• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.587-601
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• 2018

Elevated water tanks are inverted pendulum type structures where drift limit is an important criterion for seismic design and performance evaluation. Explicit drift criteria for elevated water tanks are not available in the literature. In this study, probabilistic approach is used to determine maximum drift limit for damage state of yielding and damage state of collapse for the elevated water tanks supported on RC frame staging. The two damage states are defined using results of incremental dynamic analysis wherein a total of 2160 nonlinear time history analyses are performed using twelve artificial spectrum compatible ground motions. Analytical fragility curves are developed using two-parameter lognormal distribution. The maximum allowable drifts corresponding to yield and collapse level requirements are estimated for different tank capacities. Finally, a single fragility curve is developed which provides maximum drift values for the different probability of damage. Further, for rational consideration of the uncertainties in design, three confidence levels are selected and corresponding drift limits for damage states of yielding and collapse are proposed. These values of maximum drift can be used in performance-based seismic design for a particular damage state depending on the level of confidence.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.611-631
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• 2012

The passive energy dissipation technology has been proven to be reliable and robust for recent practical applications. Various dampers or energy dissipation devices have been widely used in building structures for enhancing their performances during earthquakes, windstorm and other severe loading scenarios. This paper presents a simplified seismic design procedure for retrofitting earthquake-damaged frames with viscous dampers. With the scheme of designing the main frame and the supplemental viscous dampers respectively, the seismic analysis model of damped structure with viscous dampers and braces was studied. The specific analysis process was described and approach to parameter design of energy dissipation components was also proposed. The expected damping forces for damped frame were first obtained based on storey shear forces; and then they were optimized to meet different storey drift requirements. A retrofit project of a RC frame school building damaged in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake was introduced as a case study. This building was retrofitted by using viscous dampers designed through the simplified design procedure proposed in this paper. Based on the case study, it is concluded that this simplified design procedure can be effectively used to make seismic retrofit design of earthquake-damaged RC frames with viscous dampers, so as to achieve structural performance objectives under different earthquake risk levels.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2024

Identifying the location of earthquake-induced damage in buildings and mitigating its impact, especially in low-damage systems such as rocking frames, is a significant challenge for structural engineers. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the sensitivity and type of damage of buildings exposed to severe earthquakes to concentrate damage in predefined locations that can be repaired easily. This paper explores the seismic responses of a Self-Centering Rocking Steel Braced Frame (SCR-SBF) under far-field and near-field ground motions. This earthquake-resistant system includes components such as post-tensioning cables to provide frame self-centering, eliminate residual drift in the system, and replaceable fuses to concentrate the earthquake-induced damage. While previous studies have examined far and near-field earthquakes, their comparative influence on the seismic behavior of structures with a rocking system remains unexplored. This paper presents a novel investigation into the sensitivity of SCR-SBF structures to far and near-field earthquakes. Considering the critical effects of shock and impulse loads on rocking systems, the study aims to assess the effects of near-field earthquakes and compare them to far-field earthquakes on these systems. For this purpose, different response parameters have been calculated under records of far- and near-field earthquakes at three specific ground acceleration levels by incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis. Additionally, the seismic behavior of the SCR-SBF and Steel-Braced Frame (SBF) are compared for near and far-field ground motions. The results show that SCR-SBF systems have better resilience and reduced local failures compared to SBF systems under far and near-field earthquakes, requiring tailored design strategies.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.5 s.39
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• pp.35-43
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• 2004

Small-scale models have been frequently used for seismic performance tests because of limited testing facilities and economic reasons. However, there are not enough studies on similitude law for analogizing prototype structures accurately with small-scale models, although conventional similitude law based on geometry is not well consistent in the inelastic seismic behavior. When fabricating prototype and small-scale model of reinforced concrete structures by using the same material, added mass is demanded from a volumetric change and scale factor could be limited due to aggregate size. Therefore, it is desirable that different material is used for small-scale models. Thus, a modified similitude law could be derived depending on geometric scale factor, equivalent modulus ratio and ultimate strain ratio. In this study, compressive strength tests are conducted to analyze the equivalent modulus ratio of micro-concrete to normal-concrete. Then, equivalent modulus ratios are divided into multi-phase damage levels, which are basically dependent on ultimate strain level. Therefore, an algorithm adaptable to the pseudodynamic test, considering equivalent multi-phase similitude law based on seismic damage levels, is developed. Test specimens, consisted of prototype structures and 1/5 scaled models as a reinforced concrete column, were designed and fabricated based on the equivalent modulus ratios already defined. Finally quasistatic and pseudodynamic tests on the specimens are carried out using constant and variable modulus ratios, and correlation between prototype and small-scale model is investigated based on their test results. It is confirmed that the equivalent multi-phase similitude law proposed in this study could be suitable for seismic performance tests on small-scale models.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.34-41
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• 2020

In recent years, magnitude and frequency of earthquakes have increased in Korea. Damage to a bridge, which is one of the main infrastructures, can directly lead to considerable loss of human lives. Therefore, engineers need to evaluate the seismic fragility of the structure and prepare for the possible seismic damage. In particular, the number of aging bridges over 30 years of service increases, and thus the seismic analysis and fragility requires accounting for the aging and retrofit effects on the bridge. In this study, the nonlinear static and dynamic analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of the aging and FRP retrofit on a PSC bridge. The aging and FRP retrofit were applied to piers that dominate the response of the bridge during earthquakes. The maximum displacement of the bridge increased due to the aging of the pier but decreased when FRP retrofit applied to the aged pier. In addition, seismic fragility analysis was performed to evaluate the seismic behavior of the bridge combined with the seismic performance of the pier. Compared with the aged bridge, the FRP retrofit bridge showed a decrease in the seismic fragility in all levels of damage. The reduction of the seismic fragility in the FRP bridge was prominent as the value of PGA and level of damage increased.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.6
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• pp.645-655
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• 2021

Performance-based reliability analysis is a practical approach to investigate the seismic performance and stochastic nonlinear response of structures considering a random process. This is significant due to the uncertainties involved in every aspect of the analysis. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the performance-based reliability within a stochastic finite element (FE) framework for reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls that are considered as one of the most essential elements of structures. To accomplish this purpose, deterministic FE analyses are conducted for both squat and slender shear walls to validate numerical models through experimental results. The presented numerical analysis is performed by using the ABAQUS FE program. Afterwards, a random-effects investigation is carried out to consider the influence of different random variables on the lateral load-top displacement behavior of RC members. Using these results and through utilizing the Monte-Carlo simulation method, stochastic nonlinear analyses are also performed to generate random FE models based on input parameters and their probabilistic distributions. In order to evaluate the reliability of RC walls, failure probabilities and corresponding reliability indices are calculated at life safety and collapse prevention levels of performance as suggested by FEMA 356. Moreover, based on reliability indices, capacity reduction factors are determined subjected to shear for all specimens that are designed according to the ACI 318 Building Code. Obtained results show that the lateral load and the compressive strength of concrete have the highest effects on load-displacement responses compared to those of other random variables. It is also found that the probability of shear failure for the squat wall is slightly lower than that for slender walls. This implies that 𝛽 values are higher in a non-ductile mode of failure. Besides, the reliability of both squat and slender shear walls does not change significantly in the case of varying capacity reduction factors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.177-193
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• 2006

Determining the hysteretic energy demand and dissipation capacity and level of damage of the structure to a predefined earthquake ground motion is a highly non-linear problem and is one of the questions involved in predicting the structure's response for low-performance levels (life safe, near collapse, collapse) in performance-based earthquake resistant design. Neural Network (NN) analysis offers an alternative approach for investigation of non-linear relationships in engineering problems. The results of NN yield a more realistic and accurate prediction. A NN model can help the engineer to predict the seismic performance of the structure and to design the structural elements, even when there is not adequate information at the early stages of the design process. The principal aim of this study is to develop and test multi-layered feedforward NNs trained with the back-propagation algorithm to model the non-linear relationship between the structural and ground motion parameters and the hysteretic energy demand in steel moment resisting frames. The approach adapted in this study was shown to be capable of providing accurate estimates of hysteretic energy demand by using the six design parameters.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.6
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• pp.747-760
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• 2018

In the present study, a methodology for developing fragilities of arch concrete dams to assess their performance against seismic hazards is introduced. Firstly, the probability risk and fragility curves are presented, followed by implementation and representation of the way this method is used. Amirkabir arch concrete dam was subjected to non-linear dynamic analyses. A modified three dimensional rotating smeared crack model was used to take the nonlinear behavior of mass concrete into account. The proposed model considers major characteristics of mass concrete. These characteristics are pre-softening behavior, softening initiation criteria, fracture energy conservation, suitable damping mechanism and strain rate effect. In the present analysis, complete fluid-structure interaction is included to account for appropriate fluid compressibility and absorptive reservoir boundary conditions. In this study, the Amirkabir arch concrete dam is subjected to a set of 8 three-component earthquakes each scaled to 10 increasing intensity levels. Using proposed nonlinear smeared crack model, nonlinear analysis is performed where the structure is subjected to a large set of scaled and un-scaled ground motions and the maximum responses are extracted for each one and plotted. Based on the results, fragility curves were plotted according to various and possible damages indexes. Discrete damage probabilities were calculated using statistical methods for each considered performance level and incremental nonlinear analysis. Then, fragility curves were constructed based on the lognormal distribution assumption. Two damage indexes were introduced and compared to one another. The results indicate that the dam has a proper stability under earthquake conditions at MCE level. Moreover, displacement damages index is more conservative and impractical in the fragility analysis than tensional damage index.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.249-259
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• 2018

This paper aims to assess the seismic risk of a plane moment-resisting frames (MRFs) consisting of concrete-filled double skin steel tube (CFDST) columns and I-section steel beams. Firstly, three typical limit performance levels of CFDST structures are determined in accordance with the cyclic tests of seven CFDST joint specimens with 1/2-scaled and the limits stipulated in FEMA 356. Then, finite element (FE) models of the test specimens are built by considering with material degradation, nonlinear behavior of beam-column connections and panel zones. The mechanical behavior of the concrete material are modeled in compression stressed condition in trip-direction based on unified strength theory, and such numerical model were verified by tests. Besides, numerical models on 3, 6 and 9-story CFDST frames are established. Furthermore, the seismic responses of these models to earthquake excitations are investigated using nonlinear time-history analyses (NTHA), and the limits capacities are determined from incremental dynamic analyses (IDA). In addition, fragility curves are developed for these models associated with 10%/50yr and 2%/50yr events as defined in SAC project for the region on Los Angeles in the Unite State. Lastly, the annual probabilities of each limits and the collapse probabilities in 50 years for these models are calculated and compared. Such results provide risk information for the CFDST-MRFs based on the probabilistic risk assessment method.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.173-190
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• 2011

As a practical and effective seismic resisting technology, the base isolation system has seen extensive applications in buildings and bridges. However, a few problems associated with conventional lead-rubber bearings have been identified after historical strong earthquakes, e.g., excessive permanent deformations of bearings and potential unseating of bridge decks. Recently the applications of shape memory alloys (SMA) have received growing interest in the area of seismic response mitigation. As a result, a variety of SMA-based base isolators have been developed. These novel isolators often lead to minimal permanent deformations due to the self-centering feature of SMA materials. However, a rational design approach is still missing because of the fact that conventional design method cannot be directly applied to these novel devices. In light of this limitation, a displacement-based design approach for highway bridges with SMA isolators is proposed in this paper. Nonlinear response spectra, derived from typical hysteretic models for SMA, are employed in the design procedure. SMA isolators and bridge piers are designed according to the prescribed performance objectives. A prototype reinforced concrete (RC) highway bridge is designed using the proposed design approach. Nonlinear dynamic analyses for different seismic intensity levels are carried out using a computer program called "OpenSees". The efficacy of the displacement-based design approach is validated by numerical simulations. Results indicate that a properly designed RC highway bridge with novel SMA isolators may achieve minor damage and minimal residual deformations under frequent and rare earthquakes. Nonlinear static analysis is also carried out to investigate the failure mechanism and the self-centering ability of the designed highway bridge.