• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1215-1237
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• 2015

The majority of connections in moment resisting frames are considered as being fully-rigid. Consequently, the real behavior of the connection, which has some level of flexibility, is ignored. This may result in inaccurate predictions of structural response. This study investigates the influence of flexibility of the extended end-plate connections in the steel moment frames. This is done at two levels. First, the actual micro-behavior of extended end-plate moment connections is explored with respect to joint flexibility. Then, the macro-behavior of frames with end-plate moment connections is investigated using modal, nonlinear static pushover and incremental dynamic analyses. In all models, the P-Delta effects along with material and geometrical nonlinearities were included in the analyses. Results revealed considerable differences between the behavior of the structural frame with connections modeled as fully-rigid versus those when flexibility was incorporated, specifically difference occurred in the natural periods, strength, and maximum inter-story drift angle.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.797-815
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• 2014

This research aimed to investigate retrofitting methods for damaged RC columns with SRF (Super Reinforced with Flexibility) and aramid composites and their impacts on the seismic responses. In the first stage, two original (undamaged) column specimens, designed to have a flexural- or shear-controlled failure mechanism, were tested under quasi-static lateral cyclic and constant axial loads to failure. Afterwards, the damaged column specimens were retrofitted, utilizing SRF composites and aramid rods for the flexural-controlled specimen and only SRF composites for the shear-controlled specimen. In the second stage, the retrofitted column specimens were tested again under the same conditions as the first stage. The hysteretic responses such as strength, ductility and energy dissipation were discussed and compared to clarify the specific effects of each retrofitting material on the seismic performances. Generally, SRF composites contributed greatly to the ductility of the specimens, especially for the shear-controlled specimen before retrofitting, in which twice the deformation capacity was obtained in the retrofitted specimen. The shear-controlled specimen also experienced a flexural failure mechanism after retrofitting. In addition, aramid rods moderately fortified the specimen in terms of the maximum shear strength. The maximum strength of the aramid-retrofitted specimen was 12% higher than the specimen without aramid rods. In addition, an analytical modeling of the undamaged specimens was conducted using Response-2000 and Zeus Nonlinear in order to further validate the experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.669-681
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• 2017

The design of reinforced concrete buildings must satisfy the serviceability stiffness criteria in terms of maximum lateral deflections and inter story drift in order to prevent both structural and non-structural damages. Consideration of plastic hinge formation is also important to obtain accurate failure mechanism and ultimate strength of reinforced concrete frames. In the present study, an iterative procedure has been developed for the analysis of reinforced concrete frames with cracked elements and consideration of plastic hinge formation. The ACI and probability-based effective stiffness models are used for the effective moment of inertia of cracked members. Shear deformation effect is also considered, and the variation of shear stiffness due to cracking is evaluated by reduced shear stiffness models available in the literature. The analytical procedure has been demonstrated through the application to three reinforced concrete frame examples available in the literature. It has been shown that the iterative analytical procedure can provide accurate and efficient predictions of deflections and ultimate strength of the frames studied under lateral and vertical loads. The proposed procedure is also efficient from the viewpoint of computational time and convergence rate. The developed technique was able to accurately predict the locations and sequential development of plastic hinges in frames. The results also show that shear deformation can contribute significantly to frame deflections.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.215-232
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• 2017

Wind tunnel tests and numerical aerodynamic analyses were conducted for an integrated catwalk structure under strong winds. From the wind tunnel tests, it is found that the aerodynamic coefficients were different from those of the typical type. The drag coefficient was larger than typical and was sensitive to number of vertical meshes installed rather than the solidity ratio. Comparing with typical catwalk, the integrated one showed larger deformation under strong wind, and the large torsional deformation are mainly caused by drag force. It did not show aerodynamic divergence even the torsional deformation reaching $20^{\circ}$. The reason could be that the stiffness is smaller and thus the catwalk is able to deform to the shape compactable with higher loading. Considering safety for construction, storm rope system is introduced to the catwalk to reduce the deformation to acceptable level.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Column is usually floating on the stone base directly with or without positioning tenon in traditional Chinese timber structure. Vertical load originated by the heavy upper structure would induce large friction force and compression force between interfaces of column foot and stone base. This study focused on the mechanical behaviors of column foot joint with consideration of the influence of vertical load. Mechanism of column rocking and stress state of column foot has been explored by theoretical analysis. A nonlinear finite element model of column foot joint has been built and verified using the full-scale test. The verified model is then used to investigate the mechanical behaviors of the joint subjected to cyclic loading with different static vertical loads. Column rocking mechanism and stress distributions of column foot were studied in detail, showing good agreement with the theoretical analysis. Mechanical behaviors of column foot joint and the effects of the vertical load on the seismic behavior of column foot were studied. Result showed that compression stress, restoring moment and stiffness increased with the increase of vertical load. An appropriate vertical load originated by the heavy upper structure would produce certain restoring moment and reset the rocking columns, ensuring the stability of the whole frame.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2017

In the present study, the advanced procedure has been proposed to estimate higher accuracy of embedment of pipes that are installed on soft clay seabed. Numerical simulation by OrcaFlex simulation code was performed to investigate dynamic seabed embedment, and two steps, i.e., static and dynamic analysis, were adopted. In total, four empirical curves were developed to estimate the seabed embedment including dynamic phenomena, i.e., behaviour of vessel, environmental condition, and behaviour of nonlinear soil. The obtained results were compared with existing methods (named general method) such as design code or guideline to examine the difference of seabed embedment for existing and advance methods. Once this process was carried out for each case, a diagram for estimating seabed embedment was established. The applicability of the proposed method was verified through applied examples with field survey data. This method will be very useful in predicting seabed embedment on soft clay, and the structural behaviours of installed subsea pipelines can be changed by the obtained seabed embedment in association with on-bottom stability, free span, and many others.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2018

Due to the escalation in hydrocarbon consumption, the offshore industry is now looking for advanced technology to be employed for deep sea exploration. Riser system is an integral part of floating structure used for such oil and gas extraction from deep water offering a system of drill twines and production tubing to spread the exploration well towards the ocean bed. Thus, the marine risers need to be precisely employed. The incorporation of the strengthening material, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) for deep and ultra-deep water riser has drawn extensive curiosity in offshore engineering as it might offer potential weight savings and improved durability. The design for FRP strengthening involves the local design for critical loads along with the global analysis under all possible nonlinearities and imposed loadings such as platform motion, gravity, buoyancy, wave force, hydrostatic pressure, current etc. for computing and evaluating critical situations. Finite element package, ABAQUS/AQUA is the competent tool to analyze the static and dynamic responses under the offshore hydrodynamic loads. The necessities in design and operating conditions are studied. The study includes describing the methodology, procedure of analysis and the local design of composite riser. The responses and fatigue damage characteristics of the risers are explored for the effects of FRP strengthening. A detail assessment on the technical expansion of strengthening riser has been outlined comprising the inquiry on its behavior. The enquiry exemplifies the strengthening of riser as very potential idea and suitable in marine structures to explore oil and gas in deep sea.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.561-570
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• 2019

Understanding the realistic behavior of concrete up to failure under different loading conditions within the framework of damage mechanics and plasticity would lead to an enhanced design of concrete structures. In the present investigation, QR (Quick Response) code based random speckle pattern is used as a non-contact sensor, which is an innovative approach in the field of digital image correlation (DIC). A four-point bending test was performed on RC beams of size 1800 mm × 150 mm × 200 mm. Image processing was done using an open source Ncorr algorithm for the results obtained using random speckle pattern and QR code based random speckle pattern. Load-deflection curves of RC beams were plotted for the results obtained using both contact and non-contact (DIC) sensors, and further, Moment (M)-Curvature (κ) relationship of RC beams was developed. The loading curves obtained were used as input data for material model parameters in finite element analysis. In finite element method (FEM) based software, concrete damage plasticity (CDP) constitutive model is used to predict the realistic nonlinear quasi-static flexural behavior of RC beams for monotonic loading condition. The results obtained using QR code based DIC are observed to be on par with conventional results and FEM results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1037-1053
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• 2015

This paper presents finite element (FE) based pushover analysis of a reinforced concrete structure with a two-leaf cavity wall (TLCW) to estimate the performance level of this structure. In addition to this, an unreinforced masonry (URM) model was selected for comparison. Simulations and analyses of these structures were performed using the DIANA FE program. The mentioned structures were selected as two storeys and two bays. The dimensions of the structures were scaled 1:1.5 according to the Cauchy Froude similitude law. A shake table experiment was implemented on the reinforced concrete structure with the two-leaf cavity wall (TLCW) at the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC) in Lisbon, Portugal. The model that simulates URM was not experimentally studied. This structure was modelled in the same manner as the TLCW. The purpose of this virtual model is to compare the respective performances. Two nonlinear analyses were performed and compared with the experimental test results. These analyses were carried out in two phases. The research addresses first the analysis of a structure with only reinforced concrete elements, and secondly the analysis of the same structure with reinforced concrete elements and infill walls. Both researches consider static loading and pushover analysis. The experimental pushover curve was plotted by the envelope of the experimental curve obtained on the basis of the shake table records. Crack patterns, failure modes and performance curves were plotted for both models. Finally, results were evaluated on the basis of the current regulation ASCE/SEI 41-06.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.361-377
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• 2012

Four Reinforced Concrete (RC) single span structural walls having various opening sizes and locations were constructed and tested under lateral reversed cyclic loading at the structural laboratory of Kyoto University. These specimens were scaled to 40% and represented the lower three stories of a six-storied RC building. The main purposes of the experimental tests were to evaluate the shear behavior and to identify the influence of opening ratios on the cracks distribution and shear strength of RC structural walls. The shear strength of the specimens was estimated by combining the shear strength of structural wall without openings and the reduction factor that takes into account the openings. Experimental and analytical results showed that the shear strength was different depending on the loading direction due to opening locations. A two-dimensional finite element analysis was carried out to simulate the performance of the tested specimens. The constructed finite elements model simulated the lateral load-drift angle relations quite well.