Influence of lateral load distributions on pushover analysis effectiveness

The effectiveness of two simple load distributions for pushover analysis recently proposed by the authors is investigated through a comparative study, involving static and dynamic analyses of seismic response of eccentrically braced frames. It is shown that in the upper floors only multimodal pushover procedures provide results close to the dynamic profile, while the proposed load patterns are always conservative in the lower floors. They over-estimate the seismic response less than the uniform distribution, representing a reliable alternative to the uniform or more sophisticated adaptive procedures proposed by seismic codes. © 2008 American Institute of Physics

An analytical step-by-step procedure to derive the flexural response of RC sections in compression

This paper proposes an analysis procedure able to determine the flexural response of rectangular symmetrically reinforced concrete sections subjected to axial load and uniaxial bending. With respect to the usual numerical approaches, based on the fibre decomposition method, this procedure is based on the use of analytical expressions of the contributions to the equilibrium given by the longitudinal reinforcement and the concrete region in compression, which depend on the neutral axis depth and the curvature at each analysis step. The formulation is developed in dimensionless terms, after a preliminary definition of the geometrical and mechanical parameters involved, so that the results are valid for classes of RC sections. The constitutive laws of the materials include confinement effect on the concrete and postyielding behaviour of the steel reinforcement, which can be assumed to be softening behaviour for buckled reinforcing bars. The strength and curvature domains at the first yielding of the reinforcement in tension and at the ultimate state are derived in the form of analytical curves depending on the compression level; therefore, the role of a single parameter on the shape of these curves can easily be deduced. The procedure is validated by comparing some results with those numerically obtained by other authors. © 2013 Piero Colajanni et al

Stress-Strain Law for Confined Concrete with Hardening or Softening Behavior

This paper provides a new general stress-strain law for concrete confined by steel, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), or fiber reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM), obtained by a suitable modification of the well-known Sargin's curve for steel confined concrete. The proposed law is able to reproduce stress-strain curve of any shape, having both hardening or softening behavior, by using a single closed-form simple algebraic expression with constant coefficients. The coefficients are defined on the basis of the stress and the tangent modulus of the confined concrete in three characteristic points of the curve, thus being related to physical meaningful parameters. It will be shown that if the values of the parameters of the law are deduced from experimental tests, the model is able to accurately reproduce the experimental curve. If they are evaluated on the basis of an analysis-oriented model, the proposed model provides a handy equivalent design model

PBO textile embedded in FRCM for confinement of r.c. columns

Results of experimental tests on two reinforced concrete columns confined with PBO-FRCM jacketing subject to axial load and bending moments are presented, showing the effectiveness of the confinement system. Comparison of test results against theoretical results derived by a fiber model stress the ability of the confinement system to enhance both strength and deformation capacity of the confined concret

Increasing the Capacity of Existing Bridges by Using Unbonded Prestressing Technology: A Case Study

External posttensioning or unbonded prestressing was found to be a powerful tool for retrofitting and for increasing the life extension of existing structures. Since the 1950s, this technique of reinforcement was applied with success to bridge structures in many countries, and was found to provide an efficient and economic solution for a wide range of bridge types and conditions. Unbonded prestressing is defined as a system in which the post-tensioning tendons or bars are located outside the concrete crosssection and the prestressing forces are transmitted to the girder through the end anchorages, deviators, or saddles. In response to the demand for a faster and more efficient transportation system, there was a steady increase in the weight and volume of traffic throughout the world. Besides increases in legal vehicle loads, the overloading of vehicles is a common problem and it must also be considered when designing or assessing bridges. As a result, many bridges are now required to carry loads significantly greater than their original design loads; and their deck results still deteriorated by cracking of concrete, corrosion of rebars, snapping of tendons, and so forth. In the following, a case study about a railway bridge retrofitted by external posttensioning technique will be illustrated

Un criterio di selezione dell’input sismico per l’analisi dinamica non lineare delle strutture

Viene proposto un metodo di selezione di accelerogrammi naturali da impiegare nell’analisi dinamica non lineare al passo. Allo scopo di valutare la capacità dei parametri di intensità sismica di rappresentare il potenziale di danneggiamento del sisma, sono stati analizzati gli spettri delle correlazioni tra i parametri di intensità sismica che caratterizzano le registrazioni accelerometriche ed i parametri cinematici, energetici e di danno rappresentativi della risposta strutturale di un sistema ad un grado di libertà. In tale ambito, è stato definito un nuovo parametro di intensità sismica in forma integrale, l’Accelerazione di Picco Efficace per la Struttura (SEPA - Structure Effective Peak Acceleration), che è risultato fortemente correlato con i parametri di risposta della struttura in tutto il campo dei periodi e per qualsiasi livello di non linearità della risposta. Successivamente è stato proposto un metodo di selezione degli accelerogrammi, in grado di tenere conto delle due componenti di ogni accelerazione sismica, in grado di fornire set di accelerogrammi compatibili con un prefissato spettro di risposta e che singolarmente siano coerenti con l’intensità sismica da esso rappresentato, riducendo la dispersione delle caratteristiche delle registrazioni che caratterizzano i campioni scelti sulla base dei metodi presenti in letteratur

Steel based retrofitting interventions for existing masonry walls: a comparative numerical investigation

Masonry buildings constitute a significant portion of the architectural heritage all over the world, also in regions affected by a high seismic hazard. Since this constructional material is characterized by lack of tensile strength, as well as small deformation capacity, masonry structures could result hugely damaged if shaken by seismic forces. In order to avoid collapses and reduce structural damage, innovative retrofitting interventions are necessary to improve the seismic behavior of masonry structures. In this context, steel-based techniques could be considered among the most suitable solutions. In fact, by using such a high-performant material, additional strength and ductility may be conferred to existing masonry structures. Based on these premises, the present paper focuses on a numerical investigation of two different retrofitting techniques: the CAM© system and the application of steel grids on both faces of a masonry wall. In particular, on the base of an experimental test carried out within the research project In.CAM.M.I.N.O. on an unreinforced masonry wall tested in condition of constant vertical force and horizontal loads, a reference FE Model has been calibrated in Abaqus by using a macro-modelling approach with a damage-plasticity material model for the masonry. Then, based on the reference model, the efficiency of the two systems has been investigated and compared by means of numerical analyses, in order to evaluate the strength and ductility increases obtainable by the application of the two retrofitting techniques

Innovative connections for steel-concrete-trussed beams: a patented solution

The most recent design strategies welcome the adoption of innovative techniques for seismic energy input mitigation, aiming to achieve high dissipation capacity, prevent the structure from collapse and ensure the serviceability of the construction. Friction damper devices have been widely adopted in framed steel structures for decades, while their introduction in different structural types is still under investigation. This paper presents the outcomes of innovative research supported by the industry and conducted on beam-to-column connections of RC structures in which the beams are Hybrid Steel-Trussed Concrete Beams (HSTCBs) and the columns are classical RC pillars. An innovative solution, recently patented, has been found for the mitigation of the effects of seismic cyclic actions on small-sized beam-column joints, typically characterised by a large amount of longitudinal reinforcement due to the small effective depth of the beam. This paper collects the main featuring steps of the innovative research, which has led to the patented solution. The calculation procedure for designing the proposed connection is shown, and the validation through 3D finite element modelling is described. For the structural analysis of the joint, several monotonic and cyclic simulations have been carried out with the scope of investigating different design moment values. The finite element results proved that the patented solution is effective in preventing beam, column and joint from damage and it is suitable for exhibiting adequate dissipative capacity ensured by a flexural behaviour dominated by wide and stable hysteresis loops

Experimental characterization of friction properties of materials for innovative beam-to-column dissipative connection for low-damage RC structures

Low-damage design of structures in seismic-prone areas is becoming an efficient strategy to obtain “earthquake-proof” buildings, i.e. buildings that, even in the case of severe seismic actions, experience a low or negligible amount of damage. Besides the safeguard of human lives, this design strategy aims also to limit the downtime of buildings, which represents a significant source of economic loss, and to ensure an immediate occupancy in the aftermath of an earthquake. In this context, focusing on momentresisting frames (MRFs), several solutions have been developed for the beam-to-column connections (BCCs) of steel and precast/prestressed concrete structures, but very few for cast-in-situ reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This paper focuses on a recently-proposed friction-based BCC for MRFs made with hybrid steel-trussed concrete beams (HSTCBs). The latter are made by a spatial lattice built using V-shaped rebars and a steel bottom plate, which eases the introduction of a friction dissipative device. HSTCBs are usually characterized by a small effective depth, which leads to a large amount of longitudinal rebars. The latter, together with a small-sized beam-column joint, make it potentially subjected to severe damage, which reduces its dissipative capacity. The shear force acting on the joint can be reduced by endowing the BCC with a friction device, with the aim of increasing the lever arm of the bending moment transferred between beam and joint, preventing the latter from damage. To evaluate the mechanical performance of the above connection, two experimental programs have been carried out at the Structures Laboratory of the University of Palermo. The first one focused on the characterization of the friction properties of two different materials (thermal sprayed aluminum and brass), by means of a linear dissipative device subjected to cyclic load. The second one tested a beam-to-column subassembly endowed with the recently-proposed connection in which the dissipative device was made with the best performing friction material tested before. The results of the cyclic tests are presented and commented, showing the promising performance of such connection in providing a low-damage behavior and a satisfactory dissipative capacity

Shear capacity in concrete beams reinforced by stirrups with two different inclinations

A model for the estimation of shear capacity in Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams with web reinforcement is provided by introducing a generalization of classical plastic Nielsen’s model, which is based on the variable-inclination stress-field approach. The proposed model is able to predict the shear capacity in RC beams reinforced by means of stirrups having two different inclinations and longitudinal web bars. A numerical comparison with the results of experimental tests and those provided by a Finite Element Model (FEM) based on the well known theory of Modified Compression Field Theory (MCFT) is carried out for validating the robustness of the proposed model. Finally, a set of parametrical analyses demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed double transverse-reinforcement system in enhancing the shear capacity of RC beam