Assessment of Effects of Reductions of Lateral Stiffness along Height on Buildings Modeled as Elastic Cantilever Shear Beams

A simplified model useful for assessing economic losses due to moderate seismicity events in urban areas has been developed by studying the behavior of buildings before yielding their structural system, allowing for nonuniform stiffness along their height. In particular, buildings are modeled as cantilever shear beams with uniform mass and parabolic reduction of lateral stiffness. This particular stiffness distribution is relevant, as it could be expected to occur in buildings where earthquake action is a critical structural design criterion. The equation of motion governing the dynamic behavior of the proposed model is solved analytically, finding mode shapes in terms of first and second zero-order Legendre functions. The solution is verified by comparing it with results obtained from fine mesh finite element models. The effect of reducing the lateral stiffness is then studied in the first five modes of vibration. Results include modal periods, mode shapes, modal participation factors, and derivatives of mode shapes. In general, it is found that effects of reduction of lateral stiffness in mode shapes are moderate when the lateral stiffness in the free end is smaller than about seventy percent of the lateral stiffness at the fixed end, but become significant for larger reductions. Effects are particularly important for the derivative of the mode shapes, which could play a significant role in estimating interstory drift demands in buildings. Model usefulness is showcased by analyzing a test case where both acceleration and drift demands are assessed by considering uniform beams and beams with parabolic stiffness variation, finding notable improvements by considering the latter.     

Controlled Rocking CLT Walls for Buildings in Regions of Moderate Seismicity: Design Procedure and Numerical Collapse Assessment

Controlled rocking heavy timber walls are designed to rock on their foundations in response to earthquakes. For regions of moderate seismicity, it is proposed that this rocking behaviour can be adequately controlled using only post-tensioning, even with a large force-reduction factor and no supplemental energy dissipation. This article presents a force-based design procedure for controlled rocking cross-laminated timber walls without supplemental energy dissipation, including a method for estimating higher mode effects. Fragility analyses of three prototype walls demonstrate that the procedure can limit the probability of collapse to <10% during a maximum considered earthquake in a region of moderate seismicity.     

宋代官员墓葬相关问题刍议

从现有考古材料来看,与前代相比,宋代墓葬体现的等级制度并不明显,而官员墓葬似恰是造成这一状况的原因.原本应当尊奉制度、为民表率的官员群体中,有很大一部分官员并未向下传递上层的丧葬文化,反而被出身之地或归葬之所的富裕平民阶层同化.由此使其地下墓葬部分呈现出“地方化”的特征.而这一情形,所反映的可能是两宋时期,民间经济力量...     

Capacity Design of Coupled RC Walls

Capacity design aims to ensure controlled ductile response of structures when subjected to earthquakes. This article investigates the performance of existing capacity design equations for reinforced concrete coupled walls and then proposes a new simplified capacity design method based on state-of-the-art knowledge. The new method is verified through a case study in which a set of 15 coupled walls are subject to nonlinear time-history analyses. The article includes examination of the maximum shear force in individual walls in relation to the total maximum shear force in the coupled wall system, and subsequently provides recommendations for design.     

把创先争优与学习型党组织建设结合起来

当前,学习型党组织建设和创先争优活动正在全党深入开展,正确认识和把握两者结合的根据、内容和实现,对于在实践中促进和实现两者的结合,使之相互促进、相得益彰,具有重要意义。创先争优与学习型党组织建设结合的根据在于两者本质属性相同、根本目标一致、活动内容交叉和活动功能互动;结合的内容包括总体要求、主要内容、方式方法、组织领导等方面;结合的实现最重要的是要落实到争当优秀共产党员上来。     

Evaluation of IBC Equivalent Static Procedure for Base Shear Distribution of Seismic Isolated Structures

It has been pointed out that the static lateral response procedure for base isolated structures presented in IBC somewhat overestimates the seismic story force [Lashkari and Kircher, 1993 Lashkari, B. and Kircher, C. A. . Evaluation of SEAOC/UBC analysis procedures, Part 1: Stiff superstructure. Proceedings of a Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Passive Energy Dissipation and Active Control. Redwood City, California. ATC Report 17-1.  [Google Scholar]; Constantinou et al., 1993 Constantinou, M. C., Winters, C. W. and Theodossiou, D. . Evaluation of SEAOC and UBC analysis procedures, Part 2: Flexible Superstructure. Proceedings of a Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Passive Energy Dissipation and Active Control. Redwood City, California. ATC Report 17-1.  [Google Scholar]]. In this article IBC equivalent static method for base shear distribution of seismic isolated structures is evaluated. For this purpose one-story to six-story building models are designed according to equivalent lateral response procedure for different elastomeric isolation systems. The results of equivalent lateral response procedure in parameters such as base shear and vertical distribution of base shear are compared with results obtained from dynamic nonlinear analysis and the efficiency and limitations of its application are investigated. In general, the results of equivalent lateral response procedure in base shears are acceptable within the scope of this procedure, but the proposed triangular distribution of base shear is somewhat conservative. So a new formulation for vertical distribution of base shear is proposed which results in a more realistic distribution of shear over the height of isolated buildings. The accuracy of the new formulation is examined by comparing the resulting responses obtained from this study with those calculated by nonlinear time history analysis.     

Towards Damage-Based Design Approach for RC Bridge Columns Under Combined Loadings Using Damage Index Models

This article investigates a damage-based design approach for circular reinforced concrete (RC) columns under combined bending, shear, and torsion using decoupled damage index models. The combination of bending moment, shear, axial, and torsional loading affects the structural performance of bridge columns with respect to strength, deformation capacity and progression of damage. The damage index model proposed here permits decoupling these combined actions according to various damage limit states. This work evaluates the interaction between bending and torsional damage indices in terms of progression of damage. It also investigates the effects of the transverse reinforcement ratios and shear span. Based on experimental and analytical results increase of torsion amplified the progression of damage. The increase in transverse reinforcement ratio was found to have delayed the progression of damage and to have changed the torsional dominated behavior to flexural dominated behavior under combined bending and torsion.     

Importance of Degrading Behavior for Seismic Performance Evaluation of Simple Structural Systems

This study focuses on effect of degradation characteristics on seismic performance of simple structural systems. Equivalent single degree of freedom systems are used for which the structural characteristics are taken from existing reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings. Simulation of degrading behavior is achieved by considering actual experimental data. To obtain the seismic response of degrading structural systems, two different approaches are used: inelastic spectral analysis and fragility analysis. According to the results obtained from both approaches, degrading behavior is dominant for mid-rise RC frame buildings as it significantly amplifies seismic demand. Hence, in performance-based assessment approaches, analytical modeling of such degrading structures should be carried out carefully.     

Approximate Methods for Estimating Hysteretic Energy Demand on Plan-Asymmetric Buildings

The first step in a hysteretic energy-based design approach of performance-based design is the estimation of hysteretic energy demand in the structure. A nonlinear response-history analysis of the multi-degree of freedom model gives an accurate estimation, but it is not suitable for adopting in design. Two alternative methods, based on the concepts of modal pushover analysis (MPA) and 2D-MPA, are proposed in this article for uniaxial plan-asymmetric structures. Application studies show that both methods are efficient. While the 2D-MPA-based method is more accurate, the MPA-based method is more suitable for design adoption. Significant conclusions are given for prospective application of these methods.     

Seismic Fragility Evaluation of RC Frame Structures Retrofitted with Controlled Concrete Rocking Column and Damping Technique

Acceleration response of simple yielding structure is proportional to its own weight, but it is limited by yield strength. Thus, using rocking columns that reduces global yield strength, a limited acceleration is achieved. However, the displacement becomes large due to lower strength and higher inelasticity, but it can be controlled by adding damping. Performing fragility analyses, the seismic response of R/C frame structures with rocking columns and viscous dampers is investigated. Near field MCEER ground motions are considered. The analyses show that the story accelerations are reduced by using rocking columns, while the story displacements are controlled by using viscous dampers.