• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.103-119
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• 2016

Multi-storey frame structures are frequently exposed to static and dynamic forces. Therefore analyses of static (buckling) and dynamic stability come into prominence for these structures. In this study, the effects of number of storey, static and dynamic load parameters, crack depth and crack location on the in-plane static and dynamic stability of cracked multi-storey frame structures subjected to periodic loading have been investigated numerically by using the Finite Element Method. A crack element based on the Euler beam theory is developed by using the principles of fracture mechanics. The equation of motion for the cracked multi-storey frame subjected to periodic loading is achieved by Lagrange's equation. The results obtained from the stability analysis are presented in three dimensional graphs and tables.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2018

This study concerns about calculating exact natural frequencies of frames using a single variable shear deformation theory (SVSDT) which considers the parabolic shear stress distribution across the cross section. Free vibration analyses are performed for multi-bay, multi-storey and multi-bay multi-storey type frame structures. Dynamic stiffness formulations are derived and used to obtain first five natural frequencies of frames. Different beam and column cross sections are considered to reveal their effects on free vibration analysis. The calculated natural frequencies are tabulated with the results obtained using Euler-Bernoulli Beam Theory (EBT) and Timoshenko Beam Theory (TBT). Moreover, the effects of inner and outer columns on natural frequencies are compared for multi-bay frames. Several mode shapes are plotted.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.1061-1076
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• 2016

Prefabricated Modular Buildings are increasingly becoming popular in the construction industry as a method to achieve financially economical buildings in a very short construction time. This increasing demand for modular construction has expanded into multi-storey applications where the effect of lateral loads such as seismic loads becomes critical. However, there is a lack of detailed scientific research that has explored the behaviour of modular buildings and their connection systems against seismic loads. This paper will therefore present the nonlinear time history analysis of a multi-storey modular building against several ground motion records. The critical elements that need special attention in designing a modular building in similar seismic conditions is discussed with a deeper explanation of the behaviour of the overall system.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.607-615
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• 2018

The dynamic behavior of the deployment and folding process of a foldable boom based on the Miura origami pattern is investigated in this paper. Firstly, mechanical behavior of a single storey during the motion is studied numerically. Then the deployment and folding of a multi-storey boom is discussed. Moreover, the influence of the geometry parameters and the number of Miura-ori elements n on the dynamic behavior of the boom is also studied. Finally, the influence of the imperfection on the dynamic behavior is investigated. The results show that the angles between the diagonal folds and horizontal folds will have great effect on the strains during the motion. A bistable configuration can be obtained by choosing proper fold angles for a given multi-storey boom. The influence of the imperfection on the folding behavior of the foldable mast is significant.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.471-487
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• 2004

Modular steel scaffolds are commonly used as supporting scaffolds in building construction, and traditionally, the load carrying capacities of these scaffolds are obtained from limited full-scale tests with little rational design. Structural failure of these scaffolds occurs from time to time due to inadequate design, poor installation and over-loads on sites. In general, multi-storey modular steel scaffolds are very slender structures which exhibit significant non-linear behaviour. Hence, secondary moments due to both $P-{\delta}$ and $P-{\Delta}$ effects should be properly accounted for in the non-linear analyses. Moreover, while the structural behaviour of these scaffolds is known to be very sensitive to the types and the magnitudes of restraints provided from attached members and supports, yet it is always difficult to quantify these restraints in either test or practical conditions. The problem is further complicated due to the presence of initial geometrical imperfections in the scaffolds, including both member out-of-straightness and storey out-of-plumbness, and hence, initial geometrical imperfections should be carefully incorporated. This paper presents an extensive numerical study on three different approaches in analyzing and designing multi-storey modular steel scaffolds, namely, a) Eigenmode Imperfection Approach, b) Notional Load Approach, and c) Critical Load Approach. It should be noted that the three approaches adopt different ways to allow for the non-linear behaviour of the scaffolds in the presence of initial geometrical imperfections. Moreover, their suitability and accuracy in predicting the structural behaviour of modular steel scaffolds are discussed and compared thoroughly. The study aims to develop a simplified and yet reliable design approach for safe prediction on the load carrying capacities of multi-storey modular steel scaffolds, so that engineers can ensure safe and effective use of these scaffolds in building construction.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.437-448
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• 2017

Soft or extreme soft storeys in multi-storied buildings cause localized damage (and even collapse) during strong earthquake shaking. The presence of such soft or extremely soft storey is identified through provisions of vertical stiffness irregularity in seismic design codes. Identification of the irregularity in a building requires estimation of lateral translational stiffness of each storey. Estimation of lateral translational stiffness can be an arduous task. A simple procedure is presented to estimate storey stiffness using only properties of fundamental lateral translational mode of oscillation (namely natural period and associated mode shape), which are readily available to designers at the end of analysis stage. In addition, simplified analytical expressions are provided towards identifying stiffness irregularity. Results of linear elastic time-history analyses indicate that the proposed procedure captures the irregularity in storey stiffness in both low- and mid-rise buildings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.459-478
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• 2010

This paper contains detailed descriptions of a dynamic time-history modal analysis to calculate deflection, inter-storey drift and storey shear demand in single-storey and multi-storey buildings using an EXCEL spreadsheet. The developed spreadsheets can be used to obtain estimates of the dynamic response parameters with minimum input information, and is therefore ideal for supporting the conceptual design of tall building structures, or any other structures, in the early stages of the design process. No commercial packages, when customised, could compete with spreadsheets in terms of simplicity, portability, versatility and transparency. An innovative method for developing the stiffness matrix for the lateral load resistant elements in medium-rise and high-rise buildings is also introduced. The method involves minimal use of memory space and computational time, and yet allows for variations in the sectional properties of the lateral load resisting elements up the height of the building and the coupling of moment frames with structural walls by diaphragm action. Numerical examples are used throughout the paper to illustrate the development and use of the spreadsheet programs.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-63
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• 2017

Traditional reinforced concrete slabs and beams are widely used for building. The use of flat slab structures gives advantages over traditional reinforced concrete building in terms of design flexibility, easier formwork and use of space and shorter building time. Deflection of the slab plays a critical role on the design and service life of building components; however, there is no recent research to explore actual deformation of concrete slab despite various advancements within the design codes and construction technology. This experimental study adopts the Hydrostatic Levelling Cells method for monitoring the deformation of a multi-storey building with flat slabs. In addition, this research presents and discusses the experimental results for the vertical deformation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2013

In this study, the modified finite element- transfer matrix methods are proposed for free vibration analysis of asymmetric structures, the bearing system of which consists of shear wall-frames. In the study, a multi-storey structure is divided into as many elements as the number of storeys and storey masses are influenced as separated at alignments of storeys. The shear walls and frames are assumed to be flexural and shear cantilever beam structures. The storey stiffness matrix is obtained by formulating the governing equation at the center of mass for the shear walls and the frames in the i.th floor. The system transfer matrix is constructed in the dimension of $6{\times}6$ by transforming the obtained stiffness matrix. Thus, the dimension, which is $12n{\times}12n$ in classical finite elements, is reduced to the dimension of $6{\times}6$. To study the suitability of the method, the results are assessed by solving two examples taken from the literature.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-55
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• 2015

Usually the analyses of structures are carried out by assuming the base of structures to be fixed. However, the soil beneath foundation alters the earthquake loading and varies the response of structure. Hence, it is not realistic to analyze structures by considering it to be fixed. The importance of soil-structure interaction was realized from the past failures of massive structures by neglecting the effect of soil in seismic analysis. The analysis of massive structures requires soil flexibility to be considered to avoid failure and ensure safety. Present study, considers the seismic behavior of multi-storey reinforced concrete narrow and wide buildings of various heights with and without shear wall supported on raft foundation incorporating the effect of soil flexibility. Analysis of the three dimensional models of six different shear wall positions founded on four different soils has been carried out using finite element software LS DYNA. The study investigates the differences in spectral acceleration coefficient (Sa/g), base shear and storey shear obtained following the seismic provisions of Indian standard code IS: 1893 (2002) (IS) and International building code IBC: 2012 (IBC). The base shear values obtained as per IBC provisions are higher than IS values.