• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.507-524
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• 2019

A Bayesian dynamic linear model (BDLM) is presented for a data-driven analysis for response prediction and load effect separation of a revolving auditorium structure, where the main loads are self-weight and dead loads, temperature load, and audience load. Analyses are carried out based on the long-term monitoring data for static strains on several key members of the structure. Three improvements are introduced to the ordinary regression BDLM, which are a classificatory regression term to address the temporary audience load effect, improved inference for the variance of observation noise to be updated continuously, and component discount factors for effective load effect separation. The effects of those improvements are evaluated regarding the root mean square errors, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals of the predictions. Bayes factors are used for evaluating the probability distributions of the predictions, which are essential to structural condition assessments, such as outlier identification and reliability analysis. The performance of the present BDLM has been successfully verified based on the simulated data and the real data obtained from the structural health monitoring system installed on the revolving structure.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.277-293
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• 2024

Shored Mechanically Stabilized Earth (SMSE) walls are types of soil retaining structures that increase soil stability under static and dynamic loads. The damage caused by an earthquake can be determined by evaluating the probabilistic seismic response of SMSE walls. This study aimed to assess the seismic performance of SMSE walls and provide fragility curves for evaluating failure levels. The generated fragility curves can help to improve the seismic performance of these walls through assessing and controlling variables like backfill surface settlement, lateral deformation of facing, and permanent relocation of the wall. A parametric study was performed based on a non-linear elastoplastic constitutive model known as the hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness, HSsmall. The analyses were conducted using PLAXIS 2D, a Finite Element Method (FEM) program, under plane-strain conditions to study the effect of the number of geogrid layers and the axial stiffness of geogrids on the performance of SMSE walls. In this study, three areas of damage (minor, moderate, and severe) were observed and, in all cases, the wall has not completely entered the stage of destruction. For the base model (Model A), at the highest ground acceleration coefficient (1 g), in the moderate damage state, the fragility probability was 76%. These values were 62%, and 54%, respectively, by increasing the number of geogrids (Model B) and increasing the geogrid stiffness (Model C). Meanwhile, the fragility values were 99%, 98%, and 97%, respectively in the case of minor damage. Notably, the probability of complete destruction was zero percent in all models.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.563-582
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• 2016

The failure mechanism and maximum collapse load of masonry structures may change significantly under static and dynamic excitations depending on their internal arrangement and material properties. Hence, it is important to understand correctly the nonlinear behavior of masonry structures in order to adequately assess their safety and propose efficient strengthening measures, especially for historical constructions. The discrete element method (DEM) can play an important role in these studies. This paper discusses possible collapse mechanisms and provides a set of parametric analyses by considering the influence of material properties and cross section morphologies on the out of plane strength of masonry walls. Detailed modeling of masonry structures may affect their mechanical strength and displacement capacity. In particular, the structural behavior of stacked and rubble masonry walls, portal frames, simple combinations of masonry piers and arches, and a real structure is discussed using DEM. It is further demonstrated that this structural analysis tool allows obtaining excellent results in the description of the nonlinear behavior of masonry structures.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.355-371
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• 2016

In this study seismic performance of reinforced concrete staggered wall system structures were investigated and their behavior factors such as overstrength factors, ductility factors, and the response modification factors were evaluated from the overstrength and ductility factors. To this end, 5, 9, 15, and 25-story staggered wall system (SWS) structures were designed and were analyzed by nonlinear static and dynamic analyses to obtain their nonlinear force-displacement relationships. The response modification factors were computed based on the overstrength and the ductility capacities obtained from capacity envelopes. The analysis results showed that the 5- and 9-story SWS structures failed due to yielding of columns and walls located in the lower stories, whereas in the 15- and 25-story structures plastic hinges were more widely distributed throughout the stories. The computed response modification factors increased as the number of stories decreased, and the mean value turned out to be larger than the value specified in the design code.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2002

A series of tests on simple-welded plate specimens (SWPS) and T-stub tension specimens simulating some of the joint details in moment frame connections were conducted in this investigation. The effects of weld strength mismatch and weld metal toughness on structural behavior of these specimens were considered under both static and dynamic loading conditions. Finite element analyses were performed by taking into account typical weld residual stress distributions and weld metal strength mismatch conditions to facilitate the interpretation of the test results. The major findings are as follows: (a) Sufficient specimen size requirements are essential in simulating both load transfer and constraint conditions that are relevant to moment frame connections, (b) Weld residual stresses can significantly elevate stress triaxiality in addition to structural constraint effects, both of which can significantly reduce the plastic deformation capacity in moment frame connections, (c) Based on the test results, dynamic loading within a loading rate of 0.02 in/in/sec, as used in this study, premature brittle fractures were not seen, although a significant elevation of the yield strength can be clearly observed. However, brittle fracture features can be clearly identified in T-stub specimens in which severe constraint effects (stress triaxiality) are considered as the primary cause, (d) Based on both the test and FEA results, T-stub specimens provide a reasonable representation of the joint conditions in moment frame connections in simulating both complex load transfer mode and constraint conditions.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.610-616
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• 2007

We developed a coarse-grained force field and have extended it to polystyrene with longer chain length. A systematic method was introduced and was utilized to explain how the coarse-grained force field for polystyrene could be developed from the atomistic simulation in the paper. We elected to use polystyrene with different chain lengths of 20, 40 and 80 monomers in this study. In three cases, we utilized the same new mapping scheme. The coarse-grained force field does reproduce the bond, angle, and radial distribution of the atomistic model. The coarse-grained model proved successful, as shown by analyses of the static and dynamic properties of different chain lengths.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.479-500
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• 2016

Seismic design criteria allow enhancing the structural ductility and controlling the damage distribution. Therefore, detailing rules and design requirements given by current seismic codes might be also beneficial to improve the structural robustness. In this paper a comprehensive parametric study devoted to quantifying the effectiveness of seismic detailing for steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) in limiting the progressive collapse under column loss scenarios is presented and discussed. The overall structural performance was analysed through nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. With this regard the following cases were examined: (i) MRF structures designed for wind actions according to Eurocode 1; (ii) MRF structures designed for seismic actions according to Eurocode 8. The investigated parameters were (i) the number of storeys; (ii) the interstorey height; (iii) the span length; (iv) the building plan layout; and (v) the column loss scenario. Results show that structures designed according to capacity design principles are less robust than wind designed ones, provided that the connections have the same capacity threshold in both cases. In addition, the numerical outcomes show that both the number of elements above the removed column and stiffness of beams are the key parameters in arresting progressive collapse.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.277-285
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• 2020

Recently, studies have been actively conducted on seismic design and improvement of the seismic performance of bridges, buildings, factories, and plants. In particular, heavy items that are being manufactured or waiting to be shipped from factories (such as generators, engines, and boilers) must be equipped with seismic stoppers to prevent them from moving or falling during an earthquake. Seismic stoppers should be suitably determined by the size and weight of these heavy items; however, they have no general design standard. In this study, structural analyses and seismic tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of newly designed seismic stoppers. Structural analysis was performed on three stopper models to estimate the external load at which the yield stress of the material was not exceeded. Based on the analysis results, a seismic test of the stopper was carried out in accordance with the AC156 test method. Finally, product specifications for all three seismic stopper models were determined and their static/dynamic load performance was evaluated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.689-698
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• 2018

This study focuses on a novel procedure for the robustness assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) framed structures under threat-independent damage scenarios. The procedure is derived from coupled dynamic and non-linear static analyses. Two robustness indicators are defined and the method is applied to two RC frame buildings. The first building was designed for gravity load and earthquake resistance in accordance with Eurocode 8. The second was designed according to the tie force (TF) method, one of the design quantitative procedures for enhancing resistance to progressive collapse. In addition, in order to demonstrate the suitability and applicability of the TF method, the structural robustness and resistance to progressive collapse of the two designs is compared.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.216-223
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• 2024

This paper aims to ascertain corporate social responsibility (CSR) and competitive advantage relationship with empirical evidence to help achieve competitive advantage of China's construction companies. Using a panel data set of 85 listed Chinese construction companies and 691 firm-year observations over the period from 2010 to 2019, the concurrent and lagged effects of CSR on competitive advantage were tested by using both static and dynamic panel regression models. The empirical analyses discover that there exists a concurrently positive impact of CSR on competitive advantage of China's listed construction companies. Competitive advantage in the prior year has a positive influence on itself in the current year. This empirical finding suggests that companies should engage in CSR activities continuously to sustain their competitive advantage. A competitive contractor is likely able to maintain its competitive position by sustaining its strong financial resources, innovative capabilities, and good corporate image. This study provides Chinese construction business with evidence to develop or fine-tune their CSR programmes for sustaining their competitive advantages.