• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.189-209
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• 2004

The commonly used seismic design procedures to evaluate the maximum effect of both horizontal components of earthquakes, namely, the Square Root of the Sum of the Squares (SRSS) and the 30-percent (30%) combination rules, are re-evaluated. The maximum seismic responses of four three-dimensional moment resisting steel frames, in terms of the total base shear and the axial loads at interior, lateral and corner columns, are estimated as realistically as possible by simultaneously applying both horizontal components. Then, the abovementioned combination rules and others are evaluated. The numerical study indicates that both, the SRSS rule and the 30% combination method, may underestimate the combined effect. It is observed that the underestimation is more for the SRSS than for the 30% rule. In addition, the underestimation is more for inelastic analysis than for elastic analysis. The underestimation cannot be correlated with the height of the frames or the predominant period of the earthquakes. A basic probabilistic study is performed in order to estimate the accuracy of the 30% rule in the evaluation of the combined effect. Based on the results obtained in this study, it is concluded that the design requirements for the combined effect of the horizontal components, as outlined in some code-specified seismic design procedures, need to be modified. New combination ways are suggested.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.285-304
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• 2016

The effects of large rotations and p-delta on the dynamic response of a structure subjected to seismic loading and local uplift of its foundation were analyzed in this work. The structure was modeled by an equivalent flexible mat mounted on a rigid foundation that is supported either by a Winkler soil type or a rigid soil. The equations of motion of the system were derived by taking into account the equilibrium of the coupled foundation-mat system where the structure was idealized as a single-degree-of-freedom. The obtained nonlinear coupled system of ordinary differential equations was integrated by using an adequate numerical scheme. A parametric study was performed then in order to evaluate the maximum response of the system as function of the intensity of the earthquake, the slenderness of the structure, the ratio of the mass of the foundation to the mass of the structure. Three cases were considered: (i) local uplift of foundation under large rotation with the p-delta effect, (ii) local uplift of foundation under large rotation without including the p-delta effect, (iii) local uplift of foundation under small rotation. It was found that, in the considered ranges of parameters and for moderate earthquakes, assuming small rotation of foundation under seismic loading can yield more adverse structural response, while the p-delta effect has almost no effect.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.287-301
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• 2020

Fragility as one of the most effective methods to evaluate seismic performance, which is greatly affected by damage index. Taking a multi span continuous rigid frame offshore bridge as an example. Based on fragility and reliability theory, considering coupling effect of time-varying durability damage of materials and time-varying attenuation effect of damage index to analyze seismic performance of offshore bridges. Results show that IDA curve considering time-varying damage index is obviously below that without considering; area enclosed by IDA of 1# pier and X-axis under No.1 earthquake considering this effect is 96% of that without considering. Area enclosed by damage index of 1# pier and X-axis under serious damage with considering time-varying damage index is 90% of that without considering in service period. Time-varying damage index has a greater impact on short pier when ground motion intensity is small, while it has a great impact on high pier when the intensity is large. The area enclosed by fragility of bridge system and X-axis under complete destruction considering time-varying damage index is 165% of that without considering when reach designed service life. Therefore, time-varying attenuation effect of damage index has a great impact on seismic performance of bridge in service period.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.375-390
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• 2015

Staircase is a vertical transportation element commonly used in every multistoried structure. Inclined flights of staircase are usually casted monolithically with RC frame. The structural configuration of stairs generally introduces discontinuities into the typical regular reinforced concrete frame composed of beams and columns. Inclined position of flight transfers both vertical as well as horizontal forces in the frame. Under lateral loading, staircase in a multistory RC frame building develops truss action creating a local stiffening effect. In case of seismic event the stiff area around staircase attracts larger force. Therefore, special attention is required while modeling and analyzing the building with staircase. However, in general design practice, designers usually ignore the staircase while modeling either due to ignorance or to avoid complexity. A numerical study has been conducted to examine the effect of ignoring staircase in modeling and design of RC frame buildings while they are really present in structure, may be at different locations. Linear dynamic analysis is performed on nine separate building models to evaluate influence of staircase on dynamic characteristics of building, followed by nonlinear static analysis on the same models to access their seismic performance. It is observed that effect of ignoring staircase in modeling is severe and leads to unsafe structure. Effect of location and orientation of staircase is also important in determining seismic performance of RC frame buildings.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.277-295
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• 2023

Unsymmetrical high-rise buildings (HRBs) subjected to earthquake represent a difficult challenge to structural engineering, especially taking into consideration the effect of soil-structure interaction (SSI). L-shape in plan HRBs suffer from big straining actions when are subjected to an earthquake (in x- or y-direction, or both x- and y- directions). Additionally, the disastrous effect of seismic pounding may appear between two adjacent unsymmetrical HRBs. For two unsymmetrical L-shape in plan HRBs subjected to earthquake in three different direction cases (x, y, or both), including the SSI effect, different methods are investigated to mitigate the seismic pounding and thus protect these types of structures under the earthquake effect. The most effective technique to mitigate the seismic pounding and help in seismically protecting these adjacent HRBs is found herein to be the use of a combination of pounding tuned mass dampers (PTMDs) all over the height (at the connection points) together with tuned mass dampers (TMDs) on the top of both buildings.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.239-259
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• 2013

Typically, beams that form part of structural systems are subjected to vertical distributed loading along their length. Distributed loading affects moment and shear distribution, and consequently spread of inelasticity, along the beam length. However, the finite element models developed so far for seismic analysis of frame structures either ignore the effect of vertical distributed loading on spread of inelasticity or consider it in an approximate manner. In this paper, a beam-type finite element is developed, which is capable of considering accurately the effect of uniform distributed loading on spreading of inelastic deformations along the beam length. The proposed model consists of two gradual spread inelasticity sub-elements accounting explicitly for inelastic flexural and shear response. Following this approach, the effect of distributed loading on spreading of inelastic flexural and shear deformations is properly taken into account. The finite element is implemented in the seismic analysis of plane frame structures with beam members controlled either by flexure or shear. It is shown that to obtain accurate results the influence of distributed beam loading on spreading of inelastic deformations should be taken into account in the inelastic seismic analysis of frame structures.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1499-1528
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• 2015

The yielding mechanisms of reinforced concrete (RC) structures are the main cause of the collapse of RC buildings during earthquake excitation. Nowadays, the application of earthquake energy dissipation devices, such as viscous dampers (VDs), is being widely considered to protect RC structures which are designed to withstand severe seismic loads. However, the effect of VDs on the formation of plastic hinges and the yielding criteria of RC members has not been investigated extensively, due to the lack of an analytical model and a numerical means to evaluate the seismic response of structures. Therefore, this paper offers a comprehensive investigation of how damper devices influence the yielding mechanisms of RC buildings subjected to seismic excitation. For this purpose, adapting the Newmark method, a finite element algorithm was developed for the nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete buildings equipped with VDs that are subjected to earthquake. A special finite element computer program was codified based on the developed algorithm. Finally, a parametric study was conducted for a three-story RC building equipped with supplementary VD devices, performing a nonlinear analysis in order to evaluate its effect on seismic damage and on the response of the structure. The results of this study showed that implementing VDs substantially changes the mechanism and formation of plastic hinges in RC buildings.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.537-544
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• 2001

Bridge dynamic behaviors are examined under seismic excitations including the local scour effect. The corresponding simplified mechanical model, which can also consider the effect of other influence elements, is proposed to simulate the bridge motions. The scour depth around the pier is estimated by the CSU equation recommended by the HEC-18, and the local scour effect upon global bridge motions is then investigated by applying various foundation stiffness based upon the reduced embedded depths. From the results, it is found that seismic responses of a bridge with the same scour depth level for both piers increase as the scour depth increase due to the local scour effect. The scour effect is found to be significant under weak excitations and still to be quite notable even for moderate excitations.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1990.10a
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• pp.73-78
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• 1990

In current practice of earthquake resistant design the equivalent lateral force procedure is widely used for its simplicity and convenience. But the equivalent lateral force procedure is derived based on the assumption that the dynamic behavior of the structure is governed primarily by the fundamental vibration mode. Therefore proper prediction of dynamic responses of the structure is unreliable using the equivalent lateral force procedure when the effect of higher vibration modes on the dynamic behavior is negligible. In this study design seismic load which can reflect the effect of higher vibration modes is proposed from the point of view of proper assessment of story shears which have the major influence on the design moment of beams and columns. To evaluate the effect of higher modes, differences between the story force based on the equivalent lateral force procedure specified in current earthquake resistance building code and the one based on modal analysis using design spectrum are examined. From these results improved design seismic load for the equivalent lateral force procedure which can reflect the effect of higher vibration modes is proposed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.373-379
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• 2017

Seismic probabilistic safety assessments are used to help understand the impact potential seismic events can have on the operation of a nuclear power plant. An important component to seismic probabilistic safety assessment is the seismic hazard curve which shows the frequency of seismic events. However, these hazard curves are estimated assuming a normal distribution of the seismic events. This may not be a strong assumption given the number of recorded events at each source-to-site distance. The use of a normal distribution makes the calculations significantly easier but may underestimate or overestimate the more rare events, which is of concern to nuclear power plants. This paper shows a preliminary exploration into the effect of using a distribution that perhaps more represents the distribution of events, such as the t-distribution to describe data. The integration of a probability distribution with potentially larger tails basically pushes the hazard curves outward, suggesting a different range of frequencies for use in seismic probabilistic safety assessments. Therefore the use of a more realistic distribution results in an increase in the frequency calculations suggesting rare events are less rare than thought in terms of seismic probabilistic safety assessment. However, the opposite was observed with the ground motion prediction equation considered.