• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.329-348
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• 2011

Large-scale earthquakes pose serious threats to infrastructure causing substantial damage and large residual deformations. Superelastic (SE) Shape-Memory-Alloys (SMAs) are unique alloys with the ability to undergo large deformations, but can recover its original shape upon stress removal. The purpose of this research is to exploit this characteristic of SMAs such that concrete Beam-Column Joints (BCJs) reinforced with SMA bars at the plastic hinge region experience reduced residual deformation at the end of earthquakes. Another objective is to evaluate the seismic performance of SMA Reinforced Concrete BCJs repaired with flowable Structural-Repair-Concrete (SRC). A $\frac{3}{4}$-scale BCJ reinforced with SMA rebars in the plastic-hinge zone was tested under reversed cyclic loading, and subsequently repaired and retested. The joint was selected from an RC building located in the seismic region of western Canada. It was designed and detailed according to the NBCC 2005 and CSA A23.3-04 recommendations. The behaviour under reversed cyclic loading of the original and repaired joints, their load-storey drift, and energy dissipation ability were compared. The results demonstrate that SMA-RC BCJs are able to recover nearly all of their post-yield deformation, requiring a minimum amount of repair, even after a large earthquake, proving to be smart structural elements. It was also shown that the use of SRC to repair damaged BCJs can restore its full capacity.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.295-317
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• 2020

Investigation of the stability of arch dam abutments is one of the most important aspects in the analysis of this type of dams. To this end, the Bakhtiari dam, a doubly curved arch dam having six wedges at each of its abutments, is selected. The seismic safety of dam abutments is studied through time history analysis using the design-based earthquake (DBE) and maximum credible earthquake (MCE) hazard levels. Londe limit equilibrium method is used to calculate the stability of wedges in abutments. The thrust forces are obtained using ABAQUS, and stability of wedges is calculated using the code written within MATLAB. Effects of foundation flexibility, grout curtain performance, vertical component of earthquake, nonlinear behavior of materials, and geometrical nonlinearity on the safety factor of the abutments are scrutinized. The results show that the grout curtain performance is the main affecting factor on the stability of the abutments, while nonlinear behavior of the materials is the least affecting factor amongst others. Also, it is resulted that increasing number of the contraction joints can improve the seismic stability of dam. A cap is observed on the number of joints, above which the safety factor does not change incredibly.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2022

This study aimed to analyze the dynamic punching shear performance of slab-column joints under cyclic loads with the use of double-hooked end (5D) steel fibers. Structural systems such as slab-column joints are widely found in infrastructures. The susceptibility to collapse of such structures when submitted to seismic loads is highly dependent on the structural performance of the slab-column connections. For this reason, the punching capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) structures has been the subject of a great number of studies. Steel fibers are used to achieve a certain degree of ductility under seismic loads. In this context, 5D steel hooked fibers provide high levels of fiber anchoring, tensile strength and ductility. However, only limited research has been carried out on the performance under cyclic loads of concrete structural members containing steel fibers. This study covers this gap with experimental testing of five different full-scale subassemblies of RC slab-column joints: one without punching reinforcement, one with conventional punching reinforcement and three with 5D steel fibers. The subassemblies were tested under cyclic loading, which consisted of applying increasing lateral displacement cycles, such as in seismic situations, with a constant axial load on the column. This set of cycles was repeated for increasing axial loads on the column until failure. The results showed that 5D steel fiber subassemblies: i) had a greater capacity to dissipate energy, ii) improved punching shear strength and stiffness degradation under cyclic loads; and iii) increased cyclic loading capacity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.405-418
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• 2024

To study the influence of different reduced beam section (RBS) on the mechanical performance of modular boltedwelded hybrid connection joints (MHCJs), this article uses ABAQUS to establish and verify the finite element model (FEM) of the test specimens on the basis of quasi-static test research. Based on, 14 joint models featuring different RBS are devised to evaluate their influence on seismic behavior, such as joint failure mode, bending moment (M)-rotation angle (θ) curve, ductility, and energy consumption. The results indicate that when the flange and web are individually weakened, they alleviate to some extent the concentrated stress of the core module (CM) and column end steel skeleton in the joint core area, but both increase the stress on the flange connecting plate (FCP). At the same time, the impact of both on seismic performance such as bearing capacity, stiffness, and energy consumption is relatively small. When simultaneously weakening the flange and web of the steel beam, forming plastic hinges at the weakened position of the beam end, significantly alleviated the stress concentration of the CM and the damage at the FCP, improving the overall deformation and energy consumption capacity of joints. But as the weakening size of the web increases, the overall bearing capacity of the joint shows a decreasing trend.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 2021

In this study, a steel frame that realized the second floor of a structure was fabricated in referring to NFPA 13. In addition, a riser pipe system with groove joints was installed, and a seismic simulation test was performed using static cyclic loading. Cyclic loading tests on the maximum allowable side sway of seismic design standards for buildings in Korea were conducted using actuators to analyze the seismic behavior of the riser pipe system and major piping elements due to the deformation of the steel frame structure or the displacement-dominant behavior caused by the relative displacement between the structural members in the event of a seismic load. Moreover, the deformation angle of the riser pipe system was measured using an image measurement system because it is difficult to measure using the conventional sensors.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.267-287
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• 2016

The seismic performance of the ordinary steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns has no significant improvement compared to the reinforced concrete (RC) columns mainly because I, H or core cross-shaped steel cannot provide sufficient confinement for core concrete. Two improved SRC columns by constructing with new-type shaped steel were put forward on this background, and they were named as enlarging cross-shaped steel and diagonal cross-shaped steel for short. The seismic behavior and carrying capacity of new-type SRC columns have been researched theoretically and experimentally, while the shear behavior remains unclear when the new-type columns are joined onto SRC beams. This paper presents an experimental study to investigate the shear capacity of new-type SRC joints. For this purpose, four new-type and one ordinary SRC joints under low reversed cyclic loading were tested, and the failure patterns, load-displacement hysteretic curves, joint shear deformation and steel strain were also observed. The ultimate shear force of joint specimens was calculated according to the beam-end counterforce, and effects of steel shape, load angel and structural measures on shear capacity of joints were analyzed. The test results indicate that: (1) the new-type SRC joints display shear failure pattern and has higher shear capacity than the ordinary one; (2) the oblique specimens have good bearing capacity if designed reasonably; and (3) the two proposed construction measures have little effect on the shear capacity of SRC joints embedded with diagonal cross-shaped steel. Based on the mechanism observed from the test, the formulas for calculating ultimate shear capacity considering the main factors (steel web, stirrup and axial compression ratio) were derived, and the calculated results agreed well with the experimental and simulated data.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2008

This study summarizes the results of a research project aimed at investigating the inelastic rotation capacity of beam-column joints of reinforced concrete special moment frames. All of the test specimens were classified as special moment frame (SMF), based on the design and detailing requirements of the ACI 318-02 provisions. The acceptance criteria, originally defined for steel moment frame connections in the 1997 edition of the AISC Seismic provisions, were used to evaluate the beam-column joints of the reinforced concrete moment frames. A total of 39 test specimens were examined in detail. Most of the joints that satisfy the design requirements for special moment frame structures were found to be ductile up to a plastic rotation of 3% without any major degradation in strength. This is mainly due to the stringent ACI 318-02 requirements for special moment frame joints. The presence of transverse beams increases confinement and shear resistance of joints, which results in better performance than for joints without transverse beams. All of the SMF connections that satisfy the ACI 318-02 limitations on joint shear stress turned out to meet the acceptance criteria.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2018

To study the mechanical properties of joints in ancient timber buildings in depth, the force mechanism of the through-tenon joints was analyzed, also the theoretical formulas of the moment-rotation angles of the joints with different loosening degrees were deduced. To validate the rationality of the theoretical calculation formulas, six joint models with 1/3.2 scale ratio, including one intact joint and five loosening joints, were fabricated and tested under cyclic loading. The specimens underwent the elastic stage, the plastic stage and the destructive stage, respectively. At the same time, the moment-rotation backbone curves of the tenon joints with different looseness were obtained, and the theoretical calculation results were validated when compared with the experimental results. The results show that the rotational moment and the initial rotational stiffness of the tenon joints increase gradually with the increase of the friction coefficient. The increase of the tenon section height can effectively improve the bearing capacity of the through-tenon joints. As the friction coefficient of the wood and the insertion length of the tension increase, the embedment length goes up, whereas it decreases with the increase of section height. With the increase of the looseness, the bearing capacity of the joint is reduced gradually.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.361-372
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• 2019

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to the research and development of high-strength steel plates, with particular emphasis on the enhancement of the seismic resistance of buildings and bridges. Many efforts have also been undertaken to improve the properties of high-strength bolts and weld materials. However, there are still different opinions on steel joints that combine high-strength bolts and fillet welds. Therefore, it is necessary to verify the design specifications and guidelines, especially for newly developed 1,400-MPa high-strength bolts, 570-MPa steel plates, and weld materials. This paper presents the results of literature reviews and experimental investigations. Test parameters include bolt strengths, weld orientations, and their combinations. The results show that advances in steel materials have increased the plastic deformation capacities of steel welds. That allows combination joints to gain their maximum strength before the welds have fracture failures. When in combination with longitudinal welds, high-strength bolts slip, come in contact with cover plates, and develop greater bearing strength before the joints reach their maximum strength. However, in the case of combinations with transverse welds, changes in crack angles cause the welds to provide additional strength. The combination joints can therefore develop strength greater than estimated by adding the strength of bolted joints in proportion to those of welded joints. Consequently, using the slip resistance as the available strength of high-strength bolts is recommended. That ensures a margin of safety in the strength design of combination joints.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.170-175
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• 2018

For the seismic performance, it is necessary to prevent the destruction of the expansion joint device due to the appropriate deformation of the expansion joint device due to the seismic force. Recently, the hinge is installed on the fingering of the expansion joint device in Korea, New products are being developed. In this paper, we have experimentally evaluated the real scale resistance of the expansion joints with rotational finger joints against load at right angle to the bridge axis. Experimental results show that the maximum horizontal displacement is about 21.1mm for conventional stretch joints and 51.00mm for seismic stretch joints. It is presumed that the existing expansion joint test specimen is resistant to the load in a direction perpendicular to the throat axis, and then the bending and shear deformation of the finger are excessively generated and the fracture phenomenon is likely to occur. On the other hand, in the case of the seismic expansion joint, the deformation of the load due to the load is absorbed by the hinge of the finger with respect to the load in the direction perpendicular to the throat, so that only horizontal deformation in the direction of load action.