Thin-Walled Structures最新文献

{"title":"A novel shape memory alloy curved strip actuator: Enhancing the bending actuation by SME-activated cross-sectional curvature transition","authors":"Jiahao Xi ,&nbsp;Yahui Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaojun Gu ,&nbsp;Jun Wang ,&nbsp;Ziad Moumni ,&nbsp;Jihong Zhu ,&nbsp;Weihong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a method for significantly enhancing the bending actuation capacity of tape actuators through a shape memory effect (SME)-activated cross-sectional curvature transition from a flat configuration to an arc-shaped one. NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) sheets, with a thickness of 0.3 mm and a width of 24 mm, were trained to acquire SME along the transverse direction by annealing at 550 °C for 30 min while constrained within stainless steel molds. These SMA variable curvature strips (SMA-VCS) were subsequently subjected to folding and unfolding tests, monitored by a high-speed camera and an infrared camera. The folding process exhibited behavior similar to that of a traditional tape spring, while the unfolding process under applied loads proved significantly more complex. Upon heating, the SMA-VCS initially demonstrated stable bending recovery with its cross-section remaining flat. Once a critical angle was reached, a snap-through transition occurs, causing the SMA-VCS to “jump” back to its nearly original unbent position as the cross-section abruptly shifted from flat to arc-shaped. A significant improvement in bending actuation capacity was observed: under a constant load of 200 g applied to the ends of a 0.3 mm thick beam, traditional SMA actuators with a flat cross-section achieved a recovery angle of only 56.77° upon efficient heating, whereas the SMA-VCS returned to its nearly original unbent position (90°), representing an improvement of 32.32°. Finally, an SMA transformation-point bending actuation model is proposed to describe the critical points governing the bending performance. The predicted actuation angles and corresponding temperatures align closely with experimental results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113665"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614089","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":"Rigid foldability and lockability of non-flat-foldable origami structures","authors":"Hanting Chen ,&nbsp;Hairui Wang ,&nbsp;Kai Li ,&nbsp;Kui Liu ,&nbsp;Xiangyu Zhao ,&nbsp;Heng Jiang ,&nbsp;Danyang Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-flat-foldable origami configurations have significant advantages in tunable properties, reprogrammable shape, and controlled multi-stability, attributed to the self-locking shape of their patterns. However, fewer studies focus on the motion analysis directly related to the patterns. Various non-flat-foldable origami patterns and their hybrid patterns with multiple vertices are constructed by arranging distinct sector angles, crease lengths, and widths. We developed a kinematic method to study rigid foldability and lockability. The pattern units are modelled as closed loops of spherical linkages, and each loop is kinematically compatible, demonstrating that the crease pattern is rigid-foldable. We propose a similarity law for the folding motion regarding angles, applicable to determining the foldability of non-flat-foldable patterns. The output angle at one vertex is zero, restricting the configuration's motion and indicating the self-locking shape. Our method allows for the intuitive determination of complex nonlinear relationships and kinematic properties, including rigid foldability, non-flat-foldability, and self-locking capability, which facilitates the determination of whether a structure is flat-foldable and the creation of programmable structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113668"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662586","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":"Study on the static bonding performance of CFRP-steel interfaces under initial and secondary corrosion environments","authors":"Pu Zhang ,&nbsp;Haoxiang Li ,&nbsp;Ye Liu ,&nbsp;Xianghua Tao ,&nbsp;Yuanhao Qi ,&nbsp;Xiuyun Chen ,&nbsp;Shamim Ahmed Sheikh","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate the interfacial bonding properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets on corroded steel plates, particularly under progressive environmental degradation such as secondary corrosion, twelve groups of double shear specimens, each containing three replicates, were prepared for tensile tests. The study evaluated the effects of varying initial corrosion rates (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, and 15 %) and secondary corrosion on the failure modes, ultimate bearing capacity, shear stress distribution, and bond-slip relationship at the CFRP-steel interface. The experimental results revealed that the bond failure mode between the CFRP sheet and corroded steel plate primarily involved a combination of peeling at the CFRP-adhesive interface and the steel-adhesive interface. The corrosion rate unpredictably affected the failure modes of the double shear specimens. Interestingly, as the corrosion rate increased, the ultimate bearing capacity of the interface initially rose and then slightly declined. Secondary corrosion significantly deteriorated bonding performance, causing a 7.03 %-15.15 % reduction in ultimate bearing capacity after 24 h and 8.38 %-15.47 % after 48 h, with more severe degradation at higher initial corrosion levels. Shear stress and effective bond length reached their peak at 10 % corrosion but declined at 15 % due to localized defects. Secondary corrosion further reduced peak shear stress and increased negative shear stress near specimen ends, indicating localized debonding and adhesive degradation. Bond-slip analysis confirmed accelerated interfacial stiffness degradation, leading to weakened load transfer capacity. Various bond-slip models were used for data analysis, with results indicating that the Popovics model offers a more comprehensive consideration of influencing factors and provides better model-fitting results. These findings provide valuable insights for the application of CFRP reinforcement systems in steel structures under progressive environmental degradation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113650"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144557200","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":"An efficient and accurate beam-type M-FEM incorporating flexoelectricity and external RLC circuits","authors":"Z.Z. He ,&nbsp;H.Y. Zhao ,&nbsp;Y.C. Zhou ,&nbsp;B.X. Xu ,&nbsp;W.Q. Chen ,&nbsp;C.L. Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flexoelectricity, induced by strain gradients, has emerged as a promising phenomenon with broad potential applications. Fully exploring its engineering potential requires efficient and accurate modeling methods. This paper proposes a novel beam-type mixed finite element method (M-FEM) for predicting and modeling the multi-field coupling mechanical behaviors of flexoelectric beams coupled with the external <em>RLC</em> circuits. A generalized Timoshenko beam theory is presented incorporating flexoelectricity and external <em>RLC</em> circuits using the lumped element model characterized by dual variables of voltage and charge. Building on this foundation, a beam-type M-FEM formulation is established for flexoelectric beams coupled with external <em>RLC</em> circuits by introducing two auxiliary variables to reduce continuity requirements. The proposed beam-type M-FEM is rigorously validated against the two-dimensional (2D) M-FEM, demonstrating superior computational efficiency while maintaining high accuracy in capturing the multi-field coupling mechanical behaviors of flexoelectric beam-like structures. Numerical results show that the external <em>RLC</em> circuits play a significant role in tuning the multi-field coupling responses and mechanical behaviors, including static bending, linear static buckling, and forced vibration of flexoelectric beams. This study provides a robust and efficient tool for advancing flexoelectric research and enabling practical engineering applications of flexoelectric structures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113648"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604396","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":"An experimental and numerical investigation into cold-formed steel upright frames with semi-rigid joints","authors":"Chong Ren ,&nbsp;Yang Liu ,&nbsp;Wenyu Liu ,&nbsp;Liusi Dai ,&nbsp;Liang Cheng ,&nbsp;Jin Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113586","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113586","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper shows a comprehensive investigation into the structural behavior of cold-formed steel (CFS) upright frames under axial compression through experimental and finite element analysis (FEA) methods. The study examines the influence of boundary conditions, cross-sectional configurations, upright lengths and brace types on ultimate load and buckling behavior. A component-based computational approach is developed to replace the brace constraints using linear spring elements. Extensive numerical analyses are conducted to validate the accuracy and applicability of the simplified model. Additionally, the study evaluates the precision of the current Direct Strength Method (DSM) in predicting the ultimate load capacity of the simplified models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113586"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604400","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":"Numerical modelling of solid slab push-out tests with stainless steel welded stud shear connectors","authors":"R. Presswood ,&nbsp;M. Shaheen ,&nbsp;S. Afshan ,&nbsp;F. Meza ,&nbsp;N. Baddoo","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Push-out tests on composite steel–concrete beams are a standardised method for assessing the load-slip capacity of shear connectors, such as welded headed studs. Experimental push-out tests can be costly and time-consuming, so finite element (FE) numerical analyses provide an alternative for producing data on shear stud performance via parametric analyses, provided the numerical model has been accurately validated. Stainless steel has recently gained attention for use in composite construction due to its excellent durability, as well as ductility and strain hardening properties. Very few experimental push-out tests have been conducted on stainless steel shear studs in solid slabs, partly due to the high costs of stainless steel materials. Following a review of common push-out modelling approaches in the literature, this paper presents a comprehensive framework for FE modelling of stainless steel push-out tests, including ductile damage for the welded studs, which can be applied to different stud grades, geometries and arrangements. The modelling approach is demonstrated to accurately capture elastic, plastic and post-peak load-slip response, as well as failure mode, from three distinct test programs on stainless steel and carbon steel welded shear studs. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of stud aspect ratio <em>h/d</em> on the capacity and ductility of austenitic EN 1.4301 stainless steel studs, and the results are compared to the recommended <em>h/d</em> limit in Eurocode 4.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113605"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144581310","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":"Thermo-mechanical coupled topology optimization for sandwich structures with non-uniform infill","authors":"Yingchun Bai ,&nbsp;Tao Wang ,&nbsp;Jiayu Gao ,&nbsp;Wei Ji ,&nbsp;Yuan Chen ,&nbsp;Hongwen He","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a thermo-mechanical coupled topology optimization framework for designing sandwich structures with non-uniform infill, which will fully explore the sandwich structural multi-functionality related to load-carrying and thermal conduction. By using two design variable fields, the fundamental sandwich topology is formulated through two-step density filtering and local volume constraint. The compliance minimization topology optimization model is constructed with both material usage and maximum temperature constraints in combination with weak thermo-mechanical coupled analysis. Corresponding sensitivities are derived into optimizer to update the topology. Several numerical examples are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in combination with different parameter setting. Finally, the proposed method is used to design the power battery module bracket.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113647"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604259","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":"Deformation behavior of CFRP bistable open-section cylindrical boom for lunar deployable structure","authors":"Sho Kajihara ,&nbsp;Shoya Yamashita ,&nbsp;Yuta Sunaga ,&nbsp;Tomohiro Yokozeki ,&nbsp;Akihito Watanabe ,&nbsp;Yutaka Iwahori","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the recent expansion of lunar exploitation, there is a need for structural components to deploy and support solar cells or antennas on the Moon. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) bistable open-section cylindrical booms have been investigated as a deployable structure in a microgravity environment. In this paper, the deformation of the CFRP bistable boom under a point load was investigated in order to apply the boom to a structural member that holds loads in the lunar gravity environment. First, theoretical solutions for tension, compression, bending, torsion, and natural vibration of an open-section cylinder were derived. A finite element analysis model was then constructed. To confirm the validity of these models, tests were conducted on a 2 m CFRP open-section cylindrical boom and the results were compared. The characteristics of the open-section cylindrical boom shape, which has the centroid and shear center away from the center of the cylinder, easily cause bending-torsional coupling deformation, and the behavior differs greatly depending on the eccentricity and loading direction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113651"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604397","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":"Re-programmable mechanical metamaterials for tunable energy dissipation through pre-stressing: Concept, mechanics and data-driven design","authors":"Ling-Qi Wang ,&nbsp;Jiajia Shen ,&nbsp;Reece Lincoln ,&nbsp;Zhang-Sheng Pan ,&nbsp;Hussein Rappel ,&nbsp;Oana Ghita ,&nbsp;Jing-Zhong Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nonlinear structures exhibiting <em>negative</em> stiffness have been harnessed as fundamental building blocks for reversible energy dissipation mechanical metamaterials through the utilization of elastic instability. Traditional metamaterials suffer from a fixed energy dissipation performance once manufactured. We propose a novel approach using elastic tailoring, where the pre-stressing level within individual building blocks is adjusted by altering their boundary conditions. This innovative method allows for re-programming the energy dissipation performance in the post-manufacturing regime, offering unprecedented design flexibility and performance adaptability. We demonstrate this concept using shallow arches as building blocks, achieving elastic tailoring by manipulating the horizontal displacement of the supports. A parametric finite element (FE) model is developed in the commercial FE package <span>Abaqus</span> to analyse the nonlinear response of both the single building block and overall mechanical metamaterial sheet. Based on the numerical results, prototype metamaterial sheets with re-programmable energy dissipation are fabricated and experimentally tested. Excellent agreement is observed between the experimental results and numerical simulations. We demonstrate that the energy dissipation performance of the metamaterial can be increased by a magnitude via elastic tailoring. Furthermore, we train a surrogate model based on neural network to map the geometry and pre-compression magnitude of the building block arch to the key performance indicators of the nonlinear equilibrium path. We have developed a performance-based inverse design framework that combines an optimization algorithm with the surrogate model. This tool enables the customization of individual building blocks to ensure that the overall metamaterial sheet meets the target performance. This work paves the way for the development of reprogrammable metamaterials through a simple and versatile elastic tailoring approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113601"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144536169","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":"Evaluation of the effect of ultra-low cycle fatigue in thin steel plate shear walls","authors":"Majid Gholhaki,&nbsp;Mersedeh Mehdizadeh,&nbsp;Mohsen Ghaderi","doi":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tws.2025.113634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A steel shear wall, akin to a vertical panel, withstands lateral forces such as seismic activity and wind pressure. Seismic-induced failure represents a crucial ductile failure mechanism in steel frameworks due to the limited number of cycles, yet the strain is hyper-elastic. As a result, earthquakes cause ultra-low-cycle fatigue damage in the structure. Considering that earthquake-resistant designs rely on the flexibility of the structure to absorb earthquake energy, the issue of ultra-low-cycle fatigue or ductile failure under the influence of earthquakes is of great importance. In the present study, the effect of ultra-low cycle fatigue (ULCF) on thin steel plate shear walls (SPSW) is evaluated. When laboratory tests are not feasible, the cyclic void growth model (CVGM) can be employed to forecast the performance of steel shear walls and pinpoint regions susceptible to failure under cyclic loading. In this research, steel shear walls with two types of beam-to-column connections—moment-resistant (SPSW-R) and pinned (SPSW-P)—were studied. The influence of factors like the ratio of span to height was also analyzed. The findings indicate that as the span-to-height ratio increases from below one to one, the energy consumption at the onset of crack initiation due to ULCF rises by approximately 48 % for rigid connections and by around 55 % for pinned connections. Additionally, the results indicate that by altering the geometric dimensions of the sheet and the type of connection, it is possible to delay the onset of failure in the steel shear wall sheet.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49435,"journal":{"name":"Thin-Walled Structures","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 113634"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144571467","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}