• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.235-244
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• 2013

A volume integral equation method (VIEM) is introduced for the solution of elastostatic problems in an unbounded isotropic elastic solid containing multiple isotropic elliptical fibers of arbitrary orientation subject to uniform stress at infinity. The fibers are assumed to be long parallel elliptical cylinders composed of isotropic elastic material perfectly bonded to the isotropic matrix. The solid is assumed to be under plane strain on the plane normal to the cylinders. A detailed analysis of the stress field at the matrix-fiber interface for square and hexagonal packing of the fibers is carried out for different values of the number, orientation angles and concentration of the elliptical fibers. The accuracy and efficiency of the method are examined through comparison with results obtained from analytical and finite element methods.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2012

The temperature development of a structural element is dependent on section factor, which is estimated as a ratio of the fire-exposed perimeter to the cross-section area. Hence, with the higher section factor, the faster temperature development of the section os observed. Composite beam member, partially embedded asymmetry H beam, has a good fire resistance to the cross-section. The study was intended to conduct with change with section factor. The experimental result of section type which the Slim Beam Floor is bottom flange reinforced method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-156
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• 2014

In this research the effect of seismic design level as a practical approach for progressive collapse mitigation and reaching desired structural safety against it in seismically designed concentric braced frame buildings was investigated. It was achieved by performing preliminary and advanced progressive collapse analysis of several split-X braced frame buildings, designed for each seismic zone according to UBC 97 and by applying various Seismic Load Factors (SLFs). The outer frames of such structures were studied for collapse progression while losing one column and connected brace in the first story. Preliminary analysis results showed the necessity of performing advanced element loss analysis, consisting of Vertical Incremental Dynamic Analysis (VIDA) and Performance-Based Analysis (PBA), in order to compute the progressive collapse safety of the structures while increasing SLF for each seismic zone. In addition, by sensitivity analysis it became possible to introduce the equation of structural safety against progressive collapse for concentrically braced frames as a function of SLF for each seismic zone. Finally, the equation of progressive collapse safety as a function of bracing member capacity was presented.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.117-133
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• 2014

Natural vibration of truss cable structures is analyzed based upon the general structural analysis software ANSYS, energy variational method and Rayleigh method, the calculated results of three methods are compared, from which the characteristics of free-vibration are obtained. Moreover, vertical seismic response analysis of truss cable structures is carried out via time-history method. Introducing three natural earthquake waves calculated the results including time-history curve of vertical maximal displacement, time-history curve of maximal internal force. Variation curve of maximal displacement of node along span, and variation curve of maximal internal force of member along span are presented. The results show the formulas of frequencies for truss cable structures obtained by energy variational method are of high accuracy. Furthermore, the maximal displacement and the maximal internal force occur near the 1/5 span point. These provide convenient and simple design method for practical engineering.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.157-185
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• 2014

This paper examines the behaviour of two types of practical open beam-to-tubular column connection details subjected to combined moment, axial and/or shear loads. Detailed continuum finite element models are developed and validated against available experimental results, and extended to deal with flexural, axial and shear load interactions. A numerical investigation is then carried out on the behaviour of selected connections with different stiffness and strength characteristics under various load combination scenarios. The influence of applied levels of axial tensile or compressive loads on the bending stiffness and capacity is examined and discussed. Additionally, the interaction effects between shear forces and co-existing bending and axial loads are examined and shown to be comparatively insignificant in terms of stiffness and capacity in most cases. It is also shown that the range of connections considered in this paper can provide rotational ductility levels in excess of those required under typical design scenarios. Based on these findings, a simplified component-based representation is proposed and described, and its ability to represent the connection response under combined loading is verified using results from detailed numerical simulations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.259-272
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• 2020

In this study a new hysteretic damper for seismic retrofit of soft-first story structures is proposed and its seismic retrofit effect is evaluated. The damper consists of one steel column member and two flexural fuses at both ends made of steel plates with reduced section, which can be placed right beside existing columns in order to minimize interference with passengers and automobiles in the installed bays. The relative displacement between the stories forms flexural plastic hinges at the fuses and dissipate seismic energy. The theoretical formulation and the design procedure based on plastic analysis is provided for the proposed damper, and the results are compared with a detailed finite-element (FE) model. In order to apply the damper in structural analysis, a macromodel of the damper is also developed and calibrated by the derived theoretical formulas. The results are compared with the detailed FE analysis, and the efficiency of the damper is further validated by the seismic retrofit of a case study structure and assessing its seismic performance before and after the retrofit. The results show that the proposed hysteretic damper can be used effectively in reducing damage to soft-first story structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.367-384
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• 2004

A numerical model based on the finite element technique is adopted to investigate the behavior and strength of thin-walled I-section beam-columns. The model considers both the material and geometric nonlinearities. The model results were first verified against some of the currently available experimental results. A parametric study was then performed using the numerical model and interaction diagrams for the investigated beam-columns have been presented. The effects of the web depth-to-thickness ratio, flange outstand-to-thickness ratio and bending moment-to-normal force ratio on the ultimate strength of thin-walled I-section beam-columns were scrutinized. The interaction equations adopted for beam columns design by the NAS (North American Specifications for the design of cold formed steel structural members) have been critically reviewed. An equation for the buckling coefficient which considers the interaction between local buckling of the flange and the web of a thin-walled I-section beam-column has been proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.777-799
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• 2016

One of the major components for performance based seismic design is accurate estimation of critical seismic demand parameters. While nonlinear seismic analysis is the most appropriate analysis method for estimation of seismic demand parameters, this method is very time consuming and complex. Single mode pushover analysis method, N2 method and multi-mode pushover analysis method, modal pushover analysis (MPA) are two nonlinear static methods that have recently been used for seismic performance evaluation of few lateral load-resisting systems. This paper further investigates the applicability of N2 and MPA methods for estimating the seismic demands of ductile unstiffened steel plate shear walls (SPSWs). Three different unstiffened SPSWs (4-, 8-, and 15-storey) designed according to capacity design approach were analysed under artificial and real ground motions for Vancouver. A comparison of seismic response quantities such as, height-wise distribution of floor displacements, storey drifts estimated using N2 and MPA methods with more accurate nonlinear seismic analysis indicates that both N2 and MPA procedures can reasonably estimates the peak top displacements for low-rise SPSW buildings. In addition, MPA procedure provides better predictions of inter-storey drifts for taller SPSW. The MPA procedure has been extended to provide better estimate of base shear of SPSW.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.869-887
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• 2016

The socket-spigot template supporting system is widely used in engineering applications in China. As a newer type of support structure, there has been growing research interest in its bearing capacity. In this paper, four vertical bearing capacity tests were carried out on the basic mechanical unit frame of a socket-spigot template supporting system. The first goal was to explore the influence of the node semi-rigid degree and the longitudinal spacing of the upright tube on the vertical bearing capacity. The second objective was to analyze the displacement trend and the failure mode during the loading process. This paper presents numerical analysis of the vertical bearing capacity of the unit frames using the finite element software ANSYS. It revealed the relationship between the node semi-rigid degree and the vertical bearing capacity, that the two-linear reinforcement model of elastic-plastic material can be used to analyze the socket-spigot template supporting system, and, through node entity model analysis, that the load transfer direction greatly influences the node bearing area. Finally, this paper indicates the results of on-site application performance experiments, shows that the supporting system has adequate bearing capacity and stability, and comments on the common work performance of a socket and fastener scaffold.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.913-930
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• 2016

It is common practice to use Reduced Web Beam Sections (RWBS) in steel moment resisting frames. Perforation of beam web in these members may cause stress and strain concentration around the opening area and facilitate ductile fracture under cyclic loading. This paper presents a numerical study on the cyclic fracture of these structural components. The considered connections are configured as T-shaped assemblies with beams of elongated circular perforations. The failure of specimens under Ultra Low Cycle Fatigue (ULCF) condition is simulated using Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM) which is a micromechanics based fracture model. In each model, CVGM fracture index is calculated based on the stress and strain time histories and then models with different opening configurations are compared based on the calculated fracture index. In addition to the global models, sub-models with refined mesh are used to evaluate fracture index around the beam to column weldment. Modeling techniques are validated using data from previous experiments. Results show that as the perforation size increases, opening corners experience greater fracture index. This is while as the opening size increases the maximum observed fracture index at the connection welds decreases. However, the initiation of fracture at connection welds occurs at lower drift angles compared to opening corners. Finally, a probabilistic framework is applied to CVGM in order to account for the uncertainties existing in the prediction of ductile fracture and results are discussed.