Advances in Structural Mechanics and Symmetry/Asymmetry

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 5014

Special Issue Editors

College of Civil Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
Interests: wind resistance design and structural health monitoring of super- high-rise buildings and large-span space structures
College of Civil Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
Interests: structural health monitoring; wind engineering; structural modal identification; structural vibration control; construction simulation
School of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
Interests: wind engineering; structural engineering; energy harvesting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many civil structures have good mechanical or geometric symmetry/asymmetry (e.g., high-rise buildings, large-span space structures, bridges). The use of symmetry/asymmetry can shorten the structure design time and reduce the construction and maintenance costs of civil structures. Specifically, by utilizing symmetry/asymmetry, structural models or finite element models can be significantly simplified, which can speed up the analysis process and thereby shorten the structure design time. Additionally, the application of symmetry/asymmetry in civil structures can simplify the construction process and thus reduce construction costs. To ensure structural safety and serviceability, structural health monitoring (SHM) is generally adopted in civil engineering. Based on symmetry/asymmetry analysis, the number of sensors and the complexity of sensor networks used in SHM systems can be greatly reduced, which may accordingly reduce the maintenance costs. Beyond all these considerations, the use of symmetry/asymmetry can benefit structural designers as well as construction and maintenance organizations in other aspects.

This Special Issue invites researchers to submit original research papers and review articles related to civil structures in which theoretical or practical issues of symmetry/asymmetry are considered. All analytical, experimental, and numerical studies with considered validation are welcome. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform to explore the state-of-the-art knowledge, practical implementation, and innovations in the area of civil structures which incorporate symmetry/asymmetry.

Prof. Dr. Lunhai Zhi
Dr. Kang Zhou
Prof. Dr. Yonggui Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mechanical symmetry/asymmetry
  • geometric symmetry/asymmetry
  • civil structures
  • structural design and analysis
  • structural experiment
  • structural mechanics
  • computational fluid dynamics
  • finite element modeling
  • structural construction
  • structural health monitoring

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 49958 KiB  
Article
Advances in Numerical Data Visualization of Flow around a Square Cylinder
by Mario A. Aguirre-López, Filiberto Hueyotl-Zahuantitla and Pedro Martínez-Vázquez
Symmetry 2024, 16(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16010032 - 26 Dec 2023
Viewed by 650
Abstract
In this work, we present a grid study oriented to capture 3D flow simulations around smooth and wrinkled cylinders that could have practical applications in various engineering areas. The study considers three Reynolds numbers, namely, a benchmark Re =2.14×104 [...] Read more.
In this work, we present a grid study oriented to capture 3D flow simulations around smooth and wrinkled cylinders that could have practical applications in various engineering areas. The study considers three Reynolds numbers, namely, a benchmark Re =2.14×104 and two orders of magnitude above and below it. The main contributions of the paper relate to the optimization of the computational mesh for the spanwise direction of the wind flow that results from the computational-mathematical framework employed, in addition to a novel visualization technique that unfolds features in the recording data that could otherwise be hidden when using traditional plots. We compare our benchmark results with those reported by other authors to conclude that the intermediate resolution grids employed with the widest spanwise provide acceptable results. Furthermore, the new visualization technique offers significant advantages compared to traditional pressure maps, regarding clarity for observing and interpreting local flow disturbances, making variations with Re clearer, and by enabling the detection of asymmetries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Mechanics and Symmetry/Asymmetry)
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23 pages, 12056 KiB  
Article
Elastic Wave Mechanics in Damaged Metallic Plates
by Samuel Chukwuemeka Olisa, Muhammad A. Khan and Andrew Starr
Symmetry 2023, 15(11), 1989; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15111989 - 27 Oct 2023
Viewed by 823
Abstract
Human health monitoring (HHM) is essential for continued daily task execution, as is structural health monitoring (SHM) for structures to ensure the continual performance of their designed tasks with optimal efficiency. The existence of damage in a structure affects its optimal use through [...] Read more.
Human health monitoring (HHM) is essential for continued daily task execution, as is structural health monitoring (SHM) for structures to ensure the continual performance of their designed tasks with optimal efficiency. The existence of damage in a structure affects its optimal use through stiffness deterioration. Damage of different forms could occur in a structure but have the singular objective of material degradation, leading to its underuse for a task. Guided wave ultrasonics has shown strength in detecting sundry damage in structures, but most of the damage monitored and detected is unfilled with substances. However, some damage could trap and accumulate substances that could hasten material degradation through corrosion activities under favorable conditions, especially in the oil and gas industry. This study used the ultrasonic-guided waves’ pitch–catch inspection technique to identify damage filled with different materials. The assessment was based on the RMSD of the dominant Lamb wave mode’s average maximum amplitude and the response signals’ transmission coefficient (TC). A five-cycle tone burst of excitation signals of different frequencies was created to generate propagating Lamb waves in the structure. The fundamental antisymmetric mode was found to be more sensitive than the fundamental symmetric mode when detecting damage filled with various substances. At 80 kHz, the deviation of the current response signals from the baseline response signals due to different filled substances in the damage was distinct and decreased with increased fluid viscosity. Given that structures in the oil and gas sector are particularly susceptible to substance-induced damage, the outcomes of this study are paramount. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Mechanics and Symmetry/Asymmetry)
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20 pages, 7791 KiB  
Article
Wind-Induced Vibrations and Gust Response Factors of the Cabin–Cable–Tower System
by De-Xiu Mo, Hong-Nan Li and Qing-Wei Li
Symmetry 2023, 15(11), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15111965 - 24 Oct 2023
Viewed by 773
Abstract
A large-scale radio astronomical telescope is a typical complex coupled system, consisting of a feed cabin, cables, and supporting structures. The system is extremely sensitive to wind loads, especially the feed cabin, which has high requirements for vibration displacement during operation, and excessive [...] Read more.
A large-scale radio astronomical telescope is a typical complex coupled system, consisting of a feed cabin, cables, and supporting structures. The system is extremely sensitive to wind loads, especially the feed cabin, which has high requirements for vibration displacement during operation, and excessive vibration may affect normal operation. To investigate the wind-induced vibration characteristics of such coupled systems, this study takes the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) as an example to conduct research. First, a refined finite element model of FAST is established, and a dynamic analysis using simulated random wind loads is conducted. The influence of the cable boundary on the time–frequency domain responses of the feed cabin is particularly considered. Then, the gust response factor (GRF) for different structural components within the coupled system is calculated. Finally, the evolution law of the GRF under various wind speeds and directions is revealed by parametric analysis. The parameter analysis only considers the wind directions ranging from 0° to 60°, because FAST is a symmetric structure. The results indicate that obvious differences are observed in both the rotational and translational displacements of the feed cabin under northward wind, especially the results along the east–west axis. When the supporting towers are considered, there is no change in the power spectral density (PSD) of the feed cabin in the low-frequency range. However, in the high-frequency range, taking the supporting towers into account leads to an increase in PSD and a resonance near the first-order natural frequency of the supporting tower. The GRF based on the dynamic response exhibits substantial deviations compared to those obtained from design codes, highlighting the need for an independent analysis when determining GRF for such coupled systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Mechanics and Symmetry/Asymmetry)
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18 pages, 13299 KiB  
Article
Study on the Nonlinear Stability and Parametric Analysis of a Tensile–Beam Cable Dome
by Jianchen Guo, Mingmin Ding, Libin Wang, Yangjie Ruan and Bin Luo
Symmetry 2023, 15(9), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15091690 - 02 Sep 2023
Viewed by 654
Abstract
To reveal the stable bearing capacity of a new semi-rigid dome structure, the tensile–beam cable dome (TBCD), a detailed numerical simulation and analysis of a 60 m model TBCD is conducted. Then, the effects of factors such as the prestress level, original imperfection [...] Read more.
To reveal the stable bearing capacity of a new semi-rigid dome structure, the tensile–beam cable dome (TBCD), a detailed numerical simulation and analysis of a 60 m model TBCD is conducted. Then, the effects of factors such as the prestress level, original imperfection size, original imperfection distribution, and addition of hoop tension rods on the stability of the TBCD model are investigated. The results show that the unstable loads of the TBCD are arranged from small to large in the following order: doubly nonlinearity with an original imperfection, geometry nonlinearity with an original imperfection, geometry nonlinearity without an original imperfection, and eigen buckling. In this case, the effects of geometry nonlinearity, material nonlinearity, and original imperfections must be comprehensively analyzed. The unstable mode of the TBCD depends on the loading form. Torsional buckling of the overall structure occurs under the symmetric load of ‘Full live + full dead’, while local out-of-plane buckling appears with the asymmetric load of ‘Half live + full dead’. With 2–3 times the loading integrations, the innermost tension beams change from stretch bending to pressurized bending, which causes the overall TBCD to become unstable. A small prestress level clearly decreases the stability of the TBCD, while a relatively large prestress level has little effect. When the original imperfection is greater than 1/400 of the span, the stability of the TBCD is problematic. Comprehensively considering the impact of multiple defects is needed when analyzing the buckling of the TBCD. Adding hoop tension beams between the top ends of rods can effectively improve the integrity and stability of the TBCD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Mechanics and Symmetry/Asymmetry)
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28 pages, 12989 KiB  
Article
Study on Probabilistic Properties of Fluctuating Wind Pressure Distribution of Low-Rise Buildings Affected by Slope Gradient in Mountain Forms
by Min Zhong, Bin Huang, Zhengnong Li, Zhanxue Zhou and Zhongyang Liu
Symmetry 2022, 14(12), 2513; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym14122513 - 28 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 969
Abstract
This study presents the results of experimental observation of wind pressure on low-rise buildings in three typical mountain forms through wind tunnel experiments. This research focuses on the distribution change in fluctuating wind pressure coefficients with slope gradient. The variation of power spectra [...] Read more.
This study presents the results of experimental observation of wind pressure on low-rise buildings in three typical mountain forms through wind tunnel experiments. This research focuses on the distribution change in fluctuating wind pressure coefficients with slope gradient. The variation of power spectra and wind pressure’s probability distribution at representative measuring points with the slope gradient were also included. No obvious variation trend for the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient was identified on the windward side. When the slope gradient was 90°, there was just a slight change in distribution or value of the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient on the left. However, the coefficient on the leeward decreased and then increased, while on the roof, it gradually decreased. Furthermore, the experiments showed that the fluctuating wind pressure’s distribution in the middle of windward eaves and at the leeward eaves was significantly affected by the slope gradient. At 0° wind angle, the wind pressure probability density distribution gradually changes from symmetric to asymmetric at the measuring points of windward eaves and side centers when the slope gradient increases, which shows that the wind pressure probability density distribution changes from non-Gaussian to Gaussian. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Structural Mechanics and Symmetry/Asymmetry)
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