• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-48
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• 2013

In this study, the effect of flexibility of superstructures and nonlinear characteristics of LRB (Lead Rubber Bearing) isolator on inelastic response of base isolated structures is investigated. To demonstrate the intensity of damage in superstructures, demand response modification factor without the consideration of damping reduction factor, demand RI, is used and the N2 method is applied to compute this factor. To evaluate the influence of superstructure flexibility on inelastic response of base isolated structures, different steel intermediate moment resisting frames with different heights have been investigated. In lead rubber bearing, the rubber provides flexibility and the lead is the source of damping; variations of aforementioned characteristics are also investigated on inelastic response of superstructures. It is observed that an increase in height of superstructure leads to higher value of demand RI till 4-story frame but afterward this factor remains constant; in other words, an increase in height until 4-story frame causes more damage in the superstructure but after that superstructure's damage is equal to the 4-story frame's. The results demonstrate that the low value of second stiffness (rubber stiffness in LRBs) tends to show a significant decrease in demand RI. Increase in value of characteristic strength (yield strength of the lead in LRBs) leads to decrease in the demand RI.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.161-189
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• 2015

Soil-pile raft-structure interaction is recognized as a significant phenomenon which influences the seismic behaviour of structures. Soil structure interaction (SSI) has been extensively used to analyze the response of superstructure and piled raft through various modelling and analysis techniques. Major drawback of previous study is that overall interaction among entire soil-pile raft-superstructure system considering highlighting the change in design forces of various components in structure has not been explicitly addressed. A recent study addressed this issue in a broad sense, exhibiting the possibility of increase in pile shear due to SSI. However, in this context, relative stiffness of raft and that of pile with respect to soil and length of pile plays an important role in regulating this effect. In this paper, effect of relative stiffness of piled raft and soil along with other parameters is studied using a simplified model incorporating pile-soil raft and superstructure interaction in very soft, soft and moderately stiff soil. It is observed that pile head shear may significantly increase if the relative stiffness of raft and pile increases and furthermore stiffer pile group has a stronger effect. Outcome of this study may provide insight towards the rational seismic design of piles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.191-204
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• 1996

The dynamic response characteristics with flexibility variations are examined for presenting the basic data for design of Tension Leg Platforms(TLPs)in waves. A numerical approach is based on the dynamic response analysis theory, in which the superstructure of TLPs is assumed flexible instead of the rigid body assumption used in two-step analysis method. The hydrodynamic interactions among TLP members, such as columns and pontoons are not included in the motion and structural analyse. The equations of motion of a whole structure are formulated using element-fixed coordinate systems which have the origin at the node of the each hull element.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.187-206
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• 2011

This paper uses dynamic computer simulation techniques to develop and apply a multi-criteria procedure using non-destructive vibration-based parameters for damage assessment in truss bridges. In addition to changes in natural frequencies, this procedure incorporates two parameters, namely the modal flexibility and the modal strain energy. Using the numerically simulated modal data obtained through finite element analysis of the healthy and damaged bridge models, algorithms based on modal flexibility and modal strain energy changes before and after damage are obtained and used as the indices for the assessment of structural health state. The application of the two proposed parameters to truss-type structures is limited in the literature. The proposed multi-criteria based damage assessment procedure is therefore developed and applied to truss bridges. The application of the approach is demonstrated through numerical simulation studies of a single-span simply supported truss bridge with eight damage scenarios corresponding to different types of deck and truss damage. Results show that the proposed multi-criteria method is effective in damage assessment in this type of bridge superstructure.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.261-272
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• 2020

Recent severe earthquakes in and around the vital public places worldwide indicate the severe vulnerability of ground excitation to be assailed. Reducing the effect of seismic lateral load in structural design is an important conception. Essentially, seismic isolation is required to shield the superstructure in such a way that the building superstructure would not move when the ground is shaking. This study explores the effectiveness, design, and practical feasibility of base isolation systems to reduce seismic demands on buildings of varying elevations. Thus, static and dynamic analyses were conducted based on site-specific bi-directional earthquakes for base-isolated as well as fixed-based buildings. Remarkably, it was discovered that isolators used in low-rise to high-rise structures tend to significantly decrease the structural responses of seismic prone buildings. The higher allowable horizontal displacement induces structural flexibility and ensure good structural health of the building stories. Reinforcement from vertical and horizontal members can be reduced in significant amounts for BI buildings. Thus, although incorporating base isolators increases the initial outlay, it considerably diminishes the total structural cost.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.539-554
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• 2010

Light weight superstructure is beneficial for bridges in remote areas and in emergency erection. In such weight sensitive applications, combination of fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) as material and box-girders as a structural system have great scope. This combination offers various options to tailor structure and its elements but this flexibility poses greater challenge in optimum design. In this paper a procedure is derived for a generalised optimum design of FRP box-girder bridges, using genetic algorithms (GA). The formulation of the optimum design problem in the form of objective function and constraints is presented. Size, configuration and topology optimization are done simultaneously. A few optimum design studies are carried out to check the performance of the developed procedure and to get trends in the optimum design which will be helpful to the new designers.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.582-610
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• 1992

The long-term success of any dental implant is dependent upon the optimization of stresses which occur during oral function and parafunction. Especially, it has been suggested that there is an unique set of problems associated with joining an osseointegrated implant and a natural tooth with a fixed partial denture. For this particular case, although many literatures suggest different ways to avoid high stress concentrations on the bone surrounding the implant under static and dynamic loading conditions, but few studies on the biomechanical efficacy of each assertion have been reported. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacies of clinically suggested methods on stress distribution under static load and shock absorption under dynamic load, using two dimensional finite element method. In FEM models of osseointegrated implant-natural tooth supported fixed partial dentures, calculations were made on the stresses in surrounding bone and on the deflections of abutments and superstructure, first, to compare the difference in stress distribution effects under static load by the flexure of fastening screw or prosthesis, or intramobile connector, and second, to compare the difference in the shock absorption effects under dynamic load by intramobile connector or occlusal veneering with composite resin. The results of this analysis suggest that : 1. Under static load condition, using an implant design with fastenign screw connecting implant abutment and prosthesis or increasing the flexibility of fastening screw, or increasing the flexibility of prosthesis led to the .increase in height of peak stresses in cortical bone surrounding the implant, and has little effect on stress change in bone around the natural tooth. 2. Under static load condition, intramobile connector caused the substantial decrease in stress concentration in cortical bone surrounding the implant and the slight increase in stress in bone around the natural tooth. 3. Under dynamic load condition, both intramobile connector and composite resin veneering showed shock absorption effect on bone surrounding the implant and composite resin veneering had a greater shock absorption effect than intramobile connector.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.38-44
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• 2007

The structural response characteristics of Tension leg platforms(TLPs) in waves are examined for presenting the basic data for structural design of TLPs. The numerical approach is based on a combination of the three dimensional source distribution method and the structural response analysis method, in which the superstructure of TLP is assumed to be flexible instead of rigid. Hydrodynamic and hydrostatic forces on the submerged surface of a TLP have been accurately calculated by excluding the assumption of the slender body theory. The hydrodynamic interactions among TLP members, such as columns and pontoons, and the structural damping are included in structural analysis. The mooring forces are estimated as the sum of pretension of tendons and variational tension due to longitudinal displacements. Stiffness matrices of elastic beam elements connecting nodes are formulated by ordinary method of three dimensional frame analysis. The equation of motion about the whole structure is obtained by the sum of forces and moments acting on each nodes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.87-103
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• 2014

This study investigated the effect of soil-structure interaction (SSI) on the response of base-isolated buildings. Seismic isolation can significantly reduce the induced seismic loads on a relatively stiff building by introducing flexibility at its base and avoiding resonance with the predominant frequencies of common earthquakes. To provide a better understanding of the movement behavior of multi-story structures during earthquakes, this study analyzed the dynamic behavior of multi-story structures with high damping rubber bearing (HDRB) behavior base isolation systems that were built on soft soil. Various models were developed, both with and without consideration of SSI. Both the superstructure and soil were modeled linearly, but HDRB was modeled non-linearly. The behavior of the specified models under dynamic loads was analyzed using SAP2000 computer software. Erzincan, Marmara and Duzce Earthquakes were chosen as the ground motions. Following the analysis, the displacements, base shear forces, top story accelerations, base level accelerations, periods and maximum internal forces were compared in isolated and fixed-base structures with and without SSI. The results indicate that soil-structure interaction is an important factor (in terms of earthquakes) to consider in the selection of an appropriate isolator for base-isolated structures on soft soils.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.603-623
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• 2015

The scale and nature of the recent earthquakes in the world and the related earthquake disaster index coerce the concerned community to become anxious about it. Therefore, it is crucial that seismic lateral load effect will be appropriately considered in structural design. Application of seismic isolation system stands as a consistent alternative against this hazard. The objective of the study is to evaluate the structural and economic feasibility of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with base isolation located in medium risk seismic region. Linear and nonlinear dynamic analyses as well as linear static analysis under site-specific bi-directional seismic excitation have been carried out for both fixed based (FB) and base isolated (BI) buildings in the present study. The superstructure and base of buildings are modeled in a 3D finite element model by consistent mass approach having six degrees of freedom at each node. The floor slabs are simulated as rigid diaphragms. Lead rubber bearing (LRB) and High damping rubber bearing (HDRB) are used as isolation device. Change of structural behaviors and savings in construction costing are evaluated. The study shows that for low to medium rise buildings, isolators can reduce muscular amount of base shears, base moments and floor accelerations for building at soft to medium stiff soil. Allowable higher horizontal displacement induces structural flexibility. Though incorporating isolator increases the outlay, overall structural cost may be reduced. The application of base isolation system confirms a potential to be used as a viable solution in economic building design.