Fragility functions of blockwork wharves using artificial neural networks

The use of artificial neural networks in the general framework of a performance-based seismic vulnerability evaluation for earth retaining structures is presented. A blockwork wharf-foundation-backfill complex is modeled with advanced nonlinear 2D finite difference software, wherein liquefaction occurrence is explicitly accounted for. A simulation algorithm is adopted to sample geotechnical input parameters according to their statistical distribution, and extensive time histories analyses are then performed for several earthquake intensity levels. In the process, the seismic input is also considered as a random variable. A large dataset of virtual realizations of the behavior of different configurations under recorded ground motions is thus obtained, and an artificial neural network is implemented in order to find the unknown nonlinear relationships between seismic and geotechnical input data versus the expected performance of the facility. After this process, fragility curves are systematically derived by applying Monte Carlo simulation on the obtained correlations. The novel fragility functions herein proposed for blockwork wharves take into account different geometries, liquefaction occurrence and type of failure mechanism. Results confirm that the detrimental effects of liquefaction increase the probability of failure at all damage states. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that increasing the base width/height ratio results in higher failure probabilities for the horizontal sliding than for the tilting towards the sea.     

Acceptance limits for performance‐based seismic design of RC walls for low‐rise housing

Acceptance limits of the structural response of walls for low‐rise concrete housing were developed. Proposed values are applicable within a performance‐based seismic design framework. Acceptance limits are based on performance indicators of structural response–allowable story drift ratios, width of residual cracks and residual damage index, and expected damage of walls. Cracking limits were defined from parameters obtained at the unloading stage of walls (i.e., residual cracking stage). The residual cracking stage may be used for structural damage evaluation and cost estimation of structural rehabilitation after an earthquake has occurred. The performance indicators proposed herein were derived from test observations and measured response of 39 RC walls' specimens during shaking table and quasistatic testing, as well as from limiting values and results of previous studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

提高框架填充墙结构抗震性能的新途径和新方法

归纳分析了近5年国内发生的江西九江地震、云南盐津地震、云南普洱地震和四川汶川地震中框架填充墙结构常见的震害现象及其破坏原因,在此基础上,采取＂以强御强＂和＂以柔克刚＂两种不同的抗震思路,提出了通过捆绑墙体、构造次框架、填充墙开缝、耗能柔性连接、构造阻尼填充墙、设置节点耗能器来提高框架填充墙结构抗震性能的新途径和新方法。所提出的方法及其思路对框架填充墙结构的工程设计和抗震新方法的研发具有一定的参考价值。     

Seismic response of multi-tiered reinforced soil retaining walls

In this study, a validated Finite Element procedure was used to investigate the similarities and differences of seismic performances between single- and multi-tiered reinforced soil walls. Three-tiered walls at a total height of 9 m were analyzed together with vertical walls at the same height. It was found from the Finite Element analyses that the resonant frequency of reinforced soil walls might increase with an increase in the tier-offset. The multi-tiered configuration could considerably reduce the residual lateral facing displacement and the average reinforcement load, and the reinforcement load distribution with height was different from that in vertical walls. With the same reinforcement length and spacing, the multi-tiered walls resulted in smaller reinforcement connection loads with the facing blocks. The study filled the gap of seismic behavior of multi-tiered reinforced soil retaining walls and revealed a few unique dynamic properties of this type of earth structures.     

Analytical solution of seismic pseudo-static active thrust acting on fascia retaining walls

This paper presents a limit equilibrium method, based on the approach of Mononobe and Okabe, for calculating the active thrust on fascia retaining walls, where common methods cannot be used owing to the narrowness of the backfill which does not permit the development of the thrust wedge in the shape and sizes predicted by these methods. The proposed method examines three distinct failure mechanisms, called Mechanism 1, Mechanism 2 and Mechanism 3, where the thrust wedge is formed by one, two or three blocks, respectively; separated by plane slip surfaces. The seismic forces have been simulated with the pseudo-static method. For all three mechanisms, the active thrust is obtained in closed form: in particular, with a cubic equation for Mechanism 2, and with a system of two equations, one cubic and the other quartic, for Mechanism 3. Mechanisms with more than three blocks cannot have analytical solutions. The study is completed by an examination of some significant cases from which the higher attenuation of the seismic thrust, with respect to the static, emerges as the backfill width reduces.     

土钉墙地基承载力问题探讨

土钉墙墙底地基土的承载力验算是土钉墙支护设计的一项重要内容。国内的工程实践中,通常将土钉墙地基承载力与坑底土抗隆起验算合并考虑。针对具体案例,通过Plaxis3D有限元数值模拟,分析研究了土钉墙底部土体发生地基承载力失稳的破坏模式、破坏荷载以及土钉墙墙底应力分布特点等,探讨了依据我国相关规程进行土钉墙坑底隆起或地基承载力计算可能存在的问题。借鉴国外加筋土挡墙地基承载力计算的一般方法,将土钉墙作为荷载倾斜、偏心的刚性基础对待,利用荷载倾斜、偏心条件下传统刚性浅基础的地基承载力的Meyerhof解和Vesic解,对土钉墙地基承载力进行了计算和对比,通过对比发现,Meyerhof解更接近实际,据此,提出了土钉墙地基承载力计算的合理模式。     

Steel slit shear walls with double‐tapered links capable of condition assessment

The concept of using a hysteretic damper as a condition assessment device that functions immediately after a damaging earthquake is realized by making use of the residual out‐of‐plane deformation of links that are arranged in slit shear walls. According to the proposed inspection procedure, the maximum drift ratio experienced by the slit wall is estimated based on the number of torsionally deformed links whose dimensions are determined so that the links would exhibit notable torsional deformation at the target deformations. The adoption of a double‐tapered shape for the links enables us to significantly increase the amount of out‐of‐plane deformation. The relationship between the dimensions and the torsional deformation of the links is established using numerical simulations. The effectiveness of the proposed condition assessment scenario is verified by using a series of cyclic loading tests for individual links and groups of links. As a hysteretic damper, the strength and stiffness of the links predicted by design equations matched well with test results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A cantilever beam analogy for quantifying higher mode effects in multistorey buildings

This paper examines higher mode effects in systems where the ductile mechanism for seismic design is the base moment‐rotation response. The modal properties of flexural and shear beams with uniform mass and elasticity and with a variable amount of base rotational restraint are derived. As the base fixity is released, the first mode becomes the rigid body rotation of the beam about the base, but the higher modes change much less, particularly for the shear beam model. Most response quantities that are of interest in the seismic design of typical mid‐rise buildings are controlled by the first two lateral modes, except at locations along the height where the second mode contributes little. However, the third and higher lateral modes are more significant for high‐rise buildings. Based on the theory of uniform cantilever shear beams, expressions are developed to avoid the need for a modal analysis to estimate the overturning moment, storey shear, and floor acceleration envelopes. Considering the measured response from the shake table testing of a large‐scale eight‐storey controlled rocking steel braced frame, the proposed expressions are shown to be of similar or better accuracy to a modified modal superposition technique, which combines the higher mode response from an elastic modal analysis with the response associated with achieving the maximum base overturning moment according to an inverted triangular load distribution. Because the proposed method uses only parameters that are available at the initial design stage, avoiding the analysis of a structural model, it is likely to be especially useful for preliminary design. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Damage index based on stiffness degradation of low‐rise RC walls

Widely used damage indices, such as ductility and drift ratios, do not account for the influences of the duration of strong shaking, the cumulative inelastic deformation or energy dissipation in structures. In addition, the formulation and application of most damage indices have until now been based primarily on flexural modes of failure. However, evidence from earthquakes suggests that shear failure or combined shear‐flexure behavior is responsible for a large proportion of failures. Empirical considerations have been made in this paper for evaluating structural damage of low‐rise RC walls under earthquake ground motions by means of a new energy‐based low‐cycle fatigue damage index. The proposed empirical damage index is based on the results of an experimental program that comprised six shake table tests of RC solid walls and walls with openings; results of six companion walls tested under QS‐cyclic loading were used for comparison purposes. Variables studied were the wall geometry, type of concrete, web shear steel ratio, type of web shear reinforcement, and testing method. The index correlates the stiffness degradation and the destructiveness of the earthquake in terms of the duration and intensity of the ground motions. The stiffness degradation model considers simultaneously the increment of damage associated to the low‐cycle fatigue, energy dissipation, and the cumulative cyclic parameters, such as displacement demand and hysteretic energy dissipated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.