Development of collapse-consistent loading protocols for experimental testing of steel columns

In order to effectively utilize results from quasi-static cyclic testing on structural components for the earthquake-induced collapse risk quantification of structures, the need exists to establish collapse-consistent loading protocols representing the asymmetric lateral drift demands of structures under low-probability of occurrence earthquakes. This paper summarizes the development of such protocols for experimental testing of steel columns prone to inelastic local buckling. The protocols are fully defined with a deformation- and a force-controlled parameter. They are generally applicable to quantify the capacity and demands of steel columns experiencing constant and variable axial load coupled with lateral drift demands. Through rigorous nonlinear earthquake collapse simulations, it is found that the building height, the column's local slenderness ratio, and ground motion type have the largest influence on the dual-parameter loading protocol indexes. Comprehensive comparisons with measured data from full-scale shake table collapse tests suggest that unlike routinely used symmetric cyclic loading histories, the proposed loading protocol provides sufficient information for modeling strength and stiffness deterioration in steel columns at large inelastic deformations.     

Investigation of the Hydrodynamic Performance of a Novel Semi-Submersible Platform with Multiple Small Columns

This paper presents a novel semi-submersible(SEMI) platform concept, called the multiple small columns(MSC) SEMI that improves upon the hydrodynamic performance of the conventional SEMI. Unlike the conventional SEMI, the proposed MSC SEMI utilizes multiple small circular columns to support the deck and a large pontoon that increases the structural displacement. The novelty of the MSC SEMI is its reduction of the hydrodynamic load on the structure and suppression of its motion response, particularly in the heave direction. The MSC SEMI has the advantages of increasing the added mass, radiation damping, and natural period of the structure. A comprehensive investigation of the hydrodynamic performance of the novel MSC SEMI is conducted in both the time and frequency domains with a special focus on the resulting hydrodynamic load and motion response. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the MSC SEMI concept can reduce the hydrodynamic load and motion response and improve the hydrodynamic performance of SEMIs as expected.     

Effect of graded levels of dietary carbohydrate on growth,feed utilisation and intestinal microbial community structure in dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus fed a pelleted diet

The ability to utilise carbohydrates is limited for many predatory marine fishes. Graded levels of dietary carbohydrate (4.1–24.6%) were formulated using pregelatinised maize starch, to determine optimal levels for dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus, an emerging mariculture finfish for which pelleted feeds are being developed. Specific growth rate increased with an increase in the carbohydrate level up to 16.72%, after which it declined. Feed utilisation followed a similar trend, with the best feed conversion ratio (1.28) and protein efficiency ratio (1.76) recorded at 16.4% carbohydrate. Lipid vacuolisation of the hepatocytes was evident in all livers examined, with melano-macrophage aggregates in those of fish fed 24.6% carbohydrate suggesting starvation. Gut bacterial community profiles were variable but were not influenced by dietary carbohydrate level and differed mostly between fish fed trout feed prior to the trial and those fed experimental diets containing starch. The dusky kob were able to clear glucose from their blood when fed up to 16.4% carbohydrate, but glucose removal was not achieved at 24.6% carbohydrate. In conclusion, dusky kob has a limited ability to utilise cooked starch as a carbohydrate source, which may be included in pelleted feed at 16.4% without adverse effects. For this species, levels of dietary carbohydrate above this may result in symptoms consistent with physiological breakdown, including reduced growth, reduced feed intake and feed conversion efficiency, prolonged hyperglycaemia, liver pathology and altered microbial communities in the foregut.     

自动分离提纯系统的研制及其在同位素分析测试中的应用

传统自然流速层析柱法存在离子容易扩散、流速不可控等问题,而元素的自动分离提纯技术可以提高同位素分析效率,压缩在室内提纯化学元素所需的时间。为了降低这种扩散效应、缩短淋洗时间,本文研制了一种自动分离提纯系统,用于元素的自动分离、提纯。该系统由流体切换阀、柱塞泵、自动进样器等部件构成,所有部件与计算机联接,每个部件可单独控制。该系统装配了两根层析柱,通过控制切换阀,可使两者组合使用,甚至能进行逆向淋洗,这与传统自然流速法完全不同。将海水样品分别通过传统自然流速法和本系统进行淋洗提纯,使用加压自动分离提纯系统后,元素(尤其是阴离子)的扩散效应得到明显改善。上样量均为1.0mL时,采用传统自然流速法,硼元素的淋洗峰宽为2.5～3.0mL,而采用本系统淋洗峰宽仅为1.0mL。自然流速法下,不同酸度淋洗液的淋洗速度不同,而本系统的流速精确可控,可确保流速稳定。本文研制的自动分离提纯系统在分离效果和分离能力上均比传统重力法表现优异,在分离元素进行同位素分析方面具有较大的应用前景。     

碎石桩加固饱和粉土地基的抗液化特性

除饱和砂土液化外,饱和粉土地震液化问题也是岩土地震工程中一个重要的研究课题。饱和粉土地基的地震液化及变形可以采用多种地基加固方法防治,碎石桩技术是常用方法之一。碎石桩复合地基的抗液化效应,主要是增加桩周土体的密度、利于桩体的排水以及由桩体分担地震水平剪应力（桩体减震作用）。但由于粉土的土质特性,粉土-碎石桩复合地基的抗液化特性与砂土有着明显的差异。本文结合目前国内外碎石桩复合地基抗液化研究的最新进展,对粉土-碎石桩的密实、排水减压和减震作用做了较详细的评述,最后提出了关于碎石柱复合地基抗液化特性需要进一步研究的问题。     

Experimental study on the seismic response of braced reinforced concrete frame with irregular columns

A 15-storey K-braced reinforced concrete model frame with irregular columns, i.e., T-shaped, L-shaped, as well as +-shaped columns, was constructed and tested on the six-degree-of-freedom shaking table at the State Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering in Tongji, China. Two types of earthquake records, El-Centro wave (south-north direction) and Shanghai artificial wave (SHAW) with various peak accelerations and principal-secondary sequences, were input and experimentally studied. Based on the shaking table tests and theoretical analysis, several observations can be made. The failure sequence of the model structure is brace→beam→column→joints, so that the design philosophy for several lines of defense has been achieved. Earthquake waves with different spectrums not only influence the magnitude and distribution of the earthquake force and the storey shear force, but also obviously affect the magnitude of the displacement response. The aftershock seismic response of previously damaged reinforced concrete braced frames with irregular columns possesses the equivalent elastic performance characteristic. Generally speaking, from the aspects of failure features and drift ratio, this type of reinforced concrete structure provides adequate earthquake resistance and can be promoted for use in China.     

Numerical analysis of an embankment built on soft soil reinforced with deep mixing columns: Parametric study

The behaviour of an embankment built on normally consolidated soft soil reinforced with deep mixing columns is studied using a coupled soil–water formulation. The numerical predictions are analysed in terms of settlements, increments in vertical effective stresses and excess pore pressures. Firstly, the effectiveness of the use of deep mixing columns is studied. Afterwards, a parametric analysis is performed to study the influence on the soil-columns system of the replacement ratio (columns’ spacing), the deformability of the embankment and columns, and the coefficient of vertical permeability of the columns.     

Performance of quasilinear elastic constitutive models in simulation of geosynthetic encased columns

Past numerical simulations of geosynthetic encased columns (GECs) using different versions of the quasilinear elastic hyperbolic model for the encased granular material have, in certain cases, yielded unrealistic results. In this paper the cause of such results is investigated by performing three-dimensional finite element analyses of GECs in soft clay, utilizing three common functional forms of the hyperbolic model for the encased granular material. Results indicate that one form of the hyperbolic model can predict an unrealistic lateral response for GECs during application of load to the column. In addition, the inability of hyperbolic models to properly account for soil behavior near failure compromises their ability to realistically capture the behavior of encased granular soil in GECs. Modeling the behavior of soil near failure is essential for properly simulating the behavior of GECs, as soil shear failure is necessary to mobilize the tensile stresses in the encasement and improve the stress–displacement response of the GEC. Although this type of hyperbolic model behavior was demonstrated for the specific case of encased soil in a GEC, the limitations of the hyperbolic model described herein apply equally to other geotechnical problems in which some portion of the soil mass is at or near failure.     

Comparative efficiency analysis of different nonlinear modelling strategies to simulate the biaxial response of RC columns

The performance of different nonlinear modelling strategies to simulate the response of RC columns subjected to axial load combined with cyclic biaxial horizontal loading is compared. The models studied are classified into two categories according to the nonlinearity distribution assumed in the elements: lumped-plasticity and distributed inelasticity. For this study, results of tests on 24 columns subjected to cyclic uniaxial and biaxial lateral displacements were numerically reproduced. The analyses show that the global envelope response is satisfactorily represented with the three modelling strategies, but significant differences were found in the strength degradation for higher drift demands and energy dissipation.     

Collapse of a nonductile concrete frame: Evaluation of analytical models

The current paper presents nonlinear dynamic analyses that simulate shaking table tests performed on a four‐column reinforced concrete frame described in a companion paper. The frame consists of two ductile and two nonductile columns interconnected by a stiff beam. In order to validate existing analytical models for nonductile concrete columns, a blind comparison of the test data and results of the analysis is performed. The analysis adequately captures the drift response and correctly detects collapse of the structure; however, strength degradation due to cover spalling is exaggerated in the analytical model. Refinement of the analysis by changing the concrete cover model results in an excellent agreement between the test data and analysis results at the initiation of shear failure and collapse of the frame. The experimental data are further compared with lumped‐plasticity nonlinear models used in engineering practice. The results suggest that the sudden strength degradation used in ASCE/SEI 41‐06 results in an exaggerated estimate of the displacement demands. It is also observed that ignoring the strength degradation, using an elastic‐perfectly‐plastic model, provides a good estimate of the displacement demands when strength degradation is not severe. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.