• Wind and Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.261-282
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• 2017

The probabilistic information of directional extreme wind speeds is important for precisely estimating the design wind loads on structures. A new joint probability distribution model of directional extreme wind speeds is established based on observed wind-speed data using multivariate extreme value theory with the t-Copula function in the present study. At first, the theoretical deficiencies of the Gaussian-Copula and Gumbel-Copula models proposed by previous researchers for the joint probability distribution of directional extreme wind speeds are analysed. Then, the t-Copula model is adopted to solve this deficiency. Next, these three types of Copula models are discussed and evaluated with Spearman's rho, the parametric bootstrap test and the selection criteria based on the empirical Copula. Finally, the extreme wind speeds for a given return period are predicted by the t-Copula model with observed wind-speed records from several areas and the influence of dependence among directional extreme wind speeds on the predicted results is discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.70 no.5
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• pp.639-647
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• 2019

The performance of precast concrete structures is greatly influenced by the behaviour of beam-to-column connections. A single connection may be required to transfer several loads simultaneously so each one of those loads must be considered in the design. A good connection combines practicality and economy, which requires an understanding of several factors; including strength, serviceability, erection and economics. This research work focuses on the performance aspect of a specific type of beam-to-column connection using partly hidden corbel in precast concrete structures. In this study, the results of experimental assessment of the proposed beam-to-column connection in precast concrete frames was used. The purpose of this research is to develop and apply the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) for moment-rotation prediction of precast beam-to-column connections. The ELM results are compared with genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural network (ANN). The reliability of the computational models was accessed based on simulation results and using several statistical indicators.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.277-287
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• 2017

This study examines the risk of overheating of a school building, under extreme hot weather conditions, in 14 locations in the United Kingdom using the overheating criteria defined in Building Bulletin 101 (BB101). The building was modelled as naturally ventilated, mechanically ventilated and in mixed mode and was simulated both for the current and the projected weather conditions of the 2050s. Under the current weather conditions, results of the simulations show that when naturally ventilated, the school building fulfils the BB101 criteria only in the areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow. In the simulations of the building as mechanically ventilated and in mixed mode, mechanical cooling was provided in order for the building to comply with the overheating criteria. A comparison of the required cooling loads between the two scenarios shows that application of mixed mode ventilation results in less cooling loads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.609-626
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• 2004

The Land Transport Authority of Singapore has a continuing program of highway bridge upgrading, to refurbish and strengthen bridges to allow for increasing vehicle traffic and increasing axle loads. One subject of this program has been a short span bridge taking a busy highway across a coastal inlet near a major port facility. Experiment-based structural assessments of the bridge were conducted before and after upgrading works including strengthening. Each assessment exercise comprised two separate components; a strain and acceleration monitoring exercise lasting approximately one month, and a full-scale dynamic test carried out in a single day. This paper reports the application of extreme value statistics to estimate bridge live loads using strain measurements.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

The progressive collapse analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) moment-frame buildings under extreme loads is discussed from the perspective of modeling issues. A threat-independent approach or the alternate path method forms the basis of the simulations wherein the extreme event is modeled via column removal scenarios. Using a prototype RC frame building, issues and considerations in constitutive modeling of materials, options in modeling the structural elements and specification of gravity loads are discussed with the goal of achieving consistent models that can be used in collapse scenarios involving successive loss of load-bearing columns at the lowest level of the building. The role of the floor slabs in mobilizing catenary action and influencing the progressive collapse response is also highlighted. Finally, an energy-based approach for identifying the proximity to collapse of regular multi-story buildings is proposed.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.281-312
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• 2018

Characteristics of a turbulence wind model control the magnitude and frequency distribution of wind loading on floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs), and an in-depth understanding of how wind spectral characteristics affect the responses, and ultimately the design cost of system components, is in shortage in the offshore wind industry. Wind spectrum models as well as turbulence intensity curves recommended by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have characteristics derived from land-based sites, and have been widely adopted in offshore wind projects (in the absence of site-specific offshore data) without sufficient assessment of design implications. In this paper, effects of wind spectra and turbulence intensities on the strength or extreme responses of a 5 MW floating offshore wind turbine are investigated. The impact of different wind spectral parameters on the extreme blade loads, nacelle accelerations, towertop motions, towerbase loads, platform motions and accelerations, and mooring line tensions are presented and discussed. Results highlight the need to consider the appropriateness of a wind spectral model implemented in the strength design of FOWT structures.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.489-497
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• 2019

Wind-adaptable design (WAD) provides a new method for super-tall buildings to lessen design conflicts between architectural prerequisites and aerodynamic requirements, and to increase the efficiency of structural system. Compared to conventional wind-resistant design approach, the proposed new method is to design a building in two consecutive stages: a stage in normal winds and a stage during extreme winds. In majority of time, the required structural capacity is primarily for normal wind effects. During extreme wind storms, the building's capacity to wind loads is reinforced by on-demand operable flow control measures/devices to effectively reduce the loads. A general procedure for using WAD is provided, followed by an exploratory case study to demonstrate the application of WAD.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.50-53
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• 2022

To investigate the validity of the finite element analysis program to assess structural integrity of a spent nuclear fuel transport cask subjected to extreme impact loads, structural integrity of the cask for the case of an aircraft engine collision is evaluated using three FE analysis programs: Autodyn, Speed and ABAQUS explicit version. As a result of all analyses, it is confirmed that no penetration occurred in the cask wall. Even though the different programs are used, it is identified that there are insignificant differences in the FE analysis variables such as von Mises effective stress and equivalent plastic strain among the programs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.379-395
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• 2013

Aim of this paper is to apply to a steel truss bridge a methodology that takes into account the consequences of extreme loads on structures, focusing on the influence that the loss of primary elements has on the structural load bearing capacity. In this context, the topic of structural robustness, intended as the capacity of a structure to withstand damages without suffering disproportionate response to the triggering causes while maintaining an assigned level of performance, becomes relevant. In the first part of this study, a brief literature review of the topics of structural robustness, collapse resistance and progressive collapse takes place, focusing on steel structures. In the second part, a procedure for the evaluation of the structural response and robustness of skeletal structures under impact loads is presented and tested in simple structures. Following that, an application focuses on a case study bridge, the extensively studied I-35W Minneapolis steel truss bridge. The bridge, which had a structural design particularly sensitive to extreme loads, recently collapsed for a series of other reasons, in part still under investigation. The applied method aims, in addition to the robustness assessment, at increasing the collapse resistance of the structure by testing alternative designs.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2017

This paper presents the experimental investigation into a new type of steel-concrete hybrid outrigger system developed for the high-rise building structure. The steel truss is embedded into the reinforced concrete outrigger wall, and both the steel truss and concrete outrigger wall work compositely to enhance the overall structural performance of the tower structures under extreme loads. Meanwhile, metal dampers of low-yield steel material were also adopted as a 'fuse' device between the hybrid outrigger and the column. The damper is engineered to be 'scarified' and yielded first under moderate to severe earthquakes in order to protect the structural integrity of important structural components of the hybrid outrigger system. As such, not brittle failure is likely to happen due to the severe cracking in the concrete outrigger wall. A comprehensive experimental research program was conducted into the structural performance of this new type of hybrid outrigger system. Studies on both the key component and overall system tests were conducted, which reveal the detailed structural response under various levels of applied static and cyclic loads. It was demonstrated that both the steel bracing and concrete outrigger wall are able to work compositely with the low-yield steel damper and exhibits both good load carrying capacities and energy dispersing performance through the test program. It has the potential to be applied and enhance the overall structural performance of the high-rise structures over 300 m under extreme levels of loads.