Sharif Digital Repository

This study has been carried out for investigating the need for an appropriate and fast seismic analysis method to be applied in performance based design (PBD), and show the application of Endurance Time (ET) method and it’s advantages in PBD. Necessary theories were generated in hazard analysis, bi-directional seismic analysis, introduction of dynamic push-over curve and application. As a secondary goal, potential of this method in more complicated nonlinear domains is assessed. Application of ET and its advantages in PBD is shown with an example of SMF, NDCBF, CBF and BRBF building after modeling nonlinear interactional behavior of beams and columns, and also modeling buckling and... 

Considerable research work has been dedicated to the development of structural control systems to improve the performance of structures and reduce the casualties resulting from earthquakes. It is generally accepted that semi-active control systems result in better structural performance compared to what can be achieved using passive systems. However, it has been observed that the majority of the performance improvement obtained from semi-active control systems stems from the reduction of brace flexibility effects, rather than the control algorithm used. In this study, it is attempted to utilize this fact to improve the performance of passive control systems, or develop simple semi-active... 

This study presents the advantages of using unsymmetrical buckling restrained braces in zipper frames for simultaneous improvement of peak and residual response of low- and mid-rise buildings. It is demonstrated that such combination allows for the usage of benefits of each of these systems, namely the significant energy dissipation capacity of buckling restrained braces and better distribution of hysteretic energy dissipation demands through the elevation observed in zipper frames. It has already been shown that using buckling restrained braces of varying yield strengths within each story of a building can improve the residual response of buckling-restrained-braced frames without severely... 

Placement of control and bracing systems in a structure is one of the most important factors affecting the effectiveness of the system in reducing responses to earthquakes. In other words, a control system with a proven effectiveness in earthquake does not reduce the structure responses unless used with proper placement. The performance of Ribbed Bracing System (RBS) in enhancing seismic response of structures, especially in preventing the buckling of bracing under compression and removing residual displacements, is approved by analytical and experimental studies, but optimal placement of such systems in structures has not been studied yet. Hence, in this research the optimal placement... 

Recent earthquakes indicate the importance of retrofitting existing structures to achieve an acceptable level of performance. Use of bracing systems is a cost-effective method for seismic retrofitting of existing steel frames. In particular, Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) and Special Concentrically Bracing systems (SCB) are practical choices to be used because of their large energy dissipation capacity especially under moderate to severe earthquakes. Buckling restrained braces which yield in both tension and compression, exhibits stable and predictable hysteretic behavior. In this study several existing steel frames, which are designed based on older versions of the building codes, have... 

The seismic performance of a low-rise nonductile reinforced concrete (RC) building rehabilitated using eccentric steel bracing is investigated. At first three-story building was Modeled using sap 2000 computer program then analyzed and getting the results. The effectiveness of the eccentric steel bracing in rehabilitating the building was examined. The effect of distributing the steel bracing over the height of the RC frame on the seismic performance of the rehabilitated building was studied. The behavior of the nonductile RC frame members is represented by a beam–column element capable of modeling the strength deterioration and the effect of the axial force on the yield moment and the... 

Conventional lateral resisting systems can provide sufficient strength and ductility for design based earthquakes, although the considerable residual deformation remaining in the plasticized regions undermines the resiliency of the structures. In order to resolve this problem, various self-centering systems have been proposed and tested in recent years, most of which are specified for new buildings and are not simply suitable for retrofitting applications. Moreover, the available self-centering systems are costly and complex to assemble, which can be considered as a serious barrier for practical application. To address these drawbacks, an innovative core-less self-centering (CLSC) brace is... 

This investigation is intended to assess the behavior of SCBFs in the presence of typical brace members, which buckles in compression, and BRBs joining by yielding elements. While braces play a role in providing stiffness for structure, central yielding elements will act as energy-absorbing fuses. In this frame type, energy dissipation will mainly be undertaken by BRBs and yielding elements. The mentioned yielding elements do this by initiating plastic hinges in each corner of the central frame. As it is clear, designing a structure that includes the stated lateral-load-resisting system necessitates seismic performance parameters to be evaluated. Hence, by pursuing the FEMA P695 methodology,... 

In this paper the predictive equations for collapse assessment of shear links used in eccentric braced frames are developed. An extensive database including results of over 70 cyclic tests on steel wide flange shear links is collected and the structural parameters governing the hysteresis behavior are calibrated using a simplified numerical model. The methodology of calibration is to minimize the discrepancy between the experimental hysteresis loops and the corresponding numerical results using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The objective function of PSO algorithm is minimized by iterating parameters that govern the hysteresis behavior of the numerical model. Stepwise... 

In this thesis, in order to evaluate the vulnerability of concrete structures equipped with Yielding Element (YE) against earthquakes, two single story/ span concrete frames with different bay-to-height ratios (B/H<1 and B/H>1) are considered. Since the nature of earthquakes is to release energy due to tectonic movements in the earth and the nature of damages in structures depends on the rate of absorbed energy, investigating the behavior of structures are based on the energy concept which is considered as the most important way to design structures against earthquake load. In order to provide seismic resistance against earthquakes and reduce the damages in main elements, it is required to... 

In this Thesis Project the Behavior of Multi-story Steel Frames Equipped with Yielding elements has been investigated and analyzed. These elements act against severe earthquakes like fuse and cause dissipation in main part of input energy of structure. The position of these elements are at the cross point of braces. The most advantages of yielding elements in steel frames are ease to use and ability to replace after earthquake The main idea in this research is the effect of number of stories in buildings which are equipped with yielding elements.3,7 and 10-story steel frames with 3 bays and 15,20 and 25-story steel frames with 5 bays are the models for this investigation. At the first part... 

General tall buildings consist of different types of structural systems, such as moment resisting frames, with and without shear walls, braces and outriggers. These types of structure have been widely analyzed by many researchers. However, only a few publications are available on the comparison of these structural systems with different stories. In this investigation five types of common structural systems including special moment resisting frame(SMRF), pin structure plus brace, pin structure plus shear wall, SMRF plus brace and SMRF plus shear wall are studied and by doing linear dynamic analysis, a criterion for both lateral displacement and steel tonnage of structures was presented.... 

In this study, the behavior of a new innovative bracing system under cyclic loading and according to AISC code is investigated. An Ideal bracing system, in addition to having sufficient stiffness, should have a suitable ductility. Also, in order to prevent inelastic behavior of other structural members, braces, in addition to possessing high architectural adaptivity, must be able to contain the damage within itself and behave like a fuse. Three specimens with different sections, IPE100, HEA100 and 2UNP100, were designed and tested. The results of these tests represent an elastic- (approximately) perfectly plastic behavior of the brace if an appropriate section is used. Moreover, this bracing... 

This study presents a Machine Learning framework for post-earthquake structural damage state and economic loss estimation. The framework is proposed to rapidly determine whether a structure is safe or unsafe to be occupied following a seismic event, to predict the detailed structural response, and finally to evaluate the economic loss of the buildings. An extensive database is developed by analyzing twelve low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) under 44 scaled ground motion records through incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) to train the Machine Learning algorithms. Machine Learning algorithms are employed to classify the structural damage state of the buildings... 

Lateral forces on structures are transferred to braces as tensile and compressive loads. These loads enter the beams and columns through the gusset plates. The gusset connections to the beams and columns must be such that they be able to pass the loads through themselves. So far, five analytical models have been proposed for this connection and only one of them is recommended by AISC. These models estimate the existing forces and moments on the connection. The analytical models are: model 1 (KISS), model 2 (2A-AISC), model 3 (Thornton), model 4 (Ricker) and model 5 (Richard). Among these models, only model 3 is recommended by AISC because the others are more conservative. It should be noted... 

In this research, an innovative system, called ribbed bracing system (RBS), proposed to deal with poor performance and deficiency of brace buckling under compression loads. RBS is an additional component added to common brace system which prevents the buckling problem of conventional bracing systems. By applying tensile load, the ribs lock together and the system starts enduring tension. Since the compressive force begins, ribs slide on each other and the system endures only a trivial force. Two kinds of RBS mechanism are introduced: completely-closed RBS (CC-RBS) and self-centering RBS (SC-RBS). In the former mechanism, the length of the brace is reduced by applying compression loads; while... 

Most of the seismic regulations in the Iranian design codes are adopted from the U.S. codes, while the severe earthquake rates with regards to the gross area and total population of Iran is 8.4 and 5.5 times the rates for U.S. respectively. In fact, Iranian rates are between the ones for U.S. and Japan which have up to 200% difference in prescribed strength level in their seismic codes. Poor construction quality regarding defected control in Iran adds to the problem. Therefore, the prescribed strength level of U.S. building codes and thus their target reliability index seems insufficient for use in Iran. Also, previous research has shown that the load and resistance factors in Iranian... 

This research discusses the delay in strengthening projects by shear wall and steel bracing. It studied importance of causes and effects of delay in such projects. Forty-four causes were identified and classified by source into nine groups. Eleven negative effects of delay were known in this research. A field survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire including 22 owners, 40 contractors, 40 university's professors who have a PhD degree in structural or earthquake engineering, 35 consultant engineers, and 37 supervisor engineers in Mazandaran and Tehran. Relative Importance Index technique ... 

In this thesis, change of the behavior of frames due to adding damping devices to frames is taken into consideration and a non-linear static analysis computer program is developed . In numerical studies a few one and two story frames are used. The results of previous studies have shown that, adding energy damping devices to the structural systems, results in structure damping increase, story drift and base shear decrease. To reveal the behavior of the new bracing system, experimental and numerical studies are made. The main point in design of this bracing system, was the capability of easy replacement and maximum damping with minimum damage. It must be declared that design thought of this... 

In this thesis, the use of jet-engine for oil well fire fighting which is a latest in kind is described and analyzed. For this purpose, more familiarization with this system and some knowledge’s such as hydrodynamics characteristic of nominated area, traditional ways of fire fighting in region, different types of jet engines available type of offshore vessels, type of flame and their characteristic are required, which after studying and analyzing above fields in details, the use of turbojet motors and barge has been chosen for the case to obtain optimum specification os this turbojet motors and required dimensions of barge Some information about oil well shuch as, fluid output, speed rate...