Effectiveness of simple approaches in mitigating residual deformations in buildings

Developments in performance‐based seismic design and assessment approaches have emphasized the importance of considering residual deformations. Recent investigations have also led to a proposed direct displacement‐based design (DDBD) approach which includes an explicit consideration of the expected residual deformations as an integral part of the design process. Having estimated the expected residual deformations in a structure, engineers are faced with the problem of reducing them to meet the targeted performance levels under pre‐defined seismic hazard levels. Previous studies have identified the post‐yield stiffness as a primary factor influencing the magnitude of residual deformations in single degree of freedom and multiple degree of freedom structures. In this paper, a series of simple approaches to increase the post‐yield stiffness of traditional framed and braced systems for the purpose of reducing residual deformations are investigated. These methods do not utilize recentring post‐tensioned technology. This contribution addresses the feasibility of altering the lateral post‐yield stiffness of structural systems by: (i) using different reinforcement materials with beneficial features in their stress–strain behaviour; (ii) re‐designing the section geometry and properties of primary seismic‐resisting elements; and (iii) introducing a secondary elastic frame to act in parallel with the primary system. The efficiency of each of these techniques is investigated through monotonic and cyclic moment‐curvature and non‐linear time‐history analyses. Of these approaches the design and introduction of an elastic secondary system was found to be most effective and consistent in reducing residual deformations. A simplified design approach for achieving the desired increase of a system's post‐yield stiffness is also presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Earthquake‐resistant structural design through energy demand and capacity

An energy‐based earthquake‐resistant structural design method is proposed. The proposed method uses specific input energy spectra, modal or time‐history analyses, and energy distribution among structural members. For a given member strength and stiffness, a relationship between the energy attributable to damage absorbed by a member and its cumulative ductility demand can be determined. Member strength, stiffness and energy capacity are design parameters which are simultaneously used in the design. The method can avoid soft‐storey design. The damage is measured based on a cumulative basis considering earthquake magnitude, frequency, and duration. Tests have been carried out to determine energy absorbing capacities of various structural components. More efforts are needed to make the energy‐based earthquake‐resistant structural design practical, but ssimple formulations for this method are possible. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acceleration response modification factors for nonstructural components attached to inelastic moment‐resisting frame structures

A statistical analysis of the peak acceleration demands for nonstructural components (NSCs) supported on a variety of stiff and flexible inelastic regular moment‐resisting frame structures with periods from 0.3 to 3.0 s exposed to 40 far‐field ground motions is presented. Peak component acceleration (PCA) demands were quantified based on the floor response spectrum (FRS) method without considering dynamic interaction effects. This study evaluated the main factors that influence the amplification or decrease of FRS values caused by inelasticity in the primary structure in three distinct spectral regions namely long‐period, fundamental‐period, and short‐period region. The amplification or decrease of peak elastic acceleration demands depends on the location of the NSC in the supporting structure, periods of the component and building, damping ratio of the component, and level of inelasticity of the supporting structure. While FRS values at the initial modal periods of the supporting structure are reduced due to inelastic action in the primary structure, the region between the modal periods experiences an increase in PCA demands. A parameter denoted as acceleration response modification factor (R_acc) was proposed to quantify this reduction/increase in PCA demands. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

城市设计信息系统研究初探

通过对城市设计中空间问题的分析，探讨了地理信息系统在城市设计中的应用，并对城市设计信息系统进行了总体设计。     

如何控制数字地下地形图的空间占用

数字地形图的数据量的大小不但取决于采点密谋，而且也受AUTOCAD中的某些操作的影响。     

面向对象的土壤—地形体数字化数据库管理系统分析与设计

利用全新的面向对象软件研制方法，经过分析、设计、编码和测试开发完成新的土壤、地形体数字化数据库（SOTER）管理系统。新系统继承和扩充了原有系统的属性数据管理功能，增强了SOTER数据库的完整性与安全性；将属性数据管理、空间数据管理和模型库集成在一个系统中，采用Windows的图形用户界面（GUI）与用户交互，使SOTER数据库的建立与维扩更加方便；同时促进了土壤信息应用的定量化、模式化和自动化，也为进一步建立土壤信息系统打下了良好基础。     

河南省飞机人工增雨试验方案设计

借鉴国内外已有的探测和分析研究成果，结合国内人工增雨飞机的性能，着重介绍在催化作业和探测时，开展等半径盘旋上升（或下降）垂直观测，和在特定高度上进行水平观测的方案设计及其资料收集、处理、存档的流程。为开展人工增雨作业、观测提供科学依据。     

浅析山区高等级公路中的边坡工程岩体

随着山区高等级公路建设的飞速发展，各类边坡工程岩体问题也日益增多。从卸荷岩体力学的基本观点入手，探讨了边坡工程岩体的变形破坏特性、稳定性评价方法以及开挖设计理论。研究表明，边坡工程岩体的变形破坏特性完全符合卸荷岩体力学行为，不同于常规的加载岩体行为；边坡工程岩体的稳定性分析计算中必须重视水力学因素和卸荷作用的影响，并得到了有意义的表达式；边坡工程岩体的开挖设计应在充分认识其工程力学性状的基础上，针对边坡岩体地质特性，结合已有各类稳定边坡的资料，进行既经济又可靠的优化设计。     

粘性土抗剪强度折算系数法的研究与应用

系统介绍了粘性土抗剪强度的特征，并分析了其组成。在此基础上针对基抗支护设计中粘性土抗剪强度的取值问题，提出了采用折算系数法对抗剪强度C值进行处理，并利用此方法进行了长春光大银行基坑的支护设计，取得了良好的效果。     

A study of design spectra based on attenuation relationship of ground motion

In recent years, more and more studies are focused on the performance in seismic design instead of the strength of structures. People have realized that the structure deformation (displacement) can describe the damage more properly and directly than the strength (force). The displacement design spectra need to be constructed within more wide range of the period and the damping for the displacement-based seismic design.