• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.207-222
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• 2019

This paper has presented an effective and accurate meso-scale finite element model for simulating the fracture process of concrete under compression-shear loading. In the proposed model, concrete is parted into four important phases: aggregates, cement matrix, interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and the initial defects. Aggregate particles were modelled as randomly distributed polygons with a varying size according to the sieve curve developed by Fuller and Thompson. With regard to initial defects, only voids are considered. Cohesive elements with zero thickness are inserted into the initial mesh of cement matrix and along the interface between aggregate and cement matrix to simulate the cracking process of concrete. The constitutive model provided by ABAQUS is modified based on Wang's experiment and used to describe the failure behaviour of cohesive elements. User defined programs for aggregate delivery, cohesive element insertion and modified facture constitutive model are developed based on Python language, and embedded into the commercial FEM package ABAQUS. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model are firstly identified by comparing the numerical results with the experimental ones, and then it is used to investigate the effect of meso-structure on the macro behavior of concrete. The shear strength of concrete under different pressures is also involved in this study, which could provide a reference for the macroscopic simulation of concrete component under shear force.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.5
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• pp.657-670
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• 2020

Due to the high compressive and tensile strength of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), UHPC used in steel concrete composite structures provided thinner concrete layer compared to ordinary concrete. This leaded to the headed stud shear connectors embedded in UHPC had a low aspect ratio. In order to systematic investigate the effect of headed stud with low aspect ratio on the structural behaviors of steel UHPC composite structure s this paper firstly carried out a test program consisted of twelve push out specimens. The effects of stud height, aspect ratio and reinforcement bars in UHPC on the structural behaviors of headed studs were investigated. The push out test results shows that the increasing of stud height did not obviously influence the structural behaviors of headed studs and the aspect ratio of 2.16 was proved enough to take full advantage of the headed stud strength. Based on the test results, the equation considering the contribution of weld collar was modified to predict the shear strength of headed stud embedded in UHPC. The modified equation could accurately predict the shear strength of headed stud by comparing with the experimental results. On the basis of push out test results, bending tests consisted of three steel UHPC composite slabs were conducted to investigate the effect of shear connection degree on the structural behaviors of composite slabs. The bending test results revealed that the shear connection degree had a significantly influence on the failure modes and ultimate resistance of composite slabs and composite slab with connection degree of 96% in s hear span exhibited a ductile failure accompanied by the tensile yield of steel plate and crushing of UHPC. Finally, analytical model based on the failure mode of composite slabs was proposed to predict the ultimate resistance of steel UHPC composite slabs with different shear connection degrees at the interface.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.259-276
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• 2016

Lead-rubber bearings (LRBs) have been used worldwide in seismic design of buildings and bridges owing to their stable mechanical properties and good isolation effect. We have investigated the effectiveness of LRBs in framed underground structures on controlling structural seismic responses. Nonlinear dynamic time history analyses were carried out on the well-documented Daikai Station, which collapsed during the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake. Influences of strength ratio (ratio of yield strength of LRBs to yield strength of central column) and shear modulus of rubber on structural seismic responses were studied. As a displacement-based passive energy dissipation device, LRBs reduce dynamic internal forces of framed underground structures and improve their seismic performance. An optimal range of strength ratios was proposed for the case presented. Within this range, LRBs can dissipate maximum input earthquake energy. The maximum shear and moment of the central column can achieve more than 50% reduction, whereas the maximum shear displacement of LRBs is acceptable.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.213-223
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• 2017

Bridges are lifeline and integral components of transportation system that are susceptible to seismic actions, their vulnerability assessment is essential for seismic risk assessment and mitigation. The vulnerability assessment of bridges common in Pakistan is very important as it is seismically very active region and the available code for the seismic design of bridges is obsolete. This research presents seismic vulnerability assessment of three real case simply supported multi-span reinforced concrete bridges commonly found in northern Pakistan, having one, two and three bents with circular piers. The vulnerability assessment is carried through the non-linear dynamic time history analyses for the derivation of fragility curves. Finite element based numerical models of the bridges were developed in MIDAS CIVIL (2015) and analyzed through with non-linear dynamic and incremental dynamic analyses, using a suite of bridge-specific natural spectrum compatible ground motion records. Seismic responses of shear key, bearing pad, expansion joint and pier components of each bridges were recorded during analysis and retrieved for performance based analysis. Fragility curves were developed for the bearing pads, shear key, expansion joint and pier of the bridges that first reach ultimate limit state. Dynamic analysis and the derived fragility curves show that ultimate limit state of bearing pads, shear keys and expansion joints of the bridges exceed first, followed by the piers ultimate limit state for all the three bridges. Mean collapse capacities computed for all the components indicated that bearing pads, expansion joints, and shear keys exceed the ultimate limit state at lowest seismic intensities.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 2016

Charts are used extensively in slope practical application to meet the need of quick assessment of rock slope design. However, Charts for estimating the shear strength of the rock mass of a slope are considerably limited. In this paper, based on the Hoek-Brown (HB) criterion which is widely used in rock slope engineering, we present charts which can be used to estimate the Mohr-Coulomb (MC) parameters angle of friction ${\phi}$ and cohesion c for given slopes. In order to present the proposed charts, we firstly present the derivation of the theoretical relationships between the MC parameters and ${\sigma}_{ci}/({\gamma}H)$ which is termed the strength ratio (SR). It is found that the values of $c/{\sigma}_{ci}$ and ${\phi}$ of a slope depend only on the magnitude of SR, regardless of the magnitude of the individual parameters ${\sigma}_{ci}$(uniaxial compressive strength), ${\gamma}$(unit weight) and H (slope height). Based on the relationships between the MC parameters and SR, charts are plotted to show the relations between the MC parameters and HB parameters. Using the proposed charts can make a rapid estimation of shear strength of rock masses directly from the HB parameters, slope geometry and rock mass properties for a given slope.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.1109-1114
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• 2001

This paper describes an attempt to develop a new truss model for reinforced concrete beams failing in shear based on a rational behavioral model. The key idea incorporated with truss model is the internal force state factor which is able to express global state of internal force flow in cracked reinforced concrete beams subjected to shear and bending. A new truss model using internal force state factor may provide a comprehensive result of shear strength in reinforced concrete beams without web reinforcement.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2020

Reinforced concrete beam-column (RCBC) joints of laterally loaded unbraced frames are sometimes controlled by their shear behavior. This behavior relies on multiple and interdependent complex mechanisms. There are already several studies on the influence of some parameters on the shear strength of reinforced concrete joints. However, there are no studies methodically tackling all the most relevant parameters and quantifying their influence on the overall joint behavior, not just on its shear strength. Hence, considering the prohibitive cost of a comprehensive parametric experimental investigation, a nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was undertaken to identify the key factors affecting the shear behavior of such joints and quantify their influence. The paper presents and discusses the models employed in this NLFEA and the procedure used to deduce the joint behavior from the NLFEA results. Three alternative, or complementary, quantities related to shear are considered when comparing results, namely, the maximum shear stress supported by the joint, the secant shear stiffness at maximum shear stress and the secant shear stiffness in service conditions. Depending on which of these is considered, the lower or higher the relevance of each of the six parameters investigated: transverse reinforcement in the joint, intermediate longitudinal bars and diagonal bars in the column, concrete strength, column axial load and confining elements in transverse direction.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.783-791
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• 2019

Prefabricated reinforced-concrete shear walls are used extensively in building structures because they are convenient to construct and environmentally sustainable. To make large walls easier to transport, they are divided into smaller segments and then assembled at the construction site using a variety of connection methods. The present paper proposes a precast shear wall assembled using steel shear keys, wherein the shear keys are fixed on the embedded steel plates of adjacent wall segments by combined plug and fillet welding. The anchoring strength of shear keys is known to affect the mechanical properties of the wall segments. Loading tests were therefore performed to observe the behavior of precast shear wall specimens with different anchoring components for shear keys. The specimen with insufficient strength of anchoring components was found to have reduced stiffness and lateral resistance. Conversely, an extremely high anchoring strength led to a short-column effect at the base of the wall segments and low deformation ability. Finally, for practical engineering purposes, a design approach involving the safety coefficient of anchoring components for steel shear keys is suggested.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.357-371
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• 2016

Column base connections are critical components in steel structures because they transfer axial forces, shear forces and moments to the foundation. Exposed column bases are quite commonly used in low- to medium-rise buildings. To investigate shear transfer in exposed column base plates, four large scale specimens were subjected to a combination of axial load (compression or tension) and lateral shear deformations. The main parameters examined experimentally include the number of anchor rod, arrangement of anchor rod, type of lateral loading, and axial force ratio. It is observed that the shear resisting mechanism of exposed column base changed as the axial force changed. When the axial force is in compression, the resisting mechanism is rotation type, and the shear force will be resisted by friction force between base plate and mortar layer. The specimens could sustain inelastic deformation with minimal strength deterioration up to column rotation angle of 3%. The moment resistance and energy dissipation will be increased as the number of anchor rods increased. Moreover, moment resistance could be further increased if the anchor rods were arranged in details. When the axial force is in tension, the resisting mechanism is slip type, and the shear force will be resisted by the anchor rods. And the shear resistance was reduced significantly when the axial force was changed from compression to tension. The test results indicated that the current design approach could estimate the moment resistance within reasonable acceptance, but overestimate the shear resistance of exposed column base.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.230-242
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• 2012

Recently the Permanent Uni-wall System (PUS) has been developed which improved the disadvantage of the Cast-In-Place Concrete Pile (CIP) and could be used as permanent retaining wall. In this study, joints between PUS and floor systems were developed. From analyses of the characteristics of design and construction of PUS, shear friction reinforcements with couplers were adopted for shear design of the joints. Twelve types of joints were developed which were classified according to the types of floor structures, wale, and piles of PUS. Two typical joints were tested and the joints showed satisfactory behaviors on the points of shear strength, stiffness, and serviceability. Especially the shear strengths were much higher than the design strengths due to the shear keys which were by-products in splicing shear reinforcements. However, the shear strength of the joint is recommended to be designed by only shear friction reinforcement because shear key is not reliable and too brittle.