Factors Affecting the Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Cold-Formed Steel Portal Frames

The FEM simulation analysis method was studied to identify the ultimate bearing capacity of cold-formed steel portal frames.In this study,the beam-spring system was used to simulate the performance of joints.The initial imperfection of frame components was considered.The deformation performance and failure features of portal frame structures under vertical loads also were studied.The analytic results of the FEM simulation analysis method are close to the values obtained by experimentation.The ultimate bearing capacity of portal frames were computed by changing parameters such as the web plate thickness,the flange width,the plate thickness of brackets,the portal frame roof inclination,and the column footing stiffness.The analytic results indicate that the ultimate bearing capacity may be improved when the parameters mentioned above are increased.     

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.     

Calculation Methods for Steel Frame Structure Based on the Structural Ultimate Bearing Capacity

The existing problems in calculation approach for multi-story and high-rise steel frame structure are summarized. As the shearing deformation is considered, the analysis methods for steel frame structure are put forward based on the structural ultimate bearing capacity, which is on the basis of second order inelasticity analysis for steel structure. In the approach, the tangent module brought forward by Bleich, F. is used, the second-order refined plastic hinge method presented by Liew, J. Y. R. is modified.     

EFFECT OF SEMI-RIGID CONNECTIONS ON BEHAVIOR OF STEEL FRAME

Modeling of girder in steel frame with semi-rigid conn-ections as partially restrained beam element is proposed for elastic-plasticanalysis of steel frames with semi-rigid connections.The results whichare obtained from analyses of elasticity,plasticity and stability for steelframes with semi-rigid connections have significant effects on structuralbehavior.It is necessary to consider the influences of semi-rigid conn-ections on the analysis and design for steel frames.     

Inelastic Seismic Response of Ordinary Reinforced Concrete Regular Frames

With an inelastic dynamic analysis program developed by the authors, seismic response analysis of regular RC frames designed to Chinese codes in different earthquake fortification zones are carried out. The results indicate that the displacement responses of structures are improved due to the more rigorous limitation on the inter-story drift under frequent earthquakes in the revised codes. The frames in seismic-intensity-9 zone designed to the former codes and the revised codes form plastic energy-dissipated mechanisms mostly With beam hinges, which can satisfy the requirement of seismic performance expectably. The frame in seismic-intensity-8 zone designed to the former code forms a plastic energy- dissipated mechanisms mostly with column hinges and shows a risk of occurrence of story-sway mechanism, while the frame in seismic-intensity-8 zone designed to the revised codes exhibits a relatively improved seismic performance but still with excessive column hinges, which suggests a need to further increase the column moment amplification measures for this kind of frames. The frame in seismic-intensity-7 zone shows a somewhat improved seismic performance than the frames in seismic-intensity-8 zone, but the protection to columns by the seismic measures is sill insufficient, which indicates that the column moment amplification measures for this kind of frames should be enhanced further.     

Discussion of the Stiffness Reduction Factor of Bent-columns

The simplified structural analysis and design method employing stiffness reduction of member bars,has been accepted by Chinese Standard, in which second-order effects already been considered through elastic finite element analysis,and its accuracy mostly depends on the rationality of the stiffness reduction factor.Due to the absence of investigation in the stiffness reduction factor of bent frame,according to the non-linear finite element analysis of several single-story single-span bent frames,the stiffness reduction factor of bent-columns has been suggested.And the rationality of this factor has been proved by comparison of the internal force in bent-columns and displacement of bent frames in second-order elasticity analysis and non-linear finite element analysis.     

Research on Deformation Equation and Dynamic Properties of Hybrid Structure

Based on the principle of interactive analysis,the deformation equation of hybrid structure which contains rigid character value is established using the analysis of the frame - shear wall structure for reference, considering the rigid zone between concrete beam and concrete - tube, the shear deformation of concrete - tube, axial deformation of steel frames and semi - rigid connection between steel columns and concrete beams. Assuming the hybrid structure to be a continuous elastic structure with infinite degree of freedom, a free vibration equation has been built and the formula for calculating free vibration period has been deduced. The influences of various parameters to the coefficient of free vibration period relating to rigid character value are discussed according to some diagrams. It is shown that the rigid zone can lessen the free vibration period but the shear deformation of concrete - tube, axial deformation of steel frames, and the semi -rigid connection between steel columns and concrete beams can enhance the free vibration period.     

An improved method for and error evaluation of modal pushover analysis

Based on evaluation of the basic principle and error of the modal pushover analysis method, an improved method is suggested by selecting rational values of stiffness reduction parameters of beams and columns in a reinforced concrete frame corresponding to the global target displacement ductility ratio. A 10 story and a 16 story reinforced concrete plane frame are designed as examples to investigate the influence of higher modes. Nonlinear seismic responses of the two frames under excitations of seven earthquake waves of varying earthquake intensities are selected to be the reference points for a comparison study. The changing rules of the results of modal pushover analysis and modified modal pushover analysis with respect to various natural fundamental periods and different earthquake intensities are studied. Research results show that the error of modal pushover analysis and modified modal pushover analysis will not increase with a larger fundamental period, which implies that modal pushover analysis can cover the effect of higher modes reasonably. When the degree of nonlinearity of the structure is more severe, the modified modal pushover analysis we suggest could decrease the error of normal modal pushover analysis to a certain extent.     

Study on Pre- & Post- Processing Program for Multi -storey & Tall Steel Frame

A vast amount of information data must be input before finite element analysis of steel frames, such as node information, element information and load information. It is necessary to develop a computer aided design system with 3D interactive function. A CAD system for steel frame based on object ARX is developed with AutoCAD API and the Object -oriented technique. In this paper, some key programming technologies is studied, including design of structures, identification of floor system, also, it has presented the relevant implementing code.     

NONLINEAR RESPONSE STUDIES OF TALL STEEL FRAMES

Considerable eftects of geometric nonlinearity upon tallsteel frames and flexibly jointed steel frames are recognized.Systematicanalysis philosophy of geometric nonlinearity under various coordinatesystems and its corresponding explicit expression of tangent stiffness matrices are comprehensively embodied.The entries in tangent stiffnessmatrices with its nonlinear behavior and its abstrusely implied physicmeanings are expounded and a straight forward derivation technique ofnonlinear matrices is given.A computer algorithm which can performwhole range studies of steel frames by considering geometric and materialnonlinearities up to the ultimate load carrying capacity is implemented.     

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.     

AREA-VECTOR METHOD CALCULATJJNG THE DISPLACEMENTS OF BEAMS AND FRAMES

A new method with which to calculat the displacements of beams and frames is presented. The areas of tending moment diagram of beam or frame and the slope at the origin of the elastic curve are treated as some rotatable vectors with this method. Angular displacement and in-line displacement can be calculated by using the projection and moment of these vectors. This method can be used to calculate displacement of the bar and the bar syttem ( including three dimensional forms. ) , which made from linear or ncnlinear elastic materials. The cross section of the bar is changeable.     

Analytic Solution of Second Order Effects Regular Pattern in Non-Sway Closed Cell Frame

The regular pattern of second order effects according to numerical analysis results in non-sway closed cell frame columns is reviewed . The second order internal force equation and additional displacement method based on the turn-angle equation are provided in second order effects analysis. The analytic solution of second order effects in non-sway closed cell frames is solved by this method, which has proved that the regular pattern of second order effects in non - sway closed cell frame columns is exact.     

Experimental Investigation of "Column with Weaker Beam" Frame and "Column with Equally Strong Beam" Frame

By the way of experiment and analysis of two "one story and one bay" reinforced concrete frames, namely a "beam with weaker column" frame and a "column with equally strong beam" frame, the features of internal force redistribution are investigated and an elementary comparison about bending moment redistribution of three kinds of frames namely the "column with weaker beam", "beam with weaker column" and "column with equally strong beam" is given. Through this comparison, the objective existence of such "three kinds of frame" is proven, the moment redistribution is different for each frame and for the moment modulation, the elastic moment diagram and the difference of the internal force redistribution in different frames should be considered together.     

RC Frame Component's Stiffness Reduction Factor Considering Non-elastic Characteristics

The simplified method, in which second-order elasticity analysis having undergone stiffness reduction is employed to research into sway frames' second order effect, has begun to be accepted by Chinese Standard. In the proper ascertainment of the value of stiffness reduction factor considering non-elastic characteristic, it is advisable to properly choose the checking computation method of the stiffness reduction on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of RC frame. Combined with a contrastive analysis of the present schemes in USA and New Zealand, a scheme to ascertain the RC frames component's stiffness reduction is proposed for the revision of the Chinese Standard.     

Simplified Elasto Plastic Analytical Model for Stiffened Steel Plate Shear Wall with Slits

Based on the mechanism of steel slit wall, a simplified elasto plastic analytical model which allows for nonlinear dynamic and static analysis was proposed. The parameters of simplified model related to configuration and nonlinear behavior were defined. In order to validate the simplified model, the pushover analysis of steel slit wall and a frame with steel slit wall were conducted. The results show that the load displacement curves obtained from simplified models, experiments and FEM are similar. The proposed model can fully represent the mechanism of steel slit wall, and it can correctly predict the internal forces and deformations of each member in the model.     

Inelastic Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Frame Structures Reinforced with HRB500 Steel Bars

To achieve sustainable development of construction industry, the application of HRB500 reinforcement with high strength and high ductility in RC structures is being promoted in civil and structural engineering in China. But few studies focus on seismic behaviors of RC structures reinforced with HRB500 bars. In this analysis, three RC frame structures on the Zone of Fortification Intensity 8 (0.3g) in China reinforced with HRB500, HRB400 and HRB335 bars respectively, are designed confirming to the latest draft of the revising Code for the Design of Concrete Structures. Then inelastic seismic response analyses of the three frames with multiple inputs of ground motions are conducted. The seismic response rules and seismic performances of the RC frame reinforced with HRB500 bars are compared with those frames reinforced with HRB400 and HRB335 bars. The analytical results indicate that under ground motions in rare earthquake level, the maximum displacements of the frame reinforced with HRB500 bars are roughly the same as those of the frames reinforced with HRB400 and HRB335 bars, while the rotation ductility demand of elements in the former structure is smaller than those of elements in the latter structures. It is also found that the frame reinforced with HRB500 bars develops a plastic energy dissipation mechanism that is dominated by beam hinges under major earthquake, and the maximum inter storey drift of the frame can satisfy the requirement in the Code for the RC Frame Structures.     

Coupling Effect Analysis Between Background and Resonant Components for Equivalent Static Wind Loadings

Aimed at the limitations of total fluctuating wind-induced response with combination of background and resonant components using Square Root of the Sum of Squares (SRSS) method, the theoretical combination formulas of fluctuating wind-induced responses and ESWLs are derived based on structural dynamics and random vibration theory. Meanwhile, the refined analysis method is firstly presented by four components formula to compensate the coupling component between background and resonant modes. The proposed procedure avoids the integration process of calculating elastic restoring force and completely considers the modal coupling effects, which can be used to calculate the ESWL for any complex structures. Taking the steel grid roof structure of a large museum as an example, the new method was used to calculate its wind-induced response. Compared with results of complete quadratic combination (CQC), the effectiveness and accuracy of the present approach has been revealed.     

Finite Element Analysis of the Influence of Steel Strength on Beam-to-column Composite Connections

Because high material strength and composite load-bearing are emphasized in constructing members for high-rise steel frame structures, in a composite connection, steel strength has a dramatic influence on both the bearing performance and the composite action of the concrete slab. Based on a finite element analysis, we discuss the composite effect and the connection breaking mode, focusing on the performance change of the composite effect in adopting high strength steel. It can be found from the results that, along with the improvement of the steel strength, the elastic and plastic ultimate strength of the composite connection will increase, the ductility will decrease to a certain extent, and the composite effect of the concrete slab will diminish. The collapse of the concrete in a positive moment side contacting the column flange is viewed as the limiting state of the connection.