• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.517-544
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• 2007

This study shows a fuzzy tuning scheme to fuzzy sliding mode controller (FSMC) for seismic isolation of earthquake-excited structures. The sliding surface can rotate in the phase plane in such a direction that the seismic isolation can be improved. Since ideal sliding mode control requires very fast switch on the input, which can not be provided by real actuators, some modifications to the conventional sliding-mode controller have been proposed based on fuzzy logic. A superior control performance has been obtained with FSMC to deal with problems of uncertainty, imprecision and time delay. Furthermore, using the fuzzy moving sliding surface, the excellent system response is obtained if comparing with the conventional sliding mode controller (SMC), as well as reducing chattering effect. For simulation validation of the proposed seismic response control, 16-floor tall building has been considered. Simulations for six different seismic events, Elcentro (1940), Hyogoken (1995), Northridge (1994), Takochi-oki (1968), the east-west acceleration component of D$\ddot{u}$zce and Bolu records of 1999 D$\ddot{u}$zce-Bolu earthquake in Turkey, have been performed for assessing the effectiveness of the proposed control approach. Then, the simulations have been presented with figures and tables. As a result, the performance of the proposed controller has been quite remarkable, compared with that of conventional SMC.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.423-442
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• 2018

In this paper, masonry infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames are analyzed through a probabilistic approach. A macro-modeling technique, based on an equivalent diagonal pin-jointed strut, has been resorted to for modelling the stiffening contribution of the masonry panels. Since it is quite difficult to decide which mechanical characteristics to assume for the diagonal struts in such simplified model, the strut width is here considered as a random variable, whose stochastic characterization stems from a wide set of empirical expressions proposed in the literature. The stochastic analysis of the masonry infilled RC frame is conducted via the Probabilistic Transformation Method by employing a set of space transformation laws of random vectors to determine the probability density function (PDF) of the system response in a direct manner. The knowledge of the PDF of a set of response indicators, including displacements, bending moments, shear forces, interstory drifts, opens an interesting discussion about the influence of the uncertainty of the masonry infills and the resulting implications in a design process.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2020

Wind fragility analysis (WFA) of concrete chimney is often executed disregarding temperature effects. But combined wind and temperature effect is the most critical limit state to define the safety of a chimney. Hence, in this study, WFA of a 70 m tall RC chimney for combined wind and temperature effects is explored. The wind force time-history is generated by spectral representation method. The safety of chimney is assessed considering limit states of stress failure in concrete and steel. A moving-least-squares method based dual response surface method (DRSM) procedure is proposed in WFA to alleviate huge computational time requirement by the conventional direct Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) approach. The DRSM captures the record-to-record variation of wind force time-histories and uncertainty in system parameters. The proposed DRSM approach yields fragility curves which are in close conformity with the most accurate direct MCS approach within substantially less computational time. In this regard, the error by the single-level RSM and least-squares method based DRSM can be easily noted. The WFA results indicate that over temperature difference of 150℃, the temperature stress is so pronounced that the probability of failure is very high even at 30 m/s wind speed. However, below 100℃, wind governs the design.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-156
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• 2016

The search for new structural systems capable of associating performance and safety requires deeper knowledge regarding the mechanical behavior of structures subject to different loading conditions. The Strut-and-Tie Model is commonly used to structurally designing some reinforced concrete elements and for the regions where geometrical modifications and stress concentrations are observed, called "regions D". This method allows a better structural behavior representation for strength mechanisms in the concrete structures. Nonetheless, the topological model choice depends on the designer's experience regarding compatibility between internal flux of loads, geometry and boundary/initial conditions. Thus, there is some difficulty in its applications, once the model conception presents some uncertainty. In this context, the present work aims to apply the Strut-and-Tie Model to nonlinear structural elements together with a topological optimization method. The topological optimization method adopted considers the progressive stiffness reduction of finite elements with low stress values. The analyses performed could help the structural designer to better understand structural conceptions, guaranteeing the safety and the reliability in the solution of complex problems involving structural concrete.

• 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).

• Wind and Structures
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.113-131
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• 2011

Excessive wind-induced motion in tall buildings can cause discomfort, affect health, and disrupt the daily activities of the occupants of a building. Dynamic vibration absorbers such as the tuned mass dampers (TMDs) can be used to reduce the wind-induced motion below a specified tolerable serviceability limit state (SLS) criterion. This study investigates whether the same probability of not exceeding specified wind-induced motion levels can be achieved by torsionally sensitive structures without/with linear/nonlinear TMDs subjected to partially correlated wind forces, if they are designed to just meet the same SLS criterion. For the analyses, different structures and the uncertainty in the response, wind load and perception of motion is considered. Numerical results indicate that for structures that are designed or retrofitted without or with optimum linear TMDs and satisfying the same SLS criterion, their probability of exceeding the considered criterion is very consistent, if the inherent correlation between the wind forces is considered in design. However, this consistency deteriorates if nonlinear TMDs are employed. Furthermore, if the correlation is ignored in the design, in many cases a slightly unconservative design, as compared to the designed by considering correlation, is achieved.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-35
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• 2012

Simplified equations for fundamental period of vibration of skeletal structures provided by most seismic design provisions suffer from the absence of any associated confidence levels and of any reference to their empirical basis. Therefore, such equations may typically give a sector of designers the false impression of yielding a fairly accurate value of the period of vibration. This paper, although not addressing simplified codes equations, introduces a set of mathematical equations utilizing the theory of error propagation and First-Order Second-Moment (FOSM) techniques to determine bounds on the relative error in theoretically calculated fundamental period of vibration of skeletal structures. In a complementary step, and for verification purposes, Monte Carlo simulation technique has been also applied. The latter, despite involving larger computational effort, is expected to provide more precise estimates than FOSM methods. Studies of parametric uncertainties applied to reinforced concrete frame bents - potentially idealized as SDOF systems - are conducted demonstrating the effect of randomness and uncertainty of various relevant properties, shaping both mass and stiffness, on the variance (i.e. relative error) in the estimated period of vibration. Correlation between mass and stiffness parameters - regarded as random variables - is also thoroughly discussed. According to achieved results, a relative error in the period of vibration in the order of 19% for new designs/constructions and of about 25% for existing structures for assessment purposes - and even climbing up to about 36% in some special applications and/or circumstances - is acknowledged when adopting estimates gathered from the literature for relative errors in the relevant random input variables.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.357-369
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• 2014

In the existing bridge management systems, assessment of the structural behavior is based on the results of visual inspections in which corresponding condition states are assigned to individual elements. In this process, limited attention is given to the correlation between bridge elements from structural perspective. Also, the uncertainty of parameters which affect the structural capacity is ignored. A system reliability-based assessment model is potentially an appropriate replacement for the existing procedures. The aim of this research is to evaluate the system reliability of existing conventional Steel-Reinforced bridge decks over time. The developed method utilizes the reliability theory and evaluates the structural safety for such bridges based on their failure mechanisms. System reliability analysis has been applied to simply-supported concrete bridge superstructures designed according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC-S6) and the deterioration pattern is achieved based on the reliability estimates. Finally, the bridge condition index of an old existing bridge in Montreal has been estimated using the developed deterioration pattern. The results obtained from the developed reliability-based deterioration model and from the evaluation done by bridge engineers have been found to be in accordance.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.583-603
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• 2008

In this study, a real-time damage detection method using output-only acceleration signals and artificial neural networks (ANN) is developed to monitor the occurrence of damage and the location of damage in structures. A theoretical approach of an ANN algorithm that uses acceleration signals to detect changes in structural parameters in real-time is newly designed. Cross-covariance functions of two acceleration responses measured before and after damage at two different sensor locations are selected as the features representing the structural conditions. By means of the acceleration features, multiple neural networks are trained for a series of potential loading patterns and damage scenarios of the target structure for which its actual loading history and structural conditions are unknown. The feasibility of the proposed method is evaluated using a numerical beam model under the effect of model uncertainty due to the variability of impulse excitation patterns used for training neural networks. The practicality of the method is also evaluated from laboratory-model tests on free-free beams for which acceleration responses were measured for several damage cases.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.303-321
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• 2008

When first commissioned, the 1.6 km span 275kV Severn Crossing Conductor experienced large amplitude vibrations in certain wind conditions, but without ice or rain, leading to flashover between the conductor phases. Wind tunnel tests undertaken at the time identified a major factor was the lift generated in the critical Reynolds number range in skew winds. Despite this insight, and although a practical solution was found by wrapping the cable to change the aerodynamic profile, there remained some uncertainty as to the detailed excitation mechanism. Recent work to address the problem of dry inclined cable galloping on cable-stayed bridges has led to a generalised quasi-steady galloping formulation, including effects of the 3D geometry and changes in the static force coefficients in the critical Reynolds number range. This generalised formulation has been applied to the case of the Severn Crossing Conductor, using data of the static drag and lift coefficients on a section of the stranded cable, from the original wind tunnel tests. Time history analysis has then been used to calculate the amplitudes of steady state vibrations for comparison with the full scale observations. Good agreement has been obtained between the analysis and the site observations, giving increased confidence in the applicability of the generalised galloping formulation and providing insight into the mechanism of galloping of yawed and stranded cables. Application to other cable geometries is also discussed.