• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.397-407
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• 2017

To estimate the structural seismic demand, some methods are based on an equivalent linear system such as the Capacity Spectrum Method, the N2 method and the Equivalent Linearization method. Another category, widely investigated, is based on displacement correction such as the Displacement Coefficient Method and the Coefficient Method. Its basic concept consists in converting the elastic linear displacement of an equivalent Single Degree of Freedom system (SDOF) into a corresponding inelastic displacement. It relies on adequate modifying or reduction coefficient such as the inelastic deformation ratio which is usually developed for systems with known ductility factors ($C_{\mu}$) and ($C_R$) for known yield-strength reduction factor. The present paper proposes a rational approach which estimates this inelastic deformation ratio for SDOF bilinear systems by rigorous nonlinear analysis. It proposes a new inelastic deformation ratio which unifies and combines both $C_{\mu}$ and $C_R$ effects. It is defined by the ratio between the inelastic and elastic maximum lateral displacement demands. Three options are investigated in order to express the inelastic response spectra in terms of: ductility demand, yield strength reduction factor, and inelastic deformation ratio which depends on the period, the post-to-preyield stiffness ratio, the yield strength and the peak ground acceleration. This new inelastic deformation ratio ($C_{\eta}$) is describes the response spectra and is related to the capacity curve (pushover curve): normalized yield strength coefficient (${\eta}$), post-to-preyield stiffness ratio (${\alpha}$), natural period (T), peak ductility factor (${\mu}$), and the yield strength reduction factor ($R_y$). For illustrative purposes, instantaneous ductility demand and yield strength reduction factor for a SDOF system subject to various recorded motions (El-Centro 1940 (N/S), Boumerdes: Algeria 2003). The method accuracy is investigated and compared to classical formulations, for various hysteretic models and values of the normalized yield strength coefficient (${\eta}$), post-to-preyield stiffness ratio (${\alpha}$), and natural period (T). Though the ductility demand and yield strength reduction factor differ greatly for some given T and ${\eta}$ ranges, they remain take close when ${\eta}>1$, whereas they are equal to 1 for periods $T{\geq}1s$.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.571-584
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• 2022

The residual displacement ratio (RDRs) response spectra have been generally used as an important means to evaluate the post-earthquake repairability, and the ratios of residual to maximum inelastic displacement are considered to be more appropriate for development of the spectra. This methodology, however, assumes that the expected residual displacement can be computed as the product of the RDRs and maximum inelastic displacement, without considering the correlation between these two variables, which inevitably introduces potential systematic error. For providing an adequately accurate estimate of residual displacement, while accounting for the collapse resistance performance prior to the repairability evaluation, a probability-based procedure to estimate the residual displacement demands using the nonlinear static analysis (NSA) is developed for single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems. To this end, the energy-based equivalent damping ratio used for NSA is revised to obtain the maximum displacement coincident with the nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA) results in the mean sense. Then, the possible systematic error resulted from RDRs spectra methodology is examined based on the NTHA results of SDOF systems. Finally, the statistical relation between the residual displacement and the NSA-based maximum displacement is established. The results indicate that the energy-based equivalent damping ratio will underestimate the damping for short period ranges, and overestimate the damping for longer period ranges. The RDRs spectra methodology generally leads to the results being non-conservative, depending on post-yield stiffness. The proposed approach emphasizes that the repairability evaluation should be based on the premise of no collapse, which matches with the current performance-based seismic assessment procedure.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1612-1620
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• 2004

This study presents methods to estimate elastic-plastic crack opening displacement (COD) fur circumferential through-wall cracked pipes for the Leak-Before-Break (LBB) analysis of pressurized piping. Proposed methods are based not only on the GE/EPRI approach but also on the reference stress approach. For each approach, two different estimation schemes are given, one for the case when full stress-strain data are available and the other fur the case when only yield and ultimate tensile strengths are available. For the GE/EPRI approach a robust way of determining the Ramberg-Osgood (R-O) parameters is proposed, not only fur the case when detailed information on full stress-strain data is available but also for the case when only yield and ultimate tensile strengths are available. The COD estimates according to the GE/EPRI approach, using the R-O parameters determined from the proposed R-O fitting procedures, generally compare well with the published pipe test data. For the reference stress approach, the COD estimates according to the method based on both full stress-strain data and limited tensile properties are in good agreement with pipe test data. In conclusion, experimental validation given in the present study provides sufficient confidence in the use of the proposed method to practical LBB analyses even though when information on material's tensile properties is limited.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.585-600
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• 2017

This study deals with simple solutions for a spherical or circular opening excavated in elastic-brittle plastic rock mass compatible with a linear Mohr-Coulomb (M-C) or a nonlinear Hoek-Brown (H-B) yield criterion. Based on total strain approach, the closed-form solutions of stresses and displacement are derived simultaneously for circular and spherical openings using original H-B and M-C yield criteria. Two simple numerical procedures are proposed for the solution of generalized H-B and M-C yield criteria. Based on incremental approach, the similarity solution is derived for circular and spherical openings using generalized H-B and M-C yield criteria. The classical Runge-Kutta method is used to integrate the first-order ordinary differential equations. Using three data sets for M-C and H-B models, the results of the radial displacements, the spreading of the plastic radius with decreasing pressure, and the radial and circumferential stresses in the plastic region are compared. Excellent agreement among the solutions is obtained for all cases of spherical and circular openings. The importance of the use of proper initial values in the similarity solution is discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.637-648
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• 2018

When the centers of mass and stiffness of a building do not coincide, the structure experiences torsional responses. Such systems can consist of the underlying soil and the super-structure. The underlying soil may modify the earthquake input motion and change structural responses. Specific effects of the input motion shall also not be ignored. In this study, seismic demands of asymmetric buildings considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) under near-fault ground motions are evaluated. The building is modeled as an idealized single-story structure. The soil beneath the building is modeled by non-linear finite elements in the two states of loose and dense sands both compared with the fixed-base state. The infinite boundary conditions are modelled using viscous boundary elements. The effects of traditional and yield displacement-based (YDB) approaches of strength and stiffness distributions are considered on seismic demands. In the YDB approach, the stiffness considered in seismic design depends on the strength. The results show that the decrease in the base shear considering soft soil induced SSI when the YDB approach is assumed results only in the center of rigidity to control torsional responses. However, for fixed-base structures and those on dense soils both centers of strength and rigidity are controlling.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1287-1299
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• 2023

A new Monte-Carlo-based computer program (RDS-BASIC) is developed to simulate the transport of energetic ions in pure matter. This computer program is utilizing an algorithm that uses detailed numerical solutions for the classical scattering integral for evaluating the outcomes of the binary collision processes. This approach is adopted by several prominent similar simulation programs and is known to provide results with higher accuracy compared to other approaches that use approximations to shorten the simulation time. Furthermore, RDS-BASIC simulation program contains special methods to reduce the displacement energy threshold of surface atoms. This implementation is found essential for accurate simulation results for sputtering yield in the case of very low energy ions irradiation (near sputtering energy threshold) and also successfully solve the problem of simultaneously obtaining an acceptable number of atomic displacements per incident ions. Results of our simulation for several irradiation systems are presented and compared with their respective TRIM (SRIM-2013) and the state-of-the-art SDTrimSP simulation results. Our sputtering simulation results were also compared with available experimental data. The simulation execution time for these different simulation programs has also been compared.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.247-267
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• 2012

Calculating the displacements of retaining walls under seismic loads is a crucial part in optimum design of these structures and unfortunately the techniques based on active seismic pressure are not sufficient alone for an appropriate design of the wall. Using limit analysis concepts, the seismic displacements of retaining walls are studied in present research. In this regard, applying limit analysis method and upper bound theorem, a new procedure is proposed for calculating the yield acceleration, critical angle of failure wedge, and permanent displacements of retaining walls in seismic conditions for two failure mechanisms, namely sliding and sliding-rotational modes. Also, the effect of internal friction angle of soil, the friction angle between wall and soil, maximum acceleration of the earthquake and height of the wall all in the magnitude of seismic displacements has been investigated by the suggested method. Two sets of ground acceleration records related to near-field and far-field domains are employed in analyses and eventually the results obtained from the suggested method are compared with those from other techniques.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.443-454
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• 2013

A leaf spring, especially the longitudinal type is liable and persistent element in automotive suspension system. In the present scenario the composite materials are widely used in the automobile industries has shown a great interest in the replacement of steel spring due to high strength by weight ratio. Previous investigations focused on stresses and displacement analysis of single leaf spring for different materials. The present work aims to design and analysis of leaf spring for two different cases by considering the Young's modulus to yield strength ratio. In the first case the analysis deals with the design and analysis of a single cantilever solid triangle beam which is an equivalent beam of a spring with three leaves having uniform strength. In the second case a 3-beams of rectangular cross section has been considered which is equivalent to a spring with three leaves. The analysis was carried out based on contact mechanics approach. The results were compared, that the fiberglass composite leaf spring is suitable for high loading capacity, reliability and efficiency.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.557-568
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• 2002

For the evaluation of the capability of a tubular member of an offshore structure to absorb the collision energy, a simple method can be employed for the collision analysis without performing the detailed analysis. The most common simple method is the rigid-plastic method. However, in this method any characteristics for horizontal movement and rotation at the ends of the corresponding tubular member are not included. In a real structural system of an offshore structure, tubular members sustain a certain degree of elastic support from the adjacent structure. End fixity has influences in the behaviors of a tubular member. Three-dimensional FEM analysis can include the effect of end fixity fully, however in viewpoints of the inherent computational complexities of the 3-D approach, this is not the recommendable analysis at the initial design stage. In this paper, influence of end fixity on the behaviors of a tubular member is investigated, through a new approach and other approaches. A new analysis approach that includes the flexibility of the boundary points of the member is developed here. The flexibility at the ends of a tubular element is extracted using the rational reduction of the modeling characteristics. The property reduction is based on the static condensation of the related global stiffness matrix of a model to end nodal points of the tubular element. The load-displacement relation at the collision point of the tubular member with and without the end flexibility is obtained and compared. The new method lies between the rigid-plastic method and the 3-demensional analysis. It is self-evident that the rigid-plastic method gives high strengthening membrane effect of the member during global deformation, resulting in a steeper slope than the present method. On the while, full 3-D analysis gives less strengthening membrane effect on the member, resulting in a slow going load-displacement curve. Comparison of the load-displacement curves by the new approach with those by conventional methods gives the figures of the influence of end fixity on post-yielding behaviors of the relevant tubular member. One of the main contributions of this investigation is the development of an analytical rational procedure to figure out the post-yielding behaviors of a tubular member in offshore structures.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.93-108
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• 2010

This paper investigates the seismic performance of existing reinforced concrete frames with wide beams mainly designed for gravity loads, as typically found in the seismic-prone Mediterranean area before the introduction of modern codes. The seismic capacity is evaluated in terms of the overall amount of input energy that the frame can dissipate/absorb up to collapse. This approach provides a quantitative evaluation that can be useful for selecting and designing an appropriate retrofit strategy. Six prototype frames representative of past construction practices in the southern part of Spain are designed, and the corresponding non-linear numerical models are developed and calibrated with purposely conducted tests on wide beam-column subassemblages. The models are subjected to sixteen earthquake records until collapse by applying the incremental dynamic analysis method. It is found that the ultimate energy dissipation capacity at the story level is markedly low (about 1.36 times the product of the lateral yield strength and yield displacement of the story), giving values for the maximum amount of energy that the frame can dissipate which are from one fourth to half of that required in moderate-seismicity regions.