Calibration of Seismic Provisions for RC Frame in Different Earthquake-Intensity Regions in China

With examples of three 6-storey RC frames by using an elasto-plastic dynamic analysis program PL-AFJD of plane frame, developed by the second author of this paper, the frames designed for different earthquake-intensity regions (intensity category 7, 8, 9 respectively) are analyzed nonlinearly under four ground motions at the action of rare earthquake. Three frames strictly conform to the National Standard GBJ10-89 and the dimensions of columns are changed once along the height. The structure designed on intensity category 7 shows a relatively small response, which could be sustained by the structure. Though the hinge formation in columns can not be prevented, the inelastic deformation of columns is not serious, the structure at intensity category 9 exhibits a relative strong response, but the deformation of most columns is within the capacity and the trend to form a soft-storey does not appear. It is the structure at intensity category 8 that shows a severe response. Though the visible soft-storey can not be found, the deformation of some columns is beyond the capacity of inelastic hysteretic deformation under certain inputs, which indicate the possibility of local collapse.The elementary analysis results demonstrate the different effectiveness of seismic provisions for three different earthquake-intensity regions, which may be a reference to the amendment of National Design Standard.     

Finite Element Simulate Analysis of Small Span-to Depth Ratio Coupling Beams with Special Reiforcement

Test investigations show that the reinforcement scheme with adding diagonal and rhombic bars to traditional reinforcement in the foundation is an ideal way, for the seismic performance of small span-to depth ratio coupling beams with this scheme is better than that of traditional reinforcement. Because the regions in the small aspect ratio coupling beam belong to D-regions, in which the Bernoulli hypothesis of plane strain distribution is invalid, the traditional bending theory can not be used. This paper simulates the coupling beam through non-linear finite element analysis program, and contrasts the analysis result of the bar's stress distribution with test result. The contrast results confirm that it is a valid way to analyse the bar's stress distribution in this coupling beam through non-linear finite element analysis program.     

Seismic Assessment of RC Frame Structure Based on New Design Codes

The national structural codes GB50010-2002 and GB 50011-2001 have been modified in many aspects compared with the old ones. To verify the effectiveness of structural capacity design provisions in the new codes, firstly, two typical RC frame structures of Grade 2 in intensity-category 8 and Grade 1 in intensity-category 9 are designed according to the new codes. Then, nonlinear dynamic analyses of the two structures are carried out under excitations of several ground motions with the fortification and rare intensity levels. With the analysis results the availability of strong column weak beam is checked carefully, which is desirable with capacity design measures of RC frame in Chinese new structural design code. The conclusions drawn from the analysis are helpful to structural design and local modification of the codes.     

Curvature Force Method for Nonlinear Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Frame

In this paper, based on the structure characters and load applying means, a method called as curvature force method is put forward and proved in the nonlinear analysis of bonded prestressed concrete frame. Based on the nonlinear program, the simulation calculation was carried out on test results of two prestressed concrete frames by this method. The results from calculation are identical with the experiment ones. So it may be added to the methods for the nonlinear analysis of prestressed concrete frame.     

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Transferring Joints with Inclined Columns

A nonlinear finite element analysis using ANSYS is applied to the vertical mechanical behaviors of three specimens of reinforced concrete transferring joints with inchned columns, which are used in high - rise buildings. A comparison is made between the analytical achievements and the test results, including the mechanical behaviors, load - transferring path and the failure modes, and a good agreement is obtained. The reliability of the software ANSYS in the nonlinear analysis of such reinforced concrete structures is verified and developed.     

Seismic Tests and Pushover Analysis of Spatial RC Frame-Shear Wall Structures

Pseudo-static tests of three one-storey spatial RC frame-shear wall structures with floor slabs were conducted to investigate their failure modes and hysteretic behaviors. The test results were compared with those of pushover analysis. It is shown that: 1) damage of the frame beams occurs later and is less than that of the shear wall and the frame columns; 2) damage of the floor slabs under lateral loading is significant in regions close to the shear wall, and tensile stresses of slabs' steel bars in these regions are much larger; 3) in comparison with the case that the floor slabs are neglected, the maximum lateral load that a frame-shear wall structure can bear is larger in the case that the floor slabs are taken into account, and the contribution ratio of the shear wall also increases; 4) shear forces carried by the frame columns with identical cross sections and reinforcement details but located at different positions are close to each other on the whole.     

Axial Force Stiffness Interaction in Seismic Analysis of RC Double Column Bridges

Earthquake induced dynamic axial force in reinforced concrete (RC) bridge bent columns will not only change the yield strength of the columns but also change their stiffness, which is seldom considered by the common lumped plasticity line model. Based on the fiber element model results that taking into account the influence of dynamic axial force on strength and stiffness simultaneously, the axial force stiffness interaction effect on the seismic responses of RC double column bridges was analyzed. The results show that, axial force stiffness interaction has a large effect on the seismic responses of the double column bridge in the elastic range, and it does not alter the ultimate capacity of the columns. Since the stiffness of the columns under compression and tension dynamic axial forces offset each other, the global displacement of bridge bent with equal columns is relatively unaffected by the axial force stiffness interaction, however, the differences of the column member forces are manifest. For the short column controls the global stiffness, the axial force stiffness interaction has significant influences on both the global displacement and member force responses. The influences become larger as the irregularity of the bridge bent increases, so the interaction between axial force and member stiffness should be sufficiently considered in seismic analyses.     

Numerical Simulations and Design Method of Coupled Wall System with FRC Coupling Beams

Using the software, ABAQUS, accurate simulations of seismic behavior of 2 coupled wall specimens and 2 cantilever structure wall specimens using high performance fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) in plastic hinge under quasi static cyclic loading were carried out. The analysis model proves to be effective with the accordance between results of computation and experiment, then it can be used to analyze the seismic behavior of coupled wall system with FRC coupling beams. By using the verified numerical model, the ability of FRC coupling beams instead of RC coupling beams to provide acceptable performance was discussed. In addition, the impact of coupling ratio on seismic behavior of coupled walls was studied. The results show that coupled walls in which FRC coupling beams are used instead of traditional RC beams have good energy dissipation and ductility, and its initial stiffness is increased and stiffness degradation is slow. And as the coupling ratio of coupled wall structures increases, the stiffness and strength increase. But if the coupling ratio is too large, the ductility and energy dissipation capacity will be significantly reduced.     

Progressive Collapse Analysis of RC Frame Using Vertical Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis

Progressive Collapse Analysis (PCA) is the base of quantitative assessment of progressive collapse-resisting capacity and progressive collapse-resisting design. There has been heightened interest among researchers of civil engineering in PCA. PCA of planar RC frame is carried on by vertical nonlinear dynamic analysis based on alternate load path method. According to responses of damage structure, progressive collapse-resisting capacity of remaining structure is evaluated. Two cases of removal of elements are analyzed, removal of columns at different stories on the same axes one by one and removal of all columns on the same axes at the same time. According to analysis of the effect of failure duration on structural progressive collapse, it is showed that the response of remaining structure is highly sensitive to failure duration of elements. The results indicate that vertical nonlinear dynamic analysis is an efficient method of progressive collapse-resisting design and progressive collapse-resisting capacity analysis.     

Seismic Performance of Regular RC Frame with Specially Shaped Columns

According to the code and technical regulation,an irregular RC frame with specially shaped columns has been designed,which situated at the area of fortification intensity 8. Subsequently,the nonlinear dynamic analysis has been carried out for the structure by inputting ground motions in two directions. After summing up the calculation results,this paper has examined seismic performance of the structure under the rare seismic actions and given a primary evaluation on the structure to see if it could achieve the predetermined anti-seismic aims. It indicates that the structure designed according to the codes can achieve the predetermined anti-seismic aim under the rare earthquake.     

A Macro Model of Seismic Coupling Beams with Small Aspect Ratio Adopting New Reinforcement Arrangement Scheme

A new reinforcement arrangement scheme was suggested to provide satisfactory seismic performance and good workmanship for the coupling beams with small aspect ratio. Coupling beams with small aspect ratio are counter flexural deep beams with both ends restrained, in which the Bernoulli hypothesis are not valid. Although their load bearing capacity can be predicted with the strut-and-tie model developed recently, how to simulate this kind of beams adopting new reinforcement arrangement is still a problem. A macroscopic strut-and-tie model is thus presented for these coupling beams. Good agreement with experimental results is achieved.     

Interlayer Seismic Dynamic Analysis of Seismic Responses of Frame Structure

Earthquakes for the loss of life and property to people is immeasurable. Want to reduce such losses, on the one hand we hope that Government departments can forecast and notify you in a timely manner, on the other hand we need to develop anti-seismic structure of the building, reducing losses when the earthquake happened. Interlayer seismic isolation frame structure is the latest development of a seismic isolation structure.It compared with the ordinary seismic structural damping performance is better, had a large advantage.     

Nonlinear Analysis Technique of Refined Plastic-hinge Method for Steel Frame Structures

The refined plastic-hinge method is one of the simplified advanced analysis methods. The second order effects of the whole structure and its members, geometric imperfections and residual stress as well as the feature of semi-rigid connections can be taken into account in this method. The refined plastic-hinge method can be used in advanced analysis and design of planar steel frames, while its use in the advanced analysis of space frames needs to be developed. The technique associated with the dealing of different inelastic factors in advanced analysis of both the planar and space steel frames with practical refined plastic-hinge method and the available way to extend planar frame analysis to space frame analysis are reviewed in detail. The problems of the refined plastic-hinge method for advanced analysis are discussed in this paper.     

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis for Seismic Performance of High - Strength Concrete Beam -Column Joints with New Reinforcement Details

Because the factors that affect the behavior of the beam-column joints are complicated,an experimental study alone is not sufficient.Therefore,a nonlinear finite element analysis was conducted to provide better understanding of the performance of the beam-column joints.The authors intend to do the parameter study with nonlinear finite element method after a lot of high-strength concrete beam-column joints have been experimented.In this paper,the analytical model firstly was applied to simulate the experimental joint behavior and the comparison results were very well.Based on this,the parametric analysis of concrete strength on seismic performance of beam-column joints has been conducted.     

Analysis Method for Nonlinear Properties of Reinforced Concrete Columns

Accurate assessment of seismic performance of reinforced concrete columns（RC columns）is significant to ensure the safety of reinforced concrete structure subjected to earthquake action. In order to derive a reasonable prediction by Pushover analysis, a calculation method for determining lateral load-deformation curve, unloading rigidity and reloading rigidity of RC columns subjected to combined flexural and shear force is proposed based on test data analysis in the PEER (Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center) Structural Performance Database, and the formula for calculating the equivalent damping ratio according to hysteresis loop area is also provided. In this paper, conventional section analysis techniques are employed for modeling the flexural behavior of lateral load-deformation relationship, and the modified formulas with actual data analysis are implemented for modeling the effect of shear and slip of the longitudinal bars at columns end. Unloading rigidity and reloading rigidity of the columns are determined by statistical analysis on relations between themselves and secant rigidity of the columns respectively. Finally, a single-degree of freedom (SDOF) system is taken as an example to illustrate the applications of the proposed model for developing the corresponding “capacity curve” and performing pushover analysis on columns. The influences of primary parameters, such as shear-span ratio, axial load ratio, reinforcement ratio and stirrup ratio, on seismic performance of columns are also analyzed.     

Effects of the Adaptable Distribution for Lateral Forces Considering modes Coupling on Structural Pushover Analysis

Two high and flexible RC frame structures are analyzed;the paper explains the rise in the structural damping ratio and the base mode's drifting,and the modes coupling is caused by the greatly rising damping ratio.The paper also proposes that the modes coupling need be considered in the pushover analysis of the high and flexible RC frame structures.A CQC adaptive distribution for lateral forces in considering the modes coupling at every load step is given,and is compared with the traditional SRSS one.Meanwhile,some practical engineering suggestions are given.     

Practical Method for Dynamical Analysis to the Interlayer Seismic Isolation Masonry Building with Frame Structure in the First Storey

Masonry buildings with R/C frame- shear wall in the bottom storey have been widely used in city construction, which include two kinds of lateral force resistant system. However, the seismic behavior of the building is poor. Based on the characteristics that the rigidity of the upper masonry structure is much bigger than the rigidity of laminated rubber bearings and frame structure. It can be referred to as system having a two degree of freedom. The dynamic behavior of this building is analyzed, the isolated vibration mode controls the response of system. The authors give apractical method for dynamical analysis to masonry building with frame structure in the first storey with laminated rubber bearings between the first and second storey , which submits efficient path to found applicable design means and to generalize interlayer seismic isolation structure.