Seismic fragility assessment of reinforced concrete moment frames retrofitted with strongback braced system

This study focused on analysing the seismic fragility and retrofitting of reinforced concrete flexural frames using strongback braced system. Using the steel strongback braced system as a means of seismically strengthening and retrofitting reinforced concrete moment frames (RCMFs), this research aims to enhance the effectiveness of RCMFs. In this study, RCMFs of 5-, 10-, and 15-stories are designed according to the first and fourth editions of the Iran Earthquake Standard 2800. The RCMFs designed according to the first edition are strengthened and reinforced using the SB system. The studied structures were analyzed under incremental static loading and time history analysis. The results show that the yield force and maximum base shear for the structures designed with the fourth edition, compared to the structures designed with the first edition, have increased by 1.28–1.42. This demonstrates the necessity of improving structures constructed according to the first edition. Meanwhile, the results of the retrofitted structures with strongback braces show the same or better performance than newly designed structures. The results of the fragility analysis show that the addition of the strong bracing system significantly improves the performance of the structures and brings them closer to the 4th edition standards. The retrofitting system reduces drift ratio between floors and reduces structural damage

Assessment of cyclic behavior and performance of hybrid linked-column steel plate shear wall system

An innovative hybrid linked columns steel plate shear wall (HLCS) system provided, and its cyclic behavior and energy absorption are investigated by finite element method in this study. The objective of the designed HLCS system was to reduce or possibly prevent damage to the SPSW at low and medium seismic levels by focusing the seismic damage to interchangeable link beams (the energy dissipation components of the presented HLCS system). In this study, the cyclic behavior and energy dissipation of HLCS systems were investigated using numerical methods. To evaluate the hysteresis behavior and energy absorption of the proposed HLCS system, parametric studies were performed. Also, the accuracy of finite element models was evaluated by comparing test results that showed the good accuracy of finite element models in predicting the specimens' hysteresis behavior and failure modes. Due to the failure mechanisms, the coupling ratio amounts meaningfully affect the onset of the first surrender mechanism between the infill steel plate and link beams. In general, by increasing the number of link beams in the floor, the ultimate shear force to the weight ratio of the structure was increased. Also, the type of beam in terms of flexural and shear behavior did not significantly affect the ratio of base shear force to the structure weight. The proposed HLCS system has increased the ratio of base shear force to the weight by an average of 4%–27%, indicating that this system is economically comparable to the SPSW systems. Moreover, the energy dissipation in the HLCS system exhibited a 14%–91% enhancement compared to the SPSW system

Functioning of Notaries in the Field of Public Ethics

زمینه و هدف: دفاتر ثبت اسناد رسمی از جمله نهادهای مؤثر در جوامع معاصر هستند که تنظیم روابط افراد و همچنین سازوکارهای معتبر حقوقی و قانونی برای تأمین بخش مهمی از ملزومات زندگی اجتماعی را فراهم می‌سازند. با توجه به گستردگی و نفوذ قابل توجه دفاتر ثبت اسناد رسمی بر روابط حقوقی افراد جامعه، پژوهش حاضر به بررسی جایگاه دفاتر اسناد رسمی در حوزه اخلاق عمومی می‌پردازد. مواد و روش‌ها: روش مورد استفاده در پژوهش حاضر، توصیفی ـ تحلیلی است؛ بدین معنا که با غور و تفحص در شکل‌گیری، تغییر و تحولات تاریخی و حقوقی ثبت اسناد و املاک به تبیین نقش دفاتر اسناد رسمی در حوزه اخلاقی عمومی پرداخته می‌شود. ملاحظات اخلاقی: در تمام مراحل نگارش پژوهش حاضر، ضمن رعایت اصالت متون، صداقت و امانتداری رعایت گردیده است. یافته‌ها: نهادهای اجتماعی نظیر دفاتر اسناد رسمی دارای کارکرد مؤثری در زمینه‌های منفعت و خیر عمومی، خدمات عمومی، قضازدایی از ساحت جامعه، دفاع از حاکمیت قانون و شفافیت و همچنین ارائه خدمات بر مبنای روابط رسمی و بدون تبعیض هستند که از این جهت با اخلاق عمومی نیز پیوندی وثیق می­یابند. به عبارتی دیگر در صورت انجام کارکردهای مذکور، دفاتر ثبت اسناد رسمی می‌توانند حوزه­های مرتبط اخلاق عمومی جامعه را سامان ببخشند. نتیجه‌گیری: دفاتر اسناد رسمی به دلیل اهمیت اسناد مکتوب و رسمی، نقش برجسته­ای در کاهش تنازعات، دعاوی و اختلافات قضایی و مآلاً تأمین امنیت در حوزه اخلاق عمومی، ایفا می‌نمایند. بر این مبنا، بایسته است که دفاتر ثبت اسناد رسمی به حوزه‌های قضایی و حقوقی ورود بیشتری داشته باشند و ضمن قضازدایی از ساحت جامعه، در کنار نهادهای دادگستری، خدمات خود را به اجتماع عرضه کنند. این امر هنگامی که مبتنی بر ارائه و پذیرش اسناد رسمی برای حل و فصل دعاوی و اختلافات است، می‌تواند کمک شایانی به حل مشکلات قبل از رجوع به نهادهای قضایی در نظر گرفته شود.Background and Aim: Notaries are among the most influential institutions in contemporary societies which regulate the relations of individuals as well as valid legal mechanisms to provide an important part of the necessities of social life. Considering the extent and influence of notaries on the legal relations of individuals in the society, the present study examines the position of notaries in the field of public ethics. Materials and Methods: The method used in this study is descriptive-analytical; In other words, by examining the formation, historical and legal developments of the registration of deeds and property, the role of notaries in the public moral field is explained. Ethical Considerations: In all stages of this research, while observing the authenticity of the texts, honesty and fidelity have been observed. Findings: Social institutions such as notaries have an influential function in the fields of common good, public services and dejudicialization from the community, defense of the rule of law and transparency, as well as providing services based on formal and non-discriminatory relations, which is why they are closely linked to public morality. In other words, if the above-mentioned functions are performed, notaries can organize the relevant field of public ethics of the society. Conclusion: Due to the importance of written and official documents, notaries play a prominent role in reducing disputes, lawsuits and judicial problems, and thus provide security in the field of public ethics. Accordingly, notaries should have more access to the judiciary and legal field and, while dejudicialization from the community, along with the institutions of judiciary, offer their services to the community. This can be a great help in resolving problems before going to the judiciary when it is based on the submission and acceptance of official documents to resolve disputes.   Please cite this article as: Abdul Maleki M, Hashemi SM, Gorji Azandariani AA. Functioning of notaries in the field of public ethics. Bioethics Journal, Special Issue on Ethical & Legal Reflections 2021; 69-79

Cyclic behavior of an energy dissipation system with the vertical steel panel flexural-yielding dampers

In this study, an energy dissipation system of the vertical steel panel flexural-yielding dampers (VSPFYDs) system is provided and investigated using a numerical method. The aim of this study is to provide an energy absorption system to improve the hysteresis behavior and performance of steel slit dampers (SSDs). Hence, two types of VSPFYDs and SSDs systems with connection details are provided and developed numerical models for parametric study. Extensive parametric studies have been performed to evaluate and compare the proposed damper (VSPFYDs) with traditional SSDs. To evaluate the proposed dampers, the nonlinear finite element models were developed to predict the hysteretic behavior of VSPFYDs and SSDs using ABAQUS software and ultimately validated with the results of several test specimens. To evaluate the results of this study, a comparison is performed between the seismic parameters of SSDs and VSPFYDs. The results show that the vertical steel panel flexural-yielding dampers increase the seismic parameters compared to the steel slit dampers. Also, the results showed both VSPFYDs and SSDs showed flexural behavior. Finally, the stiffness degradation of dampers was investigated and found that the smallest VSPFYD with a height of 15 cm has the best performance in many aspects. Also, the results show that the details of the construction of the plate connections considerably affected the performance and hysteresis behavior of the VSPFYDs compared to SSDs

Numerical and analytical study of ultimate capacity of steel plate shear walls with partial plate-column connection (SPSW-PC)

This research endeavor intends to use the numerical and analytical approaches to investigate the ultimate shear capacity of steel plate shear walls with partial plate-column connection (SPSW-PC). This study aims to provide an analytical relationship for estimating the ultimate capacity of SPSW-PC. Using plastic analysis and considering the mechanism of plastic hinge formation, a relation has been obtained for estimating the ultimate capacity of SPSW-PCs. Extensive parametric studies have been carried out using a nonlinear finite element method to examine the accuracy of the obtained analytical relationships. The parametric studies include investigating the influence of infill plate thickness and width-to-height ratio as well as the ratio of the plate-column detachment length of SPSW-PCs. To this end, comprehensive verification studies are initially performed by comparing the numerical predictions with several reported experimental results to demonstrate the numerical method's reliability and accuracy. Comparison is made between the hysteresis curves, failure modes, and base shear capacities predicted numerically or obtained/observed experimentally. The results show a sound compromise between the ultimate capacity of the analytical relationship and numerical models of parametric studies. Although removing the connection between the web-plate and columns can be beneficial by decreasing the overall system demand on the vertical boundary members, based on the results and findings of this research study, such detachment can reduce the stiffness and strength capacities of steel shear walls by about 25%, on average