• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.553-569
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• 2024

In recent tunneling projects, encounters with multi-layered strata have become more frequent as the desired scale of tunneling increases. Despite substantial practical experience, the design of large-diameter shield-driven tunnels often simplifies the surrounding ground as uniform, overlooking the complexities introduced by non-uniform geotechnical factors. This study comparatively analyzed the influence of design factors, particularly segment stiffness and joint parameters, on segmental lining behavior in layered ground conditions using numerical methods. A comprehensive parametric study revealed the significant impact of deformative interaction between the lining and the soft top soil layer on overall tunnel behavior. Permitting lining deformation in the soft soil layer effectively mitigated the induced internal forces but resulted in considerable tunnel lining convergence, adopting a peanut-shaped appearance. From a practical design perspective, application of a soft segment with lower stiffness near the stiff soil layer is an economically advantageous approach, alleviating internal forces within an acceptable convergence level. Notably, around the interfaces between soil layers with different stiffnesses, the induced internal forces in the lining were minimized based on joint rotational stiffness and location. This indicates the possibility of achieving an optimal design for segmental lining joints under layered ground conditions. Additionally, a preliminary design method was proposed, which sequentially optimizes parameters for joints located near soil layer interfaces. Subsequently, a specialized design based on the proposed method for complex multi-layered strata was compared with a conventional design. The results confirmed that the internal force was effectively relieved at an allowable lining deflection level.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.331-344
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• 2024

The performance of reinforced concrete buildings subjected to earthquake excitations depends on the structural behaviour of the superstructure as well as the type of foundation and the properties of soil on which the structure is founded. The consideration of the effects due to the interaction between the structure and soil- foundation alters the seismic response of reinforced concrete buildings subjected to earthquake motion. Evaluation of the structural response of buildings for quantitative assessment of the seismic fragility has been a demanding problem for the engineers. Present research deals with development of fragility curve for building specific vulnerability assessment based on different damage parameters considering the effect of soil-structure interaction. Incremental Dynamic Analysis of fixed base and flexible base RC building models founded on different soil conditions was conducted using finite element software. Three sets of fragility curves were developed with maximum roof displacement, inter storey drift and plastic energy dissipated as engineering demand parameters. The results indicated an increase in the likelihood of exceeding various damage limits by 10-40% for flexible base condition with soft soil profiles. Fragility curve based on energy dissipated showed a higher probability of exceedance for collapse prevention damage limit whereas for lower damage states, conventional methods showed higher probability of exceedance. With plastic energy dissipated as engineering demand parameter, it is possible to track down the intensity of earthquake at which the plastic deformation starts, thereby providing an accurate vulnerability assessment of the structure. Fragility modification factors that enable the transformation of existing fragility curves to account for Soil-Structure Interaction effects based on different damage measures are proposed for different soil conditions to facilitate a congenial vulnerability assessment for buildings with flexible base conditions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제91권6호
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• pp.551-565
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• 2024

This study presents a methodical investigation into improving structural designs through the analytical examination of the dynamic behavior of functionally graded plates (FGPs) resting on viscoelastic foundations. By employing a four variable first-order shear deformation theory, the study computes non-dimensional frequencies for a variety of porous FGPs with diverse graded patterns and porosity distributions. Different gradient patterns of the plates are considered, and three distinct functions-sigmoid (S-FGM), exponential (E-FGM), and power-law (P-FGM)-are utilized to assess material performance in specific directions. The equations of motion are derived and solved using both Navier's method and Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions for vibration frequency are provided to validate the proposed methodology against existing literature. Furthermore, a comprehensive parametric analysis is conducted, taking into account various factors such as ceramic material, porosity distribution, gradient index, length-to-thickness ratio, gradient pattern, and damping coefficient. The findings suggest that enhancing the damping coefficient of the viscoelastic foundation can significantly improve the free-vibrational response of functionally graded material plates.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.409-425
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• 2024

This paper utilizes LS-DYNA software to numerically investigate impact response and damage evaluation of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars-reinforced ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) composite beams (FRP-UHPC beams). Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models are established and calibrated by using literature-based static and impact tests, demonstrating high accuracy in simulating FRP-UHPC beams under impact loading. Parametric analyses explore the effects of impact mass, impactor height, FRP bar type and diameter, and clear span length on dynamic response and damage modes. Two failure modes emerge: tensile failure with bottom longitudinal reinforcement fracture and compression failure with local concrete compression near the impact region. Impact mass or height variation under the same impact energy significantly affects the first peak impact force, but minimally influences peak midspan displacement with a difference of no more than 5% and damage patterns. Increasing static flexural load-carrying capacity enhances FRP-UHPC beam impact resistance, reducing displacement deformation by up to 30%. Despite similar static load-carrying capacities, different FRP bars result in varied impact resistance. The paper proposes a damage assessment index based on impact energy, static load-carrying capacity, and clear span length, correlating well with beam end rotation. Their linearly-fitting coefficient was 1.285, 1.512, and 1.709 for the cases with CFRP, GFRP, and BFRP bars, respectively. This index establishes a foundation for an impact-resistant design method, including a simplified formula for peak midspan displacement assessment.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.447-476
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• 2024

The current research proposes an innovative finite element model established within the context of higher-order beam theory to examine the bending and buckling behaviors of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) beams resting on Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundations. This two-node beam element includes four degrees of freedom per node and achieves inter-element continuity with both C¹ and C⁰ continuities for kinematic variables. The isoparametric coordinate system is implemented to generate the elementary stiffness and geometric matrices as a way to enhance the existing model formulation. The weak variational equilibrium equations are derived from the principle of virtual work. The mechanical properties of FG-CNTRC beams are considered to vary gradually and smoothly over the beam thickness. The current investigation highlights the influence of porosity dispersions through the beam cross-section, which is frequently omitted in previous studies. For this reason, this analysis offers an enhanced comprehension of the mechanical behavior of FG-CNTRC beams under various boundary conditions. Through the comparison of the current results with those published previously, the proposed finite element model demonstrates a high rate of efficiency and accuracy. The estimated results not only refine the precision in the mechanical analysis of FG-CNTRC beams but also offer a comprehensive conceptual model for analyzing the performance of porous composite structures. Moreover, the current results are crucial in various sectors that depend on structural integrity in specific environments.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제91권6호
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• pp.643-656
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• 2024

The prediction of the moment rotation behavior of semi-rigid connections has been the subject of extensive research. However, to improve the accuracy of these predictions, there is a growing interest in employing machine learning algorithms. This paper investigates the effectiveness of using Multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP) to predict the moment-rotation behavior of flush-end plate connections compared to that of artificial neural networks (ANN) and previous studies. It aims to automate the process of determining the most suitable equations to accurately describe the behavior of these types of connections. Experimental data was used to train ANN and MGGP. The performance of the models was assessed by comparing the values of coefficient of determination (R²), maximum absolute error (MAE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The results showed that MGGP produced more accurate, reliable, and general predictions compared to ANN and previous studies with an R² exceeding 0.99, an RMSE of 6.97, and an MAE of 38.68, highlighting its advantages over other models. The use of MGGP can lead to better modeling and more precise predictions in structural design. Additionally, an experimentally-based regression analysis was conducted to obtain the rotational capacity of FECs. A new equation was proposed and compared to previous ones, showing significant improvement in accuracy with an R² score of 0.738, an RMSE of 0.014, and an MAE of 0.024.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.293-310
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• 2024

Ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is a form of cement-based material that has a compressive strength above 150 MPa, excellent ductility, and superior durability. This composite material demonstrates innovation and has the potential to serve as a viable substitute for concrete constructions that are subjected to harsh environmental conditions. Over many decades, extensive research and progressive efforts have introduced several commercial UHPFRC compositions globally. These compositions have been specifically designed to cater to an increasing variety of applications and meet the rising need for building materials of superior quality. However, the effective manufacturing of UHPFRC relies on the composition of its materials, especially the inclusion of fiber content and the proportions in the mixture, resulting in a more compact and comparatively uniform packing of particles. UHPFRC has notable benefits in comparison to conventional concrete, yet its use is constrained by the dearth of design codes and the prohibitive expenses associated with its implementation. The study demonstrates that UHPFRC presents a viable, long-lasting option for improving sustainable construction. This is attributed to its outstanding strength properties and superior durability in resisting water and chloride ion permeability, freeze-thaw cycles, and carbonation. The analysis found that a rheology-based mixture design technique may be employed in the production of UHPFRC to provide enough flowability. The study also revealed that the use of deformed steel fibers has shown enhanced mechanical qualities in comparison to straight steel fibers. However, obstacles such as higher initial costs, the requirement for highly specialized personnel, and the absence of comprehensive literature on global UHPFRC standards that establish minimum strength criteria and testing requirements can hinder the widespread implication of UHPFRC. Finally, this review attempts to deepen our foundational conception of UHPFRC, encourages additional study and applications, and recommends an in-depth investigation of the mechanical and durability properties of UHPFRC to maximize its practicality.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.127-142
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• 2024

The amount of wave propagation through a rubber concrete construction is the subject of the current investigation. Rubber tire waste was used to make two different types of cement mixtures. One type contains sand substitute in amounts ranging from 15% to 60% of the total volume, while the other has gravel with diameters of 3/8 and 8/15 and 15% sand in the same mixture. A wide variety of concrete forms and compositions were created, and their viscous and solid state characteristics were assessed, along with their short-, medium-, and long-term strengths. Diffusion, density, mechanical strength resistance to compressive force, and ultrasound wave propagation were also assessed. The water-to-cement ratio and plasticizer were used in this investigation. In the second part of the study, an analytical model is presented that simulates the experimental model in predicting the speed of waves and the frequencies accompanying them for this type of mixture. Higher order shear deformation beam theory for wave propagation in the rubberized concrete beam is developed, considering the bidirectional distribution, which is primarily expressed by the density, the Poisson coefficient, and Young's modulus. Hamilton's concept is used to determine the governing equations of the wave propagation in the rubberized concrete beam structure. When the analytical and experimental results for rubber concrete beams were compared, the outcomes were very comparable. The addition of rubber gravel and sandy rubber to the mixture both resulted in a discernible drop in velocities and frequencies, according to the data.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.143-154
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• 2024

Friction pendulums typically suffer from poor uplift-restraining. To improve the uplift-restraining and enhance the energy dissipation capacity, this article proposed a composite isolation device based on electromagnetic forces. The device was constructed based on a remote control system to achieve semi-active control of the composite isolation device. This article introduces the theory and design of an electromagnetic chuck-friction pendulum system (ECFPS) and derives the theoretical equation for the ECFPS based on Maxwell's electromagnetic attraction equation to construct the proposed model. By conducting 1:3 scale tests on the electromagnetic device, the gaps between the practical, theoretical, and simulation results were analyzed, and the accuracy and effectiveness of the theoretical equation for the ECFPS were investigated. The hysteresis and uplift-restraining performance of ECFPS were analyzed by adjusting the displacement amplitude, vertical load, and input current of the simulation model. The data obtained from the scale test were consistent with the theoretical and simulated data. Notably, the hysteresis area of the ECFPS was 35.11% larger than that of a conventional friction pendulum. Lastly, a six-story planar frame structure was established through SAP2000 for a time history analysis. The isolation performances of ECFPS and FPS were compared. The results revealed that, under horizontal seismic action, the horizontal seismic response of the bottom layer of the ECFPS isolation structure is greater than that of the FPS, the horizontal vibration response of the top layer of the ECFPS isolation structure is smaller than that of the FPS, and the axial force at the bottom of the columns of the ECFPS isolation structure is smaller than that of the FPS isolation structure. Therefore, the reliable uplift-restraining performance is facilitated by the electromagnetic force generated by the device.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.151-168
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• 2024

This research aimed to appraise the effectiveness of four optimization approaches - cuckoo optimization algorithm (COA), multi-verse optimization (MVO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) - that were enhanced with an artificial neural network (ANN) in predicting the bearing capacity of shallow foundations located on cohesionless soils. The study utilized a database of 97 laboratory experiments, with 68 experiments for training data sets and 29 for testing data sets. The ANN algorithms were optimized by adjusting various variables, such as population size and number of neurons in each hidden layer, through trial-and-error techniques. Input parameters used for analysis included width, depth, geometry, unit weight, and angle of shearing resistance. After performing sensitivity analysis, it was determined that the optimized architecture for the ANN structure was 5×5×1. The study found that all four models demonstrated exceptional prediction performance: COA-MLP, MVO-MLP, PSO-MLP, and TLBO-MLP. It is worth noting that the MVO-MLP model exhibited superior accuracy in generating network outputs for predicting measured values compared to the other models. The training data sets showed R² and RMSE values of (0.07184 and 0.9819), (0.04536 and 0.9928), (0.09194 and 0.9702), and (0.04714 and 0.9923) for COA-MLP, MVO-MLP, PSO-MLP, and TLBO-MLP methods respectively. Similarly, the testing data sets produced R² and RMSE values of (0.08126 and 0.07218), (0.07218 and 0.9814), (0.10827 and 0.95764), and (0.09886 and 0.96481) for COA-MLP, MVO-MLP, PSO-MLP, and TLBO-MLP methods respectively.