• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1097-1109
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• 2015

A novel optimization approach for reinforced concrete (RC) biaxially loaded columns is proposed. Since there are several design constraints and influences, a new computation methodology using iterative analyses for several stages is proposed. In the proposed methodology random iterations are combined with music inspired metaheuristic algorithm called harmony search by modifying the classical rules of the employed algorithm for the problem. Differently from previous approaches, a detailed and practical optimum reinforcement design is done in addition to optimization of dimensions. The main objective of the optimization is the total material cost and the optimization is important for RC members since steel and concrete are very different materials in cost and properties. The methodology was applied for 12 cases of flexural moment combinations. Also, the optimum results are found by using 3 different axial forces for all cases. According to the results, the proposed method is effective to find a detailed optimum result with different number of bars and various sizes which can be only found by 2000 trial of an engineer. Thus, the cost economy is provided by using optimum bars with different sizes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.649-661
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• 2012

An experimental research was conducted to investigate the strength of biaxially loaded short and slender reinforced concrete columns with high strength concrete. In the study, square and L-shaped section reinforced concrete columns were constructed and tested to obtain the load-deformation behaviour and strength of columns. The test results of column specimens were analysed with a theoretical method based on the fiber element technique. The theoretical ultimate strength capacities and the test results of column specimens have been compared and discussed in the paper. Besides this, observed failure mode and experimental and theoretical load-lateral deflection behaviour of the column specimens are presented.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.423-438
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• 2008

This paper reports an experimental investigation of the behaviour of concrete-encased composite columns subjected to short-term axial load and biaxial bending. In the study, six square and four L-shaped cross section of both short and slender composite column specimens were constructed and tested to examine the load-deflection behaviour and to obtain load carrying capacities. The main variables in the tests were considered as eccentricity of applied axial load, concrete compressive strength, cross section, and slenderness effect. A theoretical procedure considering the nonlinear behaviour of the materials is proposed for determination of the behaviour of eccentrically loaded short and slender composite columns. Two approaches are taken into account to describe the flexural rigidity (EI) used in the analysis of slender composite columns. Observed failure mode and experimental and theoretical load-deflection behaviour of the specimens are presented in the paper. The composite column specimens and also some composite columns available in the literature have been analysed and found to be in good agreement with the test results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.727-745
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• 2005

The present study is an experimental investigation into the behaviour of high strength concrete square short columns subjected to biaxial bending moments and strengthened by GFRP laminates. The main objectives of the study are: to evaluate the improvement in the structural performance of HSC short square columns subjected to small biaxial eccentricity when strengthened by externally applied FRP laminates, and to investigate the optimum arrangement and amount of FRP laminates to achieve potential enhancement in structural performance especially ductility. The parameters considered in this study are: number of FRP layers and arrangement of wraps. The load eccentricity is kept corresponding to e/t = 0.125 in two perpendicular directions to the columns principal axes, and the wraps are applied in single or double layers (partial or full wrapping). In the present work, test results of five full scale concrete columns are presented and discussed. The study has shown that FRP wraps can be used successfully to enhance the ductility of HSC columns subjected to biaxial bending by 300%.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.587-601
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• 2008

In this study, a numerical procedure based on the finite element method for materially and geometrically nonlinear analysis of reinforced and prestressed concrete slender columns with arbitrary section subjected to combined biaxial bending and axial load is developed. In order to overcome the low computer efficiency of the conventional section integration method in which the reinforced concrete section is divided into a large number of small areas, an efficient section integration method is used to determine the section tangent stiffness. In this method, the arbitrary shaped cross section is divided into several concrete trapezoids according to boundary vertices, and the contribution of each trapezoid to section stiffness is determined by integrating directly the trapezoid. The space frame flexural theory is utilized to derive the element tangent stiffness matrix. The nonlinear full-range member response is traced by an updated normal plane arc-length solution method. The analytical results agree well with the experimental ones.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 2017

Nonplanar structural walls with C-shaped and H-shaped sections have been used as an efficient lateral force-resisting system for building structures. Since the nonplanar walls are subjected to axial load and bending moments about two orthogonal axes, complicated section analysis is required for flexure-compression design. In the present study, a straightforward design method for biaxially loaded C- and H-shaped walls was proposed by modifying the existing load contour method for columns with symmetric solid sections. For this, a strain compatibility section analysis program that can calculate biaxial moment strengths of arbitrary wall section was developed and its validity was verified by comparing with existing test results. Then, through parametric study, the interaction of biaxial moments at constant axial loads in prototype C- and H-shaped walls was investigated. The results showed that, due to unsymmetrical geometry of the wall sections, the biaxial interaction was significantly affected by the moment directions and axial loads. From those investigations, non-dimensional contour equations of the biaxial moments at constant axial loads for C- and H-shaped walls were suggested. Further, design examples using the proposed contour equations were given for engineering practice.