New lumped-mass-stick model based on modal characteristics of structures: development and application to a nuclear containment building

In this study, a new lumped-mass-stick model （LMSM） is developed based on the modal characteristics of a structure such as eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The simplified model, named the ＂frequency adaptive lumped-massstick model,＂ hasonly a small number of stick elements and nodes to provide the same natural frequencies of the structure and is applied to a nuclear containment building. To investigate the numerical performance of the LMSM, a time history analysis is carried out on both the LMSM and the finite element model （FEM） for a nuclear containment building. A comparison of the results shows that the dynamic responses of the LMSM in terms of displacement and acceleration are almost identical to those of the FEM. In addition, the results in terms of floor response spectra at certain elevations are also in good agreement.

Modeling and cyclic behavior of segmental bridge column connected with shape memory alloy bars

This paper examines the quasi-static cyclic behavior, lateral strength and equivalent damping capacities of a system of post-tensioned segmental bridge columns tied with large diameter martensitic Shape Memory Alloy （SMA） link-bars. Moment-curvature constitutive relationships are formulated and analysis tools are developed for the PT column, including a modified four-spring model prepared for the SMA bars. The suggested system is exemplified using a column with an aspect ratio of 7.5 and twelve 36.5 mm diameter NiTi martensitic SMA bars. A post-tensioning force of 40% to 60% of the tendon yield strength is applied in order to obtain a self re-centering system, considering the residual stress of the martensitie SMA bars. The cyclic response results show that the lateral strength remains consistently around 10% of the total vertical load and the equivalent viscous damping ratios reach 10%-12% of critical. When large diameter NiTi superelastic SMA bars are incorporated into the column system, the cyclic response varies substantially. The creep behavior of the superelastic SMA bar is accounted for since it affects the re-centering capability of the column. Two examples are presented to emphasize the modeling sensitivities for these special bars and quantify their cyclic behavior effects within the column assembly.

Spectral and fragility evaluations of retrofitted structures through strength reduction and enhanced damping

A retrofit procedure for existing buildings called the ＂weakening and damping technique＂ （WED） is presented in this paper. Weakening of structures can limit the maximum response accelerations during severe ground motions, but leads to an increase in the displacements or inter-story drifts. Added damping by using viscous dampers, on the other hand, reduces the inter-story drifts and has no significant effect on total accelerations, when structures behave inelastically. The weakening and damping technique addresses the two main causes for both structural and nonstructural damage in structures. The weakening retrofit is particularly suitable for structures that have overstressed components and weak brittle components. In this paper, the advantages of the WeD are verified by nonlinear dynamic analysis and simplified spectral approach that has been modified to fit structures with additional damping devices. A hospital structure located in the San Fernando Valley in California is selected as a case study. The results from both analyses show that the retrofit solution is feasible to reduce both structural acceleration and displacement. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the retrofitting method using different combinations of performance thresholds in accelerations and displacements through fragility analysis.

Development of basic technique to improve seismic response accuracy of tributary area-based lumped-mass stick models

Although a detailed finite element(FE) model provides more precise results, a lumped-mass stick(LMS) model is preferred because of its simplicity and rapid computational time. However, the reliability of LMS models has been questioned especially for structures dominated by higher modes and seismic inputs. Normally, the natural frequencies and dynamic responses of a LMS model based on tributary area mass consideration are different from the results of the FE model. This study proposes a basic updating technique to overcome these discrepancies; the technique employs the identical modal response, D(t), to the detailed FE model. The parameter D(t) is a time variable function in the dynamic response composition and it depends on frequency and damping ratio for each mode, independent of the structure's mode shapes. The identical response D(t) for each mode is obtained from the frequency adaptive LMS model; the adaptive LMS model which can provide identical modal frequencies as the detailed FE model. Theoretical backgrounds and formulations of the updating technique are proposed. To validate the updating technique, two types of structures(a symmetric straight column and an unsymmetric T-shaped structure) are considered. From the seismic response results including base shear and base moment, the updating technique considerably improves the seismic response accuracy of the tributary area-based LMS model.