The present paper discusses a new approach for the experimental determination of modal parameters (resonant frequencies, modal shapes and damping coefficients) based on measured displacement values, using the non-contact optical method of digital image correlation (DIC). The output is a newly developed application module that, based on a three-dimensional displacement matrix from the experimental measurement results, can construct a frequency response function (FRF) for the purpose of experimental and operational modal analysis. From this frequency response function, the modal parameters of interest are able to be determined. The application module has been designed for practical use in Scilab 6.1.0, and its code interfaces directly with the ISTRA4D high-speed camera software. The module was built on measurements of a steel plate excited by an impact hammer to simulate experimental modal analysis. Verification of the correctness of the computational algorithm or the obtained modal parameters of the excited sheet metal plate was performed by simulation in the numerical software Abaqus, whose modal shapes and resonant frequencies showed high agreement with the results of the newly developed application.

This paper offers a study regarding regression and correlation analysis and intercomparison of stress concentration factors obtained from FEM analysis with factors imported from external sources. The procedure for obtaining the stress concentration factors is implemented and demonstrated on the shape configuration of an axially symmetric structural element with offset, tension loading. It is a typical representation of stress concentrators of the shape-discontinuity-dimension-load configuration applied in structural elements mainly from the engineering and construction fields. The data thus obtained are then subjected to regression and simple correlation analysis. Three regression models based on 2nd- and 3rd-degree polynomials and power function are applied. These results are further subjected to a detailed procedure of comparison with the values of the stress concentration factors obtained from two other independent sources. Finally, a detailed analysis of the possible reasons for the registered value deviations is performed.

Technological units of water reservoirs and power plants include sluice gates which are designed to completely seal the inflow or outflow of water in supply or discharge channels. This article describes the issue of technical assessment of a sluice gate made in the 1950s. Such structures are characterised by states of significant corrosive wear, permanent deformations of contact and sealing surfaces as well as increased levels of residual stresses. In such cases, it is difficult to determine service life using only numerical modelling methods, mainly due to problematic definition of material properties and boundary conditions. Therefore, for safety assessment, it is necessary to verify these facts experimentally. This article presents the procedure for assessing safe operation of the sluice gate on which places with permanent deformation and a broken part of the guide wheel flange were identified. By means of numerical modelling, we identified critical stress values at the locations of reinforcing elements, which were modified, and the stress values were reduced by about 15%. The results of numerical modelling were verified at select locations by experimental measurements during operation using strain gauges. The maximum values of operational normal stresses in the assessed places reached about 27 MPa. Based on the comparison of obtained results and taking into account values of residual stresses reaching up to 190 MPa made by shielded metal arc welding, it can be stated that, for safe operation of the sluice gate, it is necessary to follow the proposed procedure during its lowering and to modify the reinforcing elements structurally.

This paper describes a problem related to a casting bridge crane with a combined load of 200/50/12.5 t and a span of 18.6 m, working in a heavy metallurgical operation. Due to the specific stress of the structure after its long-term operation, longitudinal fillet welds between the upper flange and the web of the main box beam on the rail side of the 200 t trolley were irreparably damaged. As a result, the cross-section of the main beam had opened, thereby substantially reducing its strength and stiffness. This resulted in a disproportionate increase and undesirable redistribution of stresses in the beam and, at the same time, an increase in the probability of acute fatigue or the loss of stability of the elastic beam shape. Therefore, the rectification of the damaged load-bearing structure was carried out by specific structural modifications. Critical load-bearing elements were subjected to complicated strength and fatigue life analyses before and after rectification. These analyses were supported by experimental measurements. The applied modifications resulted in a partial strengthening of the lifting device with the possibility of its further operation, but only in a limited mode, with a limited period of operation with a time limit of 2 years and a reduced total load capacity of 150 t. The applied methods are also applicable for the fatigue analysis of load-bearing elements and equipment for bridge, gantry and tower cranes, crane tracks, road and railway bridges and support structures under machinery and other devices with a dominant transverse and rotating effect.

This paper describes solution of the equations of motion of the mechanical system by using State-Space blocks in MATLAB/Simulink. It deals with the mechanical system with two degrees of freedom. State-Space block solution is compared with solution made by an alternative approach, using so called Transfer Fcn block. Equations are also derived by Newton's second law, Lagrange‘s equations and the Hamilton‘s equations

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) represents a relatively new method of problem-solving in engineering practice. A huge advantage of this method over the finite element method (FEM), is the reduction of the simulation execution time. Non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) allow the use of higher-order basis functions, thus increasing the accuracy of the solution. This paper deals with the comparison of structural analysis of thin-walled structural elements using isogeometric analysis and the finite element method. The investigated objects are modelled using a single patch in MATLAB. The basic functions are created from NURBS, which were previously used in the creation of an accurate geometric model. The paper contains a comparison of the results obtained by the above-mentioned methods. All computations are performed in the elastic domain.