Sharif Digital Repository

Influence of length and volumetric percentage of steel fibres on energy absorption of concrete slabs with various concrete strengths is investigated by testing 28 small steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) slabs under flexure. Variables included; fibre length, volumetric percentage of fibres and concrete strength. Test results indicate that generally longer fibres and higher fibre content provide higher energy absorption. The results are compared with a theoretical prediction based on random distribution of fibres. The theoretical method resulted in higher energy absorption than that obtained in experiment. A design method according to allowable deflection is proposed for SFRC slabs within... 

Based on special properties of metal dampers such as high energy dissipation, stable hysteric cycles, simple application, low cost, insensitivity to changes of temperature and the ability to substitute after the occurrence of earthquakes, they are being used for structural control. One of these metal dampers which has been of special interest is the tapered steel slit damper (TSS). When shear forces are applied, this damper yields and enters the plastic zone. The TSS damper is made of pieces of standard wide flanges where slits have been extracted from their web. These dampers are connected to the top of the chevron braces and under the middle of the beams. In the endurance time (ET) method... 

People are the last weapon of competitive advantage in the global market today, and construction industry is not an exception. Safety and security in welding process comes from suitable instrument and proficiency of welders, providing appropriate machines and devices has huge cost for firms. Construction firms should be aware of value creation shift in global market which there is a shift of 62% for tangible assets in 1982 to only 10% in 2004. In spite of existing codes and regulations, most of structures do not have suitable detailed execution process in both design and construction. Due to the nature of construction industry, the project cost, safety, and time extremely depends on workers.... 

This paper introduces a new earthquake-resistant building design featuring eccentrically braced frames with steel wall shear panels. It also proposes closed-form expressions for analysis and extension of the existing failure mode control design method for the new structural system. Closed-form equations for internal forces were obtained, and probable failure mechanisms and corresponding lateral load multipliers for secondary effects were identified. Selection of member profiles was completed by the mechanism equilibrium curve concept. Pushover modelling was then performed with plastic hinge distribution corresponding to failure mechanisms. Only small differences were found between the... 

The preliminary design of building structures is normally based on the equivalent lateral forces provided in seismic design guidelines. The height-wise distribution of these loads is predominantly based on elastic vibration modes. However, as structures exceed their elastic limits in severe earthquakes, these design load patterns may not necessarily lead to efficient distribution of strength within the structures. To address this issue, several alternative load patterns have been proposed for the seismic design of non-linear structures. However, due to the simplifications involved in the development of these design load patterns, their adequacy needs to be assessed for different structural... 

A new comparative performance measure based on a structure's seismic fragility curve is introduced. This factor, called the performance improvement factor (PIF), was used to compare the seismic performance and reliability of two structures. Using the PIF, the efficiency of viscous dampers on the behaviour of a weak mid-rise steel structure was investigated. A prototype five-span 12-storey steel frame was equipped with three patterns of viscous dampers and their seismic performance was studied. The distribution of dampers along the height of the structure was optimised in three hazard levels using a genetic algorithm and the structure was subjected to 12 ground motion records scaled to levels... 

Recently, a novel structural system, which is defined as a damped outrigger system, has been proposed to control the dynamic vibration of tall buildings. This paper examines the seismic performance of tall buildings involving multiple outriggers equipped with viscous dampers. In this respect, a dual structural system (braced moment frame) is selected as a bare structure. In addition, the number and position of outriggers are assumed to be variable along the structure height. Nonlinear Response History Analysis (RHA) is performed to evaluate the efficiency of the damped-outrigger system under eight-scaled ground motions. The results are presented based on the average of all ground motions.... 

Seismic performance of postmainshock buildings considering seismic mainshock-aftershock sequences are studied. The case studies correspond to three SAC steel MRF buildings of three, nine and twenty stories. The 2-D models are able to capture important properties of deterioration of strength and stiffness. Endurance time method is used to predict the response of structures in different hazard levels. Results are compared with those from of nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis. Maximum dynamic seismic responses of structures are captured during synthetic mainshock-aftershock seismic sequences which are produced by endurance time method. Interactional-conceptual curves for different seismic...