• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.271-294
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• 2014

In recent years, along with the advances made in performance-based design optimization, the need for fast calculation of response parameters in dynamic analysis procedures has become an important issue. The main problem in this field is the extremely high computational demand of time-history analyses which may convert the solution algorithm to illogical ones. Two simplifying strategies have shown to be very effective in tackling this problem; first, simplified nonlinear modeling investigating minimum level of structural modeling sophistication, second, wavelet analysis of earthquake records decreasing the number of acceleration points involved in time-history loading. In this paper, we try to develop an efficient framework, using both strategies, to solve the performance-based multi-objective optimal design problem considering the initial cost and the seismic damage cost of steel moment-frame structures. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is employed as the optimization algorithm to search the Pareto optimal solutions. The constraints of the optimization problem are considered in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommended design specifications. The results from numerical application of the proposed framework demonstrate the capabilities of the framework in solving the present multi-objective optimization problem.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.119-129
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• 2013

Nonlinear Static Procedures (NSPs) have been developed as a practical tool to estimate the seismic demand of structures. Several researches have accomplished to minimize errors of NSPs, namely pushover procedures, in the Nonlinear Time History Analysis (NTHA), as the most exact method. The most important issue in a typical pushover procedure is the pattern and technique of loading which are extracted based on structural dynamic fundamentals. In this paper, the coefficients of modal force combination is focused involving a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm to find the optimum load pattern which results in a response with minimum amount of errors in comparison to the NTHA counterpart. Other parameters of the problem are based on the FEMA recommendations for pushover analysis of building structures. The proposed approach is implemented on a high-rise 20 storey concrete moment resisting frame under three earthquake records. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the studied procedure the results are presented beside other well-known pushover methods such as MPA and the FEMA procedures, and the results show the efficiency of the proposed load patterns.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.487-504
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• 2013

In the present work a new friction device, with a set of single or double rotational friction flanges and a link element, is described and tested. The mechanism may be applied for the strengthening of existing r/c or steel buildings as well as in new constructed buildings. The device has selectable variable behavior in different levels of displacement and an interlock mechanism that is provided by the link element. The link element may be designed to lock at preselected level of displacement, offering in this way an extra safety reserve against strong earthquakes. A summary of the existing literature about other similar mechanisms is initially presented in this paper. The proposed mechanism is presented and described in details. Laboratory experiments are presented in detail and the resulted response that proves the efficiency of the mechanism at selectable levels of strength capacity is discussed. Drawings of the mechanism attached to a r/c frame with connection details are also included. Finally a dynamic analysis of two r/c frames, with and without the proposed mechanism attached, is performed and the resulted response is given. The main conclusion is that the proposed mechanism is a cheap and efficient devise for the improvement of the performance of new or existing framed buildings to seismic loads.

• 한국압력기기공학회 논문집
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.59-68
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• 2018

This study compares true stress-true strain curves obtained by tensile tests of various piping materials with bi-linear stress-strain approximation suggested in the JSME Code Case(CC) Draft, a guideline for piping seismic inelastic response analysis. Based on the comparisons, the reliability of the bi-linear approximation is evaluated. It is found that bi-linear stress-strain curve of TP316 stainless steel is in good agreement with its true stress-true strain curve. However, Bi-linear stress-strain curves of TP304 stainless steel and carbon steels determined by the approximation cannot appropriately estimate their stress-strain behavior. Accordingly new bi-linear approximations for carbon steels and low-alloy steels are proposed. The proposed bi-linear approximations for carbon and low-alloy steels, which include the temperature effect on strength and hardening of material, estimate their stress-strain behavior reasonably well.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.65-74
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• 2019

This paper reports on the results of a parametric study, which examines the effects of varying aspect ratios on the dynamic response of cylindrical silos directly supported on the ground under earthquake loading. Previous research has shown that numerical models can provide considerably realistic simulations when it comes to the behavior of silos by using correct boundary conditions, appropriate element types and material models. To this end, a three dimensional numerical model, taking into account the bulk material-silo wall interaction, was produced by the ANSYS commercial program, which is in turn based on the finite element method. The results obtained from the numerical analysis are discussed comparatively in terms of dynamic material pressure, horizontal displacement, equivalent base shear force and equivalent bending moment responses for considered aspect ratios. The effects experienced because of the slenderness of the silo in regards to the seismic response were evaluated along with the effectiveness of the classification system proposed by Eurocode in evaluating the loads on the vertical walls. Results clearly show that slenderness directly affects the seismic response of such structures especially in terms of behavior and the magnitude of the responses. Furthermore the aspect ratio value of 2.0, given as a behavioral changing limit in the technical literature, can be used as a valid limit for seismic behavior.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.561-572
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• 2019

In the design criterion for the nuclear power plant piping system, the limit state of the piping against an earthquake is assumed to be plastic collapse. The failure of a common piping system, however, means the leakage caused by the cracks. Therefore, for the seismic fragility analysis of a nuclear power plant, a method capable of quantitatively expressing the failure of an actual piping system is required. In this study, it was conducted to propose a quantitative failure criterion for piping system, which is required for the seismic fragility analysis of nuclear power plants against critical accidents. The in-plane cyclic loading test was conducted to propose a quantitative failure criterion for steel pipe elbows in the nuclear power plant piping system. Nonlinear analysis was conducted using a finite element model, and the results were compared with the test results to verify the effectiveness of the finite element model. The collapse load point derived from the experiment and analysis results and the damage index based on the stress-strain relationship were defined as failure criteria, and seismic fragility analysis was conducted for the piping system of the BNL (Brookhaven National Laboratory) - NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) benchmark model.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.41-54
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• 2019

Reinforced Concrete (RC) shear walls are widely used in Nuclear power plants as effective lateral force resisting elements of the structure and these may experience nonlinear behavior for higher earthquake demand. Short shear walls of aspect ratio less than 1.5 generally experience combined shear flexure interaction. This paper presents the results of the displacement-controlled experiments performed on six RC short shear walls with varying aspect ratios (1, 1.25 and 1.5) for monotonic and reversed quasi-static cyclic loading. Simulation of the shear walls is then carried out by Finite element modeling and also by macro modeling considering the coupled shear and flexure behaviour. The shear response is estimated by softened truss theory using the concrete model given by Vecchio and Collins (1994) with a modification in softening part of the model and flexure response is estimated using moment curvature relationship. The accuracy of modeling is validated by comparing the simulated response with experimental one. Moreover, based on the experimental work a multi-linear hysteretic model is proposed for short shear walls. Finally ultimate load, drift, ductility, stiffness reduction and failure pattern of the shear walls are studied in details and hysteretic energy dissipation along with damage index are evaluated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제78권4호
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• pp.387-401
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• 2021

This paper provides a methodology to analyze the seismic performance of different component designs in hybrid masonry structures (HMS). HMS, comprised of masonry panels, steel frames and plate connectors is a relatively new structural system with potential applications in high seismic areas. HMS dissipate earthquake energy through yielding in the steel components and damage in the masonry panels. Currently, there are no complete codes to assist with the design of the energy dissipation components of HMS and there have been no computational studies performed to aid in the understanding of the system energy dissipation mechanisms. This paper presents parametric studies based on calibrated computational models to extrapolate the test data to a wider range of connector strengths and more varied reinforcement patterns and reinforcement ratios of the masonry panels. The results of the numerical studies are used to provide a methodology to examine the effect of connector strength and masonry panel design on the energy dissipation in HMS systems. We use as test cases two story structures subjected to cyclic loading due to the availability of experimental data for these configurations. The methodology presented is however general and can be applied to arbitrary panel geometries, and column and story numbers.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.105-113
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• 2021

Deformations in soils induced by dynamic loads cause damage to the structures above the soil layers. It is important for geotechnical engineering practice that how the soil behaves due to repeated loads and the necessary precautions to be taken accordingly. Turkey is one of the most important seismic regions in Europe and earthquake studies to be conducted in this area are intended to reduce the damage as a result of taking the necessary measures. To determine the properties of soils under dynamic loads, stress-controlled dynamic triaxial and resonant column tests can be performed. In this study, these experiments were implemented in the laboratory on the clayey sand soil samples obtained from Bilecik Söğüt. To evaluate the effects of the confining pressure and rate of loading on the dynamic behavior of soils, samples were dynamically loaded by different rates at varying confining pressures. As a result, the changes in stress-strain properties of soils under dynamic loads were investigated. The alteration in behavior in terms of modulus reduction and damping ratios was obtained to vary a lot with the change of the lateral pressure on soil along with the frequency of the load.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.491-503
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• 2021

Shallow tunnels are vulnerable to earthquakes, and shallow ground is usually inhomogeneous. Based on the limit equilibrium method and variational principle, a solution for the seismic collapse mechanism of shallow tunnel in inhomogeneous ground is presented. And the finite difference method is employed to compare with the analytical solution. It shows that the analytical results are conservative when the horizontal and vertical stresses equal the static earth pressure and zero at vault section, respectively. The safety factor of shallow tunnel changes greatly during an earthquake. Hence, the cyclic loading characteristics should be considered to evaluate tunnel stability. And the curve sliding surface agrees with the numerical simulation and previous studies. To save time and ensure accuracy, the curve sliding surface with 2 undetermined constants is a good choice to analyze shallow tunnel stability. Parameter analysis demonstrates that the horizontal semiaxis, acceleration, ground cohesion and homogeneity affect tunnel stability greatly, and the horizontal semiaxis, vertical semiaxis, tunnel depth and ground homogeneity have obvious influence on tunnel sliding surface. It concludes that the most applicable approaches to enhance tunnel stability are reducing the horizontal semiaxis, strengthening cohesion and setting the tunnel into good ground.