• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.5 s.95
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• pp.595-602
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• 2006

An experimental study was conducted to investigate seismic behaviour of post-tensioned(PT) exterior slab-column connections used for the purpose to resist gravity loads only. For these, 2/3-scale, two PT post-tensioned exterior connections with two different tendon arrangement patterns and one conventional reinforced concrete(RC) exterior connection was tested under quasi-static, uni-directional reversed cyclic loading. During the lateral testing, gravity forces transferred to the column were kept constant to closely simulate a moment to shear ratio of a real building. One of the objectives of this study was to assess the necessity and/or the quantity of bottom bonded reinforcement needed to resist moment reversal which would occur under significant inelastic deformations of the adjacent lateral force resisting systems. The ACI 318 and 352 provisions for structural integrity were applied to provide the bottom reinforcement passing through the column for the specimens. Prior test results were also collected to conduct comparative studies for some design parameters such as the tendon arrangement pattern, the effect of post-tensioning forces and the use of bottom bonded reinforcement. Consequently, the impact of tendon arrangement on the seismic performance of the PT connection, that is lateral drift capacity and ductility, dissipated energy and failure mechanism, was considerable. Moreover, test results showed that the amount of bottom reinforcement specified by ACI 352. 1R-89 was sufficient for resisting positive moments arising from moment reversal under reversed cyclic loads. Shear strength of the tested specimens was more accurately predicted by the shear strength equation(ACI 318) considering the average compressive stress over the concrete($f_{pc}$) due to post-tensioning forces than that without considering $f_{pc}$.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2017

The behavior of moment resistant steel structures depends on both the beam-column connections and columns foundations connections. Obviously, if the connections can meet the adequate ductility and resistance against lateral loads, the seismic capacity of these structures will be linked practically to the performance of these connections. The shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been most recently used as a means of energy dissipation in buildings. The main approach adopted by researchers in the use of such alloys is firstly bracing, and secondly connecting the beams to columns. Additionally, the behavior of these alloys is modeled in software applications rarely involving equivalent torsional springs and column-foundation connections. This paper attempts to introduce the shape memory alloys and their applications in steel structural connections, proposing a new steel column-foundation connection, not merely a theoretical model but practically a realistic and applicable model in structures. Moreover, it entails the same functionality as macro modeling software based on real behavior, which can use different materials to establish a connection between the columns and foundations. In this paper, the suggested steel column-foundation connection was introduced. Moreover, exploring the seismic dynamic behavior under cyclic loading protocols and the famous earthquake records with different materials such as steel and interconnection equipment by superelastic shape memory alloys have been investigated. Then, the results were compared to demonstrate that such connections are ideal against the seismic behavior and energy dissipation.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.485-498
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• 2020

Non-ductile detailing of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames may lead to structural failure when the structure is subjected to earthquake response. These designs are generally encountered in older RC frames constructed prior to the introduction of the ductility aspect. The failure observed in the beam-column joints (BCJs) and accompanied by excessive column damage. This work examines the seismic performance and failure mode of non-ductile designed RC columns and exterior BCJs. The design was based on the actual building in Tainan City, Taiwan, that collapsed due to the 2016 Meinong earthquake. Hence, an experimental investigation using cyclic testing was performed on two columns and two BCJ specimens scaled down to 50%. The experiment resulted in a poor response in both specimens. Excessive cracks and their propagation due to the incursion of the lateral loads could be observed close to the top and bottom of the specimens. Joint shear failure appeared in the joints. The ductility of the member was below the desired value of 4. This is the minimum number required to survive an earthquake with a similar magnitude to that of El Centro. The evidence provides an understanding of the seismic failure of poorly detailed RC frame structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.797-820
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• 2016

This paper simulates the hysteretic behavior of steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) columns under cyclic loads using OpenSees software. The effective fiber model and displacement-based beam-column element in OpenSees is applied to each SRRC columns. The Concrete01 material model for recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) and Steel02 material model is proposed to perform the numerical simulation of columns. The constitutive models of RAC, profile steel and rebars in columns were assigned to each fiber element. Based on the modelling method, the analytical models of SRRC columns are established. It shows that the calculated hysteresis loops of most SRRC columns agree well with the test curves. In addition, the parameter studies (i.e., strength grade of RAC, stirrups strength, steel strength and steel ratio) on seismic performance of SRRC columns were also investigated in detail by OpenSees. The calculation results of parameter analysis show that SRRC columns suffered from flexural failure has good seismic performance through the reasonable design. The ductility and bearing capacity of columns increases as the increasing magnitude of steel strength, steel ratio and stirrups strength. Although the bearing capacity of columns increases as the strength grade of RAC increases, the ductility and energy dissipation capacity decreases gradually. Based on the test and numerical results, the flexural failure mechanism of SRRC columns were analysed in detail. The computing theories of the normal section of bearing capacity for the eccentrically loaded columns were adopted to calculate the nominal bending strength of SRRC columns subjected to vertical axial force under lateral cyclic loads. The calculation formulas of horizontal bearing capacity for SRRC columns were proposed based on their nominal bending strength.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1581-1598
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• 2015

A concentric braced steel frame is a very efficient structural system because it requires relatively smaller amount of materials to resist lateral forces. However, primarily developed as a structural system to resist wind loads based on an assumption that the structure behaves elastically, a concentric braced frame possibly experiences the deterioration in energy dissipation after brace buckling and the brittle failure of braces and connections when earthquake loads cause inelastic behavior. Consequently, plastic deformation is concentrated in the floor where brace buckling occurs first, which can lead to the rupture of the structure. This study suggests reinforcing H-shaped braces with non-welded cold-formed stiffeners to restrain flexure and buckling and resist tensile force and compressive force equally. Weak-axis reinforcing members (2 pieces) developed from those suggested in previous studies (4 pieces) were used to reinforce the H-shaped braces in an inverted V-type braced frame. Monotonic loading tests, finite element analysis and cyclic loading tests were carried out to evaluate the structural performance of the reinforced braces and frames. The reinforced braces satisfied the AISC requirement. The reinforcement suggested in this study is expected to prevent the rupture of beams caused by the unbalanced resistance of the braces.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.459-469
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• 2020

An external prestressed steel-bar truss unit was developed as a new strengthening technology to enhance the seismic performance of an in-plane masonry wall structure while taking advantage of the benefits of a prestressed system. The presented method consists of six steel bars: two prestressed vertical bars to introduce a prestressing force on the masonry wall, two diagonal bars to resist shear deformation, and two horizontal bars to maintain the configuration. To evaluate the effects of this new technique, four full-scale specimens, including a control specimen, were tested under combined loadings that included constant-gravity axial loads and cyclic lateral loads. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of the shear strength, initial stiffness, dissipated energy, and strain history. The efficiency of the external prestressed steel-bar truss unit was validated. In particular, a retrofitted specimen with an axial load level of 0.024 exhibited a more stable post behavior and higher energy dissipation than a control specimen with an observed complete sliding failure. The four vertical bars of the adjacent retrofitting units created a virtual column, and their strain values did not change until they reached the peak shear strength. The shear capacity of the masonry wall structure with external prestressed steel-bar truss units could be predicted using the model suggested by Yang et al.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.179-199
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• 2014

The steel tube-reinforced concrete (ST-RC) composite column is a novel type of composite column, consisting of a steel tube embedded in reinforced concrete. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of cumulative damage on the seismic behavior of ST-RC columns through experimental testing. Six large-scale ST-RC column specimens were subjected to high axial forces and cyclic lateral loading. The specimens included two groups, where Group I had a higher amount of transverse reinforcement than Group II. The test results indicate that all specimens failed in a flexural mode, characterized by buckling and yielding of longitudinal rebars, failure of transverse rebars, compressive crushing of concrete, and steel tube buckling at the base of the columns. The number of loading cycles was found to have minimal effect on the strength capacity of the specimens. The number of loading cycles had limited effect on the deformation capacity for the Group I specimens, while an obvious effect on the deformation capacity for the Group II specimens was observed. The Group I specimen showed significantly larger deformation and energy dissipation capacities than the corresponding Group II specimen, for the case where the lateral cyclic loads were repeated ten cycles at each drift level. The ultimate displacement of the Group I specimen was 25% larger than that of the Group II counterpart, and the cumulative energy dissipated by the former was 2.8 times that of the latter. Based on the test results, recommendations are made for the amount of transverse reinforcement required in seismic design of ST-RC columns for ensuring adequate deformation capacity.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2016

The pile-cap connection part which transfers foundation loads through pile body is critical element regarding flexural and shear force because the change of area, stress, and stiffness occurs in the this region suddenly. The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural behavior of pile-cap connection dependent on fabrication methods using conventional PHC pile and composite PHC pile. A series of test under cyclic lateral load was performed and the connection behavior was discussed. From the test results, it was found that the initial rotational stiffness of pile-cap connection was affected by the length of pile-head inserted in footing and the location of longitudinal reinforcing bars. The types of pile and location of longitudinal reinforcing bars governed the behavior of pile-cap connection regarding load-carrying capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.433-442
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• 2003

This paper presents a hypoplastic model for three-dimensional analysis of concrete structures under monotonic, cyclic, proportional and non-proportional loading. The constitutive model is based on the concept of equivalent uniaxial strains that allows the assumed orthotropic model to be described via three equivalent uniaxial stress-strain curves. The characteristics of these curves are obtained from the ultimate strength surface in the principal stress space based on the Willam-Warnke curve. A cap model is added to consider loading along or near the hydrostatic axis. The equivalent uniaxial curve is based on the Popovics and Saenz models. The post-peak behavior is adjusted to account for the effects of confinement and to describe the change in response from brittle to ductile as the lateral confinement increases. Correlation studies with available experimental tests are presented to demonstrate the model performance. Tests with monotonic loading on specimens under constant lateral confinement are considered first, followed by biaxial and triaxial tests with cyclic loads. The triaxial test example considers non-proportional loading.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2020

The seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) columns made from high-strength materials was investigated experimentally. Six high-strength concrete specimen columns (1:4 scale), which included three with high-strength stirrups (HSSs) and three with normal-strength stirrups (NSSs), were tested under a combination of high axial and reversed cyclic loads. The effects of stirrup strength and the ratio of transverse reinforcement on the cracking patterns, hysteretic response, strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation and strain of transverse reinforcement were studied. The results indicate that good seismic behaviour of an RC column subjected to high axial compression can be obtained by using a well-shaped stirrup. Stirrup strength had little effect on the lateral bearing capacity. However, the ductility was significantly modified by improving the stirrup strength. When loaded with a large lateral displacement, the strength reduction of NSS specimens was more severe than that of those with HSSs, and increasing the stirrup strength had little effect on the stiffness reduction. The ductility and energy dissipation of specimens with HSSs were superior to those with NSSs. When the ultimate displacement was reached, the core concrete could be effectively restrained by HSSs.