Arc-length technique for nonlinear finite element analysis

Nonlinear solution of reinforced concrete structures, particularly complete load-deflection response, requires tracing of the equilibrium path and proper treatment of the limit and bifurcation points. In this regard, ordinary solution techniques lead to instability near the limit points and also have problems in case of snap-through and snap-back. Thus they fail to predict the complete load-displacement response. The arc-length method serves the purpose well in principle, received wide acceptance in finite element analysis, and has been used extensively. However modifications to the basic idea are vital to meet the particular needs of the analysis. This paper reviews some of the recent developments of the method in the last two decades, with particular emphasis on nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures.

The Structural Behavior of Low/Medium/High Rise Concrete Office Buildings in Kuwait

The main concern of this paper is to provide an extensive study for the structural behavior of low/medium/high rise office buildings aiming to deepen structure and architect designers understanding for such type of buildings. The study is performed on reinforced concrete and emphasized only on Kuwait city conditions for wind. Regular layout plan building with different heights ranging from five to fifty typical office stories are investigated in this study. Three dimensional finite element techniques through ETABS software are used in conducting analysis for structures presented here-in. A serviceability study is performed to ensure that buildings have sufficient stability to limit lateral drift and peak acceleration within the acceptable range of occupancy comfort. In addition, an ultimate strength study is carried out to design and verify that all the structural elements are designed to withstand factored gravity and lateral loadings in a safe manner according to the international building codes. The building slenderness ratio and the building core size and location are the studied parameters since they are the key drivers for the efficient structural design. Analysis results are presented and discussed and finally conclusions are summarized as guidelines for designers of concrete office buildings in Kuwait.

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.

Slenderness Ratio Influence on the Structural Behavior of Residential Concrete Tall Buildings

The main concern of this paper is to study the influence of the building slenderness ratio on the structural behavior of the residential concrete tall buildings aiming to deepen structure and architect designers understanding for such type of buildings. The study is emphasized only on Kuwait city design conditions for wind and seismic loadings. The paper presents an actual case study for adding two thirty stories residential towers with two different slenderness ratios to an existing residential complex. Wind loading is considered using both code values and wind tunnel results. Three dimensional finite element techniques through ETABS software are used in conducting analysis for structures presented here. A serviceability study is performed to ensure that buildings have sufficient stability to limit lateral drift and peak acceleration within the acceptable range of occupancy comfort. In addition, an ultimate strength study is carried out to verify that all the structural elements are designed to withstand factored gravity and lateral loads in a safe manner according to the international building codes. Analysis results are presented and discussed. A brief idea about foundation design of the new towers and its connection to the existing foundation is presented. Finally conclusions are summarized as guidelines for the structural professions of concrete residential tall buildings.