• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.591-609
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• 2023

In some buildings, the lateral structural response of steel framed buildings depends on the shear walls and it is very important to study the behavior of these elements under near-field seismic loads. The link beam in the opening of the shear wall between two wall plates is investigated numerically in terms of behavior and effects on frames. Based on the length of the beam and its bending and shear behavior, three types of models are constructed and analyzed, and the behavior of the frames is also compared. The results show that by reducing the length of the link beam, the base shear forces reduce about 20%. The changes in the length of the link beam have different effects on the degree of coupling. Increasing the length of the link beam increases the base shear about 15%. Also, it has both, a positive and a negative effect on the degree of coupling. The increasing strength of the coupling steel shear wall is linearly related to the yield stress of the beam materials, length, and flexural stiffness of the beam. The use of a shorter link beam will increase the additional strength and consequently improving the behavior of the coupling steel shear wall by reducing the stresses in this element. The link beam with large moment of inertia will also increase about 25% the additional strength and as a result the coefficient of behavior of the shear wall.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.107-125
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• 2016

Steel shear wall system has been used in recent years in tall buildings due to its appropriate behavior advantages such as stiffness, high strength, economic feasibility and high energy absorption capability. Coupled steel plate shear walls consist of two steel shear walls that are connected to each other by steel link beam at each floor level. In this article the frames of 3, 10, and 15 of (C-SPSW) floor with rigid connection were considered in three different lengths of 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75 meters and link beams with plastic section modulus of 100% to the panel beam at each floor level and analyzed using three pairs of accelerograms based on nonlinear dynamic analysis through ABAQUS software and then the performance of walls and link beams at base shear, drift, the period of structure, degree of coupling (DC) and dissipated energy evaluated. The results show that the (C-SPSW) system base shear increases with a decrease in the link beam length, and the drift, main period and dissipated energy of structure decreases. Also the link beam length has different effects on parameters of coupling degrees.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.827-841
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• 2022

The rotation capacities of the plastic hinges located at beam-ends are significantly reduced in traditional steel framed-tube structures (SFTSs) because of the small span-to-depth ratios of the deep beams, leading to the low ductility and energy dissipation capacities of the SFTSs. High-strength steel framed-tube structures with replaceable shear links (HSSFTS-RSLs) are proposed to address this issue. A replaceable shear link is located at the mid-span of a deep spandrel beam to act as a ductile fuse to dissipate the seismic energy in HSSFTS-RSLs. A 2/3-scaled HSSFTS-RSL specimen with a shear link fabricated of high-strength low-alloy Q355 structural steel was created, and a cyclic loading test was performed to study the hysteresis behaviors of this specimen. The test results were compared to the specimens with soft steel shear links in previous studies to investigate the feasibility of using high-strength low-alloy steel for shear links in HSSFTS-RSLs. The effects of link web stiffener spaces on the cyclic performance of the HSSFTS-RSLs with Q355 steel shear links were investigated based on the nonlinear numerical analysis. The test results indicate that the specimen with a Q355 steel shear link exhibited a reliable and stable seismic performance. If the maximum interstory drift of HSSFTS-RSL is designed lower than 2% under earthquakes, the HSSFTS-RSLs with Q355 steel shear links can have similar seismic performance to the structures with soft steel shear links, even though these shear links have similar shear and flexural strength. For the Q355 steel shear links with web height-to-thickness ratios higher than 30.7 in HSSFTS-RSLs, it is suggested that the maximum intermediate web stiffener space is decreased by 15% from the allowable space for the shear link in AISC341-16 due to the analytical results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2021

Eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) are utilized as a lateral resisting system in high seismic zones. Links are the primary source of energy dissipation and they are exposed to high deformation, which may lead to buckling. Web stiffeners were introduced to prevent buckling of shear link. AISC 341 provides the required vertical stiffeners for a shear link. In this study, different stiffener configurations were examined. The main objective is to improve the behavior of short links using different stiffener configurations. Pursuant to this goal, a comprehensive numerical study is conducted using ABAQUS. Shear links with different stiffener configurations were subjected to cyclic loading using loading protocol mandated by AISC 341. The results are compared in terms of energy dissipation and shear capacities and rupture index. The proposed stiffener configurations were further verified with different link length ratios, I-shapes and thickness of stiffener. Based on the results, the stiffener configuration with two vertical and two diagonal stiffeners perpendicular to each other is recommended. The proposed stiffener configuration can increase the shear capacity, energy dissipation capacity and the ratio of energy/weight up to 27%, 38% and 30%, respectively. Detailing of the proposed stiffener configuration is presented.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.365-382
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• 2019

In steel frame-tube structures (SFTSs) the application of flexural beam is not suitable for the beam with span-to-depth ratio lower than five because the plastic hinges at beam-ends can not be developed properly. This can lead to lower ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the SFTS. To address this problem, a replaceable shear link, acting as a ductile fuse at the mid length of deep beams, is proposed. SFTS with replaceable shear links (SFTS-RSLs) dissipate seismic energy through shear deformation of the link. In order to evaluate this proposal, buildings were designed to compare the seismic performance of SFTS-RSLs and SFTSs. Several sub-structures were selected from the design buildings and finite element models (FEMs) were established to study their hysteretic behavior. Static pushover and dynamic analyses were undertaken in comparing seismic performance of the FEMs for each building. The results indicated that the SFTS-RSL and SFTS had similar initial lateral stiffness. Compared with SFTS, SFTS-RSL had lower yield strength and maximum strength, but higher ductility and energy dissipation capacity. During earthquakes, SFTS-RSL had lower interstory drift, maximum base shear force and story shear force compared with the SFTS. Placing a shear link at the beam mid-span did not increase shear lag effects for the structure. The SFTS-RSL concentrates plasticity on the shear link. Other structural components remain elastic during seismic loading. It is expected that the SFTS-RSL will be a reliable dual resistant system. It offers the benefit of being able to repair the structure by replacing damaged shear links after earthquakes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.1051-1064
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• 2016

Link-to-column connections in Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs) have critical role in their safety and seismic performance. Accordingly, in this study, contribution of supplemental stiffeners on hysteretic behavior of the link-to-column connection is investigated. Considered stiffeners are placed on both sides and parallel to the link web between the column face and the first stiffener of the link. Hysteretic behaviors of the link beams with supplemental stiffeners are numerically investigated using a pre-validated numerical model in ANSYS. It turned out that supplemental stiffeners can change energy dissipation mechanism of intermediate links from shear-flexure to shear. Both rectangular and trapezoidal supplemental stiffeners are studied. Moreover, optimal placement of the supplemental stiffeners is also investigated. Obtained results indicate a discrepancy of less than 9% in maximum link shear of the numerical and experimental specimens. This indicates that the numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained from the test. Trapezoidal supplemental stiffeners improve rotational capacity of the link. Moreover, use of two supplemental stiffeners at both ends of the link can more effectively improve hysteretic behavior of intermediate links. Supplemental stiffeners would also alleviate the imposed demands on the connections. This latter feature is more pronounced in the case of two supplemental stiffeners at both ends of the link.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2016

Shear wall structures have been widely used in high-rise buildings during the past decades, mainly due to their good overall performance, large lateral stiffness, and high load-carrying capacity. However, traditional reinforced concrete wall structures are prone to brittle failure under seismic actions. In order to improve the seismic behavior of traditional shear walls, this paper presents three different metal energy-dissipation shear wall systems, including coupled shear wall with energy-dissipating steel link beams, frame with buckling-restrained steel plate shear wall structure, and coupled shear wall with buckling-restrained steel plate shear wall. Constructional details, experimental studies, and calculation analyses are also introduced in this paper.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.553-564
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• 2022

Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures need to be strengthening for reason such as poor construction quality, low ductility or designing without considering seismic effects. One of the strengthening methods is strengthening technique with eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). The characteristic element of these systems is the link element and its length is very important in terms of seismic behavior. The link element of Y shaped EBF systems (YEBFs) is designed as a short shear element. Different limits are suggested in the literature for the link length. This study to aim experimentally investigate the effect of the link length for the suggested limits on the behavior of the RC frame system and efficiency of strengthening technique. For this purpose, a total of 5 single story, single span RC frame specimens were produced. The design of the RC frames was made considering seismic design deficiencies. Four of the produced specimens were strengthened and one of them remained as bare specimen. The steel YEBFs were used in strengthening the RC frame and the link was designed as a shear element that have different length with respect to suggested limits in literature. The length of links was determined as 50mm, 100mm, 150mm and 200mm. All of the specimens were tested under cyclic loads. The obtained results show that the strengthening technique improved the energy consumption and lateral load bearing capacities of the bare RC specimen. Moreover, it is concluded that the specimens YB-2 and YB-3 showed better performance than the other specimens, especially in energy consumption and ductility.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.305-325
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• 2020

Beams of steel frame-tube structures (SFTSs) typically have span-to-depth ratios of less than five. This makes a flexural beam unsuitable for such an application because the plastic hinges at the beam-ends cannot be adequately developed. This leads to lower ductility and energy dissipation capacities of SFTSs. To address this, SFTSs with bolted web-connected replaceable shear links (SFTS-BWSLs) are proposed. In this structural system, a web-connected replaceable shear link with a back-to-back double channel section is placed at the mid-length of the deep beam to act as a ductile fuse. This allows energy from earthquakes to be dissipated through link shear deformation. SFTS and SFTS-BWSL buildings were examined in this study. Several sub-structures were selected from each designed building and finite element models were established to study their respective hysteretic performance. The seismic behavior of each designed building was observed through static and dynamic analyses. The results indicate that the SFTS-BWSL and SFTS have similar initial lateral stiffness and shear leg properties. The SFTS-BWSL had lower strength, but higher ductility and energy dissipation capacities. Compared to the SFTS, the SFTS-BWSL had lower interstory drift, base shear force, and story shear force during earthquakes. This design approach could concentrate plasticity on the shear link while maintaining the residual interstory drift at less than 0.5%. The SFTS-BWSL is a reliable resistant system that can be repaired by replacing shear links damaged due to earthquakes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.415-433
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• 2022

Eighteen (18) (120×300×2200 mm) beams were prepared and tested to evaluate the shear strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) beams with no shear reinforcement, and evaluate the effectiveness of various innovative strengthening systems to increase the shear capacity of the GFRC beams. The test variables are the amount of discrete glass fiber (0.0, 0.6, and 1.2% by volume of concrete) and the type of longitudinal reinforcement bars (steel or GFRP), the strengthening systems (externally bonded (EB) sheet, side near-surface mounted (SNSM) bars, or the two together), strengthening material (GFRP or steel) links, different configurations of NSM GFRP bars (side bonded links, full wrapped stirrups, side C-shaped stirrups, and side bent bars), link spacing, link inclination angle, and the number of bent bars. The experimental results showed that adding the discrete glass fiber to the concrete by 0.6%, and 1.2% enhanced the shear strength by 18.5% and 28%, respectively in addition to enhancing the ductility. The results testified the efficiency of different strengthening systems, where it is enhanced the shear capacity by a ratio of 28.4% to 120%, and that is a significant improvement. Providing SNSM bent bars with strips as a new strengthening technique exhibited better shear performance in terms of crack propagation, and improved shear capacity and ductility compared to other strengthening techniques. Based on the experimental shear behavior, an analytical study, which allows the estimation of the shear capacity of the strengthened beams, was proposed, the results of the experimental and analytical study were comparable by a ratio of 0.91 to 1.15.