Enhancing seismic design of non-structural components implementing artificial intelligence approach: Predicting component dynamic amplification factors

The seismic performance of non-structural components (NSCs) has been the focus of intensive study during the last few decades. Modern building codes define design forces on components using too simple relationships. The component accelerates faster than the floor acceleration to which it is connected. Therefore, component dynamic amplification factors (CDAFs) are calculated in this work to quantify the amplification in the acceleration of NSCs for the various damping ratios and tuning ratios of the NSC, and the primary structural periods. From the analysis results, it was observed that CDAF peaks are either underestimated or overestimated by the code-based formulae. A prediction model to ascertain the CDAFs was also developed using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Following that, the suggested model is contrasted with the established relationships from the past research. The ANN model's coefficient of correlation (R) was 0.97. Hence, using an ANN algorithm reduces the necessity of laborious and complex analysis. ©2023 The author(s)

Modelling of the thermo-mechanical properties of woven composites during the cure

Woven fabrics are used more widely in composite materials as reinforcements to manufacture complex structures due to their high drapability and good impact resistance compared to unidirectional fibres. Understanding the properties of woven composites and their evolution during the cure is therefore important in terms of design and manufacturig of complex composite structures using woven fabrics.NRC publication: Ye

Seismic response of building structures with sliding non-structural elements

Interaction between a structure under base excitation and heavy non-structural elements that it supports is significant in the seismic analysis and design of the structure. Heavy non-structural elements may slide/rock under base excitation, and this dynamic action affects the seismic behavior of the supporting structure. Hence, in this study, a numerical model was presented to describe the seismic behavior of a primary structure (PS) supporting non-structural elements referred to as secondary bodies (SBs). The governing equations of motion for PS and SBs were developed considering Coulomb's friction model. Seismic hazard levels corresponding to Indian seismic zone III (medium hazard level) and V (highest hazard level) were considered. A parameter called displacement ratio (DR) was defined to quantify the sliding effect of SBs on the displacement response of the PS. A parametric study has been conducted to understand the variation in the DR due to varied time period of the structure, live loads to structure mass ratios and coefficients of friction between PS and SBs. From the analysis of results, it was concluded that the DR varies significantly with the time period, mass ratios, and coefficient of friction values. It can also be found from the study that the energy dissipation due to sliding of SBs was more in the highest hazard level than medium hazard level. Finally, the conditions for which the full mass of sliding secondary bodies should be considered in the seismic design of the structure are also presented

Influence of a Soft Story on the Seismic Response of Non-Structural Components

Multi-story, reinforced-concrete (RC) building structures with soft stories are highly vulnerable to damage due to earthquake loads. The soft story causes a significant stiffness irregularity, which has led to numerous buildings collapsing in previous seismic events. In addition to the structural collapse, the failure of non-structural components (NSCs) has also been observed during past earthquakes. In light of this, this study investigates the effect of a soft story and its location on the seismic behavior of a supporting building and NSCs. The soft story is assumed to be located on the bottom (ground), middle, and top-story levels of the considered building models. Story displacements and inter-story drift ratios are evaluated to assess structural behavior. The floor response spectra and the amplification effects of NSC on the floor acceleration responses are studied to understand the behavior of NSCs. The analysis results revealed that the bottom soft story exhibits a considerable vertical stiffness irregularity, and its position substantially affects the floor response spectra. The amplification in the floor acceleration response was found to be greater at the soft-story level. This study reported that middle soft-story buildings exhibit the most remarkable amplification in the component’s acceleration. Finally, peak floor response demands are compared with the code-based formulation, and it is found that the code-based formulation’s linear assumption may lead peak floor response demands to be underestimated or overestimated

Influence of a Soft Story on the Seismic Response of Non-Structural Components

Multi-story, reinforced-concrete (RC) building structures with soft stories are highly vulnerable to damage due to earthquake loads. The soft story causes a significant stiffness irregularity, which has led to numerous buildings collapsing in previous seismic events. In addition to the structural collapse, the failure of non-structural components (NSCs) has also been observed during past earthquakes. In light of this, this study investigates the effect of a soft story and its location on the seismic behavior of a supporting building and NSCs. The soft story is assumed to be located on the bottom (ground), middle, and top-story levels of the considered building models. Story displacements and inter-story drift ratios are evaluated to assess structural behavior. The floor response spectra and the amplification effects of NSC on the floor acceleration responses are studied to understand the behavior of NSCs. The analysis results revealed that the bottom soft story exhibits a considerable vertical stiffness irregularity, and its position substantially affects the floor response spectra. The amplification in the floor acceleration response was found to be greater at the soft-story level. This study reported that middle soft-story buildings exhibit the most remarkable amplification in the component’s acceleration. Finally, peak floor response demands are compared with the code-based formulation, and it is found that the code-based formulation’s linear assumption may lead peak floor response demands to be underestimated or overestimated

Embedded smart GFRP reinforcements for monitoring reinforced concrete flexural components

The main objectives of this paper are to demonstrate the feasibility of using newly developed smart GFRP reinforcements to effectively monitor reinforced concrete beams subjected to flexural and creep loads, and to develop non-linear numerical models to predict the behavior of these beams. The smart glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars are fabricated using a modified pultrusion process, which allows the simultaneous embeddement of Fabry-Perot fiber-optic sensors within them. Two beams are subjected to static and repeated loads (until failure), and a third one is under long-term investigation for assessment of its creep behavior. The accuracy and reliability of the strain readings from the embedded sensors are verified by comparison with corresponding readings from surface attached electrical strain gages. Nonlinear finite element modeling of the smart concrete beams is subsequently performed. These models are shown to be effective in predicting various parameters of interest such as crack patterns, failure loads, strains and stresses. The strain values computed by these numerical models agree well with corresponding readings from the embedded fiber-optic sensors