Experimental and numerical study on earthquake-fire coupling failure mechanism of steel cylindrical tanks

An earthquake-triggered fire domino scenario (E-FDS) is an example of a typical multi-hazard coupling event. The seismic damage can affect the fire resistance of engineering structures, leading to significant mutually amplified phenomena. In this work, a two-stage experimental program is designed to expound the earthquake-fire coupling...

Simultaneous optimization of shape and topology of free-form shells based on uniform parameterization model

In current optimization methods for free-form shells, the shape and topology are usually optimized separately. These methods are based on the assumption that the shape and topology of a shell influence each other only slightly, but this is not always correct. Moreover, different parameterization models are used in the shape optimization and...

Form-finding and construction of ice composite shell structures

By using inflatable moulds and then spraying cellulose-water mixture, one ice dome and two ice towers were built in Harbin in December 2016. During the whole process, form-finding of the inflatable moulds as well as the construction of these ice composite shell structures are very important for the final results.<br/>The mould for the ice dome...

Size and Topology Optimization for Trusses with Discrete Design Variables by Improved Firefly Algorithm

Firefly Algorithm (FA, for short) is inspired by the social behavior of fireflies and their phenomenon of bioluminescent communication. Based on the fundamentals of FA, two improved strategies are proposed to conduct size and topology optimization for trusses with discrete design variables. Firstly, development of structural topology...

The Vector Form Intrinsic Finite Element method and several other form-finding methods for general networks

Discrete networks is a kind of form-active structural system which actively change its shape under varying load conditions. And for this kind of structural system, form-finding is the initial and essential part in their design process. Before the computer age, people complete the form-finding process using physical models, while with the...

Form-finding of gridshells generated from hanging-chain models by using the Dynamic Relaxation method and the NURBS technique

Hanging models play an important role in shaping a structure since a very early age, and were favored by A. Gaudi, H. Isler, F. Otto and other architects or engineers. Nowadays, with the development of numerical analysis theory and computer technique, it is more accurate and convenient to simulate these physical models via numerical means. Based...