International Journal of Civil Engineering

Modal spectra combination method for pushover analysis of special steel moment resisting frames

F.R. Rofooei

The nonlinear static procedures (NSPs) proposed by design codes do not lead to reliable results especially for tall buildings.

They generally provide inconsistent estimates of inelastic seismic demands, especially for the top floors due to their inabilities in

considering the higher modes effects. In this paper, a new enhanced pushover procedure is proposed which is based on the

envelope of the structural responses resulting from two separate pushover analyses as a combination rule. Also, the suggested

pushover analyses are performed using a newly proposed modal load pattern, i.e., the Modal Spectra Combination (MSC), and

the ASCE41-06 required first mode load pattern. The MSC load pattern is consisted of a number of mode shapes combined with

appropriate weighting factors that depend on their modal participation factors, modal frequencies and design spectral values. A

number of 2-D steel moment resisting frame models with different number of stories are used to investigate the efficiency of the

proposed method. The inter-story drifts and the maximum plastic beam moment and curvature responses are used as a measure

to compare the results obtained from the nonlinear time-history analyses (NL-THA) and some other NSPs. The results obtained

through rigorous nonlinear dynamic analyses show that the application of the proposed method leads to acceptable results for

steel MRF systems in comparison to other available enhanced NSPs. The OpenSees program is used for numerical analysis.

A new model for predicting the effective strength in reinforced concrete bottle-shaped struts

A. Arabzadeh

Strut-and-Tie Model (STM) can be used to model the flow of compression within a concrete strut. Concrete struts are formed

in various shapes such as prismatic or bottle-shaped. In order to study the behavior of concrete struts, a series of simple tests

were performed. Eighteen reinforced concrete isolated struts with compressive strength of 65 MPa were tested up failure under

point loading in the plane of specimens. The tested specimens were reinforced by various reinforcement layouts. The behavior

of tested beams was investigated. Observations were made on transverse displacement, primary cracking and ultimate failure

load and distribution of strain on the face of tested panels. Based on these observations, the geometry of the concrete struts was

examined. a new model to analysis of concrete struts was proposed based on modified compression field theory (MCFT). A

database of 44 tested specimens was compiled to evaluate the proposed model. The results indicate that using the ACI and CSA

codes expressions regarding the amount of minimum required reinforcement in a strut produces conservative but erratic results

when compared with the test data. Conversely, the new proposed model presents a more accurate prediction for the strength of

44 tested struts.

Ultimate axial load and moment interaction diagrams for prestressed HPC thin-walled short columns

H. Akbarzadeh Bengar

In order to lighten the prestressed concrete solid members, nowadays, it is possible to make use of the advantage of HPC (fc'>60

MPa) as well as replacing the solid section with a PSC thin-walled section for certain members such as circular and box columns.

Using the strength theory of ACI, a numerical procedure along with a computer program was developed for the analysis of such

sections subjected to axial compression or tension load and bending moments. The program solves for all possible variables such

as, concrete compressive strength (fc'= 60-100 MPa), type of prestressed steel, concrete cover, ratio of wall thickness to the section

dimensions and the PS steel arrangements to satisfy the given loading cases, thus leading to an optimal cost solution. However,

since the cross section is thin-walled circular or box and the PS steel is located at discrete points along the periphery of a circle

or rectangle, the equations of equilibrium are complex for hand computations (especially for circular section) but suitable for

computer program. So, by use of MATLAB software the interaction diagrams were also drawn for the analysis of such sections

for all mentioned variables. The use of prestressed thin-walled column diagrams is a safe and easy tool for the analysis of such

columns. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing its results to those of the available

experimental values and is indicate that the proposed method predict very well the capacity of prestressed thin-walled column.

A simple solution for prediction of steel fiber reinforcd concrete behavior under flexure

P. Ghoddousi

The main objective of this study is to drive a simple solution for prediction of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) behavior

under four point bending test (FPBT). In this model all the force components at the beam section (before and after cracking)

are formulated by applying these assumptions: a bilinear elastic-perfectly plastic stress-strain response for concrete behavior

in compression, a linear response for the un-cracked tension region in a concrete constitutive model, and an exponential

relationship for stress-crack opening in the crack region which requires two parameters.Then the moment capacity of the critical

cracked section is calculated by applying these assumptions and satisfying equilibrium lawat critical cracked section. After that,

parametric studies have been done on the behavior of SFRC to assess the sensitively of model. Finally the proposed model has

been validated with some existing experimental tests.The result shows that the proposed solution is able to estimate the behavior

of SFRC under FPBT with simplicity and proper accuracy.

Strength evaluation of concrete-filled steel tubes subjected to axial-flexural loading by ACI and AISC-LRFD codes along with three dimensional nonlinear analysis

B. Beheshti-Aval

A comparison between design codes i.e. ACI and AISC-LRFD in evaluation of flexural strength of concrete filled steel tubular

columns (CFTs) is examined. For this purpose an analytical study on the response of CFTs under axial-flexural loading is carried

using three-dimensional finite elements with elasto-plastic model for concrete with cracking and crushing capability and elastoplastic

kinematic hardening model for steel. The accuracy of the model is verified against previous test results. The nonlinear

modeling of CFT columns shows that the minimum thickness that recommended by ACI and AISC-LRFD to prevent local buckling

before the steel shell yielding for CFT columns could be decreased. The comparison of analytical results and codes indicates that

the accuracy of ACI method in estimation of axial-flexural strength of CFT columns is more appropriate than AISC-LRFD. The

ACI lateral strength of CFTs is located on upper bond of the AISC-LRFD’s provisions. AISC-LRFD estimates the lateral strength

conservatively but ACI in some ranges such as in short columns or under high axial load levels computes lateral strength in nonconservative

manner. Supplementary provisions for post local buckling strength of CFT columns should be incorporated in high

seismic region. This effect would be pronounced for column with high aspect ratio and short columns.

Experimental examination of CFRP strengthened RC beams under high cycle fatigue loading

M. Z. Kabir

The aim of current study is to investigate the effect of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites on the fatigue

response of reinforced concrete beams. 6 reinforced concrete (RC) beams from which 3 were retrofitted with CFRP sheets, were

prepared and subjected to fatigue load cycles. To predict and trace the failure occurrence and its growth, a small notch was

induced at the middle span in bottom surface of all RC specimens. At the certain points, strains in concrete and CFRP were

measured in each cycle. The upper limit of applied load was considered at the level of design service load of bridges. In addition,

strain measurements facilitated to the calculation of interfacial shear stresses between concrete substrate and the CFRP layer.

The variation of such stresses through load cycles has been presented and discussed. Also, a discussion on possibility of the local

debonding phenomenon resulted from such interfacial stresses was presented. Load–deflection curves, strain responses and

propagation of tensile cracks provided an insight on the performance of the CFRP strengthened beams subjected to different

cycles of fatigue loading. Variation of load-deflection curves through fatigue load cycles depicted stiffness degradation which

was discussed in the research.

Optimal design of barrel vaults using charged search system

A. Kaveh

Barrel vaults are attractive space structures that cover large area without intermediate supports. In this paper, the charged

search system (CSS) optimization algorithm is employed for optimal design of barrel vaults. This method utilizes the governing

laws of Coulomb and Gauss from electrostatics and the Newtonian law of mechanics. The results demonstrate the efficiency of

the discrete CSS algorithm compared to other meta-heuristic algorithms.

Stochastic modeling and calibration of chloride content profile in concrete based on limited available data

A. Tarighat

Chloride ion ingress in concrete is the main reason of concrete corrosion. In real world both uncertainty and stochasticity are

main attributes of almost all measurements including testing and modeling of chloride content profile in concrete. Regarding

these facts new models should be able to represent at least some of the uncertainties in the predictions. In this paper after

inspiration from classical physics related to diffusion and random walk concepts a stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE)

of diffusion is introduced to show a more realistic modeling/calibration scheme for construction of stochastic chloride content

profile in concrete. Diffusion SPDE provides a consistent quantitative way of relating uncertainty in inputs to uncertainty in

outputs. Although it is possible to run sensitivity analysis to get some statistical results from deterministic models but the nature

of diffusion is inherently stochastic. Brownian motion process (Wiener process) is used in SPDE to simulate the random nature

of the diffusion in heterogeneous media or random fields like concrete. The proposed method can be used to calibrate/model the

chloride ion profile in concrete by only some limited data for a given depth. Then the stochastic chloride ion diffusion can be

simulated by langevin equation. Results of the method are compared with data from some references and all show good

agreements.

Organizational learning and performance improvement in civil engineering design firms

I. Yitmen

Learning rapidly and competently has become a pre-eminent strategy for improving organizational performance in the

new knowledge era. Improving dynamic learning capability is an exclusive strategy for corporate success in construction

industry. Thus engineering design firms should implement OL to accomplish a state of readiness for change and develop a

competence to respond and identify future business potentials. This study aims to analyze the relationship between

organizational learning (OL) and performance improvement (PI) in civil engineering design firms of Turkish construction

industry. OL structure in engineering design firms incorporates five constructs: organizational environment, strategy

development and implementation, supportive leadership, leveraging knowledge, and learning capability. The empirical data

was collected through a questionnaire survey conducted to engineering design firms registered to the Turkish Chamber of Civil

Engineers. The hypothesized model relationships were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results show that

each of the variables has a different role and significant positive impact on the OL process and organizational PI. The variables

“Supportive leadership” and “Learning capability” proved to be strongly significant and positively related to organizational

performance in engineering design firms. In engineering design firms, supportive leadership is needed in order to establish a

participative cultural environment that helps design a new form of organization which emphasizes learning, flexibility, and

rapid response. Learning capability is the potential to explore and exploit knowledge through learning flows that make possible

the development, evolution and use of knowledge stocks enacting engineering design firms and their members to add value to

the design business.

Long Lead Runoff Simulation Using Data Driven Models

M. Karamouz

Runoff simulation is a vital issue in water resource planning and management. Various models with different levels of accuracy

and precision are developed for this purpose considering various prediction time scales. In this paper, two models of IHACRES

(Identification of unit Hydrographs And Component flows from Rainfall, Evaporation and Streamflow data) and ANN (Artificial

Neural Network) models are developed and compared for long term runoff simulation in the south eastern part of Iran. These

models have been utilized to simulate5-month runoff in the wet period of December-April. In IHACRES application, first the

rainfall is predicted using climatic signals and then transformed to runoff. For this purpose, the daily precipitation is downscaled

by two models of SDSM (Statistical Downscaling Model) and LARS-WG (Long Ashton Research Station-Weather Generator). The

best results of these models are selected as IHACRES model input for simulating of runoff. In application of the ANN model,

effective large scale signals of SLP(Sea Level Pressure), SST(Sea Surface Temperature), DSLP and runoff are considered as model

inputs for the study region. The performances of the considered models in real time planning of water resources is evaluated by

comparing simulated runoff with observed data and through SWSI(Surface Water Scarcity Index) drought index calculation.

According to the results, the IHACRES model outperformed ANN in simulating runoff in the study area, and its results are more

likely to be comparable with the observed values and therefore, could be employed with more certainty.

Optimum algorithm for channel flow analysis in direct numerical simulation method

M. R. Kavianpour

The objective of this work is to perform a direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow where all essential scales of

motion are resolved due to variable time-stepping algorithm in various time advancement method and different discritized form

of convection term. A pseudo spectral method (Fourier series in stream-wise and span-wise directions and Chebychev polynomial

expansion in normal direction) is employed for the spatial derivatives. The time advancement is carried out by different semiimplicit

and splitting schemes. Also Alternating and Linearized forms are added to four commonly used forms of the convective

term, referred to as divergence, Convection, skew-symmetric, and rotational. Spectral method based on the primitive variable

formulation is used in Cartesian coordinates with two periodic and one non-periodic boundary condition in three dimensional

directions &Omega=[0,4&pi]×[-1,1]×[0,2&pi]. The friction Reynolds number for channel flow is set to be Re&tau=175 and the computational

grids of 128×65×128 are used in the x, y and z directions, respectively. The comparison is made between turbulent quantities

such as the turbulent statistics, wall shear velocity, standard deviation of u and total normalized energy of instantaneous velocities

in different time-discretization methods and different forms of nonlinear term. The present results show that third-order timediscretizations

forward Euler for explicit terms and backward Euler for implicit terms can minimize the computational cost of

integration by maximizing the time step, while keeping the CFL number near a threshold in time-discretization schemes. Also, the

de-aliased results of turbulence statistics do indicate that different expressions of nonlinear terms have minor discrepancy in

pseudo spectral method. The results show that the most desirable approach is a combination of variable time stepping third order

backward difference algorithm and rotational form, which provides reduced cost and further accuracy improvements.