SEISMIC IMPACT LOADING IN INELASTIC TENSION-ONLY CONCENTRICALLY BRACED STEEL FRAMES: MYTH OR REALITY?

Tension-Only Concentrically Braced Frames (TOCBF) exhibit deteriorating pinched hysteretic behaviour during strong earthquakes. Slender braces transit between an elastic buckling state, a restraightening state, in which they carry almost no load, an elastic tensile loading state as they are suddenly taut and, finally, a tensile yielding state. It has long been suspected that the sudden increase in tensile forces in the braces of TOCBSF creates detrimental impact loading on the connections and other structural elements. No experimental evidence, however, has been provided so far to confirm, or to quantify, this impact phenomenon. This paper addresses this issue through shake table tests of half scale, two-storey, TOCBF models. By normalizing the hysteresis loops of braces obtained from shake table tests to the yield strength of steel obtained from quasi-static tests, the increase in tensile forces in the braces was obtained. Results of dynamic tensile tests on steel coupons under similar strain rates as observed during the shake table tests showed that this increase in tensile forces is not the result of impact, but is rather caused by a yield strength increase of the steel under high strain rate. A procedure is proposed to estimate and account for this increase in tensile forces in the braces at the design stage.     

Effect of non‐moment braced frame seismic deformations on buckling‐restrained brace end connection behavior: Theoretical analysis and subassemblage tests

In‐plane buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) end rotation induced by frame action is a commonly observed phenomenon in buckling‐restrained braced frames (BRBFs). However, its effect on BRB end connection behavior has not yet been clear. In this study, four BRB end deformation modes for quick determination of end rotational demand are proposed for non‐moment BRBF considering different BRB arrangements, installing story of BRBs, and boundary condition of corner gussets connected with column base. Key factors affecting BRB end rotation and flexural moments are examined theoretically by parametric analysis. Subassemblage tests of seven BRB specimens under horizontal cyclic loading were conducted by adopting two loading frames to impose the expected BRB end deformations. It shows that BRB end rotation subjected BRB ends to significant flexural moments, leading to premature yielding of BRB ends or even tendency of end zone buckling. The deformation modes, the flexural rigidity of BRB ends, and the initial geometric imperfections of BRBs were found to have significant influence on BRB end connection behavior. The triggering moment induced by BRB end rotation was the main contributor to end flexural moment. However, the moment amplification effect induced by flexure of BRB end zones became prominent especially for small flexural rigidity of BRB ends. Implications and future research needs for design of BRB end connections are provided finally based on the theoretical and experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Displacement amplification factors for steel eccentrically braced frames

Inelastic deformation capacity of links is a factor that significantly influences design of steel eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). The link rotation angle is used to describe inelastic link deformation. The link rotation angle is generally calculated by making use of design story drifts that in turn are calculated by modifying the elastic displacements by a displacement amplification factor. This paper presents a numerical study undertaken to evaluate the displacement amplification factor given in ASCE7‐10 for EBFs and the rigid‐plastic mechanism used for calculating link rotation angles. A total of 72 EBFs were designed by considering the number of stories, the bay width, the link length to bay width ratio, and the seismic hazard level as the prime variables. All structures were analyzed using elastic and inelastic time history analyses. The results indicated that the displacement amplification factor given in ASCE7‐10 provides unconservative estimates of the story drifts. On the other hand, the rigid‐plastic mechanism provides conservative estimates of link rotations. Based on the results of the numerical study, a new set of displacement amplification factors that vary along the height of the structure and modifications to the rigid‐plastic mechanism were developed. In light of the proposed modifications, the EBFs were redesigned and analyzed using inelastic time history analysis. The results indicated that the proposed modifications provide improvements for the displacement amplification factor and link rotation angle calculation procedures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational study of self‐centering buckling‐restrained braced frame seismic performance

Recent research developed and experimentally validated a self‐centering buckling‐restrained brace (SC‐BRB) that employs a restoring mechanism created using concentric tubes held flush with pretensioned shape memory alloy rods, in conjunction with a buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) that dissipates seismic energy. The present computational study investigated how the SC‐BRB can be implemented in real buildings to improve seismic performance. First, a computational brace model was developed and calibrated against experimental data, including the definition of a new cyclic material model for superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy. A parametric study were then conducted to explore the design space for SC‐BRBs. Finally, a set of prototype buildings was designed and computationally subjected to a suite of ground motions. The effect of the lateral resistance of gravity framing on self‐centering was also examined. From the component study, the SC‐BRB was found to dissipate sufficient energy even with large self‐centering ratios (as large as 4) based on criteria found in the literature for limiting peak drifts. From the prototype building study, a SC‐BRB self‐centering ratio of 0.5 was capable of reliably limiting residual drifts to negligible values, which is consistent with a dynamic form of self‐centering discussed in the literature. Because large self‐centering ratios can create significant overstrength, the most efficient SC‐BRB frame designs had a self‐centering ratio in the range of 0.5–1.5. Ambient building resistance (e.g., gravity framing) was found to reduce peak drifts, but had a negligible effect on residual drifts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Idealisation of soil–structure system to determine inelastic seismic response of mid-rise building frames

In this study, a novel and enhanced soil–structure model is developed adopting the direct analysis method using FLAC 2D software to simulate the complex dynamic soil–structure interaction and treat the behaviour of both soil and structure with equal rigour simultaneously. To have a better judgment on the inelastic structural response, three types of mid-rise moment resisting building frames, including 5, 10, and 15 storey buildings are selected in conjunction with three soil types with the shear wave velocities less than 600 m/s, representing soil classes C_e, D_e and E_e, according to Australian Standards. The above mentioned frames have been analysed under two different boundary conditions: (i) fixed-base (no soil–structure interaction) and (ii) flexible-base (considering soil–structure interaction). The results of the analyses in terms of structural displacements and drifts for the above mentioned boundary conditions have been compared and discussed. It is concluded that considering dynamic soil–structure interaction effects in seismic design of moment resisting building frames resting on soil classes D_e and E_e is essential.     

V形切槽巴西圆盘法测定岩石断裂韧度KIC的实验研究

采用国际岩石力学学会岩石断裂韧度建议测试方法(ISRM)[1]提出的V形切槽巴西圆盘试样(CCNBD),测试了一种泥质砂岩的I型断裂韧度值,给出了一套试样切割制备方案,从试验现象角度分析了该泥质砂岩的断裂力学特性,讨论了该试样类型的有效尺寸和断裂机制,并指出了该方法的特点和优劣性,得出如下结论：（1）该类岩石试样测得的I型断裂韧度值对CCNBD试样直径尺寸变化具有较大的敏感性,并且直径大于ISRM建议方法中最小有效直径（75 mm）的试样测试结果更为稳定;（2）CCNBD试样断裂机制表现为以拉张应力（间接拉伸）作用为主,兼有一定的韧带面内剪切作用的应力状态下I型裂纹扩展模式;（3）V形切槽巴西圆盘方法具有试样加工工艺简单、能承受较大临界载荷、测试的I型断裂韧度值较稳定等优点,但其没有考虑断裂过程区(FPZ)的非线性问题,建议对该方法进行非线性修正图解方案研究,以达到更准确测定岩石断裂韧度的目的。     

Procedures for calibration of linear models for damage limitation in design of masonry‐infilled RC frames

Recent earthquakes have confirmed the role played by infills in the seismic response of reinforced concrete buildings. The control and limitation of damage to such nonstructural elements is a key issue in performance‐based earthquake engineering. The present work is focused on modeling and analysis of damage to infill panels, and, in particular, it is aimed towards linear analysis procedures for assessing the damage limitation limit state of infilled reinforced concrete frames. First, code provisions on infill modeling and acceptance criteria at the damage limitation limit state are reviewed. Literature contributions on damage to unreinforced masonry infill panels and corresponding displacement capacity are reported and discussed. Two procedures are then proposed aiming at a twofold goal: (i) the determination of ‘equivalent’ interstory drift ratio limits for a bare frame model and (ii) the estimation of the stiffness of equivalent struts representing infill walls in a linear model. These two quantities are determined such that a linear model ensures a reliable estimation of seismic capacity at the damage limitation limit state, providing the same intensity level as that obtained from nonlinear analyses carried out on structural models with infills. Finally, the proposed procedures are applied to four‐story and eight‐story case study‐infilled frames, designed for seismic loads according to current technical codes. The results of these application examples are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerically based proposals for the stiffness and strength of masonry infills with openings in reinforced concrete frames

Aimed at investigating the effect of openings on the in‐plane behaviour of masonry infills in reinforced concrete frames, a parametric study is presented based on model calibration via experimental tests. Two types of openings are investigated: central window openings and different combinations of door and window openings based on the typologies of southern European countries. First, a finite element model of the structure is made using the DIANA software program. Then, after calibration with experimental results, a parametric analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of the presence and location of the different types of openings on the in‐plane behaviour of the infilled frame. Finally, different equations for predicting the initial stiffness and lateral strength of infilled frames with any types of openings were obtained. An α factor related to the geometry of the piers between openings is proposed to take into account the location of the openings in the developed equations. Subsequently, the masonry infill panel is replaced by a diagonal strut. An empirical equation is also proposed for the width of an equivalent strut to replace a masonry infill panel with openings in such a way that they possess the same initial stiffness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

高强钢组合偏心支撑框架抗震性能研究

高强钢组合K型偏心支撑框架耗能梁段和支撑采用Q345钢,其余构件采用Q460钢,不仅能有效减小构件截面、节约钢材、降低造价,而且有助于推广高强钢的应用。为了比较高强钢组合K型偏心支撑框架与Q345钢K型偏心支撑框架的抗震性能,在试验研究的基础上,设计两组共8个不同层数的高强钢组合K型偏心支撑框架与Q345钢K型偏心支撑框架,并分别对其进行非线性静力推覆分析和动力时程分析,对比分析两种结构形式的承载力、刚度、延性以及地震作用下层间变形能力和耗能梁段。结果表明:在满足抗震性能要求的前提下,相同设计条件下高强钢组合K型偏心支撑框架变形略差于Q345钢K型偏心支撑框架,但是其构件截面较小,可以节省钢材,降低工程造价,具有较高的经济效益。     

罕遇地震作用下的框架-摇摆刚架结构体系动力可靠度研究

针对钢筋混凝土框架结构的受力特点,采用增设摇摆刚架的抗震设计方法,以提高罕遇地震下建筑结构的安全性。建立了框架一摇摆刚架结构体系的计算模型,结合状态空间法与虚拟激励法,求解结构的平稳随机响应,并根据计算所得随机响应对框架一摇摆刚架体系的动力可靠度进行分析。以西部地区某已建成的6层框架结构为算例,探讨了罕遇地震作用下不同刚度比的摇摆刚架对新结构体系动力可靠度的影响。结果表明,通过增设不同刚度比的摇摆刚架,可以有效协调结构体系的变形模式,充分发挥结构的耗能能力,降低整体结构的条件失效概率。