• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.53-68
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• 2018

In this paper, an innovative procedure is proposed for the seismic design of reinforced concrete frame structures. The main contribution of the proposed procedure is to minimize the construction cost, considering the uniform damage distribution over the height of structure due to earthquake excitations. As such, this procedure is structured in the framework of an optimization problem, and the initial construction cost is chosen as the objective function. The aim of uniform damage distribution is reached through a design constraint in the optimization problem. Since this aim requires defining allowable degree of damage, a damage pattern based on the concept of global collapse mechanism is presented. To show the efficiency of the proposed procedure, the uniform damage-based optimum seismic design is compared with two other seismic design procedures, which are the strength-based optimum seismic design and the damage-based optimum seismic design. By using the three different seismic design methods, three reinforced concrete frames including six-, nine-, and twelve-story with three bays are designed optimally under a same artificial earthquake. Then, to show the effects of the uniform damage distribution, all three optimized frames are used for seismic damage analysis under a suite of earthquake records. The results show that the uniform damage-based optimum seismic design method renders a design that will suffer less damage under severe earthquakes.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-57
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• 2022

This article presents a computationally efficient framework for multi-objective seismic design optimization of steel moment-resisting frame (MRF) structures based on the nonlinear dynamic analysis procedure. This framework employs the uniform damage distribution philosophy to minimize the weight (initial cost) of the structure at different levels of damage. The preliminary framework was recently proposed by the authors based on the single excitation and the nonlinear static (pushover) analysis procedure, in which the effects of record-to-record variability as well as higher-order vibration modes were neglected. The present study investigates the reliability of the previous framework by extending the proposed algorithm using the nonlinear dynamic design procedure (optimization under multiple ground motions). Three benchmark structures, including 4-, 8-, and 12-story steel MRFs, representing the behavior of low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings, are utilized to evaluate the proposed framework. The total weight of the structure and the maximum inter-story drift ratio (IDRmax) resulting from the average response of the structure to a set of seven ground motion records are considered as two conflicting objectives for the optimization problem and are simultaneously minimized. The results of this study indicate that the optimization under several ground motions leads to almost similar outcomes in terms of optimization objectives to those are obtained from optimization under pushover analysis. However, investigation of optimal designs under a suite of 22 earthquake records reveals that the damage distribution in buildings designed by the nonlinear dynamic-based procedure is closer to the uniform distribution (desired target during the optimization process) compared to those designed according to the pushover procedure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.621-635
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• 2023

The combination of replaceable and repairable properties in structures has introduced new approach called "Low Damage Design Structures". These structural systems are designed in such a way that through self-centering, primary members and specific connections neither suffer damage nor experience permanent deformations after being exposed to severe earthquakes. The purpose of this study is the seismic assessment of steel moment resisting frames with the aid of rigid rocking cores. To this end, three steel moment resisting frames of 4-, 8-, and 12-story buildings with and without rocking cores were developed. The nonlinear static analysis and incremental dynamic analysis were performed by considering the effects of the vertical and horizontal components of 16 strong ground motions, including far-fault and near-fault arrays. The results reveal that rocking systems benefit from better seismic performance and energy dissipation compared to moment resisting frames and thus structures experience a lower level of damage under higher intensity measures. The analyses show that the interstory drift in structures equipped with stiff rocking cores is more uniform in static and dynamic analyses. A uniform interstory drift distribution leads to a uniform distribution of the bending moment and a reduction in the structure's total weight and future maintenance costs.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1991.04a
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• pp.61-67
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• 1991

Conventional aseismic design methods of reinforced concrete frame all but disregard the state of damage over the entire building frame. This paper presents an automated damage-contorlled design method, which aims for uniform damage distribution throughout the entire building frame, as measured by the individual mumber damage indexes. Three design parameters, namely the longitudinal steel ratio, the confinement steel ratio and the frame member depth, were studied for their influence on the frame responce to an earthquake. The usefulness of this design method is demonstrated with a four story example office building predicting the extent of structural damage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.87-90
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• 2001

In particle or short-fiber reinforced composites, cracking of the reinforcements is a significant damage mode because the broken reinforcements lose load carrying capacity. This paper deals with elastic stress distributions and load carrying capacity of intact and cracked ellipsoidal inhomogeneities. Three dimensional finite element analysis has been carried out on intact and broken ellipsoidal inhomogeneities in an infinite body under pure shear. For the intact inhomogeneity, as well known as Eshelby(1957) solution, the stress distribution is uniform in the inhomogeneity and non-uniform in the surrounding matrix. On the other hand, for the broken inhomogeneity, the stress in the region near crack surface is considerably released and the stress distribution becomes more complex. The average stress in the inhomogeneity represents its load carrying capacity, and the difference of average stresses between the intact and broken inhomogeneities indicates the loss of load carrying capacity due to cracking damage. The load carrying capacity of the broken inhomogeneity is expressed in terms of the average stress of the intact inhomogeneity and some coefficients. It is found that the broken inhomogeneity with higher aspect ratio still maintains higher load carrying capacity.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.709-719
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• 2001

In particle or short-fiber reinforced composites, cracking of reinforcements is a significant damage mode because the cracked reinforcements lose carrying capacity. This paper deals with elastic stress distributions and load carrying capacity of intact and cracked ellipsoidal inhomogeneities. Three dimensional finite element analysis has been carried out on intact and cracked ellipsoidal inhomogeneities in an infinite body under uniaxial tension and pure shear. For the intact inhomogeneity, as well known as Eshelbys solution, the stress distribution is uniform in the inhomogeneity and nonuniform in the surrounding matrix. On the other hand, for the cracked inhomogeneity, the stress in the region near the crack surface is considerably released and the stress distribution becomes more complex. The average stress in the inhomogeneity represents its load carrying capacity, and the difference between the average stresses of the intact and cracked inhomogeneities indicates the loss of load carrying capacity due to cracking damage. The load carrying capacity of the cracked inhomogeneity is expressed in to cracking damage. The load carrying capacity of the cracked inhomogeneity is expressed in terms of the average stress of the intact inhomogeneity and some coefficients. It is found that a cracked inhomogeneity with high aspect ratio still maintains higher load carrying capacity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.279-291
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• 2020

The seismic design of conventional frame structures is meant to enhance plastic deformations at beam ends and prevent yielding in columns. To this end, columns are made stronger than beams. Yet yielding in columns cannot be avoided with the column-to-beam strength ratios (about 1.3) prescribed by seismic codes. Preventing plastic deformations in columns calls for ratios close to 4, which is not feasible for economic reasons. Furthermore, material properties and the rearrangement of geometric shapes inevitably make the distribution of damage among stories uneven. Damage in the i-th story can be characterized as the accumulated plastic strain energy (W_pi) normalized by the product of the story shear force (Q_yi) and drift (δ_yi) at yielding. Past studies showed that the distribution of the plastic strain energy dissipation demand, W_pi/ΣW_pj, can be evaluated from the deviation of Q_yi with respect to an "optimum value" that would make the ratio W_pi/(Q_yiδ_yi) -i.e. the damage- equal in all stories. This paper investigates how the soil type and ductility demand affect the optimum lateral strength distribution. New optimum lateral strength distributions are put forth and compared with others proposed in the literature.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.357-374
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• 2014

The design basis is being shifted from strength to deformation in modern performance-based design codes. This paper presents a practical method for optimization of eccentrically braced steel frames, based on the concept of uniform deformation theory (UDT). This is done by gradually shifting inefficient material from strong parts of the structure to the weak areas until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. In the first part of this paper, UDT is implemented on 3, 5 and 10 story eccentrically braced frames (EBF) subjected to 12 earthquake records representing the design spectrum of ASCE/SEI 7-10. Subsequently, the optimum strength-distribution patterns corresponding to these excitations are determined, and compared with four other loading patterns. Since the optimized frames have uniform distribution of deformation, they undergo less damage in comparison with code-based designed structures while having minimum structural weight. For further investigation, the 10 story EBF is redesigned using four different loading patterns and subjected to 12 earthquake excitations. Then a comparison is made between link rotations of each model and those belonging to the optimized one which revealed that the optimized EBF behaves generally better than those designed by other loading patterns. Finally, efficiency of each loading pattern is evaluated and the best one is determined.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.65-70
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• 2020

Partial reinforcement of sheet metal parts with CFRP patch is a technology that can realize ultra-lightweight body parts while overcoming the high material cost of carbon fiber. Performing these patchworks with highly productive press equipment solves another issue of CFRP: high process costs. The A-pillar is the main body part and has an undercut shape for fastening with other parts such as roof panels and doors. Therefore, it is difficult to bond CFRP patches to the A-pillar with a general press forming tool. In this paper, a flexible system that applies uniform pressure to complex shapes using ceramic particles and silicone rubber is proposed. By benchmarking various A-pillars, a reference model with an undercut shape was designed, and the system was configured to realize a uniform pressure distribution in the model. The ceramic spherical particles failed to realize the uniform distribution of high pressure due to their high hardness and point contact characteristics, which caused damage to the CFRP patch. Compression equipment made of silicone rubber was able to achieve the required pressure level for curing the epoxy. Non-adhesion defects between the metal and the CFRP patch were confirmed in the area where the bending deformation occurred. This defect could be eliminated by optimizing the process conditions suitable for the newly developed flexible system.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.286-293
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• 2003

In this study a story-wise distribution of hysteretic energy in multi-story steel moment-resisting framse (MRE), buckling restrained braced frames (BRBF-R), and hinge-connected framed structures with buckling restrained braces (BRBF-H) subjected to various earthquake ground excitations was investigated. According to analysis results the hysteretic energy in MRF and BRBF-R turned out to be the maximum at the base and monotonically diminishes with increasing height. In top stories the plastic deformation of members is almost negligible. However the story-wise distribution of hysteretic energy in BRBF-H was relatively uniform over the height of the structure. This is considered to be more desirable because damage is not concentrated in a single story.