Alfonsas Daniūnas

Multiple criteria selection of pile-column construction technology

Abstract Numerous alternatives exist for foundation systems and construction technologies. The systems can be described by different criteria values which are incorporated in the conventional design process. Decision on the most suitable construction technology is vital for success and depends on many effectiveness criteria. The business success depends on the right choice. The mandate of a construction management researcher is to use rational, systematic, science-based techniques to inform and improve various decisions. The paper presents multiple criteria decision making model for selection of a pile-column technology. The technological criteria are determined by an experimental study. Based on in-situ investigation of natural soil conditions, criteria values are determined. The decision making model incorporates five different methods and techniques. To solve a problem, it uses three multiple criteria decision making methods. Integrated criteria weights are determined by using the analytic hierarchy pr...

Life cycle process model of a market-oriented and student centered higher education

There is not a single definition/explanation about market-orientation education. Two opposite definitions/explanations of pure market-oriented education ( Cato , 2010) and social-market-oriented education (Amaratunga, 2009) are provided in the paper. Integrated multiple criteria analysis at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels are needed to increase efficiency of the market-oriented higher education reforms. Market-oriented higher education reforms management involves numerous aspects that should be considered in addition to making educational, pedagogical, didactical, economic, political and legal/regulatory decisions. These must include social, culture, ethical, psychological, environmental, technological, technical, organizational and managerial aspects. This article presents a Life Cycle Process Model of a Market-Oriented and Student Centered Higher Education (developed during BELL-CURVE (Built Environment Lifelong Learning Challenging University Responses to Vocational Education) projects activities) for such considerations and discusses certain composite parts of it. To demonstrate the application of this research, two Case Studies from Lithuania are submitted for consideration.

Unconventional double-level structural system for under-deck cable-stayed bridges

This paper presents a new morphology of a cable-staying system for an under-deck cable-stayed bridge. The computational method proposed in the paper has been derived for a one-strut conventional cable staying system and applied for an unconventional double-level cable-staying system. The paper describes an algorithm for the correct implementation of the interaction between the cable-staying system and the deck. The numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed computational method based on a non-linear analysis of a simply supported and additionally restrained beam-column can be used for obtaining deformation response to the considered structure. An analysis of the same problem using finite element (FE) software ANSYS was carried out to present the accuracy of the proposed method. The paper also demonstrates comparison analysis between the conventional and unconventional structural schemes for the under-deck cable-stayed bridge under symmetric and asymmetric loading.

The analysis of the deformation state of the double-wave guardrail mounted on bridges and viaducts of the motor roads in Lithuania and Ukraine

Abstract Traffic safety mainly depends on vehicles, pedestrians and road infrastructure. On highways, the heaviest traffic accidents are associated with crossing of the dividing strips by a vehicle and its collision with side obstacles on the junction or road bridge exit. These accidents often occur, when vehicles, running at a high speed, collide with obstacles, which may cause human injuries. In such cases, the probability of fatalities or heavy injuries to people in a traffic accident is very high. Road traffic infrastructure plays an important part in ensuring traffic safety on urban roads and highways. It includes guardrails, speed bumps, pedestrian safety islands, traffic regulation systems, road information infrastructure, etc. Guardrail (known as civil engineering element and traffic safety element) installation may help to reduce the number of human injuries and fatalities caused by traffic accidents. Guardrails of various types are installed on the roads of Lithuania and Ukraine. Guardrails, con...

Analytical and experimental investigation of cold-formed steel beam-to-column bolted gusset-plate joints

AbstractNowadays, cold-formed constructions are being used more frequently on construction sites because of the good strength-to-cost ratio. However, insufficient studies are published examining the properties of these constructions. This paper investigates the behaviour of bolted gusset-plate joint since it is one of the easiest ways to connect a beam to a column. The paper presents analytical calculations using the component method and experimental test results. The joint was investigated using the mechanical model of three springs. The mechanical model for the calculation of bolt group stiffness was created according to Eurocode 3 Part 1–8 Stiffness formulations (EN 1993-1-8 2005) (originally, it is recommended for elements that are 4 mm and thicker). The technique for the calculation of the stiffness of a gusset plate is presented. The strength of the joint was calculated using the technique introduced in Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-8 2005; EN 1993-1-1 2005; EN 1993-1-3 2006; EN 1993-1-5 2006).

Experimental study on technological indicators of pile-columns at a construction site

Abstract Decision making is a vital component of success in construction management. All construction businesses recognize the painful necessity of technology choice. Good decisions mean good business. Decisions that are based on knowledge and sound reasoning can lead a company into long-term prosperity. The mandate of a construction management researcher is to use rational, systematic, science-based techniques to inform and improve decisions of all kinds. The paper presents results of an experimental study on technological indicators of pile-columns at a construction site. Based on in-situ investigation of natural soil conditions, regression equations have been determined, which can be very useful when planning similar works at a construction site. Besides, they allow determining duration and energy consumption of construction works.

Component method extension to steel beam‐to‐beam and beam‐to‐column knee joints under bending and axial forces

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of semi‐rigid beam‐to‐beam end‐plate bolted and beam‐to‐column end‐plate bolted knee joints that are subjected to bending and tension or compression axial force. Usually the influence of axial force on joint rigidity is neglected. According to EC3, the axial load, which is less than 10 % of plastic resistance of the connected member under axial force, may be disregarded in the design of joint. Actually the level of axial forces in joints of structures may be significant and has a significant influence on joint rigidity. One of the most popular practical method permitting the determination of rigidity and strength of joint is the so‐called component method. The extension of the component method for evaluating the influence of bending moment and axial force on the rigidity and strength of the joint are presented in the paper. The numerical results of calculations of rigidity and strength of beam‐to‐beam and beam‐to‐column knee joints are presented in this paper as well.

INFLUENCE OF THE COLUMN WEB PANEL BEHAVIOUR ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A BEAM-TO-COLUMN JOINT

Abstract The paper reviews the importance of evaluation of actual joint behaviour during the design and manufacture of frame construction. The authors applied the component method, which is used in Eurocode 3. Additionally, they provided a short overview of beam-to-column joint components. The research focuses on one part of the joint-column web panel. It investigates the influence of the column web panel to the rotational stiffness and design moment resistance of the joint. The article presents several possibilities for stiffening the column web panel plate. Calculation results illustrate the influence of the characteristics of column web panel to the rotational stiffness and design moment resistance of the joint. Calculations were carried out both with an unstiffened and with a stiffened column web panel plates. The results confirmed the expected assumptions, i.e. the column web panel is an essential part of the joint, and its behaviour has a significant influence on the rotational stiffness and design ...

NUMERICAL TESTS OF STEEL BEAM-TO-COLUMN SEMI-RIGID CONNECTIONS

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections in which the beam is connected to column not at 90 degrees angle. Beam-to-column bolted end-plate connections that are subjected to pure bending were modelled by three-dimensional finite elements. Numerical modelling of connection covers the geometrical and material non-linearities as well as contact and separation between various components of connection. Moment-rotation M-Φ curves for modelled connections using numerical results are made and stress distribution in connection components is presented. The study shows a significant influence of inclination of beam and quantity and location of bolts on the joint rigidity.

Rotational stiffness determination of the semi-rigid timber-steel connection

AbstractIn this research, the component method implementation for determination of the rotational stiffness of timber-steel connection is shown. Component method is one of the most commonly used methods for determination of the bending moment-rotation relation which later may be used in the practical analysis of the connection. The component method is not widely used for the analysis of the semi-rigid timber connections. There are only several investigations previously done on the component method implementation for the timber connections and most of them are based on only one basic component, i.e. timber compression or glued-in steel rod in tension. This article presents a new investigation of rotational stiffness determination algorithm of the semi-rigid timber-steel connection, which is based on the component method. The component methods mechanical model of the connection combines all components which have influence on the rotational stiffness of the connection. The analysed timber-steel connection i...