• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.5
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• pp.463-480
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• 2023

The buckling-restrained braced frames with eccentric configurations (BRBF-Es) exhibit stable cyclic behavior and possess a high energy absorption capacity. Additionally, they offer architectural advantages for incorporating openings, much like Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs). However, studies have indicated that significant residual drifts occur in this system when subjected to earthquakes at the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) hazard level. Consequently, in order to mitigate these residual drifts, it is recommended to employ self-centering systems alongside the BRBF-E system. In our current research, we propose the utilization of the Direct Displacement-Based Seismic Design method to determine the design base shear for a hybrid system that combines BRBF with an eccentric configuration and a self-centering frame. Furthermore, we present a methodology for designing the individual components of this composite system. To assess the effectiveness of this design approach, we designed 3-, 6-, and 9-story buildings equipped with the BRBF-E-SCF system and developed finite element models. These models were subjected to two sets of ground motions representing the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) and Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) seismic hazard levels. The results of our study reveal that although the combined system requires a higher amount of steel material compared to the BRBF-E system, it substantially reduces residual drift. Furthermore, the combined system demonstrates satisfactory performance in terms of story drift and ductility demand.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.351-368
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• 2021

This paper, by applying a reliability-based framework, develops seismic vulnerability macrozonation maps for Tehran, the capital and one of the most earthquake-vulnerable city of Iran. Seismic performance assessment of 3-, 4- and 5-story steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs), designed according to ASCE/SEI 41-17 and Iranian Code of Practice for Seismic Resistant Design of Buildings (2800 Standard), is investigated in terms of overall maximum inter-story drift ratio (MIDR) and unit repair cost ratio which is hereafter known as "damage ratio". To this end, Tehran city is first meshed into a network of 66 points to numerically locate low- to mid-rise SMRFs. Active faults around Tehran are next modeled explicitly. Two different combination of faults, based on available seismological data, are then developed to explore the impact of choosing a proper seismic scenario. In addition, soil effect is exclusively addressed. After building analytical models, reliability methods in combination with structure-specific probabilistic models are applied to predict demand and damage ratio of structures in a cost-effective paradigm. Due to capability of proposed methodology incorporating both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties explicitly, this framework which is centered on the regional demand and damage ratio estimation via structure-specific characteristics can efficiently pave the way for decision makers to find the most vulnerable area in a regional scale. This technical basis can also be adapted to any other structures which the demand and/or damage ratio prediction models are developed.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.5 s.45
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• pp.11-19
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• 2005

Seismic design of a building is usually performed by using the linear static procedure. However, the actual behavior of the building subjected to earthquake is inelastic and dynamic in nature. Therefore, inelastic dynamic analysis is required to evaluate the safety of the structure designed by the current design codes. For the validation, a RC special moment resisting frame building was chosen and designed by IBC 2003 representing new codes. Maximum plastic rotation and dissipated energy of some selected members were calculated for examining if the inelastic behavior of the building follows the intention of the code, and drift demand were calculated as well for checking if the building well satisfies the design drift limit. In addition, the effect of including internal moment resisting frames (non lateral resisting system) on analyses results was investigated. As a result of this study, the building designed by IBC 2003 showed the inelastic behavior intended in the code and satisfied the design drift limit. Furthermore, the internal moment resisting frames should be included in the analytical model as they affect the results of seismic analyses significantly.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2018

Deflection control in tall buildings is a challenging issue. Connecting of the towers is an interesting idea for architects as well as structural engineers. In this paper, two reinforced concrete core-wall towers are connected by a truss bridge with buckling restrained braces. The buildings are 40 and 60-story. The effect of the location of the bridge is investigated. Response spectrum analysis of the linear models is used to obtain the design demands and the systems are designed according to the reliable codes. Then, nonlinear time history analysis at maximum considered earthquake is performed to assess the seismic responses of the systems subjected to far-field and near-field record sets. Fiber elements are used for the reinforced concrete walls. On average, the inter-story drift ratio demand will be minimized when the bridge is approximately located at a height equal to 0.825 times the total height of the building. Besides, because of whipping effects, maximum roof acceleration demand is approximately two times the peak ground acceleration. Plasticity extends near the base and also in major areas of the walls subjected to the seismic loads.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.931-953
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• 2016

In this paper, the effects of mass eccentricity of superstructure as well as stiffness eccentricity of isolators on the amplification of seismic responses of base-isolated structures are investigated by using mathematical near-fault pulse models. Superstructures with 3, 6 and 9 stories and aspect ratios equal to 1, 2 and 3 are mounted on a reasonable variety of Triple Concave Friction Pendulum (TCFP) bearings considering different period and damping ratio. Three-dimensional linear superstructure mounted on nonlinear isolators are subjected to simplified pulses including fling step and forward directivity while various pulse period ($T_p$) and Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) amounts as two crucial parameters of these pulses are scrutinized. Maximum isolator displacement and base shear as well as peak superstructure acceleration and drift are selected as the main engineering demand parameters. The results indicate that the torsional intensification of different demand parameters caused by superstructure mass eccentricity is more significant than isolator stiffness eccentricity. The torsion due to mass eccentricity has intensified the base shear of asymmetric 6-story model 2.55 times comparing to symmetric one. In similar circumstances, the isolator displacement and roof acceleration are increased 49 and 116 percent respectively in the presence of mass eccentricity. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that torsional effects of mass eccentricity can force the drift to reach the allowable limit of ASCE 7 standard in the presence of forward directivity pulses.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.51-60
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• 2009

To secure the structural safety of structures and members against earthquakes, the plastic deformation capacity demand of members should be accurately predicted. In the present study, a method for the evaluation of the plastic deformations of members for moment frames was developed. To facilitate the practical use of the proposed method in equivalent seismic design, the plastic deformations of members were evaluated based on the results of elastic analysis, without using nonlinear analysis. The plastic deformation demands of members were formulated as functions of story drift demand, redistributed moment and member stiffness. Story drift demand and moment redistribution were directly determined from elastic analysis. The proposed method was applied to an 8 story-2 bay moment frame, and the predicted plastic deformations were verified using nonlinear analysis. The results showed that the proposed method could be used to accurately predict the member plastic rotations with simple calculations. The proposed method can be applied both to the earthquake design of new structures and to the performance evaluation of existing structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.741-754
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• 2015

This study evaluates prediction models for three EDPs (engineering demand parameters) using data from three symmetrical structures with RC walls designed according to the currently enforced Romanian seismic design code P100-1/2013. The three analyzed EDPs are: the maximum interstorey drift, the maximum top displacement and the maximum shear force at the base of the RC walls. The strong ground motions used in this study consist of three pairs of recordings from the Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes of 1977, 1986 and 1990, as well as two other pairs of recordings from significant earthquakes in Turkey and Greece (Erzincan and Aigion). The five pairs of recordings are rotated in a clockwise direction and the values of the EDPs are recorded. Finally, the relation between various IMs (intensity measures) of the strong ground motion records and the EDPs is studied and two prediction models for EDPs are also evaluated using the analysis of residuals.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.293-302
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• 2020

Connections play a significant role in strength of structures against earthquake-induced loads. According to the post-seismic reports, connection failure is a cause of overall failure in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Connection failure results in a sudden increase in inter-story drift, followed by early and progressive failure across the entire structure. This article investigated the cyclic performance and behavioral improvement of shape-memory alloy-based connections (SMA-based connections). The novelty of the present work is focused on the effect of shape memory alloy bars is damage reduction, strain recoverability, and cracking distribution of the stated material in RC moment frames under seismic loads using 3D nonlinear static analyses. The present numerical study was verified using two experimental connections. Then, the performance of connections was studied using 14 models with different reinforcement details on a scale of 3:4. The response parameters under study included moment-rotation, secant stiffness, energy dissipation, strain of bar, and moment-curvature of the connection. The connections were simulated using LS-DYNA environment. The models with longitudinal SMA-based bars, as the main bars, could eliminate residual plastic rotations and thus reduce the demand for post-earthquake structural repairs. The flag-shaped stress-strain curve of SMA-based materials resulted in a very slight residual drift in such connections.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.331-336
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• 2008

An self-centering energy-dissipative (SCED) bracing system has recently been developed as a new seismic force resistant bracing system. The advantage of the SCED brace system is that, unlike other comparable advanced bracing systems that dissipate energy, such as the buckling restrained brace system, it has a self-centering capability that reduces or eliminates residual building deformations after major seismic events. In this study seismic performance of SCED braced frames is evaluated for a set of 20 design level earthquake records. According to analysis results the SCED systems showed more uniform interstory drift demand for buildings with 8 story or fewer. The residual deformation in SCED buildings turned out to be much less than that of moment-resisting frames.

• Architectural research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2001

The proposed building upgrading technique employs prestressing cables to function as bracing to improve the seismic performance during future events. A four-story reinforced concrete moment resisting frame damaged from an ultimate limit state earthquake is assessed and upgraded using the proposed technique. Both existing and upgraded buildings are evaluated in regard of seismic performance parameters performing static lateral load to collapse analysis and dynamic nonlinear time history analysis as well. To obtain realistic comparison of seismic performance between existing and upgraded frames, each frame is subjected to its critical ground motion that has strength demand exceeding the building strength supply. Furthermore, reliability of static lateral load to collapse analysis as a substitute to time history analysis is evaluated. The results reveal that the proposed upgrading technique improves the stiffness distribution compared to the ideal distribution that gives equal inter-story drift. As a result, the upgraded building retains more stories that contribute to energy dissipation. The overall behavior of upgraded building beyond yield is also enhanced due to the gradual change of building stiffness as the lateral load increases.