• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.471-484
• /
• 2020

Previous earthquakes show that, structural safety evaluations should include the evaluation of nonstructural components. Failure of nonstructural components can affect the operational capacity of critical facilities, such as hospitals and fire stations, which can cause an increase in number of deaths. Additionally, failure of nonstructural components may result in economic, architectural, and historical losses of community. Accelerations and random vibrations must be under the predefined limitations in structures with high technological equipment, data centers in this case. Failure of server equipment and anchored server racks are investigated in this study. A probabilistic study is completed for a low-rise rigid sample structure. The structure is investigated in two versions, (i) conventional fixed-based structure and (ii) with a base isolation system. Seismic hazard assessment is completed for the selected site. Monte Carlo simulations are generated with selected parameters. Uncertainties in both structural parameters and mechanical properties of isolation system are included in simulations. Anchorage failure and vibration failures are investigated. Different methods to generate fragility curves are used. The site-specific annual hazard curve is used to generate risk curves for two different structures. A risk matrix is proposed for the design of data centers. Results show that base isolation systems reduce the failure probability significantly in higher floors. It was also understood that, base isolation systems are highly sensitive to earthquake characteristics rather than variability in structural and mechanical properties, in terms of accelerations. Another outcome is that code-provided anchorage failure limitations are more vulnerable than the random vibration failure limitations of server equipment.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.83 no.2
• /
• pp.229-244
• /
• 2022

This paper investigates the seismic performance of buildings designed using DDBD (Direct Displacement based Design) and FBD (Force based Design) approaches from the probabilistic viewpoint. It aims to estimate the collapse capacity of structures and assess the adequacy of seismic design codes. In this regard, (i) IDA (Incremental Dynamic Analysis) curves, (ii) interstory drift demand distribution curves, (iii) fragility curves, and (iv) the methodology provided by FEMA P-695 are applied to examine two groups of RC moment resistant frame buildings: 8-story structures with different plans, to study the effect of different span arrangements; and 3-, 7- and 12-story structures with a fixed plan, to study the dynamic behavior of the buildings. Structural modeling is performed in OpenSees software and validated using the results of an experimental model. It is concluded that increasing the building height would not significantly affect the response estimation of IDA and fragility curves of DDBD-designed structures, while the change in span arrangements is effective in estimating responses. In the investigation of the code adequacy, unlike the FBD approach, the DDBD can satisfy the performance criteria presented in FEMA P-695 and hence provide excellent performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.88 no.5
• /
• pp.419-437
• /
• 2023

The use of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls (SW) as an efficient lateral load-carrying system has gained recent attention. However, creating openings in RC shear walls is unavoidable due to architectural requirements. This reduces the walls' strength and stiffness, resulting in the development of wall piers. In this study, the cyclic behavior of RC shear walls with openings, reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in various patterns, was numerically investigated. Finite element analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS software was employed. Additionally, the retrofitting of sub-standard buildings (5, 10, and 15-story structures) designed based on the old and new versions of the Iranian Code of Practice for Seismic-Resistant Structures was evaluated. Nonlinear static analyses, specifically pushover analyses, were conducted on the structures. The best pattern of CFRP wrapping was determined and utilized for retrofitting the sub-standard structures. Various structural parameters, such as load-carrying capacity, ductility, stress contours, and tension damage contours, were compared to assess the efficiency of the retrofit solution. The results indicated that the load-carrying capacity of the sub-standard structures was lower than that of standard ones by 57%, 69%, and 67% for 5, 10, and 15-story buildings, respectively. However, the retrofit solution utilizing CFRP showed promising results, enhancing the capacity by 10-25%. The retrofitted structures demonstrated increased yield strength, ultimate strength, and ductility through CFRP wrapping and effectively prevented wall slipping.

• Geotechnical Engineering
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.5-18
• /
• 1989

The ground input motions used for seismic analysis of structures are studied in this paper, The one-dimensional wave propagation theory, the simple transfer function by Elsabee and Morray, and the finite element method that can account for the effect of scattering field, respectively, are used to get the ground input motions, and the results by these methods are compared among others. The responses of structures are also computed by both finite element analysis and elastic half space analysis, using the ground input motions obtained by the different methods mentioned above, and the computed results are analyzed. In addition, the parameteric study Is performed to analyze the effect of the increase of soil stiffness on the response of structures, and on that of the ground input motions. The responses of structures obtained are compared with the results obtained using the Building Code on seismic analysis for structures in Korea. The results of this study show that the ground input motions obtained without considering the effect of scattering field was 2 times larger than those with scattering effect, concluding that the effect of scattering field may not be ignored when obtains the ground input motion.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 1998

This paper presents the cyclic seismic performance of slip-critically designed, high-strength bolted-beam splice in steel moment frames. Before the moment connection reaching its ultimate plastic strength, unexpected premature slippage occurred at the slip-critically designed beam splice during the test. The experimentally observed frictional coefficients were as low as about 50% to 60% of nominal(code) value. Nevertheless, the bearing type behavior mobilized after the slippage transferred the increasing cyclic loads successfully, i.e., the consequence of slippage into bearing was not catastrophic to the connection behavior. The test result seems to indicate that the traditional beam splice design basing upon(bolt-hole deducted) effective flange area criterion may not be sufficient in developing the plastic strength of moment connections under severe earthquake loading. New procedure for achieving slip-critical beam splice design is proposed based on capacity design concept.

• Computational Structural Engineering
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.123-132
• /
• 1990

In current practice of earthquake resistant design the equivalent lateral force procedure is widely used because of its simplicity and convenience. But the equivalent lateral force procedure is derived based on the assumptions that the dynamic behavior of the structure is governed primarily by the fundamental vibration mode and the effect of higher modes is included in an approximate manner. Therefore the prediction of dynamic responses of structures using the equivalent lateral force procedure is not reliable when the effect of higher vibration modes on the dynamic behavior is significant. In this study, design seismic load which can reflect the effect of higher vibration modes is proposed from the point of view of proper assessment of story shears which have the major influence on the design moment of beams and columns. To evaluate the effect of higher modes, differences between the story force based on the equivalent lateral force procedure specified in current earthquake resistance building code and the one based on modal analysis using design spectrum analysis are examined. From these results an improved design seismic load for the equivalent lateral force procedure which can reflect the effect of higher vibration modes are proposed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.349-357
• /
• 2017

The design of reinforced concrete structures strongly depends on the value of the compression concrete strength used for the structural components. Given the uncertainties involved on the materials quality provided by concrete manufacturers, in the construction stage, these components may be either over or under-reinforced respect to the nominal condition. If the structure is under reinforced, and the deficit on safety level is not as large to require the structure demolition, someone should assume the consequences, and pay for the under standard condition by means of a penalty. If the structure is over reinforced, and other failure modes are not induced, the builder may receive a bonus, as a consequence of the higher, although unrequested, building resistance. The change on the building safety level is even more critical when the structure is under a seismic environment. In this research, a reliability-based criteria, including the consideration of expected losses, is proposed for bonification/penalization, when there are moderated differences between the supplied and specified reinforced concrete strength for the buildings. The formulation is applied to two hypothetical, with regular structural type, 3 and 10 levels reinforced concrete buildings, located on the soft soil zone of Mexico City. They were designed under the current Mexican code regulations, and their responses for typical spectral pseudoaccelerations, combined with their respective occurrence probabilities, are used to calculate the building failure probability. The results are aimed at providing objective basis to start a negotiation towards a satisfactory agreement between the involved parts. The main contribution resides on the explicit consideration of potential losses, including the building and contents losses and the business interruption due to the reconstruction period.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.423-442
• /
• 2015

The effects of accidental eccentricity on the seismic response of four-storey steel buildings laterally stabilized by buckling restrained braced frames are studied. The structures have a square, symmetrical footprint, without inherent eccentricity between the center of lateral resistance (CR) and the center of mass (CM). The position of the bracing bents in the buildings was varied to obtain three different levels of torsional sensitivity: low, intermediate and high. The structures were designed in accordance with the seismic design provisions of the 2010 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). Three different analysis methods were used to account for accidental eccentricity in design: (1) Equivalent Static Procedure with static in-plane torsional moments assuming a mass eccentricity of 10% of the building dimension (ESP); (2) Response Spectrum Analysis with static torsional moments based on 10% of the building dimension (RSA-10); and (3) Response Spectrum Analysis with the CM being displaced by 5% of the building dimension (RSA-5). Time history analyses were performed under a set of eleven two-component historical records. The analyses showed that the ESP and RSA-10 methods can give appropriate results for all three levels of torsional sensitivity. When using the RSA-5 method, adequate performance was also achieved for the low and intermediate torsional sensitivity cases, but the method led to excessive displacements (5-10% storey drifts), near collapse state, for the highly torsionally sensitive structures. These results support the current provisions of NBCC 2010.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.591-601
• /
• 2011

An experimental study was performed to evaluate the seismic performance of beam-column connections using 600 MPa re-bars for beam flexural reinforcement. Three full scale specimens of interior beam-column connection and two specimens of exterior beam-column connection were tested under cyclic loading. The specimens were designed to satisfy the requirements of Special Moment Frame according to current design code. The structural performance of the specimens with 600 MPa re-bar were compared with that of the specimen with 400 MPa re-bars. The test results showed that bond-slip increased in the beam-column joint. However, the load-carrying capacity, deformation capacity, and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens with 600 MPa re-bar were comparable to those of the specimens with 400 MPa re-bars.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.569-588
• /
• 2015

A comprehensive methodology is proposed for design of metallic dampers in seismic retrofit of earthquake-damaged frame structures. It is assumed that the metallic dampers remain elastic and only provide stiffness during frequent earthquake (i.e., earthquake with a 63% probability of exceedance in 50-year service period), while in precautionary earthquake (i.e., earthquake with a 10% probability of exceedance in 50-year service period), the metallic dampers yield before the main frame and dissipate most of the seismic energy to either prevent or minimize structural damages. Therefore by converting multi-story frame to an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom system, the added stiffness provided by metallic dampers is designed to control elastic story drifts within code-based demand under frequent earthquake, and the added damping with the combination of added stiffness influences is obtained to control structural stress within performance-based target under precautionary earthquake. With the equivalent added damping ratio, the expected damping forces provided by metallic dampers can be calculated to carry out the configuration and design of metallic dampers along with supporting braces. Based on a detailed example for retrofit of an earthquake-damaged reinforced concrete frame by using metallic dampers, the proposed design procedure is demonstrated to be simple and practical, which can not only meet current China's design codes but also be used in retrofit design of earthquake-damaged frame with metallic damper for reaching desirable performance objective.