• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-118
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• 2017

In vertical seismic isolation (VSI), a building is partitioned intentionally by vertical layers into two dynamically different substructures for seismic response reduction. Initially, a 1-story frame was partitioned into two substructures, interconnected by viscous and visco-elastic links, and seismic responses of the original and the vertically isolated structures (VIS) were obtained, considering a large number of stiffness and mass ratios of substructures with respect to the original structure. Color contour graphs were defined for presentation and investigation of large amounts of output results. Dynamic characteristics of the isolated structures were studied by considering the non-classical damping of the system, and then the effects of viscous and visco-elastic link parameters on the modal damping ratios were discussed. On this basis, three states of mass isolation, interactional state, and control mass were differentiated. Response history analyses were performed by Runge-Kutta numerical method. In these analyses, interaction of isolation ratios and link parameters, on response control of VIS was studied and the appropriate ranges for link parameters as well as the optimal ranges for isolation ratios were suggested. Results show that by using the VSI technique, seismic response reduction up to 50% in flexible substructure and even more in stiff substructure is achievable.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2023

To better estimate the non-Gaussian extreme wind pressures for high-rise buildings, a data-driven revised Hermitetype peak factor estimation model is proposed in this papar. Subsequently, a comparative study on three types of methods, such as Hermite-type models, short-time estimate Gumbel method (STE), and new translated-peak-process method (TPP) is carried out. The investigations show that the proposed Hermite-type peak factor has better accuracy and applicability than the other Hermite-type models, and its absolute accuracy is slightly inferior to the STE and new TPP methods for non-Gaussian wind pressures by comparing with the observed values. Moreover, these methods generally overestimate the Gaussian wind pressures especially the STE.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.471-487
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• 2004

Modular steel scaffolds are commonly used as supporting scaffolds in building construction, and traditionally, the load carrying capacities of these scaffolds are obtained from limited full-scale tests with little rational design. Structural failure of these scaffolds occurs from time to time due to inadequate design, poor installation and over-loads on sites. In general, multi-storey modular steel scaffolds are very slender structures which exhibit significant non-linear behaviour. Hence, secondary moments due to both $P-{\delta}$ and $P-{\Delta}$ effects should be properly accounted for in the non-linear analyses. Moreover, while the structural behaviour of these scaffolds is known to be very sensitive to the types and the magnitudes of restraints provided from attached members and supports, yet it is always difficult to quantify these restraints in either test or practical conditions. The problem is further complicated due to the presence of initial geometrical imperfections in the scaffolds, including both member out-of-straightness and storey out-of-plumbness, and hence, initial geometrical imperfections should be carefully incorporated. This paper presents an extensive numerical study on three different approaches in analyzing and designing multi-storey modular steel scaffolds, namely, a) Eigenmode Imperfection Approach, b) Notional Load Approach, and c) Critical Load Approach. It should be noted that the three approaches adopt different ways to allow for the non-linear behaviour of the scaffolds in the presence of initial geometrical imperfections. Moreover, their suitability and accuracy in predicting the structural behaviour of modular steel scaffolds are discussed and compared thoroughly. The study aims to develop a simplified and yet reliable design approach for safe prediction on the load carrying capacities of multi-storey modular steel scaffolds, so that engineers can ensure safe and effective use of these scaffolds in building construction.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.203-220
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• 2010

In the present study, exterior beam-column sub-assemblage from a regular reinforced concrete (RC) building has been considered. Two different types of beam-column sub-assemblages from existing RC building have been considered, i.e., gravity load designed ('GLD'), and seismically designed but without any ductile detailing ('NonDuctile'). Hence, both the cases represent the under-designed structure at different time frame span before the introduction of ductile detailing. For designing 'NonDuctile' structure, Eurocode and Indian Standard were considered. Non-linear finite element (FE) program has been employed for analysing the sub-assemblages under cyclic loading. FE models were developed using quadratic concrete brick elements with embedded truss elements to represent reinforcements. It has been found that the results obtained from the numerical analysis are well corroborated with that of experimental results. Using the validated numerical models, it was proposed to correlate the energy dissipation from numerical analysis to that from experimental analysis. Numerical models would be helpful in practice to evaluate the seismic performance of the critical sub-assemblages prior to design decisions. Further, using the numerical studies, performance of the sub-assemblages with variation of axial load ratios (ratio is defined by applied axial load divided by axial strength) has been studied since many researchers have brought out inconsistent observations on role of axial load in changing strength and energy dissipation under cyclic load.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.657-671
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• 2015

The level of ductility is determined by depending on the intended use of the building, the region's seismic characteristics and the type of structural system when buildings are planned by engineers. Major portion of seismic energy is intended to be consumed in the plastic zone in structural systems of high ductility, so the occurrence of damages in load bearing and non-load bearing structural elements is accepted in planning stage under severe earthquakes. However, these damages must be limited among specific values in order not to endanger buildings in terms of the bearing capacity. Isolators placed between the basement and upper structure make buildings behave elastically by reducing the effects of seismic loads and improving seismic performance of building significantly. Thus, damages can be limited among desired values. In this study, the effectiveness of seismic isolation is investigated on both fixed based and seismic isolated models of a hospital building with high ductility level with regard to lateral displacements, internal forces, structural periods and cost of the building. Layered rubber bearings are interposed between the base of the structure and foundation. Earthquake analysis of the building are performed using earthquake records in time domain (Kocaeli, Loma Prieta and Landers). Results obtained from three-dimensional finite element models are presented by graphs and tables in detail. That seismic isolation reduces significantly the destructive effects of earthquakes on structures is seen from the results obtained by seismic analysis.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.389-395
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• 2018

This paper presents the application of a semi-active fuzzy based control system for seismic response reduction of a single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) framed structure using a Magnetorheological (MR) damper. Semi-active vibration control with MR dampers has been shown to be a viable approach to protect building structures from earthquake excitation. Moreover, intelligent damping systems based on soft-computing techniques such as fuzzy logic models have the inherent robustness to deal with typical uncertainties and non-linearities present in civil engineering structures. Thus, the proposed semi-active control system uses fuzzy logic based models to simulate the behavior of MR damper and also to develop the control algorithm that computes the required control signal to command the actuator. The results of the numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the suggested semi-active control system in reducing the response of the SDOF structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2017

Seismic pounding between adjacent buildings with inadequate separation and different dynamic characteristics can cause severe damage to the colliding buildings. Efficient estimation of the maximum pounding force is required to control the extent of damage in adjacent structures or develop an appropriate mitigation method. In this paper, an analytical approach on the basis of statistical relations is presented for approximate computation of extreme value of pounding force between two adjacent structures with equal or unequal heights subjected to stationary and non-stationary excitations. The nonlinearity of adjacent structures is considered using Bouc-Wen model of hysteresis and the pounding effect is simulated by applying the nonlinear viscoelastic model. It is shown that the proposed approach can significantly save computational costs by obviating the need for performing dynamic analysis. To assess the reliability and accuracy of the proposed approach, the results are compared with those obtained from nonlinear dynamic analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.449-467
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• 2006

Most existing concrete structures in Taiwan are considered nonductile due to insufficient transverse reinforcement and poor detailing of frame elements. Such features are fairly typical for buildings constructed prior to 1997, at which time the local building code was revised based on ACI 318-95. Among these structures, many contain perimeter or partition walls made of concrete or clay brick for architectural purposes. These walls, though treated as non-structural components in common design practice, could affect the structural behavior of the buildings during an earthquake. To study the behavior of such structures under seismic load, experiments were conducted on concrete frames of various configurations to show the force-deformation relationships, damage patterns, and other characteristics of the frames. For further interest, similar units with columns jacketed by carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) were also tested to illustrate the effectiveness of this technique in the retrofit of concrete frames.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.83-88
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• 2012

This study analyzed the measured value came out by the field test to verify the surface temperature reduction of the flat roof due to green roof, and confirmed the influence of the green roof based on it, and assessed the possibility of saving structures' energy and reducing $CO_2$ emission of structures. For the actual measurement, the differences of the average atmospheric temperature of the green roof and non-green roof flat roof were $8.67^{\circ}C$ and $0.787^{\circ}C$, and the average floor temperature gaps were $11^{\circ}C$ and $2.008^{\circ}C$ in October and November respectively. It was expected that if it's measured on around summer solstice that the temperature gets higher, the deviation of the surface temperature should be bigger, and it was confirmed that the green roof eventually raises insulating effect of structures and will influence on cooling and heating effects such as energy saving and insulating.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.165-181
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• 2023

The effectiveness of fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) on dynamic response mitigation of coupled two adjacent structures was investigated, considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects under earthquake excitation. A numerical procedure was employed to evaluate system response. The finite elements were used for the numerical treatment of the adjacent buildings and soil region. Viscous boundary conditions were used as special non-reflecting boundaries on the edges of finite soil region. According to the results, the FVDs were found to be very effective for dynamic response mitigation of the adjacent buildings, even if considering the soil medium. The results showed that the most affecting parameter on the system response was found to be soil type. It was also concluded that when adjacent structures coupled by FVDs, the maximum values of the roof displacements, the base shear forces, and the base bending moments could decrease up to around 50%. Changing in lateral stiffness of the one building has minor effects on the effectiveness of viscous dampers.