• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.337-351
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• 2017

In the present study a capacity spectrum method based on constant ductility inelastic spectra to estimate the seismic performance of structures equipped with elastic viscous dampers is presented. As the definition of the structures' effective damping, due to the damping system, is necessary, an alternative method to specify the effective damping ratio ${\xi}eff$ is presented. Moreover, damping reduction factors (B) are introduced to generate high damping elastic demand spectra. Given the elastic spectra for damping ratio ${\xi}eff$, the performance point of the structure can be obtained by relationships that relate the strength demand reduction factor (R) with the ductility demand factor (${\mu}$). As such expressions that link the above quantities, known as R - ${\mu}$ - Τ relationships, for different damping levels are presented. Moreover, corrective factors (Bv) for the pseudo-velocity spectra calculation are reported for different levels of damping and ductility in order to calculate with accuracy the values of the viscous dampers velocities. Finally, to evaluate the results of the proposed method, the whole process is applied to a four-storey reinforced concrete frame structure and to a six-storey steel structure, both equipped with elastic viscous dampers.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.583-594
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• 2019

In the areas highly exposed to earthquakes, concrete-filled steel tube columns (CFSTCs) are known to provide superior structural aspects such as (i) high strength for good seismic performance (ii) high ductility (iii) enhanced energy absorption (iv) confining pressure to concrete, (v) high section modulus, etc. Numerous studies were reported on behavior of CFSTCs under axial compression loadings. This paper presents an analytical model to predict ultimate load capacity of CFSTCs with circular sections under axial load by using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). MARS is a nonlinear and non-parametric regression methodology. After careful study of literature, 150 comprehensive experimental data presented in the previous studies were examined to prepare a data set and the dependent variables such as geometrical and mechanical properties of circular CFST system have been identified. Basically, MARS model establishes a relation between predictors and dependent variables. Separate regression lines can be formed through the concept of divide and conquers strategy. About 70% of the consolidated data has been used for development of model and the rest of the data has been used for validation of the model. Proper care has been taken such that the input data consists of all ranges of variables. From the studies, it is noted that the predicted ultimate axial load capacity of CFSTCs is found to match with the corresponding experimental observations of literature.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.785-808
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• 2016

An innovative Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection, called Tubular Web RBS connection (TW-RBS), has been recently introduced and its performance has been numerically investigated in some earlier studies. The TW-RBS connection is a kind of accordion-web RBS connection in which part of the flat web of the beam is replaced by a steel tube at the expected region of the plastic hinge. This paper presents experimental results of three TW-RBS connections under cyclic loading. Obtained results indicated that TW-RBS reduces contribution of the beam web to the whole moment strength and creates a ductile fuse far from components of the beam-to-column connection. Besides, TW-RBS connection can increase story drift capacity up to 9% in the case of shallow beams which is much more than those stipulated by the current seismic codes. Based on the experimental results, the tubular web in the plastic hinge region improves lateral-torsional buckling stability of the beam such that only local buckling of the beam flange at the center of the reduced section was observed during the tests. In order to achieve a better understanding, behavior of all TW-RBS specimens are also numerically investigated and compared with those of experimental results.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.279-293
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• 2019

The overall seismic performance of existing pre 1960-70s reinforced concrete (RC) structures is significantly affected by the inadequate length of columns' lap-spliced reinforcement. Due to this crucial structural deficiency, the cyclic response is dominated by premature bond - slip failure, strength and stiffness degradation, poor energy dissipation capacity and low ductility. Recent earthquakes worldwide highlighted the importance of improving the load transfer mechanism between lap-spliced bars, while it was clearly demonstrated that the failure of lap splices may result in a devastating effect on structural integrity. Extensive experimental and analytical research was carried out herein, to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of strengthening techniques applied to RC columns with lap-spliced reinforcement and also accurately predict the columns' response during an earthquake. Ten large scale cantilever column subassemblages, representative of columns found in existing pre 1970s RC structures, were constructed and strengthened by steel or RC jacketing. The enhanced specimens were imposed to earthquake-type loading and their lateral response was evaluated with respect to the hysteresis of two original and two control subassemblages. The main variables examined were the lap splice length, the steel jacket width and the amount of additional confinement offered by the jackets. Moreover, an analytical formulation proposed by Tsonos (2007a, 2019) was modified appropriately and applied to the lap splice region, to calculate shear stress developed in the concrete and predict if yielding of reinforcement is achieved. The accuracy of the analytical method was checked against experimental results from both the literature and the experimental work included herein.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.735-748
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• 2018

In this paper, the cyclic behavior of steel beam-concrete encased steel (CES) column joints was investigated experimentally and numerically. Three frame middle joint samples with varying concrete slab widths were constructed. Anti-symmetrical low-frequency cyclic load was applied at two beam ends to simulate the earthquake action. The failure modes, hysteretic behavior, ultimate load, stiffness degradation, load carrying capacity degradation, displacement ductility and strain response were investigated in details. The three composite joints exhibited excellent seismic performance in experimental tests, showing high load-carrying capacity, good ductility and superior energy dissipation ability. All three joint samples reached their ultimate loads due to shear failure. Numerical results from ABAQUS modelling agreed well with the test results. Finally, the effect of the concrete slab on ultimate load was analyzed through a parametric study on concrete strength, slab thickness, as well as slab width. Numerical simulation showed that slab width and thickness played an important role in the load-carrying capacity of such joints. As a comparison, the influence of concrete grade was not significant.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

Many reinforced concrete (RC) buildings constructed prior to 1980's lack important features guaranteeing ductile response under earthquake excitation. Structural components in such buildings, especially columns, do not satisfy the reinforcement details demanded by current seismic design codes. Columns with deficient reinforcement details may suffer significant damage when subjected to cyclic lateral loads. They can also experience rapid lateral strength degradation induced by shear failure. The objective of this study is to accurately simulate the load-deformation response of RC columns experiencing shear failure. In order to do so, model parameters are calibrated to the load-deformation response of 40 RC column specimens failed in shear. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses are conducted to develop the relationship between the model parameters and physical parameters of RC column specimens. It is shown that the proposed predictive equations successfully estimated the model parameters of RC column specimens with great accuracy. The proposed equations also showed better accuracy than the existing ones.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.225-238
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• 2019

In this paper a novel and efficient computational framework to estimate the stress range versus number of cycles curves experienced by a cable due to external excitations (e.g., seismic excitations, traffic and wind-induced vibrations, among others) is proposed. This study is limited to the wind-cable interaction governed by the Vortex Shedding mechanism which mainly rules cables vibrations at low amplitudes that may lead to their failure due to bending fatigue damage. The algorithm relies on a stochastic approach to account for the uncertainties in the cable properties, initial conditions, damping, and wind excitation which are the variables that govern the wind-induced vibration phenomena in cables. These uncertainties are propagated adopting Monte Carlo simulations and the concept of importance sampling, which is used to reduce significantly the computational costs when new scenarios with different probabilistic models for the uncertainties are evaluated. A high fidelity cable model is also proposed, capturing the effect of its internal wires distribution and helix angles on the cables stress. Simulation results on a 15 mm diameter high-strength steel strand reveal that not accounting for the initial conditions uncertainties or using a coarse wind speed discretization lead to an underestimation of the stress range experienced by the cable. In addition, parametric studies illustrate the computational efficiency of the algorithm at estimating new scenarios with new probabilistic models, running 3000 times faster than the base case.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1107-1124
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• 2018

The structural behavior of reinforced concrete coupled shear wall structures is greatly influenced by the behavior of their coupling beams. This paper presents a process of the seismic analysis of reinforced concrete coupled shear wall-frame system linked by hysteretic dampers at each floor. The hysteretic dampers are located at the middle portion of the linked beams which most of the inelastic damage would be concentrated. This study concerned particularly with wall-frame structures that do not twist. The proposed method, which is based on the energy equilibrium method, offers an important design method by the result of increasing energy dissipation capacity and reducing damage to the wall's base. The optimum distribution of yield shear force coefficients is to evenly distribute the damage at dampers over the structural height based on the cumulative plastic deformation ratio of the dissipation device. Nonlinear dynamic analysis indicates that, with a proper set of damping parameters, the wall's dynamic responses can be well controlled. Finally, based on the total plastic strain energy and its trend through the height of the buildings, a prediction equation is suggested.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

According to the statistical surveys and studies, insufficient maintenance in the use of existing buildings caused fire and collapse accidents. In this respect, I analyzed the data managed by the current building maintenance and inspection system to find out the actual state of safety management and proposed two significant results. First, regarding the state of the buildings, the safety management status of the small-sized ones, where 20 years or more passed after construction, is the worst and a priority improvement plan is required. Second, there are eight deeply concerning factors for the fire incidents and collapse accidents of buildings. In the order of high risk, these factors are structural strength (seismic design), exterior wall finishing material, basement floor, interior finishing materials, other evacuation facilities, corridors stairs entrances, rooftop, fire partition. We need to have more special designs and management plans regarding high-risk factors as a system to prevent accidents in the building.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

This study investigates the applicability of composite polyurea to contain fiber reinforcement like fiber glass, steel fiber and carbon nanotube. Polyurea as elastomer is an excellent water-proofing material with many mechanical characteristics such as high tensile strength, ductility, high rate of expansion and contraction, and so on. The reinforcing fibers can be utilized for improving the load-carrying capacity of concrete structures. The polyurea plays a role to improve the ductility and toughness. Composite polyurea takes the mechanical advantages of the fibers and the polyurea. The test variables include the type of reinforcing fiber, its spraying thickness, and its weight ratio contained in the composite polyurea. It is observed that the load-carrying capacity, and the ductility and toughness are improved with the increase in the spraying thickness and the weight ratio contained in the composite polyurea. It is expected that the composite polyurea can be widely utilized in enhancing the structural and seismic performance.