• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.375-388
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• 2014

The effectiveness of using the advanced seismic protection technology based on shape memory alloy (SMA) dampers to preserve a historical minaret is investigated. The proposed studied case, the minaret of Mansourah, is a seven century old minaret located in Tlemcen, Algeria. Its original height was of 47m, while nowadays, the monument is half destructed and its current height reaches the 40m. The proposed seismic retrofit is based on the technique that utilizes SMA wires as dampers for the upper flexible part of the minaret. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is numerically evaluated via non-linear finite element analysis using the structural software ANSYS. The effectiveness of the proposed device in mitigating the seismic hazard is demonstrated by the effective reduction in its dynamic response.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.187-192
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• 2023

In piping systems, trapeze hangers are subjected to vertical and horizontal seismic loads and stiffeners are used. In this study, monotonic compression tests were conducted with the removable stiffeners using three variables: stiffener clamp fixing position, section length, and installation direction. The maximum load reinforced with stiffeners could withstand a compressive load of 11kN by applying a safety factor of 10%. It could be estimated that the fixing clamp spacing or the length of shape and load had a proportional relationship. And the stiffener must be fixed in the direction of the strong axis on hinge parts. Also the stiffener buckiling load design proposes to use a method of calculate the flexural buckling compressive strength of and unreinforced full threaded bolt.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.03a
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• pp.544-551
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• 2005

This paper investigates the effectiveness of the MR damper-based control systems for seismic protection of base isolated building sturcutres employing some semiactive control algorithms, such as the modified clipped-optimal control, the maximum energy dissipation, and the modulated homogeneous friction, by examining the Phase I smart base isolated benchmark building problem. The results of the numerical simulations showed that most of the control systems considered herein could be beneficial in reducing seismic responses, especially base displacement or isolator deformation, of base isolated building structures. It is also verified that another version of the modified clipped-optimal control algorithm proposed in this study and the modulated homogeneous friction algorithm are more effective than other semiactive control algorithms.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5A
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• pp.685-690
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• 2008

Recently, as large structures become lighter and more flexible, the necessity of structural control for reducing excessive displacement and acceleration due to seismic excitation is increased. As a means to minimize seismic damages, various base isolation systems are adopted or considered for adoption. In this study, a base isolation system using hysteretic damper is shown to effectively protect structures against earthquakes. A mechanical model is determined that can effectively portray the behavior of a typical E-shape device. Comparison with experimental results for a hysteretic damper indicates that the model is accurate over a wide range of operating conditions and adequate for analysis. The seismic performance of hysteretic dampers are studied and compared with the conventional systems as a base isolation system. A five-story building is modeled and the seismic performance of the systems subjected to three different earthquake is compared. The results show that the hysteretic damper system can provide superior protection than the other systems for a wide range of ground motions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.691-708
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• 2016

Recently, number of smart material are investigated and widely used in civil construction and other industries. Present study investigates the application of smart semi-active piezoelectric friction damper (PFD) made with piezoelectric material for the seismic control of the horizontally curved bridge isolated with lead rubber bearing (LRB). The main aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of hybrid system and to find out the optimum parameters of PFD for seismic control of the curved bridge. The selected curved bridge is a continuous three-span concrete box girder supported on pier and rigid abutment. The PFD is located between the deck and abutments or piers in chord and radial directions. The bridge is excited with four different earthquake ground motions with all three components (i.e. two horizontal and a vertical) having different characteristics. It is observed that the use of semi-active PFD with LRB is quite effective in controlling the response of the curved bridge as compared with passive system. The incorporation of the smart damper requiring small amount of energy in addition with an isolation system can be used for effective control the curved bridge against the dynamic loading.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2008

For historical masonry structures existing in the Mediterranean area, structural strengthening is of primary importance due to the continuous earthquake threat that is posed on them. Proper retrofitting of historical structures involves a thorough understanding of their structural pathology, before proceeding with any intervention measures. In this paper, a methodology is presented for the evaluation of the actual state of historical masonry structures, which can provide a useful tool for the seismic response assessment before and after the retrofitting. The methodology is mainly focused on the failure and vulnerability analysis of masonry structures using the finite element method. Using this methodology the retrofitting of historical structures with innovative techniques is investigated. The innovative technique presented here involves the exploitation of Shape Memory Alloy prestressed bars. This type of intervention is proposed because it ensures increased reversibility and minimization of interventions, in comparison with conventional retrofitting methods. In this paper, a case study is investigated for the demonstration of the proposed methodologies and techniques, which comprises a masonry Byzantine church and a masonry Cistern. Prestressed SMA alloy bars are placed into the load-bearing system of the structure. The seismic response of the non-retrofitted and the retrofitted finite element models are compared in terms of seismic energy dissipation and displacements diminution.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.89-102
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• 2020

Shape memory alloy (SMA)-based Superelasticity-assisted Slider (SSS) is proposed as an engineering solution to practically exploit the well-accepted advantages of both sliding isolation and SMA-based recentering. Self-centering capability in SSS is provided by austenitic SMA cables (or wire ropes), recently attracting a lot of interest and attention in earthquake engineering and seismic isolation. The cables are arranged in various novel and conventional configurations to make SSS versatile for aseismic design and retrofit of structures. All the configurations are detailed with thorough technical drawings. It is shown that SSS is applicable without the need for Isolation Units (IUs). IUs, at the same time, are devised for industrialized applications. The proof-of-concept study is carried out through the examination of mechanical behavior in all the alternative configurations. Force-displacement relations are determined. Isolation capabilities are predicted based on the decreases in seismic demands, estimated by the increases in effective periods and equivalent damping ratios. Restoring forces normalized relative to resisting forces are assessed as the criteria for self-centering capabilities. Lengths of SMA cables required in each configuration are calculated to assess the cost and practicality. Practical implementation is realized by setting up a small-scale IU. The effectiveness of SSS under seismic actions is evaluated using an innovative computer model and compared to those of well-known Isolation Systems (ISs) protecting a reference building. Comparisons show that SSS seems to be an effective IS and suitable for earthquake protection of both structural and non-structural elements. Further research aimed at additional validation of the system are outlined.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.435-451
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• 2013

High-rise buildings are a common feature of urban cities around the world. These flexible structures frequently exhibit large vibration due to strong winds and earthquakes. Structural control has been employed as an effective means to mitigate excessive responses; however, structural control mechanisms that can be used in tall buildings are limited primarily to mass and liquid dampers. An attractive alternative can be found in outrigger damping systems, where the bending deformation of the building is transformed into shear deformation across dampers placed between the outrigger and the perimeter columns. The outrigger system provides additional damping that can reduce structural responses, such as the floor displacements and accelerations. This paper investigates the potential of using smart dampers, specifically magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers, in the outrigger system. First, a high-rise building is modeled to portray the St. Francis Shangri-La Place in Philippines. The optimal performance of the outrigger damping system for mitigation of seismic responses in terms of damper size and location also is subsequently evaluated. The efficacy of the semi-active damped outrigger system is finally verified through numerical simulation.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.471-487
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• 2013

Performance of a prototype base isolated building located at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) has been studied here. Two numbers of three storeyed single bay RCC framed prototype buildings were constructed for experimental purpose at IITG, one supported on conventional isolated footings and the other on a seismic isolation system, consisting of lead plug bearings. Force balance accelerometers and a 12 channel strong motion recorder have been used for recording building response during seismic events. Floor responses from these buildings show amplification for the conventional building while 60 to 70% reduction has been observed for the isolated building. Numerical models of both the buildings have been created in SAP2000 Nonlinear. Infill walls have been modeled as compression struts and have been incorporated into the 3D models using Gap elements. System identification of the recorded data has been carried out using Parametric State Space Modeling (N4SID) and the numerical models have been updated accordingly. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of base isolation systems in controlling seismic response of isolated buildings thereby leading to increased levels of seismic protection. The numerical models calibrated by relatively low level of earthquake shaking provides the starting point for modeling the non-linear response of the building when subjected to strong shaking.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.8
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• pp.953-974
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• 2010

The performance of variable dampers for seismic protection of the benchmark highway bridge (phase I) under six real earthquake ground motions is presented. A simplified lumped mass finite-element model of the 91/5 highway bridge in Southern California is used for the investigation. A variable damper, developed from magnetorheological (MR) damper is used as a semi-active control device and its effectiveness with friction force schemes is investigated. A velocity-dependent damping model of variable damper is used. The effects of friction damping of the variable damper on the seismic response of the bridge are examined by taking different values of friction force, step-coefficient and transitional velocity of the damper. The seismic responses with variable dampers are compared with the corresponding uncontrolled case, and controlled by alternate sample control strategies. The results of investigation clearly indicate that the base shear, base moment and mid-span displacement are substantially reduced. In particular, the reduction in the bearing displacement is quite significant. The friction and the two-step friction force schemes of variable damper are found to be quite effective in reducing the peak response quantities of the bridge to a level similar to or better than that of the sample passive, semi-active and active controllers.