Engineering Structures最新文献

{"title":"Seismic resilience assessment method for railway simply supported bridges based on girder-track model","authors":"Weitao Yin ,&nbsp;Canhui Zhao ,&nbsp;Wei Kang ,&nbsp;Hao Lu ,&nbsp;Kailai Deng ,&nbsp;Quanchuang Yuan ,&nbsp;Jiahong Duan","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Currently, the evaluation of the seismic resilience of bridges is a research hotspot. The empirical quantitative relationship between structural damage and traffic functionality loss has unclear mechanical significance. Traditional functionality recovery functions face difficulty in considering the contribution and repair order of components. This study used the vehicle speed as a quantitative indicator of traffic functionality. The girder track model (GTM) analysis method is proposed, and track irregularity (TI) is used as a track damage indicator, serving as the link between structural damage and traffic functionality loss. Moreover, the traffic functionality loss can be calculated based on speed loss, and two types of functionality recovery curves are proposed with consideration to the order of component repair and the variable weight coefficient. Three seismic resilience levels are proposed, namely, normal speed passage, speed-restricted passage, and closed passage. A method for evaluating the seismic resilience of railway bridges has been established. A five-span simply supported girder bridge was subjected to nonlinear analysis to validate the feasibility of the proposed method. The results reveal that the damages of bearings and piers have priority over track damage, but the damage evolution speed of the track structures is the fastest. The component weight coefficients of functionality recovery changed significantly as the seismic intensity increased. The recommended evaluation thresholds for the three seismic resilience levels of traffic functionality are 0.81 and 0.40.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120970"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bio-inspired variant honeycomb structures via 4D printing: Revolutionizing the realm of energy absorption","authors":"Xueli Zhou ,&nbsp;Nong Xia ,&nbsp;Hongpei Liu ,&nbsp;Jifeng Zhang ,&nbsp;Luquan Ren ,&nbsp;Lei Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120931","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120931","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conventional hexagonal honeycomb structures face limitations in post-fabrication adaptability and energy absorption tunability. In this study, we propose a bionic variant honeycomb (BVH) structure based on 4D printing, which achieves shape-property synergistic modulation by incorporating shape memory polymers (SMP). Based on the vertex reconfiguration strategy, concave, quadrilateral-like and flattened hexagonal honeycomb cells are designed, and the energy dissipation paths are optimized through combinatorial and hierarchical configurations. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based honeycomb structures are prepared by fused deposition molding technique, which is combined with thermo-mechanical programming to achieve the programming of temporary shapes and reach the intelligent regulation of energy absorption capacity, e.g., the specific energy absorption is reduced by 55.7 % at 30 % pre-strain. Experiments and finite element simulations show that the hierarchical configuration significantly improves the energy absorption efficiency. This study innovatively combines 4D printing with biomimetic design to give the honeycomb structure the adaptive ability to actively respond to external stimuli after fabrication, providing a new paradigm for the development of smart energy-absorbing metamaterials. This research will show a broad application prospect in the fields of automobile collision protection and aerospace.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120931"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Innovative timber connection systems with the combination of indoor adhesive application and on-site adhesive-free assembly","authors":"Tianxiang Wang,&nbsp;Yue Wang,&nbsp;Mattia Debertolis,&nbsp;Roberto Crocetti,&nbsp;Magnus Wålinder","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120964","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120964","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In timber connections, adhesively bonded connections are, in general, cheaper, stiffer, and stronger compared to typically adopted mechanical connections. However, bond line quality is sensitive to various process-related parameters; thus, it is generally preferable to do the gluing in the factory with these parameters controlled during assembly and then transport the entire structure to the construction site. This leads to a limitation on the size of the timber structure owing to the limited transportation capacities. Another concern regarding fully glued timber-to-timber connections falls in their non-ductile behavior prior to the ultimate failure, which is crucial, especially in seismic regions. This paper focuses on the design of two innovative connection systems aimed at overcoming these two key limitations. Both systems offer the advantages of indoor adhesive application and on-site adhesive-free assembly. The first connection system involves a hybrid solution connecting prefabricated elements by means of steel rods and special ‘‘wheel-geared’’ notches of birch plywood, while the second connection system employs pure plywood notched connections during the on-site assembly. These two novel connection systems have potential for use in both moment- and force-resisting applications. In this study, they were introduced and designed in the format of a frame corner, where bending moment, axial force, and shear force are present. Analytical models predicting the capacity for each possible failure mode were developed and then validated by the test results. It can be found that the first connection system exhibits moderate ductile behavior, and its load-bearing capacity is considered to be satisfactory. The capacity can be further improved to be as strong as the fully glued connection if thicker plywood plates are utilized. The second connection system possesses lower strength and stiffness. However, it could still be applied in non-critical connection regions where no substantial external load exists.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120964"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bending performance of planar DK-shaped diaphragm welded joints","authors":"Peizhao Sun ,&nbsp;Hongbo Liu ,&nbsp;Liulu Guo ,&nbsp;Jijian Lian","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120946","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120946","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The planar DK-shaped diaphragm welded joint possesses advantages such as avoiding weld overlap, reducing eccentric loads, and offering flexible connections. It is applied in the novel star-type floating photovoltaic system composed of pipes. Given the primary exposure to bending moment loads, it is necessary to investigate the bending capacity and reinforcement methods of planar DK-shaped diaphragm welded joints. Six specimens were designed and fabricated based on a scale ratio of 1:4 for experimental testing. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of the specimens, including failure modes, deformations, bearing capacities, and stress distributions, were obtained. The experimental results indicate that the failure modes and force transfer mechanisms of the unreinforced DK-shaped diaphragm welded joints vary under different bending moment load directions. This explains the differences in bearing capacity, stiffness, and ductility observed in the joints when subjected to out-of-plane and in-plane bending loads. Ring stiffeners and crossed stiffeners can enhance the bending bearing capacity and initial bending stiffness of the joints. Finite element models have been established to investigate the influence of geometric parameters, such as the diameter of the chord, the ratio of the section radius to wall thickness of the chord, and the ratio of the diaphragm thickness to the chord wall thickness, on the mechanical performance of the joints. A mechanical model for the planar DK-shaped diaphragm welded joint has been established, and a design formula for bending bearing capacity has been derived. The comparison between the experimental and numerical results shows that the established mechanical model meets the accuracy requirements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120946"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental test on a slender masonry wall with an alternative reinforcement configuration","authors":"Rafael Gonzalez ,&nbsp;Alan Alonso ,&nbsp;Mahmoud Elsayed ,&nbsp;Carlos Cruz-Noguez ,&nbsp;Douglas Tomlinson","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120917","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120917","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As modern construction demands drive the use of taller and thinner masonry walls, challenges of second-order (P-delta) effects and design inefficiencies become increasingly significant. This study evaluates an alternative vertical reinforcement configuration for partially grouted slender masonry walls, addressing the ineffective placement of reinforcing bars associated with current practice. The proposed arrangement includes larger reinforcement area and relocates vertical reinforcement to the edges of grouted cells (touching the inner face of blocks), increasing the wall’s stiffness. A full-scale 8.75 m tall (<span><math><mrow><mi>kh</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>t</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>46</mn></mrow></math></span>) masonry wall with the proposed reinforcement arrangement (<span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>A</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>s</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>1600</mn></mrow></math></span> mm², bars at the edges of cells) was tested in a specialized setup. Regular length lap splices (700 mm) were used in the wall’s construction. The wall was subject to combined vertical and out-of-plane loads under varying boundary conditions. Results showed up to a threefold increase in out-of-plane load capacity compared to typically reinforced walls (<span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>A</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>s</mi></mrow></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>400</mn></mrow></math></span> mm², bars at the centre) with large reductions in lateral deflections. Failure was attributed to bond-related mechanisms at the vertical lap splice, highlighting the need for longer splice lengths than those provided in the specimen when bars have little cover. However, bars almost yielded at failure (reaching up to 97 % of their yield strain), showing partial development and suggesting that the splice length required by the Canadian masonry design standard (⁓2640 mm for S304–14 or ⁓530 mm for the recent S304:24) may not be adequate for this configuration. The proposed reinforcement arrangement offers a practical means to enhance the stiffness and strength of slender masonry walls, provided revised splice lengths are used.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120917"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design and instability issues of log-house timber panels under in-plane compression loads","authors":"Dag Pasquale Pasca ,&nbsp;Angelo Aloisio ,&nbsp;Knut Amund Skatvedt","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Log houses are a traditional construction system that is still widely used today for residential homes, vacation cabins, off-grid living, and emergency shelters. While their structural behavior under lateral loads has been extensively studied, in-plane instability under compression due to gravitational loads remains underexplored. Only two modeling approaches have been proposed, both based on classical elasticity theory. However, these models rely on compensatory assumptions or calibrated correction coefficients to approximate actual buckling loads, often leading to significant discrepancies. Log panels share key characteristics with masonry walls: just as masonry has a low tensile strength perpendicular to mortar joints, log panels exhibit weak tensile resistance perpendicular to the grain and at friction-based log-to-log joints. This brittleness causes failure mechanisms similar to those in masonry, where elastic formulations for predicting buckling loads were abandoned since the 1930s in favor of simplified stability models. This study adapts the well-established design approach used for slender masonry walls to log panels by incorporating insights from masonry engineering. The proposed method is developed through an experimental campaign and numerical modeling. The design under in-plane compression, as in masonry, is governed by three key parameters: geometric slenderness, transverse wall stiffening, and load eccentricity. Experimental tests on walls with varying slenderness ratios and load eccentricities have been carried out. Additionally numerical simulations explored the influence of stiffening elements. This research proposes a design framework for log panels under in-plane compression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120904"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surrogate model construction and improved detection of rail corrugation in high-speed railways based on a hybrid neural network","authors":"Rui Ouyang ,&nbsp;Jun Luo ,&nbsp;Shengyang Zhu ,&nbsp;Mei Chen ,&nbsp;Wanming Zhai","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120949","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120949","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rail corrugation in high-speed railways severely affects the safety and comfort of train operations. Existing intelligent detection technologies are predominantly confined to the classification of single corrugation features and fail to achieve quantitative detection of complex corrugations. To this end, this study proposes a high-precision quantitative detection method for rail corrugation based on a hybrid neural network surrogate model. Firstly, the spatial and frequency domain characteristics of the axle box acceleration (ABA) under the excitation of rail corrugation are obtained based on the vehicle-track coupled dynamics model. Then, a hybrid neural network surrogate model is proposed to construct the nonlinear mapping relationship between the multi-features of corrugation and the multi-features of the ABA signal in both spatial and frequency domains, achieving high-precision fitting of the response surface. Finally, an improved Newton-Raphson-based optimizer (NRBO) algorithm is applied to further enhance the detection efficiency of rail corrugation. Comprehensive comparisons with classical models across multiple detection performance indicators demonstrate the superiority of the proposed model. Specially, the detection rates of the amplitude and wavelength of single-feature rail corrugation, with an error rate of less than 1 %, are respectively 95 % and 99 %, and good adaptability to rail corrugation with composite features can also be identified. This study provides a novel approach for the real-time and quantitative detection of rail corrugation, holding beneficial engineering significance for intelligent railway maintenance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120949"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A general semi-analytical approach for calculating modal damping ratios of a stay cable with single or multiple linear dampers","authors":"Zhentao Long ,&nbsp;Wenai Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120958","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120958","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Calculating the modal damping ratios of a cable-damper system is fundamental in the design of cable multimode control. This paper proposes a general semi-analytical approach (GSA) for calculating the modal damping ratios of a cable-damper system equipped with single or multiple linear dampers. The cable dampers considered in this study include any kind of passive linear dampers and their combination. A generalized expression of linear damper forces is first given in the frequency domain. Then, we derive general complex eigenvalue equations for cable-damper systems, considering or not considering the sag effect and cable inclination, respectively. The modal damping ratios can be determined by numerically solving the complex eigenvalue equations. The accuracy of the proposed approach is validated using the 609m-long stay cable of the Guanyinsi Yangtze River Bridge in China, considering both single-damper and multiple-damper cases. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed semi-analytical approach yields quite accurate modal damping ratios of the first 70 modes compared with those computed by the eigenvalue analysis based on the finite difference method. Comparative studies confirm the GSA’s superior application scope over classical asymptotic solutions and the finite difference method. This study establishes an efficient and accurate approach for calculating modal damping ratios of a cable-damper system, which is critical for cable multimode control of cable-stayed bridges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120958"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breaking boundaries: discontinuum failure analysis of dry-joint masonry using physics engine models","authors":"A. Wang ,&nbsp;B. Pulatsu ,&nbsp;S. Andrews ,&nbsp;D. Malomo","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120916","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120916","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Discontinuum approaches, including the Distinct Element Method (DEM), are well-established for simulating the failure of dry-joint unreinforced masonry (URM) structures, particularly under in-plane (IP) shear-compression and out-of-plane (OOP) loading. However, they may be computationally intensive, with building-scale DEM analyses requiring up to 3 days for 15 s of seismic loading. This paper breaks boundaries between structural engineering and computer science by presenting the first systematic evaluation of PyBullet, an open-source physics engine based on Bullet Physics – originally conceived for visually plausible virtual animations – for simulating the mechanical response and collapse of dry-joint URM assemblies at different scales. Leveraging PyBullet’s rigid body algorithms, contact models, and efficient constraint solvers, 3D simulations were performed for IP shear-compression walls, settlement-induced damage in interlocking panels, and OOP tilting of URM. Results were benchmarked against experimental data and established discontinuum models – PyBullet predicted peak loads within + 16 % of DEM for IP shear-compression walls. Numerical stability was maintained with time steps in the order of 0.001 s, and full simulations completed within 5 min – up to 6 times faster than DEM. OOP tilting analyses reproduced expected collapse modes (diagonal cracking, overturning) with critical collapse angles underestimated by up to 32 %, largely due to premature block slippage linked to contact stiffness and friction force coupling. Settlement-induced failure in interlocking panels showed good agreement with experimentally observed failure patterns, with ultimate displacements within ±3 % for non-interlocking cases. The study demonstrates that PyBullet offers a computationally efficient alternative for dry-joint URM analysis, providing reduced runtimes and acceptable predictive accuracy, especially for preliminary or large-scale probabilistic assessments. Further refinement of contact stiffness calibration strategies would enhance predictive consistency, supporting the adoption of physics engines as viable alternatives to conventional discontinuum methods for rapid masonry collapse and debris simulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120916"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144656956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time-domain sparse Bayesian learning with PSO algorithm for CA mortar void detection of slab track system","authors":"Qin Hu,&nbsp;Biwei Zhang,&nbsp;Han Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.engstruct.2025.120908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A newly developed time-domain sparse Bayesian learning methodology with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was proposed for the void identification in the cement-emulsified asphalt (CA) mortar of the slab track system for the first time. The CA mortar void identification process involves an iterative expectation maximization technique in the sparse Bayesian learning framework to calculate the damage parameters and hyperparameters for the CA mortar stiffness distributions utilizing measured time-domain vibration data. The PSO algorithm was incorporated to minimize the objective function for obtaining the most probable values of damage parameters. Comprehensive numerical case studies were firstly carried out to validate the feasibility of the proposed methodology, and then the effects of accelerometer placement on the CA void detection results were investigated. In order to further experimentally demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology, impact hammer tests were conducted on the scaled slab track models. Encouraging void identification results indicate that the CA mortar void location and severity can be successfully identified with very high accuracy by utilizing the presented methodology, and the associated posterior uncertainties were calculated by utilizing the posterior covariance matrix of the damage parameters, which were kept at an acceptable level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11763,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Structures","volume":"342 ","pages":"Article 120908"},"PeriodicalIF":5.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}