• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.435-444
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• 2022

This study proposes a novel longitudinal self-centering earthquake resistant system for reinforced concrete (RC) continuous bridges by using superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) reinforcement and friction dissipation mechanism. The SMA reinforcing bars are implemented in the fixed piers to provide self-recentering forces, while the friction dampers are used at the movable substructures like end abutments to enhance the energy dissipation of the bridge system. A reasonable balance between self-centering and energy dissipation capacities should be well achieved by properly selecting the parameters of the SMA rebars and friction dampers. A two-span continuous bridge with one fixed pier and two abutments is chosen as a prototype for illustration. Different longitudinal earthquake resistant systems including the proposed one in this study are investigated and compared. The results indicate that compared with the designs of over-dissipation (e.g., excessive friction) and over-self-centering (e.g., pure SMAs), the proposed system with balanced design between self-centering and energy dissipation would perform satisfactorily in controlling both the peak and residual displacement ratios of the bridge system.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.69-82
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• 2024

In the conventional seismic design approach for a bridge pier, the function of the stopper, and shear key are to serve as mechanisms for unseating prevention devices that retain and transmit the lateral load to the pier under strong earthquakes. This frequently inflicts immense shear forces and bending moments concentrated at the plastic hinge zone. In this study, a shear panel damper plus gap (SPDG) is proposed as a low-cost alternative with high energy dissipation capacity to improve the seismic performance of the pier. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the seismic performance of the pre-stressed concrete I girder (PCI-girder) bridge equipped with SPDG. The bridge structure was analyzed using nonlinear time history analysis with seven-scaled ground motion records using the guidelines of ASCE 7-10 standard. Consequently, the implementation of SPDG technology on the bridge system yielded a notable decrease in maximum displacement by 41.49% and a reduction in earthquake input energy by 51.05% in comparison to the traditional system. This indicates that the presence of SPDG was able to enhance the seismic performance of the existing conventional bridge structure, enabling an improvement from a collapse prevention (CP) level to an immediate occupancy (IO).

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.547-567
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• 2015

The paper makes the experimental and finite-element-analysis investigation on the seismic behavior of the rebar-penetrated joint between gangue concrete filled steel tubular column and reinforced gangue concrete beam under low cyclic reversed loading. Two specimens are designed and conducted for the experiment to study the seismic behavior of the rebar-penetrated joint under cyclic loading. Then, finite element analysis models of the rebar-penetrated joint are developed using ABAQUS 6.10 to serve as the complement of the experiment and further analyze the seismic behavior of the rebar-penetrated joint. Finite element analysis models are also verified by the experimental results. Finally, the hysteretic performance, the bearing capacity, the strength degradation, the rigidity degradation, the ductility and the energy dissipation of the rebar-penetrated joint are evaluated in detail to investigate the seismic behavior of the rebar-penetrated joint through experimental results and finite element analysis results. The research demonstrates that the rebar-penetrated joint between gangue concrete filled steel tubular column and reinforced gangue concrete beam, with full and spindle-shaped load-displacement hysteretic curves, shows generally the high ductility and the outstanding energy-dissipation capacity. As a result, the rebar-penetrated joint exhibits the excellent seismic performance and meets the earthquake-resistant requirements of the codes in China. The research provides some references and suggestions for the application of the rebar-penetrated joint in the projects.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.801-812
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• 2022

To better promote the development of fabricated buildings, this paper studies the seismic behavior of precast concrete beam-column bolted joint under vertical low cyclic loading. The experimental results show that cracks appear in the beam-column joint core area. Meanwhile, the concrete and the grade 5.6 bolts are damaged and deformed, respectively. Specifically, the overall structure of the beam-column joint remains intact, and the bolts have good energy dissipation capacity. Based on the experimental study, a new method of beam-column bolted connection is proposed in simulation analysis. The simulation results show that the bolts deform in the core area of the new beam-column joint, which enhances the concrete shear capacity legitimately and protects the T-end of the beam against shear failure. To summarize, both the experimental joint and the simulated joint prolong the service life by replacing the bolts under the seismic loading. The research results provide a reference for applications of the fabricated beam-column joint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.777-790
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) frames strengthened by profiled steel sheet bracing which takes the influence of infill walls into consideration. One-bay, two-story, 1/3 scale two specimens shared same feature of dimensions, one specimen consists only beams and columns; the other one is reinforced by profiled steel sheet bracing with infill walls. Hysteretic curves, envelope curves, stiffness degradation curves and energy dissipation capacities are presented based on test data. Test results indicate that the ultimate load of strengthened specimen has been improved by 225%. The stiffness of reinforced by profiled steel sheet bracing has been increased by 108%. This demonstrates that infill walls and profiled steel sheet bracing enhanced the strength and stiffness distinctly. Energy dissipation has an obvious increase after 12 cycles. This shows that the reinforced specimen is able to bear the lateral load effectively and absorb lots of seismic energy.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.172-179
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• 2003

In the performance based seismic design method such as the capacity spectrum method, it is required to estimate precisely strength, deformability and energy dissipation of the member. However it merely depends on empirical equations which are not exact in the estimation of energy dissipation capacity. It is same to the generously used computer programs for nonlinear analysis such as DRAIN-2DX. On the other hand, simple equations for evaluating energy dissipation were developed in a recent study, In this paper, based on the evaluation method, a new cyclic behavior model for a flexure-dominated RC member is proposed. Although this model is simplified, it can accurately reflect the variation of energy dissipation capacity with design parameters. Using this model, a program for the nonlinear static/dynamic analysis of RC moment frame structures is also developed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.347-359
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• 2020

The Mega-Sub Controlled Structure System (MSCSS), an innovative vibration passive control system for building structures, is improved by adding lead rubber bearings (LRBs) on top of the substructure. For the new system, a genetic algorithm is used to optimize the dynamic parameters and distributions of dampers and LRBs. The program uses various seismic performance indicators as optimization objectives, and corresponding results are compared. It is found that the optimization procedure for maximizing the energy dissipation ratio yields the best solutions, and optimized models have consistent seismic performances under different earthquakes. Seismic performances of optimized MSCSS models with and without LRBs, as well as the traditional Mega-Sub Structure model, are evaluated and compared under El Centro wave, Taft wave and 20 other artificial waves. In both elastic and plastic analysis, the model with LRBs shows significantly smaller story drift and horizontal acceleration than those of the other two models, and fewer plastic hinges are developed during severe earthquakes. Energy analysis also shows that LRBs installed in proper locations increase the deformation and energy dissipation of dampers, thereby significantly reduce the kinetic, potential, and hysteretic energy in the structure. However, LRBs do not have to be mounted on all the additional columns. It is also demonstrated that LRBs at unfavorable locations can decrease the energy dissipation for dampers. After LRBs are installed, the optimal damping coefficient and the optimal damping exponent of dampers are reduced to produce the best damping effect.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.365-381
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• 2013

In this paper, a numerical simulation study was conducted on the seismic behavior and ductility demand of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems with partially self-centering hysteresis. Unlike fully self-centering systems, partially self-centering systems display noticeable residual displacement after unloading is completed. Such partially self-centering behavior has been observed in a number of recently researched self-centering structural systems with energy dissipation devices. It is thus of interest to examine the seismic performance such as ductility demand of partially self-centering systems. In this study, a modified flag-shaped hysteresis model with residual displacement is proposed to represent the hysteretic behavior of partially self-centering structural systems. A parametric study considering the effect of variations in post-yield stiffness ratio, energy dissipation coefficient, and residual displacement ratio on the displacement ductility demand of partially self-centering systems was conducted using a suite of 192 scaled ground motions. The results of this parametric study reveal that increasing the post-yield stiffness, energy dissipation coefficient or residual displacement ratio of the partially self-centering systems generally leads to reduced ductility demand, especially for systems with lower yield strength.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 2014

The friction damper can be used for improving the seismic resistance of existing buildings. The damper is often installed in bracing members. The energy dissipation capacity of the damping systems depends on the type of the structure, the configuration of the bracing members, and the property of dampers. In Korea, there are numerous low- to mid-rise reinforced concrete moment frames that were constructed considering only gravity loads. Those frames may be vulnerable for future earthquakes. To resolve the problem, this study developed a toggle bracing system with a high density friction damper. To investigate the improvement of reinforced concrete frames after retrofit using the developed damped system, experimental tests were conducted on frame specimens with and without the damped system. The results showed that the maximum strength, initial stiffness and energy dissipation capacity of the framed with the damped system were much larger than those of the frame without the damped system.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.81-89
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• 2020

As the damage caused by earthquakes gradually increases, seismic retrofitting for existing public facilities has been implemented in Korea. Several types of structural analysis methods can be used to evaluate the seismic performance of structures. Among them, for nonlinear dynamic analysis, the hysteresis model must be carefully applied because it can significantly affect the behavior. In order to find a hysteresis model that predicts rational behavior, this study compared the experimental results and analysis results of the existing non-seismic reinforced concrete frames. For energy dissipation, the results were close to the experimental values in the order of Pivot, Concrete, Degrading, and Takeda models. The Concrete model underestimated the energy dissipation due to excessive pinching. In contrast, the other ones except the Pivot model showed the opposite results with relatively little pinching. In the load-displacement curves, the experimental and analysis results tended to be more similar when the column axial force was applied to columns.