The Green-function-based multiscale stochastic finite element method (MSFEM) has been formulated based on the stochastic variational principle. In this study a fast computing procedure based on the MSFEM is developed to solve random field geotechnical problems with a typical coefficient of variance less than 1. A unique fast computing advantage of the procedure enables computation performed only on those locations of interest, therefore saving a lot of computation. The numerical example on soil settlement shows that the procedure achieves significant computing efficiency compared with Monte Carlo method.

The accurate and efficient simulation of random heterogeneous media is important in the framework of modeling and design of complex materials across multiple length scales. It is usually assumed that the morphology of a random microstructure can be described as a non-Gaussian random field that is completely defined by its multivariate distribution. A particular kind of non-Gaussian random fields with great practical importance is that of translation fields resulting from a simple memory-less transformation of an underlying Gaussian field with known second-order statistics. This paper provides a critical examination of existing random field models of heterogeneous two-phase media with emphasis on level-cut random fields which are a special case of translation fields. The case of random level sets, often used to represent the geometry of physical systems, is also examined. Two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the basic features of the different approaches.

The spatial variability of stress fields resulting from polycrystalline aggregate calculations involving random grain geometry and crystal orientations is investigated. A periodogram-based method is proposed to identify the properties of homogeneous Gaussian random fields (power spectral density and related covariance structure). Based on a set of finite element polycrystalline aggregate calculations the properties of the maximal principal stress field are identified. Two cases are considered, using either a fixed or random grain geometry. The stability of the method w.r.t the number of samples and the load level (up to 3.5% macroscopic deformation) is investigated.

This paper discusses a multiscale stochastic analysis of a laminated composite plate consisting of unidirectional fiber reinforced composite laminae. In particular, influence of a microscopic random variation of the elastic properties of component materials on mechanical properties of the laminated plate is investigated. Laminated composites are widely used in civil engineering, and therefore multiscale stochastic analysis of laminated composites should be performed for reliability evaluation of a composite civil structure. This study deals with the stochastic response of a laminated composite plate against the microscopic random variation in addition to a random variation of fiber orientation in each lamina, and stochastic properties of the mechanical responses of the laminated plate is investigated. Halpin-Tsai formula and the homogenization theory-based finite element analysis are employed for estimation of effective elastic properties of lamina, and the classical laminate theory is employed for analysis of a laminated plate. The Monte-Carlo simulation and the first-order second moment method with sensitivity analysis are employed for the stochastic analysis. From the numerical results, importance of the multiscale stochastic analysis for reliability evaluation of a laminated composite structure and applicability of the sensitivity-based approach are discussed.

A new concrete-composite beam with high mechanical performances to weight ratio is developed in this study. The proposed design technique consists to embed a cylindrical polymer tube wrapped by a GFRP Jacket in the mechanically ineffective concrete tensile zone. An experimental investigation is carried out on composite beams under bending loads until failure to evaluate the flexural capacity and the corresponding failure mechanisms. Based on the experimental results, statistical and preliminary reliability analyses using the FORM method are performed to assess the safety margin of the new beam. The confrontation between test and simulation results shows a satisfactory agreement, and represents a promising revelation regarding the improvement in terms of strength and ductility of such design compared to conventional reinforced concrete beams with traditional one.

This paper presents an investigation on the flexural-torsional buckling behavior of aluminum alloy beams (AAB). First, based on the tests of 14 aluminum alloy beams under concentrated loads, the failure pattern, load-deformation curves, bearing capacity and flexural-torsional buckling factor are studied. It is found that all the beam specimens collapsed in the flexural-torsional buckling with excessive deformation pattern. Moreover, the span, loading location and slenderness ratio influence the flexural-torsional buckling capacity of beams significantly. Secondly, besides the experiments, a finite element method (FEM) analysis on the flexural-torsional buckling behavior of AAB is also conducted. The main parameters in the FEM analysis are initial imperfection, material property, cross-section and loading scheme. According to the analytical results, it is indicated that the FEM is reasonable to capture mechanical behavior of AAB. Finally, on the basis of the experimental and analytical results, theoretical formulae to estimate the flexural-torsional buckling capacity of AAB are proposed, which could improve the application of present codes for AAB.

The lateral response of single and group of piles under simultaneous vertical and lateral loads has been analyzed using a 3D finite element approach. The response in this assessment considered lateral pile displacement and lateral soil resistance and corresponding p-y curve. As a result, modified p-y curves for lateral single pile response were improved with respect to the influence of increasing axial load intensities. The improved plots can be used for lateral loaded pile design and to produce the group action design p-multiplier curves and equations. The effect of load combination on the lateral pile group response was performed on three pile group configurations (i.e., 2×1, 2×2 and 3×2) with four pile spacings (i.e., s = 2D, 4D, 6D and 8D). As a result, design curves were developed and applied on the actual case studies and similar expected cases for assessment of pile group behavior using improved p-multiplier. A design equation was derived from predicted design curves to be used in the evaluation of the lateral pile group action taking into account the effect of axial load intensities. It was found that the group interaction effect led to reduced lateral resistance for the pile in the group relative to that for the single pile in case of pure lateral load. While, in case of simultaneous combined loads, large axial load intensities (i.e., more than 6H, where H is lateral load values) will have an increase in p-multiplier by approximately 100% and will consequently contribute to greater group piles capacities.

Considering the interactions between an embedded foundation and saturated soil, the torsional vibrations of a cylindrical foundation embedded in a saturated poroelastic medium are analyzed in this paper. Both a rigid foundation and an elastic foundation are considered. Assuming both the side surface and the bottom surface of the foundation are perfectly bonded to soil, the reaction torques that the side soil and bottom soil acting on the foundation can be gained from basic dynamic equations of the poroelastic medium. According to the dynamic equilibrium equations of a foundation under harmonic torque, the torsional vibrations of an embedded cylindrical foundation are presented. Besides, the angular amplitude of the foundation, the equivalent stiffness and damping coefficients of the soil are expressed explicitly. Selected examples are presented to investigate the influence of relevant parameters on the torsional vibrations.

The lateral performance of timber-steel hybrid shear wall systems with regard to the interaction between the steel frame and the infill wood shear wall was investigated in this paper. A numerical model for the timber-steel hybrid shear wall system was developed and verified against test results. Design parameters, such as the lateral infill-to-frame stiffness ratio and the arrangements of wood-steel bolted connections were studied using the numerical model. Some design recommendations were also proposed based on the parametric analysis. In the hybrid shear wall system, the infill wood wall was found to resist a major part of the lateral load within relatively small wall drifts, and then the steel frame provided more lateral resistance. Under seismic loads, the infill wood wall could significantly reduce the inter-story drift of the hybrid system, and a complementary effect between the infill wood wall and the steel frame was observed through different lateral load resisting mechanisms, which provided robustness to the hybrid shear wall systems.