• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.467-488
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• 2023

Seismic retrofit of an existing steel-reinforced concrete hospital building that features innovative use of a continuous energy-dissipative steel column (CEDC) system is presented in this paper. The special system has been adopted to provide an efficient solution taking into account the difficulties of applying traditional intervention techniques to minimize the impact on architectural functionality and avoid the loss of building function and evacuation during the retrofit implementation. The lateral stiffness and strength of the CEDC system were defined based on the geometric and mechanical properties of the steel strip dampers. The hysteretic behavior under cyclic loadings was defined using a simplified numerical model. Its effectiveness was validated by comparing the results of full-scale experimental data available from the literature. All the main design considerations of the retrofitting plan are described in detail. The effectiveness of the proposed retrofitting system was demonstrated by nonlinear time-history analyses under different sets of earthquake-strong ground motions. The analysis results show that the CEDC system is effective in controlling the deformation pattern and significantly reducing damage to the existing structure during major earthquakes.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.503-529
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• 2015

Traditionally, multi-story buildings are designed to provide stiffer structural support to withstand lateral earthquake loading. Introducing flexible elements at the base of a structure and providing sufficient damping is an alternative way to mitigate seismic hazards. These features can be achieved with a device known as an isolator. This paper covers the design of base isolators for multi-story buildings in medium-risk seismicity regions and evaluates the structural responses of such isolators. The well-known tower building for police personnel built in Dhaka, Bangladesh by the Public Works Department (PWD) has been used as a case study to justify the viability of incorporating base isolators. The objective of this research was to establish a simplified model of the building that can be effectively used for dynamic analysis, to evaluate the structural status, and to suggest an alternative option to handle the lateral seismic load. A finite element model was incorporated to understand the structural responses. Rubber-steel bearing (RSB) isolators such as Lead rubber bearing (LRB) and high damping rubber bearing (HDRB) were used in the model to insert an isolator link element in the structural base. The nonlinearities of rubber-steel bearings were considered in detail. Linear static, linear dynamic, and nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed for both fixed-based (FB) and base isolated (BI) buildings considering the earthquake accelerograms, histories, and response spectra of the geological sites. Both the time-domain and frequency-domain approaches were used for dynamic solutions. The results indicated that for existing multi-story buildings, RSB diminishes the muscular amount of structural response compared to conventional non-isolated structures. The device also allows for higher horizontal displacement and greater structural flexibility. The suggested isolation technique is able to mitigate the structural hazard under even strong earthquake vulnerability.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.59-69
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• 2023

Recently, the occurrence frequency of earthquake has increased in Korea, and the interests for seismic reinforcement of existing school buildings have been raised. To this end, the seismic performance evaluations for school buildings that did not accomplish the seismic design are required. In particular, this study checks the eigenvalue analysis, pushover curves, maximum base shears, performance points and story drift ratios, and then analyzes the seismic performance characteristics according to bracing configuration of steel frame system reinforcement. Also, this study presents the practical field application methods through the comparison of analysis results for the seismic performance characteristics.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1133-1153
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• 2016

In this article, an additive performance ratio method using structural analysis of both 2D and 3D is introduced to mitigate the complexity of work evaluating structural performances of numerous steel outrigger alternatives in multi-story buildings, especially high-rise buildings. The combined structural analysis process enables to be the design of economic, safe, and as constructional demanding structures by exploiting the advantages of steel, namely: excellent energy dissipation and ductility. First the approach decides the alternative of numerous steel outriggers by a simple 2D analysis module and then the alternative is evaluated by 3D analysis module. Initial structural analyses of outrigger types are carried out through MIDAS Gen 2D modeling, approximately, and then the results appeal structural performance and lead to decide some alternative of outrigger types. ETABS 3D modeling is used with respect to realization and evaluation of exact structural behaviors. The approach reduces computational burden in compared to existing concepts such as full 3D analysis methods. The combined 2D and 3D tools are verified by cycle and displacement tests including comprehensive nonlinear dynamic simulations. The advantages and limitations of the Additive Performance Ratio Approach are highlighted in a case study on a high rise steel-composite building, which targets at designing the optimized alternative to the existing original outrigger for lateral load resisting system.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2023

Steel brace strengthening is the most popular seismic rehabilitation method for school buildings. This is because the design can be conducted by using relatively easy nonlinear pushover analysis and standard modeling in codes. An issue with steel brace strengthening is that the reinforced building should behave elastically to satisfy performance objectives. For this, the size of steel braces should be highly increased, which results in excessive strengthening cost by force concentration on existing members and foundations due to the considerable stiffness and strength of the steel braces. The main reason may be the brittle failure mode of columns, so this study investigated the relationship between the efficiency of steel brace strengthening and column failure modes. The result showed that the efficiency is highly dependent on the shear capacity ratio of columns and structural analysis methods. School buildings reinforced by steel braces do not need to behave elastically when the shear capacity ratio is low, and pushover analysis is used, which means reducing steel material is possible.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.207-220
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• 2013

In this study, the vulnerability of two existing asymmetric steel building frames to Progressive Collapse (PC) is assessed. The buildings have different frame systems, steel sections and number of stories (nine and six). An alternate path method (APM) with a linear static analysis (LS) is carried out according to General Services Administration (GSA) 2003 guidelines. The Demand Capacity Ratio (DCR) of each primary element (beams and columns) is given with its specific details for all frames. The results show that the nine-story building with a dual frame system (moment frame with bracing system) has a lower susceptibility and greater resistance to PC than the six-story building with a simple building frame system (gravity system with bracing system). Implementing built-up box-shaped sections for columns is a better choice than using built-up I-shaped sections because there is no weak axis for the box section.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.1405-1428
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• 2016

Besides the complex instructions of guidance documents for seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings, some institutions have provided simple criteria in terms of simplified rehabilitations. ASCE 41-06 is one of documents that introduced a simple method for assessment of certain buildings that do not require advanced analytical procedures. Furthermore the New Zealand guideline has presented a simple lateral mechanism analysis that is a hand static analysis for determining the probable collapse mechanism, lateral strength and displacement capacity of the structure. The present study is focused on verifying the results of the simplified methods which is used by NZSEE and ASCE 41-06 in assessment of existing buildings. For this, three different special steel moment and braced frames are assessed under these two guidelines and the accuracy of the results is checked with the results of nonlinear static and dynamic analysis. After comparison of obtained results, suggestions are presented to improve seismic retrofit criteria.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.647-662
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• 2016

This study aims to monitor the variation of modal frequencies of steel buildings during their construction sequence. In this respect, construction of a steel building is followed by vibration based measurements. The monitored building is a three-story educational building within a building group whose structural system consists of steel moment resisting steel frames and eccentric braces. Five different acceleration measurements in two perpendicular directions are taken on five different construction stages, starting from the erection of the columns and beams ending with the completion of the construction. The recorded measurements are transferred into frequency domain and the dominant frequencies for each case have been determined. The change in the dominant frequencies is evaluated with the existing construction stages and performed constructional works between the stages. The last measurement, performed on the building in service, revealed the first two dominant frequencies as mutual in X and Y direction, showing that these dynamic modes are torsional modes. This result is investigated by numerical analysis performed with finite element model of the building constructed for design purpose. Lower frequencies and different mode shapes are determined from numerical analysis. The reason of lower frequencies is discussed and the vibration survey is extended to determine the effects of an adjacent building. The results showed that the building is in strong relation with an adjoining building in spite of a designed construction joint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.5 no.2_3
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• pp.247-258
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• 2005

This paper outlines the current steel design climate and describes some recent and unusual designs using structural steel or composite steel and concrete which have been carried out in Hong Kong and the East Asia region. Composite structural systems for very tall buildings are outlined. A case study of concept designs for one of these is presented. Two further case studies are presented: a refurbishment project where the use of steel and innovative strengthening techniques allowed an additional five stories to be built on an existing reinforced concrete frame and a monumental sculpture.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.487-504
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• 2013

In the present work a new friction device, with a set of single or double rotational friction flanges and a link element, is described and tested. The mechanism may be applied for the strengthening of existing r/c or steel buildings as well as in new constructed buildings. The device has selectable variable behavior in different levels of displacement and an interlock mechanism that is provided by the link element. The link element may be designed to lock at preselected level of displacement, offering in this way an extra safety reserve against strong earthquakes. A summary of the existing literature about other similar mechanisms is initially presented in this paper. The proposed mechanism is presented and described in details. Laboratory experiments are presented in detail and the resulted response that proves the efficiency of the mechanism at selectable levels of strength capacity is discussed. Drawings of the mechanism attached to a r/c frame with connection details are also included. Finally a dynamic analysis of two r/c frames, with and without the proposed mechanism attached, is performed and the resulted response is given. The main conclusion is that the proposed mechanism is a cheap and efficient devise for the improvement of the performance of new or existing framed buildings to seismic loads.