-infilled steel frames' behavior, however, few researches have been conducted on infilled frames with openings. In this paper a two-dimensional numerical model using the specialized discrete element method (DEM) software UDEC (2004) is developed for the nonlinear... 

High-pressure die casting (HPDC) is one of the most important manufacturing processes. Air porosity in HPDC parts has many serious effects upon the casting quality. A 3D single-phase code based on the SOLA-VOF algorithm is used for the continuous phase advection during mold filling. In this research, a computational model based on concentration transport equation is used for calculation of air porosity distribution and a mixed VOF-Lagrange algorithm is developed in order to model splashing in HPDC. Finally, Schmid's experimental tests are used to verify the modelling results and the comparison between the experimental data and simulation results has shown a good agreement. © 2007... 

Application of the network equivalent concept for external system representation for power system transient analysis is well known. However, the challenge to utilize an equivalent network, approximated by a rational function, is to guarantee the passivity of the corresponding model. In this regard, special techniques are required to enforce the passivity of the equivalent model through a post processing approach that minimizes its impact on the original model characteristics. In this paper, the passivity is enforced by expressing the problem in terms of a convex optimization problem that guarantees the global optimal solution. The convex optimization problem is efficiently solved by recently... 

A two-dimensional Boussinesq-type model is presented accurate to O(μ)6 , μ = h0/l0, in dispersion and all consequential order for non-linearity with arbitrary bottom boundary, where h0 is the water depth and l0 is the characteristic wave length. The mathematical formulation is an extension of (4,4) the Padé approximant to include varying bottom boundary in two horizontal dimensions. A higher order perturbation method is used for mathematical derivation of the presented model. A two horizontal dimension numerical model is developed based on derived equations using the Finite Difference Method in higher-order scheme for time and space. The numerical wave model is verified successfully in... 

Cavitation phenomenon is defined as the process of rupturing any liquid by a decrease in pressure at nearly constant temperature. The cavities driven by the flow in a region of high pressure will implode and generate high pressure pulses leading eventually to erosion and vibration. But in supercavitation the bubbles produced by cavitation combine to form a large, stable bubble region around the supercavitating object. This phenomenon decreases the drag on the supercavitating body. Experimental testsware performed at 2-D unsteady flow for two wedge shaped bodies made before in laboratory and cavitation inception and its development were captured by a high speed camera. Then this cavitation... 

Settlement is one of the most important effects of tunnelling. In order to minimize this effect, it is necessary to arrange for circumstances to keep the strain and stress state of undisturbed soil within a tight limit. To achieve this, it is common nowadays to use closed face pressurized shields such as EPB TBMs. In this type of shield, face stability and ground settlement control is maintained by pressurizing the tunnel face with adjustment of cutter head thrust and muck removal discharge. In this paper, numerical modeling of excavation of twin tunnels in Tabriz subway is addressed with respect to the effect of EPB tunnelling in settlement control. Settlement and lining thrust are... 

The governing equations of two-dimensional steady density currents are solved numerically using a finite volume method. The v2̄-f turbulence model, based on standard k - s model, is used for the turbulence closure. In this method, all Reynolds stress equations are replaced with both a transport equation for v2̄ and an elliptic relaxation equation for f, a parameter closely related to the pressure strain redistribution term. The Simple-C procedure is used for pressure-velocity coupling. In addition, Boussinesq's approximation is used to obtain the momentum equation. The computed height of the progressive density current is compared to the measured data in the literature, resulting in good... 

In this paper the development of a quasi-three-dimensional numerical model that can be used for quantifying groundwater inputs and associated contaminant discharged from coastal aquifers into the coastal zone at a regional scale is presented. The present model is called MODSharp. In order to handle problems at a regional scale, the sharp interface approach which is used for conceptualising seawater intrusion, is applied to this model. This model can be used for the simulation of groundwater flow and contaminant transport in layered coastal aquifers at a regional scale. The method of characteristics is used to solve the advection-dispersion equation, which governs contaminant transport in... 

Numerical analyses of liquefiable sand are presented in this paper. Liquefaction phenomenon is an undrained response of saturated sandy soils when they are subjected to static or dynamic loads. A fully coupled dynamic computer code is developed to predict the liquefaction potential of a saturated sandy layer. Coupled dynamic field equations of extended Biot's theory with u-P formulation are used to determine the responses of pore fluid and soil skeleton. Generalized Newmark method is employed for integration in time. The soil behavior is modelled by two constitutive models; a critical state two-surface plasticity model, and a densification model. A class 'B' analysis of a centrifuge... 

Rock joints play an important role in the behavior of rock masses under normal and shear loading conditions. Numerical simulation of the behavior of jointed rock masses is not an easy task due to complexities involved in the problem such as joint roughness, joint shear strength, hardening and softening phenomenon and mesh dependency. In this study for modeling purposes, a visco-plastic multilaminate model considering hardening and softening effects has been employed. For providing the necessary data for numerical simulation, a series of laboratory experiments have been carried out on regular tooth-shape asperities made by gypsum, under constant normal load conditions. Shear stress-shear... 

This paper presents a new method to analyze the bidding strategies of Generating Companies (GENCOs) with regard to demand elasticity. It is assumed that the available information of each GENCO about its opponents is incomplete and only the minimum and maximum generation levels of their opponents, as well as their fuel type, are known. In the proposed methodology, GENCOs prepare their strategic bids according to a Supply Function Equilibrium (SFE) model. GENCOs will change their bidding strategies until Nash equilibrium points are obtained. The general Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) has been used to solve the maximization modules using the MINOS optimization software with non Linear... 

Verification of numerical models for density dependent flow in porous media (DDFPM) by the means of appropriate benchmark problems is a very important step in developing and using these models. Recently, Infinite Horizontal Box (IHB) problem was suggested as a possible benchmark problem for verification of DDFPM codes. IHB is based on Horton-Rogers-Lapwood (HRL) problem. Suitability of this problem for the benchmarking purpose has been investigated in this paper. It is shown that the wavelength of instabilities fails to be a proper criterion to be considered for this problem. However, the threshold of instability formation has been found to be appropriate for benchmarking purpose. © 2006... 

A new innovative 'universal' structural joint with multiple applications was devised. The two major conceived contexts for the use of this joint are 'joining beams to columns, ' and 'joining diagonal braces to horizontal ones. ' The main features of this joint are its high rotational capacity, its high shear deformation capacity, its high energy-dissipation capacity, its ability to contain damage, and its repalceability. Due to its geometry, it can well lend itself to protection measures against fire, normally practiced by the involving industries. This makes it a good candidate for being used in structures related to oil and gas industry, offshore or onshore. Through numerical modelling of... 

The effect of contact geometry on fretting fatigue life was investigated by experiments and numerical simulation. The experiments were conducted for flat and cylindrical pads under the same contact normal force. The post-test examinations including crack growth measurements and fractography were carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Numerical simulations of pad-specimen assembly with and without crack were performed using a finite element (FE) analysis. The experimental study revealed that the rate of crack growth was higher at the early stages of fretting fatigue for cylindrical pads. This stage corresponds to a higher KII for cylindrical contact model. After... 

In this article, behavior of cantilever retaining walls with various flexibilities, which retain saturated cohesive soil behind, is studied using numerical modeling. Generally, pattern of lateral earth pressure behind retaining walls is complex and this complexity becomes greater for clayey soils. In this investigation, effects of different wall bending stiffnesses, and backfill drainage conditions on the failure height and on the lateral earth pressure are investigated using finite elements. Comparison between the obtained results from numerical simulation and those based on empirical or conventional design methods indicate that soil-structure interaction and c drainage conditions play... 

An efficient hybrid method for the analysis of the interference phenomenon in high frequency communication circuits is presented. This method is based on the Transmission Line Matrix (TLM) method augmented with a time-domain integral equation formulation to account for the radiation of equivalent sources on boundary surfaces. As such, wide band effects are easily and accurately modeled since its formulation is in the time domain  

The variation of seawater level resulting from tidal fluctuations is usually neglected in regional groundwater flow studies. Although the tidal oscillation is damped near the shoreline, there is a quasi-steady-state rise in the mean water-table position, which may have an influence on regional groundwater flow. In this paper the effects of tidal fluctuations on groundwater hydraulics are investigated using a variably saturated numerical model that includes the effects of a realistic mild beach slope, seepage face and the unsaturated zone. In particular the impact of these factors on the velocity field in the aquifer is assessed. Simulations show that the tidal fluctuation has substantial...