• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1205-1219
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• 2016

This paper presents a new type of pre-pressed spring self-centering energy dissipation (PS-SCED) bracing system that combines friction mechanisms between the inner and outer tube members to provide the energy dissipation with the pre-pressed combination disc springs installed on both ends of the brace to provide the self-centering capability. The mechanics and the equations governing the design and hysteretic responses of the bracing system are outlined, and a series of validation tests of components comprising the self-centering mechanism of combination disc springs, the friction energy dissipation mechanism, and a large scale PS-SCED bracing specimen were conducted due to the low cyclic reversed loadings. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed bracing system performs as predicted by the equations governing its mechanical behaviors, which exhibits a stable and repeatable flag-shaped hysteretic response with excellent self-centering capability and appreciable energy dissipation, and large ultimate bearing and deformation capacities. Results also show that almost no residual deformation occurs when the friction force is less than the initial pre-pressed force of disc springs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.249-259
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• 2011

In this study, the distortional behaviors of tub-section steel girders subjected to torsional loading were analyzed, and predictor equations were developed for estimating the member forces induced in the internal bracing system installed in the steel tub girders. Torsional loadings originated either by eccentric vertical loading or girder curvature were decomposed into the pure torsional force component that does not affect the distortional box deformation, and into the distortional force component that directly induces box distortion. The axial member forces induced in the internal cross frames were formulated as a function of the magnitude of torsional loading through the analytical investigation of the interactions between the distortional force component and internal cross frames. To verify the proposed equations, three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) was conducted for the straight simple-span girder and the three-span continuous girder samples. Very good agreement was found between the member forces from the FEA and the proposed equations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.175-188
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• 2012

A parametric study for varying the radii of curvature is performed with a curved tub girder bridge having three continuous spans. The bracing forces of top lateral bracings from the results of numerical equations are compared to those of 3-dimensional finite element analyses. New modifying factors applicable in computing the nominal member forces of top lateral bracings were suggested. The numerical equations were derived based on one girder system, and it is shown that the numerical equations exhibit some errors compared with 3D FEA results. The main reason for this phenomenon lies on the number of girders. The twin girder system has an external cross-beam between inner and outer girder. It also has larger lateral stiffness than the single girder system. Finally, the distributions by the torsion, bending, distortion, and lateral loading of the top lateral bracing forces were presented in this paper.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.375-388
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• 2022

Nibellen structural system is a novel resilient bracing system based on the application of Bellville disks and Nitinol rods. The cyclic behavior of Nibellen assembly was obtained, and the design equations were developed based on the available literature. Seismic performance of the system was then studied analytically. Two groups of buildings with different lateral force resisting systems were designed and studied: one group with the Nibellen system, and the other with the special concentrically braced frame system. Each building group consisted of 5-, 10-, and 15-story buildings. The Design-Base-Event (DBE) and Maximum Considered Event (MCE) were considered as the seismic hazard, and a suite of seven ground motions were scaled accordingly for response history analyses. Finally, the resiliency of the buildings was studied by obtaining the functionality curve of the buildings before and after the seismic event. The construction cost of the 5-story building with Nibellen bracing system increased but the post-earthquake cost decreased significantly. The application of Nibellen system in the 10- and 15-story buildings reduced both the construction and repair costs, considerably. Resiliency of all the buildings was improved when Nibellen system was used as the lateral force resisting system.