Demand Capacity Ratio Research Articles

Progressive collapse analysis of a steel building with pre-northridge moment connections

SUMMARY This study is on progressive collapse analysis of a sample steel building using various procedures suggested by the General Service Administration and the Department of Defense. The progressive collapse was accommodated by removing columns as per above guidelines. The analysis methods considered were linear static, linear dynamic, non-linear static and nonlinear dynamic using SAP2000 structural simulation program. The analysis model was a 3D nine-storey steel moment resisting building. For linear analysis, rigid moment connections were used, while for nonlinear analysis pre-Northridge connections were used. The effect of an extreme event was incorporated by removing a column in the analysis model. The static analysis was performed on the model with a column removed subjected to static gravity loadings. The dynamic analysis employed a ramp function to simulate the dynamic effect of the removal of a column. For nonlinear analysis, material nonlinearity was incorporated using strength degrading nonlinear hinges of pre-Northridge connections as per FEMA 356. The paper documents the results of this analysis with comparison among methods. The potential for collapse and performance levels of the building were determined using the demand capacity ratio and the rotational limit obtained through the analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effect of reservoir length on seismic performance of gravity dams to near- and far-fault ground motions

In this article, the effect of reservoir length on seismic performance of gravity dams to near- and far-fault ground motions is investigated. For this purpose, four finite element models of dam–reservoir–foundation interaction system are prepared by using the Lagrangian approach. In these models, the reservoir length varies from H to 4H (H: the height of dam). The Folsom gravity dam is selected as a numerical application. Two different ground motion records of 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake are used in the analyses. One of ground motions is recorded in near fault; the other is recorded in far fault. Also, the two records have the same peak ground acceleration. The study mainly consists of three parts to assess the effects of reservoir length on the seismic performance of the concrete gravity dam. In the first part, the linear time-history analyses of the four finite element models prepared for the Folsom gravity dam are performed. In the second part, the seismic performance of the dam is evaluated according to demand–capacity ratio and cumulative inelastic duration. Finally, the nonlinear time-history analyses of the finite element models of the dam are carried out by using Drucker–Prager yield criteria for dam concrete. It is seen from the analyses results that the seismic behavior of the concrete gravity dams is considerably affected from the length of the reservoir. The reservoir length of 3H is adequate for concrete gravity dams. The selection of ground motion is on of the important parts of seismic evaluation of gravity dams. Also, the frequency characteristics of the ground motion having the same peak ground acceleration affect the seismic performance of the dam. The near-fault ground motions are generally creates more stress on the dam body than far-fault ground motions. The used performance approach provides a systematic methodology for assessment of the seismic performance and necessity of nonlinear analyses for dam systems.

Rehabilitation of a 1985 Steel Moment-Frame Building

A 1985 steel moment frame is seismically upgraded using passive energy dissipation, without adding stiffness to the system. The design and analysis techniques for sizing the Velocity Braces™ and their impact on the demand capacity ratios are reviewed. The structure was built in the San Francisco Bay Area in compliance with the 1985 Uniform Building Code (UBC). The moment frame contains the classic pre-Northridge nonductile moment connection, complete with weld backup bars left attached. Nonlinear time-history analysis procedures were implemented to verify the demand capacity ratios at the critical beam-column connections. Flexural demand capacity ratios of .6 achieve elastic behavior in the design basis earthquake with R=1.0. The response spectra of the time history chosen for design exceed the requirements of the 1997 UBC Zone 4. Torsional response to earthquake excitation is minimized by strategic placement of nonlinear viscous dampers. Nonlinear dampers that reduce the flexural demand on joints and control interstory drift without inelastic excursions of the beam flanges are achieved. Floor spectral accelerations and maximum drift limits are reduced to be consistent with immediate occupancy performance. The damper driver mechanism, being velocity driven, reduces moment frame demands and allows flexibility in configuration.

Engineering Process Failure—Hyatt Walkway Collapse

Was the collapse of the Hyatt hotel atrium walkway a senseless tragedy or a steppingstone in the betterment of the engineering and scientific endeavor? The collapse claimed 114 lives, leading to a great public and professional outcry and having a dramatic impact on the careers and lives of many fine professionals. The architecture and engineering (A&E) community in the United States began a soul-searching debate on issues as diverse as how project workflow is managed to professional responsibility and ethics. Fundamental errors were identified in the project interaction within the A&E group as well as the construction industry. This review provides a presentation of the demand-capacity ratio within elements primary to the failure and presents results of detailed inelastic analysis of the box girder-to-hanger rod connection. The collapse occurred simply because of the doubling of the load on the connection resulting from an ill-considered change of an ill-defined structural detail. How this error was produ...

Seismic Response of an Instrumented 13-Story Steel Frame Building Damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake

This paper summarizes a case study of a 13-story welded steel moment frame (WSMF) building affected by the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The building, which was instrumented, sustained extensive damage to its welded connections. Ground motion records from the basement and response records from the sixth and twelfth floors were available. Damage data was collected with post-earthquake inspection and testing of each joint. The primary objective of the study was to compare modeled behavior with recorded response in order to assess the value of present analytical tools and modeling techniques for predicting the distribution and severity of connection failures. Calculated elastic time-history displacements matched well with recorded displacements in the E-W direction, less so in the heavily-damaged N-S direction where the elastic model was unable to simulate fractured moment connections. In the elastic analyses, joint demand was represented by beam demand-capacity ratios (DCRs). The highest beam DCRs were concentrated between the second and seventh floors; these locations correlated strongly with observed damage. Inelastic time-history analyses improved the displacement match in the N-S direction. They also indicated that panel zone yielding would have controlled the intended ductile response. This study suggests that for a regular structure, current modeling and analysis tools for both elastic and inelastic analysis, while unable to simulate premature brittle fractures, can be useful for predicting in a probabilistic way the intensity and distribution of damage expected in moderate seismic events.