Pseudodynamic response of torsionally unbalanced two‐storey test structure

Two one‐way eccentric, two‐storey, one‐by‐one‐bay reinforced concrete (RC) structures are pseudodynamically tested under unidirectional ground motions. Theoretical considerations about the effect of torsional coupling on modal periods and shapes agree with modal results of the test structure, considering member stiffness is equal to the secant stiffness to yielding in skew‐symmetric bending. Modal periods of such an elastic structure are in fair agreement with effective periods inferred from the measured response at the beginning of a test of a thoroughly cracked structure and at the end of the test. A time‐varying stiffness matrix and a non‐proportional damping matrix fitted to the test results may be used to reproduce the measured response approximately by modal superposition and identify the role of the four time‐varying modes. Flexible side columns sustained very large drift demands simultaneously in the two transverse directions and suffered significant but not heavy, damage at lap‐splices. RC‐jacketing of the flexible side columns practically eliminated the static eccentricity between the floor centres of twist and mass as well as the torsional response. Inelastic time‐history analysis with point‐hinge member models, using as elastic stiffness the secant stiffness to yielding and neglecting post‐ultimate‐strength cyclic degradation of resistance in members with plain bars and poor detailing, predicted fairly well the response until the peak displacements and member deformations occurred. After that, it underestimated displacement peaks and the lengthening of the apparent period and missed the gradual drifting of the response towards a permanent offset. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic code analysis of multi-storey asymmetric buildings

Static torsional provisions in most seismic codes require that the lateral force at each floor level be applied at some distance from the reference centre at that floor. However, codes do not specify how to determine the locations of these centres. As a result, several different definitions of the reference centres are being used to implement the code analysis. This investigation examined how the results using various reference centres differ and which of these centres would lead to results that are in agreement with those of dynamic analysis. For this purpose three different buildings ranging form torsionally stiff to torsionally flexible were analysed. It was shown that for the class of buildings studied in this investigation that although the locations of the reference centres were quite different, the results were very similar and nearly independent of the reference centre. Comparison of results calculated from static code equivalent lateral force procedures and results from dynamic response spectrum analyses showed that the static code procedures led to design forces very close (flexible wall) or slightly conservative (stiff wall) when compared to the dynamic analysis for the torsionally stiff building. However, the static code procedures significantly underestimated the design forces of the stiff walls and significantly overestimated the design forces of the flexible walls for the torsionally flexible buildings. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parametric earthquake response of torsionally coupled buildings with foundation interaction

A study is made of the effect of soil-structure interaction on the coupled lateral and torsional responses of asymmetric buildings subjected to a series of historical free-field earthquake base motions. It sh shown that for particular classes of actual buildings the equivalent rigid-base responses are significantly increased for structures founded on medium-stiff soils, and hence the assumption of the major building codes that a conservative estimate of response is obtained by considering the structure to be fixed rigidly at its base is shown to be inconsistent with the presented dynamic results. It is shown that foundation interaction produces greatest amplification of torsional coupling effects for structures subjected to a particular class of European strong-motion earthquake records, identified by similarities in their spectral shape, for which the vibrational energy of the ground motion is distributed approximately uniformly over the range of frequencies which are of interest for real structures. It is recommended that provision be made in the torsional design procedures of building codes for the increase in the coupled torsional response due to soil-structure interaction as indicated in this study. Such provision should be based on the results of comprehensive parametric studies employing a wide selection of earthquake records and accounting for expected variations in localized soil conditions.     

The role of phase difference components of ground motions in the torsional response of asymmetric buildings

It is demonstrated that the difference in phase content between orthogonal, horizontal, accelerograms can directly influence the effective (band‐limited) torque energy applied to a plan asymmetric structure. This is not the case where a plan asymmetric structure is excited solely by a unidirectional, horizontal, accelerogram ground motion. It is shown that this effective torque energy is well correlated with building torsional (response) acceleration energy and element ductility demands for a broad class of multistorey structures. Nonlinear time‐history analyses employing a database of accelerogram abstracted from USGS are used to quantify the influence of the phase difference content on these building responses. Bias in nonlinear time‐history analyses based on a small sample of accelerograms caused by phase difference content is discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shake table tests on standard and innovative temporary partition walls

Shake table tests are performed on temporary internal partitions for office buildings. Four different specimens are tested. A steel frame is designed to exhibit relative displacements which typically occur at a given story of ordinary buildings. Four different partition walls are tested simultaneously for each specimen typology. This allows investigating the influence of an innovative device on the seismic performance of the tested components. The innovative device avoids the unhooking of the panels from the supporting studs. Several shake table tests are performed subjecting the specimens to interstory drift ratios up to 1.57%. Both the hysteretic curves and the natural frequency trend highlight that the partitions do not contribute to the lateral stiffness of the test setup. The damping ratio increases after the partition walls are installed within the test frame, causing a beneficial effect in the dynamic response. Minor damage state occurs for interstory drift ratio (IDR) in the range 0.41–0.65% in standard specimens, whereas moderate and major damage states are attained for IDR in the range 0.51–0.95%. Significant increase of collapse IDR is recorded with the introduction of the innovative device, up to IDR larger than 1.45%. It can be therefore concluded that a simple innovative device is defined, which significantly improves the seismic performance of the tested specimen. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Re-evaluation of seismic torsional provisions

Traditionally, seismic torsional provisions have been evaluated based on the assumption that the strength of the lateral load resisting elements can be adjusted without changing their stiffness. There is an important class of elements that a change of their lateral strength implies a corresponding change of stiffness, as exemplified by reinforced concrete flexural walls. This would imply that when torsional provisions are applied to adjust the strengths of these elements, the stiffness distribution, and also the eccentricity of the system, will change. This paper re-evaluates the consequences of applying the torsional provisions of the Uniform Building Code (UBC, 1997) and also the Eurocode (Eurocode 8, 1994) to single mass eccentric systems supported by elements having such characteristics. In conjunction with the results based on the traditional assumption, the effectiveness of the two provisions to mitigate torsional effects is discussed from a broader perspective. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resolution tests of global geodynamic models by travel-time tomography

This study presents results of a 2-D tomographic inversion of synthetic data that examines the ability of seismic tomography to reveal structures created by mantle dynamic processes. Our seismic velocity anomaly model is based on the density heterogeneities obtained from models of thermal and thermo-chemical convection. Both layered and whole-mantle models are employed to produce the synthetic input anomalies. We investigate the resolving power of the inversion of P and pP arrival times, and assess the influence of parameterisation and regularisation (damping). We show that the effect of regularisation is substantial and that the optimum damping depends upon the wavelength of the input structures. The resolution of the inversion decreases considerably at depths greater than 1000 km, therefore the ability of the kinematic inversion to distinguish between whole-mantle and layered flows (coupled via thermal coupling) may be limited.     

不对称大底板多塔楼隔震结构的地震响应分析

针对不对称大底板多塔楼隔震结构体系,通过建立地震响应的动力分析简化模型,推导出不对称大底板多塔楼隔震结构体系地震作用下的运动方程。对一实际的不对称大底板多塔楼隔震结构进行地震响应仿真分析,探讨塔楼质量偏心率和塔楼质量比对结构周期比、位移比和层剪力比的影响。结果显示,不对称大底板多塔楼隔震结构扭转角主要由隔震层产生;与不隔震结构相比,不对称大底板多塔楼隔震体系的扭转角减小,可取得较好的减震效果;塔楼与底板的位置分布和质量分布会影响体系的扭转效应和减震效果,应尽量使塔楼的质心与底板质心重合,塔楼质量分布均匀,以减小结构的扭转效应,提高减震效果。     

Discussion of ‘Seismic behavior of a single‐story asymmetric‐plan buildings under uniaxial excitation’ by A. Lucchini,G. Monti and S. Kunnath

This discussion examines the conclusion reached in the paper that in a single‐story asymmetric‐plan building the maximum displacement demand in the different resisting elements is reached for the same deformation configuration of the system and that the resultant of the seismic forces producing such demand is located at the center of resistance. It is shown that this conclusion is valid only for the particular model studied and cannot be generalized. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Verification of precarious rock methodology using shake table tests of rock models

Precariously balanced rocks in seismically active regions are effectively upper-limit strong motion seismoscopes that have been in place for thousands of years. Thus, estimates of the dynamic toppling acceleration of these rocks (through rigid body rocking) can provide constraints on the peak ground accelerations experienced during past earthquakes. We have developed a methodology that uses a two-dimensional numerical code to calculate the dynamic rocking response of precarious rocks to realistic ground acceleration time histories. Statistical analyses of the dynamic response of these rocks to a range of synthetic seismograms, as well as strong motion records, can provide important information about the ground motion attenuation curves and seismic hazard maps. We use shake table tests to investigate the dynamic rocking response of 13 wooden rectangular blocks of various sizes and aspect ratios subjected to realistic seismograms and compare the results with those of numerical tests. Our results indicate good agreement between the shake table and numerical results.     

Effective ambient vibration testing for validating numerical models of concrete dams

Ambient vibration tests were conducted on a 56 metre high concrete gravity dam to measure its modal properties for validating a finite element model of the dam–reservoir–foundation system. Excitation was provided by wind, by reservoir water cascading down the spillweir, and by the force of water released through outlet-pipes. Vibrations of the dam were measured using accelerometers, and 3-hour data records were acquired from each location. Data were processed by testing for stationarity and rejecting non-stationary portions before Fourier analysis. Power spectra with low variance were generated from which natural frequencies of the dam were identified clearly and modal damping factors estimated. Modal analysis of the frequency response spectra yielded mode shapes for the six lowest lateral modes of vibration of the dam. The finite element model for the dam was analysed using EACD-3D, and the computed mode shapes and natural frequencies compared well with the measured results. The study demonstrates that ambient vibration testing can offer a viable alternative to forced vibration testing when only the modal properties of a dam are required. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic behavior of single‐story asymmetric‐plan buildings under uniaxial excitation

The critical parameters that influence the nonlinear seismic response of asymmetric‐plan buildings are identified by evaluating the effects of different asymmetries that may characterize the structure of a building as well as exploring the influence of the ground motion features. First, the main findings reported in the literature on both the linear and nonlinear dynamic response of asymmetric‐plan buildings are presented. The common findings and the conflicting conclusions reached in different investigations are pointed out. Then, the results of comprehensive nonlinear dynamic analyses performed for evaluating the seismic response of systems characterized by different strength and stiffness configurations, representative of a large class of asymmetric‐plan buildings, are reported. Findings from the study indicate that the building response changes when moving from the linear to the nonlinear range, so that the seismic behavior of asymmetric‐plan buildings, apart from the source of asymmetry, can be always classified as irregular. Additionally, it was observed that as the seismic demands cause amplification of system nonlinearity with increasing earthquake intensity, the maximum displacement demand in the different resisting elements tends to be reached with the same deformed configuration of the system. The resultant of the seismic forces producing such a maximum demand is located at the center of resistance and corresponds to the collapse mechanism of the system that provides the maximum lateral strength in the exciting direction of the seismic action. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

常规土类动剪切模量比和阻尼比试验研究

采用共振柱自振试验方法给出国内常规土类动剪切模量比G／Gmax和阻尼比λ变化的平均曲线,推荐值和包线,使用的共振仪是由工种力学研究所原有共振柱改装而成,并经试验验证了改装后仪器的精度可靠性,试验土类包括粘土,粉质土,粉土,砂土,淤泥和淤泥质土,土样来自国内十余个不同地区,采用折线双曲线拟合G／Gmax,λ随γ衰减关系,其中参数a和b由最小二乘法对每次试验结果回归分析得到,对同类土,将所有的a,b 值平均,用均值a和b给出动剪切模量比和阻尼比与剪应变关系,从而得到了此类土G/Gmax,λ随γ变化曲线及推荐值,试验是在两种固结压力下进行,因而得到的结构分别适用于土体埋深小于10m和埋深10m-20m之间的两种情况。     

DGZ-1多功能共振柱常规试验可靠性分析

针对新研制的多功能共振柱讕验机常规土类试验,发展此类仪器的试验可靠性分析理论,建立一套检验自身可靠性的分析方法傌技术,包括试验误差分析、试验定量考核、土工试验等多种技术手段。首先建立了共振柱仪动剪切模量误差、应叐误差和阻尼比误差的分析公式,得到了几种主要影响因素及其对试验误差影响程度的新认识。同时,通过若干已知动剪切模量且频率和土频率相接近的钢杆和铝杆试件的自振和共振试验,定量上验证该仪器常规试验结果的可靠性;通过砂土和原状粘土常规试验,定性上检验土工试验结果的合理性。通过对新研制的多功能共振柱试验机的常规试验功能进行可靠性的自身检验,所有试验结果是令人满意和可靠的,结果符合现有规律的认识。     

动荷载作用下土阻尼比的试验对比研究

本文对一粉质粘土,在100kPa、200kPa、300kPa 3种固结压力下,分别进行了原状土样的循环单剪试验、扰动土样的动三轴试验,得到了该粉质粘土2种土样、3种固结压力下的D/Ddm ax-γ曲线。试验结果表明,由循环单剪试验得到的原状土的D/Ddm ax-γ曲线与扰动土样的动三轴试验结果D/Ddm ax-γ曲线有一定差异,且随着固结压力的不同而变化。     

动荷载作用下饱和砂土动剪模量试验研究

在50kPa、100kPa和200kPa 3种固结压力下分别对饱和度为95%、92%、88%和83%的土样进行了循环单剪试验,得到了该土样在4种饱和度、3种固结压力下的最大动剪模量Gdmax以及动剪模量比G/Gdmax-γ归一化曲线。分析得出,同一固结压力下土样的Gdmax和G/Gdmax随着饱和度的增大相对减小;随着固结压力的增大,两者数值上差异逐渐减小。最后对此种现象进行了讨论并分析了其产生的原因。     

An answer to an important controversy and the need for caution when using simple models to predict inelastic earthquake response of buildings with torsion

This paper presents evidence that the extension of conclusions based on the widely used simplified, one story, eccentric systems of the shear‐beam type, to actual, nonsymmetric buildings and consequent assessments of the pertinent code provisions, can be quite erroneous, unless special care is taken to match the basic properties of the simplified models to those of the real buildings. The evidence comes from comparisons of results obtained using three variants of simplified models, with results from the inelastic dynamic response of three‐ and five‐story eccentric buildings computed with detailed MDOF systems, where the members are idealized with the well‐known plastic hinge model. In addition, a convincing answer is provided on a pertinent hanging controversy: For frame‐type buildings, designed in accordance with the dynamic provisions of modern codes (such as EC8 or IBC2000), which allow reduced shears at the stiff edge due to torsion, the frames at the flexible sides are the critical elements in terms of ductility demands. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

南京片状细砂不排水循环三轴试验的数值仿真

基于软件ABAQUS的二次开发平台,引入Byrne修正的Martin和Finn孔压应变模型,并与土体动力黏塑性记忆型嵌套面模型相结合,通过编制Fortran子程序,嵌入到软件ABAQUS中,实现了软件ABAQUS的有效应力算法,对南京片状细砂土的不排水循环三轴试验进行三维数值仿真。通过与循环三轴试验结果的比较,发现数值模拟结果基本上能再现南京片状细砂的不排水循环特性,如不排水循环三轴试验的动应力?应变关系、应变累积、应变软化等;且数值仿真结果较好地反映了试验结果的振动孔压发展特征。研究的意义在于理想三维数值模拟试验能够突破常规的室内土工试验能力及其局限性,这为今后饱和砂土不排水循环特性的宏、细观机理的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

不同比例钢-混凝土混合结构高层建筑动力相似关系试验研究

模型试验的动力相似理论是结构抗震试验技术中的一个基础性研究课题。本文设计实现了1/10、1/20和1/30三个不同比例的钢-混凝土混合结构高层建筑的振动台模型试验。通过对三个模型试验结果的对比研究,对钢-混凝土混合结构高层建筑的动力相似关系进行了初步探讨。试验结果表明,按照本文的动力模型的设计施工及试验要求进行的不同比例钢-混凝土混合结构高层建筑的振动台试验,在自振频率、振型、加速度放大系数、楼层最大位移、楼层剪力等动力特性和动力反应方面具有较好的相似性。试验结果一方面说明对这三个模型采用的动力相似关系和制作方法是合理的,另一方面也说明了对钢-混凝土混合结构房屋采用较小的1/30比例进行振动台试验是可行的。     

Nonlinear dynamic tests of a reinforced concrete frame building at different damage levels

This paper discusses the dynamic tests of a two-story infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frame building using an eccentric-mass shaker. The building, located in El Centro, CA, was substantially damaged prior to the tests due to the seismic activity in the area. During the testing sequence, five infill walls were removed to introduce additional damage states and to investigate the changes in the dynamic properties and the nonlinear response of the building to the induced excitations. The accelerations and displacements of the structure under the forced and ambient vibrations were recorded through an array of sensors, while lidar scans were obtained to document the damage. The test data provide insight into the nonlinear response of an actual building and the change of its resonant frequencies and operational shapes due to varying damage levels and changes of the excitation amplitude, frequency, and orientation.