• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.641-653
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• 2018

This paper presents experiment and bearing capacity analyses of steel dual-lintel column (SDC) joints in Chinese traditional style buildings. Two SDC interior joints and two SDC exterior joints, which consisted of dual box-section lintels, circular column and square column, were designed and tested under low cyclic loading. The force transferring mechanisms at the panel zone of SDC joints were proposed. And also, the load-strain curves at the panel zone, failure modes, hysteretic loops and skeleton curves of the joints were analyzed. It is shown that the typical failure modes of the joints are shear buckling at bottom panel zone, bending failure at middle panel zone, welds fracturing at the panel zone, and tension failure of base metal in the heat-affected zone of the joints. The ultimate bearing capacity of SDC joints appears to decrease with the increment of axial compression ratio. However, the bearing capacities of exterior joints are lower than those of interior joints at the same axial compression ratio. In order to predict the formulas of the bending capacity at the middle panel zone and the shear capacity at the bottom panel zone, the calculation model and the stress state of the element at the panel zone of SDC joints were studied. As the calculated values showed good agreements with the test results, the proposed formulas can be reliably applied to the analysis and design of SDC joints in Chinese traditional style buildings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.541-561
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• 2010

This paper presents finite element analyses, experimental measurements and finite element model updating of an arch type steel laboratory bridge model using semi-rigid connections. The laboratory bridge model is a single span and fixed base structure with a length of 6.1 m and width of 1.1m. The height of the bridge column is 0.85 m and the maximum arch height is 0.95 m. Firstly, a finite element model of the bridge is created in SAP2000 program and analytical dynamic characteristics such as natural frequencies and mode shapes are determined. Then, experimental measurements using ambient vibration tests are performed and dynamic characteristics (natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios) are obtained. Ambient vibration tests are performed under natural excitations such as wind and small impact effects. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition method in the frequency domain and the Stochastic Subspace Identification method in the time domain are used to extract the dynamic characteristics. Then the finite element model of the bridge is updated using linear elastic rotational springs in the supports and structural element connections to minimize the differences between analytically and experimentally estimated dynamic characteristics. At the end of the study, maximum differences in the natural frequencies are reduced on average from 47% to 2.6%. It is seen that there is a good agreement between analytical and experimental results after finite element model updating. Also, connection percentages of the all structural elements to joints are determined depending on the rotational spring stiffness.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.221-236
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• 2023

In order to study the seismic response of the main plant of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) structure of the CAP1400 nuclear power plant under the influence of different high-mode vibration, the 1/7 model structure was manufactured and its dynamic characteristics was tested. Secondly, the finite element model of SRC frame-bent structure was established, the seismic response was analyzed by mode-superposition response spectrum method. Taking the combination result of the 500 vibration modes as the standard, the error of the base reactions, inter-story drift, bending moment and shear of different modes were calculated. Then, based on the results, the influence of high-mode vibration on the seismic response of the SRC frame-bent structure of the main plant was analyzed. The results show that when the 34 vibration modes were intercepted, the mass participation coefficient of the vertical and horizontal vibration mode was above 90%, which can meet the requirements of design code. There is a large error between the seismic response calculated by the 34 and 500 vibration modes, and the error decreases as the number of modes increases. When 60 modes were selected, the error can be reduced to about 1%. The error of the maximum bottom moment of the bottom column appeared in the position of the bent column. Finally, according to the characteristics of the seismic influence coefficient αj of each mode, the mode contribution coefficient γj•Xji was defined to reflect the contribution of each mode to the seismic action.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.691-708
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• 2018

An innovative Hybrid Passive Resistive configuration for Truss Girder Frames (HPR-TGFs) is introduced in the present study. The proposed system is principally consisting of Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs) and Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) as its seismic resistive components. Concurrent utilization of these devices will develop an efficient energy dissipating mechanism which is able to mitigate lateral displacements as well as the base shear, simultaneously. However, under certain circumstances which the presence of FVDs might not be essential, the proposed configuration has the potential to incorporate double BRBs in order to achieve the redundancy of alternative load bearing paths. This study is extending the modern Direct Displacement Based Design (DDBD) procedure as the design methodology for HPR-TGF systems. Based on a series of nonlinear time history analysis, it is demonstrated that the design outcomes are almost identical to the pre-assumed design criteria. This implies that the ultimate characteristics of HPR-TGFs such as lateral stiffness and inter-story drifts are well-proportioned through the proposed design procedure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.703-716
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• 2018

In this study, the different energy demands in reinforced concrete (RC) wall piers, coupled by buckling restrained braces (BRBs), are investigated. As well as this, a single plastic hinge approach (SPH) and an extended plastic hinge (EPH) approach is considered for the wall piers. In the SPH approach, plasticity can extend only in the 0.1H adjacent to the wall base while, in the EPH approach, the plasticity can extend anywhere in the wall. The seismic behavior of 10-, 20- and 30-storey structures, subjected to near-fault (NF) as well as far-fault (FF) earthquakes, is studied with respect to the energy concepts involved in each storey. Different kinds of energy, including inelastic, damping, kinetic, elastic and total input energy demand, are investigated. The energy contribution from the wall piers, as well as the BRBs in each model, are studied. On average, for EPH approach, the inelastic demand portion pertaining to the BRBs for NF and FF records, is more than 60 and 80%, respectively. In the SPH approach, these ratios are 77 and 90% for the NF and FF events, respectively. It appears that utilizing the BRBs as energy dissipation members between two wall piers is an efficient concept.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.671-690
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• 2021

Seismic responses of RC core wall with two outriggers are investigated in this study. In the models analyzed here, one of the outriggers is fixed at the top of the building and the second is placed at different levels along the height of the system. Each of the systems resulting from the placement of the outrigger at different locations is designed according to the prescriptive codes. The location of the outrigger changes along the height. Linear design of all the structures is accomplished by using prescriptive codes. Buckling restrained braces (BRBs) are used in the outriggers and forward directivity near fault and far fault earthquake record sets are used at maximum considered earthquake (MCE) level. Results from nonlinear time history analysis demonstrate that BRB outriggers can change the seismic responses like force distribution and deformation demand of the RC core-walls over the height and lead to the new plastic hinge arrangement over the core-wall height. Plasticity extension in the RC core wall occurs at the base as well as adjacent to the outrigger levels. Considering the maximum inter-story drift ratio (IDR) demand as an engineering parameter, the best location for the second outrigger is at 0.75H, in which the maximum IDR at the region upper the second outrigger level is approximately equal to the corresponding value in the lower region.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.375-388
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• 2022

Nibellen structural system is a novel resilient bracing system based on the application of Bellville disks and Nitinol rods. The cyclic behavior of Nibellen assembly was obtained, and the design equations were developed based on the available literature. Seismic performance of the system was then studied analytically. Two groups of buildings with different lateral force resisting systems were designed and studied: one group with the Nibellen system, and the other with the special concentrically braced frame system. Each building group consisted of 5-, 10-, and 15-story buildings. The Design-Base-Event (DBE) and Maximum Considered Event (MCE) were considered as the seismic hazard, and a suite of seven ground motions were scaled accordingly for response history analyses. Finally, the resiliency of the buildings was studied by obtaining the functionality curve of the buildings before and after the seismic event. The construction cost of the 5-story building with Nibellen bracing system increased but the post-earthquake cost decreased significantly. The application of Nibellen system in the 10- and 15-story buildings reduced both the construction and repair costs, considerably. Resiliency of all the buildings was improved when Nibellen system was used as the lateral force resisting system.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.5
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• pp.463-480
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• 2023

The buckling-restrained braced frames with eccentric configurations (BRBF-Es) exhibit stable cyclic behavior and possess a high energy absorption capacity. Additionally, they offer architectural advantages for incorporating openings, much like Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs). However, studies have indicated that significant residual drifts occur in this system when subjected to earthquakes at the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) hazard level. Consequently, in order to mitigate these residual drifts, it is recommended to employ self-centering systems alongside the BRBF-E system. In our current research, we propose the utilization of the Direct Displacement-Based Seismic Design method to determine the design base shear for a hybrid system that combines BRBF with an eccentric configuration and a self-centering frame. Furthermore, we present a methodology for designing the individual components of this composite system. To assess the effectiveness of this design approach, we designed 3-, 6-, and 9-story buildings equipped with the BRBF-E-SCF system and developed finite element models. These models were subjected to two sets of ground motions representing the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) and Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) seismic hazard levels. The results of our study reveal that although the combined system requires a higher amount of steel material compared to the BRBF-E system, it substantially reduces residual drift. Furthermore, the combined system demonstrates satisfactory performance in terms of story drift and ductility demand.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2024

This study delves into the interaction dynamics between lateral notches and inclusions, providing valuable insights for more effective engineering of structural components. By employing the finite element method, the research analyzes how inclusions affect the dimensions and contours of the plastic zone under confined plasticity conditions. Several parameters were investigated, including loading influence, the distance between the inclusion and notch tip, inclusion stiffness, and the distribution of Von Mises stress, as well as normal stresses σxx and σyy, and Comparison between different stresses. Examining stress distributions under varying loading conditions reveals a significant intensification, particularly near the crack tip. Moreover, the presence of an inclusion near the notch base reduces both the size and shape of the plastic zone. The distribution of the stresses for different loads knows an increase in intensity, especially near the crack head, which is the most requested by the tensile forces on its upper part, which can cause either the crack's initiation or opening, inducing significant stresses.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.399-415
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• 2020

Responses of semi-rigid frames having different degrees of semi-rigidity obtained by the nonlinear static analysis (NSA) are evaluated at specific target displacements by comparing them with those obtained by the nonlinear time-history analysis (NTHA) for scaled earthquakes. The peak ground accelerations (PGA) of the earthquakes are scaled such that the obtained peak top story displacements match with the target displacements. Three different types of earthquakes are considered, namely, far-field and near-field earthquakes with directivity and fling-step effects. In order to make the study a comprehensive one, three degrees of semi-rigidity (one fully rigid and the other two semi-rigid), and two frames having different heights are considered. An ensemble of five-time histories of ground motion is included in each type of earthquake. A large number of responses are considered in the study. They include the peak top-story displacement, maximum inter-story drift ratio, peak base shear, total number of plastic hinges, and square root of sum of the squares (SRSS) of the maximum plastic hinge rotations. Results of the study indicate that the nonlinear static analysis provides a fairly good estimate of the peak values of top-story displacements, inter-story drift ratio (for shorter frame), peak base shear and number of plastic hinges; however, the SRSS of maximum plastic hinge rotations in semi-rigid frames are considerably more in the nonlinear static analysis as compared to the nonlinear time history analysis.