• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.65-80
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• 2014

This paper reports on the development of a minimum cost design model and its application for obtaining economic designs for reinforced High Strength Concrete (HSC) T-sections in bending under ultimate limit state conditions. Cost objective functions, behavior constraint including material nonlinearities of steel and HSC, conditions on strain compatibility in steel and concrete and geometric design variable constraints are derived and implemented within the Conjugate Gradient optimization algorithm. Particular attention is paid to problem formulation, solution behavior and economic considerations. A typical example problem is considered to illustrate the applicability of the minimum cost design model and solution methodology. Results are confronted to design solutions derived from conventional design office methods to evaluate the performance of the cost model and its sensitivity to a wide range of unit cost ratios of construction materials and various classes of HSC described in Eurocode2. It is shown, among others that optimal solutions achieved using the present approach can lead to substantial savings in the amount of construction materials to be used. In addition, the proposed approach is practically simple, reliable and computationally effective compared to standard design procedures used in current engineering practice.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.15-37
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• 2014

In this study, the optimum silo dimensions for the barrel-type steel-concentrated silo with a conical outlet port usable in the hazelnut storage were investigated. Three different types of silo models as Model 1 (1635 tons), Model 2 (620 tons) and Model 3 (1124 tons) were used in the study. Varying wall thicknesses were used for Model 1 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 mm), Model 2 (10, 15 and 20 mm) and Model 3 (10, 15 and 20 mm) silos. For Model 1 silo has the most storage capacity here, to determine its optimum wall thickness, the wall thicknesses of 11, 12, 13 and 14 mm were used as different from the other models. Thus the stresses occurring in different lines with ANSYS finite element software were examined. In the study it was determined that the 10, 11 and 12 mm wall thicknesses of the Model 1 silo are not safe in terms of the stresses caused by the vertical pressure loads in the filling conditions. From the view of the filling and discharge conditions, other wall thicknesses and model silos were diagnosed to be secure. The optimum silo dimensions which won't cause any structural problems have been found out as the Model 1 silo with a 13 mm wall thickness when the filling capacity and the maximum von Mises stresses are taken into account. This barrel-type silo with conical outlet port sets forth the most convenient properties in hazelnut storing in terms of engineering.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.129-140
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• 2016

Basalt is a type of volcanic rocks, grey to black in colour, contains less than 20% quartz, 10% feldspathoid, and at least 65% of the feldspar of its volume. Basalt is considered an igneous rock with fine grains due to the rapid cooling of lava. Basaltic rocks have been widely used as aggregate for various purposes. The study presented in this paper was carried out on basalts that are widespread in the Madeira Island of Portugal and that comprise the major source of local crushed rock aggregates. This paper discusses an experimental programme that was carried out to study the effects of basaltic aggregate on the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete. For this purpose, cylinder specimens with $150{\times}300mm$ dimensions and prism specimens with $150{\times}150{\times}375mm$ dimensions were cast. The experimental programme was carried out with several concrete compositions belonging to strength classes C20/25, C25/30, C30/37, C40/50 and C60/75. The Eurocode 2 indicates the modulus of elasticity should be 20% higher when the aggregates are of basaltic origin, however results showed significant differences and a correction is proposed.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.579-596
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• 2016

This paper describes a method of the refined plastic hinge approach in the framework of the higher-order element formulation that can efficaciously evaluate the limit state capacity of a whole reinforced concrete structural system using least number of element(s), whereas the traditional design of a reinforced concrete structure (i.e. AS3600; Eurocode 2) is member-based approach. Hence, in regard to the material nonlinearities, the efficient and economical cross-section analysis is provided to evaluate the element section capacity of non-uniform and arbitrary concrete section subjected to the interaction effects, which is helpful to formulate the refined plastic hinge method. In regard to the geometric nonlinearities, this paper relies on the higher-order element formulation with element load effect. Eventually, the load redistribution can be considered and make full use of the strength reserved owing to the redundancy of an indeterminate structure. And it is particularly true for the performance-based design of a structure under the extreme loads, while the uncertainty of the extreme load is great that the true behaviour of a whole structural system is important for the economical design approach, which is great superiority over the conservative optimal strength of an individual and isolated member based on traditional design (i.e. AS3600; Eurocode 2).

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.179-200
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• 2008

This paper reports the results of a recent experimental study into the behavior of welded fin-plate connections to both hollow and concrete filled tubular (CFT) columns under shear. Experiments have been performed at both ambient and elevated temperatures with the aid of an electric kiln. The observed failure modes include fracture of the fin plate and tearing out of the tube around the welds. By considering the results of previously published research, the current design method for similar connections under purely tensile load, in CIDECT Guide 9, based on a deformation limit of 3% of the tube width is shown to be inadequate when evaluating the ultimate strength of such connections. By comparing the results from the current test program which failed in the fin-plate with Eurocode guidance for failure of a fin-plate alone under shear and bending load it is shown that the column face influences the overall connection strength regardless of failure mode. Concrete in-fill is observed to significantly increase the strength of connections over empty specimens, and circular column specimens were observed to exhibit greater strength than similarly proportioned square columns. A finite element (F.E.) model, developed using ABAQUS, is presented and validated against the experimental results in order that extensive parametric tests may be subsequently performed. When validating the model against elevated temperature tests it was found that using reduction factors suggested in published research for the specific steel grades improved results over applying the generic Eurocode elevated temperature steel strength reduction factors.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.351-373
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• 2014

This paper investigates the seismic response of lightweight acceleration-sensitive non-structural components (NSCs) mounted on irregular reinforced concrete (RC) primary structures (P-structures) using non-linear dynamic finite element (FE) analysis. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of NSC to P-structure vibration period ratio, peak ground acceleration, NSC to P-structure height ratio, and P-structure torsional behaviour on the seismic response of the NSCs. Representative constitutive models were used to simulate the behaviour of the RC P-structures. The NSCs were modelled as vertical cantilevers fixed at their bases with masses on the free ends and varying lengths so as to match the frequencies of the P-structures. Full dynamic interaction is considered between the NSCs and P-structures. A set of 21 natural and artificial earthquake records were used to evaluate the seismic response of the NSCs. The numerical results indicate that the behaviour of the NSCs is significantly influenced by the investigated parameters. Comparison between the FE results and Eurocode (EC8) predictions suggests that EC8 underestimates the response of NSCs mounted on the flexible sides of irregular RC P-structures when the fundamental periods and heights of the NSCs match those of the P-structures. The perceived cause of this discrepancy is that EC8 does not take into account the amplification in the dynamic response of NSCs induced by the torsional behaviour of RC P-structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.479-500
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• 2016

Seismic design criteria allow enhancing the structural ductility and controlling the damage distribution. Therefore, detailing rules and design requirements given by current seismic codes might be also beneficial to improve the structural robustness. In this paper a comprehensive parametric study devoted to quantifying the effectiveness of seismic detailing for steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) in limiting the progressive collapse under column loss scenarios is presented and discussed. The overall structural performance was analysed through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. With this regard the following cases were examined: (i) MRF structures designed for wind actions according to Eurocode 1; (ii) MRF structures designed for seismic actions according to Eurocode 8. The investigated parameters were (i) the number of storeys; (ii) the interstorey height; (iii) the span length; (iv) the building plan layout; and (v) the column loss scenario. Results show that structures designed according to capacity design principles are less robust than wind designed ones, provided that the connections have the same capacity threshold in both cases. In addition, the numerical outcomes show that both the number of elements above the removed column and stiffness of beams are the key parameters in arresting progressive collapse.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.255-274
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• 2009

This paper presents an experimental study of a newly developed composite floor system, built up from thin-walled C-profiles and upper concrete deck. Trapezoidal sheeting provides the formwork and the fastening of the sheet transmits the shear forces between the C-profiles and the deck. The modified formation of the standard self-drilling screw in the beam-to-sheet connection is applied as shear connector. Push-out tests are completed to study the composite behaviour of the different connection arrangements. On the basis of the test results the behaviour is characterized by the observed failure modes. The design values of the connection stiffness and strength are calculated by the recommendation of Eurocode 4. In the next phase of the experimental study six full-scale composite beams are tested. The global geometry is based on the proposed geometry of the developed floor system. The applied shear connections are selected as the most efficient arrangements obtained from the push-out tests. The experimental behaviour of the composite beams are discussed and evaluated. As a conclusion of the experimental study the Eurocode 4 plastic design method is validated for the developed composite floor.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.273-291
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• 2020

Two-storey X-bracings are currently very popular in European practice, as respect to chevron and simple X bracings, owing to the advantages of reducing the bending demand in the brace-intercepted beams in V and inverted-V configurations and optimizing the design of gusset plate connections. However, rules for two-storey X braced frames are not clearly specified within current version of EN1998-1, thus leading to different interpretations of the code by designers. The research presented in this paper is addressed at investigating the seismic behaviour of two-storey X concentrically braced frames in order to revise the design rules within EN1998-1. Therefore, five different design criteria are discussed, and their effectiveness is investigated. With this aim, a comprehensive numerical parametric study is carried out considering a set of planar frames extracted from a set of structural archetypes that are representative of regular low, medium and high-rise buildings. The obtained results show that the proposed design criteria ensure satisfactory seismic performance.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.295-304
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• 2019

The lateral displacement or drift may be the cause of the damage in the reinforced concrete (RC) columns under the seismic load. In many regulations, lateral displacement was limited according to the properties of columns. The design displacement limits may be represented indirectly through the material strain limits and the mechanical properties of columns. EUROCODE-8 and FEMA356 calculate displacement limits by taking into account the mechanical properties of columns. However, Turkey Building Earthquake Code (TBEC) determine displacement limits by taking into account the material strain limits. The aim of this study is to assess the seismic design codes for RC columns through an experimental study. The estimates of seismic design codes have been compared with the experimental results. It is observed that the lateral displacement capacities of columns estimated according to some seismic codes are not in agreement with the experimental results. Also, it is observed that TBEC is conservative in the context of the performance indicator of RC columns, compared to EUROCODE-8 and FEMA356. Moreover, in this study, plastic hinge length and effective stiffness of test elements were investigated.