This paper discusses stress intensity factor (SIF) calculations for surface cracks in round bars subjected to combined torsion and bending loadings. Different crack aspect ratios, a/b, ranging from 0.0 to 1.2 and relative crack depths, a/D, ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 were considered. Since the loading was non-symmetrical for torsion loadings, a whole finite element model was constructed. Then, the individual and combined bending and torsion loadings were remotely applied to the model. The equivalent SIF method, F^*_EQ, was then used explicitly to combine the individual SIFs from the bending and torsion loadings. A comparison was then carried out with the combined SIF, F^*_FE, obtained using the finite element analysis (FEA) under similar loadings. It was found that the equivalent SIF method successfully predicted the combined SIF for Mode I. However, discrepancies between the results determined from the different approaches occurred when F_III was involved. It was also noted that the predicted F^*_FE using FEA was higher than the F^*_EQ predicted through the equivalent SIF method due to the difference in crack face interactions.

This paper presents an analytical layer-element method used to analyze the displacement of a multi-layered transversely isotropic elastic medium of arbitrary depth subjected to axisymmetric loading. Based on the basic constitutive equations and the HU Hai-chang’s solutions for transversely isotropic elastic media, the state vectors of a multi-layered transversely isotropic medium were deduced. From the state vectors, an analytical layer element for a single layer (i.e., a symmetric and exact stiffness matrix) was acquired in the Hankel transformed domain, which not only simplified the calculation but also improved the numerical efficiency and stability due to the absence of positive exponential functions. The global stiffness matrix was obtained by assembling the interrelated layer elements based on the principle of the finite layer method. By solving the algebraic equations of the global stiffness matrix which satisfy the boundary conditions, the solutions for multi-layered transversely isotropic media in the Hankel transformed domain were obtained. The actual solutions of this problem in the physical domain were acquired by inverting the Hankel transform. This paper presents numerical examples to verify the proposed solutions and investigate the influence of the properties of the multi-layered medium on the load-displacement response.

In the structural design of tall buildings, peak factors have been widely used to predict mean extreme responses of tall buildings under wind excitations. Vanmarcke’s peak factor is directly related to an explicit measure of structural reliability against a Gaussian response process. We review the use of this factor for time-variant reliability design by comparing it to the conventional Davenport’s peak factor. Based on the asymptotic theory of statistical extremes, a new closed-form peak factor, the so-called Gamma peak factor, can be obtained for a non-Gaussian resultant response characterized by a Rayleigh distribution process. Using the Gamma peak factor, a combined peak factor method was developed for predicting the expected maximum resultant responses of a building undergoing lateral-torsional vibration. The effects of the standard deviation ratio of two sway components and the inter-component correlation on the evaluation of peak resultant response were also investigated. Utilizing wind tunnel data derived from synchronous multi-pressure measurements, we carried out a wind-induced time history response analysis of the Commonwealth Advisory Aeronautical Research Council (CAARC) standard tall building to validate the applicability of the Gamma peak factor to the prediction of the peak resultant acceleration. Results from the building example indicated that the use of the Gamma peak factor enables accurate predictions to be made of the mean extreme resultant acceleration responses for dynamic serviceability performance design of modern tall buildings.

In this paper, the steady-state response of a saturated half-space with an overlying dry layer subjected to a moving rectangular load is investigated. The governing partial differential equations are solved using the Fourier transform. The solutions in time-space domain are expressed in terms of infinite Fourier type integrals, which can be evaluated only by numerical quadrature. Numerical results show that the influence of a drained or undrained interface on the response is related to the permeability of the underlying saturated soil. Moreover, the effect due to the upper dry layer is associated with the thickness of the layer.

A coupled discrete-continuum simulation incorporating a 3D aspect and non-circular particles was performed to analyze soil-pile interactions during pile penetration in sand. A self-developed non-circular particle numerical simulation program was used which considered sand near the pile as interacted particles using a discrete element method; the sand away from the pile was simulated as a continuous medium exhibiting linear elastic behaviors. The domain analyzed was divided into two zones. Contact forces at the interface between the two zones were obtained from a discrete zone and applied to the continuum boundaries as nodal forces, while the interface velocities were obtained from the continuum zone and applied to the discrete boundaries. We show that the coupled discrete-continuum simulation can give a microscopic description of the pile penetration process without losing the discrete nature of the zone concerned, and may significantly improve computational efficiency.

This paper aims to present a comprehensive proposal for project scheduling and control by applying fuzzy earned value. It goes a step further than the existing literature: in the formulation of the fuzzy earned value we consider not only its duration, but also cost and production, and alternatives in the scheduling between the earliest and latest times. The mathematical model is implemented in a prototypical construction project with all the estimated values taken as fuzzy numbers. Our findings suggest that different possible schedules and the fuzzy arithmetic provide more objective results in uncertain environments than the traditional methodology. The proposed model allows for controlling the vagueness of the environment through the adjustment of the α-cut, adapting it to the specific circumstances of the project.

The emission of dioxins from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) has become a widespread concern. The effect of meteorological parameters (wind speed, atmospheric stability and mixing height) on the hourly ground level concentration (GLC) of dioxins was estimated using air dispersion models. Moreover, the health risks of dioxin exposure were evaluated for children and adults using the Nouwen equation. The total environmental exposure via air inhalation and food ingestion was calculated, based on linear fit equations. The results indicate that potentially severe pollution from dioxins occurs at a wind speed of 1.5 m/s with atmospheric stability class F. In addition, local residents in the study area are exposed to severe weather conditions most of the time, and the risk exposures for children are far higher than those for adults. The total exposure for children far exceeds the tolerable daily intake of dioxin recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) of 1–4 pg TEQ/(kg·d) under severe weather conditions. Results from modeling calculations of health risk assessment were consistent with dioxin levels obtained during actual monitoring of emissions.