• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.713-730
• /
• 2021

The seismic performance of rigid steel frames is widely investigated, but that of semi-rigid (SR) steel frames are not studied extensively, especially for near-field earthquakes. In this paper, the performances of five and ten-story steel SR frames having different degrees of semi-rigidity are evaluated at four performance points in the four different deformation states, namely, the elastic, elasto-plastic, plastic, and near collapse states. The performances of the SR frames are measured by the response parameters including the maximum values of the top floor displacement, base shear, inter-story drift ratio, number of plastic hinges, and SRSS of plastic hinge rotations. These response parameters are obtained by the capacity spectrum method (CSM) using pushover analysis. The validity of the response parameters determined by the CSM is evaluated by the results of the nonlinear time history analysis (NLTHA) for both near and far-field earthquakes at different PGA levels, which are consistent with the performance points. Results of the study show that the plastic hinges of SR frame significantly increase in the range of plastic to near-collapse states for both near and far-field earthquakes. The effect of the degree of semi-rigidity is pronounced only at higher degrees of semi-rigidity. The predictions of the CSM are fairly well in comparison to the NLTHA.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.673-687
• /
• 2023

In this study, the weight and the connections type layout of low-rise eccentrically braced frame (EBF) have been optimized based on performance-based design method. For this purpose, two objective functions were defined based on two different aspects on rigid connections, in one of which minimization and in the other one, maximization of the number of rigid connections was considered. These two objective functions seek to increase the area under the pushover curve, in addition to the reduction of the weight and selection of the optimum connections type layout. The performance of these objective functions was investigated in optimal design of a three-story eccentrically braced frame, using two meta-heuristic algorithms: Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization (ECBO) and Enhanced Vibrating Particles System (EVPS). Then, the reliability indices of the optimal designs for both objective functions were calculated for the story lateral drift limits using Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Based on the reliability assessment results of the optimal designs and taking the three levels of safety into account, the final designs were selected and their specifications were compared.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.319-330
• /
• 2022

Retrofit of soft-story buildings due to seismic loads using Gap-Inclined-Brace (GIB) system is considered a new retrofit technique that aims to maintain both strength and stiffness of structure. In addition, it provides more ductility and less P-delta effect, and subsequently better performance is observed. In this paper, the effect of the eccentricity between GIB and the retrofitted column due to installation on the efficiency of the retrofitting system is studied. In addition, a modification in the determination method of GIB properties is introduced to reduce the eccentricity effect. Also, the effect of GIB system on the seismic response of mid-rise buildings with different heights considering soft-story at various heights has been studied. A numerical model is developed to study the impact of such system on the response of retrofitted soft-story buildings under the action of seismic loads. To achieve that goal, this model is used to perform a numerical investigation, by considering five case study scenarios represent several locations of soft-story of two mid-rise reinforced concrete buildings. At first, Non-linear static pushover analysis was carried out to develop the capacity curves for case studies. Then, Non-linear time history analyses using ten earthquake records with five peak ground accelerations is performed for each case study scenario before and after retrofitting with GIB. The results show that large GIB eccentricity reduce the ultimate lateral resistance and deformation capacity of the retrofitting system. Moreover, the higher the retrofitted building, the more deformation capacity is observed but without significant increase in ultimate lateral resistance.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.59-69
• /
• 2022

The use of dampers is being considered a means to improve the seismic performance of buildings. It may take considerable time and effort to find an optimal design solution since repeated three-dimensional nonlinear time history analyses are required. Therefore, a preliminary design procedure for seismic retrofit using hysteretic dampers was proposed in this study. In the proposed procedure, the amount of retrofit (required number of dampers) is estimated from the capacity curve of the building before retrofit and allowable story drift of the building. In combining the capacity curves of the building and the dampers, the deformation demand for the dampers can be easily checked against their deformation capacity. The equations to transform the device displacement to roof displacement for the combination of capacity curves are developed. The proposed procedure was applied to the seismic retrofit design of sample buildings. The study found that the estimated capacity curve was very close to the actual capacity curve obtained from the pushover analysis, which can determine an appropriate configuration to meet the required seismic performance.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.231-243
• /
• 2022

Beam-column joints (BCJs) are recognized among the most crucial zones in reinforced concrete structures, as they are the critical elements subjected to a complex state of forces during a severe earthquake. Under such conditions, BCJs exhibit behaviors with impacts that extend to the whole structure and significantly influence its ductility and capability of dissipating energy. The focus of this paper is to investigate the effect of undamaged transverse beam (secondary beams) on the ductility of concrete BCJs reinforced with conventional steel and shape memory alloys bars using pushover analysis at tip of beam under different axial load levels at the column using a nonlinear finite element model in ABAQUS environment. A numerical model of a BCJ was constructed and the analysis outcomes were verified by comparing them to those obtained from previous experiments found in the literature. The comparison evidenced the capability of the calibrated model to predict the load capacity response of the joint. Results proved the ability of undamaged secondary beams to provide a noticeable improvement to the ductility of reinforced concrete joints, with a very negligible loss in load capacity. However, the effect of secondary beams can become less significant if the beams are damaged due to seismic effects. In addition, the axial load was found to significantly enhance the performance of BCJs, where the increase in axial load magnified the capacity of the joint. However, higher values of axial load resulted in greater initial stiffness of the BCJ.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.377-391
• /
• 2023

The high seismic risk has once again revealed in Türkiye with two major earthquakes that occurred on 06.02.2023, which took its place among the most destructive earthquakes in the last century. Totally, 65 earthquakes that occurred in the historical period in Türkiye were taken into account within the scope of this study. The seismic parameters were compared by considering the last two earthquake hazard maps for the epicenters of these earthquakes. Earthquake Intensity (I) of historical earthquakes were converted to Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) by using suggested relations. Structural analyzes were performed for a sample reinforced-concrete building by using the obtained PGA's and predicted PGA's in the last two earthquake hazard maps. In the structural analysis, two different material groups such as low (C12-S220) and normal (C25-S420) were selected. As the material strength increased, the period value decreased, while the seismic capacity and stiffness increased. It has been determined that there are differences between the measured and proposed seismic risks for some earthquakes, and as a result, there are significant differences between the expected target displacement values from the structures. Therefore, it will not be possible to estimate the damage and to determine the building performance realistically. The main purpose of the study is to reveal whether the earthquake risk is adequately represented on seismic and structural parameters.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.393-404
• /
• 2023

This paper presents the application of hybrid-simulation-based adapter elements for the non-linear two-scale analysis of reinforced concrete frames with masonry infills under seismic-like demands. The approach provides communication and distribution of the computations carried out by two or more remote or locally distributed numerical models connected through the OpenFresco Framework. The modeling consists of a global analysis formed by macro-elements to represent frames and walls, and to reduce global degrees of freedom, portions of the structure that require advanced analysis are substituted by experimental elements and dimensional couplings acting as interfaces with their respective sub-assemblies. The local sub-assemblies are modeled by solid finite elements where the non-linear behavior of concrete matrix and masonry infill adopt a continuum damage representation and the reinforcement steel a discrete one, the conditions at interfaces between concrete and masonry are considered through a contact model. The methodology is illustrated through the analysis of a frame-wall system subjected to lateral loads comparing the results of using macro-elements, finite element model and experimental observations. Finally, to further assess and validate the methodology proposed, the paper presents the pushover analysis of two more complex structures applying both modeling scales to obtain their corresponding capacity curves.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.141-153
• /
• 2023

The presented paper considers infill masonry walls' influence on the seismic reliability of precast concrete frames. The recent Bojnord earthquake on May 13th, 2017 in Iran (MW 5.4) illustrated that the infill masonry walls play a crucial role in the damage extent and life safety issues of inhabitants in the precast concrete buildings. The incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) approach was used to determine the fragility curves of the represented damaged precast frame. Then, by integrating site hazard and structural fragilities, the seismic reliability of the represented precast frame was evaluated in different damage limit states. Additionally, the static pushover analysis (SPA) approach was used to assess the seismic performance assessment of the precast frame. Bare and infilled frames were modeled as 2D frames employing the OpenSees software platform. The multi-strut macro-model method was employed for infill masonry simulation. Also, a relatively efficient and straightforward nonlinear model was used to simulate the nonlinear behavior of the precast beam-column joint. The outputs show that consideration of the masonry infilled wall effect in all spans of the structural frame leads to a decrease in the possibility of exceedance of specified damage limit states in the structures. In addition, variation of hazard curves for buildings with and without consideration of infilled walls leads to a decrease in the reliability of the building's frames with masonry infilled walls. Furthermore, the lack of infill walls in the first story significantly affects the precast concrete frame's seismic reliability and performance.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.47-64
• /
• 2023

Due to their efficient use of materials, hybrid reinforced concrete-steel (RCS) systems provide more practical and economic advantages than traditional steel and concrete moment frames. This study evaluated the seismic design factors and response modification factor 'R' of RCS composite moment frames composed of reinforced concrete (RC) columns and steel (S) beams. The current International Building Code (IBC) and ASCE/SEI 7-05 classify RCS systems as special moment frames and provide an R factor of 8 for these systems. In this study, seismic design parameters were initially quantified for this structural system using an R factor of 8 based on the global methodology provided in FEMA P695. For analyses, multi-story (3, 5, 10, and 15) and multi-span (3 and 5) archetypes were used to conduct nonlinear static pushover analysis and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) under near-field and far-field ground motions. The analyses were performed using the OpenSees software. The procedure was reiterated with a larger R factor of 9. Results of the performance evaluation of the investigated archetypes demonstrated that an R factor of 9 achieved the safety margin against collapse outlined by FEMA P695 and can be used for the design of RCS systems.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.69-80
• /
• 2008

In this study, improved capacity spectrum method (CSM) is proposed. The method can account for higher mode contribution to the seismic response of MDOF systems. The CSM has been conveniently used for determining maximum roof displacement using both demand spectrum and capacity curve of equivalent SDOF system. Unlike the conventional CSM, the maximum roof displacement is determined without iteration using inelastic displacement ratio and R factor calculated from demand spectrum and capacity curve. Three moment resisting steel frames of 3-, 9- and 20-stories are considered to test the accuracy of the proposed method. Nonlinear response history analysis (NL-RHA) for three frames is also conducted, which is considered as an exact solution. SAC LA 10/50 and 2/50 sets of ground motions are used. Moreover, this study estimates maximum story drift ratios (IDR) using ATC-40 CSM and N2-method and compared with those from the proposed method and NL-RHA. It shows that the proposed CSM estimates the maximum IDR accurately better than the previous methods.