• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제26권4호
• /
• pp.501-511
• /
• 2018

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) columns are commonly used in engineering structures and always subjected to torsion in practice. This paper is thus devoted to investigate the mechanical behavior of circular CFT columns under pure torsion.3D finite element models based on reasonable material constitutive relation were established for analyzing the load-strain ($T-{\gamma}$) curves of circular CFT columns under pure torsion. The numerical simulation indicated that local bulking of the steel tube in CFT columns was prevented and the shear strength and ductility of the core concrete were significantly improved due to the confinement effect between the steel tube and the core concrete. Based on the results, formulas to predict the torsional ultimate bearing capacity of circular CFT columns were proposed with satisfactory correspondence with experimental results. Besides, formulas of composite shear stiffness and the overall process of the $T-{\gamma}$ relation of circular CFT columns under pure torsion were proposed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• 제15권5호
• /
• pp.473-485
• /
• 2018

The buildings of architectural and cultural heritage are mostly built with stone or brick wall elements, which are connected using limestone or limestone cement mortar, without a full knowledge of the mechanical properties of masonry structures. The compatibility of heritage masonry buildings with valid technical specifications and the rules for earthquake resistance implies the need for construction work such as repairs, strengthening or reconstruction. By strengthening the masonry buildings, ductility and bearing capacity are increased to a level, which, in the case of the earthquake design, allows for some damage to happen, however the structure retains sufficient usability and bearing capacity without the possibility of collapse. Comparison between traditional and modern techniques for seismic strengthening of masonry buildings is given according to their effects, benefits and disadvantages. Recent Croatian provisions provided for heritage buildings enabling deviation of technical specifications are discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.323-352
• /
• 2016

The results of a series of finite element (FE) simulations and experimental studies are used to develop strength and stiffness models that predict the failure capacity and response characteristics of unstiffened extended endplate connections with circular and rectangular bolt configurations associated with deep girders. The proposed stiffness models are composed of multi-linear springs which model the overall extended endplate/column flange system deformation and strength of key-components. Comparison of model predictions with FE and experimental results available in the literature show that the proposed models accurately predict the strength and the response of extended endplate/column system with circular and rectangular bolt configurations. The effect of the bolt configuration (circular and rectangular) on the prying phenomenon encountered in the unstiffened extended endplate/column system was investigated. Based on FE results, extended endplate with circular bolt configuration has a more ductile behavior and exhibits higher total prying forces. The proposed models can be used to design connections that cover all possible failure modes for extended endplate with circular bolt configuration. This study provides guidelines for engineers to account for the additional forces induced in the tension bolts and for the maximum rotational capacity demand in the connection which are required for seismic analysis and design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.235-255
• /
• 2016

This paper experimentally investigated the behavior of steel frame structures of traditional-style buildings subjected to combined constant axial load and reversed lateral cyclic loading conditions. The low cyclic reversed loading test was carried out on a 1/2 model of a traditional-style steel frame. The failure process and failure mode of the structure were observed. The mechanical behaviors of the steel frame, including hysteretic behaviors, order of plastic hinges, load-displacement curve, characteristic loads and corresponding displacements, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, and stiffness degradation were analyzed. Test results showed that the Dou-Gong component (a special construct in traditional-style buildings) in steel frame structures acted as the first seismic line under the action of horizontal loads, the plastic hinges at the beam end developed sufficiently and satisfied the Chinese Seismic Design Principle of "strong columns-weak beams, strong joints-weak members". The pinching phenomenon of hysteretic loops occurred and it changed into Z-shape, indicating shear-slip property. The stiffness degradation of the structure was significant at the early stage of the loading. When failure, the ultimate elastic-plastic interlayer displacement angle was 1/20, which indicated high collapse resistance capacity of the steel frame. Furthermore, the finite element analysis was conducted to simulate the behavior of traditional-style frame structure. Test results agreed well with the results of the finite element analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제64권1호
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2017

To upgrade shear performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, and particularly of the segments under negative moment within continuous T-section beams, a series of original schemes has been proposed using carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) U-shaped strips for shear-strengthening. The current work focuses on one of them, in which CFRP U-strips are wound around steel bars against the top of the flange of a T-beam and then spliced on its bottom face in addition to being bonded onto its sides. The test results showed that the proposed scheme successfully provided reliable anchorage for U-strips and prevented premature onset of shear failure due to FRP debonding. The governing shear mode of failure changed from peeling of CFRP to its fracture or crushing of concrete. The strengthened specimens displayed an average increase of about 60% in shear capacity over the unstrengthened control one. The specimen with a relatively high ratio and uniform distribution of CFRP reinforcement had a maximum increase of nearly 75% in strength as well as significantly improved ductility. The formulas by various codes or guidelines exhibited different accuracy in estimating FRP contribution to shear resistance of the segments that are subjected to negative moment and strengthened with well-anchored FRP U-strips within continuous T-beams. Further investigation is necessary to find a suitable approach to predicting load-carrying capacity of continuous beams shear strengthened in this way.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.471-482
• /
• 2018

The composite reinforced concrete and steel (RCS) structural systems have larger structural lateral stiffness, higher inherent structural damping, and faster construction speed than either traditional reinforcement concrete or steel structures. In this paper, four RCS subassemblies with or without the RC slab designed following a strong column-weak beam philosophy were constructed and tested under reversed-cyclic loading. Parameters including the width of slab and composite effect of the RC slab and beam were explored. The test results showed that all specimens performed in a ductile manner with plastic hinges formed in the beam ends near the column faces. The seismic responses of composite connections are influenced significantly by different width of slabs. Compared with that of the steel beam without the RC slab, it was found that the load carrying capacity of composite connections with the RC slab increased by 30% on average, and strength degradation, energy dissipation also had better performance, while the ductility of that were almost the same. Furthermore, the contribution of connection deformation to the overall specimen displacement was analyzed and compared. It decreased approximately 10% due to the coupling effect in the columns and beams with the RC slab. Based on the test result, some suggestions are presented for the design of composite RCS joints.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• 제9권4호
• /
• pp.415-425
• /
• 2015

Reinforced concrete beams with insufficient shear reinforcement were strengthened using glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) plates. In the study, the effect of the number of bolts on the load capacity, energy dissipation, and stiffness of reinforced concrete beams were investigated by using anchor bolt of different numbers. Three strengthened with GFRP specimens, one flexural reference specimen designed in accordance to Regulation on Buildings Constructed in Disaster Areas rules, and one shear reinforcement insufficient reference specimen was tested. Anchorage was made on the surfaces of the beams in strengthened specimens using 2, 3 and 4 bolts respectively. All beams were tested under monotonic loads. Results obtained from the tests of strengthened concrete beams were compared with the result of good flexural reference specimen. The beam in which 4 bolts were used in adhering GFRP plates on beam surfaces carried approximately equal loads with the beam named as a flexural reference. The amount of energy dissipated by strengthened DE5 specimen was 96 % of the amount of energy dissipated by DE1 reference specimen. Strengthened DE5 specimen initial stiffness equal to DE1 reference specimen initial stiffness, but strengthened DE5 specimen yield stiffness about 4 % lower than DE1 reference specimen yield stiffness. Also, DE5 specimen exhibited ductile behavior and was fractured due to bending fracture. Upon the increase of the number of anchorages used in a strengthening collapsing manner of test specimens changed and load capacity and ductility thereof increased.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• 제6권1호
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2012

The main objectives of this research were to experimentally evaluate the impact of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) amount and strip spacing on the shear behavior of prestressed concrete (PC) beams and to evaluate the applicability of existing analytical models of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) shear capacity to PC beams shear-strengthened with CFRP. The Ushaped CFRP strips with different spacing were applied externally to the test specimens in order to observe the overall behavior of the prestressed concrete I-beams and the mode of failure of the applied CFRP strips. Results obtained from the experimental program showed that the application of CFRP strips to prestressed concrete I-beams did in fact enhance the overall behavior of the specimens. The strengthened specimens responded with an increase in ductility and in shear capacity. However, it should be noted that the CFRP strips were not effective at all at spacing greater than half the effective depth of the specimen and that fracture of the strips was the dominant failure mechanism of CFRP. Further research is needed to confirm the conclusion derived from the experimental program.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• 제3권2호
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2009

This paper provides a brief summary of the performance of an innovative slip hardening twisted steel fiber in comparison with other fibers including straight steel smooth fiber, high strength steel hooked fiber, SPECTRA (high molecular weight polyethylene) fiber and PVA fiber. First the pull-out of a single fiber is compared under static loading conditions, and slip rate-sensitivity is evaluated. The unique large slip capacity of T-fiber during pullout is based on its untwisting fiber pullout mechanism, which leads to high equivalent bond strength and composites with high ductility. Due to this large slip capacity a smaller amount of T-fibers is needed to obtain strain hardening tensile behavior of fiber reinforced cementitious composites. Second, the performance of different composites using T-fibers and other fibers subjected to tensile and flexural loadings is described and compared. Third, strain rate effect on the behavior of composites reinforced with different types and amounts of fibers is presented to clarify the potential application of HPFRCC for seismic, impact and blast loadings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제57권4호
• /
• pp.681-701
• /
• 2016

This paper presents an experimental study of six steel reinforced high strength concrete T-shaped short-limb shear walls configured with T-shaped steel truss under low cyclic reversed loading. Considering different categories of ratios of wall limb height to thickness, shear/span ratios, axial compression ratios and stirrup reinforcement ratios were selected to investigate the seismic behavior (strength, stiffness, energy dissipation capacity, ductility and deformation characteristics) of all the specimens. Two different failure modes were observed during the tests, including the flexural-shear failure for specimens with large shear/span ratio and the shear-diagonal compressive failure for specimens with small shear/span ratio. On the basis of requirement of Chinese seismic code, the deformation performance for all the specimens could not meet the level of 'three' fortification goals. Recommendations for improving the structural deformation capacity of T-shaped steel reinforced high strength concrete short-limb shear wall were proposed. Based on the experimental observations, the mechanical analysis models for concrete cracking strength and shear strength were derived using the equivalence principle and superposition theory, respectively. As a result, the proposed method in this paper was verified by the test results, and the experimental results agreed well with the proposed model.