• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.307-321
• /
• 2020

The slim-floor solution provides an efficient alternative to the classic slab-over-beam configuration due to architectural and structural benefits. Two deficiencies can be identified in the current state-of-art: (i) the technique is limited to nonseismic applications and (ii) the lack of information on moment-resisting slim-floor beam-to-column joints. In the seismic design of framed structures, continuous beam-to-column joints are required for plastic hinges to form at the ends of the beams. The present paper proposes a slim-floor technical solution capable of expanding the current application of slim-floor joints to seismic-resistant composite construction. The proposed solution relies on a moment-resisting connection with a thick end-plate and large-diameter bolts, which are used to fulfill the required strength and stiffness characteristics of continuous connections, while maintaining a reduced height of the configuration. Considering the proposed novel solution and the variety of parameters that could affect the behavior of the joint, experimental and numerical validations are compulsory. Consequently, the current paper presents the experimental and numerical investigation of two slim-floor beam-to-column joint assemblies. The results are discussed in terms of moment-rotation curves, available rotational capacity and failure modes. The study focuses on developing reliable slim-floor beam joints that are applicable to steel building frame structures located in seismic regions.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2023

Reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames are used as lateral seismic load resisting systems in mid- and high-rise buildings in different regions of the world. Based on the seismic design provisions and construction details presented in design codes, RC frames with different levels of ductility (ordinary, intermediate, and special) can be designed and constructed. In Iran, there are RC buildings with various uses which have been constructed based on different editions of design codes. The seismic performance of RC structures (particularly moment frames) in real seismic events is of great importance. In this paper, the observations made on damaged RC moment frames after the destructive Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.3 are reported. Different levels of damage from the development of cracks in the structural and non-structural elements to the total collapse of buildings were observed. Furthermore, undesirable failure modes which are not expected in ductile seismic-resistant buildings were frequently observed in the damaged buildings. The RC moment frames built based on the previous editions of the design codes showed partial or total collapse in this seismic event. The extensive destruction of RC moment frames compared with the other structural systems (such as braced steel frames and confined masonry buildings) was attributed not only to the deficiencies in the construction practice of these buildings but also to the design procedure. In addition, the failure and collapse of masonry infills in RC moment frames were frequent modes of failure in this seismic event. In this paper, the main reasons related to design practice which led to extensive damage in the RC moment frames and their collapse are addressed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.879-914
• /
• 2013

In part I of the article, formulation and characteristics of the several well-known structural geometrical nonlinear solution techniques were studied. In the present paper, the efficiencies and capabilities of residual load minimization, normal plane, updated normal plane, cylindrical arc length, work control, residual displacement minimization, generalized displacement control and modified normal flow will be evaluated. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive comparison of these solution methods will be performed. Due to limit page of the article, only the findings of 17 numerical problems, including 2-D and 3-D trusses, 2-D and 3-D frames, and shells, will be presented. Performance of the solution strategies will be considered by doing more than 12500 nonlinear analyses, and conclusions will be drawn based on the outcomes. Most of the mentioned structures have complex nonlinear behavior, including load limit and snap-back points. In this investigation, criteria like number of diverged and complete analyses, the ability of passing load limit and snap-back points, the total number of steps and analysis iterations, the analysis running time and divergence points will be examined. Numerical properties of each problem, like, maximum allowed iteration, divergence tolerance, maximum and minimum size of the load factor, load increment changes and the target point will be selected in such a way that comparison result to be highly reliable. Following this, capabilities and deficiencies of each solution technique will be surveyed in comparison with the other ones, and superior solution schemes will be introduced.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.483-503
• /
• 2016

This study aims to evaluate seismic performance of existing low and mid-rise reinforced concrete buildings by comparing their displacement capacities and displacement demands under selected ground motions experienced in Turkey as well as demand spectrum provided in 2007 Turkish Earthquake Code for design earthquake with 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years for soil class Z3. It should be noted that typical residential buildings are designed according to demand spectrum of 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years. Three RC building sets as 2-, 4- and 7-story, are selected to represent reference low-and mid-rise buildings located in the high seismicity region of Turkey. The selected buildings are typical beam-column RC frame buildings with no shear walls. The outcomes of detailed field and archive investigation including approximately 500 real residential RC buildings established building models to reflect existing building stock. Total of 72 3-D building models are constructed from the reference buildings to include the effects of some properties such as structural irregularities, concrete strength, seismic codes, structural deficiencies, transverse reinforcement detailing, and number of story on seismic performance of low and mid-rise RC buildings. Capacity curves of building sets are obtained by nonlinear static analyses conducted in two principal directions, resulting in 144 models. The inelastic dynamic characteristics are represented by "equivalent" Single-Degree-of- Freedom (ESDOF) systems using obtained capacity curves of buildings. Nonlinear time history analysis is used to estimate displacement demands of representative building models idealized with (ESDOF) systems subjected to the selected ground motion records from past earthquakes in Turkey. The results show that the significant number of pre-modern code 4- and 7-story buildings exceeds LS performance level while the modern code 4- and 7-story buildings have better performances. The findings obviously indicate the existence of destructive earthquakes especially for 4- and 7-story buildings. Significant improvements in the performance of the buildings per modern code are also obvious in the study. Almost one third of pre-modern code buildings is exceeding LS level during records in the past earthquakes. This observation also supports the building damages experienced in the past earthquake events in Turkey.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.325-335
• /
• 2021

The majority of Turkey's geography is at risk of earthquakes. Within the borders of Turkey, including the two major active faults contain the North-Eastern and Eastern Anatolia, earthquake, threatening the safety of life and property. On January 24, 2020, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 occurred at 8:55 p.m. local time. According to the data obtained from the stations in the region, peak ground acceleration in the east-west direction was measured as 0.292 g from the 2308 coded station in Sivrice. It is thought that the earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 6.8 was developed on the Sivrice-Puturge segment of the Eastern Anatolian Fault, which is a left lateral strike slip fault, and the tear developed in an area of 50-55 km. Aftershocks ranging from 0.8 to 5.1 Mw occurred following the main shock on the Eastern Anatolian Fault. The earthquake caused severe structural damages in Elazığ and neighboring provinces. As a result of the field investigations carried out in this study, significant damage levels were observed in the buildings since it did not meet the criteria in the earthquake codes. Within the study's scope, the structural damage cases in reinforced concrete and masonry structures were investigated. Many structural deficiencies and mistakes such as non-ductile details, poor concrete quality, short columns, strong beams-weak columns mechanism, large and heavy overhangs, masonry building damages and inadequate reinforcement arrangements were observed. Requirements of seismic codes are discussed and compared with observed earthquake damage.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.99-126
• /
• 2004

Japan's economic clusters are characterized by their high level of diversity. In essence, Japanese economic clusters are not limited to single industries; they comprise numerous manufacturing industries and firms which cluster in specific heterogeneous economic zones, vice political boundaries. Japanese manufacturing sectors are showing an increased level of diversity, resulting in the spread of experience and knowledge among clusters, and sustained growth at the point of industrial structural transformation. Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) proposed the creation of intellectual clusters for the purpose of promoting research and development(R&D) activities resulting in the stimulation and development of new technologies. The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) is also proposing the industrial cluster plan with the aim to promote the local rebirth and revitalization of the Japanese industrial sector. This paper proposes a methodological analysis which will result in the integration of the two policies currently implemented by the Japanese government. If the current policies are not coordinated and integrated, artificial firms and sectors will continue to hamper innovation and discourage competitiveness, which will ultimately result in Japan's loss of economic opportunities within Asia. In the worst case, failure to act on current economic deficiencies illuminated in this paper could cost Japan its position as an Asian economic leader.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.123-136
• /
• 2015

The proposed techniques to repair concrete members such as steel plates, fiber-reinforced polymers or concrete have important deficiencies in adherence and durability. The use of ultra high performance fiber concrete (UHPFC) can overtake effectively these problems. In this paper, the possibility of using UHPFC to strengthen reinforced concrete beams under torsion is investigated. Seven specimens of concrete beams reinforced with longitudinal and transverse reinforcements. One of these beams consider as control specimen while the others was strengthened by UHPFC on four, three, and two sides. This study includes experimental results of all beams with different types of configurations and thickness of UHPFC. As well as, finite element analysis was conducted in tandem with experimental test. Results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed technique at cracking and ultimate torque for different beam strengthening configurations, torque - twist graphs and crack patterns. The UHPFC can generally be used as an effective external torsional reinforcement for RC beams. It was noted that the behavior of the beams strengthen with UHPFC are better than the control beams. This increase was proportional to the retrofitted beam sides. The use of UHPFC had effect in delaying the growth of crack formation. The finite element analysis is reasonably agreement with the experimental data.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.74 no.4
• /
• pp.481-494
• /
• 2020

In this paper, a probability-based procedure to evaluate the performance of existing RC structures exposed to seismic and fire actions is presented. The procedure is demonstrated with reference to an existing old school building, located in Italy. The vulnerability assessment of the building highlights deficiencies under both static and seismic loads. Retrofit operations are designed to achieve the seismic safety. The idea of the work consists in assessing the performance of the existing and retrofitted building in terms of both the seismic and fire resistance. The seismic retrofit and fire resistance upgrading follow different paths, depending on the specific configuration of the building. A good seismic retrofit does not entail an improving of the fire resistance and vice versa. The goal of the current work is to study the variation of response due to the uncertainties considered in records/fire curves selection and to carry out the assessment of the studied RC structure by obtaining fragility curves under the effect of different records/temperature. The results show the fragility curves before and after retrofit operations and both in terms of seismic performance and fire resistance performance, measuring the percent improving for the different limit states.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.249-260
• /
• 2019

The study examines the impact of financial risk, convenience risk, non-delivery risk; return policy risk and product risk on online consumer behavior of Malaysian consumers. The research employed a self-administered survey to collect empirical data from 245 Malaysian online shoppers by using convenience sampling. Cronbach alpha was calculated to confirm the reliability of the data and then normality was assessed. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was then conducted to test the model using the goodness-of-fit tests. And finally, structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses and draw conclusions. IBM SPSS AMOS version 22.0 was utilized for data analysis. The research indicates that product risk, convenience risk, and return policy risk have a significant and positive impact on online shopping behavior. Financial risk is found to have insignificant and negative effects on consumer behavior. In addition, the non-delivery risk is found to have a significant and negative impact on online shopping behavior. The findings provide a useful model for measuring and managing perceived risk in online shopping which may result in an increase in participation of Malaysian consumers and reduce their cognitive deficiencies in the e-commerce environment. Several managerial implications are discussed along with the scope for future research.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.388-401
• /
• 2010

This research aims at analyzing impacts of climate change on fisheries. Climate change is an additional pressure on top of the many which fish stocks already experience. This implies that the impact of climate change must be evaluated in the context of other anthropogenic pressures, which often have a much greater and more immediate effect. Conversely, it is evident that fish stocks will be more resilient to climate impacts if the stresses due to other factors, such as over-fishing and pollution, are minimized. Improved management of fisheries and of marine ecosystems can undoubtedly play an important role in adapting to the impacts of climate change. Most of the improvements which are needed do not require new science or understanding, they require patient development of acceptable, effective, responsive social institutions and instruments for achieving adaptive management. Management advices must include complete and transparent information on risks and uncertainties which arise from data quality and from structural deficiencies in the assessment models. Well-designed and reliable monitoring of fish stocks and the marine ecosystem is essential in order to detect changes and give warning in advance of alterations in the productivity of individual species and of the structure and functioning of the ecosystem and fishery economy on which they depend.