Development and subassemblage cyclic testing of hybrid buckling-restrained steel braces

Buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs) are vulnerable to relatively higher post-earthquake residual drifts under high intensity ground shakings. This is primarily due to the low axial elastic and post-elastic stiffness of bucklingrestrained braces(BRBs) satisfying the design force demand requirements. In the present study, a hybrid buckling restrained bracing system consisting of a short yielding core length BRB component and a conventional buckling-type brace component connected in series has been developed with an aim to increase the axial stiffness of braces. This study is focused on the experimental investigation of six hybrid bucking restrained braces(HBRBs) to investigate their overall behavior, loadresisting capacity, strength-adjustment factors and energy dissipation potential. The main parameters varied are the crosssectional area, the yielding length of core elements as well as the detailing of buckling-restraining system of short yielding core length BRBs. Test results showed that the HBRBs with yielding core length in the range of 30% of work-point to workpoint lengths withstood an axial strain of 6% without any instability and can deliver stable and balanced hysteretic response and excellent energy dissipation under reversed cyclic loading conditions.

Application of buckling-restrained braces in the seismic control of suspension bridges

Buckling-restrained braces(BRBs)are widely used to improve the seismic performance of buildings.This paper aims to introduce BRBs to suspension bridges and assess the seismic performance of bridges with BRBs.Taking the Dadu River Bridge as a case study,an FEA model of the bridge is established,and different seismic measures(BRBs between the deck and the tower,BRBs at the middle of the span to replace the inclined suspenders to connect the deck and the main cables,fluid viscous dampers(FVDs)between the deck and the tower,the combination of BRBs to replace the inclined suspenders as well as FVDs between the deck and the tower)are applied to the suspension bridge.The influence of the parameters of BRBs on the seismic response of the suspension bridge is studied,and the performance of the bridge with BRBs is compared with that of the bridge with FVDs.The results indicate that the use of BRBs in place of the inclined suspenders is beneficial to reduce the displacement of the deck and limit the shear force and bending moment of the tower.The seismic performance of the suspension bridge with BRBs and FVDs is better than that of the bridge with BRBs or FVDs.Therefore,the application of BRBs is a feasible method to improve the seismic performance of the suspension bridge.

Seismic performance of a reinforced concrete building retrofitted with self-centering shape memory alloy braces

Self-centering earthquake-resistant structures have received increased attention due to their ability to reduce post-earthquake residual deformations and,thus,repair time and cost.This stimulated the development of recentering shape memory alloy(SMA)dampers that use superelastic nitinol wires to dissipate energy and self-center the structure.However,there are still a few case studies applications on full-scale RC buildings in the literature.Moreover,general guidelines or even simplified approaches for the practical design of SMA damped braces are still lacking.This paper focuses on evaluating the effect of using self-centering shape memory alloy dampers for buckling-restrained braces applied for the seismic retrofit of a complex RC building structure.A design method originally proposed for elastoplastic dampers was implemented to size the SMA dampers to be placed on selected spans and stories of a building.The effectiveness of the design procedure was demonstrated by nonlinear time-history analyses under different sets of earthquake strong ground motions.The analysis results show that the recentering shape memory alloy bracing system is effective in limiting the maximum transient inter-story drifts and reducing the residual inter-story drifts after strong seismic events,due to its excellent recentering behavior together with its not negligible energy dissipation capacity.

Nuss procedure for the correction of pectus excavatum by using double braces in adolescence

Objective To investigate the indication,feasibility and technique of minimally invasive Nuss procedure with thoracoscope by using double braces in the treatment of wide-scope pectus excavatum repairing in adolescence. Methods 31 patients including 24 boys and 7 girls,suffered from pectus excavtum were corrected by Nuss procedure under thoracoscope. The average age

Mathematical modeling and full-scale shaking table tests for multi-curve buckling restrained braces

Buckling restrained braces （BRBs） have been widely applied in seismic mitigation since they were introduced in the 1970s. However, traditional BRBs have several disadvantages caused by using a steel tube to envelope the mortar to prevent the core plate from buckling, such as： complex interfaces between the materials used, uncertain precision, and time consumption during the manufacturing processes. In this study, a new device called the multi-curve buckling restrained brace （MC-BRB） is proposed to overcome these disadvantages. The new device consists of a core plate with multiple neck portions assembled to form multiple energy dissipation segments, and the enlarged segment, lateral support elements and constraining elements to prevent the BRB from buckling. The enlarged segment located in the middle of the core plate can be welded to the lateral support and constraining elements to increase buckling resistance and to prevent them from sliding during earthquakes. Component tests and a series of shaking table tests on a full-scale steel structure equipped with MC-BRBs were carried out to investigate the behavior and capability of this new BRB design for seismic mitigation. The experimental results illustrate that the MC-BRB possesses a stable mechanical behavior under cyclic loadings and provides good protection to structures during earthquakes. Also, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate the mechanical characteristics of BRBs.

Seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete frame structures using GFRP-tube-confined-concrete composite braces

This paper presents a new type of structural bracing intended for seismic retrofitting use in framed structures. This special composite brace, termed glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer （GFRP）-tube-confined-concrete composite brace, is comprised of concrete confined by a GFRP tube and an inner steel core for energy dissipation. Together with a contribution from the GFRP-tube confined concrete, the composite brace shows a substantially increased stiffness to control story drift, which is often a preferred feature in seismic retrofitting. An analysis model is established and implemented in a general finite element analysis program - OpenSees, for simulating the load-displacement behavior of the composite brace. Using this model, a parametric study of the hysteretic behavior （energy dissipation, stiffness, ductility and strength） of the composite brace was conducted under static cyclic loading and it was found that the area ratio of steel core to concrete has the greatest influence among all the parameters considered. To demonstrate the application of the composite brace in seismic retrofitting, a three-story nonductile reinforced concrete （RC） frame structure was retrofitted with the composite braces. Pushover analysis and nonlinear time-history analyses of the retrofitted RC frame structure was performed by employing a suite of 20 strong ground motion earthquake records. The analysis results show that the composite braces can effectively reduce the peak seismic responses of the RC frame structure without significantly increasing the base shear demand.

Experimental study on slender buckling-restrained knee braces with round steel bar cores

This study aimed to investigate a novel slender buckling-restrained knee brace damper (BRKB) for welded and weld-free steel framing systems. The proposed BRKB adopts steel bar cores connected by a central coupler and restrained by tube buckling restrainers with a cover tube supporter. The advantages of the proposed damper include easy assembly compared to conventional buckling restrained braces, and high architectural flexibility for the retrofitting of large-span weld-free or welded steel moment-resisting systems. Specifically, by increasing the number of contraction allowances, undesirable failure mechanisms that are global instability and local buckling of the restrainer ends can be effectively suppressed because the more uniform plastic deformation of the core bar can be achieved longitudinally. In this study, displacement-controlled compression and cyclic loading tests were carried out to investigate the deformation capacities of the proposed BRKBs. Structural performance metrics associated with both loading tests, such as strength capacities, strains at the cover tubes and buckling restrainers, and hysteretic behaviors of the proposed damper under cyclic loads, were measured and discussed. Test results revealed that the geometrical characteristics of the cover tubes and adopted contraction allowances at the dampers play essential roles in their load-bearing capacities.

Deterministic and probabilistic analysis of great-depth braced excavations:A 32 m excavation case study in Paris

The Fort d’Issy-Vanves-Clamart(FIVC)braced excavation in France is analyzed to provide insights into the geotechnical serviceability assessment of excavations at great depth within deterministic and probabilistic frameworks.The FIVC excavation is excavated at 32 m below the ground surface in Parisian sedimentary basin and a plane-strain finite element analysis is implemented to examine the wall deflections and ground surface settlements.A stochastic finite element method based on the polynomial chaos Kriging metamodel(MSFEM)is then proposed for the probabilistic analyses.Comparisons with field measurements and former studies are carried out.Several academic cases are then conducted to investigate the great-depth excavation stability regarding the maximum horizontal wall deflection and maximum ground surface settlement.The results indicate that the proposed MSFEM is effective for probabilistic analyses and can provide useful insights for the excavation design and construction.A sensitivity analysis for seven considered random parameters is then implemented.The soil friction angle at the excavation bottom layer is the most significant one for design.The soil-wall interaction effects on the excavation stability are also given.

Triply Factorised Groups and the Structure of Skew Left Braces

The algebraic structure of skew left brace has proved to be useful as a source of settheoretic solutions of theYang-Baxter equation.We study in this paper the connections between left and right π-nilpotency and the structure of finite skew left braces.We also study factorisations of skew left braces and their impact on the skew left brace structure.As a consequence of our study,we define a Fitting-like ideal of a left brace.Our approach depends strongly on a description of a skew left brace in terms of a triply factorised group obtained from the action of the multiplicative group of the skew left brace on its additive group.

Skew Braces of Size p^(2)q I:Abelian Type

This is the first part of a series of two articles.In this paper we enumerate and classify the left braces of size p^(2)q,where p and q are distinct prime numbers,by the classification of regular subgroups of the holomorph of the abelian groups of the same order.We also provide the formulas that define the constructed braces.

Braces whose additive group has a cyclic maximal subgroup

The problem of constructing all the non-degenerate involutive set theoretic solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation recently has been reduced to the problem of describing all the right braces.In particular,the classification of all finite right braces is fundamental in describing all such solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation.Let H be a right brace of order p^(n),(H,+)≌Z_(p)×Z_(p^(n-1)),where n≥4 and p is odd prime.In this paper we prove Soc(H)≠1 and classify all right braces H such that│Soc(H)│=p^(n-1).

Inelastic displacement ratio of low-to mid-rise BRBFs designed under variable levels of seismicity

Buckling-restrained braces(BRBs)have shown their capability to provide building structures with stiffness,strength,and ductility.Estimating the seismic drifts of buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs)is an important design step to control structural and non-structural damage.In current practice of seismic design,the estimation of seismic drifts of BRBFs is performed by using empirical calculations that are independent upon either the type of the structural system or the design level of seismicity.In these empirical calculations,the seismic drifts are estimated by amplifying the reduced elastic drifts obtained under design lateral loading with a displacement amplification factor(DAF).The value of DAF is considered equal to the product of the response modification factor R and the inelastic displacement ratioρ.The goal of the current research is to assess the value ofρfor low-to mid-rise BRBFs designed under low and high levels of seismicity.This goal has been achieved by conducting a series of elastic and inelastic time-history analyses pertaining to an ensemble of earthquake records on 3-,6-and 9-story BRBFs.The results indicate that theρ-ratio increases with an increase in design seismic intensity and an increase in experienced inelasticity.The range ofρfor low seismicity designs ranges from 0.63 to 0.9,while for high seismicity designs this range stretches from 0.83 to 1.29.It has been found that the consideration of a generalρ-ratio of 1.0 is a reasonable estimation for the design of the BRBFs considered in this study.

Evaluation of the Surgical Treatment of Patella Fractures in 17 Cases in the Orthopedic-Traumatology Department of the University Hospital Center of Donka, Republic of Guinea

Objectives: To determine the epidemiological, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects. Methodology: This was a retrospective study, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018, on the files of patients aged 16 and over, admitted for patella fractures, treated surgically and followed up in our service. Results: The study involved 17 patients including 15 men (88.24%) and 02 women (11.76%) with an average age of 36.65 years. Workers were the most represented (29.42%);AVP were the leading cause of these fractures (52.94%). The fractures were open in 70.58% of cases. Associated lesions were dominated by femur fractures in 29.42%. Duparc type II was the most encountered bone lesion with 47.06% of cases. All our patients benefited from regional anesthesia. Bracing was the most used surgical treatment in 58.83%;the anterior approach was performed in all our patients. Four (04) cases of knee stiffness, two (02) postoperative infections and skin necrosis complicated the short and medium term consequences. After a two-year follow-up, radiologically one case of pseudarthrosis and one case of patellofemoral osteoarthritis were noted. According to the Bosman score, we found 17.65% excellent, 47.06% good and 35.29% poor functional results. Conclusion: Patella fractures are relatively rare. Treatment is primarily surgical for transverse and/or displaced fractures;Bracing is the osteosynthesis technique of choice. However, knee stiffness, pseudarthrosis and patellofemoral osteoarthritis are not uncommon.

一类brace中的thin边

证明若一个brace含有一个四圈C_(4),且该四圈中包含两个相邻的三度点,则该brace至少有一条thin边在该C_(4)中.

Internal brace与带线锚钉通过改良Broström术治疗慢性踝关节不稳的疗效对比

目的比较internal brace(IB)与带线锚钉通过改良Broström术治疗慢性踝关节不稳的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2019年5月至2022年2月在桂林市人民医院本院关节骨科行手术治疗的42例慢性踝关节外侧不稳患者资料,根据距腓前韧带修补所用材料的不同将患者分为IB组(19例)和带线锚钉组(23例)。比较两组患者一般资料、手术时间、并发症发生率、术后完全负重行走时间、术后恢复跑步的时间、美国足踝外科协会(American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS)踝-后足功能评分、视觉模拟评分法(visual analog scale,VAS)评分。结果所有患者术后均获得随访,随访时间12~18个月,平均(13.8±5.3)个月。两组患者基线资料差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组各有1例术口拆线后再出现渗液,换药后愈合;两组各有2例术口区域感觉障碍,除IB组有1例术后半年仍未完全恢复外,其余3例术后2~3个月恢复;IB组患者术后6周随访时AOFAS评分优于带线锚钉组,差异有统计学意义(t=2.239,P=0.025),但术后6周时VAS评分比较差异无统计学意义(t=0.308,P=0.760);末次随访时AOFAS评分和VAS评分比较,两组之间差异无统计学意义(t=0.045,P=0.965;t=0.203,P=0.840);IB组术后完全负重行走时间、术后恢复跑步的时间显著早于带线锚钉组,差异有统计学意义(t=26.566,P<0.01;t=4.838,P<0.01)。结论IB与带线锚钉通过改良Broström术开放治疗慢性踝关节不稳的临床疗效满意,且使用IB在早期康复和重返运动方面优于带线锚钉。

Damping characteristics of friction damped braced frame and its effectiveness in the mega-sub controlled structure system

Based on energy dissipation and structural control principle, a new structural configuration, called the megasub controlled structure （MSCS） with friction damped braces （FDBs）, is first presented. Meanwhile, to calculate the damping coefficient in the slipping state a new analytical method is proposed. The damping characteristics of one-storey friction damped braced frame （FDBF） are investigated, and the influence of the structural parameters on the energy dissipation and the practical engineering design are discussed. The nonlinear dynamic equations and the analytical model of the MSCS with FDBs are established. Three building structures with different structural configurations, which were designed with reference to the conventional mega-sub structures such as used in Tokyo City Hall, are comparatively investigated. The results illustrate that the structure presented in the paper has excellent dynamic properties and satisfactory control effectiveness.

Ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames under earthquake loading

Accurate estimates of ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs)are crucial to performance-based design of BRBFs.An analytical study on the seismic behavior of BRBFs has been conducted at the ATLSS Center,Lehigh University to prepare for an upcoming experimental program.The analysis program DRAIN-2DX was used to model a one-bay,four-story prototype BRBF including material and geometric nonlinearities.The buckling- restrained brace(BRB)model incorporates both isotropic and kinematic hardening.Nonlinear static pushover and time- history analyses were performed on the prototype BRBF.Performance objectives for the BRBs were defined and used to evaluate the time-history analysis results.Particular emphasis was placed on global ductility demands and ductility demands on the BRBs.These demands were compared with anticipated ductility capacities.The analysis results,along with results from similar previous studies,are used to evaluate the BRBF design provisions that have been recommended for codification in the United States.The results show that BRB maximum ductility demands can be as high as 20 to 25.These demands significantly exceed those anticipated by the BRBF recommended provisions.Results from the static pushover and time- history analyses are used to demonstrate why the ductility demands exceed those anticipated by the recommended provisions. The BRB qualification testing protocol contained in the BRBF recommended provisions is shown to be inadequate because it requires only a maximum ductility demand of at most 7.5.Modifications to the testing protocol are recommended.

Seismic behavior of concrete filled steel tubular arch structures

Shaking table tests of a 1:10 scale arch model performed to investigate the seismic behavior and resistance of concrete filled steel tubular (CFT) arch structures are described in this paper. The El-Centro record and Shanghai artificial wave were adopted as the input excitation. The entire test process can be divided into three stages depending on the lateral brace configurations, i.e., fully (five) braced, two braces removed, and all braces removed. A total of 46 tests, starting from the elastic state to failure condition, have been conducted. The natural vibration frequencies, responses of acceleration, displacement and strain were measured. From the test results, it is demonstrated that the CFT arch structures are capable of resisting severe ground motions and that CFT arches offer a credible alternative to reinforced concrete arches, especially in regions of high seismic intensity.

Machine Learning-Based Seismic Fragility Analysis of Large-Scale Steel Buckling Restrained Brace Frames

Steel frames equipped with buckling restrained braces(BRBs)have been increasingly applied in earthquake-prone areas given their excellent capacity for resisting lateral forces.Therefore,special attention has been paid to the seismic risk assessment(SRA)of such structures,e.g.,seismic fragility analysis.Conventional approaches,e.g.,nonlinear finite element simulation(NFES),are computationally inefficient for SRA analysis particularly for large-scale steel BRB frame structures.In this study,amachine learning(ML)-based seismic fragility analysis framework is established to effectively assess the risk to structures under seismic loading conditions.An optimal artificial neural network model can be trained using calculated damage and intensity measures,a technique which will be used to compute the fragility curves of a steel BRB frame instead of employing NFES.Numerical results show that a highly efficient instantaneous failure probability assessment can be made with the proposed framework for realistic large-scale building structures.

Design of controlled elastic and inelastic structures

One of the founders of structural control theory and its application in civil engineering, Professor Emeritus Tsu T. Soong, envisioned the development of the integral design of structures protected by active control devices. Most of his disciples and colleagues continuously attempted to develop procedures to achieve such integral control. In his recent papers published jointly with some of the authors of this paper, Professor Soong developed design procedures for the entire structure using a design - redesign procedure applied to elastic systems. Such a procedure was developed as an extension of other work by his disciples. This paper summarizes some recent techniques that use traditional active control algorithms to derive the most suitable （optimal, stable） control force, which could then be implemented with a combination of active, passive and semi-active devices through a simple match or more sophisticated optimal procedures. Alternative design can address the behavior of structures using Liapunov stability criteria. This paper shows a unified procedure which can be applied to both elastic and inelastic structures. Although the implementation does not always preserve the optimal criteria, it is shown that the solutions are effective and practical for design of supplemental damping, stiffness enhancement or softening, and strengthening or weakening.