• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2020

Cross-beams of modern through truss bridges are connected to truss chord at its nodes and between them. It results in variable rotational end restraint for cross-beams, thus variable bending moment distribution. This feature is captured in three-dimensional modelling of through truss bridge structure. However, for preliminary design or rapid assessment of service load effects such technique of analysis may not be available. So an analytical method of assessment of rotational end restraint for cross-beam of through truss bridges was worked out. Two cases - nodal cross-beam and inter-nodal cross-beam - were analyzed. Flexural and torsional stiffness of truss members, flexural stiffness of deck members and axial stiffness of wind bracing members in the vicinity of the analyzed cross-beam were taken into account. The provision for reduced stiffness of the X-type wind bracing was made. Finally, general formula for assessment of rotational end restraint was given. Rotational end restraints for cross-beams of three railway through truss bridges were assessed basing on the analytical method and the finite element method (three-dimensional beam-element modelling). Results of both methods show good agreement. The analytical method is able to reflect effects of some structural irregularities. On the basis of the obtained results the general values of rotational end restraint for nodal and inter-nodal cross-beams of railway through truss bridges were suggested.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.741-756
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• 2013

Distributed-Steel Bar Reinforced Concrete (DSBRC) columns, a new and innovative construction technique for composite steel and concrete material which can alleviate the difficulty in the arrangement of the stirrup in the column, were studied experimentally and analytically in this paper. In addition, an ordinary steel Reinforced Concrete (SRC) column was also tested for comparison purpose. The specimens were subjected to quasi-static load reversals to model the earthquake effect. The experimental results including the hysteresis curve, resistance recession, skeleton curves and ductility ratio of columns were obtained, which showed well resistant-seismic behavior for DSBRC column. Meanwhile a numerical three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element (FE) analysis on its mechanical behavior was also carried out. The numerically analyzed results were then compared to the experimental results for validation. The parametric studies and investigation about the effects of several critical factors on the seismic behavior of the DSBRC column were also conducted, which include axial compression ratios, steel ratio, concrete strength and yield strength of steel bar.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.53-83
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• 2008

A rational and efficient seismic design methodology for irregular space steel frames using advanced methods of analysis in the framework of Eurocodes 8 and 3 is presented. This design methodology employs an advanced static or dynamic finite element method of analysis that takes into account geometrical and material non-linearities and member and frame imperfections. The inelastic static analysis (pushover) is employed with multimodal load along the height of the building combining the first few modes. The inelastic dynamic method in the time domain is employed with accelerograms taken from real earthquakes scaled so as to be compatible with the elastic design spectrum of Eurocode 8. The design procedure starts with assumed member sections, continues with the checking of the damage and ultimate limit states requirements, the serviceability requirements and ends with the adjustment of member sizes. Thus it can sufficiently capture the limit states of displacements, rotations, strength, stability and damage of the structure and its individual members so that separate member capacity checks through the interaction equations of Eurocode 3 or the usage of the conservative and crude q-factor suggested in Eurocode 8 are not required. Two numerical examples dealing with the seismic design of irregular space steel moment resisting frames are presented to illustrate the proposed method and demonstrate its advantages. The first considers a seven storey geometrically regular frame with in-plan eccentricities, while the second a six storey frame with a setback.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Severe fatigue and noise problems of modular bridge expansion joints (MBEJs) are often induced by vehicle loads. However, the dynamic characteristics of single-support MBEJs have yet to be further investigated. To better understand the vibration mechanism of single-support MBEJs under vehicle loads, a 3D finite element model of single-support MBEJ with five center beams is built. Successive vehicle loads are given out and the vertical dynamic responses of each center beams are analyzed under the successive loads. Dynamic amplification factors (DAFs) are also calculated along with increasing vehicle velocities from 20 km/h to 120 km/h with an interval 20 km/h. The research reveals the vibration mechanism of the single-support MBEJs considering coupled center beam resonance, which shows that dynamic responses of a given center beam will be influenced by the neighboring center beams due to their rebound after the vehicle wheels depart. Maximal DAF 1.5 appears at 120 km/h on the second center beam. The research results can be utilized for reference in the design, operation and maintenance of single-support MBEJs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.347-360
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• 2018

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the available bond-slip laws which are being used for the numerical modeling of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)/concrete interfaces. For this purpose, a set of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams retrofitted with external FRP were modeled using the 3D nonlinear Finite Element (FE) approach. All considered RC beams have been previously tested and the corresponding experimental data are available in the literature. The failure modes of these beams are concrete crushing, steel yielding and FRP debonding. Through comparison of the numerical and experimental results, the effectiveness of each FRP/concrete bond-slip model for the prediction of the structural behavior of externally retrofitted RC beams is assessed. The sensitivity of the numerical results against different modeling considerations of the concrete constitutive behavior and bond-slip laws has also been evaluated. The results show that the maximum allowable stress of FRP/concrete interface has an important role in the accurate prediction of the FRP debonding failure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.315-328
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• 2018

Built-up Double-I (BD-I) columns consist of two hot rolled IPE sections and two cover plates which are welded by fillet welds. In Iran, this type of column is commonly used in braced frames with simple connections and sometimes in low-rise Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) with Welded Flange Plate (WFP) beam-column detailing. To evaluate the seismic performance of WFP connection of I-beam to BD-I column, traditional and modified exterior MRF connections were tested subjected to cyclic prescribed loading of AISC. Test results indicate that the traditional connection does not achieve the intended behavior while the modified connection can moderately meet the requirements of MRF connection. The numerical models of the connections were developed in ABAQUS finite element software and validated with the test results. For this purpose, moment-rotation curves and failure modes of the tested connections were compared with the simulation results. Moreover to avoid improper failure modes, some improvements of the connections were evaluated through a numerical study.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.573-582
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• 2018

This study develops and numerically verifies an innovative seismically resilient bracing system. The proposed self-centering tension-only brace (SC-TOB) is composed of a tensioning system to provide a self-centering response, a frictional device for energy dissipation, and a high-strength steel cable as a bracing element. It is considered to be an improvement over the traditional self-centering braces in terms of lightness, high bearing capacity, load relief, and double-elongation capacity. In this paper, the mechanics of the system are first described. Governing equations deduced from the developed analytical model to predict the behavior of the system are then provided. The results from a finite element validation confirm that the SC-TOB performs as analytically predicted. Key parameters including the activation displacement and load, the self-centering parameter, and equivalent viscous damping are investigated, and their influences on the system behavior are discussed. Finally, a design procedure considering controlled softening behavior is developed and illustrated through a design example.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.625-638
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• 2017

This paper presents a novel approach that describes the first-order (linear elastic) partial interaction analysis of members formed by multi-components based on the Generalised Beam Theory (GBT). The novelty relies on its ability to accurately model the partial interaction between the different components forming the cross-section in both longitudinal and transverse directions as well as to consider the cross-sectional deformability. The GBT deformations modes, that consist of the conventional, extensional and shear modes, are determined from the dynamic analyses of the cross-section represented by a planar frame. The partial interaction is specified at each connection interface between two adjacent elements by means of a shear deformable spring distributed along the length of the member. The ease of use of the model is outlined by an application performed on a multi-component member subjected to an eccentric load. The values calculated with an ABAQUS finite element model are used to validate the proposed method. The results of the numerical applications outline the influence of specifying different rigidities for the interface shear connection and in using different order of polynomials for the shape functions specified in the finite element cross-section analysis.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.217-228
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• 2017

Braces are one of the retrofitting systems of structure under earthquake loading. Buckling restrained braces (BRBs) are one of the very efficient braces for lateral loads. One of the key needs for a desirable and acceptable behavior of buckling-restraining brace members under intensive loading is that it prevents total buckling until the bracing member tolerates enough plastic deformation and ductility. This paper presents the results of a set of analysis by finite element method on buckling restrained braces in which the filler materials within the restraining member have been removed. These braces contain core as the conventional BRBs, but they have a different buckling restrained system. The purpose of this analysis is conducting a parametric study on various empty spaces between core and restraining member, the effect of friction between core and restraining member and applying initial deformation to brace system to investigate the global buckling behavior of these braces. The results of analysis indicate that the flexural stiffness of restraining member, regardless of the amount of empty space, can influence the global buckling behavior of brace significantly.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.319-329
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• 2018

The field around additional cutout of the floor beam web in orthotropic bridge deck was subjected to high stress concentration, especially the weld toe between floor beam and U shaped rib and the free edge of the additional cutout. Based on different considerations, different geometrical parameters of additional cutout were proposed in European, American and Japanese specifications, and there remained remarkable differences among them. In this study, considering influence of out-of-plane deformation of floor beam web and U shaped rib, parameter analysis for additional cutout under typical load cases was performed by fine finite element method. The influence of additional cutout shape and height to the stress distribution around the additional cutout were investigated and analyzed. Meanwhile, the static and fatigue test on this structure details was carried out. The stress distribution was consistent with the finite element analysis results. The fatigue property for additional cutout height of 95mm was slightly better than that of 61.5 mm.