• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.683-695
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• 2022

Conventional braces are often used to provide stiffness to structures; however due to buckling they cannot be used as seismic energy dissipating elements. In this study, a seismic energy dissipation device is proposed which is comprised of a bracing member and a steel hysteretic damper made of steel hexagonal plates. The hexagonal shaped designated fuse causes formation of plastic hinges under axial deformation of the brace. The main advantages of this damper compared to conventional metallic dampers and buckling-restrained braces are the stable and controlled energy dissipation capability with ease of manufacture. The mechanical behavior of the damper is formulated first and a design procedure is provided. Next, the theoretical formulation and the efficiency of the damper are verified using finite element (FE) analyses. An analytical model of the damper is established and its efficiency is further investigated by applying it to seismic retrofit of a case study structure. The seismic performance of the structure is evaluated before and after retrofit in terms of maximum interstory drift ratio, top story displacement, residual displacement, and energy dissipation of dampers. Overall, the median of maximum interstory drift ratios is reduced from 3.8% to 1.6% and the residual displacement decreased in the x-direction which corresponds to the predominant mode shape of the structure. The analysis results show that the developed damper can provide cost-effective seismic protection of structures.

• SUVANNABHUMI
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-70
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• 2019

As a response to Peter Jackson's call for a Southeast Asian Area Studies beyond Anglo-America, this paper argues that the achievement of this salient objective hinges on an understanding of the idea of positionality and what it entails. Drawing from reflections from Filipino scholars, positionality can be understood not merely as one's determination through geographic location or self-knowledge of one's condition within the politics of knowledge production; rather, it is the power and opportunity to claim a place from which one understands reality in one's own terms, and the capacity to effect influence within her intellectual domain. In redefining positionality as such, one realizes that crucial to establishing Southeast Asian Area studies beyond Anglo-America is acknowledging the importance of the vernacular in the production and circulation of knowledge, as well as the constant danger of English as the global lingua franca, established in the guise of an advocacy that resolves unevenness by providing equal opportunity for all intellectuals to gain "global prominence." This paper argues that, instead of trying to eradicate unevenness, one can acknowledge it as the condition of being located in a place and as a privileged position to think and create beyond the shadow of Anglo-American theory.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

Using a procurement and construction stage emphasis on the capabilities of the Sub-Contractor (SC), the present research aims to discover the types of unfair activities between the Main Contractor (MC) and SC and their influence on project completion. This research also tries to figure out solutions which can reduce unfair activities between MC and SC. Research design, data and methodology: The qualitative textual analysis was selected for the current research and has been used by numerous previous researchers commonly to review relevant themes in the prior resources and suggested for researchers who conduct a reviewing procedure to analyze meta-analysis approach for figuring out better research findings from prior resources. Results: The result indicates the prevalence and consequences of bid shopping, emphasizing the need for transparency and fair bidding practices. Late payment issues were also found to be crucial for subcontractors' financial stability, urging the implementation of prompt payment legislation and agreements. Conclusions: In conclusion, the research revealed that subcontracting is common in construction projects, with general contractors relying on multiple subcontractors to carry out specific work items. The accomplishment of building projects hinges on the collaborative efforts between the main contractor (MC) and subcontractors (SCs), each focusing on different aspects of the project.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.285-293
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• 2022

Lumped damage mechanics (LDM) is a recent nonlinear theory with several applications to civil engineering structures, such as reinforced concrete and steel buildings. LDM apply key concepts of classic fracture and damage mechanics on plastic hinges. Therefore, the lumped damage models are quite successful in reproduce actual structural behaviour using concepts well-known by engineers in practice, such as ultimate moment and first cracking moment of reinforced concrete elements. So far, lumped damage models are based in the strain energy equivalence hypothesis, which is one of the fictitious states where the intact material behaviour depends on a damage variable. However, there are other possibilities, such as the energy equivalence hypothesis. Such possibilities should be explored, in order to pursue unique advantages as well as extend the LDM framework. Therewith, a lumped damage model based on the energy equivalence hypothesis is proposed in this paper. The proposed model was idealised for reinforced concrete structures, where a damage variable accounts for concrete cracking and the plastic rotation represents reinforcement yielding. The obtained results show that the proposed model is quite accurate compared to experimental responses.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.257-270
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• 2023

In this study, the feasibility and applicability of a friction damper with a vertical installation scheme are investigated. This device is composed of a steel section and two friction hinges at both ends which dissipate seismic energy. Due to its small width and vertical installation scheme, the proposed damper can minimize the interference with architectural functions. To evaluate the performance of the proposed damper, its mechanical behavior is theoretically evaluated and the required formulas for the yield strength and elastic stiffness are derived. The theoretical formulas are verified by establishing the analytical model of the damper in the SAP2000 software and comparing their results. To further investigate the performance of the developed damper, the provided analytical model is applied to a 4-story reinforced concrete (RC) structure and its performance is evaluated before and after retrofit under the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) hazard level. The seismic performance is thoroughly evaluated in terms of maximum interstory drift ratio, displacement time history, residual displacement, and energy dissipation. The results show that the proposed damper can be efficiently used to protect the structure against seismic loads.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.51-66
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• 2024

Modern society is making numerous efforts to reduce reliance on carbon-based energy systems. A notable solution in this transition is the adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as potent energy sources, owing to their high energy and power densities. Driven by growing environmental challenges, the application scope of LIBs has expanded from their initial prevalence in portable electronic devices to include electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). Accordingly, LIBs must exhibit long-lasting cyclability and high energy storage capacities to facilitate prolonged device usage, thereby offering a potential alternative to conventional sources like fossil fuels. Enhancing the durability of LIBs hinges on a comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind their performance decline. Therefore, comprehending the degradation mechanism, which includes detrimental chemical and mechanical phenomena in the components of LIBs, is an essential step in resolving cycle life issues. The LIB systems presently being commercialized and developed predominantly employ graphite anode and layered oxide cathode materials. A significant portion of the degradation process in LIB systems takes place during the electrochemical reactions involving these electrodes. In this review, we explore and organize the aging mechanisms of LIBs, especially those with graphite anodes and layered oxide cathodes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.217-235
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• 2024

Concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs) nowadays are widely used as the main parts of momentous structures, and its connection has gained increasing attention as the complexity in configuration and load transfer mechanism. This paper proposes a novel CFST pier-to-footing incorporating tube-confined RC encasement. Such an innovative approach offers several benefits, including expedited on-site assembly, effective confinement, and collision resistance and corrosion resistance. The seismic behavior of such CFST pier-to-footing connection was studied by testing eight specimens under quasi-static cyclic lateral load. In the experimental research, the influences on the seismic behavior and the order of plastic hinge formation were discussed in detail by changing the footing height, axial compression ratio, number and length of anchored bars, and type of confining tube. All the specimens showed sufficient ductility and energy dissipation, without significant strength degradation. There is no obvious failure in the confined footing, while local buckling can be found in the critical section of the pier. It suggests that the footing provides satisfactory strength protection for the connection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.2 s.69
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• pp.201-213
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• 2004

A GA-based optimum design algorithm and a program for plane steel frame structures with semi-rigid connections are presented. The algorithm is incorporated with the refined plastic hinge analysis method wherein geometric nonlinearity is considered by using the stability functions of beam-column members, and material nonlinearity, by using the gradual stiffness degradation model that includes the effects of residual stresses, moment redistribution through the occurrence of plastic hinges, semi-rigid connections, and geometric imperfection of members. In the genetic algorithm, the tournament selection method and micro-GAs are employed. The fitness function for the genetic algorithm is expressed as an unconstrained function composed of objective and penalty functions. The objective and penalty functions are expressed as the weight of steel frames and the constraint functions, respectively. In particular, the constraint functions fulfill the requirements of load-carrying capacity, serviceability, ductility, and construction workability. To verify the appropriateness of the present method, the optimal design results of two plane steel frames with rigid and semi-rigid connections are compared.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.155-168
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• 1998

In this paper, the structural properties of the existing reinforced concrete(RC) piers are surveyed and the major factors influencing the member strength and deformation capacity are identified. Also a seismic evaluation procedure of RC piers is presented. The factors controlling the member strength are the applied axial load, the reinforcement ratio and yield strength of longitudinal rebar for flexural strength, and the transverse reinforcement for shear strength. Member deformation capacity largely depends on transverse reinforcement ratio and anchor detail, and splice location of longitudinal reinforcement. The above structural detail should be investigated for the detail seismic evaluation of RC piers. The most of existing RC piers have inadequate transverse reinforcement anchor details and the splices of longitudinal reinforcement in the pier bottom where plastic hinges are formed after yielding. Therefore the deformation capacity is not enough for the ductile flexural behavior of the RC piers. The presented evaluation procedure can be used for the rational decisions as to seismic retrofitting of the existing RC piers.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.7-14
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• 2011

The numerical analyses were performed to investigate the curling behavior of the post-tensioned prestressed concrete approach slab (PTAS) under environmental loads. A technique to include properly the boundary conditions of one end of PTAS that was connected to the bridge abutment using hinges was proposed for the numerical model. The applicability of a simplified model not having hunches was also investigated. By using the developed models, the curling behavior of PTAS was analyzed when the foundation settlement occurred. The analysis results showed that the maximum tensile stress obtained from the simplified model involving a simplified hinge connection was very closed to that obtained from a rigorous model. When the slab curled up, the maximum tensile stress occurred in the model including no foundation settlement, but when the slab curled down, the maximum stress occurred in the model including partial settlement of the foundation. Therefore, the design of PTAS should be performed considering those maximum tensile stresses.