Effect of vertical load difference on cracking behaviors in multistory masonry buildings and numerical simulation

To investigate the causes qf cracks in multistory masonry buildings, the effect of vertical load difference on cracking behaviors was investigated experimentally by testing and measuring the displacements at the testing points of a large sized real masonry U-shaped model. Additionally, the cracking behaviors in U-shaped model were analyzed with shear stress and numerical simulated with ANSYS software. The experimental results show that the deformation increases with the increase of the vertical load. The vertical load results in different deformation between the bearing wall and non-bearing wall, which leads to cracking on the non-beating wall. The rapid deformation happens at 160 kN and cracks occur firstly at the top section of non-bearing wall near to the bearing wall. New cracks are observed and the previous cracks are enlarged and developed with the increase of vertical load. The maximum crack opening reaches 12 mm, and the non-bearing wall is about to collapse when the vertical load arrives at 380 kN. Theoretical analysis indicates that the shear stress reaches the maximum value at the top section of the non-bearing wall, and thus cracks tend to happen at the top section of the non-bearing wall. Numerical simulation results about the cracking behaviors are in good agreement with experiments results.

Deflection modification factors of multistory buildings considering soil-structure interaction

In this investigation,attempts are made to examine the effects of soil-structure interaction on the deflection modification factor of multistory buildings and to clarify the role of deformable soil on this factor.A comprehensive study is conducted to investigate the effect of inertial interaction on displacement demand ratios in soil-structure systems with different structural characteristics and various non-dimensional parameters,using a simplified interacting model.A two-step regression analysis of the nonlinear,dynamic computer simulation results obtained,leads to a reliable and accurate formula for predicting deflection modification factors that incorporate foundation flexibility.The results illustrate that the application of deflection modification factors derived from fixed-base structures can lead to unsafe evaluation of the structures on soft soil.The proposed formula provides a useful tool for design engineers to incorporate the effect of soil-structure interaction into the evaluation of structural deformations.

Simulating the Stress-Strain Response of Building under Oscillating Wind Conditions

Wind load is one of the main lateral control loads that need to be considered in the design of high-rise building structures. It is also of great engineering significance to study the influence of static wind load or time-varying wind load on the dynamic response of structures. In this paper, a high-rise building with a rectangular section (46.8 m × 27 m × 33 m) is simulated based on Ansys18.0 APDL software. The real situation of its response under no lateral wind load and different fluctuating wind load conditions is simulated and the stress and strain response of the building under steady-state and time-varying wind load is given. The results show that the upper strain of the structure under wind load is about 1/1000 of the bottom strain, and the strain of the structure shows obvious accumulation from the top to the bottom, that is, the bottom strain of the building will be higher than the top strain. The influence of time-varying wind load on building structure is related to the loading position of wind load on the structure. The results provide a basis for the structural wind resistance design of this type of building.

Progressive Collapse of Steel Frames

This paper investigates the behavior of steel frames under progressive collapse using the finite element method. Non-linear finite element models have been developed and verified against existing data reported in the literature as well as against tests conducted by the authors. The nonlinear material properties of steel and nonlinear geometry were considered in the finite element models. The validated models were used to perform extensive parametric studies investigating different parameters affecting the behavior of steel frames under progressive collapse. The investigated parameters are comprised of different geometries, different number of stories and different dynamic conditions. The force redistribution and failure modes were evaluated from the finite element analyses, with detailed discussions presented.

Consequences on the Urban Environment in Greece Related to the Recent Intense Earthquake Activity

Past earthquake disasters in Greece, during the last thirty years, demonstrate that the severity of destruction is not only due to the intensity of the seismic event but also to the urbanization of the affected region and the vulnerability of certain types of buildings. Considerable damage was sustained by both old unreinforced masonry structures as well as by relatively new multistory reinforced concrete structures with ＂soft story＂ at their ground floor level. The most important observations made during six past earthquake disasters are presented in a summary form and discussed. The most remarkable case of extensive structural damage was caused from the resent Athens 1999 earthquake. The consequent discussion focuses on the following issues： （1） Classification of structural damage and their underlying causes. （2） Repair and strengthening of damaged structures. （3） Upgrade the seismic design. （4） Plans for earthquake preparedness. （5） Assessing the vulnerability of certain type of structures （schools, hospitals, public buildings etc）. （6） Education specialized in earthquake engineering. （7） The enrichment of the strong motion data base.

Assessing and Optimizing the Technical Life of Architectural Components of Low-Cost Multistoried Rental Housing in Jakarta

Low-cost multistoried rental housing （rumah susun sederhana sewa, abbreviated to rusunawa） recently has become the main policy for the Indonesian government to provide adequate housing for low income people in the metropolitan areas. In line with the policy, the government in the year 2005 has raised the technical life of building for low-cost multistoried rental housing from 30 years to 50 years. This study is conducted to assess variables that affect the technical life of architectural components, using Delphi study method involving stakeholders who have participated in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of low-cost multistoried rental housing in Jakarta. Research findings contribute significantly to the assurance of technical life of architectural components in low-cost multistoried rental housing in Indonesia.

Generative computer simulation for parallel layout of multi-story row house cluster

This study has established the functions between the environmental conditions and the inhabitants’ preferences for multi-story row house cluster with parallel layout, based on the data from the questionnaires’ in Beijing. A program has been written with multi-agent system and generative computer simulation approaches. The emergence candidate layout plans can be referenced and chosen by architects.