Effects of reinforcement slippage on the non‐linear response under cyclic loadings of RC frame structures

This paper discusses the importance of including the bond‐slip effects in assessing the response under cyclic loads of reinforced concrete frames. The discussion is based on analyses performed using numerical models which are simple, computationally efficient and capable of representing the salient features of reinforced concrete frames under both static and dynamic loads. The numerical models comprise a displacement‐based, reinforced concrete frame element with bond‐slip and a rigid beam column joint element with bond‐slip. Two applications illustrate the model accuracy and show the importance of including bond‐slip. The first application considers a reinforced concrete beam‐column subassemblage experimentally tested under cyclic loads. The second application considers the shaking table test of a two‐story one‐bay reinforced concrete frame In both cases the analytical results correlate well with the experimental results in terms of strength, displacement demands and hysteretic energy dissipation. Furthermore, the paper shows how the analyses that include bond‐slip yield a better correlation with the experimental results with respect to the analyses that assume a perfect bond. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete shear wall by finite element method with explicit analytical procedure

A numerical procedure for a dynamic non-linear finite element analysis is proposed here to analyse three-dimensional reinforced concrete shear wall structures subjected to earthquake motions. A shear wall is modelled as a quasi-three dimensional structure which is composed of plane elements considering the in-plane stiffness of orthogonal flange panels. The proposed constitutive model is based on the non-linearity of reinforcement and concrete in which the tension stiffening in tension and the degradation of stiffness and strength in compression of concrete after cracking are considered. The acceleration-pulse method, which is a kind of explicit analytical procedure, is employed to solve the non-linear dynamic equations, where the dynamic equation can be solved without stiffness matrix and so the iterative procedure is not necessary for descending portion of stress–strain relationship caused by cracking and softening after compressive strength in concrete. The damping effect is considered by assuming equivalent viscous damping which can give good cyclic behaviours of inertia force vs. displacement relationships. This analytical method was applied to a test specimen of a reinforced concrete shear wall with a H-shaped section which was vibrated up to failure by using a large-scale shaking table with high -performance in Japan. The test was performed as one of the dynamic model tests for evaluation of seismic behaviour of nuclear reactor buildings. The calculations were performed sequentially from the elastic range to failure. The comparison with the test results shows that this approach has good accuracy. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

铰接隅撑钢框架抗震性能研究

传统抗弯钢框架的梁柱节点通常设计为刚性连接,这种刚性节点具有很大的抗弯刚度,然而节点延性不足,罕遇地震作用导致节点脆性断裂。研究学者提出了多种解决该问题的思路,例如半刚性连接节点、节点加强或削弱方法使塑性铰外移等。本文提出了一种简化的梁柱节点连接方式-铰接连接,改变梁柱节点的传力方式,在节点处设置隅撑提供框架的抗侧刚度,控制结构的失效模式。本文设计了三组抗弯钢框架和铰接隅撑钢框架,分别为3层、5层和8层结构,通过Pushover分析和非线性动力时程分析,对比二者之间的承载力、刚度、延性和层间侧移等抗震性能。研究结果表明:铰接隅撑钢框架具有和传统抗弯钢框架相似的抗侧刚度,且承载能力略高。罕遇地震作用下,铰接隅撑钢框架的层间侧移较小。传统抗弯钢框架失效模式为梁端出现塑性铰,而铰接隅撑钢框架的塑性区域转移至隅撑与梁连接部位。     

Midbroken reinforced concrete shear frames due to earthquakes. A hysteretic model to quantify damage at the storey level

A nonlinear hysteretic model for the response and local damage analyses of reinforced concrete shear frames subject to earthquake excitation is proposed, and, the model is applied to analyse midbroken reinforced concrete (RC) structures due to earthquake loads. Each storey of the shear frame is represented by a Clough and Johnston hysteretic oscillator with degrading elastic fraction of the restoring force. The local damage is numerically quantified in the domain [0,1] using the maximum softening damage indicators which are defined in closed form based on the variation of the eigenfrequency of the local oscillators due to the local stiffness and strength deterioration. The proposed method of response and damage analyses is illustrated using a sample 5 storey shear frame with a weak third storey in stiffness and/or strength subject to sinusoidal and simulated earthquake excitations for which the horizontal component of the ground motion is modeled as a stationary Gaussian stochastic process with Kanai-Tajimi spectrum, multiplied by an envelope function.     

Collapse risk and residual drift performance of steel buildings using post-tensioned MRFs and viscous dampers in near-fault regions

The potential of post-tensioned self-centering moment-resisting frames (SC-MRFs) and viscous dampers to reduce the collapse risk and improve the residual drift performance of steel buildings in near-fault regions is evaluated. For this purpose, a prototype steel building is designed using different seismic-resistant frames, i.e.: moment-resisting frames (MRFs); MRFs with viscous dampers; SC-MRFs; and SC-MRFs with viscous dampers. The frames are modeled in OpenSees where material and geometrical nonlinearities are taken into account as well as stiffness and strength deterioration. A database of 91 near-fault, pulse-like ground motions with varying pulse periods is used to conduct incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), in which each ground motion is scaled until collapse occurs. The probability of collapse and the probability of exceeding different residual story drift threshold values are calculated as a function of the ground motion intensity and the period of the velocity pulse. The results of IDA are then combined with probabilistic seismic hazard analysis models that account for near-fault directivity to assess and compare the collapse risk and the residual drift performance of the frames. The paper highlights the benefit of combining the post-tensioning and supplemental viscous damping technologies in the near-source. In particular, the SC-MRF with viscous dampers is found to achieve significant reductions in collapse risk and probability of exceedance of residual story drift threshold values compared to the MRF.     

Seismic performance and damage evaluation of a reinforced concrete frame with hysteretic dampers through shake‐table tests

Passive energy dissipation devices are increasingly implemented in frame structures to improve their performance under seismic loading. Most guidelines for designing this type of system retain the requirements applicable to frames without dampers, and this hinders taking full advantage of the benefits of implementing dampers. Further, assessing the extent of damage suffered by the frame and by the dampers for different levels of seismic hazard is of paramount importance in the framework of performance‐based design. This paper presents an experimental investigation whose objectives are to provide empirical data on the response of reinforced concrete (RC) frames equipped with hysteretic dampers (dynamic response and damage) and to evaluate the need for the frame to form a strong column‐weak beam mechanism and dissipate large amounts of plastic strain energy. To this end, shake‐table tests were conducted on a 2/5‐scale RC frame with hysteretic dampers. The frame was designed only for gravitational loads. The dampers provided lateral strength and stiffness, respectively, three and 12 times greater than those of the frame. The test structure was subjected to a sequence of seismic simulations that represented different levels of seismic hazard. The RC frame showed a performance level of ‘immediate occupancy’, with maximum rotation demands below 20% of the ultimate capacity. The dampers dissipated most of the energy input by the earthquake. It is shown that combining hysteretic dampers with flexible reinforced concrete frames leads to structures with improved seismic performance and that requirements of conventional RC frames (without dampers) can be relieved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shaking table test and numerical simulation of a 1/2‐scale self‐centering reinforced concrete frame

Self‐centering reinforced concrete frames are developed as an alternative of traditional seismic force‐resisting systems with better seismic performance and re‐centering capability. This paper presents an experimental and computational study on the seismic performance of self‐centering reinforced concrete frames. A 1/2‐scale model of a two‐story self‐centering reinforced concrete frame model was designed and tested on the shaking table in State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering at Tongji University to evaluate the seismic behavior of the structure. A structural analysis model, including detailed modeling of beam–column joints, column–base joints, and prestressed tendons, was constructed in the nonlinear dynamic modeling software OpenSEES. Agreements between test results and numerical solutions indicate that the designed reinforced concrete frame has satisfactory seismic performance and self‐centering capacity subjected to earthquakes; the self‐centering structures can undergo large rocking with minor residual displacement after the earthquake excitations; the proposed analysis procedure can be applied in simulating the seismic performance of self‐centering reinforced concrete frames. To achieve a more comprehensive evaluation on the performance of self‐centering structures, research on energy dissipation devices in the system is expected. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of the spatial distribution of energy-dissipating bracing elements on the seismic response of multistorey frames

Several reinforced concrete frames with different dissipator distributions, and a conventional moment-resisting frame, are compared in order to select the best dissipator distribution from the point of view of seismic response and structural design. The structures with dissipators are designed according to a criterion proposed in the present paper. Each frame is excited with a set of eleven simulated accelerograms. The choice of the best dissipation distribution is based mainly on the differences between the mean of the maximum overturning moments developed at the base of the frames and between the weights of steel reinforcement and concrete resulting from the structural design of each frame. A comparison of initial construction costs of a building with dissipators and a conventional building shows that the former is 3·5 per cent more expensive.     

Proportioning earthquake‐resistant RC frames in central/eastern U.S.

A maximum allowable period criterion is used to determine reasonable stiffness requirements for reinforced concrete frames with the seismicity associated with central and eastern U.S. A general relationship is developed to describe the displacement demand expected for central and eastern U.S. based on a survey of available ground motions, opinions of seismologists, and code‐based provisions. A series of hypothetical reinforced concrete frames is proportioned using a maximum allowable period criterion and evaluated for expected maximum displacement response using non‐linear dynamic analyses and a suite of ground motions. Results indicate that for the reinforced concrete structural systems considered in the study, proportioning for gravity loads will provide sufficient stiffness in central and eastern U.S. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A capacity curve model for confined clay brick infills

Experimental studies have proven that clay brick infills, confined with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) in reinforced concrete (RC) frames, have some advantages in terms of stiffness, strength, energy dissipation capability and damage intensity. Owing to these advantages, existing infill walls in RC frames may be retrofitted with CFRP strips, especially in low-rise buildings in earthquake-prone areas. There is a gap in the literature concerning their behavior model, for use in structural analysis. A piecewise linear capacity curve model called “DUVAR” is proposed here, which estimates the envelope of force-vs.-displacement hysteresis, depending on the data compiled from the literature and the completed experimental studies. A nonlinear shear spring element is utilized in the model to represent the bare and retrofitted infills. The ultimate shear strength and the corresponding displacement, the ratio of cracking stiffness to initial stiffness, the ratio of ultimate strength to cracking strength, and the ductility ratio are the five key parameters of the model. The model is validated against the experimental results of two sovereign studies. Finally, the model is employed in the performance evaluation of an existing three-story RC building to exemplify its straightforward application.     

Tests on cyclic behavior of reinforced concrete frames with brick infill

This paper reports the results of cyclic loading tests performed on four specimens consisting of reinforced concrete frames with brick infill walls. The brick infill is pre‐laid, followed by the cast in‐place RC columns and beams. Test parameters include the height‐to‐length ratio of the brick infill wall and the mortar compressive strength. Test results reveal that the in‐plane lateral strength of brick infill wall is related to the fracture path. The fracture path for brick infill walls with large height‐to‐length ratios includes bed joints, cross joints, and vertical splitting of bricks. As a result, the lateral strength of this type of brick infill wall is larger. In comparison, the fracture path for brick infill walls with small height‐to‐length ratios only passes through joints, which is the reason why they have lower lateral strength. Mortar with higher strength improves the lateral strength of brick infill wall. In addition to presenting experimental observations in detail, this paper compares the test results with those obtained from existing methods for assessment of seismic resistance. Comments and recommendations are offered with respect to the capabilities of the assessment methods in predicting stiffness, strength, and ultimate deformation capacity of brick infill walls. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic retrofit of reinforced concrete frames using buckling‐restrained braces with bearing block load transfer mechanism

A new method of retrofitting reinforced concrete (RC) frames with buckling‐restrained braces (BRBs) to improve frame strength, stiffness and energy dissipation is proposed. Instead of typical post‐installed anchors, load is transferred between the BRB and RC frame through compression bearing between an installed steel frame connected to the BRB, and high‐strength mortar blocks constructed at the four corners of the RC frame. This avoids complex on‐site anchor installation, and does not limit the allowable brace force by the anchor strength. Cyclic displacements of increasing amplitudes were imposed on two RC frame specimens retrofitted with different BRB strength capacities. In one of the frames, the bearing blocks were reinforced with wire mesh to mitigate cracking. A third RC frame was also tested as a benchmark to evaluate the retrofit strength and stiffness enhancements. Test results indicate that the proposed method efficiently transferred loads between the BRBs and RC frames, increasing the frame lateral strength while achieving good ductility and energy‐dissipating capacity. When the bearing block was reinforced with wire mesh, the maximum frame lateral strength and stiffness were more than 2.2 and 3.5 times the RC frame without the BRB respectively. The BRB imposes additional shear demands through the bearing blocks to both ends of the RC beam and column member discontinuity regions (D‐regions). The softened strut‐and‐tie model satisfactorily estimated the shear capacities of the D‐regions. A simplified calculation and a detailed PISA3D analysis were shown to effectively predict member demands to within 13.8% difference of the measured test results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient three‐dimensional solid finite element dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete structures

Most of the finite element analyses of reinforced concrete structures are restricted to two‐dimensional elements. Three‐dimensional solid elements have rarely been used although nearly all reinforced concrete structures are under a triaxial stress state. In this work, a three‐dimensional solid element based on a smeared fixed crack model that has been used in the past mainly for monotonic static loading analysis is extended to cater for dynamic analysis. The only material parameter that needs to be input for this model is the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete. Steel bars are modelled as uniaxial elements and an embedded formulation allows them to have any orientation inside the concrete elements. The proposed strategy for loading or unloading renders a numerical procedure which is stable and efficient. The whole process is applied to two RC frames and compared against existing experiments in the literature. Results show that the proposed approach may adequately be used to predict the dynamic response of a structure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study on the effect of the infill walls on the seismic performance of a reinforced concrete frame

Motivated by the seismic damage observed to reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures during the Wenchuan earthquake, the effect of infill walls on the seismic performance of a RC frame is studied in this paper. Infill walls, especially those made of masonry, offer some amount of stiffness and strength. Therefore, the effect of infill walls should be considered during the design of RC frames. In this study, an analysis of the recorded ground motion in the Wenchuan earthquake is performed. Then, a numerical model is developed to simulate the infill walls. Finally, nonlinear dynamic analysis is carried out on a RC frame with and without infill walls, respectively, by using CANNY software. Through a comparative analysis, the following conclusions can be drawn. The failure mode of the frame with infill walls is in accordance with the seismic damage failure pattern, which is strong beam and weak column mode. This indicates that the infill walls change the failure pattern of the frame, and it is necessary to consider them in the seismic design of the RC frame. The numerical model presented in this paper can effectively simulate the effect of infill walls on the RC frame.     

基于OpenSees的防屈曲支撑加固钢筋混凝土框架数值模拟

提出了一种既有钢筋混凝土框架结构的抗震加固方法,该法采用防屈曲支撑提高框架结构体系的水平承载力和耗能能力,利用外包钢进一步提高柱子的抗弯和抗剪承载力。采用开源有限元程序OpenSees,分别建立空钢筋混凝土框架和防屈曲支撑加固钢筋混凝土框架的分析模型,对2榀钢筋混凝土框架的抗震性能进行模拟。防屈曲支撑采用了弹塑性桁架单元模型,加固框架柱混凝土考虑了外包钢的约束作用。将分析结果与拟静力试验结果进行比较,以检验分析模型的准确性,以及研究防屈曲支撑和外包钢对混凝土框架抗震性能的影响。分析结果表明,数值模拟与试验结果吻合较好,验证了基于OpenSees建立的数值模型的准确性;外包钢有效改善了框架柱的抗弯承载力和变形能力;防屈曲支撑显著提高了加固框架体系的水平刚度、水平承载力和耗能能力。     

高阻尼混凝土框架的动力特性与抗震试验

在混凝土中加入高阻尼掺料,从而有效地提高钢筋混凝土结构自身的阻尼比,这是从材料角度出发的一种新的结构振动控制方法。本文利用聚合物的高阻尼特性和材料的表面改性技术,在普通钢筋混凝土柱中掺加一定数量的苯丙乳液和改性的硅粉,制作了3组单层两榀混凝土框架;然后对其进行了试验研究,测定了框架结构的阻尼比和频率等动力特性;并且研究和比较了不同地震动下高阻尼混凝土框架的相对位移和绝对加速度反应。试验结果表明:改性硅粉和苯丙乳液的加入均可以提高混凝土框架结构破坏前后的阻尼比,分别提高52.4%、82.3%和27.5%、42.5%;改性硅粉可以有效地提高混凝土框架结构破坏前后的刚度,分别提高5%和15%~50%;虽然苯丙乳液的加入降低了混凝土框架结构的初始刚度,大约降低17%,但却提高了混凝土框架结构破坏后的残余刚度,提高大约10%~20%。改性硅粉和苯丙乳液的加入对于混凝土框架结构地震反应的减振控制起到了很好的作用。     

Earthquake vulnerability of school buildings: Probabilistic structural fragility analyses

The study presents probabilistic structural fragility assessment of public school buildings in Istanbul, which were constructed based on a standardized/typical project. The typical structure is a four-story, reinforced concrete shear wall building with moment resisting frames. Derivation of fragility functions rely on nonlinear dynamic analyses through Monte Carlo simulations. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are initially performed for a fully deterministic structural model based on the blueprints of the typical school building project. Uncertainties are introduced in different analysis cases following a modified version of the algorithm presented in Smyth et al. (2004) [21], which considers the effect of the random distribution of the parameters using a Monte Carlo approach. Aleatory uncertainties concerning material properties (i.e. compressive strength of concrete, yield strength of reinforcing steel and concrete density), geometrical characteristics (i.e. span lengths and story heights) and cross sectional dimensions of beams, columns and shear walls as well as epistemic uncertainty in the direction of ground motion excitation are considered. Statistical distributions for the parameters considered are obtained from in-situ measurements and material sampling tests. Fragility functions are produced in terms of peak ground acceleration and velocity as well as of the elastic spectral displacement at the first vibration period of the building. Mean damage ratios are calculated from the derived fragility functions. They are further compared to mean damage ratios calculated for similar building typologies provided in HAZUS-MH technical manual and in Istanbul building inventory.     

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete shear wall structures

During strong ground motions, structural members made of reinforced concrete undergo cyclic deformations and experience permanent damage. Members may lose their initial stiffness as well as strength. Recently, Los Alamos National Laboratory has performed experiments on scale models of shear wall structures subjected to recorded earthquake signals. In general, the results indicated that the measured structural stiffnesses decreased with increased levels of excitation in the linear response region. Furthermore, a significant reduction in strength as well as in stiffness is also observed in the inelastic range. Since the in-structure floor response spectra which are used to design and qualify safety equipment have been based on calculated structural stiffness and frequencies, it is possible that certain safety equipment could experience greater seismic loads than were specified for qualification due to stiffness reduction.In this research, a hysteresis model based on the concept of accumulated damage has been developed to account for this stiffness degradation both in the linear and inelastic ranges. Single and three-degrees-of-freedom seismic Category I structures were analysed and compared with equivalent linear stiffness degradation models in terms of maximum displacement responses, permanent displacement, and floor response spectra. The results indicate significant differences in response between the hysteresis model and equivalent linear stiffness degradation model at PGA levels of greater than 0.8 g. The hysteresis model is used in the analysis of reinforced concrete shear-wall structures to obtain the in-structure response spectra. Results of both cumulative and one shot tests are compared.