• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.211-227
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• 2020

To explore the feasibility of eliminating the longitudinal rebars and stirrups by using ultra-high-performance fiber reinforcement concrete (UHPFRC) in concrete encased steel composite stub column, compressive behavior of UHPFRC encased steel stub column has been experimentally investigated. Effect of concrete types (normal strength concrete, high strength concrete and UHPFRC), fiber fractions, and transverse reinforcement ratio on failure mode, ductility behavior and axial compressive resistance of composite columns have been quantified through axial compression tests. The experimental results show that concrete encased composite columns with NSC and HSC exhibit concrete crushing and spalling failure, respectively, while composite columns using UHPFRC exhibit concrete spitting and no concrete spalling is observed after failure. The incorporation of steel fiber as micro reinforcement significantly improves the concrete toughness, restrains the crack propagation and thus avoids the concrete spalling. No evidence of local buckling of rebars or yielding of stirrups has been detected in composite columns using UHPFRC. Steel fibers improve the bond strength between the concrete and, rebars and core shaped steel which contribute to the improvement of confining pressure on concrete. Three prediction models in Eurocode 4, AISC 360 and JGJ 138 and a proposed toughness index (T.I.) are employed to evaluate the compressive resistance and post peak ductility of the composite columns. It is found that all these three models predict close the compressive resistance of UHPFRC encased composite columns with/without the transverse reinforcement. UHPFRC encased composite columns can achieve a comparable level of ductility with the reinforced concrete (RC) columns using normal strength concrete. In terms of compressive resistance behavior, the feasibility of UHPFRC encased steel composite stub columns with lesser longitudinal reinforcement and stirrups has been verified in this study.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2017

Initial damage to a stud due to corrosion, fatigue, unexpected overloading, a weld defect or other factors could degrade the shear capacity of the stud. Based on typical push-out tests, a FEM model and theoretical formulations were proposed in this study. Six specimens with the same geometric dimensions were tested to investigate the effect of the damage degree and location on the static behavior and shear capacity of stud shear connectors. The test results indicated that a reduction of up to 36.6% and 62.9% of the section area of the shank could result in a dropping rate of 7.9% and 57.2%, respectively, compared to the standard specimen shear capacity. Numerical analysis was performed to simulate the push-out test and validated against test results. A parametrical study was performed to further investigate the damage degree and location on the shear capacity of studs based on the proposed numerical model. It was demonstrated that the shear capacity was not sensitive to the damage degree when the damage section was located at 0.5d, where d is the shank diameter, from the stud root, even if the stud had a significant reduction in area. Finally, a theoretical formula with a reduction factor K was proposed to consider the reduction of the shear capacity due to the presence of initial damage. Calculating K was accomplished in two ways: a linear relationship and a square relationship with the damage degree corresponding to the shear capacity dominated by the section area and the nominal diameter of the damaged stud. This coefficient was applied using Eurocode 4, AASHTO LRFD (2014) and GB50017-2003 (2003) and compared with the test results found in the literature. It was found that the proposed method produced good predictions of the shear capacity of stud shear connectors with initial damage.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.15 no.6 s.67
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• pp.611-620
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• 2003

Shear studs with a diameter of 19mm or 22mm are typically used in steel-concrete composite bridge. For the simplification of details in steel bridges, the convenience of removing concrete slab, and the efficient distribution of shear pockets for precast decks, large studs can be an excellent alternative. Through push-out tests on large stud shear connectors that transcend the limitation of current design codes, static behavior was investigated and comparisons with design equations performed. The shear stiffness of the connectors in elastic range and trilinear load-slip curves were proposed after shear tests on 25mm, 27mm, and 30mm studs. The ultimate slip capacity and ultimate strength of large studs were also evaluated, with the test results revealing conservative values for the design shear strength in Eurocode-4. For 30mm stud shear connectors, the welding quality and bearing capacity of concrete slab should be improved.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2008

Generally the connection of members is defined as hinge or rigid. But, real joints on structure have to be considered semi-rigid connections because this permits relative rotation for members on joints. The purpose of this study is to derive a generalized tangential stiffness matrix of frames with semi-rigid connections and to develop a buckling analysis program. For the exact stiffness matrix, an accurate displacement field is introduced using an equilibrium equation for beam-columns under the bending and axial forces. Also, stability functions that consider sway deformation and force-displacement relations with rotational spring on ends were defined. In order to illustrate the accuracy of this study and the characteristics of semi-rigid for system buckling load, samples of angle-, portal- and 3-story frames with semi-rigid connections are presented, where the proposed approach is found to be in excellent agreement with other research results. Meanwhile, the application of codes such as Eurocode 3 and LRFD led to significant inaccuracies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1021-1038
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• 2016

Considerable part of reinforced concrete building has suffered from destructive earthquakes in Turkey. This situation makes necessary to determine nonlinear behavior and seismic performance of existing RC buildings. Inelastic response of buildings to static and dynamic actions should be determined by considering both flexural plastic hinges and brittle shear hinges. However, shear capacities of members are generally neglected due to time saving issues and convergence problems and only flexural response of buildings are considered in performance assessment studies. On the other hand, recent earthquakes showed that the performance of older buildings is mostly controlled by shear capacities of members rather than flexure. Demand estimation is as important as capacity estimation for the reliable performance prediction in existing RC buildings. Demand estimation methods based on strength reduction factor (R), ductility (${\mu}$), and period (T) parameters ($R-{\mu}-T$) and damping dependent demand formulations are widely discussed and studied by various researchers. Adopted form of $R-{\mu}-T$ based demand estimation method presented in Eurocode 8 and Turkish Earthquake Code-2007 and damping based Capacity Spectrum Method presented in ATC-40 document are the typical examples of these two different approaches. In this study, eight different existing RC buildings, constructed before and after Turkish Earthquake Code-1998, are selected. Capacity curves of selected buildings are obtained with and without considering the brittle shear capacities of members. Seismic drift demands occurred in buildings are determined by using both $R-{\mu}-T$ and damping based estimation methods. Results have shown that not only capacity estimation methods but also demand estimation approaches affect the performance of buildings notably. It is concluded that including or excluding the shear capacity of members in nonlinear modeling of existing buildings significantly affects the strength and deformation capacities and hence the performance of buildings.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-369
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• 2021

Shape optimization of tall buildings is an efficient approach to mitigate wind-induced effects. Several studies have demonstrated the potential of shape modifications to improve the building's aerodynamic properties. On the other hand, it is well-known that the cross-section geometry has a direct impact in the floor area availability and subsequently in the building's profitability. Hence, it is of interest for the designers to find the balance between these two design criteria that may require contradictory design strategies. This study proposes a surrogate-based multi-objective optimization framework to tackle this design problem. Closed-form equations provided by the Eurocode are used to obtain the wind-induced responses for several wind directions, seeking to develop an industry-oriented approach. CFD-based surrogates emulate the aerodynamic response of the building cross-section, using as input parameters the cross-section geometry and the wind angle of attack. The definition of the building's modified plan shapes is done adopting the reduced basis approach, advancing the current strategies currently adopted in aerodynamic optimization of civil engineering structures. The multi-objective optimization problem is solved with both the classical weighted Sum Method and the Weighted Min-Max approach, which enables obtaining the complete Pareto front in both convex and non-convex regions. Two application examples are presented in this study to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy, which permits the identification of Pareto optima from which the designer can choose the most adequate design balancing profitability and occupant comfort.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.113-121
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• 2018

U-flanged truss beam is composed of u-shaped upper steel flange, lower steel plate of 8mm or more thickness, and connecting lattice bars. Upper flange and lower plate are connected by the diagonal lattice bars welded on the upper and lower sides. In this study the structural experiments on the U-flanged truss beams with various shapes of upper flange were performed, and the flexural and shear capacities of U-flanged truss beam in the construction stage were evaluated. The principal test parameters were the shape of upper flange and the alignment space of diagonal lattice bars. In all the test specimens, the peak loads were determined by the buckling of lattice bar regardless of the upper flange shape. The test results have shown that the buckling of lattice bar is very important design factor and there is no need to reinforce the basic u-shaped upper flange. However, the early lattice buckling occurred in the truss beam with upper steel bars because of the insufficient strength and stiffness of upper chord, and the reinforcement in the upper chord is necessary. The formulae of Eurocode 3 (2005) have presented more exact evaluations of lattice buckling load than those of KBC 2016.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2019

This paper investigates the structural behavior of very high strength concrete encased steel composite columns via combined experimental and analytical study. The experimental programme examines stub composite columns under pure compression and eccentric compression. The experimental results show that the high strength encased concrete composite column exhibits brittle post peak behavior and low ductility but has acceptable compressive resistance. The high strength concrete encased composite column subjected to early spalling and initial flexural cracking due to its brittle nature that may degrade the stiffness and ultimate resistance. The analytical study compares the current code methods (ACI 318, Eurocode 4, AISC 360 and Chinese JGJ 138) in predicting the compressive resistance of the high strength concrete encased composite columns to verify the accuracy. The plastic design resistance may not be fully achieved. A database including the concrete encased composite column under concentered and eccentric compression is established to verify the predictions using the proposed elastic, elastoplastic and plastic methods. Image-oriented intelligent recognition tool-based fiber element method is programmed to predict the load resistances. It is found that the plastic method can give an accurate prediction of the load resistance for the encased composite column using normal strength concrete (20-60 MPa) while the elastoplastic method provides reasonably conservative predictions for the encased composite column using high strength concrete (60-120 MPa).

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

To evaluate the bearing strength of red pine cross-laminated timber (CLT) with self-tapping screw (STS), which is widely used as a fastener for connection in CLT building, the bearing test was conducted. Accoring to the STS's diameters (8, 10, 12 mm), the bearing test specimens with half hole were manufactured. Bearing strength was compared and reviewed in consideration of the configuration in STS and the loading direction to the grain of red pine. As a result of the bearing test on the STS's diameter, the yield bearing load increases as the larger diameter of the STS in all directions of the red pine. The bearing strength of the thread part (thread + tip) was higher than the shank part (shank + shank cutter). In compared with the directions to the grain of red pine, the bearing strength of the cross section parallel to the loading direction was the highest, and the tangent section was the lowest bearing strength. The average bearing strength of the loading direction in parallel to the grain was 23.43 MPa, which was about 45% higher than the average 16.16 MPa in perpendicular to the grain. The predicted bearing strength calculated by Eurocode (EN) and Korean Building Code (KBC)'s equation was lower than the experimental value. It is nessesary to propose the new equations of bearing strength reflected the configuration information of STS.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.269-287
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• 2023

The WGJ420 fire-resistant weathering (FRW) steel is developed and manufactured with standard yield strength of 420 MPa at room temperature, which is expected to significantly enhance the performance of steel structures with excellent fire and corrosion resistances, strong seismic capacity, high strength and ductility, good resilience and robustness. In this paper, the mechanical properties of FRW steel plates and buckling behavior of columns are investigated through tests at elevated temperatures. The stress-strain curves, mechanical properties of FRW steel such as modulus of elasticity, proof strength, tensile strength, as well as corresponding reduction factors are obtained and discussed. The recommended constitutive model based on the Ramberg-Osgood relationship, as well as the relevant formulas for mechanical properties are proposed, which provide fundamental mechanical parameters and references. A total of 12 FRW steel welded I-section columns with different slenderness ratios and buckling load ratios are tested under standard fire to understand the global buckling behavior in-depth. The influences of boundary conditions on the buckling failure modes as well as the critical temperatures are also investigated. In addition, the temperature distributions at different sections/locations of the columns are obtained. It is found that the buckling deformation curve can be divided into four stages: initial expansion stage, stable stage, compression stage and failure stage. The fire test results concluded that the residual buckling capacities of FRW steel columns are substantially higher than the conventional steel columns at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the numerical results show good agreement with the fire test results in terms of the critical temperature and maximum axial elongation. Finally, the critical temperatures between the numerical results and various code/standard curves (GB 51249, Eurocode 3, AS 4100, BS 5950 and AISC) are compared and verified both in the buckling resistance domain and in the temperature domain. It is demonstrated that the FRW steel columns have sufficient safety redundancy for fire resistance when they are designed according to current codes or standards.