Stochastic analysis of structures and piping systems subjected to stationary multiple support excitations

A stochastic method has been developed for seismic analysis of structures and piping systems subjected to multiple support excitations. In either the time or the frequency domain, mean and extreme values of structural and piping system response can be found, including the effects of cross-correlations of modal response and cross-correlations of multiple support excitations. Stationary white noise and stationary filtered white noise ground excitations are used. A computer program has been developed to carry out the stochastic seismic analysis. Results for a realistic nuclear power plant structure and piping system with and without modal cross-correlations and support excitation cross-correlations are compared. From these results, it is concluded that neglecting cross-correlations can lead to large errors. The stochastic method reported is shown to be more accurate than the response spectrum method and more economical than the time-history method; therefore, it is recommended for seismic analysis of nuclear power plants.     

Seismic response of multi‐span simply supported bridges to a spatially varying earthquake ground motion

This paper carries out a parametrical study of the pounding phenomenon associated with the seismic response of multi‐span simply supported bridges with base isolation devices. In particular, the analyses focus on the causal relationship between pounding and the properties of a spatially varying earthquake ground motion. In order to include the effect of the torsional component of pounding forces on the seismic response of the whole structure, a three‐dimensional (3D) finite element model has been defined and 3D non‐linear time‐history analyses have been performed. A parametrical study on the size of the gaps between adjacent bridge decks has highlighted that the pounding effects are amplified when the spatially varying ground motion time histories at each support are considered. Because of a spatially varying input, the pounding forces can assume values 3–4 times larger than those derived by a conventional seismic analysis with uniform input or with spatial input but considering ground motion wave passage effect only. The numerical results show that in order to achieve an acceptably safe structural performance during seismic events, a correct design of the isolation devices should take into account the relative displacements calculated by means of a non‐linear time‐history analysis with multi‐support excitation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大跨度空间网格结构多维多点随机地震反应分析

本文建立了三维正交地震动多点激励下大跨度空间网格结构的随机地震反应分析方法,依据现行抗震设计规范的有关规定,确定了平稳随机地震动功率谱密度的模型参数。数值仿真分析了一柱距80m的正方形平板网架分别在一维地震动或三维地震动的一致激励、行波激励和考虑部分相干效应的随机激励下的地震反应。结果表明:考虑地震动的空间效应会很大程度地改变结构杆件的内力,其中控制杆件的内力增幅达到30%;地震动的行波效应对结构杆件内力的影响比随机地震动的部分相干效应的影响更大;三维地震作用比一维地震作用下结构杆件的内力大。由此得出结论,对于大跨度空间网格结构,必须进行多维多点地震激励下的随机地震反应分析。     

Response analysis of flexible MDF systems for multiple-support seismic excitations

Two practical approaches, response spectrum and time-history methods, are developed to evaluate the response of flexible multi-degree-of-freedom (MDF) systems, notably long-span bridges, to multiple-support seismic excitations. For practical convenience, ground motions within a group of adjacent supports on continuous soil or rock are assumed to be uniform and synchronized, while those of different groups are treated as non-uniform and uncorrelated. The response spectrum analysis is extended to include the cross-correlation of modal responses, which prove important when closely spaced modal frequencies exist. An example of the significance of multiple-support excitations is illustrated by application to a suspension bridge. Qualitatively comparable effects can be expected for other bridges of similar type or dimensions.     

Seismic spatial effects on dynamic response of long-span bridges in stationary inhomogeneous random fields

The seismic analysis of long-span bridges subjected to multiple ground excitations is an important problem.The conventional response spectrum method neglects the spatial effects of ground motion, and therefore may result in questionable conclusions. The random vibration approach has been regarded as more reliable. Unfortunately, so far,computational difficulties have not yet been satisfactorily resolved. In this paper, an accurate and efficient random vibration approach -- pseudo excitation method (PEM), by which the above difficulties are overcome, is presented. It has been successfully used in the three dimensional seismic analysis of a number of long-span bridges with thousands of degrees of freedom and dozens of supports. The numerical results of a typical bridge show that the seismic spatial effects, particularly the wave passage effect, are sometimes quite important in evaluating the safety of long-span bridges.     

Arch responses to correlated multiple excitations

This paper analyses the in-plane stochastic responses of incompressible circular arches to spatially correlated multiple excitations. The dynamic, quasi-static and total structural displacements, moments, shear and axial forces are calculated. The results are compared with those obtained by various simplified excitations. The effects of the ground motion spatial variations on arch responses are examined. The results indicate that the responses may be underestimated or overestimated by neglecting the ground motion spatial variations, depending upon the structure and ground motion properties, the locations where the responses are evaluated, and the response quantity under consideration.     

A modal combination rule for spatially varying seismic motions

The spatial variability of seismic ground motion is an important aspect for the earthquake resistant design of extended facilities. A modified response spectrum model, which addresses the problem of multiply supported structures subjected to imperfectly correlated seismic excitations, has already been developed (see References 1 and 2). The present paper proposes a modal combination rule for the case of non-uniform seismic input, which would be used together with the modified response spectrum model in order to compute physical responses. This rule, which accounts for modal cross-correlations, is an extension to an existing rule for the case of uniform seismic motions. It modifies the existing modal cross-correlation coefficients through a correction factor which depends on structural properties and on the characteristics of the wave propagation phenomenon. Finally, some practical considerations on the theoretical development are addressed. They aim at suggesting reasonable simplifications which render the modal combination rule more appealing for engineering purposes. The proposed practical combination rule is validated through a numerical experiment which also characterizes the effect of non-uniform seismic input on modal cross-correlation.     

Response of indeterminate two-span beam to spatially varying seismic excitation

In order to examine the effect of the spatial variation of ground motion on the response of an indeterminate structure, the stochastic responses of a two-span beam to spatially varying support excitations are analysed. A space-time earthquake ground motion model that accounts for both coherency decay and seismic wave propagation is used to specify the support motions, and the results are compared with those for various simplified excitations that are commonly used in practice. The response is computed through a linear random vibration approach with the structure being modelled by finite elements. The results of the study indicate that, even for moderate lengths, the effect of the spatial variation of ground motion can be significant. The assumption of fully coherent support motions (same excitations at all supports or delayed excitations allowing only for wave propagation) may be overconservative for some beams and unconservative for others.     

考虑土-结构相互作用双层柱面网壳在多点输入下的地震反应分析

目前对于网壳结构的地震反应研究大部分仍然采用一致输入,特别是没有考虑土-结构相互作用对网壳结构的影响。本文通过对大型有限元分析软件MSC.Nastran的二次开发,用等效线性化方法考虑土体的非线性,对土体采用三维实体单元建模,并对土体在基岩面上采用地震动的多点输入,计算分析了大跨度双层柱面网壳的动力反应,并且与一致地震动输入下网壳结构的地震反应进行了对比,考察了两者之间的差异,深入分析了考虑土-结构相互作用下,双层柱面网壳结构在多点输入和一致输入下的地震反应规律,并得出了一些重要结论。     

四渡河大跨悬索桥空间地震响应分析

非一致激励输入对大跨结构响应有着较大影响。本文以四渡河悬索桥为背景,首先根据该桥动力特性对规范反应谱进行调整,基于修正反应谱并考虑相位非平稳性合成地震动位移;然后编制了调索程序来确定有限元模型的初始平衡构型;采用时程法,分别分析了在纵桥向、横桥向以及竖向的非一致激励(行波输入、多点输入)下的悬索桥地震响应。计算结果表明,纵向非一致激励输入增大了悬索桥的地震响应,横向、竖向非一致激励输入的影响有增有减。     

Response spectrum analysis for non-classically damped linear system with multiple-support excitations

A new response spectrum method, which is named complex multiple-support response spectrum (CMSRS) method in this article, is developed for seismic analysis of non-classically damped linear system subjected to spatially varying multiple-supported ground motion. The CMSRS method is based on fundamental principles of random vibration theory and properly accounts for the effect of correlation between the support motions as well as between the modal displacement and velocity responses of structure, and provides an reasonable and acceptable estimate of the peak response in term of peak seismic ground motions and response spectra at the support points and the coherency function. Meanwhile, three new cross-correlation coefficients or cross covariance especially for the non-classically damped linear structures with multiple-supports excitations are derived under the same assumptions of the MSRS method of classically damped system. The CMSRS method is examined and compared to the results of time history analyses in two numerical examples of non-classically damped structures in consideration of the coherences of spatially variable ground motion. The results show that for non-classically damped structure, the cross terms representing the cross covariance between the pseudo-static and dynamic component are also quite small just as same as classically damped system. In addition, it is found that the usual way of neglecting all the off-diagonal elements in transformed damping matrix in modal coordinates in order to make the concerned non-classically damped structure to become remaining proportional damping property will bring some errors in the case of subjected to spatially excited inhomogeneous ground motion.     

Response of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Suspension Bridge under spatially varying multi-point earthquake excitations

The study aims at investigating the structural behavior of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Suspension Bridge, i.e. the second Bosphorus Bridge in Turkey, under multi-point earthquake excitations, and determining the earthquake performance of the bridge based on the results obtained from this analysis. For this objective, spatially varying ground motions in triple direction were produced for each support of the bridge considering the Mw=7.4 scenario earthquakes on the main Marmara Fault. In order to simulate the ground motions, modified stochastic finite-fault technique was utilized. Taking the ground motions into account, non-linear time-history analysis was carried out, and the results obtained from the analysis were compared to those from uniform support earthquake excitation to identify the effects of multi-point earthquake excitations on the seismic performance of the bridge. From the analysis, it was determined that modal response of the towers and the deck was mostly effective on dynamic response of the entire bridge rather than other structural elements, such as cable and approach viaduct. Compared to the results obtained from simple-point earthquake excitation, noticeable axial force increase in the cable elements was obtained under multi-point earthquake excitation. The changes at the main cable and the side span cable were determined as 21% and 18%, respectively. This much increase in the cable elements led to increase in axial force at the towers and in shear force at the base section of the tower column. These changes in the structural elements were closely related to response of the deck and the towers since they had considerable contribution to response of the entire bridge. Based on the findings from the study, spatially varying ground motions has to be considered for long span suspension bridges, and the multi-support earthquake analysis should be carried out for better understanding and obtaining reliable results necessary for retrofitting and performance evaluation.     

行波效应对大跨度空间结构随机地震响应的影响

深入研究了行波效应对大跨度空间结构随机地震响应的影响,进一步完善了大跨度空间结构随机地震响应分析理论。推导了双支座、单自由度体系地震响应功率谱密度函数的解析表达式,研究了不同频率体系的响应峰值随地面视波速的变化规律,分析了多支撑点、多自由度体系的地震响应功率谱矩阵的特点,发现多自由度体系地震响应随地面视波速的变化规律与单自由度体系相似。数值模拟了某体育馆网壳结构在不同地面视波速情况下的随机地震响应,结果表明,考虑地震动行波效应后,结构地震响应随地面视波速的变化而显著变化,当视波速较低时其变化规律很复杂;且支撑点附近、受拟静力位移影响较大的部分杆件的地震响应明显增大,远离支撑点处、受拟静力位移影响较小的部分杆件的地震响应稍有减小。由此得出结论,对于大跨度空间结构的随机地震响应分析,必须考虑地震动的行波效应,尤其当受拟静力位移影响较大的部分杆件对结构抗震设计起控制作用时;且应对可能出现的地面视波速进行全面分析,作为结构抗震设计依据。     

The non‐stationary cross‐correlation coefficients in the seismic analysis of MDOF structural systems

A method concerning the evaluation, in a very compact form, of the non‐stationary modal cross‐correlation coefficients of MDOF structural systems subjected to seismic excitations is presented. It is available both in the case when the excitation is considered as a white‐noise process and when it is considered as a filtered process. The evaluation of these coefficients is required when a transient seismic analysis is performed by the use of the modal response spectrum approach. This is necessary when the strong‐motion phase of the earthquake is significantly short with respect to the fundamental period of the structure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response of a long span cable

The dynamic response of a single span cable due to a travelling seismic excitation is studied in this paper. The influence of propagation time between the supports is investigated in detail. The importance of considering both vertical and longitudinal equations of motion in the analysis is highlighted. The results indicate the considerable influence of the time-lagged support motions on the cable dynamic tension. A modal combination rule based on the response spectrum method is developed to arrive at the peak estimates of the cable response. Some significant aspects of cable behaviour, especially under horizontal support motion, are discussed.     

Ground motion spatial variability effects on seismic response control of cable-stayed bridges

The spatial variability of input ground motion at supporting foundations plays a key role in the structural response of cable-stayed bridges (CSBs); therefore, spatial variation effects should be included in the analysis and design of effective vibration control systems. The control of CSBs represents a challenging and unique problem, with many complexities in modeling, control design and implementation, since the control system should be designed not only to mitigate the dynamic component of the structural response but also to counteract the effects of the pseudo-static component of the response. The spatial variability effects on the feasibility and efficiency of seismic control systems for the vibration control of CSBs are investigated in this paper. The assumption of uniform earthquake motion along the entire bridge may result in quantitative and qualitative differences in seismic response as compared with those produced by uniform motion at all supports. A systematic comparison of passive and active system performance in reducing the structural responses is performed, focusing on the effect of the spatially varying earthquake ground motion on the seismic response of a benchmark CSB model with different control strategies, and demonstrates the importance of accounting for the spatial variability of excitations.     

TMD结构基于双过滤白噪声随机地震激励的系列响应的简明解

针对既有方法在分析TMD结构基于双过滤白噪声激励下结构响应的解表达式复杂而导致计算效率低的问题,提出了一种简明封闭解法。首先,利用双过滤白噪声谱的滤波方程与TMD结构的地震动方程联立,可将TMD结构基于复杂的双过滤白噪声激励准确的表示为易于求解的运动方程;其次,基于复模态法获得TMD耗能结构位移、层间位移的系列响应的复特征值及复模态参与系数;然后基于随机振动理论获得了TMD结构随机地震动系列响应（相对于地面绝对位移和结构层间位移）的功率谱统一形式的二次正交解,进而获得了TMD结构系列随机响应的0-2阶谱矩和方差的简明封闭解。最后研究了基于首超破坏准、Markov过程假设及串联失效模式的TMD结构的体系动力可靠度。通过一算例分析,表明了本文方法的正确性和高效性。因此,本文方法可用于各类线性结构基于复杂的随机地震动响应的分析及其动力可靠度计算。     

Effects of spatially variable ground motions on the seismic response of a skewed, multi-span, RC highway bridge

This paper presents a study of the influence of spatially variable ground motions on the longitudinal seismic response of a short, three-span, 30-degree skewed, reinforced concrete highway bridge. Linear and nonlinear finite element models are created for the bridge and linear elastic and nonlinear inelastic time history analyses conducted. Three different types of illustrative excitations are considered: The first utilizes spatially variable ground motions incorporating the effects of variable soil conditions, loss of coherency and wave passage as input motions at the structures' supports. The time history with the smallest peak displacement and the one with the largest peak displacement from the spatially variable ones are then used as uniform input motions at all bridge supports. The comparative analysis of the bridge model shows that the uniform ground motion input with the largest peak displacement cannot provide conservative seismic demands for all structural components—in a number of cases it results in lower response than that predicted by spatially variable motions. The present results indicate that there is difficulty in establishing uniform input motions that would have the same effect on the response of bridge models as spatially variable ones. Consequently, spatially variable input motions need to be applied as excitations at the bridge supports.     

随机地震动场多点激励下大跨度桥梁地震反应分析方法

地震输入问题一直是工程结构抗震研究关注的焦点。对大跨度桥梁结构，考虑随机地震动场的多点激励而进行地震反应分析较为合理。本文结合大跨度桥梁抗震设计，系统地介绍了随机地震动场的模型以及随机地震动场多点激励下大跨度桥梁地震反应分析的方法。     

Dynamic soil–structure interaction effects on the seismic response of suspension bridges

A stochastic approach has been formulated for the linear analysis of suspension bridges subjected to earthquake excitations. The transfer functions of various responses have been formulated while including the effects of dynamic Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI) via the use of the fixed-base modes of the structure. The excitation has been characterized by the ‘equivalent stationary’ processes corresponding to the free-field motions at each support and by an assumed coherency function between these motions. The proposed formulation considers the non-stationarity in the structural response due to sudden application of excitation by considering (i) the time-dependent frequency response functions, and (ii) the order statistics formulation for the peak factors in evolutionary response processes. The formulation has been illustrated by analysing the seismic response of the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco for two example excitations conforming to USNRC-specified design spectra. The significance of various governing parameters on the dynamic soil–structure interaction effects on the seismic response of suspension bridges has also been studied. It has been found that the contribution of the vertical component of ground motion to the bridge response increases with increasing soil compliance. Also, the extent to which the spatial variation of ground motion affects the bridge response depends on how significant the SSI effects are. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.