• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.535-555
• /
• 2009

The harmony search method based optimum design algorithm is presented for geometrically non-linear semi-rigid steel frames. Harmony search method is recently developed metaheuristic algorithm which simulates the process of producing a musical performance. The optimum design algorithm aims at obtaining minimum weight steel frames by selecting from standard set of steel sections such as European wide flange beams (HE sections). Strength constraints of Turkish Building Code for Steel Structures (TS648) specification and displacement constraints were used in the optimum design formulation. The optimum design algorithm takes into account both the geometric non-linearity of the frame members and the semi-rigid behaviour of the beam-to-column connections. The Frye-Morris polynomial model is used to calculate the moment-rotation relation of beam-to-column connections. The robustness of harmony search algorithm, in comparison with genetic algorithms, is verified with two benchmark examples. The comparisons revealed that the harmony search algorithm yielded not only minimum weight steel frames but also required less computational effort for the presented examples.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.125-137
• /
• 2020

As confining materials for concrete, steel and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have important applications in both the seismic retrofit of existing reinforced concrete columns and in the new construction of composite structures. We present a comprehensive review of the axial stress-strain behaviour of the FRP-confined concrete column. Next, the mechanical performance of the hybrid FRP-confined concrete-steel composite columns are comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, the results of FRP-confined concrete column experiments and FRP-confined circular concrete-filled steel tube experiments are presented to study the interaction relationship between various material sections. Finally, the combinations of material sections are discussed. Based on these observations, recommendations regarding future research directions for composite columns are also outlined.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.95-112
• /
• 2004

A series of tests was performed to consider the behaviour of short composite columns under axial compressive loading, covering a range of S275 and S355 grade steel square hollow section filled with normal and high strength concrete. The interaction between the steel and the concrete component is considered and the results show that concrete shrinkage has an effect on the axial strength of the column. Comparisons between Eurocode 4, ACI-318 and the Australian Standards with the findings of this research were made. Result showed the equation used by the ACI-318 and the proposed Australian Standards gave better predication for the axial capacity of concrete filled SHS columns than the Eurocode 4.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.351-364
• /
• 2013

This paper presents results from an analytical investigation of the behavior of steel reinforced concrete circular column sections with additional Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) bars. The primary application of this composite section is to relocate the plastic hinge region from the column-footing joint where repair is difficult and expensive. Mainly, the study focuses on the development of the full nominal moment-axial load (M-P) interaction diagrams for hybrid concrete sections, reinforced with steel bars as primary reinforcement, and GFRP as auxiliary control bars. A large parametric study of circular steel reinforced concrete members were undertaken using a purpose-built MATLAB(c) code. The parameters considered were amount, location, dimensions and mechanical properties of steel, GFRP and concrete. The results indicate that the plastic hinge was indeed shifted to a less critical and congested region, thus facilitating cost-effective repair. Moreover, the reinforced concrete steel-GFRP section exhibited high strength and good ductility.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.761-786
• /
• 2016

This paper proposes an automated procedure for optimum seismic design of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures. This procedure combines a smart pre-processing using a Tree Classification Method (TCM) and a nonlinear optimization technique. First, the TCM automatically creates sections database and assigns sections to structural members. Subsequently, a real valued model of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed in solving the optimization problem. Numerical examples on design optimization of three low- to high-rise RC frame structures under earthquake loads are presented with and without considering strong column-weak beam (SCWB) constraint. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the TCMin seismic design optimization of the structures.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.127-141
• /
• 2022

In this paper, a numerical procedure is proposed for achieving the minimum cost design of reinforced concrete polygonal column cross-sections under compression and biaxial bending. A methodology is developed to integrate the metaheuristic algorithm Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) with an algorithm for the evaluation of the strength of reinforced concrete cross-sections under combined axial load and biaxial bending, according to the design criteria of Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 6118:2014. The objective function formulation takes into account the costs of concrete, reinforcement, and formwork. The cross-section dimensions, the number and diameter of rebar and the concrete strength are taken as discrete design variables. This methodology is applied to polygonal cross-sections, such as rectangular sections, rectangular hollow sections, and L-shaped cross-sections. To evaluate the efficiency of the methodology, the optimal solutions obtained were compared to results reported by other authors using conventional methods or alternative optimization techniques. An additional study investigates the effect on final costs for an alternative parametrization of rebar positioning on the cross-section. The proposed optimization method proved to be efficient in the search for optimal solutions, presenting consistent results that confirm the importance of using optimization techniques in the design of reinforced concrete structures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.9 no.1 s.30
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 1997

It has been reported by the existing papers that the ultimate load capacity and energy absorption capacity of the CFST column are considerably higher than those resulting from a simple addition of the capacities of the concrete and the steel tube. It is normally believed that the confined effect for the infilled concrete due to the hoop tension of steel at the parameter of cross sections can remarkably improve the ductility and energy absorption capacities of the CFST columns. This paper provides the results of a study on the load-carrying capacities and energy absorption capacities of the CFST columns, a numerical analysis method, i. e. N-M interaction curves and Moment curvature relationships. The numerical approaches are verified by comparing with the existing test results and the circular and square steel tube sections are selected to clarify the amount of confinement effects to improve the ultimate deformable capacity(a ultimate strain value) of the infilled concrete. Then, an adequate value of the ultimate strain of the infilled concrete and an equation of the ultimate capacity of the CFST column are suggested.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.147-156
• /
• 1999

Current design code states that the strength reduction factor shall be permitted to be increased linearly from that for axial compression to that for flexure as the design axial load strength $\Phi$cPn decrease from 0.1fckAg to zero. Since this empirically adopted axial load level of $\Phi$cPn=0.1fckAg considers only sectional area and concrete strength, the other variables such as steel ratio, steel yielding strength, and steel arrangement can not be considered. This research is performed to investigate the consistency and the rationality of the code requirement for determination of column design strength. A nonlinear axial force-moment-curvature analysis was conducted in order to investigate the ductility of reinforced concrete column sections. As the result of ductility analysis, it was found that the ductility at the axial force of $\Phi$cPn=0.1fckAg represented a lock of consistency for the various variable contained sections. Therefore, a more reasonable application method of strength reduction factor is proposed, that is based on the strain ductility index.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.517-539
• /
• 2010

This paper presents the axial compressive behaviour of stub concrete-filled columns with elliptical stainless steel and carbon steel hollow sections. The finite element method developed via ABAQUS/Standard solver was used to carry out the simulations. The accuracy of the FE modelling and the proposed confined concrete stress-strain model were verified against experimental results. A parametric study on stub concrete-filled columns with various elliptical hollow sections made with stainless steel and carbon steel was conducted. The comparisons and analyses presented in this paper outline the effect of hollow sectional configurations to the axial compressive behaviour of elliptical concrete-filled steel tubular columns, especially the merits of using stainless steel hollow sections is highlighted.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.121-132
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the behavior characteristics of new hollow reinforced concrete (RC) bridge pier sections with triangular reinforcement details and to provide the details and reference data. Among the numerous parameters, this study concentrates on the shape of the section, the reinforcement details and the spacing of the transverse reinforcement. Additional eight column section specimens were tested under quasi-static monotonic loading. In this study, the computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), was used. A innovative confining effect model was adopted for new hollow bridge pier sections. This study documents the testing of new hollow RC bridge pier sections with triangular reinforcement details and presents conclusions based on the experimental and analytical findings.