Abstract: Brazilian standards for design of cold-formed steel (ABNT NBR 14762:2010, 2010) and design of pallet racks (ABNT NBR 15524-2:2007, 2007) have different procedures to determine the strength of columns under axial compression, using different buckling curves. This paper aims to evaluate the efficiency of using cold-formed Brazilian standard buckling design curve instead of the formulations of the pallet-rack design standard to study the use viability of the equations in the calculation procedure for computing the uprights compressive strength. This strength was calculated in four ways: one using the original equations of pallet-rack Brazilian standard, and the other three using adaptations of the buckling curve from the cold-formed steel design standard. A theoretical and numerical procedure based on finite element analysis concerning local, global, and distortional buckling and imperfections was performed. Furthermore, experimental results were also consulted to determine the effective area of studied cross-sections considering the effects of local buckling and the presence of continuous perforations. The results show that the proposed modifications are consistently correlated to the results obtained using the original equations of ABNT NBR 15524, indicating the viability of using the buckling curve of ABNT NBR 14762.

Resumo Neste trabalho foram avaliadas duas treliças mistas projetadas com perfis tubulares, associadas a uma laje maciça de concreto. Baseando-se em expressões analíticas relacionadas ao problema, seguindo as recomendações de normas, análises numéricas foram realizadas, com modelos criados utilizado o programa computacional Ansys e uma análise experimental, por meio de ensaios em laboratório com a estrutura em escala real. Houve boa aproximação dos resultados nas três análises, sendo observada a possibilidade de falha na conexão de cisalhamento em uma das treliças. Com uma mudança no comprimento do conector da segunda treliça, foi observado um aumento na resistência e na rigidez da estrutura. No estudo, ficaram evidentes os efeitos localizados da ligação entre os perfis em seção tubular e da fixação do conector de cisalhamento diretamente sobre a parede do banzo superior, que causaram plastificações também localizadas.

Abstract In the present work, two composite trusses formed by tubular shapes supporting a concrete slab were evaluated. Based on analytical formulation related to the problem, according to recommendations of standards, numerical analyses were performed, with models created using the software Ansys, and an experimental analysis with full-scale tests. Good agreement between the three analysis types was observed. A possible shear connection failure in one truss was observed. With a change in the second truss's connector length, an increase in the structure's strength and rigidity was achieved. In this study, because the shear connectors were directly welded on the upper chord wall, local effects with localized plastifications were evidenced.

Abstract This article presents a theoretical and numerical study of an innovative joint using cold-formed steel sections. The motivation for the study of this connection is the ease of manufacturing and assembly that it provides. The profiles are made of cold-formed lipped channel sections, which are welded to form closed built-up sections on the columns and open built-up lipped sections to the beams. The beams use endplates connected by bolts (threaded bars) to the columns. The study evaluates the connection’s initial stiffness of 19 models, where the following parameters were varied: the thickness of the profiles and endplates, the height of the column sections and the diameter of the bolts. A theoretical and a numerical study were developed: the numerical study was performed using finite elements through the commercial software ANSYS, whereas the theoretical study was made based on the component method, prescribed by Eurocode 3, that does not include the design of the connection analyzed herein. Thus, aiming to enable the design of joints composed of cold-formed lipped channel sections, the analysis results were compared and an adjustment coefficient, proportional to the slenderness of the column’s plates, was proposed. The coefficient was introduced to the stiffness component that represents the column web in compression in the mechanical model. The ratio between the coefficients’ numerical and theoretical values presented a maximum variation of 11%, which was considered satisfactory.

Abstract Circular hollow sections are usually used in long-span roof truss systems. One of the typology for connecting elements in such structures involves the flattening of bar ends. This article presents the numerical analysis of a plane truss composed of circular hollow sections, in which diagonal bars have flattened ends. In this sense, a new flattening typology called stiffened flattening is proposed, characterized by a non-flat geometry, with the creation of stiffeners in the lateral edges of the diagonal flattened ends. The diagonal connecting system with the chord members uses connecting plates. The plates are welded to the chords and the diagonals are connected to latter through a single bolt. The numerical analysis using finite elements method was developed in two stages through ANSYS software with the Parametric Design Language (APDL), in which parameters such as geometry, materials, element types, boundary conditions and loads are specified. A non-linear analysis was performed using shell elements on the chords, diagonals, plates and welds, and contact elements between the diagonals with stiffened flattened ends and the connecting plates. Initially, a numerical study of the connecting node and the stiffened flattened end was performed, and the results directed the modeling of the plane truss. The numerical results were calibrated with the experimental truss results in full scale. The numerical result of the plane truss was also compared to a theoretical study, considering the axial load eccentricity applied in the diagonal with stiffened flattened ends. The study was based on the consideration of combined effects of axial force and bending moment provided by the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 8800:2008. The final results indicate that the numerical model proposed is efficient and has good correlation with the experimental and theoretical results.

FUNDAMENTO: O diabete experimental promove disfunção contrátil em cardiomiócitos, mas os efeitos do treinamento em natação nesta disfunção não são conhecidos. OBJETIVO: Testar os efeitos de um programa de treino em natação (PTN) sobre a disfunção contrátil de cardiomiócitos de ratos com diabete experimental. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar (idade: 30 dias; peso corporal médio: 84,19 g) com diabete induzida por estreptozotocina (60 mg/kg de peso corporal; glicemia > 300 mg/dl) foram alocados em diabéticos sedentários (DS, n = 10) e diabéticos exercitados (DE, n = 13). Animais da mesma idade e peso serviram de controles sedentários (CS, n = 10) e controles exercitados (CE, n = 06). Os animais DE e CE foram submetidos a um PTN (05 dias/semana, 90 min/dia), por 08 semanas. Os miócitos do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) foram isolados e estimulados eletricamente a 3,0 Hz em temperatura ambiente (∼ 25º C). RESULTADOS: O diabete reduziu a função contrátil nos cardiomiócitos dos animais em relação aos controles (i.e., menor amplitude de contração, maior tempo de contração e relaxamento). O PTN atenuou a redução na amplitude de contração (CS, 11 ± 0,2% vs DE, 11,6 ± 0,2%), o tempo para o pico de contração (CS, 319 ± 5,8 ms vs DE, 333 ± 4,8 ms) e o tempo para 50% de relaxamento (CS, 619 ± 22,2 ms vs DE, 698 ± 18,6 ms) dos cardiomiócitos dos animais diabéticos. O diabete reduziu as dimensões dos cardiomiócitos, porém, o PTN minimizou a redução da largura e volume celular, sem alterar o comprimento. CONCLUSÃO: O programa de treino em natação atenuou a disfunção contrátil dos miócitos do VE de ratos com diabete experimental.

BACKGROUND: Experimental diabetes promotes contractile dysfunction in cardiomyocytes, but the effects of swimming in this disorder are not known. OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of a swimming training program (STP) on cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction in rats with experimental diabetes. METHODS: Wistar rats (age: 30 days; mean body weight: 84.19 g) with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight; glucose > 300 mg/dl) were divided into sedentary diabetic rats (SD, n = 10) and exercised diabetic rats (ED, n = 13). Animals of same age and weight served as sedentary controls (SC, n = 10) and exercised controls (EC, n = 06). Animals and ED and EC underwent a STP (05 days/week, 90 min/day) for 08 weeks. Left ventricular (LV) myocytes were isolated and electrically stimulated at 3.0 Hz at room temperature (∼ 25º C). RESULTS: Diabetes reduced contractile function in cardiomyocytes of animals compared to controls (i.e., lower amplitude of contraction, longer duration of contraction and relaxation). The STP attenuated the reduced amplitude of contraction (SC, 11 ± 0.2% vs ED, 11.6 ± 0.2%), time to peak contraction (SC, 319 ± 5.8 ms vs ED, 333 ± 4.8 ms) and time to 50.0% of relaxation (SC, 619 ± 22.2 ms vs ED 698 ± 18.6 ms) of cardiomyocytes of diabetic rats. Diabetes reduced the size of cardiomyocytes, however, the STP minimized the reduction of cell volume and width, without changing length. CONCLUSION: The swimming training program attenuated the contractile dysfunction of the LV myocytes of rats with experimental diabetes.

FUNDAMENTO: La diabetes experimental promueve el trastorno contráctil de los cardiomiocitos, pero los efectos del entrenamiento en natación en este trastorno no se conocen. OBJETIVO: Probar los efectos de un programa de capacitación en natación (PTN) sobre el trastorno contráctil de cardiomiocitos de ratas con diabetes experimental. MÉTODOS: Ratas Wistar (edad: 30 días, peso corporal medio: 84,19 g) con diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina (60 mg/kg de peso corporal, glucosa > 300 mg/dl) fueron divididos en diabéticos sedentarios (DS, n = 10) y diabéticos ejercitados (DE, n = 13). Animales de la misma edad y peso sirvieron de controles sedentarios (CS, n = 10) y controles ejercitados (CE, n = 06). Los animales DE y CE se sometieron a un PTN (05 días/semana, 90 min/día), por 08 semanas. Los miocitos del ventrículo izquierdo (VI) fueron aislados y estimulados eléctricamente a 3,0 Hz en temperatura ambiente (~ 25º C). RESULTADOS: La diabetes disminuyó la función contráctil de los cardiomiocitos de los animales en comparación con los controles (es decir, menor amplitud de la contracción, la duración de la contracción y relajación). El PTN atenuó la reducción de la amplitud de la contracción (CS, 11 ± 0,2% frente a la DE, 11,6 ± 0,2%), el tiempo para la contracción máxima (CS, 319 ± 5,8 ms vs DE, 333 ± 4,8 ms) y el tiempo para el 50% de relajación (CS, 619 ± 22,2 ms vs DE, 698 ± 18,6 ms) de los cardiomiocitos de los animales diabéticos. La diabetes redujo las dimensiones de los cardiomiocitos, sin embargo, el PTN minimizó la reducción de la anchura y volumen celular, sin cambiar la longitud. CONCLUSIÓN: El programa de entrenamiento de natación atenuó la disfunción contráctil de los miocitos del VI de las ratas con diabetes experimental.