• Journal of the Korean Society for Advanced Composite Structures
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2011

This study investigates the performance of composite (steel-concrete) frame structures through numerical experiments on individual connections. The innovative aspects of this research are in the use of connections between steel beams and concrete-filled tube (CFT)columns that utilize a combination of low-carbon steel and shape memory alloy (SMA) components. In these new connections, the intent is to utilize the recentering provided by super-elastic shape memory alloy tension bars to reduce building damage and residual drift after a major earthquake. The low-carbon steel components provide excellent energy dissipation. The analysis and design of these structures is complicated because the connections cannot be modeled as being simply pins or full fixity ones they are partial restraint (PR). A refined finite element (FE) model with sophisticated three dimensional (3D) solid elements was developed to conduct numerical experiments on PR-CFT joints to obtain the global behavior of the connection. Based on behavioral information obtained from these FE tests, simplified connection models were formulated by using joint elements with spring components. The behavior of entire frames under cyclic loads was conducted and compared with the monotonic behavior obtained from the 3D FE simulations. Good agreement was found between the simple and sophisticated models, verifying the robustness of the approach.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.303-317
• /
• 2006

The connection with combined cross diaphragm is developed for the connection of square CFT column and steel beam and proposed to be used for the frame with asymmetric span length. The structural characteristics of this connection lie in the penetration of the beam flange in the direction of major axis through the column for the smooth flow of stress. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamic behavior and stress flow of suggested connection and to evaluate the resistance to shock of connection. Four T-type CFT column-to-beam specimens; two with combined cross diaphragm and the others with interior and through diaphragms, the existing connection types, were made for cyclic load test guided by the load program of ANSI/AISC SSPEC 2002. The results show that the proposed connection is more efficient than existing ones in terms of strength, stress flow and energy absorption and satisfies the seismic performance required in the region of weak/moderate earthquakes.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.33-47
• /
• 2017

This mixed-use Raffles City (RCH) development is located near the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, located southwest of Shanghai, China. The project incorporates retail, offices, housing, and hotel facilities and marks the site of a cultural landscape within the Quianjiang New Town Area. The project is composed of two 250-meter-tall twisting towers with a form of vibrant waves, along with a commercial podium and three stories of basement car parking. It reaches a height of 60 stories, presenting views both to and from the Qiantang River and West Lake areas, with a total floor area of almost 400,000 square meters. A composite moment frame plus concrete core structural system was adopted for the tower structures. Concrete filled steel tubular (CFT) columns together with steel reinforced concrete (SRC) beams form the outer moment frame of the towers' structure. The internal slabs and floor beams are of reinforced concrete. This paper presents the engineering design and construction of this highly complex project. Through comprehensive discussion and careful elaboration, some conclusions are reached, which serve as a reference guide for the design and construction of similar free-form, hybrid, mix-use buildings.