• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.223-239
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• 2011

This paper presents a methodology to detect and locate damages and faults in orthotropic plate structures. A specific damage index based on dynamic mode shapes of the damaged and undamaged structures has been introduced. The governing differential equation on transverse deformation, the transverse shear force equations and the invariant expression for the sum of transverse loading of an orthotropic plate are employed to obtain the aforementioned damage indices. The validity of the proposed methodology for isotropic and orthotropic damage states is demonstrated using a numerical example. It is shown that the algorithm is able to detect damages for both isotropic and orthotropic damage states acceptably.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.301-320
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• 2009

Damage assessment for buried structures against an internal blast is conducted by considering the soil-structure interaction. The structural element under analysis is assumed to be rigid-plastic and simply-supported at both ends. Shear failure, bending failure and combined failure modes are included based on five possible transverse velocity profiles. The maximum deflections with respect to shear and bending failure are derived respectively by employing proper failure criteria of the structural element. Pressure-Impulse diagrams to assess damage of the buried structures are subsequently developed. Comparisons have been done to evaluate the influences of the soil-structure interaction and the shear-to-bending strength ratio of the structural element. A case study for a buried reinforced concrete structure has been conducted to show the applicability of the proposed damage assessment method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.77-91
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• 2011

This study experimentally evaluated the seismic performance of steel knee braced frame structures with energy dissipation mechanism. A series of cyclic load tests were conducted on the steel moment resisting frames and the proposed knee braced frames. Test results validated that the demand in the beam-to-column connection designs was alleviated by the proposed design method. Test results also showed that the strength and stiffness of the proposed design were effectively enhanced. Comparisons in energy dissipation between the steel moment resisting frames and the steel knee braced frames further justified the applicability of the proposed method.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.639-663
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• 2015

Time history dynamic structural analysis is a time consuming procedure when used for large-scale structures or iterative analysis in structural optimization. This article proposes a new methodology for approximate prediction of extremum point of the response history via wavelets. The method changes original record into a reduced record, decreasing the computational time of the analysis. This reduced record can be utilized in iterative structural dynamic analysis of optimization and hence significantly reduces the overall computational effort. Design examples are included to demonstrate the capability and efficiency of the Reduced Record Method (RRM) when utilized in optimal design of frame structures using meta-heuristic algorithms.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.321-333
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• 2018

Simplified Dolphin Echolocation (SDE) algorithm is a recently developed meta-heuristic algorithm. This algorithm is an improved and simplified version of the Dolphin Echolocation Optimization (DEO) method, based on the baiting behavior of the dolphins. The main advantage of the SDE algorithm is that it needs no empirical parameter. In this paper, the SDE algorithm is applied for optimization of three well-studied frame structures. The designs are then compared with those of other meta-heuristic methods from the literature. Numerical results show the efficiency of the SDE algorithm and its competitive ability with other well-established meta-heuristics methods.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2017

Displacement response and corresponding maximum response energy of structures are key parameters to assess the dynamic effect or even more destructive structural damage of the structures. By employing them, this research has compared the structural responses of jacket supported offshore wind turbine (OWT) subjected to seismic excitations apprehending earthquake incidence, when (a) soil-structure interaction (SSI) has been ignored and (b) SSI has been considered. The effect of earthquakes under arbitrary angle of excitation on the OWT has been investigated by means of the energy based wavelet transformation method. Displacement based fragility analysis is then utilized to convey the probability of exceedance of the OWT at different soil site conditions. The results show that the uncertainty arises due to multi-component seismic excitations along with the diminution trend of shear wave velocity of soil and it tends to reduce the efficiency of the OWT to stand against the ground motions.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.449-455
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• 2017

Using X-braced frames in steel structures is a current procedure to achieve good strength against lateral loads. Study on mid-connections of X-braces and their effects on frame behavior is a subject whose importance has been more or less disregarded by researchers. Experimentally inspecting models involves considerable expense and time; however, computer models can be more suitable substitutes. In this research, a numerical model of X-braced frame has been analyzed using finite element software. The results of pushover analysis of this frame are compared with those of the experimental test. With the help of computer model, the effects of different mid-connection details on ductility and lateral strength of the frame are inspected. Also performances of bolted and welded connections are compared. Taking into account ductility and strength, this study suggests details of a decent pattern for the mid-connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.689-695
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• 2017

The constitutive relation is an important factor in analysis of confined concrete in composite structures. In order to propose a constitutive model for nonlinear analysis of confined concrete, lateral restraint mechanism of confined concrete is firstly analyze to study the generalities. As the foundation of the constitutive model, peak stress and peak strain is the first step in research. According to the generalities and the Twin Shear Unified Strength Theory, a novel unified equation for peak stress and peak strain are established. It is well coincident with experimental results. Based on the general constitutive relations and the unified equation for peak stress and peak strain, we propose a unified and convenient constitutive model for confined concrete with fewer material parameters. Two examples involved with steel tube confined concrete and hoop-confined concrete are considered. The proposed constitutive model coincides well with the experimental results. This constitutive model can also be extended for nonlinear analysis to other types of confined concrete.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.521-532
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• 2019

This paper describes the construction of a laminar box for simulating the earthquake response of soil and structures. The confinement of soil in the transverse direction does not rely on the laminar frame but is instead achieved by two acrylic glass walls. These walls allow the behaviour of soil during an earthquake to be directly observed in future study. The laminar box was used to study the response of soil with structure-footing-soil interaction (SFSI). A single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure and a rigid structure, both free standing on the soil, were utilised. The total mass and footing size of the SDOF and rigid structures were the same. The results show that SFSI considering the SDOF structure can affect the soil surface movements and acceleration of the soil at different depths. The acceleration developed at the footing of the SDOF structure is also different from the surface acceleration of free-field soil.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.549-557
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• 2019

The use of shear studs usually placed in the form of mechanical shear connectors makes it possible to adopt composite steel-concrete structures in various structures, and steel-concrete plate composite (SCP) is being seriously considered for the installation of storage tanks exposed to harsh environments. However, manufacturing of SCP must be based on the application of existing design guidelines which require very close arrangement of shear studs. This means that the direct application of current design guidelines usually produces very conservative results and close arrangement of shear studs precludes pouring concrete within exterior steel faceplates. In this light, an improved guideline to determine the stud spacing should be introduced, and this paper proposes an improved ratio of the stud spacing to the thickness of steel plate on the basis of numerous parametric studies to evaluate the relative influence of the stud spacing on the stability of the SCP.