Optimal design of supplemental viscous dampers for irregular shear‐frames in the presence of yielding

A methodology for the optimal design of supplemental viscous dampers for regular as well as irregular yielding shear‐frames is presented. It addresses the problem of minimizing the added damping subject to a constraint on an energy‐based global damage index (GDI) for an ensemble of realistic ground motion records. The applicability of the methodology for irregular structures is achieved by choosing an appropriate GDI. For a particular choice of the parameters comprising the GDI, a design for the elastic behavior of the frame or equal damage for all stories is achieved. The use of a gradient‐based optimization algorithm for the solution of the optimization problem is enabled by first deriving an expression for the gradient of the constraint. The optimization process is started for one ‘active’ ground motion record which is efficiently selected from the given ensemble. If the resulting optimal design fails to satisfy the constraints for other records from the original ensemble, additional ground motions (loading conditions) are added one by one to the ‘active’ set until the optimum is reached. Two examples for the optimal designs of supplemental dampers are given: a 2‐story shear frame with varying strength distribution and a 10‐story shear frame. The 2‐story shear frame is designed for one given ground motion whereas the 10‐story frame is designed for an ensemble of twenty ground motions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Terrestrial reference frame requirements within GGOS perspective

One of the main objectives of the promising and challenging IAG project GGOS (Global Geodetic Observing System) is the availability of a global and accurate Terrestrial Reference Frame for Earth Science applications, particularly Earth Rotation, Gravity Field and geophysics. With the experience gained within the activities related to the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) and its realization, the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), the combination method proved its efficiency to establish a global frame benefiting from the strengths of the various space geodetic techniques and, in the same time, underlining their biases and weaknesses. In this paper we focus on the limitation factors inherent to each individual technique and to the combination, such as the current status of the observing networks, distribution of the co-location sites and their quality and accuracy of the combined frame parameters. Results of some TRF and EOP simultaneous combinations using CATREF software will be used to illustrate the current achievement and to help drawing up future goals and improvements in the GGOS framework. Beyond these technical aspects, the overall visibility and acceptance of ITRS/ITRF as international standard for science and applications is also discussed.     

Inclusion of P–Δ effect in displacement‐based seismic design of steel moment resisting frames

A procedure for treating the P– Δ effect in the direct displacement‐based seismic design of regular steel moment resisting frames with ideal elastoplastic material behaviour is proposed. A simple formula for the yield displacement amplification factor as a function of ductility and the stability coefficient is derived on the basis of the seismic response of an inelastic single degree‐of‐freedom system taking into account the P– Δ effect. Extensive parametric seismic inelastic analyses of plane moment resisting steel frames result in a simple formula for the dynamic stability coefficient as a function of the number of stories of a frame and the column to beam stiffness ratio. Thus, the P– Δ effect can be easily taken into account in a direct displacement‐based seismic design through the stability coefficient and the yield displacement amplification factor. A simple design example serves to illustrate the application of the proposed method and demonstrate its merits. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probabilistic performance assessment of low‐ductility reinforced concrete frames retrofitted with dissipative braces

The paper illustrates a probabilistic methodology for assessing the vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with limited ductility capacity retrofitted by means of dissipative braces. The aim is to highlight the most important parameters controlling the capacity of these coupled systems and specific aspects concerning the response uncertainties. The proposed methodology is based on the use of local engineering demand parameters for monitoring the seismic response and on the development of component and system fragility curves before and after the retrofit. In the first part of the paper, the methodology is illustrated by highlighting its advantages with respect to the existing approaches. Then, its capability and effectiveness are tested by considering a benchmark two‐dimensional RC frame designed for gravity‐loads only. The frame is retrofitted by introducing elasto‐plastic dissipative braces designed for different levels of base shear capacity. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the methodology in describing the changes in the response and in the failure modalities before and after the retrofit, for different retrofit levels. Moreover, the retrofit effectiveness is evaluated by introducing proper synthetic parameters describing the fragility curves and by stressing the importance of employing local engineering demand parameters (EDPs) rather than global EDPs in the seismic risk evaluation of coupled systems consisting in low‐ductility RC frames and dissipative braces. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Subassemblage cyclic loading test of RC frame with buckling restrained braces in zigzag configuration

A new buckling restrained braced frame system is proposed for reinforced concrete building structures, which is featured by the zigzag configuration of the braces and the corresponding connection details. The connection details tend to separate the vertical and horizontal components of force imposed by the braces to be resisted by independent structural components to make the behavior of the connection easier to estimate and control. The performance of the brace connection details was evaluated through cyclic load testing on 1/2‐scale subassemblies of the proposed system, each of which consisted of a reinforced concrete part and a set of buckling restrained braces. To simplify the test control, the specimens were rotated 90° in the test and were loaded by two displacement controlled actuators. The test results show that the normal and the shear resistance of the gusset plate connection are essentially independent of each other. However, the rotation of the gusset plate with respect to the beam‐to‐column joint may result in nonuniform force distribution of the anchor bolts, the primary resistance for tensile force. At the same time, such rotation may also subject the concrete corbels, the primary shear resistance, to unfavorable tensile force. In addition, it is also confirmed that the buckling restrained braces performed well in the proposed system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A model to simulate special concentrically braced frames beyond brace fracture

Special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) are commonly used as the lateral‐load resisting system in buildings. SCBFs primarily sustain large deformation demands through inelastic action in the brace, including compression buckling and tension yielding; secondary yielding may occur in the gusset plate and framing elements. The preferred failure mode is brace fracture. Yielding, buckling, and fracture behavior results in highly nonlinear behavior and accurate analytical modeling of these frames is required. Prior research has shown that continuum models are capable of this level of simulation. However, those models are not suitable for structural engineering practice. To enable the use of accurate yet practical nonlinear models, a research study was undertaken to investigate modeling parameters for line‐element models, which is a more practical modeling approach. This portion of the study focused on methods to predict brace fracture. A fracture modeling approach simulated the nonlinear, cyclic response of SCBFs by correlating onset of fracture to the maximum strain range in the brace. The model accounts for important brace design parameters including slenderness, compactness, and yield strength. Fracture data from over 40 tests was used to calibrate the model and included single‐brace component, single story frame, and full‐scale multistory frame specimens. The proposed fracture model is more accurate and simpler than other, previously proposed models. As a result, the proposed model is an ideal candidate for practical performance simulation of SCBFs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Book Reviews

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)-sponsored Vertical Offshore Reference Frames (VORF) project aims to develop tidal level transformation models that are referenced to the GRS80 ellipsoid and thus compatible with GNSS positioning; in particular, heighting. Benefits include increasing the efficiency of hydrographic surveying, providing a stable consistent reference frame and enabling integration with land data in the coastal zone. Seven contemporary global ocean tide models are used to derive Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) surfaces which are each assessed by comparison with LAT values from the 7,389-strong UKHO tide gauge database, with the results correlated with distance from land. The proportion of truly offshore and pelagic gauges is relatively limited; however, the transition zone whereby the global ocean tide models commence to deteriorate in accuracy is evident at approximately 30km from the coast. The DTU10 model was selected as the strongest candidate overall. Subsequently, a thin plate spline method is used with the tide gauge dataset to enhance the DTU10 LAT surface in the coastal zone, creating a high resolution global LAT surface with respect to mean sea level. It is seen by cross-validation that the method may be used to predict LAT in near-shore locations with a standard error of 0.23 m.     

基坑开挖时邻近桩基性状的数值分析

基坑开挖时尤为关注的问题是土体侧向移动对邻近桩基的不利影响,土体的侧向移动使邻近桩基产生侧向位移和附加应力及弯矩,甚至可能使上部建筑物功能失效。采用土工有限元软件Plaxis 8.2对内支撑排桩支护基坑开挖过程进行数值模拟,分析了基坑开挖时对邻近桩基的各种影响因素,包括单排桩、双排桩在不同开挖深度、支护桩的刚度、桩基刚度、桩基距基坑开挖面距离、桩身的约束和桩长条件下桩身水平位移和弯矩的变化特性。     

Positions of 46 radio stars: Observations of 1984–1985 and 1989–1991

The results of observations of 46 radio stars carried out with the Repsold meridian circle of the Kyyiv University Observatory in 1984–1985 and 1989–1991 are presented. The main goal of these observations is to improve the optical positions of radio stars for determination of a relationship between the optical and VLBI reference frames. The standard errors of averaged positions in two catalogues amount to 0.2 arcsec. These results were compared with those obtained with the Bordeaux meridian circle.