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Nowadays, in building structures, dampers are connected to the building structure to reduce the damages caused by seismicity in addition to enhancing structural stability, and to connect dampers with the structure, joints are used. In this paper, three different configurations of double-lap joints were designed, developed and tested.

This paper aims to analyze three different categories of double-lap single-bolted joints that are used in connecting dampers with concrete and steel frame structures. These joints were designed and tested using computational, numerical and experimental methods. The studies were conducted to examine the reactions of the joints during loading conditions and to select the best joints for the structures that allow easy maintenance of the dampers and also withstand structural deformation when the damper is active during seismicity. Also, a computational analysis was performed on the designed joints integrated with the M25 concrete beam column junction. In this investigation, experimental study was carried out in addition to numerical and computational methods during cyclic load.

It was observed from the result that during deformation the double-base multiplate lap joint was suitable for buildings because the deformations on the joint base was negligible when compared with other joints. From the computational analysis, it was revealed that the three double joints while integrated with the beam column junction of M25 grade concrete structure, the damages induced by the double-base multiplate joint was negligible when compared with other two joints used in this study.

To prevent the collapse of the building during seismicity, dampers are used and further connecting the damper with the building structures, joints are used. In this paper, three double-lap joints in different design configuration were studied using computational, numerical and experimental techniques.

Ensuring the safety of structures is important. However, when a structure possesses both an implicit performance function and an extremely small failure probability, traditional methods struggle to conduct a reliability analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes a reliability analysis method aimed at enhancing the efficiency of rare event analysis, using the widely recognized Relevant Vector Machine (RVM).

Drawing from the principles of importance sampling (IS), this paper employs Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) to ascertain the optimal design point. This approach not only guarantees precision but also facilitates the RVM in approximating the limit state surface. When the U learning function, designed for Kriging, is applied to RVM, it results in sample clustering in the design of experiment (DoE). Therefore, this paper proposes a FU learning function, which is more suitable for RVM.

Three numerical examples and two engineering problem demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

By employing the HHO algorithm, this paper innovatively applies RVM in IS reliability analysis, proposing a novel method termed RVM-HIS. The RVM-HIS demonstrates exceptional computational efficiency, making it eminently suitable for rare events reliability analysis with implicit performance function. Moreover, the computational efficiency of RVM-HIS has been significantly enhanced through the improvement of the U learning function.

The main objective of the present research is to investigate the benefits of using geogrid reinforcement in minimizing the rate of deterioration of ballasted rail track geometry resting on soft clay and to explore the effect of load amplitude, load frequency, presence of geogrid layer in ballast layer and ballast layer thickness on the behavior of track system. These variables are studied both experimentally and numerically. This paper examines the effect of geogrid reinforced ballast laying on a layer of clayey soil as a subgrade layer, where a half full scale railway tests are conducted as well as a theoretical analysis is performed.

The experimental tests work consists of laboratory model tests to investigate the reduction in the compressibility and stress distribution induced in soft clay under a ballast railway reinforced by geogrid reinforcement subjected to dynamic load. Experimental model based on an approximate half scale for general rail track engineering practice is adopted in this study which is used in Iraqi railways. The investigated parameters are load amplitude, load frequency and presence of geogrid reinforcement layer. A half full-scale railway was constructed for carrying out the tests, which consists of two rails 800 mm in length with three wooden sleepers (900 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm). The ballast was overlying 500 mm thick clay layer. The tests were carried out with and without geogrid reinforcement, the tests were carried out in a well tied steel box of 1.5 m length × 1 m width × 1 m height. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the response of the ballast and the clay layers where the ballast was reinforced by a geogrid. Settlement in ballast and clay, was measured in reinforced and unreinforced ballast cases. In addition to the laboratory tests, the application of numerical analysis was made by using the finite element program PLAXIS 3D 2013.

It was concluded that the settlement increased with increasing the simulated train load amplitude, there is a sharp increase in settlement up to the cycle 500 and after that, there is a gradual increase to level out between, 2,500 and 4,500 cycles depending on the load frequency. There is a little increase in the induced settlement when the load amplitude increased from 0.5 to 1 ton, but it is higher when the load amplitude increased to 2 ton, the increase in settlement depends on the geogrid existence and the other studied parameters. Both experimental and numerical results showed the same behavior. The effect of load frequency on the settlement ratio is almost constant after 500 cycles. In general, for reinforced cases, the effect of load frequency on the settlement ratio is very small ranging between 0.5 and 2% compared with the unreinforced case.

Increasing the ballast layer thickness from 20 cm to 30 cm leads to decrease the settlement by about 50%. This ascertains the efficiency of ballast in spreading the waves induced by the track.

The purpose of the study is to perform elastic stress and deformation analysis of a functionally graded hollow disk under different conditions (rotation, gravity, internal pressure, temperature with variable heat generation) and their combinations.

The classical method of solution, Navier's equation, is used to solve the governing equation. The analysis considers thermal and mechanical boundary conditions and takes into account the variation of material properties according to a power law function of the radius of the disk and grading parameter.

The findings of the study reveal distinct trends and behaviors based on different grading parameters. The influence of gravity is found to be negligible, resulting in similar patterns to the pure rotation case. Variable heat generation introduces non-linear temperature profiles and higher displacements, with stress values influenced by grading parameters.

The study provides valuable insights into the behavior of displacement and stresses in hollow disks, offering a deeper understanding of their mechanical response under varying conditions. These insights can be useful in the design and analysis of functionally graded hollow disks in various engineering applications.

The originality and value of this study lies in the consideration of various loading combinations of rotation, gravity, internal pressure and temperature with variable heat generation. Furthermore, the study of effect of various angular rotations, temperatures and pressures expands the understanding of the mechanical behavior of such structures, contributing to the existing body of knowledge in the field.