Optimum structural design of full-scale steel buildings using drift-tribe-charged system search

In this paper,the potential of utilizing improved metaheuristic approaches in optimal design of building structures is concerned.In this regard,the drift-tribe-charged system search algorithm is proposed that the position and velocity updating processes of the charged system search is developed by implementing the mathematical presentation of the free-electron model utilized for metal conductors.In addition,the searching phase of the developed algorithm is also divided into three separate phases in order to improve the convergence capability of the algorithm.By means of these modifications,the exploitation and exploration rates of the standard algorithm are enhanced.In order to determine the ability of the proposed improved metaheuristic method considering some complex optimization problems,a 10-story steel building structure with 1026 structural members alongside a 60-story structure with 8272 members are utilized as numerical examples.The overall capability of the developed metaheuristic approach is compared with other metaheuristics.A total number of 30 independent runs have been conducted for each of the standard and proposed methods while a statistical analysis is also conducted for comparative purposes.The obtained optimum results demonstrated that the proposed metaheuristic approach is capable of preparing better outcomes than other metaheuristics.

Quantitative investigation on collapse margin of steel high-rise buildings subjected to extremely severe earthquakes

Reponses of structures subjected to severe earthquakes sometimes significantly surpass what was considered in the design.It is important to investigate the failure mechanism and collapse margin of structures beyond design,especially for high-rise buildings.In this study,steel high-rise buildings using either square concrete-filled-tube（CFT） columns or steel tube columns are designed.A detailed three-dimensional（3 D） structural model is developed to analyze the seismic behavior of a steel high-rise towards a complete collapse.The effectiveness is verified by both component tests and a full-scale shaking table test.The collapse margin,which is defined as the ratio of PGA between the collapse level to the design major earthquake level（Level 2）,is quantified by a series of numerical simulations using incremental dynamic analyses（IDA）.The baseline building using CFT columns collapsed with a weak first story mechanism and presented a collapse margin ranging from 10 to 20.The significant variation in the collapse margin was caused by the different characteristics of the input ground motions.The building using equivalent steel columns collapsed earlier due to the significant shortening of the locally buckled columns,exhibiting only 57% of the collapse margin of the baseline building.The influence of reducing the height of the first story was quite significant.The shortened first story not only enlarged the collapse margin by 20%,but also changed the collapse mode.

Beam Element Material Model for Rotary-Straightened Steel W-Shapes

An inelastic material model that was previously developed by the author for standard W-Shapes was adapted for use to model the behavior and strength of rotary-straightened hot rolled W-Shape sections.Using a published residual stress model for these W-Shapes,limit load analyses were conducted using the material model in MASTAN2 and were compared with published finite element results.The material model required an adjustment to the initial yield moment conditions and residual stress ratios.Comparisons with published results indicate that these minor modifications were sufficient to provide very good modeling agreement.The previously developed material model can be used effectively to model the limit load conditions of rotary-straightened hot rolled W-Shape beams and beam-columns in steel frames.The effect of rotary-straightening W-Shapes is more significant for minor axis bending conditions and this becomes more pronounced as the floor load magnitudes increase.

INVESTIGATION OF LOW CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOROF BUILDING STRUCTURAL STEELS UNDEREARTHQUAKE LOADING

Based on the failure model of building structural steels under earthquake loading, the low cycle fatigue test at constant strain, the stochastical fatigue test under real earthquake load spectrum and the structural fatigue test are carried out. The experimental results show that microalloying of V Ti and Nb can improve the anti-seismic propersties of steel bars. In the high strain and shori life range, both the static strength and ductility of steels are very important to increasing the low cycle fatigue resistance of steels.

The Properties of the Carbonated Brick Made of Steel Slag-slaked Lime Mixture

The properties of the carbonated brick made of steel slag-slaked lime mixture such as strength, drying shrinkage, water absorption and soundness were mainly investigated. The experimental results indicate that, after carbonation, the strength of the brick increases, its drying shrinkage reduces, and its soundness becomes eligible. The optimal slaked lime/steel slag（SL/SS） ratio for the carbonated brick is 0.2 and the asprepared brick meets the requirements of the Chinese standard for MU20-grade building bricks, additionally, it also demonstrates prominent environmental benefits. The XRD and pore structure analyses indicate that the excellent properties of this carbonated brick are attributed to the formation of carbonate crystals and the dense structure due to the carbonation.

Running States of China's Iron & Steel,Nonferrous,and Building Materials Industries in 2012

Iron ＆ Steel Industry China＇s outputs of crude steel, steel products, coke and ferrous alloys in 2012 were 716.54 million tons （up 3.1% YOY）, 051.86 million tons （up 7.7% YOY）, 443.23 million tons （up 5.2% YOY） and 31.29 million tons （up 15% YOY）,

Response of a 2-story test-bed structure for the seismic evaluation of nonstructural systems

A full-scale, two-story, two-by-one bay, steel braced-frame was subjected to a number of unidirectional ground motions using three shake tables at the UNR-NEES site. The test-bed frame was designed to study the seismic performance of nonstructural systems including steel-framed gypsum partition walls, suspended ceilings and fire sprinkler systems. The frame can be configured to perform as an elastic or inelastic system to generate large floor accelerations or large inter story drift, respectively. In this study, the dynamic performance of the linear and nonlinear test-beds was comprehensively studied. The seismic performance of nonstructural systems installed in the linear and nonlinear test-beds were assessed during extreme excitations. In addition, the dynamic interactions of the test-bed and installed nonstructural systems are investigated.

Dynamic Performance Test and Estimation of Reinforcement Effect on a Workshop after Column-Cut Supported by Joist

The reinforcement effect of a reconstruction scheme for a steel factory building was investigated using finite element method and dynamic performance test. The workshop concerned is a portal frame structure with four spans and two slope roofs, of which ten columns need cutting for expanding span. The design and reconstruction project of column-cut supported by joist were introduced, which includes column reinforcement, connection rebuilding between brackets and crane beams, and the changing of rigid joint into hinge joint. The construction scheme was put forward in the light of the characteristics of the reinforcement and reconstruction. Spot test of dynamic performance on the workshop and comparison with theoretical analysis results show that the column-cut supported by joist design is effective and the reconstruction project is successful.

Static and Dynamic Analyses of Spliced Column

The analysis of spliced column has been carried out to detect optimum location of providing splices in the column.In the present work,static and dynamic(free vibration)analyses of spliced column have been done by randomising the location of splicing.A symmetrical four storey steel framed building has been modelled,analysed and designed for loads(dead,live and earthquake loads)recommended by Indian Codal provisions using Staad.Pro.The critical column at each floor level is identified based on axial force(AF),bending moment(BM)and shear force(SF).The total 16 models of spliced columns have been designed and then modelled in a 3D CAD Design tool(SOLIDWORKS)and then imported in the finite element tool(ANSYSWorkbench 14.0)for detailed analysis.The variation of stress,strain and deflection of the spliced column are shown in the form of contour.Further,the modal analysis is performed to determine the natural frequencies.The results of static and dynamic analyses are compared for each modelled spliced column to obtain the optimum location for providing splices in the column.The dynamic analysis of spliced column is of utmost importance in the region where dynamic loadings like earthquake,cyclones etc.are more frequent,and mere static analysis does not account for the safety of the structure.This study will help the engineers to select directly the optimum size and location of the splices in the column of a steel framed building.