• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.307-318
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• 2019

The frequently excessive vibrations presented in civil structures during seismic events or service conditions may result in users' discomfort, or worst, in structures failure, producing economic and even human casualties. This work contributes in proposing the synthesis of a nonlinear optimal control strategy for semiactive structural control, with the main characteristic that the synthesis considers both the structure model and the semiactive actuator nonlinear dynamics, which produces a nonlinear system that requires a nonlinear controller design. The aim is to reduce the unwanted vibrations in the response of civil structures, by means of intelligent fluid semiactive actuator such as the Magnetorheological Damper (MRD), which is a device with a low level of power consumption. The civil structures for which the proposed control methodology can be applied are those admitting a state-dependent coefficient factorized representation model, such as buildings, bridges, among others. A scaled model of a three storey building is analyzed as a case study, whose dynamical response involves displacement, velocity and acceleration of each one of the storeys, subjected to the North-South component of the September 19th., 2017, Puebla-Morelos (7.1M), Mexico earthquake. The investigation rests on comparing the structural response over time for two different conditions: with no control device installed and with one MRD installed between the first floor and the ground, where a nonlinear optimal signal for the MRD input voltage is determined. Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller for reducing the building's dynamical response.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.187-198
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• 2023

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is an advanced control approach that uses the current states of the system model to predict its future behavior. In this article, according to the seismic dynamics of structural systems, the Predictive Functional Control (PFC) method is used to solve the control problem. Although conventional PFC is an efficient control method, its performance may be impaired due to problems such as uncertainty in the structure of state sensors and process equations, as well as actuator saturation. Therefore, it requires the utilization of appropriate estimation algorithms in order to accurately evaluate responses and implement actuator saturation. Accordingly, an extended PFC is presented based on the H-ifinity (H∞) filter (HPFC) while considering simultaneously the saturation actuator. Accordingly, an extended PFC is presented based on the H-ifinity (H∞) filter (HPFC) while considering the saturation actuator. Thus, the structural responses are formulated by two estimation models using the H∞ filter. First, the H∞ filter estimates responses using a performance bound (𝜃). Second, the H∞ filter is converted into a Kalman filter in a special case by considering the 𝜃 equal to zero. Therefore, the scheme based on the Kalman filter (KPFC) is considered a comparative model. The proposed method is evaluated through numerical studies on a building equipped with an Active Tuned Mass Damper (ATMD) under near and far-field earthquakes. Finally, HPFC is compared with classical (CPFC) and comparative (KPFC) schemes. The results show that HPFC has an acceptable efficiency in boosting the accuracy of CPFC and KPFC approaches under earthquakes, as well as maintaining a descending trend in structural responses.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.19 no.3 s.73
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• pp.283-293
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• 2006

Recently, various types of structural systems for skyscrapers are studied as the height and size of the building structures rapidly increase due to social and economical needs. The mega frame system among them, which is the structural system developed recently, is known as a suitable structural system for skyscrapers because this structural system has sufficient stiffness against the lateral forces by combination of mega members which consist of many columns and girders. Since the mega frame structure has significant numbers of elements and nodes, it takes tremendous times and computer memories to analyze and design the structures. Therefore, the exclusive structural analysis program for mega frame system is developed to reduce the efforts and time required for the analysis and design of mega frame structure. To this end, an efficient modelling technique using the characteristics of mega frame structures and an efficient analytical model, which uses a few DOFs selected by the user using the matrix condensation method, are developed in this study. Static and dynamic analyses are conducted using an example structure. The effectiveness and accuracy of the developed program we verified by the comparison between the results of the proposed method and the conventional method.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2008

Many proteins consist of distinctive domains that can act independently or cooperatively to achieve a unique function. As these domains evolve from a naturally existing repertoire of functional domains, this implies that domain organization is an intrinsic element involved in building the complex structure and function of proteins. Thus, identifying functional domains would appear to be critical to the elucidation of questions related to protein evolution, folding, and the engineering of hybrid proteins for tai- lored applications. However, the simple application of "Lego-like assembly" to the engineering of hybrid proteins is an oversimplification, as many hybrid constructs lack structural stability, usually due to unfavorable domain contacts. Thus, directed evolution, along with computational studies, may help to engineer hybrid proteins with improved physico-chemical properties. Accordingly, this paper introduces several approaches to functional hybrid protein engineering that potentially can be used to create modulators of gene transcription and cell signaling, and novel biosensors to analyze biological functions in vivo.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.47-64
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• 2023

Due to their efficient use of materials, hybrid reinforced concrete-steel (RCS) systems provide more practical and economic advantages than traditional steel and concrete moment frames. This study evaluated the seismic design factors and response modification factor 'R' of RCS composite moment frames composed of reinforced concrete (RC) columns and steel (S) beams. The current International Building Code (IBC) and ASCE/SEI 7-05 classify RCS systems as special moment frames and provide an R factor of 8 for these systems. In this study, seismic design parameters were initially quantified for this structural system using an R factor of 8 based on the global methodology provided in FEMA P695. For analyses, multi-story (3, 5, 10, and 15) and multi-span (3 and 5) archetypes were used to conduct nonlinear static pushover analysis and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) under near-field and far-field ground motions. The analyses were performed using the OpenSees software. The procedure was reiterated with a larger R factor of 9. Results of the performance evaluation of the investigated archetypes demonstrated that an R factor of 9 achieved the safety margin against collapse outlined by FEMA P695 and can be used for the design of RCS systems.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.295-310
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• 2019

This study attempts to develop new simplified approximate formulas to predict the fundamental natural periods of vibration (T) for bearing wall systems engaged with special reinforced concrete shear walls (RCSW) under seismic loads. Commonly, seismic codes suggested empirical formulas established by regression analysis of measured T for buildings during earthquake motions. These formulas depend on structure type, building height, number, height and length of SW, and ratio of SW area to base area of structure. In this study, a parametric investigation is performed for T of 110 selected models of bearing RCSW systems with varying structural height, configuration of horizontal plans including building width, number and width of bays, presence of middle corridors and core SWs. For this purpose, a 3D non-linear response time history (TH) analysis is implemented using ETABS v16.2.1. New formulas to estimate T are anticipated and compared with those obtained from formulas of IBC 2012 and ASCE/SEI 7-10. Moreover, the study examines responses of an arbitrarily two selected test model of 60 m and 80 m in height with presence of SWs having middle corridors. It is observed that the performance of the tested buildings is different through arising of considerable errors when using codes' formulas for estimating T. Accordingly, using the present proposed formulas exhibits more reasonable and safer design compared to codes' formulas. The results showed that equitable enhancement is promising to improve T formulas approaching enhanced and accurate estimation of T with reliable analysis, design, and evaluation of bearing RCSW systems.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.515-530
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• 2021

In a tall reinforced concrete (RC) core wall system subjected to strong ground motions, inelastic behavior near the base as well as mid-height of the wall is possible. Generally, the formation of plastic hinge in a core wall system may lead to extensive damage and significant repairing cost. A new configuration of core structures consisting of buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs) and RC walls is an interesting idea in tall building seismic design. This concept can be used in the plan configuration of tall core wall systems. In this study, tall buildings with different configurations of combined core systems were designed and analyzed. Nonlinear time history analysis at severe earthquake level was performed and the results were compared for different configurations. The results demonstrate that using enough BRBFs can reduce the large curvature ductility demand at the base and mid-height of RC core wall systems and also can reduce the maximum inter-story drift ratio. For a better investigation of the structural behavior, the probabilistic approach can lead to in-depth insight. Therefore, incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) curves were calculated to assess the performance. Fragility curves at different limit states were then extracted and compared. Mean IDA curves demonstrate better behavior for a combined system, compared with conventional RC core wall systems. Collapse margin ratio for a RC core wall only system and RC core with enough BRBFs were almost 1.05 and 1.92 respectively. Therefore, it appears that using one RC core wall combined with enough BRBF core is an effective idea to achieve more confidence against tall building collapse and the results demonstrated the potential of the proposed system.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.347-352
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• 2002

Recent trends in the construction of building frame feature the increase use of composite steel concrete members functioning together in what terms of mixed structural systems. One of such systems, RCS(reinforced concrete column and steel beam) system is introduced and closely examined focusing on bearing strength of the composite joint in this paper. The main objective of this study was to develope one of details to increase bearing capacity while bearing failure is one of the two primary modes of failure in RCS system. Local bearing tests with specimens about 1/3 of the actual concrete column size were performed applying uniform load through steel plate with 100$\times$110mm size. Test results show that specimens with the bearing reinforcement detail developed in this study enhanced the bearing strength by 1.71~3.02 compared to concrete cylinder strength.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.389-395
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• 2018

This paper presents the application of a semi-active fuzzy based control system for seismic response reduction of a single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) framed structure using a Magnetorheological (MR) damper. Semi-active vibration control with MR dampers has been shown to be a viable approach to protect building structures from earthquake excitation. Moreover, intelligent damping systems based on soft-computing techniques such as fuzzy logic models have the inherent robustness to deal with typical uncertainties and non-linearities present in civil engineering structures. Thus, the proposed semi-active control system uses fuzzy logic based models to simulate the behavior of MR damper and also to develop the control algorithm that computes the required control signal to command the actuator. The results of the numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the suggested semi-active control system in reducing the response of the SDOF structure.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.691-698
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• 2001

Recent trends in the construction of long span or tall building frames feature the increase use of composite members that steel and concrete is functioning together in what terms of mixed structural systems. One of such systems, RCS (reinforced concrete column and steel beam) system is introduced and closely examined focusing on bearing strength of the composite joint in this paper. The main objective of this study was to develope detail to increase bearing capacity while bearing failure is one of the two primary modes of failure in RCS system. The results show that specimens with the U-type bearing reinforcement detail developed in this study enhanced the bearing strength by 1.20-1.50. The U-type reinforcement is the effective details to increase joint bearing strength compared to others like vertical reinforcement welded to beam flanges.