Parametric study of ductile moment‐resisting steel frames: A first step towards Eurocode 8 calibration

A parametric study of 13 608 ductile moment‐resisting steel frames designed according to Eurocodes 3 and 8 is performed. A flowchart for the evaluation of the seismic‐resistant capacity of the designed frames is developed based on the N2 method. The design structural overstrength, ductility supply, plastic redistribution parameter, supply reduction factor and performance ratio of the frames are analysed. We determine that the frames have performance ratios higher than 1, mostly due to high values of design structural overstrength, showing that the seismic supply produced by the restraints of Eurocodes 3 and 8 is always higher than the seismic demand. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

铰接隅撑钢框架抗震性能研究

传统抗弯钢框架的梁柱节点通常设计为刚性连接,这种刚性节点具有很大的抗弯刚度,然而节点延性不足,罕遇地震作用导致节点脆性断裂.研究学者提出了多种解决该问题的思路,例如半刚性连接节点、节点加强或削弱方法使塑性铰外移等.本文提出了一种简化的梁柱节点连接方式-铰接连接,改变梁柱节点的传力方式,在节点处设置隅撑提供框架的抗侧刚度...     

On a modal damping identification model for non-classically damped linear building structures subjected to earthquakes

A simple modal damping identification model developed by the present authors for classically damped linear building frames is extended here to the non-classically damped case. The modal damping values are obtained with the aid of the frequency domain modulus of the roof-to-basement transfer function and the resonant frequencies of the structure (peaks of the transfer function) as well as the modal participation factors and mode shapes of the undamped structure. The assumption is made that the modulus of the transfer function of the non-classically damped structure matches the one of the classically damped structure in a discrete manner, i.e., at the resonant frequencies of that function modulus. This proposed approximate identification method is applied to a number of plane building frames with and without pronounced non-classical damping under different with respect to their frequency content earthquakes and its limitations and range of applicability are assessed with respect to the accuracy of both the identified damping ratios and that of the seismic structural response obtained by classical mode superposition and use of those identified modal damping ratios.     

Contributions of Satellite Laser Ranging to Past and Future Radar Altimetry Missions

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) has proven avery efficient method for contributingto the tracking of altimetric satellites anddetermining accurately their orbitalthough hampered by the non-worldwide coverageand the meteorologicalconditions. Indeed, in some cases it is the onlymethod available to determinethe satellite orbit (e.g., the orbits of the ERS-1and Geosat-Follow-On missions).Moreover, any operational and non-weather dependenttechniques, like GPS,DORIS, PRARE, can exhibit systematic errors inpositioning and orbitography. Acomparison with SLR results allows to evidence sucherrors and vice versa. Fordoing that, two different approaches for determiningprecise orbits can beconsidered: one based on global orbit determination,the other on a short-arctechnique used to locally improve a global orbitdetermined by another trackingtechniques, such as DORIS or GPS. We can thusvalidate a global orbit andachieve orbit quality control to a level of2 to 3 centimeters at present and expectto achieve a level of 1 to 2 centimeters inthe near future. Errors induced bystation coordinates or by the gravity field(geographically correlated errors, forexample) can be estimated from SLR tracking data.Colocation experiments withdifferent techniques in the same geodetic siteplay also a key role to ensure preciserelationships between the geodetic referenceframes linked to each technique. Inparticular, the role of the SLR technique is tostrengthen the vertical component(including velocity) of the positioning, whichis crucial for altimetry missions.The role of SLR data in the modelling of the firstterms of the gravity field has finally to be emphasized,which is of primary importance in orbitography,whatever the tracking technique used.Another application of SLR technology is thesatellite altimeter calibration. Examples of past calibrationand future experiments are given, including theaccuracy we can expect from the Jason-1 and EnviSatspace oceanography missions.     

Simplified seismic fatigue evaluation for rigid steel connections

A simplified fatigue-life model is proposed for assessing the seismic inelastic rotational capacity of steel connections. First relations are developed for rigid steel connections under lateral loading. Next this is extended to account for the effects of the welded steel moment frame (WSMF) connections of the so-called pre-Northridge type. The seismic fatigue theory is validated against experimental results. The experiments were conducted under increasing ductility amplitudcs until the onset of fracture. Miner‘ rule was used to convert the test results to given an equivalent constant amplitude cyclic fatigue life. Satisfactory agreement is obtained when comparing the experimental observations with the theoretical predictions.     

Ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames under earthquake loading

Accurate estimates of ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) are crucial to performance-based design of BRBFs. An analytical study on the seismic behavior of BRBFs has been conducted at the ATLSS Center, Lehigh University to prepare for an upcoming experimental program. The analysis program DRAIN-2DX was used to model a one-bay, four-story prototype BRBF including material and geometric nonlinearities. The bucklingrestrained brace (BRB) model incorporates both isotropic and kinematic hardening. Nonlinear static pushover and timehistory analyses were performed on the prototype BRBF. Performance objectives for the BRBs were defined and uscd to evaluate thc time-history analysis results. Particular emphasis was placed on global ductility demands and ductility demands oa the BRBs. These demands were compared with anticipated ductility capacities. The analysis results, along with results from similar previous studics, are used to evaluate the BRBF design provisions that have been recommended for codification in the United States. Thc results show that BRB maximum ductility demands can be as high as 20 to 25. These demands significantly exceed those anticipated by the BRBF recommended provisions. Results from the static pushover and timehistory analyses are used to demonstrate why the ductility demands exceed those anticipated by the recommended provisions.The BRB qualification testing protocol contained in the BRBF recommended provisions is shown to be inadequate because it requires only a maximum ductility demand of at most 7.5. Modifications to the testing protocol are recommended.     

Effects of reinforcement slippage on the non‐linear response under cyclic loadings of RC frame structures

This paper discusses the importance of including the bond‐slip effects in assessing the response under cyclic loads of reinforced concrete frames. The discussion is based on analyses performed using numerical models which are simple, computationally efficient and capable of representing the salient features of reinforced concrete frames under both static and dynamic loads. The numerical models comprise a displacement‐based, reinforced concrete frame element with bond‐slip and a rigid beam column joint element with bond‐slip. Two applications illustrate the model accuracy and show the importance of including bond‐slip. The first application considers a reinforced concrete beam‐column subassemblage experimentally tested under cyclic loads. The second application considers the shaking table test of a two‐story one‐bay reinforced concrete frame In both cases the analytical results correlate well with the experimental results in terms of strength, displacement demands and hysteretic energy dissipation. Furthermore, the paper shows how the analyses that include bond‐slip yield a better correlation with the experimental results with respect to the analyses that assume a perfect bond. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.