• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.171-188
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• 2021

Plastic deformation of link beams in eccentrically braced frames is the primary dissipating source of seismic energy. Despite the excellent compatibility with the architectural designs, previous researches indicate the deficiency of flexural yielding links compared to the shear yielding ones because of their localized plastic deformation. Previous investigations have shown that implementing web openings in beams could be an efficient method to improve the seismic performance of moment-resisting connections. Accordingly, this research investigates the use of flexural links with stiffened and un-stiffened web openings to eliminate localized plasticity at the ends of the link. For this purpose, the numerical models are generated in finite element software "Abaqus" and verified against experimental data gathered from other studies. Models are subjected to cyclic displacement history to evaluate their behavior. Failure of the numerical models under cyclic loading is simulated using a micromechanical based damage model known as Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM). The elastic stiffness and the strength-based and CVGM-based inelastic rotation capacity of the links are compared to evaluate the studied models' seismic response. The results of this investigation indicate that some of the flexural links with edge stiffened web openings show increased inelastic rotation capacity compared to an un-perforated link.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.183-198
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• 2022

Plastic deformation of link beams in eccentrically braced frames is the primary dissipating source of seismic energy. Despite the excellent compatibility with the architectural designs, previous researches indicate the deficiency of flexural yielding links compared to the shear yielding ones because of their localized plastic deformation. Previous investigations have shown that implementing web openings in beams could be an efficient method to improve the seismic performance of moment-resisting connections. Accordingly, this research investigates the use of flexural links with stiffened and un-stiffened web openings to eliminate localized plasticity at the ends of the link. For this purpose, the numerical models are generated in finite element software "Abaqus" and verified against experimental data gathered from other studies. Models are subjected to cyclic displacement history to evaluate their behavior. Failure of the numerical models under cyclic loading is simulated using a micromechanical based damage model known as Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM). The elastic stiffness and the strength-based and CVGM-based inelastic rotation capacity of the links are compared to evaluate the studied models' seismic response. The results of this investigation indicate that some of the flexural links with edge stiffened web openings show increased inelastic rotation capacity compared to an un-perforated link.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.4
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• pp.357-370
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• 2024

Due to the fact that the mechanism of the effects of temperature and initial geometric imperfection on low-velocity impact problem of axially moving plates is not yet clear, the present paper is to fill the gap. In the present paper, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of axially moving imperfect graphene platelet reinforced metal foams (GPLRMF) plates subjected to lowvelocity impact in thermal environment is analyzed. The equivalent physical parameters of GPLRMF plates are estimated based on the Halpin-Tsai equation and the mixing rule. Combining Kirchhoff plate theory and the modified nonlinear Hertz contact theory, the nonlinear governing equations of GPLRMF plates are derived. Under the condition of simply supported boundary, the nonlinear control equation is discretized with the help of Gallekin method. The correctness of the proposed model is verified by comparison with the existing results. Finally, the time history curves of contact force and transverse center displacement are obtained by using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method. Through detailed parameter research, the effects of graphene platelet (GPL) distribution mode, foam distribution mode, GPL weight fraction, foam coefficient, axial moving speed, prestressing force, temperature changes, damping coefficient, initial geometric defect, radius and initial velocity of the impactor on the nonlinear impact problem are explored. The results indicate that temperature changes and initial geometric imperfections have significant impacts.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.375-388
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• 2022

Nibellen structural system is a novel resilient bracing system based on the application of Bellville disks and Nitinol rods. The cyclic behavior of Nibellen assembly was obtained, and the design equations were developed based on the available literature. Seismic performance of the system was then studied analytically. Two groups of buildings with different lateral force resisting systems were designed and studied: one group with the Nibellen system, and the other with the special concentrically braced frame system. Each building group consisted of 5-, 10-, and 15-story buildings. The Design-Base-Event (DBE) and Maximum Considered Event (MCE) were considered as the seismic hazard, and a suite of seven ground motions were scaled accordingly for response history analyses. Finally, the resiliency of the buildings was studied by obtaining the functionality curve of the buildings before and after the seismic event. The construction cost of the 5-story building with Nibellen bracing system increased but the post-earthquake cost decreased significantly. The application of Nibellen system in the 10- and 15-story buildings reduced both the construction and repair costs, considerably. Resiliency of all the buildings was improved when Nibellen system was used as the lateral force resisting system.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.285-302
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• 2024

Conducting nonlinear pushover analysis typically demands intricate and resource-intensive computational efforts, involving a highly iterative process necessary for meeting both design-defined and requirements of codes in performance-based design. This study presents a computer-based technique for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, incorporating optimization numerical approaches, optimality criteria and pushover analysis to automatically enhance seismic design performance. The optimal design of concrete beams, columns and shear walls in concrete frames is presented using the artificial bee colony optimization algorithm. The methodology is applied to three frames: a 4-story, an 8-story and a 12-story. These structures are designed to minimize overall weight while satisfying the levels of performance including Life Safety (LS), Collapse Prevention (CP), and Immediate Occupancy (IO). The process involves three main steps: first, optimization codes are implemented in MATLAB software, and the OpenSees software is used for nonlinear static analysis. By solving the optimization problem, several top designs are obtained for each frame and shear wall. Pushover analysis is conducted considering the constraints on relative displacement and plastic hinge rotation based on the nonlinear provisions of the FEMA356 nonlinear provisions to achieve each level of performance. Subsequently, convergence, pushover, and drift history curves are plotted for each frame, and leading to the selection of the best design. The results demonstrate that the algorithm effectively achieves optimal designs with reduced weight, meeting the desired performance criteria.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.205-215
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• 2023

Currently, many studies are underway at home and abroad on the seismic performance evaluation and dry construction method of the masonry structure. In this study, a dry stack masonry wall system without mortar using concrete blocks is proposed, and investigate the seismic performance of dry filling wall frames through experimental studies. First, two types of standard blocks and key blocks were designed to assemble dry walls of concrete blocks. And then, three types of experiments were manufactured, including pure frame, 1/2 height filling wall frame, and full height filling wall frame, and cyclic load experiments in horizontal direction were performed to analyze crack patterns, load displacement history, rebar deformation yield, effective stiffness change, displacement ductility, and energy dissipation capacity. According to the experimental results, the full height filling wall frame had the largest horizontal resistance against the earthquake load and showed a high energy dissipation capacity. However, the 1/2 height filling wall frame requires attention because the filling wall constrains the effective span of the column, limiting the horizontal displacement of the frame. In addition, the concrete block was firmly assembled in the vertical direction of the wall as the horizontal movement between the concrete blocks was allowed within installation margin, and there was no dropping of the assembled concrete block.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.277-295
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• 2023

Unsymmetrical high-rise buildings (HRBs) subjected to earthquake represent a difficult challenge to structural engineering, especially taking into consideration the effect of soil-structure interaction (SSI). L-shape in plan HRBs suffer from big straining actions when are subjected to an earthquake (in x- or y-direction, or both x- and y- directions). Additionally, the disastrous effect of seismic pounding may appear between two adjacent unsymmetrical HRBs. For two unsymmetrical L-shape in plan HRBs subjected to earthquake in three different direction cases (x, y, or both), including the SSI effect, different methods are investigated to mitigate the seismic pounding and thus protect these types of structures under the earthquake effect. The most effective technique to mitigate the seismic pounding and help in seismically protecting these adjacent HRBs is found herein to be the use of a combination of pounding tuned mass dampers (PTMDs) all over the height (at the connection points) together with tuned mass dampers (TMDs) on the top of both buildings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2021

Existing research on confined concrete filled steel tubular (CCFT) columns has been mainly focused on static or cyclic loading. In this paper, square section CCFT and CFT columns were tested under both static and impact loading, using a 10,000 kN capacity compression test machine and a drop weight testing equipment. Research parameters included bonded and unbonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps, with carbon, basalt and glass FRPs (or CFRP, BFRP, and GFRP), respectively. Time history curves for impact force and steel strain observed are discussed in detail. Experimental results show that the failure modes of specimens under impact testing were characterized by local buckling of the steel tube and cracking at the corners, for both CCFT and CFT columns, similar to those under static loading. For both static and impact loading, the FRP wraps could improve the behavior and increase the loading capacity. To analyze the dynamic behavior of the composite columns, a finite element, FE, model was established in LS-DYNA. A simplified method that is compared favorably with test results is also proposed to predict the impact load capacity of square CCFT columns.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2010

Heunginjimun designated as a Treasure No.1 is a two-story wooden structure with 5 bay and 2 bay in its front and side views, respectively. This paper presents an investigation on vibration characteristics of Heunginjimun through both ambient vibration and impact hammer tests. Ambient vibration test was performed to identify the natural frequency of Heunginjimun from the spectrum analysis of time history. Impact hammer test was undertaken to find the frequency of Heunginjimun which is affected by the surrounding traffics and to verify the reciprocal principle for the wooden structural system. Ambient vibration test results of Heunginjimun showed that the natural frequencies in two principal axes 1.5 Hz and 1.1 Hz, respectively. It was confirmed from impact hammer tests for a ground that the frequency of 4.2 Hz is caused by the traffics surrounding Heunginjimun. It was also observed that from the impact hammer test results between two locations in Heunginjimun that the transfer functions measured from two corresponding locations coincided well with each other. This result shows that the wooden structural system is globally linear, and the reciprocal principle is established.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.61-90
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• 2021

Recent excavations in Qinghai Province, China, have disclosed textiles and artworks from Tuyuhun-Tubo (Tibetan) tombs, dated to the 7^th-9^th centuries, that suggest artistic and cultural exchanges along an external southern branch of the main Silk Road, between Gansu and Sichuan Provinces, across the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau toward the Himalayas. Many similar textiles, possibly from this area, have appeared lately on the art market and ended in private collections. Although these textiles, dated to the early Tibetan period, follow a popular prototype established in Central Asia in the 6^th century, the technical features, colors, and other indigenous elements suggest that they were woven in workshops different from those established between Sogdiana and Gansu. The exhibition "Cultural Exchange Along the Silk Road - Masterpieces of the Tubo Period," organized by the Dunhuang Research Academy and the Pritzker Collaborative Art between July and October 2019 in Dunhuang, Gansu, was a groundbreaking event that gathered scholarly attention on early Tibetan material culture, but a relevant publication is still forthcoming. In my previous work, I briefly discussed a group of silk textiles, possibly from Qinghai or Sichuan, that I analyzed in 2014 in the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. In light of the recent material excavated, published online, or displayed in Dunhuang, in this article, I reevaluate the data previously collected, and discuss in detail the technical and iconographic features of one of the fragments held in Hangzhou. Eventually, the piece was recognized as the ending part of a large panel, which is now in the Abegg Stiftung in Riggisberg, Switzerland.