Experimental tests on full‐scale RC unretrofitted frame and retrofitted with buckling‐restrained braces

The results of experimental tests carried out on reinforced concrete (RC) full‐scale 2‐storey 2‐bays framed buildings are presented. The unretrofitted frame was designed for gravity loads only and without seismic details; such frame was assumed as a benchmark system in this study. A similar RC frame was retrofitted with buckling‐restrained braces (BRBs). The earthquake structural performance of both prototypes was investigated experimentally using displacement‐controlled pushover static and cyclic lateral loads. Modal response properties of the prototypes were also determined before and after the occurrence of structural damage. The results of the dynamic response analyses were utilized to assess the existing design rules for the estimation of the elastic and inelastic period of vibrations. Similarly, the values of equivalent damping were compared with code‐base relationships. It was found that the existing formulations need major revisions when they are used to predict the structural response of as‐built RC framed buildings. The equivalent damping ratio ξ_eq was augmented by more than 50% when the BRBs was employed as bracing system. For the retrofitted frame, the overstrength Ω and the ductility µ are 1.6 and 4.1, respectively; the estimated R‐factor is 6.5. The use of BRBs is thus a viable means to enhance efficiently the lateral stiffness and strength, the energy absorption and dissipation capacity of the existing RC substandard frame buildings. The foundation systems and the existing members of the superstructure are generally not overstressed as the seismic demand imposed on them can be controlled by the axial stiffness and the yielding force of the BRBs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient performance‐based seismic design method for reinforced concrete frames

In this paper, a practical method is developed for performance‐based design of RC structures subjected to seismic excitations. More efficient design is obtained by redistributing material from strong to weak parts of a structure until a state of uniform deformation or damage prevails. By applying the design algorithm on 5, 10 and 15‐storey RC frames, the efficiency of the proposed method is initially demonstrated for specific synthetic and real seismic excitations. The results indicate that, for similar structural weight, designed structures experience up to 30% less global damage compared with code‐based design frames. The method is then developed to consider multiple performance objectives and deal with seismic design of RC structures for a design spectrum. The results show that the proposed method is very efficient at controlling performance parameters and improving structural behaviour of RC frames. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of Rayleigh damping and its influence on engineering demand parameter estimates

The effects of Rayleigh damping model on the engineering demand parameters of two steel moment‐resisting frame buildings were evaluated. Two‐dimensional models of the buildings were created and response history analysis were conducted for three different hazard levels. The response history analysis results indicate that mass‐proportional damping leads to high damping forces compared with restoring forces and may lead to overestimation of floor acceleration demands for both buildings. Stiffness‐proportional damping, on the other hand, is observed to suppress the higher‐mode effects in the nine‐story building resulting in lower story drift demands in the upper floors compared with other damping models. Rayleigh damping models, which combine mass‐proportional and stiffness‐proportional components, that are anchored at reduced modal frequencies lead to reasonable damping forces and floor acceleration demands for both buildings and does not suppress higher‐mode effects in the nine‐story building. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic reliability of V‐braced frames: Influence of design methodologies

According to the most modern trend, performance‐based seismic design is aimed at the evaluation of the seismic structural reliability defined as the mean annual frequency (MAF) of exceeding a threshold level of damage, i.e. a limit state. The methodology for the evaluation of the MAF of exceeding a limit state is herein applied with reference to concentrically ‘V’‐braced steel frames designed according to different criteria. In particular, two design approaches are examined. The first approach corresponds to the provisions suggested by Eurocode 8 (prEN 1998—Eurocode 8: design of structures for earthquake resistance. Part 1: general rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings), while the second approach is based on a rigorous application of capacity design criteria aiming at the control of the failure mode (J. Earthquake Eng. 2008; 12 :1246–1266; J. Earthquake Eng. 2008; 12 :728–759). The aim of the presented work is to focus on the seismic reliability obtained through these design methodologies. The probabilistic performance evaluation is based on an appropriate combination of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, probabilistic seismic demand analysis (PSDA) and probabilistic seismic capacity analysis. Regarding PSDA, nonlinear dynamic analyses have been carried out in order to obtain the parameters describing the probability distribution laws of demand, conditioned to given values of the earthquake intensity measure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rigid‐plastic models for the seismic design and assessment of steel framed structures

This paper demonstrates the applicability of response history analysis based on rigid‐plastic models for the seismic assessment and design of steel buildings. The rigid‐plastic force–deformation relationship as applied in steel moment‐resisting frames (MRF) is re‐examined and new rigid‐plastic models are developed for concentrically‐braced frames and dual structural systems consisting of MRF coupled with braced systems. This paper demonstrates that such rigid‐plastic models are able to predict global seismic demands with reasonable accuracy. It is also shown that, the direct relationship that exists between peak displacement and the plastic capacity of rigid‐plastic oscillators can be used to define the level of seismic demand for a given performance target. Copyright© 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probabilistic estimate of seismic response design values of RC frames

Probabilistically controlled design values of the nonlinear seismic response of reinforced concrete frames are obtained using a method previously proposed by the authors. The method allows to calculate conservative design values characterized by a predefined non‐exceedance probability, using a limited number of spectrum‐fitting generated accelerograms. Herein the method is applied to elastic‐strain hardening single degree of freedom systems representative of RC framed structures and is then assessed with reference to four reinforced concrete model frames designed according to EC8. The frames are characterized by different natural periods and aspect ratios. The results, compared with those obtained applying current EC8 recommendations, show the effectiveness of the proposed method. EC8 provides for design values of the seismic response of a structure with a nonlinear behavior computed as the mean value of the responses to seven accelerograms or as the maximum value of the responses to three accelerograms. These two criteria lead to design values characterized by very different and uncontrolled non‐exceedance probability levels, while the proposed method allows the analyst to directly control the non‐exceedance probability level of the calculated design values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

直接基于位移设计的高强钢组合K形偏心支撑钢框架的抗震性能研究

K形高强钢组合偏心支撑(K-HSS-EBF)是指耗能连梁和支撑采用Q345钢,而框架梁、框架柱采用高强度钢(如Q460)。为研究其在罕遇地震作用下的抗震性能,在试验研究的基础上,采用直接基于位移的抗震设计方法设计了5层、8层和12层算例,分别进行静力推覆分析和动力弹塑性分析,研究高强钢组合偏心支撑钢框架在罕遇地震作用下层间侧移分布和破坏模式。研究结果表明:直接基于位移的抗震设计方法设计的算例在罕遇地震作用下,结构的层间侧移满足我国现行抗震规范的要求,结构呈理想的渐进式梁铰屈服机构,并证明该设计方法的合理性和可靠性。     

Framework of aftershock fragility assessment–case studies: older California reinforced concrete building frames

Current seismic design codes and damage estimation tools neglect the influence of successive events on structures. However, recent earthquakes have demonstrated that structures damaged during an initial event (mainshock) are more vulnerable to severe damage and collapse during a subsequent event (aftershock). This increased vulnerability to damage translates to increased likelihood of loss of use, property, and life. Thus, a reliable risk assessment tool is required that characterizes the risk of the undamaged structure subjected to an initial event and the risk of the damaged structure under subsequent events. In this paper, a framework for development of aftershock fragilities is presented; these aftershock fragilities define the likelihood that a building damaged during a mainshock will exhibit a given damage state following one or more aftershocks. Thus, the framework provides a method for characterizing the risk associated with damage accumulation in the structure. The framework includes the following: (i) creation of a numerical model of the structure; (ii) characterization of building damage states; (iii) generation of a suite of mainshock–aftershocks; (iv) mainshock–aftershock analyses; and (v) development of aftershock fragility curves using probabilistic aftershock demand models, defined as a linear regression of aftershock demand–intensity pairs in a logarithmic space, and damage‐state prediction models. The framework is not limited to a specific structure type but requires numerical models defining structural response and linking structural response with damage. In the current study, non‐ductile RC frames (low‐rise, mid‐rise, and high‐rise) are selected as case studies for the application of the framework. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pushover analysis of base-isolated steel–concrete composite structures under near-fault excitations

In the present study, the seismic behavior of steel–concrete composite structures isolated by base-isolation devices under near-fault earthquake excitations is numerically investigated. The seismic analysis is performed by means of the static non-linear (pushover) analysis procedure conducted on two five-storey three-dimensional (3-D) buildings with steel columns and steel–concrete composite slabs and beams. The present 3-D building examples are assumed to be located at a near-fault area in order to take into account the effect of strong ground motion on the isolation devices. The results of this study allowed the verification of the adequacy of the attachment isolation system as well as the comparison of the behavior of the seismic-protected building with or without bracings to the unprotected buildings with or without bracings, showing the benefits of the application of the isolation devices, the limitations and the characteristics of their performance.     

Buckling and postbuckling of composite ship panels stiffened with preform frames

The U.S. shipbuilding industry recently has started incorporating composite materials in the construction of both military and commercial ships due to the advantages of composite construction. These advantages include the reduction in total life costs, corrosion resistance, high strength- and stiffness-to-weight ratios, and improved stealth for military applications. One disadvantage is the higher costs of composites compared to steel and other conventional materials. Therefore, new higher quality materials with lower costs and new fabrication methods need to be developed before composite materials will be fully accepted for the construction of large ships. A new composite preform framing technology shows promise in the reduction of fabrication costs for large ship construction. There already has been significant cost savings using this framing technology in the construction of small recreational boats and large yachts. This framing technology involves casting a dry glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) fabric into shape in a closed mold with a foam core. One unresolved issue using this framing technology is the orientation of the fiber for the frames. This paper summarizes experimental results of the testing of composite panels stiffened with preform frames under in-plane uniaxial compressive loads. Biaxial (0,90), quadaxial (0,90,+45,−45), and triaxial (+45,−45,0) laminates were used in the frames.