On Introducing Imperfection in the Non-Linear Analysis of Buckling of Thin Shell Structures

This master thesis details the investigation of the effect of geometrical imperfection on thin shell structures using general FEM software packages. The author proposes a finite element based method for the analysis and design of thin shell structures, and describes the implementation of such a procedure on four different FEM packages. The...

Sequentially linear modelling of combined tension/compression failure in masonry structures

The modelling of brittle fracture is essential for the assessment of structural safety. It remains a challenge due to sharp material softening after realization of the material strength. Standard nonlinear finite element analysis techniques using incremental-iterative solution procedures have been adapted to deal with the sharp softening curves...

Influence of liquefaction on scour around offshore monopile foundations

Scour hole formation around offshore monopile foundations is a threat for the structure’s stability. Large uncertainty leads to conservatism in design codes and hence to high construction costs. Under the same hydrodynamic loading as for scour hole formation the soil can liquefy due to structural vibrations or waves. The aim of this study is to...

Nonlocal Damage Models for Concrete

An understanding of response of concrete structures to impact loading is of interest to the Explosions, Ballistics and Protection department of TNO. Numerical simulations conducted to study this response require very small elements to capture the shockwave propagation and the material response which were found to be mesh dependent. The goal of...

Validity of Identified Modal Parameters based on Rotor-Stop Tests of Offshore Wind Turbines

The increasing energy prices together with the uncertainty about long term sufficiency of fossil fuel resources, confirm the increasing need for reliable alternatives based on renewable energy. Offshore wind power, particularly, has a great potential in providing a large share of the energy demand. The sustainable character of this energy...

Numerical modeling of dam-reservoir interaction seismic response using the Hybrid Frequency–Time Domain (HFTD) method

The research work studies the fundamentals of the Hybrid Frequency-Time Domain (HFTD) method for dynamic analysis of structures, applied to the seismic analysis of dam-reservoir interaction systems. The theoretical consistency and accuracy of the HFTD method, based on the frequency domain Fourier analysis, is demonstrated through all the parts...

StructuralComponents: A client-server software architecture for FEM-based structural design exploration

StructuralComponents allows an engineer to quickly compose an early-stage structural concept and immediately analyse its performance. It follows the Conceptual Story method in an attempt to deal with imprecision and uncertainty. This thesis represents the third in a series of MSc theses on StructuralComponents, which as its general problem...

Modelling the Interaction between Structure and Soil for Shallow Foundations -A Computational Modelling Approach

Designing and modelling foundation structures crosses two engineering disciplines. The structural engineer who designs the structure and the geotechnical engineer who determines the bearing capacity of the soil. When modelling large shallow foundations, it is not always clear how to determine the stiffness of the soil and how it should be used...

Dynamic Analysis of an Open Piled Jetty Subjected to Wave Loading

At different locations in the Caribbean cruise jetties have been damaged during hurricanes. The specific cause of the damage is unknown. In this research the role of the dynamic behaviour of a jetty investigated. This research has the goal to elaborate circumstances under which the dynamic behaviour of the open piled jetty on Sint Maarten...

Computational Modelling of Masonry Structures

De Effectieve Kiplengte van Houten Liggers (Lateral Torsional Buckling)

In dit Bachelor eindwerk is onderzoek gedaan naar de effectieve kiplengte van liggers met rechthoekige doorsneden. In een voorgaand eindwerk is hier al onderzoek naar gedaan door Roeland van Straten. Daarom zijn er bepaalde delen uit het desbetreffende onderzoek overgenomen ter ondersteuning van dit eindwerk. Het gaat hierbij om de paragrafen 1...

Three-dimensional numerical analysis of tunnelling induced damage: The influence of masonry building geometry and location

Recent tunnelling projects have received a great amount of media attention due to settlement induced damage. Due to the simplified approach of existing risk assessment methods, a new assessment system is in development, which can account for three-dimensional structural aspects of buildings. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence...

Optimizing shell structures

This thesis describes a design tool and the method to find a shape of a shell structure with the minimum complementary energy.

Tunnel induced settlement damage: A case study to improve damage prediction for facades

The tunnel boring process introduces soil settlements. Damage to nearby building could occur if settlements become too large. A reliable damage prediction model is necessary too asses the risks of damage to tunnel induced settlements. A widely used method for damage prediction is the Limiting Tensile Strain Method (LTSM). The LTSM models a...

Doorbuiging van schalen door puntlasten

Traffic induced vibrations in floating thoroughfares

Feasibility study on a floating thoroughfare that is submitted to the dynamic loading of vehicles

Wringing van hoge gebouwen

Over wringing van hoge gebouwen is in de Nederiandse bouwwereld weinig bekend. Teneinde een beter begrip te krijgen van het belastingsgeval wringing in hoogbouw is een literatuuronderzoek gehouden. Hieruit volgt, dat er drie categorieën aan te wijzen zijn, waarin de oorzaken liggen. Dit zijn: constructie, aardbeving en wind. De belangrijkste...