Tensile Characteristics Evaluation of Corroded Reinforcing Bars Extracted from Actual Structures

The analysis used simple finite elements is performed to simulate the tensile behavior of corroded reinforcing bars extracted from three actual concrete structures. The cross-sectional area of the elements is set to have the actual distribution measured by 3D laser scanner system. The variable factor in the analysis is the length of the elements. The analysis results show that the length of the elements has a major influence on the deformation capacity after yielding. The calculated stress-strain curves, obtained using the elements with a length that is 2 times the bar diameter, are in good agreement with the tensile test results. The calculated stress-strain curves are modeled using a bi-linear model to facilitate the FEA （finite element analysis） of an overall concrete structure. From the analysis results, both the tensile and yield strengths decrease in proportion to the reduction of the minimum cross-sectional area of corroded bars. The ultimate strain has a remarkable decrement as the reduction of the minimum cross-sectional area. Formulas for determining these values are proposed as a function of the decrement ratio of the minimum cross-sectional area of a corroded bar.

Plate reinforced square hollow section X-joints subjected to in-plane moment

The static test of 13 square hollow section(SHS) X-joints with different β and different types of plate reinforcement under in-plane moment in brace was carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specimens, moment-vertical displacement curves, moment-deformation of the chord, and strain strength distribution curves were presented. The effect of β and plate reinforcement types on in-plane flexural property of SHS X-joints was studied. Results show that punching shear of chord face disappears, brace material fracture appears and concave and convex deformation of chord decrease when either collar plates or doubler plates were welded on chord face. Moment-vertical displacement curves of all specimens have obvious elastic, elastic-plastic and plastic stages. As β increases, the in-plane flexural ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of joints of the same plate reinforcement type increase, but ductility of joints decreases. With the same β, the in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of doubler plate reinforced joints, collar plate reinforced joints, and unreinforced joints decrease progressively. Thickness of reinforcement plate has no obvious effect on in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of joints. As thickness of reinforcement plate increases, the ductility of reinforced X-joints decreases. The concave and convex deformation of every specimen has good symmetry;as β increases, the yield and ultimate deformation of chord decrease.

New Insight into the Surface Rupture Parameters of the Kunlun Mountains Pass M_S8.1 Earthquake

Field observation shows that the surface rupture of the Kunlun Mountains Pass M_S 8.1 earthquake is about 426km long, and the maximum sinistral displacement is about 6m. Distribution of horizontal displacement along the surface ruptures is markedly controlled by fault structure. The rupture length of this earthquake is significantly longer than statistic value. In this paper, using the method of “ultimate linear strain", we discussed the independency and integrality of the whole rupture zone and rupture segments of the Kunlun Mountains Pass earthquake by comparing with some large earthquakes on strike-slip faults on the Chinese continent. The conclusion is that the Kunlun Mountains Pass earthquake consists of successively triggered multiple earthquake events, other than a single earthquake event.