Axial compression physical testing of traditional and bird beak SHS T-joints

The static tests of nine traditional and bird beak square hollow structure(SHS) T-joints with different β values and connection types under axial compression at brace end were carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specimens, jack load-vertical displacement curves, jack load-deformation of chord and strain intensity distribution curves of joints were presented. The effects of β and connection types on axial compression property of joints were studied. The results show that the ultimate axial compression capacity of common bird beak SHS T-joints and diamond bird beak SHS T-joints is larger than that of traditional SHS T-joint specimens with big values of β. The ultimate axial compression capacity of diamond bird beak SHS T-joints is larger than that of common bird beak SHS T-joints. As β increases, the increase of the ultimate axial compression capacity of diamond bird beak SHS T-joints over that of common bird beak joints grows. The ultimate axial compression capacity and the initial axial stiffness of all kinds of joints increase as β increases, and the initial axial stiffness of the diamond bird beak SHS T-joints is the largest. The ductilities of common bird beak and diamond bird beak SHS T-joints increase as β increases, but the ductility of the traditional SHS T-joints decreases as β increases.

Measurement of Walnut Properties and Analysis on the Compressive Stiffness of the Critical Value of Shell-cracking

Based on the measurement of walnut properties, a computational analysis was conducted on the compressive stiffness of the critical val-ue of shell-cracking. As indicated by the results, to crack the walnuts shell from its longitudinal or edge directions could save lots of efforts. The study provided theoretical basis for the design and improvement of walnut shell-cracking machine as well as theoretical references for the design, mak ng and use of some spec a crack ng-a d ng too s such as nutcracker.

Seismic safety assessment of existing masonry infill structures in Nepal

Reinforced concrete（RC） buildings in Nepal are constructed with RC frames and masonry infill panels. These structures exhibit a highly non-linear inelastic behavior resulting from the interaction between the panels and frames. This paper presents an extensive case study of existing RC buildings in Nepal. Non-linear analyses were performed on structural models of the buildings considered as a bare frame and with masonry infill, in order to evaluate the influence of infill walls on the failure mechanisms. Five three-storey buildings with different structural configurations and detailing were selected. The effect of masonry infill panels on structural response was delineated by comparing the bare-framed response with the infill response. Seismic performance is evaluated with regard to global strength, stiffness, energy dissipation, inter-storey drift, and total deflection of the structure. A parametric analysis of structures with masonry infill is also performed. For this, the influence of different material properties is studied, namely diagonal compressive stress, modulus of elasticity and tensile stress of masonry infill panels. Study results show that masonry infill increases the global strength and stiffness of the structures; it decreases the inter-storey drift and hence the total displacement of the structure. The results quantify the influence of the infill panels on structural response and, in particular, the effect of the diagonal compressive strength of the masonry wall.