Applications of Thin-Walled Structures

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2016) | Viewed by 51817

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Infrastructure Engineering, Western Sydney Univ., Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Interests: construction materials; steel-concrete composite structures and structural fire engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thin-walled structures are widely used in building construction, bridge construction, storage racks, transmission towers, automotive, ships, aircraft, etc. Compared to normal structures, thin-walled structures are easier to make into different types of cross-sections. But this flexibility also leads to complex structural behavior; different buckling modes or even combined failure modes can occur. In recent years, the advances in structural materials, analytical methods and design tools have greatly promoted the development and applications of thin-walled structures in various fields. This Special Issue aims to collect the most recent advances from the global research and development community regarding new theories, experiment, design methods and applications.

Prof. Dr. Zhong Tao
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Thin-Walled Structures
  • Buckling
  • Cold-formed sections
  • Steel structures
  • Plate structures
  • Shell Structures
  • Reinforced plastics structures
  • Aluminum structures
  • Stainless steel Structures

Published Papers (8 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

4107 KiB  
Article
Seismic Failure Mechanism of Reinforced Cold-Formed Steel Shear Wall System Based on Structural Vulnerability Analysis
by Jihong Ye, Liqiang Jiang and Xingxing Wang
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(2), 182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7020182 - 22 Feb 2017
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8610
Abstract
A series of structural vulnerability analyses are conducted on a reinforced cold-formed steel (RCFS) shear wall system and a traditional cold-formed steel (CFS) shear wall system subjected to earthquake hazard based on forms in order to investigate their failure mechanisms. The RCFS shear [...] Read more.
A series of structural vulnerability analyses are conducted on a reinforced cold-formed steel (RCFS) shear wall system and a traditional cold-formed steel (CFS) shear wall system subjected to earthquake hazard based on forms in order to investigate their failure mechanisms. The RCFS shear wall adopts rigid beam-column joints and continuous concrete-filled CFS tube end studs rather than coupled-C section end studs that are used in traditional CFS shear walls, to achieve the rigid connections in both beam-column joints and column bases. The results show that: the RCFS and traditional CFS shear wall systems both exhibit the maximum vulnerability index associated with the failure mode in the first story. Therefore, the first story is likely to be a weakness of the CFS shear wall system. Once the wall is damaged, the traditional CFS shear wall system would collapse because the shear wall is the only lateral-resisting component. However, the collapse resistance of the RCFS shear wall system is effectively enhanced by the second defense, which is provided by a framework integrated by rigid beam-column joints and fixed column bases. The predicted collapse mode with maximum vulnerability index that was obtained by structural vulnerability analysis agrees well with the experimental result, and the structural vulnerability method is thereby verified to be reasonable to identify the weaknesses of framed structures and predict their collapse modes. Additionally, the quantitative vulnerability index indicates that the RCFS shear wall system exhibits better robustness compared to the traditional one. Furthermore, the “strong frame weak wallboard” and the “strong column weak beam” are proposed in this study as conceptional designations for the RCFS shear wall systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

4756 KiB  
Article
Structural Performance of Composite Shear Walls under Compression
by Tingyue Hao, Wanlin Cao, Qiyun Qiao, Yan Liu and Wenbin Zheng
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(2), 162; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7020162 - 09 Feb 2017
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3700
Abstract
In order to research the effect of different layout forms of steel plate on the axial compression behavior of a steel plate-concrete composite shear wall, this paper presents the experimental results and analysis of the axial compression behavior of a composite shear wall, [...] Read more.
In order to research the effect of different layout forms of steel plate on the axial compression behavior of a steel plate-concrete composite shear wall, this paper presents the experimental results and analysis of the axial compression behavior of a composite shear wall, with different layout forms of steel plate. A total of three tests were carried out, composed of two composite walls with built-in steel plate, and one composite wall with two skins of steel plate. The gross dimensions of the three specimens were 1206 mm × 2006 mm × 300 mm. Experimental results show that the composite wall with two skins of steel plate has an optimal ability of elastic-plastic deformation, and the maximum axial compressive bearing capacity among the three specimens. Using the energy method, the critical local buckling stresses of steel plate were calculated, and compared with the yield stresses. According to different confined actions of concrete, concrete constitutive models were proposed, and the axial compressive strengths of confined concrete were calculated. Considering the local buckling of steel plate and confined concrete, the calculation formula of the axial compression of the composite wall was put forward, and the calculated results were in good agreement with the test results. Therefore, the different layout forms of steel plate have a great influence on its buckling, and on the concrete inhibition effect, which can affect the axial compressive bearing capacity of the composite wall. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

4708 KiB  
Article
Piecewise Function Hysteretic Model for Cold-Formed Steel Shear Walls with Reinforced End Studs
by Jihong Ye and Xingxing Wang
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(1), 94; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7010094 - 19 Jan 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5289
Abstract
Cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls with concrete-filled rectangular steel tube (CFRST) columns as end studs can upgrade the performance of mid-rise CFS structures, such as the vertical bearing capacity, anti-overturning ability, shear strength, and fire resistance properties, thereby enhancing the safety of structures. [...] Read more.
Cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls with concrete-filled rectangular steel tube (CFRST) columns as end studs can upgrade the performance of mid-rise CFS structures, such as the vertical bearing capacity, anti-overturning ability, shear strength, and fire resistance properties, thereby enhancing the safety of structures. A theoretical hysteretic model is established according to a previous experimental study. This model is described in a simple mathematical form and takes nonlinearity, pinching, strength, and stiffness deterioration into consideration. It was established in two steps: (1) a discrete coordinate method was proposed to determine the load-displacement skeleton curve of the wall, by which governing deformations and their corresponding loads of the hysteretic loops under different loading cases can be obtained; afterwards; (2) a piecewise function was adopted to capture the hysteretic loop relative to each governing deformation, the hysteretic model of the wall was further established, and additional criteria for the dominant parameters of the model were stated. Finally, the hysteretic model was validated by experimental results from other studies. The results show that elastic lateral stiffness Ke and shear capacity Fp are key factors determining the load-displacement skeleton curve of the wall; hysteretic characteristics of the wall with reinforced end studs can be fully reflected by piecewise function hysteretic model, moreover, the model has intuitional expressions with clear physical interpretations for each parameter, paving the way for predicting the nonlinear dynamic responses of mid-rise CFS structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

3800 KiB  
Article
Thin-Walled CFST Columns for Enhancing Seismic Collapse Performance of High-Rise Steel Frames
by Yongtao Bai, Jiantao Wang, Yashuang Liu and Xuchuan Lin
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(1), 53; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7010053 - 05 Jan 2017
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6639
Abstract
This paper numerically studied the collapse capacity of high-rise steel moment-resisting frames (SMRFs) using various width-to-thickness members subjected to successive earthquakes. It was found that the long-period component of earthquakes obviously correlates with the first-mode period of high-rises controlled by the total number [...] Read more.
This paper numerically studied the collapse capacity of high-rise steel moment-resisting frames (SMRFs) using various width-to-thickness members subjected to successive earthquakes. It was found that the long-period component of earthquakes obviously correlates with the first-mode period of high-rises controlled by the total number of stories. A higher building tends to produce more significant component deterioration to enlarge the maximum story drift angle at lower stories. The width-to-thickness ratio of beam and column components overtly affects the collapse capacity when the plastic deformation extensively develops. The ratio of residual to maximum story drift angle is significantly sensitive to the collapse capacity of various building models. A thin-walled concrete filled steel tubular (CFST) column is proposed as one efficient alternative to enhance the overall stiffness and deformation capacity of the high-rise SMRFs with fragile collapse performance. With the equivalent flexural stiffness, CFST-MRF buildings with thin-walled members demonstrate higher capacity to avoid collapse, and the greater collapse margin indicates that CFST-MRFs are a reasonable system for high-rises in seismic prone regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

3756 KiB  
Article
Study on the Load Distribution and Dynamic Characteristics of a Thin-Walled Integrated Squirrel-Cage Supporting Roller Bearing
by Yuze Mao, Liqin Wang and Chuanwei Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6(12), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/app6120415 - 14 Dec 2016
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4941
Abstract
Thin-walled integrated flexible support structures are the major trend in the development of current rolling bearing technology. A thin-walled, integrated, squirrel-cage flexible support roller bearing, quasi-dynamic iterative finite element analysis (FEA) model is established in this paper. The FEA model is used to [...] Read more.
Thin-walled integrated flexible support structures are the major trend in the development of current rolling bearing technology. A thin-walled, integrated, squirrel-cage flexible support roller bearing, quasi-dynamic iterative finite element analysis (FEA) model is established in this paper. The FEA model is used to calculate the structural deformation of the thin-wall rings and support structures; the dynamic characteristics of the bearing are analyzed using the noncircular bearing modified quasi-dynamic model. The influence of the integrated flexible support structure on the internal load distribution and the dynamic characteristics of the roller bearing are analyzed. The results indicate that with the support of a flexible squirrel-cage, the maximum contact load is decreased by 14.2%, the loading region is enlarged by 25%, the cage slide ratio is reduced by 24%, and the fatigue life is increased by more than 50%. In addition, as the ring wall thickness increased, the results increasingly approached those under a rigid assumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

4912 KiB  
Article
Design of Cold-Formed Steel Screw Connections with Gypsum Sheathing at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures
by Wei Chen, Jihong Ye and Tao Chen
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6(9), 248; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app6090248 - 06 Sep 2016
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6550
Abstract
Load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) walls sheathed with double layers of gypsum plasterboard on both sides have demonstrated good fire resistance and attracted increasing interest for use in mid-rise CFS structures. As the main connection method, screw connections between CFS and gypsum sheathing play [...] Read more.
Load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) walls sheathed with double layers of gypsum plasterboard on both sides have demonstrated good fire resistance and attracted increasing interest for use in mid-rise CFS structures. As the main connection method, screw connections between CFS and gypsum sheathing play an important role in both the structural design and fire resistance of this wall system. However, studies on the mechanical behavior of screw connections with double-layer gypsum sheathing are still limited. In this study, 200 monotonic tests of screw connections with single- or double-layer gypsum sheathing at both ambient and elevated temperatures were conducted. The failure of screw connections with double-layer gypsum sheathing in shear was different from that of single-layer gypsum sheathing connections at ambient temperature, and it could be described as the breaking of the loaded sheathing edge combined with significant screw tilting and the loaded sheathing edge flexing fracture. However, the screw tilting and flexing fracture of the loaded sheathing edge gradually disappear at elevated temperatures. In addition, the influence of the loaded edge distance, double-layer sheathing and elevated temperatures is discussed in detail with clear conclusions. A unified design formula for the shear strength of screw connections with gypsum sheathing is proposed for ambient and elevated temperatures with adequate accuracy. A simplified load–displacement model with the post-peak branch is developed to evaluate the load–displacement response of screw connections with gypsum sheathing at ambient and elevated temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

5611 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Similitude Design Method of the Distorted Model on Variable Thickness Cantilever Plates
by Zhong Luo, Yunpeng Zhu, Haopeng Liu and Deyou Wang
Appl. Sci. 2016, 6(8), 228; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app6080228 - 13 Aug 2016
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5621
Abstract
In the present study, a new method of predicting the dynamic behavior of a variable thickness (VT) cantilever plate by using a thin plate scaled model is proposed. The thin plate model, defined as the model thin (MT) plate, is designed by using [...] Read more.
In the present study, a new method of predicting the dynamic behavior of a variable thickness (VT) cantilever plate by using a thin plate scaled model is proposed. The thin plate model, defined as the model thin (MT) plate, is designed by using the newly proposed similitude design method. The method is derived based on the transfer matrix of both the stepped thickness (ST) plate that is simplified by the VT plate and the thin plate. The thickness of the MT plate is calculated by introducing the equivalent thickness corresponding to each VT plate’s vibration modals, such that a series of accurate distorted scaling laws are provided to predict each corresponding property. Moreover, an algorithm of designing the MT plate is proposed and a design process is summarized in steps. Finally, an example, where the prototype VT plate is made of 42 CrMo and the MT plate is made of NO. 45 steel, is discussed to validate the proposed design method, showing that the MT plate, which is designed by using the proposed method, can accurately predict the dynamic properties of the prototype VT plate, and showing its significance in engineering practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

1697 KiB  
Review
Damage Analysis and Evaluation of Light Steel Structures Exposed to Wind Hazards
by Na Yang and Fan Bai
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(3), 239; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app7030239 - 02 Mar 2017
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6787
Abstract
Compared to hot-rolled steel structures, cold-formed steel structures are susceptible to extreme winds because of the light weight of the building and its components. Many modern cold-formed steel structures have sustained significant structural damage ranging from loss of cladding to complete collapse in [...] Read more.
Compared to hot-rolled steel structures, cold-formed steel structures are susceptible to extreme winds because of the light weight of the building and its components. Many modern cold-formed steel structures have sustained significant structural damage ranging from loss of cladding to complete collapse in recent cyclones. This article first provides some real damage cases for light steel structures induced by the high winds. After that, the paper reviews research on the damage analysis and evaluation of light steel structures caused by strong winds, which include connection failure, fatigue failure, purlin buckling, and primary frame component instability problems. Moreover, this review will mention some applications of structure damage assessment methods in this area, such as vulnerability analysis and performance-based theory, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Thin-Walled Structures)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop