Ultralow Cycle Fatigue Tests and Fracture Prediction Models for Duplex Stainless-Steel Devices of High Seismic Performance Braced Frames

This paper presents ultralow cycle fatigue tests and the calibration of different fracture models for duplex stainless-steel devices of high seismic performance braced frames. Two different geometries of the devices were tested in full scale under 14 cyclic loading protocols up to fracture. The imposed protocols consisted of standard, constant-amplitude, and randomly generated loading histories. The test results show that the devices have stable hysteresis, high postyield stiffness, and large energy-dissipation and fracture capacities. Following the tests, two micromechanics-based models, i.e., the cyclic void growth model and the built-in ABAQUS ductile fracture model, were calibrated using monotonic and cyclic tests on circumferentially notched coupons and complementary finite-element simulations. In addition, Coffin-Manson-like relationships were fitted to the results of the constant-amplitude tests of the devices, and the Palmgren-Miner’s rule was used to predict fracture of the devices under the randomly generated loading protocols. Comparisons of the experimental and numerical results show that the calibrated models can predict ductile fracture of the devices due to ultralow cycle fatigue with acceptable accuracy

Robustness assessment of a steel self-centering moment-resisting frame under column loss

The robustness of a seismically-designed steel self-centering moment-resisting frame (SCMRF) under a column loss scenario is numerically assessed. The prototype SC-MRF is equipped with post-tensioned bars and optimised stainless steel energy dissipation devices. The SC-MRF was modelled in full detail using solid finite elements. The numerical model was calibrated using results from previous tests on post-tensioned beam-column connections and isolated component tests on the energy dissipation devices. Quasi-static analyses were carried out to identify the failure modes of the SC-MRF under a column loss scenario. Nonlinear dynamic analyses were also performed to evaluate the dynamic response of the frame and to assess the acceptance criteria against progressive collapse according to the current codes of practice. The results show that the SC-MRF has superior robustness and it can guarantee a high level of safety under a sudden column loss scenario due to the high fracture capacity of the stainless steel energy dissipation devices and the tie force resistance provided by the post-tensioned bars

Seismic collapse of self-centering steel MRFs with different column base structural properties

The effect of the strength and stiffness characteristics of a previously proposed novel column base on the seismic performance and collapse capacity of steel self-centering moment-resisting frames is evaluated in this paper. This is done through three normalised parameters that represent the initial stiffness, post-yield stiffness, and strength of the column base, which can be independently adjusted. For these evaluations, a prototype steel building, which serves as a case study, is designed with sixteen different cases of a self-centering moment-resisting frame with different column base stiffness and strength characteristics (SC-MRF-CBs). A self-centering moment-resisting frame with conventional column bases and the same members and beam-column connections as those of the SC-MRF-CBs, named SC-MRF, serves as a benchmark frame. A set of 44 ground motions was used to conduct non-linear dynamic analyses and evaluate the seismic performance of the frames. Incremental dynamic analyses were also performed with the same ground motions set to evaluate the collapse capacity of the frames. Collapse capacity fragility curves and adjusted collapse margin ratios of the frames were derived and used for the comparison of the seismic risk of the frames. The results show that the new self-centering column base significantly improves the seismic performance of the SC-MRF, demonstrating the potential of the SC-MRF-CBs to be redesigned with smaller member sections. Moreover, the SC-MRF-CBs achieve significant reduction in collapse risk compared to the SC-MRF. Finally, the results show that increasing the base strength and stiffness improves the seismic performance and collapse capacity of the SC-MRF-CBs. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

The effect of composite floor on the robustness of steel self-centering MRFs under column loss

This paper presents the numerical assess of the robustness of a seismic-resistant steel building with self-centering moment resisting frames against progressive collapse. The numerical analyses were carried out using a 3D model developed in ABAQUS. The 3D model considers the effect of the composite slab, where composite beams and their shear connectors were modeled with a combination of shell, beam and nonlinear connector elements. All the beam-column and beam-to-beam connections were modeled using nonlinear connector elements with appropriate failure criteria, calibrated against previous experimental results. The self-centering moment resisting frame where a sudden column loss was simulated was modelled using 3D solid elements to accurately capture its local and global nonlinear behavior. Quasi-static nonlinear analyses were carried out to identify all possible failure modes and to investigate the effect of the floor slab on the overall progressive collapse resistance. Nonlinear dynamic analyses were also carried out to predict the true dynamic response and evaluate the acceptance criteria of current building design guidelines

Residual drift risk of self-centering steel MRFs with novel steel column bases in near-fault regions

This paper evaluates the potential of novel steel column bases to reduce the residual drift risk of steel buildings located at near-fault regions when installed to post-tensioned self-centering moment-resisting frames (SC-MRFs). To this end, a prototype steel building is designed that consists of either conventional moment-resisting frames (MRFs) or SC-MRFs or SC-MRFs equipped with the novel steel column base (SC-MRF-CBs). The MRFs and SC-MRFs are used as benchmark frames. The frames are modelled in OpenSees where material and geometrical non-linearities are considered along with stiffness and strength degradation. A set of 91 near-fault ground motions with different pulse periods is used to perform incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), in which each ground motion is scaled appropriately until different residual storey drift limits are exceeded. The probability of exceedance of these limits is then computed as a function of the ground motion intensity and the period of the velocity pulse. Finally, the results of IDA are combined with probabilistic seismic hazard analysis models that account for near-fault directivity to evaluate and compare the residual drift risk of the frames used in this study. Results show that the predicted residual drift performance of the frames is influenced by the pulse period of the near-fault ground motions. The use of the novel steel column base significantly reduces the residual drift risk of the frames and the SC-MRF-CB exhibits the best residual drift performance. Finally, the paper highlights the effectiveness of combining post-tensioned beam-column connections with the novel steel column base, by showing that the SC-MRF-CB improves the residual drift performance of the MRF and SC-MRF by 80% and 50%, respectively

Collapse risk and residual drift performance of steel buildings using post-tensioned MRFs and viscous dampers in near-fault regions

The potential of post-tensioned self-centering moment-resisting frames (SC-MRFs) and viscous dampers to reduce the collapse risk and improve the residual drift performance of steel buildings in near-fault regions is evaluated. For this purpose, a prototype steel building is designed using different seismic-resistant frames, i.e.: moment-resisting frames (MRFs); MRFs with viscous dampers; SC-MRFs; and SC-MRFs with viscous dampers. The frames are modeled in OpenSees where material and geometrical nonlinearities are taken into account as well as stiffness and strength deterioration. A database of 91 near-fault, pulse-like ground motions with varying pulse periods is used to conduct incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), in which each ground motion is scaled until collapse occurs. The probability of collapse and the probability of exceeding different residual story drift threshold values are calculated as a function of the ground motion intensity and the period of the velocity pulse. The results of IDA are then combined with probabilistic seismic hazard analysis models that account for near-fault directivity to assess and compare the collapse risk and the residual drift performance of the frames. The paper highlights the benefit of combining the post-tensioning and supplemental viscous damping technologies in the near-source. In particular, the SC-MRF with viscous dampers is found to achieve significant reductions in collapse risk and probability of exceedance of residual story drift threshold values compared to the MRF. © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrech

Self-adaptive approach for optimisation of passive control systems for seismic resistant buildings

The concept of passive control of the seismic response of structures was introduced to improve the performance of structures by increasing their energy dissipation and reduce or eliminate damage in the structural elements. The key task in the design of passive systems is to determine the forces in the control devices (yield/slip or post-tensioning) at each floor, that will result in best performance (e.g. minimum inter-storey drift). This can be achieved by large parametric studies in which both the maximum control force (e.g. at ground level) and the distribution of forces along the height of the structure are varied. Alternatively, optimum forces in the devices can be achieved by semi-active control, where the structure self-adapts to the earthquake. Both solutions are expensive: the first requires hundreds of non-linear response simulations in the design stage; the second needs a system of sensors, controllers and electromechanical devices. Presented here is a new Self Adaptive Optimisation Approach (SAOA) in which the self-optimisation of a semi-active system is used in the design stage and the resulting distribution of control forces is adopted as a passive system. The new approach was evaluated through comparing the simulated dynamic responses of two relatively simple benchmark structures (braced and post-tensioned) with three sets of control forces: (1) passive system with forces obtained in parametric study, (2) semi-active system with self-adapting control forces, and (3) passive system with SAOA-optimized forces. The results show good performance of the SAOA systems, indicating that SAOA offers a simple and effective solution that can replace the existing optimisation approaches for the design of passively controlled earthquake resistant structures. This study presents a novel idea of using the semi-active control as a tool for optimising a passive control system. The passive control systems can be further improved by a larger study in which the semi-active control algorithms are also optimised

Collapse assessment of a steel frame with high postyield stiffness stainless steel devices in Abaqus

The collapse resistance of a dual seismic-resistant steel frame with high post-yield stiffness stainless steel devices is evaluated. The dual system consists of a moment-resisting frame equipped with dissipative concentric braces. The dissipative braces are realised as the in-series connection of stainless steel pins (SSPs) with a hourglass shape, conventional steel braces, and friction pads. The latter are activated only under very large seismic intensities to control the peak force of the braces. Moreover, replaceable ductile fuses are used in the beams at the expected locations of plastic hinges. Incremental dynamic analyses are performed using an advanced finite element model in Abaqus that simulates geometric and material nonlinearities including ductile fracture in the SSPs. The cyclic behaviour of the SSPs is experimentally evaluated by testing two full-scale specimens in a configuration reproducing their actual connection details in the steel frame. The results of fourteen cyclic tests show that the SSPs have stable symmetric hysteresis, high post-yield stiffness, and large energy dissipation and fracture capacities. Ductile fracture in SSPs is modelled using a plastic motion-based criterion that is calibrated against the experimental results. The results of incremental dynamic analyses show that the proposed system has superior resistance against seismic collapse, with a 1.2% collapse probability under the maximum-considered earthquake. The large collapse capacity is due to the high post-yield stiffness and the excellent fracture capacity of the SSPs. In particular, fracture is detected only under two long duration earthquakes scaled to intensities higher than that of the maximum considered earthquake