• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.277-293
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• 2024

Shored Mechanically Stabilized Earth (SMSE) walls are types of soil retaining structures that increase soil stability under static and dynamic loads. The damage caused by an earthquake can be determined by evaluating the probabilistic seismic response of SMSE walls. This study aimed to assess the seismic performance of SMSE walls and provide fragility curves for evaluating failure levels. The generated fragility curves can help to improve the seismic performance of these walls through assessing and controlling variables like backfill surface settlement, lateral deformation of facing, and permanent relocation of the wall. A parametric study was performed based on a non-linear elastoplastic constitutive model known as the hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness, HSsmall. The analyses were conducted using PLAXIS 2D, a Finite Element Method (FEM) program, under plane-strain conditions to study the effect of the number of geogrid layers and the axial stiffness of geogrids on the performance of SMSE walls. In this study, three areas of damage (minor, moderate, and severe) were observed and, in all cases, the wall has not completely entered the stage of destruction. For the base model (Model A), at the highest ground acceleration coefficient (1 g), in the moderate damage state, the fragility probability was 76%. These values were 62%, and 54%, respectively, by increasing the number of geogrids (Model B) and increasing the geogrid stiffness (Model C). Meanwhile, the fragility values were 99%, 98%, and 97%, respectively in the case of minor damage. Notably, the probability of complete destruction was zero percent in all models.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.287-306
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• 2002

The assessment of structural performance of transfer structures under potential seismic actions is presented. Various seismic assessment methodologies are used, with particular emphasis on the accurate modelling of the higher mode effects and the potential development of a soft storey effect in the mega-columns below the transfer plate (TP) level. Those methods include response spectrum analysis (RSA), manual calculation, pushover analysis (POA) and equivalent static load analysis (ESA). The capabilities and limitations of each method are highlighted. The paper aims, firstly, to determine the appropriate seismic assessment methodology for transfer structures using these different approaches, all of which can be undertaken with the resources generally available in a design office. Secondly, the paper highlights and discusses factors influencing the response behaviour of transfer structures, and finally provides a general indication of their seismic vulnerability. The representative Hong Kong building considered in this paper utilises a structural system with coupled shear walls and moment resisting portal-frames, above and below the TP, respectively. By adopting the wind load profile stipulated in the Code of Practice on Wind Effects: Hong Kong-1983, all the structural members are sized and detailed according to the British Standards BS8110 and the current local practices. The seismic displacement demand for the structure, when built on either rock or deep soil sites, was determined in a companion paper. The lateral load-displacement characteristic of the building, determined herein from manual calculation, has indicated that the poor ductility (brittle nature) of the mega-columns, due mainly to the high level of axial pre-compression as found from the analysis, cannot be effectively alleviated solely by increasing the quantity of confinement stirrups. The interstorey drift demands at lower and upper zones caused by seismic actions are found to be substantially higher than those arising from wind loads. The mega-columns supporting the TP and the coupling beams at higher zones are identified to be the most vulnerable components under seismic actions.

• 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.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.31-38
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the seismic performance of gravity-designed post tensioned (PT) flat plate frames with and without slab bottom reinforcement passing through the column. In low and moderate seismic regions, buildings are often designed considering only gravity loads. This study focuses on the seismic performance of gravity load designed PT flat plate frames. For this purpose, 3-, 6- and 9-story PT flat plate frames are designed considering only gravity loads. For reinforced concrete flat plate frames, continuous slab bottom reinforcement (integrity reinforcement) passing through the column should be placed to prevent progressive collapse; however, for the PT flat plate frames, the slab bottom reinforcement is often omitted since the requirement for the slab bottom reinforcement for PT flat plates is not clearly specified in ACI 318-08. This study evaluates the seismic performance of the model frames, which was evaluated by conducting nonlinear time history analyses. For conducting nonlinear time history analyses, six sets of ground motions are used as input ground motions, which represent two different hazard levels (return periods of 475 and 2475 years) and three different locations (Boston, Seattle, and L.A.). This study shows that gravity designed PT flat plate frames have some seismic resistance. In addition, the seismic performance of PT flat plate frames is significantly improved by the placement of slab bottom reinforcement passing through the column.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.239-252
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• 2011

In this study, the performances of a passive tuned mass damper (TMD) and a semi-active TMD (STMD) were evaluated in terms of seismic response control of elastic and inelastic structures under seismic loads. First, elastic displacement spectra were obtained for damped structures with a passive TMD and with a STMD proposed in this study. The displacement spectra confirmed that the STMD provided much better control performance than passive TMD and the STMD had less stroke requirement. Also, the robustness of the TMD was evaluated by off-tuning the frequency of the TMD to that of the structure. Finally, numerical analyses were conducted for an inelastic structure of hysteresis described by the Bouc-Wen model. The results indicated that the performance of the passive TMD whose design parameters were optimized for an elastic structure considerably deteriorated when the hysteretic portion of the structural responses increased, and that the STMD showed about 15-40% more response reduction than the TMD.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.541-553
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• 2018

In this paper a limit analysis based procedure for the rapid evaluation of the in-plane seismic capacity of masonry arch bridges is carried out. Attention has been paid to the effect of the backfill on the collapse load. A parametric investigation has been performed by varying the rise/span ratio and the results have been compared with those obtained by finite element modelling. The comparison highlights the conservative feature of the proposed model in terms of ultimate loads and a good agreement in terms of collapse mechanisms.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.99-112
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• 2016

Since the preservation of monuments is very important to human societies, different methods are required to preserve historic structures. In this paper, 3D model of arch stone bridge at Pont Saint Martin, Aosta, Italy, was simulated by 1660 integrated separate stones using ABAQUS$^{(R)}$ software to investigate the seismic susceptibility of the bridge. The main objective of this research was to study a method of preservation of the historical stone bridge against possible earthquakes using FRP techniques. The nonlinear behavior model of materials used theory of plasticity based on Drucker-Prager yield criterion. Then, contact behavior between the block and mortar was modeled. Also, Seismosignal software was used to collect data related to 1976 Friuli Earthquake Italy, which constitutes a real seismic loading. The results show that, retrofitting of the arch stone bridge using FRP techniques decreased displacement of stones of spandrel walls, which prevents the collapse of stones.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.81-84
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• 2005

In order to effectively resist seismic loads, coupling beams must be sufficiently stiff, strong and posses a stable load-deflection hysteretic response. This paper reports experimental data on the seismic performance of precast HPFRCC coupling beams with variable details. Precast HPFRCC coupling beam was tested to evaluate their failure modes. shear behavior, micro crack pattern and energy dissipation. Based on the experimental results, precast coupling beam with diagonal and rhombic details offer greater performance and ductility than coupling beam with normal detail.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.499-518
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• 2009

The present paper investigates the stochastic seismic responses of steel structure systems with Partially Restrained (PR) connections by using Perturbation based Stochastic Finite Element (PSFEM) method. A stiffness matrix formulation of steel systems with PR connections and PSFEM and MCS formulations of structural systems are given. Based on the formulations, a computer program in FORTRAN language has been developed, and stochastic seismic analyses of steel frame and bridge systems have been performed for different types of connections. The connection parameters, material and geometrical properties are assumed to be random variables in the analyses. The Kocaeli earthquake occurred in 1999 is considered as a ground motion. The connection parameters, material and geometrical properties are considered to be random variables. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed SFEM algorithm are validated by comparison with results of Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.274-281
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• 2002

In this study a analytical model for a structure with buckling-restrained unbonded knee-braces is proposed, and a performance-based seismic design procedure for such a system Is provided. The proposed structure system has advantage of simplifying the structural design procedure in that the hinge-connected main structural members, such as beams and columns, are designed only for gravity loads, and all the lateral seismic load is resisted by the braces. The design procedure is based on the concept of equivalent damping, and is implemented to the capacity spectrum method. Parametric study is performed with design variables such as yield stress and cross-sectional area of knee-braces to find out proper slope of the braces.