EVALUATION OF CAPACITY SPECTRUM METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE PEAK INELASTIC RESPONSES

The accuracy of the capacity spectrum method (CSM) depends on the precise estimation of equivalent period and damping ratio as well as the modification of the demand spectrum. In this paper, the CSM provided in ATC-40 for estimating the peak inelastic responses is evaluated. First, the effect of equivalent period and damping ratio estimation on the accuracy of the CSM is assessed. Analyses results indicate that the difference between estimation methods is large when the structural nonlinearity is large, but becomes negligible as the hardening ratio increases. Next, the reduction factors provided in ATC-40 and Eurocode are evaluated. It is found that the acceleration responses obtained using the factor of Eurocode is closer to the actual ones than those obtained using the factors of ATC-40. Finally, the demand spectrum is constructed using the peak absolute acceleration and pseudo-acceleration. The results obtained using the peak absolute acceleration is found to be generally larger than those obtained using the pseudo-ones. Since the original CSM generally underestimates the response, the use of peak absolute acceleration in the construction of demand spectrum produces the response relatively closer to the exact one. However, the use of peak absolute acceleration overestimates the response more when the original CSM overestimates the response.     

SEISMIC ENERGY DEMAND IN STEEL MOMENT FRAMES

The present paper investigates the seismic energy demand in steel moment-resisting frames. The frames, with 3, 6 and 10 storeys, and 4 and 8 spans, are designed according to current seismic code provisions. The energy response (energy quantities and their distributions) in the frames subjected to an ensemble of six earthquake ground motions recorded on different soil conditions, is investigated by nonlinear time history analysis. The study concludes that (1) the results of energy response can be developed into a rational method of seismic evaluation and design for steel moment-resisting frames; (2) the energy concept based on the single-degree-of-freedom has limitations when extended to the realistic structural system for design purposes; and (3) it is necessary to develop the energy-based approach for seismic evaluation and design based on the seismic response of a realistic multi-degree-of-freedom structural system.     

A NON-PARAMETRIC APPROACH TO ATTENUATION RELATIONS

Abstract

A non-parametric multidimensional regression method is proposed for the prediction of seismic ground motion parameters. The main features which distinguish the method from standard regression procedures are: (1) The relationship between the input and output variables is not selected a priori by a prediction law, (2) an arbitrary number of input variables Can be taken into account, provided that an appropriate data base exists, and (3) the computational procedure is very simple. The results can be easily updated when new information becomes available. The method has been applied for the derivation of attenuation relations by using a combination of databases compiled by other researchers. In the majority of the cases discussed in this paper, the method was used for the prediction of horizontal peak ground acceleration as a function of magnitude and distance. In some cases, ground conditions were also taken into account. Some results on the attenuation relations of peak ground velocity and displacement, as well as Arias intensity, are also presented.     

Cool,funky and creative? The creative class and preferences for leisure and culture

It is a core element in Richard Florida’s popular theory on growth to be able to attract the creative class to a geographical area. But Florida is not very specific on which kind of amenities are important for attracting and keeping the creative class. The purpose of this paper is to analyse which kind of cultural activities the creative class is actually using. Which kind of cultural activities does the creative class use more intensively than other groups in society? This paper presents new empirical results on preferences for leisure and culture. Richard Florida’s theory can be, and has been, criticised – especially on the issue of causality. The analyses presented in this paper show that being part of the creative class has an independent and significant role in explaining preferences for leisure and culture.     

FAMILY SYSTEMS,POLITICAL SYSTEMS AND ASIA'S ‘MISSING GIRLS’

China, South Korea and northwest India manifest extreme child sex ratios. This paper argues that this is because their pre-modern political and administrative systems used patrilineages to organise their citizens, generating uniquely rigid patriliny and son preference. It also argues that the advent of the modern state has unravelled the underpinnings of the rigid patriliny, unleashing forces that reduce son preference. Firstly, the modern state has powerful tools for managing its citizenry, rendering patrilineages a threat rather than an asset for the state. Secondly, the modern state has brought in political, social and legal reforms aimed to challenge traditional hierarchies, including those of gender. Thirdly, industrialisation and urbanisation have ushered in new modes of social organisation, which reduce the hold of clans and lineages. Studies suggest that states can accelerate the decline in son preference, through media efforts to help parents perceive that daughters can now be as valuable as sons.     

The Cortland Conference on Political History

Abstract. The 1851 Census of Religious Worship contains an excess of "round" numbers reported for congregation sizes, which indicates that estimates (as opposed to exact head counts) were often returned. The authors estimate the proportion of rounded estimates returned by the Church of England and the dissenting denominations. They develop a structural equation model to estimate for the mean degree of inflation (i. e., overstimation) that resulted from rounding. Anglican figures were most likely inflated by approximately 11 percent, whereas the corresponding figure for dissent was approximately 5.5 percent. The authors examine what sort of counting behavior could have led to such margins of inflation, and why denominational differences exist.     

市场需求为导向的城市旅游资源开发评价体系研究

本从分析城市旅游资源开发的原则出发,探讨在以市场需求为导向的城市旅游资源开发模式,在此基础上,建立城市旅游资源模糊多级综合评价模型。     

社会转型中的制度供给与需求--民初国会失败原因再探讨

民初建立的包括国会在内的一整套民主共和制度是一种供给主导型的制度变迁,这种变迁模式的成败取决于提供制度变迁的权力主体是否具有权威和理想。这一制度第一供给主体是南京临时政府,他们有理想但缺少权威,第二供给主体是北京政府,他们有权威但无理想。国会作为民主政治生活中限制个人独裁、维护公民权利的根本措施,就无法成功地在中国运行。制度需求的缺失也是造成国会失败的原因之一,但不是主要原因。     

试析贫困农村农户的信息需要

信息与农民的收入、农业产业结构的优化升级、农村经济的繁荣发展息息相关。目前,农村信息供需矛盾日益突出。本丈对贫困地区农户的信息需要问题进行了研究。     

旅游者决策行为研究

本通过对旅游决策行为的初步研究,勾勒出旅游决策的基本行为特征,并在此基础上构建了旅游决策行为模型。通过对这一行为模型的分析,得出了影响旅游决策行为的相关因素及其内在关系。