• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.277-300
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• 2016

Cold-formed steel (CFS) sections are becoming an increasingly popular solution for constructing floors in residential, healthcare and education buildings. Their reduced weight, however, makes them prone to excessive vibrations, increasing the need for accurate prediction of CFS floor modal properties. By combining experimental modal analysis of a full-scale CFS framed building and its floors and their numerical finite element (FE) modelling this paper demonstrates that the existing methods (based on the best engineering judgement) for predicting CFS floor modal properties are unreliable. They can yield over 40% difference between the predicted and measured natural frequencies for important modes of vibration. This is because the methods were adopted from other floor types (e.g., timber or standard steel-concrete composite floors) and do not take into account specific features of CFS floors. Using the adjusted and then updated FE model, featuring semi-rigid connections led to markedly improved results. The first four measured and calculated CFS floor natural frequencies matched exactly and all relevant modal assurance criterion (MAC) values were above 90%. The introduction of flexible supports and more realistic modelling of the floor boundary conditions, as well as non-structural $fa{\c{c}}ade$ walls, proved to be crucial in the development of the new more successful modelling strategy. The process used to develop 10 identified and experimentally verified FE modelling parameters is based on published information and parameter adjustment resulting from FE model updating. This can be utilised for future design of similar lightweight steel floors in prefabricated buildings when checking their vibration serviceability, likely to be their governing design criterion.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.99-117
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• 2010

Beam-column joints are the key structural elements, which dictate the behavior of structures subjected to earthquake loading. Though large experimental work has been conducted in the past, still various issues regarding the post-yield behavior, ductility and failure modes of the joints make it a highly important research topic. This paper presents experimental results obtained for eight beam-column joints of different sizes and configuration under cyclic loads along with the analytical evaluation of their response using a simple and effective analytical procedure based on nonlinear static pushover analysis. It is shown that even the simplified analysis can predict, to a good extent, the behavior of the joints by giving the important information on both strength and ductility of the joints and can even be used for prediction of failure modes. The results for four interior and four exterior joints are presented. One confined and one unconfined joint for each configuration were tested and analyzed. The experimental and analytical results are presented in the form of load-deflection. Analytical plots are compared with envelope of experimentally obtained hysteretic loops for the joints. The behavior of various joints under cyclic loads is carefully examined and presented. It is also shown that the procedure described can be effectively utilized to analytically gather the information on behavior of joints.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.491-498
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• 2014

During the past years, the protection of the environment has become a major concern out passing the state frontiers to reach a planetary dimension. Depository waste sites have become a serious problem in terms of their locations and costs. On the other hand, the construction industry has a leading place in terms of quantities of waste produced from the start to the end of each construction site, by the large amounts of raw materials used and their respective consequences on the environment. The recycling of quarry wastes products, of demolished concrete, bricks and large quantities of waste resulting from the transformation of marble blocks can provide ideal solutions and advantages for the preservation of the environment, to become a supplementary source of aggregates. The main purpose of this study is to show technically the possibility of recuperating the aggregates of marble wastes as a partial substitute or total in the mortars. The aggregates used in this study is a sand of marble wastes (excess loads of sand exposed to bad weather conditions) of the quarry derived from Fil-fila marble (Skikda, east of Algeria). To achieve this work, we have studied the effect of sand substitution of marble wastes in the mortar with rates of (25, 50, 75, 100%); comparing the results obtained with reference samples (0%), the properties when the samples are fresh, and the mechanical performances of mortars at solid state (loss and gain of weight, dimensional variations). The introduction of recycled sand in the mortars gives good results and can be used as granulates.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.71-87
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• 2014

Interaction between closely-spaced buildings subject to earthquake induced strong ground motions, termed in the literature as "seismic pounding", occurs commonly during major seismic events in contemporary congested urban environments. Seismic pounding is not taken into account by current codes of practice and is rarely considered in practice at the design stage of new buildings constructed "in contact" with existing ones. Thus far, limited research work has been devoted to quantify the influence of slab-to-slab pounding on the inelastic seismic demands at critical locations of structural members in adjacent structures that are not aligned in series. In this respect, this paper considers a typical case study of a "new" reinforced concrete (R/C) EC8-compliant, torsionally sensitive, 7-story corner building constructed within a block, in bi-lateral contact with two existing R/C 5-story structures with same height floors. A non-linear local plasticity numerical model is developed and a series of non-linear time-history analyses is undertaken considering the corner building "in isolation" from the existing ones (no-pounding case), and in combination with the existing ones (pounding case). Numerical results are reported in terms of averages of ratios of peak inelastic rotation demands at all structural elements (beams, columns, shear walls) at each storey. It is shown that seismic pounding reduces on average the inelastic demands of the structural members at the lower floors of the 7-story building. However, the discrepancy in structural response of the entire block due to torsion-induced, bi-directionally seismic pounding is substantial as a result of the complex nonlinear dynamics of the coupled building block system.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.211-228
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• 2013

The structure analyzed in this paper has particular building style and special structural system. It is a rigid-connected twin-tower skyscraper with asymmetrical distribution of stiffness and masses in two towers. Because of the different stiffness between the north and the south towers, the torsion seismic vibration is significant. In this paper, in order to study the seismic response of the structure under both frequent low-intensity earthquakes as well as rare earthquakes at the levels of intensity 7, the analysis model is built and analyzed with NosaCAD. NosaCAD is an nonlinear structure analysis software based on second-development of AutoCAD with ObjectARX. It has convenient modeling function, high computational efficiency and diversity post-processing functions. The deformations, forces and damages of the structure are investigated based on the analysis. According to the analysis, there is no damage on the structure under frequent earthquakes, and the structure has sufficient capacity and ductility to resist rare earthquakes. Therefore the structure can reach the goal of no damage under frequent earthquakes and no collapse under rare earthquakes. The deformation of the structure is below the limit in Chinese code. The time sequence and distribution of damages on tubes are reasonable, which can dissipate some dynamic energy. At last, according to forces, load-carrying capacity and damage of elements, there are some suggestions on increasing the reinforcement in the core tube at base and in stiffened stories.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2017

Grouting is an operation often carried out to consolidate and seal the rock mass in dam sites and tunnels. One of the important parameters in this operation is grouting pressure. In this paper, analytical models used to estimate pressure are investigated. To validate these models, grouting data obtained from Seymareh and Aghbolagh dams were used. Calculations showed that P-3 model from Groundy and P-25 model obtained from the results of grouting in Iran yield the most accurate predictions of the pressure and measurement errors compared to the real values in P-25 model in this dams are 12 and 14.33 Percent and in p-3 model are 12.25 and 16.66 respectively. Also, SPSS software was applied to define the optimum relation for pressure estimation. The results showed a high correlation between the pressure with the depth of the section, the amount of water take, rock quality degree and grout volume, so that the square of the multiple correlation coefficient among the parameters in this dams were 0.932 and 0.864, respectively. This indicates that regression results can be used to predict the amount of pressure. Eventually, the relationship between the parameters was obtained with the correlation coefficient equal to 0.916 based on the data from both dams generally and shows that there is a desirable correlation between the parameters. The outputs of the program led to the multiple linear regression equation of P=0.403 Depth+0.013 RQD+0.011 LU-0.109 V+0.31 that can be used in estimating the pressure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제64권6권
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• pp.765-781
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• 2017

The out-of-plane response of infill walls has recently gained a growing attention and has been recognised fundamental in the damage assessment of reinforced concrete and steel framed buildings subjected to seismic loads. The observation of damage after earthquakes highlighted that out-of-plane collapse of masonry infills may occur even during seismic events of low or moderate intensity, causing both casualty risks and unfavourable situations affecting the overall structural response. Even though studies concerning the out-of-plane behaviour of infills are not as many as those focused on the in-plane response, in the last decades, a substantial number of researches have been carried out on the out-of-plane behaviour of infills. In this study, the out-of-plane response is investigated considering different aspects. First, damages observed after past earthquakes are examined, with the aim of identifying the main parameters involved and the most critical configurations. Secondly, the response recorded in about 150 experimental tests is deeply examined, focusing on the influence of geometrical characteristics, boundary conditions, prior in-plane damage, presence of reinforcing elements and openings. Finally, different theoretical capacity models and code provisions are discussed and compared, giving specific attention to those based on the arching theory. The reliability of some of these models is herein tested with reference to experimental results. The comparison between analytically predicted and experimental values allows to appreciate the extent of approximation of such methods.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.411-424
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• 2018

This study explores the inelastic behavior of systems with flexible base. The use of a single degree of freedom system (ESDOF) with equivalent ductility to represent the response of flexible base systems is discussed. Two different equations to compute equivalent ductility are proposed, one which includes the contribution of rigid body components, and other based on the overstrength of the structure. In order to asses the accuracy of ESDOF approach with the proposed equations, the behavior of a 10-story regular building with reinforced concrete (RC) moment resisting frames is studied. Local and global ductility capacity and demands are used to study the modifications introduced by base flexibility. Three soil types are considered with shear wave velocities of 70, 100 and 250 m/s. Soil-foundation stiffness is included with a set of springs on the base (impedance functions). Capacity curves of the building are computed with pushover analysis. In addition, non linear time history analysis are used to asses the ductility demands. Results show that ductility capacity of the soil-structure system including rigid body components is reduced. Base flexibility does not modify neither yield and maximum base shear. Equivalent ductility estimated with the proposed equations is fits better the results of the numerical model than the one considering elastoplastic behavior. Modification of beams ductility demand due to base flexibility are not constant within the structure. Some elements experience reduced ductility demands while other elements experience increments when flexible base is considered. Soil structure interaction produces changes in the relation between yield strength reduction factor and structure ductility demand. These changes are dependent on the spectral shape and the period of the system with fixed and flexible base.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.611-626
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• 2017

The research reported herein is concerned with the model testing of piles socketed in soft rock which was simulated by cement, plaster, sand, water and concrete hardening accelerator. Model tests on a single pile socketed in simulated soft rock under axial cyclic loading were conducted and the bearing capacity and accumulated deformation characteristics under different static, and cyclic loads were studied by using a device which combined oneself-designed test apparatus with a dynamic triaxial system. The accumulated deformation of the pile head, and the axial force, were measured by LVDT and strain gauges, respectively. Test results show that the static load ratio (SLR), cyclic load ratio (CLR), and the number of cycles affect the accumulated deformation, cyclic secant modulus of pile head, and ultimate bearing capacity. The accumulated deformation increases with increasing numbers of cycles, however, its rate of growth decreases and is asymptotic to zero. The cyclic secant modulus of pile head increases and then decreases with the growth in the number of cycles, and finally remains stable after 50 cycles. The ultimate bearing capacity of the pile is increased by about 30% because of the cyclic loading thereon, and the axial force is changed due to the applied cyclic shear stress. According to the test results, the development of accumulated settlement is analysed. Finally, an empirical formula for accumulated settlement, considering the effects of the number of cycles, the static load ratio, the cyclic load ratio and the uniaxial compressive strength, is proposed which can be used for feasibility studies or preliminary design of pile foundations on soft rock subjected to cyclic loading.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.119-133
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• 2017

Several theoretical and analytical formulations for the prediction of shear strength in reinforced concrete (RC) beam-to-column joints have been recently developed. Some of these predictive models are included in the most recent seismic codes and currently used in practical design. On the other hand, the influence of the stiffness and strength degradations in RC joints on the seismic performance of RC framed buildings has been only marginally studied, and it is generally neglected in practice-oriented seismic analysis. To investigate such influence, this paper proposes a numerical description for representing the cyclic response of RC exterior joints. This is then used in nonlinear numerical simulations of RC frames subjected to earthquake loading. According to the proposed strategy, RC joints are modelled using nonlinear rotational spring elements with strength and stiffness degradations and limited ductility under cyclic loading. The proposed joint model has been firstly calibrated against the results from experimental tests on 12 RC exterior joints. Subsequently, nonlinear static and dynamic analyses have been carried out on two-, three- and four-storey RC frames, which represent realistic existing structures designed according to old standards. The numerical results confirm that the global seismic response of the analysed RC frames is strongly affected by the hysteretic damage in the beam-to-column joints, which determines the failure mode of the frames. This highlights that neglecting the effects of joints damage may potentially lead to non-conservative seismic assessment of existing RC framed structures.