Experimental study on the seismic response of braced reinforced concrete frame with irregular columns

A 15-storey K-braced reinforced concrete model frame with irregular columns, i.e., T-shaped, L-shaped, as well as ＋-shaped columns, was constructed and tested on the six-degree-of-freedom shaking table at the State Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering in Tongji, China. Two types of earthquake records, El-Centro wave （south-north direction） and Shanghai artificial wave （SHAW） with various peak accelerations and principal-secondary sequences, were input and experimentally studied. Based on the shaking table tests and theoretical analysis, several observations can be made. The failure sequence of the model structure is brace→beam→column→joints, so that the design philosophy for several lines of defense has been achieved. Earthquake waves with different spectrums not only influence the magnitude and distribution of the earthquake force and the storey shear force, but also obviously affect the magnitude of the displacement response. The aftershock seismic response of previously damaged reinforced concrete braced frames with irregular columns possesses the equivalent elastic performance characteristic. Generally speaking, from the aspects of failure features and drift ratio, this type of reinforced concrete structure provides adequate earthquake resistance and can be promoted for use in China.

Frame property of unequal storey height with specially shaped columns under cyclic loading

A 1/3-scale reinfored concrete(RC) frame of unequal storey height with specially shaped columns was tested under low frequency cyclic loading.The damage characteristic,bearing capacity,deformation capacity and ductility were analyzed.The restoring force model of the frame was obtained based on the study of the hysteresis curve measured in experiment,and the stiffness degeneration characteristics of every storey of the frame were analyzed.Finally the accumulated damage was analyzed with the damage assessment model.It is shown that the seismic behavior of this frame of unequal storey height with specially shaped columns is generally good,but the bottom of first floor column is a weak part,which should be paid more attention in design,and the restoring force model derived from this experiment can be seen as a valuable guide for design and non-linear finite element analysis for this kind of structure.

Seismic Behavior of Frame with Specially Shaped Columns Subjected to Cyclic Load

In order to study the seismic behavior of frame with specially shaped columns,the hysteretic curve was analyzed based on a quasi-static test of a two-span,three-story frame with specially shaped columns.The top layer framework curve and the corresponding resilience model were obtained from the hysteretic curve.And the stiffness and strength degeneration were also investigated.The results indicated that the stiffness degeneration is not obvious,thus the frame with specially shaped columns has high earthquake-resistant behavior.The resilience model calculated from the test can provide reference for design and nonlinear finite element analysis.

Numerical and experimental study on seismic behavior of concrete-filled T-section steel tubular columns and steel beam planar frames

The seismic behavior of planar frames with concrete-filled T-section columns to steel beam was experimentally and numerically studied. A finite element analysis （FEA） model was developed to investigate the engineering properties of the planar frames. Two 1：2.5 reduced-scale specimens of T-section concrete-filled steel tubular column and steel beam of single-story and single-bay plane frames were designed and fabricated based on the design principles of strong-column, weak-beam and stronger-joint. One three-dimensional entity model of the investigated frame structure was built using a large-scale nonlinear finite-element analysis software ABAQUS. Experimental results show that the axial compression ratio has no effect on the failure mode of the structure, while with the increase of axial compression ratio and the dissipated energy ability increasing, the structural ductility decreased. The results from both experiments and simulations agree with each other, which verifies the validity and accuracy of the developed finite element model. Furthermore, the developed finite element model helps to reflect the detailed stress status of the investigated frame at different time and different positions.

Vibration analysis of damaged and undamaged steel structure systems: cantilever column and frame

This paper presents the experimental and numerical studies conducted on a steel column and a steel frame structure using free vibration analysis.The effects of damages on structures were investigated,which were simulated by introducing multiple cracks at different locations in the experimental and numerical models.The acceleration responses of the test models,were recorded through an accelerometer,and were used to calibrate the numerical models developed in finite element based software.Modal frequencies of damaged and undamaged structures were compared and analyzed,to derive relationships for damaged and undamaged structures’frequencies in terms of crack depth.It was found that,due to the presence of cracks,the mechanical properties of a structure changes,whereby,the modal frequencies decrease.An approximately linear trend was observed for the frequency decrease with the increase in crack depth,which was also confirmed by the numerical models.The derived relationships were extended to further develop a mechanics-based damage scale for steel structures,to help facilitate structural health monitoring and screening of vulnerable structures.

Pushover analysis of reinforced concrete frames considering shear failure at beam-column joints

Since most current seismic capacity evaluations of reinforced concrete （RC） frame structures are implemented by either static pushover analysis （PA） or dynamic time history analysis, with diverse settings of the plastic hinges （PHs） on such main structural components as columns, beams and walls, the complex behavior of shear failure at beam-column joints （BCJs） during major earthquakes is commonly neglected. This study proposes new nonlinear PA procedures that consider shear failure at BCJs and seek to assess the actual damage to RC structures. Based on the specifications of FEMA-356, a simplified joint model composed of two nonlinear cross struts placed diagonally over the location of the plastic hinge is established, allowing a sophisticated PA to be performed. To verify the validity of this method, the analytical results for the capacity curves and the failure mechanism derived from three different full-size RC frames are compared with the experimental measurements. By considering shear failure at BCJs, the proposed nonlinear analytical procedures can be used to estimate the structural behavior of RC frames, including seismic capacity and the progressive failure sequence of joints, in a precise and effective manner.

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.

Model Experiment on Integral Seismic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Frame with Split Columns

Based on a series of previous studies, an experiment on the integral seismic behavior of a 1/3 scaled model of two-bay and three-story reinforced concrete frame with split columns at lower two stories is performed under cyclic loading. The original columns at lower two stories of the model frame are short columns and they are replaced by the split columns. The hysteresis curves between the horizontal cyclic load and the lateral displacement at the top of the model frame, indicate that under the cyclic loading, the model frame undergoes the process of cracking, yielding, and maximum loading before being destroyed at the ultimate load. They also indicate that the model frame has better ductility, and the ratio of the ultimate displacement to the yielding displacement, reaches 6.0. The yielding process of the model frame shows that for the frame with split columns, plastic hinges are generated at the ends of beams and then the columns begin yielding while the frame still possesses the bearing and deformation capacity. The design idea of directly changing the short column to long one in the reinforced concrete frame may be realized by replacing the short column with the split one.

Bilateral shear strength of rectangular frame column based on simplified space truss-arch model

To investigate the bilateral shear strength of rectangular frame column subjected to oblique horizontal load, we presented a simplified space truss-arch model developed from unilateral truss-arch model. Main parameters in the new model were the cross-sectional area, transverse reinforcement raito, axial load, and material strength of the column. The reduction coefficient of concrete sterength owing to the severe cracking of column was also introduced in the model. Finally, 14 specimens under oblique horizontal load were tested to verified the feasibility and applicability of the space truss-arch model.

Research on the structural design and the shock-resistant performance of the steel beam-concrete column frame structure

The steel beam-concrete column(RCS)frame structure is composed of the reinforced concrete columns and the steel beams,which is a composite structure with the superior performances.This kind of the frame structure has been rapidly developed and widely used in the field of the civil engineering because of its high building applicability,the fast construction speed,the low cost of the foundation and the good mechanical properties.Various kinds of the large-span,heavy-load and high-rise buildings emerge in endlessly,and the requirement for the structural performance is becoming higher and higher.The reinforced concrete column-steel beam composite frame structure is a high-performance structural system with the broad development prospects in China because of its good mechanical performance,durability,fire resistance and the building use space.

Nonlinear Time History Analysis for the Different Column Orientations under Seismic Wave Synthetic Approach

The significant impact of earthquakes on human lives and the built environment underscores the extensive human and economic losses caused by structural collapses. Over the years, researchers have focused on improving seismic design to mitigate earthquake-induced damages and enhance structural performance. In this study, a specific reinforced concrete (RC) frame structure at Kyungpook National University, designed for educational purposes, is analyzed as a representative case. Utilizing SAP 2000, the research conducts a nonlinear time history analysis to assess the structural performance under seismic conditions. The primary objective is to evaluate the influence of different column section designs, while maintaining identical column section areas, on structural behavior. The study employs two distinct seismic waves from Abeno (ABN) and Takatori (TKT) for the analysis, comparing the structural performance under varying seismic conditions. Key aspects examined include displacement, base shear force, base moment, joint radians, and layer displacement angle. This research is anticipated to serve as a valuable reference for seismic restraint reinforcement work on RC buildings, enriching the methods used for evaluating structures through nonlinear time history analysis based on the synthetic seismic wave approach.

高烈度地区体育馆类公共建筑结构设计探讨

风雨操场作为体育馆类公共建筑,通常造型独特且体型复杂;而作为乙类建筑,存在大跨度、水平和竖向刚度分布不均等结构分析中较难处理的问题,因此其计算分析较为严格,而宁夏银川作为8度区,其抗震要求则更为严格且计算分析亦更为复杂。以银川一中风雨操场为例,对体育馆类结构中存在的问题及其处理方法进行了分析和探讨,为同类建筑的结构设计提供参考。

装配式钢结构梁柱连接节点研究进展

装配式建筑既是建筑现代设计理念、构件生产、现场管理革新的重要途径,也是推行组件化理念和智能化转型的重要举措。结合目前国内装配式钢结构梁柱连接节点研究情况,对可恢复式梁柱节点、方钢管柱-桁架梁、带悬臂梁节点、框架体系装配式节点形式的构造和力学性能进行阐述与总结。研究表明,装配式钢结构梁柱具有良好的承载力、延性和抗震性能,但是目前基于装配式节点构造及各参数的研究主要针对二维平面,一定程度上制约了其应用和发展,后续需对节点在火灾作用下的破坏及损伤时序、三维空间结构中楼板与梁柱节点的连接方式和考虑楼板后整体结构的复位机理与刚度变化历程进行进一步研究,为增加新材料、新工艺的应用,推广至实际工程提供理论依据。

Seismic performance and comparison of three different I beam to box column joints

Despite the inherently advantages of the box column, finding the best option for the I beam to the box column connection is the main challenge in using the box column as a structural member for special moment frames. In this paper, the seismic performance of urtreinforced connection, weakened connection and strengthened connection was evaluated through a comprehensive experimental program. The seismic comparisons were fabricated by assessing the strength, ductility and energy dissipation in each configuration. Three full scale tests with several connections were carried out. All the specimens were subjected to cyclic loading and prior to failure by forming a plastic hinge in the beam, all the connections managed to reach an inelastic rotation of more than 6.0% rad. The experimental and analytical results showed that the seismic performance of the strengthened connection with flange and shear plates turned out to be the most effective in the beam to the box column connection. Moreover, the normalized stress distribution of the continuity plates revealed that the possibility of the weld fracture in unreinforced connection is more than other specimens.

Evaluation of the fishbone model in simulating the seismic response of multistory reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames

The fishbone model is a simplified numerical model for moment-resisting frames that is capable of modelling the effects of column-beam strength and stiffness ratios. The applicability of the fishbone model in simulating the seismic responses of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames of different sets of column-beam strength and stiffness ratios are evaluated through nonlinear static, dynamic and incremental dynamic analysis on six prototype buildings of 4-, 8-and 12-stories. The results show that the fishbone model is practically accurate enough for reinforced concrete frames, although the assumption of equal joint rotation does not hold in all cases. In addition to the ground motion characteristics and the number of stories in the structures, the accuracy of the model also varies with the column-beam stiffness and strength ratios. The model performs better for strong column-weak beam frames, in which the lateral drift patterns are better controlled by the continuous stiffness provided by the strong columns. When the inelastic deformation is large, the accuracy of the model may be subjected to large record-to-record variability. This is especially the case for frames of weak columns.

Wing walls for enhancing the seismic performance of reinforced concrete frame structures

A building retrofitted with wing walls in the bottom story, which was damaged during the 2008 M8.0 Wenchuan earthquake in China, is introduced and a corresponding 1/4 scale wing wall-frame model was subjected to shake table motions to study the seismic behavior of this retrofitted structural system. The results show that wing walls can effectively protect columns from damage by moving areas that bear reciprocating tension and compression to the sections of the wing walls, thus achieving an extra measure of seismic fortification. A ‘strong column-weak beam＇ mechanism was realized, the flexural rigidity of the vertical member was strengthened, and a more uniform distribution of deformation among all the stories was measured. In addition, the joint between the wing walls and the beams suffered severe damage during the tests, due to an area of local stress concentration. A longer area of intensive stirrup is suggested in the end of the beams.

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.

Damage detection of frames using the increment of lateral displacement change

The method proposed in this paper is based on the fact that the damage in different types of structural members has distinctive influence on the structural stiffness. The intrinsic mechanical property of the structure is tapped and fully utilized for damage detection. The simplified model of the flexibility of frames treats the individual storeys as springs in series and the frame as an equivalent column. It fully considers the main deformation of all beams and columns in the frame. The deformation property of the simplified model accorded well with that of the actual frame model. The obtained increment of lateral displacement change (IOLDC) at the storey level was found to be very sensitive to the local damage in the frame. A damage detection method is pro- posed using the IOLDCs as the damage identification parameters. Numerical examples demonstrate the potential applicability of this method.

Experimental Study on Seismic Behavior of Exterior Joints of Special-shaped Columns with Different Lengths of Limbs

Four exterior joints with special-shaped columns which have different lengths of limbs are tested under low cyclic loading. Speeial-shaped columns adopted are L- and T-shaped in section. It can be concluded that crack pattern, failure mode and shear strength of joints are affected by the length of limb, and that shear strength and ductility increase with the length of limb; the joints with the flexural failure of the beam have better seismic behavior than those with the shear failure of the joint core.

A Simplified Approach to Analysis of High-Rise Frame Tube Structures

Based on finite element method and finite strip method, a simplified approach was presented to analyze high rise frame tube structures. The generalized strip element is introduced and then the generalized stiffness matrices for beam and column line are derived by using the displacement functions that describe the nodal displacements and displacement transforms. Furthermore, the formulas for the generalized stiffness matrix of generalized strip element and load arrays corresponding to the displacement parameters were developed. It is shown through a series of numerical computation that the nodal angular displacements at the same floor in a generalized strip element are approximately identical. A comparison of the finite element method and the finite strip method shows that the simplified approach not only is accurate, but also reduces the number of basic unknown quantities.