• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 2012

The objective of this research is to examine the probabilistic approach to evaluating turbine ejection frequency considering common-cause failure. This paper identifies basic turbine ejection mechanisms under high and low speeds and presents a detailed probabilistic methodology (fault tree) for assessing ejection frequency. The alpha factor methodology is applied to common-cause failure evaluations. The frequencies under different test schemes are compared and the propagation of uncertainty through the fault tree model is evaluated. The following conclusions were reached: (1) the turbine blade ejection frequency due to ductile failure under high speed is around 8.005E-7/yr; (2) if common-cause failure is considered, the frequency will be increased by 11% and 33% depending on the test scheme; and (3) if the parameter uncertainties are considered, the frequency is estimated to be in the range of 9.35E-7 to 1.13E 6, with 90% confidence.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.115-129
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• 2019

The effectiveness of an innovative method for the earthquake-resistant rehabilitation of existing poorly detailed reinforced concrete (RC) structures is experimentally investigated herein. Eight column subassemblages were subjected to earthquake-type loading and their hysteretic behaviour was evaluated. Four of the specimens were identical and representative of columns found in RC structures designed in the 1950s-70s period for gravity load only. These original specimens were subjected to cyclic lateral deformations and developed brittle failure mechanisms. Three of the damaged specimens were subsequently retrofitted with innovative high-strength steel fiber-reinforced concrete (HSSFC) jackets. The main variables examined were the jacket width and the contribution of mesh steel reinforcement in the seismic performance of the enhanced columns. The influence of steel fiber volume fraction was also examined using test results of a previous work of Tsonos et al. (2017). The fourth earthquake damaged subassemblage was strengthened with a conventional RC jacket and was subjected to the same lateral displacement history as the other three retrofitted columns. The seismic behaviour of the subassemblages strengthened according to the proposed retrofit scheme was evaluated with respect to that of the original specimens and that of the column strengthened with the conventional RC jacket. Test results clearly demonstrated that the HSSFC jackets effectively prevented the development of shear failure mechanisms, while ensuring a ductile seismic response similar to that of the subassemblage retrofitted with the conventional RC jacket. Ultimately, an indisputable superiority in the overall seismic performance of the strengthened columns was achieved with respect to the original specimens.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1350-1362
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• 2018

Full-scale experimental study and numerical analysis on behaviors and failure mechanisms of full high strength steel extended endplate connections in fire have been carried out and presented in this paper. The experimental behaviors of the connections were compared with the provisions of Eurocode 3. The test results show that the failure modes of the connections in fire are bolt failure with yielding of the flange, as same as those at ambient temperature. The failures of the bolts in fire are ductile while they are brittle at ambient temperature. The rotation capacity of the connections in fire is proved sufficient. What is more, at elevated temperature $550^{\circ}C$, the plastic moment resistances of Q690 and Q960 full high strength steel endplate connections are only 40% of those at ambient temperature, while their initial rotation stiffness are 66 and 63% respectively. But the rotation capacities of Q690 and Q960 high strength steel endplate connections are 1.38 and 1.74 times of those at ambient temperature. Moreover, it is found that the component method Eurocode 3 proposed based on connections made of mild steels can be used to calculate plastic resistances and to predict failure modes of high strength steel endplate connections in fire, but it is not suitable to predict their stiffness. The suggestions about rotation capacity of connections in Eurocode 3 are found too conservative for high strength steel endplate connections in fire.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.271-286
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• 2017

The use of Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) provides an alternative for steel buildings in seismic zones, with the advantage over WF columns that the HSS columns have similar resistance along both axes and enhanced performance under flexure, compression and torsion with respect to other columns sections. The HSS columns have shown satisfactory performance under seismic loads, such as observed in buildings with steel moment frames in the Honshu earthquake (2011). The purpose of this research is to propose a new moment connection, EP-HSS ("End-plate to Hollow Structural Section"), using a wide flange beam and HSS column where the end plate falls outside the range of prequalification established in the ANSI/AISC 358-10 Specification, as an alternative to the traditional configuration of steel moment frames established in current codes. The connection was researched through analytical, numerical (FEM), and experimental studies. The results showed that the EP-HSS allowed the development of inelastic action on the beam only, avoiding stress concentrations in the column and developing significant energy dissipation. The experiments followed the qualification protocols established in the ANSI/AISC 341-10 Specification satisfying the required performance for highly ductile connections in seismic zones, thereby ensuring satisfactory performance under seismic actions without brittle failure mechanisms.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.397-418
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• 2009

Eight panel specimens were tested in one-way bending to study the behaviour and capacity of composite slab joists consisting of cold-formed steel C-sections and concrete. Various shear transfer mechanisms were implemented on the C-section flange embedded in the concrete to provide the longitudinal shear resistance. Results showed that all specimens reached serviceability limit state while in elastic range and failure was ductile. Shear transfer achieved for all specimens ranged from 42 to 99% of a full transfer while specimens employed with shear transfer enhancements showed a greater percentage and therefore a higher strength compared with those relying only on surface bond to resist shear. The implementation of pre-drilled holes on the embedded flange of the steel C-section was shown to be most effective. The correlation study between the push-out and panel specimens indicated that the calculated moment capacity based on shear transfer resistance obtained from push-out tests was, on average, 10% lower than the experimental ultimate capacity of the panel specimen.