• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.55-67
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• 2015

Taking the mid-span/center-point of the structure as the reference point of capturing the maximum dynamic response is very customary in the available literature of the moving load problems. In this article, the absolute maximum dynamic response of an Euler-Bernoulli beam subjected to a moving mass is widely investigated for various boundary conditions of the base beam. The response of the beam is obtained by utilizing a robust numerical method so-called OPSEM (Orthonormal Polynomial Series Expansion Method). It is underlined that the absolute maximum dynamic response of the beam does not necessarily take place at the mid-span of the beam and thus the conventional analysis needs modifications. Therefore, a comprehensive parametric survey of the base beam absolute maximum dynamic response is represented in which the contribution of the velocity and weight of the moving inertial objects are scrutinized and compared to the conventional version (maximum at mid-span).

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.529-541
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• 2017

According to the definition, progressive collapse could occur due to the initial partial failure of the structural members which by spreading to the adjacent members, could result in partial or overall collapse of the structure. Up to now, most researchers have investigated the progressive collapse due to explosion, fire or impact loads. But new research has shown that the seismic load could also be a factor for initiation of the progressive collapse. In this research, the progressive collapse capacity for the 5 and 15-story steel special moment resisting frames using push-down nonlinear static analysis, and nonlinear dynamic analysis under the gravity loads specified in the GSA Guidelines, were studied. After identifying the critical members, in order to investigate the seismic progressive collapse, the 5-story steel special moment resisting frame was analyzed by the nonlinear time history analysis under the effect of earthquakes with different characteristics. In order to account for the initial damage, one of the critical columns was weakened at the initiation of the earthquake or its Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA). The results of progressive collapse analyses showed that the potential of progressive collapse is considerably dependent upon location of the removed column and the number of stories, also the results of seismic progressive collapse showed that the dynamic response of column removal under the seismic load is completely dependent on earthquake characteristics like Arias intensity, PGA and earthquake frequency contents.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.269-278
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• 2018

In the recent decades, the application of composite materials, due to their desirable properties, has increased dramatically. In the present study, a quasi-encased trapezoidal section composite steel beam encased with concrete is thoroughly examined. Calculation of the load bearing capacity is carried out by finite element modeling of concrete and FRP beams with trapezoidal section under the effect of controlled displacement loading. The results are then validated comparing to the existing experimental results obtained from similar studies. Further on, the materials are changed to steel and concrete, and the section is de-signed in such a way that both concrete and steel reach a high percent-age of their load bearing capacity. In the last step, the parameters affecting the bending capacity and the behavior of the semi-confined composite beam are investigated. Results revealed that the beam diagonal web thickness plays the most effective role in load bearing capacity amongst other studied parameters. Furthermore, by analyzing the results on the effect of different parameters, an optimal model for primary beam section is presented, which exhibits a greater load bearing capacity compared to the initial design with the same amount of materials used for both sections.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.547-557
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• 2018

This paper measures the mechanical response of precast pavement joints under moving axle loads using the finite-element method, and the models were validated with results of field tests. In order to increase the ability to use the non-linear FE analysis for design and assessment of precast pavement subjected to moving axle load, this paper investigated the effects of different load transfer between the slabs using the ABAQUS finite-element package to solve the nonlinear explicit model equations. The assembly of the panels using dowels and groove-tongue keys has been studied to assess the efficiency of keyway joint system. Concrete damage plasticity model was used to calculate the effects of permanent damages related to the failure mechanisms. With aggregate interlock as the only load transferring system, Load transfer efficiency (LTE) is not acceptable when the axle load reaches to slab joints. The Finite-element modelling (FEM) results showed that keyway joints significantly reduced tensile stresses developed at the mid-slab. Increasing the thickness of the tongue the LTE was improved but with increasing the height of the tongue the LTE was decreased. Stresses are transferred to the adjacent slab efficiently when dowels are embedded within the model. When the axle load approaches joints, tensile damage occurs sooner than compressive damage, but the damage rate remains constant, then compressive damage increases significantly and become the major form of distress under the dowels.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제74권1호
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• pp.145-156
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• 2020

There are separate merits and demerits to wood and steel. The combination of wood and steel as a compound section is able to improve the properties of both and ultimately increase their final bearing capacity. The composite cross-section made of steel and wood has higher hardness while showing more ductility and the local buckling of steel is delayed or completely prevented. The purpose of this study is to investigate the behavior of composite columns enclosed in wooden logs and the hollow sections of steel that will be examined in a laboratory environment under the axial load to determine the final bearing capacity and sample deformation. In terms of methodology, steel sheet and carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheet (FRP) are tested to construct hollow rectangular sections and reinforce timber. Besides, the method of connecting hollow sections and timber including glue and screw has been also investigated. As a result, timber lumber enclosed with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer sheets in which fibers are horizontally located at 90° are more resistant with better ductility.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.279-294
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• 2020

Foundation of a building is damaged under service loads during construction. First visit shows that the foundation has been punched at the 6 column's foot region led to building rotation. Foundation shear punching occurring has made some stresses and deflections in construction. In this study, progressing of damage caused by foundation shear punching and inverse loading in order to resolve the building rotation has been evaluated in the foundation and frame of building by finite element modeling in ABAQUS software. The stress values of bars in punched regions of foundation has been deeply exceeded from steel yielding strength and experienced large displacement based on software's results. On the other hand, the values of created stresses in the frame are not too big to make serious damage. In the beams and columns of ground floor, some partial cracks has been occurred and in other floors, the values of stresses are in the elastic zone of materials. Finally, by inverse loading to the frame, the horizontal displacement of floors has been resolved and the values of stresses in frame has been significantly reduced.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.311-327
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• 2015

Employing discrete elements for considering bond-slip effects in reinforced concrete structures is very time consuming. In this study, a new modified embedded element method is used to consider the bond-slip phenomenon in structural behavior of reinforced concrete structures. A comprehensive parametric study of RC slabs is performed to determine influence of different variables on structural behavior. The parametric study includes a set of simple models accompanied with complex models such as multi-storey buildings. The procedure includes the decrease in the effective stiffness of steel bar in the layered model. Validation of the proposed model with existing experimental results demonstrates that the model is capable of considering the bond-slip effects in embedded elements. Results demonstrate the significant effect of bond-slip on total behavior of structural members. Concrete characteristic strengths, steel yield stress, bar diameter, concrete coverage and reinforcement ratios are the parameters considered in the parametric study. Results revealed that the overall behavior of slab is significantly affected by bar diameter compared with other parameters. Variation of steel yield stress has insignificant impact in static response of RC slabs; however, its effect in cyclic behavior is important.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.281-294
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• 2019

The post-fire behavior of structural elements and the cooling process has always been one of the main concerns of the structural engineers. The structures can be cooled at different rates, where they affect the structure's behavior. In the present study, a numerical model has been developed using the Abaqus program to investigate the effect of cooling rate on the post-fire behavior of the CFST column. To verify the model, results of an experimental study performed on CFST columns within a full heating and cooling cycle have been used. In this model, coMParison of the residual strength has been employed in order to examine the behavior of CFST column under different cooling rates. Furthermore, a parametric study was carried out on the strength of steel and concrete, the height of the specimens, the axial load ratio and the cross-sectional shape of the specimen through the proposed model. It was observed that the cooling rate affects the behavior of the column after the fire, and thus the higher the specimen's temperature is, the more effect it has on the behavior. It was also noticed that water cooling had slightly more residual strength than natural cooling. Furthermore, it was recognized from the parametric study, that by increasing the strength of steel and concrete and the load ratio, as well as modifying the cross-sectional shape from circular to square, residual strength of column at the cooling phase was less than that of the heating phase. In addition, with reducing column height, no change was witnessed in the column behavior after the cooling phase.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.367-392
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• 2020

The specific characteristics of near-field earthquake records can lead to different dynamic responses of bridges compared to far-field records. However, the effect of near-field strong ground motion has often been neglected in the seismic performance assessment of the bridges. Furthermore, damage to horizontally curved multi-frame RC box-girder bridges in the past earthquakes has intensified the potential of seismic vulnerability of these structures due to their distinctive dynamic behavior. Based on the nonlinear time history analyses in OpenSEES, this article, assesses the effects of near-field versus far-field earthquakes on the seismic performance of horizontally curved multi-frame RC box-girder bridges by accounting the vertical component of the earthquake records. Analytical seismic fragility curves have been derived thru considering uncertainties in the earthquake records, material and geometric properties of bridges. The findings indicate that near-field effects reasonably increase the seismic vulnerability in this bridge sub-class. The results pave the way for future regional risk assessments regarding the importance of either including or excluding near-field effects on the seismic performance of horizontally curved bridges.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.623-636
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• 2023

This study utilized small-scale physical model tests to investigate the impact of different types of geosynthetics, including geocell, planar geotextile, and wraparound geotextile, on the behaviour of strip footings placed on 0.8 m thick soil fills and backfills with a slope angle of 70°. Bearing capacity and settlement of the footing and failure mechanisms are discussed and evaluated. The results revealed that the bearing capacity of footings situated on both unreinforced and reinforced slopes increased with a greater embedment depth of the footing. For settlement ratios below 4%, the geocell reinforcement exhibited significantly higher stiffness, carrying greater loads and experiencing less settlement compared to the planar and wraparound geotextile reinforcements. However, the performance of geocell reinforcement was influenced by the number and length of the geocell layers. Increasing the geocell back length ratio from 0.44 to 0.84 significantly improved the bearing capacity of the footing located at the crest of the reinforced slope. Adequate reinforcement length, particularly for geocell, enhanced the bearing pressure of the footing and increased the stiffness of the slope, resulting in reduced deflections. Increasing the length of reinforcement also led to improved performance of the footing located on wraparound geotextile reinforced slopes. In all reinforcement cases, reducing the vertical spacing between reinforcement layers from 100 mm to 75 mm allowed the slope to withstand much greater loads.