Inelastic seismic response of one-storey,asymmetric-plan systems: Effects of stiffness and strength distribution

The effects of plan-wise distribution of stiffness and strength-as determined by the number, location, orientation and yield deformations of resisting elements-on the inelastic response of one-storey systems are evaluated. In particular, various systems are investigated for wide ranges of parameters involved, with the objective of establishing how the response is influenced by: (i) the presence of resisting elements perpendicular to the direction of ground motion; (ii) the number of resisting elements along the direction of ground motion; (iii) the overstrength typical of code-designed buildings; (iv) the relative values of strength and stiffness eccentricities; and (v) whether the asymmetry of the system is due to eccentricity in stiffness or in mass. The results presented for a simple excitation make it possible to explain the inconsistencies in conclusions from various earlier investigations, and to evaluate their applicability to actual buildings.     

Inelastic response of one-storey asymmetric-plan systems subjected to bi-directional earthquake motions

The inelastic response of one-storey systems with one axis of asymmetry subjected to bi-directional base motion is studied in this paper. The effect of the system parameters on response is also evaluated: uncoupled torsional-to-lateral frequency ratio, stiffness eccentricity, and yield strength of the lateral resisting elements. The ensemble of earthquake records used consists of 15 two-component strong ground motions. The response to uni-directional excitation is considered first to examine the influence of the system parameters and to serve as a basis to examine the results of the bi-directional case, which are presented in terms of average spectra for bi- over uni-directional lateral-deformation ratios. It is shown that the effect of inelastic behaviour is, on the average, noteworthy for stiff structures, in turn, the same structures are the most affected by the action of bi-directional ground motions. The effect of the relative intensity of the two orthogonal ground motion components is also studied. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of supplemental viscous damping on seismic response of asymmetric-plan systems

Coupling between lateral and torsional motions may lead to much larger edge deformations in asymmetric-plan systems compared to systems with a symmetric plan. Supplemental viscous damping has been found to be effective in reducing deformations in the symmetric-plan system. This investigation examined how supplemental damping affects the edge deformations in asymmetric-plan systems. First, the parameters that characterize supplemental viscous damping and its plan-wise distribution were identified, and then the effects of these parameters on edge deformations were investigated. It was found that supplemental damping reduces edge deformations and that reductions by a factor of up three are feasible with proper selection of system parameters. Furthermore, viscous damping may be used to reduce edge deformations in asymmetric-plan systems to levels equal to or smaller than those in the corresponding symmetric-plan system. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic seismic response of one-way plan-asymmetric systems under bi-directional ground motions

The static design requirements of some seismic codes, such as the Eurocode 8 and—in most cases—the Uniform Building Code, to allow for the effects of earthquake excitation acting in a direction other than the principal axes of the structure do not apply to one-way asymmetric systems. Therefore, with some exceptions, no specific provisions are considered for such systems to cover effects of structural asymmetry on the behaviour of elements located along the symmetric system direction. Aimed towards fulfilling this need, in this paper, a wide parametric study of the inelastic response of one-way asymmetric systems designed according to Uniform Building Code is carried out, considering two-component earthquake excitations. The analyses show that the maximum ductility demands on elements aligned along the asymmetric system direction are very close to, and even lower than, those obtained for symmetric reference systems. Conversely, the symmetric direction elements undergo significantly larger inelasticity than if they were located in symmetric reference systems. Subsequently, the overstrength needed by the symmetric direction elements to prevent such additional ductility demands for several stiffness and plan configurations is quantified. It is concluded that one-way asymmetry should be considered by seismic codes as an intrinsic system property, thus implying that specific provisions should be included for designing elements located along the symmetric system direction, in addition to those currently subscribed to design the asymmetric direction elements. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic seismic response of torsionally unbalanced systems designed using elastic dynamic analysis

This paper evaluates the inelastic seismic response of torsionally unbalanced structural systems with strength distributed using elastic response spectrum analysis. The structural model is a single mass torsionally unbalanced system with lateral load resisting elements spanning in two principal directions. The element strength is distributed based on elastic response spectrum analysis and three different approaches to incorporate accidental torsion are considered: (a) without incorporating accidental torsion; (b) by applying static floor torques; (c) by shifting the location of the centre of mass. The seismic input is bidirectionally applied at the base of the model. It is shown that the inelastic responses depend strongly on the torsional stiffness of the system. For a torsionally stiff system, the torsional response leads to a decrease in the stiff edge displacement; however, for a torsionally flexible system, it tends to increase the stiff edge displacement. Using response spectrum analysis without including accidental torsion may lead to excessive additional ductility demand on the stiff edge element. With accidental torsion effect incorporated, the response spectrum analysis will give a strength distribution such that there will be no excessive additional ductility demands on the lateral load resisting elements.     

Estimation of the seismic energy demands of two-way asymmetric-plan building systems

This paper proposes a method for the estimation of the seismic energy demands of two-way asymmetric-plan buildings under bi-directional ground excitations. The modal absorbed energies of asymmetric-plan buildings are estimated by using the three-degree-of-freedom (3DOF) modal systems. The 3DOF modal system represents the two roof translations versus the two base shears and the roof rotation versus the base torque relationships of each vibration mode of two-way asymmetric-plan buildings. Not only the total absorbed energy but also the portions of the total absorbed energy contributed from translational and rotational deformations can be respectively estimated. This study verifies the relationship between the signs of modal eccentricities and the trend of uneven distribution of modal absorbed energy on floor-plan edges of asymmetric-plan buildings. The accuracy of the proposed method was verified by analyzing one 3-storey and one 20-storey two-way asymmetric-plan buildings subjected to bi-directional ground motions. The computational efficiency of the proposed method is confirmed by comparing the computation time with that required by using the nonlinear response history analysis.     

Inelastic seismic response of stiffening systems and development of demand spectrum: Application to MSSS bridges

A stiffening system is a system that increases its stiffness as it goes under large displacements. Such behavioural characteristic can result from constitutive behaviour or at the structural level often from closure of gaps between various components (sub‐systems) of the structure. An example of the latter situation is multi‐span simply supported (MSSS) bridges under horizontal earthquake ground motion. Unlike softening systems, stiffening systems have not been studied. In addition to the need for more understanding of the seismic response of stiffening systems, there is a need to develop response spectrum that can be used in design. Several parameters including gap size and ratios of sub‐systems stiffness, strength, and mass control the behaviour of a stiffening system. In this study, a simplified stiffening model is developed and over 367 000 cases are analysed to investigate the nonlinear stiffening behaviour and pounding. Parameters considered also include ground motion characteristic. Results are evaluated and compared in terms of displacement and dissipated hysteretic energy. Parameter study results show that, on average, the displacement response is lower for stiffening systems, however, they dissipates higher hysteretic energy, due to higher yield cycles and yield excursions, and can possibly sustain more damage than a bilinear, elastic–plastic system. Using parameter study database, design response spectrum for stiffening systems is also proposed and its practical application is demonstrated through its application to an MSSS bridge. Results of this study goes beyond MSSS bridges and will have application for many structural systems where response is characterized by a stiffening behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic seismic response of simple eccentric structures

The maximum ductility demand and the edge displacement of a simple single mass eccentric model is evaluated when the system is subjected to ground motions represented by the El Centro 1940 and Taft 1952 earthquake records. The resisting elements are taken to be bilinear hysteretic. It is found that the ductility demand depends to a great extent on the energy content of the ground motions, particularly in the period range beyond the elastic period of the system. Unlike elastic response, the coincidence of uncoupled torsional and lateral frequencies does not lead to exceptionally high inelastic response. An increase by a factor of two in ductility demand is not uncommon for a system with large eccentricity as compared to a symmetrical system. Therefore, system eccentricity has a larger effect on ductility demand than earlier studies indicated. Using Clough's model to allow for stiffness degradation effect, results are found to be within 20 per cent of those calculated based on the bilinear hysteretic model.     

Inelastic response of RC frame buildings with seismic isolation

A comprehensive parametric study on the inelastic seismic response of seismically isolated RC frame buildings, designed for gravity loads only, is presented. Four building prototypes, with 23 m × 10 m floor plan dimensions and number of storeys ranging from 2 to 8, are considered. All the buildings present internal resistant frames in one direction only, identified as the strong direction of the building. In the orthogonal weak direction, the buildings present outer resistant frames only, with infilled masonry panels. This structural configuration is typical of many existing RC buildings, realized in Italy and other European countries in the 60s and 70s. The parametric study is based on the results of extensive nonlinear response‐time history analyses of 2‐DOF systems, using a set of seven artificial and natural seismic ground motions. In the parametric study, buildings with strength ratio (F_y/W) ranging from 0.03 to 0.15 and post‐yield stiffness ratio ranging from 0% to 6% are examined. Three different types of isolation systems are considered, that is, high damping rubber bearings, lead rubber bearings and friction pendulum bearings. The isolation systems have been designed accepting the occurrence of plastic hinges in the superstructure during the design earthquake. The nonlinear response‐time history analyses results show that structures with seismic isolation experience fewer inelastic cycles compared with fixed‐base structures. As a consequence, although limited plastic deformations can be accepted, the collapse limit state of seismically isolated structures should be based on the lateral capacity of the superstructure without significant reliance on its inherent hysteretic damping or ductility capacity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic response and design criteria of plan-wise asymmetric systems

The study of the torsional response of buildings in the inelastic range of behaviour is of great interest since the ability of structures to resist strong earthquakes mainly relies on their ductility and capacity for energy dissipation. Furthermore, an examination of the performance of structures during past earthquakes demonstrates that plan-asymmetric buildings suffered greater damage due to torsional response. The paper deals with this subject by analysing a model which idealizes a one-storey building with resisting elements oriented along two perpendicular directions. In addition to the parameters of the elastic behaviour, the inelastic system response depends on full yield capacity and plan-wise strength distribution. The influence of the criterion adopted for the design of resisting elements on local ductility demand and damage has been evaluated by parametric analysis. In particular, a comparison has been carried out between systems with equal design levels for all elements and systems with design levels dependent on the element location. For a given elastic behaviour and total capacity, the strength distributions in plan have been defined which minimize ductility demand and structural damage. Finally, based on these findings, responses from models designed according to several seismic codes have been compared.     

Inelastic seismic response of code-designed multistorey frame buildings with regular asymmetry

Based on an asymmetric multistorey frame building model, this paper investigates the influence of a building's higher vibration modes on its inelastic torsional response and evaluates the adequacy of the provisions of current seismic building codes and the modal analysis procedure in accounting for increased ductility demand in frames situated at or near the stiff edge of such buildings. It is concluded that the influence of higher vibration modes on the response of the upper-storey columns of stiff-edge frames increases significantly with the building's fundamental uncoupled lateral period and the magnitude of the stiffness eccentricity. The application of the equivalent static torsional provisions of certain building codes may lead to non-conservative estimates of the peak ductility demand, particularly for structures with large stiffness eccentricity. In these cases, the critical elements are vulnerable to excessive additional ductility demand and, hence, may be subject to significantly more severe structural damage than in corresponding symmetric buildings. It is found that regularly asymmetric buildings excited well into the inelastic range may not be conservatively designed using linear elastic modal analysis theory. Particular caution is required when applying this method to the design of stiff-edge frame elements in highly asymmetric structures.     

Effects of panel zone yielding on seismic behavior of welded-flange-plate connections

In this study, effects of panel zone yielding on the seismic performance of welded-flange-plate (WFP) connections are investigated. In this work, four full-scale beam-to-column connections were used to run the experiments under cyclic loading. The obtained results can potentially lead to a better understanding of the influence of the panel zone inelastic shear deformation on the cyclic behavior of WFP connections for external joints in steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs). The main parameter in the testing program was the panel zone strength having a wide variation to gain the different levels of panel zone yielding. Results showed that all specimens had a high connection rotation capacity to satisfy the requirements of special moment frame connections. However, specimens with different panel zone strengths could provide the different amount of energy dissipation. Severe beam buckling was followed by tearing along the k-line region of the beam in the plastic hinge location, as well as tearing of the beam at the nose of the bottom flange plates which were both observed as a predominant failure mode in the specimens with a stronger panel zone. However, specimens with weak panel zone could develop a significant plastic rotation without causing any major problem to the beam-to-column connection groove welds. Based on mentioned observations and considering the effect of panel zone yielding because of different panel zone strengths on the hysteresis behavior of specimens, failure modes, plastic rotation capacity, and energy dissipation, some modifications were proposed for design requirements of the panel zone strength.     

Effects of supplemental viscous damping on inelastic seismic response of asymmetric systems

This paper investigates the effects of supplemental viscous damping on the seismic response of one‐storey, asymmetric‐plan systems responding in the inelastic range of behaviour. It was found that addition of the supplemental damping reduces not only deformation demand but also ductility and hysteretic energy dissipation demands on lateral load resisting elements during earthquake loading. However, the level of reduction strongly depends on the plan‐wise distribution of supplemental damping. Nearly optimal reduction in demands on the outermost flexible‐side element, an element generally considered to be the most critical element, was realized when damping was distributed unevenly in the system plan such that the damping eccentricity was equal in magnitude but opposite in algebraic sign to the structural eccentricity of the system. These results are similar to those noted previously for linear elastic systems, indicating that supplemental damping is also effective for systems expected to respond in the inelastic range. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-linear seismic response analysis of soil-structure interaction systems

This paper presents an effective analysis procedure for the dynamic soil-structure interaction problem considering not only the sliding and separation phenomena but also the non-linear behaviour of soil by the finite element method. Soil is assumed to be an elasto-plastic material and the contact surface between the soil and structure is modelled by the joint element. The load transfer method is adopted to carry out dynamic non-linear response analysis. The method is applied to the response analysis of a nuclear reactor building resting on the ground surface. The effects of non-linear behaviour of soil on the safety against sliding of the structure are examined. The numerical computations reveal the following results: that the non-linear behaviour of soil reduces the response of the system and the magnitude of sliding of the structure, and that the safety against sliding obtained by the proposed method is higher than the safety obtained by classical methods. This implies the possibility of a more rational and economical design of large structures; it can be said that the proposed method provides useful information for the stability analysis of important and large structures.     

安徽地区地震波衰减、场地响应及震源新参数的测定

根据安徽数字地震台网7个地震台的143条波形资料,研究了安徽地区的衰减模型和各台站的场地响应。采用三段几何衰减模型拟合,得到了安徽及邻近地区的几何衰减函数,得到安徽地区非弹性衰减Q值随频率f的关系为Q(f)=235.3×f0.616;7个台站的场地响应均无明显的放大效应,这与它们均处于岩石地基相符;并在本地区地震预测研究中尝试使用新参数,进行了初步的应用。     

Statistical determination of significant curved I-girder bridge seismic response parameters

Curved steel bridges are commonly used at interchanges in transportation networks and more of these structures continue to be designed and built in the United States. Though the use of these bridges continues to increase in locations that experience high seismicity, the effects of curvature and other parameters on their seismic behaviors have been neglected in current risk assessment tools. These tools can evaluate the seismic vulnerability of a transportation network using fragility curves. One critical component of fragility curve development for curved steel bridges is the completion of sensitivity analyses that help identify influential parameters related to their seismic response. In this study, an accessible inventory of existing curved steel girder bridges located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic United States (MAUS) was used to establish statistical characteristics used as inputs for a seismic sensitivity study. Critical seismic response quantities were captured using 3D nonlinear finite element models. Influential parameters from these quantities were identified using statistical tools that incorporate experimental Plackett-Burman Design (PBD), which included Pareto optimal plots and prediction profiler techniques. The findings revealed that the potential variation in the influential parameters included number of spans, radius of curvature, maximum span length, girder spacing, and cross-frame spacing. These parameters showed varying levels of influence on the critical bridge response.     

Physically-based prediction of the maximum corner displacement magnification of one-storey eccentric systems

This paper gives a new insight into the linear dynamic behavior of one-storey eccentric systems, with particular attention devoted to provide a comprehensive physically-based formulation of the maximum corner displacement magnification, which involves three contributions (translational response, torsional response and their combination). It is shown that the largest magnifications, which mainly occur for the class of torsionally-flexible systems, are due to the translational contribution which is caused by the shift of the fundamental period of the eccentric system with respect to that of the equivalent not-eccentric system. A simplified method for the estimation of the maximum corner displacement under seismic excitation, based on the physical properties of the eccentric system, is finally proposed.     

Application of wavelet theory to identify yielding in seismic response of bi‐linear structures

The time–frequency and the time‐scale analysis methods are used in this paper to identify the dynamic characteristics of non‐linear seismic response of structural systems with single degree of freedom (SDOF) and multiple degrees of freedom (MDOF). Based on the floor acceleration response time histories of bi‐linear SDOF and MDOF structures, the current study compares the results of system identification using the short‐time Fourier transform (STFT), continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) methods. The aim is to identify the frequency variations and the time at on‐set of yielding and unloading of a bi‐linear structural system during seismic response. The results demonstrate that the CWT method is better than the STFT method in both time and frequency resolutions, and that the DWT method is the best at detecting the time at on‐set of yielding and unloading. Combining the results of CWT and DWT methods therefore provides accurate information of both frequency variations and yielding time in non‐linear seismic response. To alleviate the problems associated with noise‐contaminated signals, e.g. seismic response data recorded on site, the study suggests that low‐pass filtering be carried out before applying the DWT method to decompose the signals into multiple levels of details. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-stationary seismic response of MDOF systems by wavelet transform

A wavelet-based formulation has been presented in this paper for the stochastic analysis of a linear multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) classically damped system subjected to earthquake ground motion. The ground motion has been modelled as a non-stationary process (both in amplitude and frequency) using wavelets. Closed-form expressions of the moments of the instantaneous Power Spectral Density Function (PSDF) of the response have been derived and used to predict the statistics of the response peak of any desired order. For illustration of the formulation, an example torsionally coupled multistoried building has been considered along with the twenty synthetically generated time-histories corresponding to an example ground motion process. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

罕遇地震下村镇建筑复合隔震系统的地震响应特征及设计参数

为研究罕遇地震下复合隔震村镇建筑的地震响应特征及设计参数,采用ABAQUS有限元软件建立了复合隔震结构、滑移隔震结构、砂垫层隔震结构以及传统的砌体结构四种模型,通过对比4种模型在不同滑移层摩擦系数及不同地震烈度下的加速度、位移及底部剪力等动力响应差异,得出复合隔震体系的地震响应特征及主要设计参数。结果表明:复合隔震体系具有最优的隔震效果,且滑移层摩擦系数越小,地震烈度越大,隔震效果越好。根据预设40%隔震率的要求,确定出不同抗震设防烈度区的滑移层摩擦系数取值范围。