• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2022

Time-dependent stress-strain behaviour significantly influences the compressibility characteristics of the clayey soil. In this paper, a series of oedometer tests were conducted in two loading patterns and investigated the time-dependent compressibility characteristics of Indian Montmorillonite Clay, also known as black cotton soil (BC) soil, during loading-unloading stages. The experimental data are analyzed using a new non-linear function of the Elasto-Visco-Plastic Model considering Swelling behaviour (EVPS model). From the experimental result, it is found that BC soil exhibits significant time-dependent behaviour during creep compared to the swelling stage. Pore water entrance restriction due to consolidated overburden pressure and decrease in cation hydrations are responsible factors. Apart from it, particle sliding is also evident during creep. The time-dependent parameters like strain limit, creep coefficient and C_αe/C_c are observed to be significant during the loading stage than the swelling stage. The relationship between creep coefficients and applied stresses is found to be nonlinear. The creep coefficient increases significantly up to 630 kPa-760 kPa (during reloading), and beyond it, the creep coefficient decreases continuously. Several parameters like loading duration, the magnitude of applied stress, loading history, and loading path have also influenced secondary compressibility characteristics. The time-dependent compressibility characteristics of BC soil are presented and discussed in detail.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.673-687
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• 2023

In this study, the weight and the connections type layout of low-rise eccentrically braced frame (EBF) have been optimized based on performance-based design method. For this purpose, two objective functions were defined based on two different aspects on rigid connections, in one of which minimization and in the other one, maximization of the number of rigid connections was considered. These two objective functions seek to increase the area under the pushover curve, in addition to the reduction of the weight and selection of the optimum connections type layout. The performance of these objective functions was investigated in optimal design of a three-story eccentrically braced frame, using two meta-heuristic algorithms: Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization (ECBO) and Enhanced Vibrating Particles System (EVPS). Then, the reliability indices of the optimal designs for both objective functions were calculated for the story lateral drift limits using Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Based on the reliability assessment results of the optimal designs and taking the three levels of safety into account, the final designs were selected and their specifications were compared.