• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.337-348
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• 2023

The optimization of reinforced concrete (RC) cantilever retaining walls is a complex problem and requires the use of advanced techniques like metaheuristic algorithms. For this purpose, an optimization model must first be developed, which involves mathematical complications, multidisciplinary knowledge, and programming skills. This task has proven to be too arduous and has halted the mainstream acceptance of optimization. Therefore, it is necessary to unravel the complications of optimization into an easily applicable form. Currently, the most commonly used method for designing retaining walls is by following the proportioning limits provided by the ACI handbook. However, these limits, derived manually, are not verified by any optimization technique. There is a need to validate or modify these limits, using optimization algorithms to consider them as optimal limits. Therefore, this study aims to propose updated proportioning limits for the economical design of a RC cantilever retaining wall through a comprehensive parametric investigation using the genetic algorithm (GA). Multiple simulations are run to examine various design parameters, and trends are drawn to determine effective ranges. The optimal limits are derived for 5 geometric and 3 reinforcement variables and validated by comparison with their predecessor, ACI's preliminary proportioning limits. The results indicate close proximity between the optimized and code-provided ranges; however, the use of optimal limits can lead to additional cost optimization. Modifications to achieve further optimization are also discussed. Besides the geometric variables, other design parameters not covered by the ACI building code, like reinforcement ratios, bar diameters, and material strengths, and their effects on cost optimization, are also discussed. The findings of this investigation can be used by experienced engineers to refine their designs, without delving into the complexities of optimization.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.447-470
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• 2014

Numerical simulation of the non-linear behavior of (RC) structural walls subjected to severe earthquake ground motions requires a reliable modeling approach that includes important material characteristics and behavioral response features. The objective of this paper is to optimize a simplified method for the assessment of the seismic response and damage development analyses of an RC structural wall building using macro-element model. The first stage of this study investigates effectiveness and ability of the macro-element model in predicting the flexural nonlinear response of the specimen based on previous experimental test results conducted in UCLA. The sensitivity of the predicted wall responses to changes in model parameters is also assessed. The macro-element model is next used to examine the dynamic behavior of the structural wall building-all the way from elastic behavior to global instability, by applying an approximate Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), based on Uncoupled Modal Response History Analysis (UMRHA), setting up nonlinear single degree of freedom systems. Finally, the identification of the global stiffness decrease as a function of a damage variable is carried out by means of this simplified methodology. Responses are compared at various locations on the structural wall by conducting static and dynamic pushover analyses for accurate estimation of seismic performance of the structure using macro-element model. Results obtained with the numerical model for rectangular wall cross sections compare favorably with experimental responses for flexural capacity, stiffness, and deformability. Overall, the model is qualified for safety assessment and design of earthquake resistant structures with structural walls.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.547-554
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• 2016

In this study, nonlinear finite element analysis based on the Modified Compression Field Theory has been conducted to evaluate shear strength of RC walls with opening. On the analysis, reinforcement ratio within development length of rebars nearby the opening was reduced in the model in order to investigate the effect of opening on shear strength of RC shear walls. The nonlinear finite element analysis has been verified through comparison with the test result in literature. Through the verification, it was investigated that the analysis considering the development length of rebars well reflected the effect of an opening on shear strength of RC shear walls while current design provisions did not reasonably consider one.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.1-4
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• 2005

To investigate the effective seismic strengthening methods for masonry walls in developing countries, a total of four confined masonry (CM) walls were constructed and tested. In order to investigate the effect of the height of application point of lateral loads and reinforcing steel bars in walls and columns for the improvement of the seismic behavior of confined concrete block masonry walls, an experimental research program is conducted. The heights of inflection point considered were 0.67 and 1.11 times the height of the wall measured from the top of foundation beam. The constant vertical axial stress applied was 0 MPa. During the test, cracking patterns, load-deflection data, and strains in reinforcement and walls in critical locations was measured. From test data, it was showed that the seismic performance of confined concrete block masonry walls was significantly affected by test variables.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2018

The present study examined the reversal cyclic flexural behavior of walls with jacket section approach for seismic strengthening through forming the boundary elements at both ends of the wall. The prestressed wire ropes were used for the lateral reinforcement to confine the boundary element of the wall. The main parameter investigated was the height of the jacket section for strengthening. The limit height of the strengthening jacket section was determined by comparing the moment distributions between the existing and strengthened walls. Test results showed that the examined jacket section approach was significantly effective in enhancing the flexural resistance of walls, indicating 46% higher stiffness at peak strength and 210% greater work damage indicator, compared with the flexural performance of the unstrengthened wall. The ductility of the strengthened walls was insignificantly affected by the height of the jacket section when the height is greater than twice the wall length. The flexural capacity of the strengthened walls was 22% higher than the predictions obtained using the equivalent stress block specified in ACI 318-14.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.337-355
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• 2016

Steel coupling beam in reinforced concrete (RC) coupled shear wall system is a proper substitute for deep concrete coupling beam. Previous studies have shown that RC coupled walls with steel or concrete coupling beam designed with strength-based design approach, may not guarantee a ductile behavior of a coupled shear wall system. Therefore, seismic performance evaluation of RC coupled shear wall with steel or concrete coupling beam designed based on a strength-based design approach is essential. In this paper first, buildings with 7, 14 and 21 stories containing RC coupled shear wall system with concrete and steel coupling beams were designed with strength-based design approach, then performance level of these buildings were evaluated under two spectrum; Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE). The performance level of LS and CP of all buildings were satisfied under DBE and MCE respectively. In spite of the steel coupling beam, concrete coupling beam in RC coupled shear wall acts like a fuse under strong ground motion.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.737-744
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• 2012

Hysteretic steel damper has been applied mainly to steel buildings. However, the usage in RC buildings is rapidly increasing recently. In order to apply the steel hysteretic damper in RC buildings, supporting elements of the damper should have sufficient strength and stiffness suitable for transferring damper forces to beams and walls. But due to the inevitable damage in reinforced concrete elements due to cracking, identification of the load transfer mechanism from damper to supporting element and hysteretic characteristics of the supporting element are extremely important in evaluating the damper behavior. Experiments were carried out on connection details between RC walls and supporting elements of the steel plate typed damper such as EaSy damper. The test results showed that fracture patterns of all specimens were almost identical except in the crack number and pattern associated with shear loading condition. Among the specimens, HD-3 shoed a well distributed cracks patterns along with good performance with respect to energy dissipation capacity, stiffness deterioration, and strength degradation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.6
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• pp.821-832
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• 2020

The fundamental period is an important parameter for seismic design and seismic risk assessment of building structures. In this paper, a simplified theoretical method to predict the fundamental period of masonry infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frame is developed based on the basic theory of engineering mechanics. The different configurations of the RC frame as well as masonry walls were taken into account in the developed method. The fundamental period of the infilled structure is calculated according to the integration of the lateral stiffness of the RC frame and masonry walls along the height. A correction coefficient is considered to control the error for the period estimation, and it is determined according to the multiple linear regression analysis. The corrected formula is verified by shaking table tests on two masonry infilled RC frame models, and the errors between the estimated and test period are 2.3% and 23.2%. Finally, a probability-based method is proposed for the corrected formula, and it allows the structural engineers to select an appropriate fundamental period with a certain safety redundancy. The proposed method can be quickly and flexibly used for prediction, and it can be hand-calculated and easily understood. Thus it would be a good choice in determining the fundamental period of RC frames infilled with masonry wall structures in engineering practice instead of the existing methods.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.477-487
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• 2021

This study focuses on the influence of strong ground motion duration on the response and collapse probability of reinforced concrete walls with a predominant response in flexure. Walls with different height and mass were used to account for a broad spectrum of configurations and fundamental periods. The walls were designed following the specifications of the Chilean design code. Non-linear models of the reinforced concrete walls using a distributed plasticity approach were performed in OpenSees and calibrated with experimental data. Special attention was put on modeling strength and stiffness degradation. The effect of duration was isolated using spectrally equivalent ground motions of long and short duration. In order to assess the behavior of the RC shear walls, incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were performed, and fragility curves were obtained using cumulative and non-cumulative engineering demand parameters. The spectral acceleration at the fundamental period of the wall was used as the intensity measure (IM) for the IDAs. The results show that the long duration ground motion set decreases the average collapse capacity in walls of medium and long periods compared to the results using the short duration set. Also, it was found that a lower median intensity is required to achieve moderate damage states in the same medium and long period wall models. Finally, strength and stiffness degradation are important modelling parameters and if they are not included, the damage in reinforced concrete walls may be greatly underestimated.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.713-732
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• 2015

The application of the compressive force path method for the design of earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete structural walls with a shear span-to-depth ratio larger than 2.5 has been shown by experiment to lead to a significant reduction of the code specified transverse reinforcement within the critical lengths without compromising the code requirements for structural performance. The present work complements these findings with experimental results obtained from tests on structural walls with a shear span-to-depth ratio smaller than 2.5. The results show that the compressive force path method is capable of safeguarding the code performance requirements without the need of transverse reinforcement confining concrete within the critical lengths. Moreover, it is shown that ductility can be considerably increased by improving the strength of the two bottom edges of the walls through the use of structural steel elements extending to a small distance of the order of 100 mm from the wall base.