The structural behaviour of timber joints subjected to bi‐axial bending

This study investigates the structural performance of interior, exterior and corner traditional timber joints found in a traditional temple in Japan subjected to bi‐axial bending. A total of 36 half‐scale specimens were fabricated and tested under both uni‐axial and bi‐axial cyclic bending for comparison of their structural behaviour. The results show that the corner joints exhibit lower rotational stiffness than the interior and exterior joints. Further, connections subjected to only uni‐axial moments exhibit better performance with regard to moment resistance, energy dissipation and stiffness degradation as compared with those subjected to bi‐axial moments. Hence, this study suggests that if the timber joints are subjected to bi‐axial bending, this effect on timber joints should be considered during the design and evaluation process in the future. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shaking table test and numerical analysis of a 1：12 scale model of a special concentrically braced steel frame with pinned connections

<正>This paper describes shaking table tests of a 1:12 scale model of a special concentrically braced steel frame with pinned connections,which was fabricated according to a one-bay braced frame selected from a typical main factory building of a large thermal power plant.In order to investigate the seismic performance of this type of structure,several ground motion accelerations with different levels for seismic intensityⅧ,based on the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings,were selected to excite the model.The results show that the design methods of the members and the connections are adequate and that the structural system will perform well in regions of high seismicity.In addition to the tests,numerical simulations were also conducted and the results showed good agreement with the test results.Thus,the numerical model is shown to be accurate and the beam element can be used to model this structural system.     

半刚性连接钢框架结构弹性时程分析

用两端带转动弹簧的杆单元代替一般的杆单元,提出了一种新的平面杆系钢结构动力弹性时程分析计算模型。采用虚功原理,通过对单元转角-位移方程的修正,推导了这种计算模型的单元质量矩阵,并编制了相应的弹性时程分析计算程序,分析了连接的半刚性在不同地震动作用下对钢框架结构动力性能的影响,并与有限元结果进行了比较。算例结果表明:连接的半刚性对结构动力性能的影响非常大,结构的抗震性能优于刚性连接的情况。     

撬力对螺栓抗拉连接承载力的影响

螺栓抗拉连接中的撬力降低连接的极限承载能力和疲劳性能,在设计中需加以考虑。现行《钢结构设计规范》（GB50017—2003）无相关计算方法的规定。本文利用有限元方法对T形连接抗拉性能进行分析,通过对多个不同尺寸和材料特性的试件进行调查,讨论了各参数对撬力的影响。有限元计算结果和已有分析方法比较发现,AISC—LRFD方法因忽略了螺栓头对翼缘抗弯承载力的提高,低估了翼缘刚度较小情况下的撬力。若对AISC—LRFD计算模型中螺栓线处的弯矩不加以限制,其结果和有限元与试验吻合良好。     

钢管混凝土动力性能研究新进展

简要介绍了国内外近年来在钢管混凝土包括钢管混凝土构件、钢管混凝土梁柱节点及钢管混凝土结构动力性能的部分研究工作。对研究成果在试验研究、计算方法和计算理论等方面进行回顾、分析和综合评述。并对钢管混凝土动力性能的进一步研究进行了展望。     

Bidirectional seismic performance of steel beam to circular tubular column connections with outer diaphragm

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the seismic behavior of H‐beam to circular tubular column connections stiffened by an outer ring diaphragm. An innovative three‐dimensional (3D) connection subassembly testing system was first described. Specimens representative of two‐dimensional (2D) interior columns, 3D interior and exterior columns in a steel building frame were then tested to failure under unidirectional or bidirectional cyclic loads. Various specimen parameters are used to evaluate their effects on connection behavior. Test results indicate significantly different failure modes for 2D and 3D weak panel connections, with panel shear buckling and local distortion of outer diaphragm occurring only for 3D connections. The weak beam connections unexceptionally exhibited final fracture at the junction between diaphragm and beam flange. In contrast with weak beam connections, weak panel connections demonstrated better seismic performance and ductility. As a result, a seismic design philosophy considering panel zone yielding before beam flexural yielding is proposed. Based on experiment observations, small diaphragm width and simplified fillet welding are found to be feasible especially for weak beam connections, improving architectural appearance and facilitating construction. Strength evaluations also suggest that current AIJ design provisions may be appropriate when applied to panel zones in 3D connections. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Photo-elicitation Approach to Exploring the Place Meanings Ascribed by Campers to the Ningaloo Coastline,North-western Australia

Although there have been numerous studies of the meanings ascribed to terrestrial places, their applicability or otherwise to coastal and marine places has received limited attention. Through the process of photo-elicitation, the meanings ascribed to a remote coastal camping environment are examined, with the coastline of Ningaloo Marine Park in north-western Australia the focus for this study. Thirty participants were provided with digital cameras and the ascribed place meanings were explored when their photographs were discussed in subsequent in-depth interviews. Key meanings related to the physical environment providing opportunities for escape, participating in multiple marine-based activities, bonding with family and like-minded people, and offering a rewarding experience that makes everybody happy. This emergent meaning of ‘everybody's happy’ progresses the understanding of the affective elements of place, especially those realised by families and groups of friends. The paper traces important implications of this meaning, and provides a paradoxical perspective on isolation evident from the interviews, for managing coast-based recreation.     

Caring about ‘brain drain’ migration in a postcolonial world

The migration of health professionals has been accompanied by politically and morally charged discussions on the effect of such migration on the health of those left behind in their countries of origin. In the UK, the National Health Service, which has long been dependent on overseas migrants to bolster its own staffing, has responded to critics accusing it of ‘poaching’ health professionals from poorer countries with a range of measures to limit health worker mobility. These measures counterpose the right to mobility of health workers with the right to health for those they leave behind, posing academics working on brain drain with a quandary: how do we think ethically about brain drain migration? This paper aims to address this question by exploring the spatial and temporal ontologies that are being mobilised in current thinking around the brain drain. It explores how these ontologies shape both public debates and policy initiatives, foreclosing other ways of thinking about health worker mobility. It argues that routing discourses of brain drain through insights drawn from care ethics and postcolonial thinking will highlight the historical transnational connections that mark medical labour markets and how the category ‘medical worker’ is precisely dependent on this transnationalism.     

Seismic performance of laminated timber frames with fiber‐reinforced joints

A series of dynamic experiments was performed on two‐story glue‐laminated timber frames. The tests included sinusoidal sweeps in one direction, arbitrary signals simulating earthquake loads in two directions, and harmonic free vibration at the fundamental frequency. Two experimental frames were manufactured and tested: (1) a control with horizontal laminations and no reinforcement at joint areas, and (2) a new frame design with densified material in the joint area that was further reinforced by glass‐fiber composite material. Preliminary tests of scaled and full‐size beam‐to‐column connections were performed to obtain connection characteristics needed for subsequent analytical modeling. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.