Numerical stress analysis of crack at welded beam-to-column connection

In the past, brittle fracture of steel structure was reported rarely under earthquake. However, recent earthquakes, especially Northridge Earthquake (USA) and Hyogoken Nanbu earthquake (Japan), astonished engineers in the field of construction. The experience from recent earthquakes of USA and Japan shows that brittle fracture of welded steel structure always starts from high stress zone with welded crack [1～5] . As backing bar for grooved weld on beam flange exists, artificial crack is formed because of lack of fusion at the root of flange weld. In this paper stress distribution of connection is computed with FEM, and stress concentration at the root of flange weld is also analyzed. Stress intensity factors (SIFs), K I, at the root of flange weld are computed in the method of fracture mechanics. The computation shows that stress intensity factor on bottom flange weld is obviously higher than that on top flange weld. It is proved by the fact that brittle fracture is liable to start at the root of bottom flange weld on actual earthquake [1,4] . Finally measures are brought forward to avoid fracture of weld structure against earthquake.

Numerical Modeling on Seismic Performance of Castellated Composite Beam⁃Reinforced Concrete Column Connection

The hybrid structure consisting of castellated composite beam and compound spiral hoop reinforced concrete column take full advantages of steel and concrete material.To popularize the structural form in real conditions,a beam⁃through⁃type beam⁃column connection is proposed.Two 1/2⁃scaled connection specimens were tested and three⁃dimensional finite element models of the beam⁃column connection were set up.The longitudinal reinforcements,concrete beam,and column were simulated by link and solid elements,respectively.The influences of the parameters such as expansion ratio,location of web opening,and original height of steel beam were studied.The results show that connections possessed high initial rigidity.The expansion ratio of steel beam showed more important influence on the connection’s ultimate bearing capacity.For the connection models with steel beam expansion ratio of 1.4,the maximum increment of the ultimate bearing capacity of the connection could reach 28%.In order to prevent the local buckling failure of steel beam from occurring near web opening,the expansion ratio of steel beam should not be greater than 1.3.

New Factor to Characterize Mechanism of “Strong Column-Weak Beam” of RC Frame Structures

Most reinforced concrete(RC)frame structures did not achieve the "strong column-weak beam" failure mode in recent big earthquakes, resulting in a large number of casualties and significant property loss. To deal with this serious problem, a new column-beam relative factor was proposed to characterize the relative yield situation of column ends and beam ends. By limiting the column-beam relative factor, RC frame structures could achieve the "strong column-weak beam" failure mode under the excitation of strong ground motions. The limit values of column-beam relative factor were calculated, analyzed and verified by using structural simulation models for corner columns in the bottom story of structures, which are destroyed most seriously in earthquakes. The results show that the limit values should be analyzed under bi-directional ground motion and with different axial compression ratios of columns. The peak ground acceleration(PGA)of ground motions has no significant effect on the limit values, while the type of strong ground motions has a significant effect on the limit values.

Application of Modern Wood Product Glulam in Timber Frame With Tenon- Mortise Joints and Its Structural Behavior

Tenon-mortise joint is widely used in traditional timber structures around the world.This paper summarizes the results of an experimental study of the structural behavior of tenon-mortise joints made with glulam and CNC technology instead of traditional material and manual work.30 full-scale tenonmortise joints were manufactured and tested under monotonic loading,and the effects of dimension,shape,processing error and adhesive were evaluated.It was found that the round rectangular shaped tenon-mortise joints were comparable with traditional joints in terms of structural performance,but were time and labor saving.The variability of the proposed tenon-mortise joints was lower,which would benefit the design value.Applying adhesive between tenon and mortise increased the average stiffness by 4.3 times and average moment capacity by 27.4%,respectively.The gaps between wood members had little effect on the capacity and stiffness in monotonic bending but may influence the energy dissipation ability in cyclic bending.This study showed the feasibility of combining the traditional joinery method with modern wood products and manufacturing technology,which may promote the application of tenon-mortise joints in modern timber structures.

Study on the effect of the infill walls on the seismic performance of a reinforced concrete frame

Motivated by the seismic damage observed to reinforced concrete （RC） frame structures during the Wenchuan earthquake, the effect of infill walls on the seismic performance of a RC frame is studied in this paper. Infill walls, especially those made of masonry, offer some amount of stiffness and strength. Therefore, the effect of infill walls should be considered during the design of RC frames. In this study, an analysis of the recorded ground motion in the Wenehuan earthquake is performed. Then, a numerical model is developed to simulate the infill walls. Finally, nonlinear dynamic analysis is carried out on a RC frame with and without infill walls, respectively, by using CANNY software. Through a comparative analysis, the following conclusions can be drawn. The failure mode of the frame with infill walls is in accordance with the seismic damage failure pattern, which is strong beam and weak column mode. This indicates that the infill walls change the failure pattern of the frame, and it is necessary to consider them in the seismic design of the RC frame. The numerical model presented in this paper can effectively simulate the effect of infill walls on the RC frame.

Structural Analysis of a RC Shear Wall by Use of a Truss Model

Purpose of present work is to develop a reliable and simple method for structural analysis of RC Shear Walls. The shear wall is simulated by a truss model as the bar of a truss is the simplest finite element. An iterative method is used. Initially, there are only concrete bars. Repeated structural analyses are performed. After each structural analysis, every concrete bar exceeding tensile strength is replaced by a steel bar. For every concrete bar exceeding compressive strength, first its section area is increased. If this is not enough, a steel bar is placed at the side of it. For every steel bar exceeding tensile or compressive strength, its section area is increased. After the end of every structural analysis, if all concrete and steel bars fall within tensile and compressive strengths, the output data are written and the analysis is terminated. Otherwise, the structural analysis is repeated. As all the necessary conditions (static, elastic, linearized geometric) are satisfied and the stresses of ALL concrete and steel bars fall within the tensile and compressive strengths, the results are acceptable. Usually, the proposed method exhibits a fast convergence in 4 - 5 repeats of structural analysis of the RC Shear Wall.

Seismic behavior experimental study of frame joints with special-shaped column and dispersed steel bar beam

To overcome the problem that steel bars are put too close at a flame joint with special-shaped beam and column,mechanical performance of three groups of six RC flame joints with special-shaped(L,T and+)column and dispersed-steel bars-beam on the top floor under cyclic loads were studied.Experimental comparison was conducted between special-shaped(L,T and+)column and normal beams.The cracking load,yielding load,ultimate bearing capacity,failure patterns,and hysteretic properties at joint core area were investigated.The seismic behaviors of the joints with different proportions of dispersed-steelbar beams were analyzed.The results of experimental analysis indicate that the mechanical and seismic behaviors of frame joints with T-shaped and+-shaped column are nearly not changed when suitable proportion steel bars are dispersed to flange plane.Stiffness degeneration of flame joint with L-shaped column is rather serious due to concrete damage stiffness.Theoretical result indicates that distributing area of the dispersed steel-bar beams in the flange plate should be strictly controlled to avoid anchor destroy.