• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.111-129
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• 2011

This paper presents a nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete column with lap splice confined by FRP wrapping in the critical hinging zone. The steel stress-slip model derived from the tri-uniform bond stress model presented in the companion paper is included in the nonlinear frame analysis to simulate the response of reinforced concrete columns subjected to cyclic displacement reversals. The nonlinear modeling is based on a fiber discretization of an RC column section. Each fiber is modeled as either nonlinear concrete or steel spring, whose load-deformation characteristics are calculated from the section of fiber and material properties. The steel spring that models the reinforcing bars consists of three sub-springs, i.e., steel bar sub-spring, lap splice spring, and anchorage bond-slip spring connected in series from top to bottom. By combining the steel stress versus slip of the lap splice, the stress-deformation of steel bar and the steel stress-slip of bars anchored into the footing, the nonlinear steel spring model is derived. The analytical responses are found to be close to experimental ones. The analysis without lap splice springs included may result in an erroneous overestimation in the strength and ductility of columns.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.571-586
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• 2014

This paper presents experimental and numerical study on seismic performance of a super tall steel tower structure. The steel tower, with a height of 388 meters, employs a steel space truss with spiral steel columns to serve as its main lateral load resisting system. Moreover, this space truss was surrounded by the spiral steel columns to form a steel mega system in order to support a 12-story platform building which is located from the height of 230 meters to 263 meters. A 1/40 scaled model for this tower structure was made and tested on shake table under a series of one- and two-dimensional earthquake excitations with gradually increasing acceleration amplitudes. The test model performed elastically up to the seismic excitations representing the earthquakes with a return period of 475 years, and the test model also survived with limited damages under the seismic excitations representing the earthquakes with a return period 2475 years. A finite element model for the prototype structure was further developed and verified. It was noted that the model predictions on dynamic properties and displacement responses agreed reasonably well with test results. The maximum inter-story drift of the tower structure was obtained, and the stress in the steel members was investigated. Results indicated that larger displacement responses were observed for the section from the height of 50 meters to 100 meters in the tower structure. For structural design, applicable measures should be adopted to increase the stiffness and ductility for this section in order to avoid excessive deformations, and to improve the serviceability of the prototype structure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.409-429
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• 2013

A composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs has been used in civil engineering practice as an alternative to the conventional pre-stressed concrete box-girder because of several advantages, such as high shear resistance without vertical stiffeners and an increase in the efficiency of pre-stressing due to the accordion effect. Many studies have been conducted on the shear buckling and flexural behavior of the composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs. However, the torsional behavior is not fully understood yet, and it needed to be investigated. Prior study of the torsion of the composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs has been developed by assuming that the concrete section is cracked prior to loading and doesn't have tensile resistance. This results in poor estimation of pre-cracking behaviors, such as initial stiffness. To overcome this disadvantage of the previous analytical model, an improved analytical model for torsion of the composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs was developed considering the concrete tension behavior in this study. Based on the proposed analytical model, a non-linear torsional analysis program for torsion of the composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs was developed and successfully verified by comparing with the results of the test. The proposed analytical model shows that the concrete tension behavior has significant effect on the initial torsional stiffness and cracking torsional moment. Finally, a simplified torsional moment-twist angle relationship of the composite box-girder with corrugated steel webs was proposed based on the proposed analytical model.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.393-405
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• 2022

Lightweight concrete is a superior material due to its light weight and high strength. There however remain significant lacunae in engineering knowledge with regards to shear failure of lightweight fiber reinforced concrete beams. The main aim of the present study is to investigate the optimum usage of steel fibers in lightweight fiber reinforced concrete (LWFRC). Multi-scale finite element model calibrated with experimental results is developed to study the effect of steel fibers on the mechanical properties of LWFRC beams. To decrease the amount of steel fibers, it is preferred to reinforce only the middle section of the LWFRC beams, where the flexural stresses are higher. For numerical simulation, a multi-scale finite element model was developed. The cement matrix was modeled as homogeneous and uniform material and both steel fibers and lightweight coarse aggregates were randomly distributed within the matrix. Considering more realistic assumptions, the bonding between fibers and cement matrix was considered with the Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) and its parameters were determined using the model update method. Furthermore, conformity of Load-Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) curves obtained from numerical modeling and experimental test results of notched beams under center-point loading tests were investigated. Validating the finite element model results with experimental tests, the effects of fibers' volume fraction, and the length of the reinforced middle section, on flexural and residual strengths of LWFRC, were studied. Results indicate that using steel fibers in a specified length of the concrete beam with high flexural stresses, and considerable savings can be achieved in using steel fibers. Reducing the length of the reinforced middle section from 50 to 30 cm in specimens containing 10 kg/m3 of steel fibers, resulting in a considerable decrease of the used steel fibers by four times, whereas only a 7% reduction in bearing capacity was observed. Therefore, determining an appropriate length of the reinforced middle section is an essential parameter in reducing fibers, usage leading to more affordable construction costs.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2019

In this study, 3D Meso-scale finite-element model is presented to study the mechanical behavior of steel microfiber-reinforced polymer concrete considering the random distribution of fibers in the matrix. The composite comprises two separate parts which are the polymer composite and steel microfibers. The polymer composite is assumed to be homogeneous, which its mechanical properties are measured by performing experimental tests. The steel microfiber-polymer bonding is simulated with the Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) to offer more-realistic assumptions. The CZM parameters are obtained by calibrating the numerical model using the results of the experimental pullout tests on an individual microfiber. The accuracy of the results is validated by comparing the obtained results with the corresponding values attained from testing the steel microfiber-reinforced polymer concrete incorporating 0, 1 and 2% by volume of microfibers, which indicates the excellent accuracy of the current proposed model. The results show that the microfiber aspect ratio has a considerable effect on the mechanical properties of the reinforced polymer concrete. Applying microfibers with a higher aspect ratio improves the mechanical properties of the composite considerably especially when the first crack appears in the polymer concrete specimens.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.299-313
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• 2022

Steel-concrete-steel composite structures with bidirectional webs (SCSBWs) are used in large-scale projects and exhibit good mechanical performances and constructional efficiency. The shear behaviors of SCSBW deep beam members in key joints or in locations subjected to concentrated forces are of concern in design. To address this issue, experimental program is investigated to examine the deep-beam shear behaviors of SCSBWs, in which the cracking process and force transfer mechanism are revealed. Compared with the previously proposed truss model, it is found that a strut-and-tie model is more suitable for describing the shear mechanism of SCSBW deep beams with a short span and sparse transverse webs. According to the experimental analyses, a new model is proposed to predict the shear capacities of SCSBW deep beams. This model uses strut-and-tie concept and introduces web shear and dowel action to consider the coupled multi mechanisms. A stress decomposition method is used to distinguish the contributions of different shear-transferring paths. Based on case studies, a simplified model is further developed, and the explicit solution is derived for design efficiency. The proposed models are verified using experimental data, which are proven to have good accuracy and efficiency and to be suitable for practical application.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.323-338
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• 2000

An analytical approach for the prediction of the behaviour of steel-fiber reinforced concrete beams subjected to torsion is described. The analysis method employs a special stress-strain model with a non-linear post cracking branch for the material behaviour in tension. Predictions of this model for the behaviour of steel-fiber concrete in direct tension are also presented and compared with results from tests conducted for this reason. Further in this work, the validation of the proposed torsional analysis by providing comparisons between experimental curves and analytical predictions, is attempted. For this purpose a series of 10 steel-fiber concrete beams with various cross-sections and steel-fiber volume fractions tested in pure torsion, are reported here. Furthermore, experimental information compiled from works around the world are also used in an attempt to establish the validity of the described approach based on test results of a broad range of studies. From these comparisons it is demonstrated that the proposed analysis describes well the behaviour of steel-fiber concrete in pure torsion even in the case of elements with non-rectangular cross-sections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.201-216
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• 2008

The Eurocode system provides limited information regarding the structural fire design of external steel structures. Eurocode 1 provides thermal action for external member but only in steady-state conditions. On the other hand, Eurocode 3 provides a methodology to determine heat transfer to external steelwork, but there is no distinction in cross section shapes and, in addition, the calculated temperature distribution is assumed to be uniform in the cross section. This paper presents the results of a research carried out to develop a new transient heat transfer model for external steel elements to improve the current approach of the Eurocodes. This research was carried out as part of the project EXFIRE "Development of design rules for the fire behaviour of external steel structures", funded by the European Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS).

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.275-289
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• 1998

The objective of the paper is to present a method whereby the time required for a steel structure to sustain the effects of a prescribed temperature rise according to real fire curves can be calculated. The method is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the post-yield behaviour of steel structures at elevated temperatures. It takes into account the variation of the properties of steel material with temperature in an incremental elastoplastic analysis so that the safety factor of the structure under certain fire conditions can be assessed. The second part deals with the heat transfer problem of bare steel members in real fire. Factors affecting the heat transfer process are examined and a model for predicting the temperature variation with time under real fire conditions is proposed. This model results in more accurate temperature predictions for steel members than those obtained from previously adopted model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.539-550
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• 2023

Owing to the obstruction of section steel on the moisture diffusion in concrete, the existing shrinkage prediction models overestimate the time-dependent deformation of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) columns, particularly for the SRC columns with enclosed section steels. To solve this issue, this study deals with analytical and experimental studies on the drying shrinkage for this type of column. First, an effective method for predicting the drying shrinkage of concrete based on finite element model is introduced and two crucial parameters for simulation of humidity field are determined. Then, the drying shrinkage of SRC columns with enclosed section steels is investigated and two modified parameters, which depend on the ambient relative humidity and the ratio of section steel size to column size, are introduced to the B3 model. Finally, an experiment on the shrinkage deformation of SRC columns with enclosed section steels is conducted. Comparing the predicted results with the experimental ones, it demonstrates that the modified B3 model is quite reasonable.