• Computers and Concrete
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.467-485
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• 2015

This paper presents a comprehensive work on determination of yield base shear coefficient and displacement ductility factor of three to eight story actual reinforced concrete buildings, instead of using generic frames. The building data is provided by a walkdown survey in different locations of the pilot areas. Very detailed three dimensional models of the selected buildings are generated by using the data provided in architectural and reinforcement projects. Capacity curves of the buildings are obtained from nonlinear static pushover analyses and each capacity curve is approximated with a bilinear curve. Characteristic points of capacity curve, the yield base shear capacity, the yield displacement and the ultimate displacement capacity, are determined. The calculated values of the yield base shear coefficients and the displacement ductility factors for directions into consideration are compared by those expected values given in different versions of Turkish Seismic Design Code. Although having sufficient lateral strength capacities, the deformation capacities of these typical mid-rise reinforced concrete buildings are found to be considerably low.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.591-609
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• 2023

In some buildings, the lateral structural response of steel framed buildings depends on the shear walls and it is very important to study the behavior of these elements under near-field seismic loads. The link beam in the opening of the shear wall between two wall plates is investigated numerically in terms of behavior and effects on frames. Based on the length of the beam and its bending and shear behavior, three types of models are constructed and analyzed, and the behavior of the frames is also compared. The results show that by reducing the length of the link beam, the base shear forces reduce about 20%. The changes in the length of the link beam have different effects on the degree of coupling. Increasing the length of the link beam increases the base shear about 15%. Also, it has both, a positive and a negative effect on the degree of coupling. The increasing strength of the coupling steel shear wall is linearly related to the yield stress of the beam materials, length, and flexural stiffness of the beam. The use of a shorter link beam will increase the additional strength and consequently improving the behavior of the coupling steel shear wall by reducing the stresses in this element. The link beam with large moment of inertia will also increase about 25% the additional strength and as a result the coefficient of behavior of the shear wall.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.333-347
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• 2017

Masonry infill walls are unavoidable parts of any building to create a separation between internal space and external environment. In general, there are some prevalent openings in the infill wall due to functional needs, architectural considerations or aesthetic concerns. In current design practice, the strength and stiffness contribution of infill walls is not considered. However, the presence of infill walls may decisively influence the seismic response of structures subjected to earthquake loads and cause a different behavior from that predicted for a bare frame. Furthermore, partial openings in the masonry infill wall are significant parameter affecting the seismic behavior of infilled frames thereby decreasing the lateral stiffness and strength. The possible effects of openings in the infill wall on seismic behavior of RC frames is analytically studied by means of pushover analysis of several bare, partially and fully infilled frames having different bay and story numbers. The stiffness loss due to partial opening is introduced by the stiffness reduction factors which are developed from finite element analysis of frames considering frame-infill interaction. Pushover curves of frames are plotted and the maximum base shear forces, the yield displacement, the yield base shear force coefficient, the displacement demand, interstory drift ratios and the distribution of story shear forces are determined. The comparison of parameters both in terms of seismic demand and capacity indicates that partial openings decisively influences the nonlinear behavior of RC frames and cause a different behavior from that predicted for a bare frame or fully infilled frame.