Horizontal Irregularities Research Articles

Fundamental period of irregular eccentrically braced tall steel frame structures

This paper presents the results of investigation on the fundamental periods of eccentrically braced frame (EBF) structures with varying geometric irregularities. A total of 12 EBFs are designed and analyzed. Based on the results obtained from vibration theory, equations for the approximate fundamental periods are put forth for EBFs which take into account vertical and horizontal irregularities. Through statistical comparison, it was found that a 3-variable power model which is able to account for irregularities resulted in a better fit to the Rayleigh data than equations which were dependent on height only. The proposed equations were validated through a comparison of available measured period data for EBFs. These proposed equations will allow design engineers to quickly and accurately estimate the fundamental period of EBF structures by taking into account their irregularities.

Estudo da influência da configuração estrutural na resposta sísmica de uma estrutura de concreto armado

Resumo Os recentes aumentos dos registros de abalos sísmicos no Brasil impulsionaram a publicação da NBR 15421:2006 [1] - Projeto de Estruturas Resistentes a Sismos - na qual são definidas as cargas sísmicas a serem consideradas no projeto em função da capacidade de dissipação de energia no regime inelástico das estruturas e da sismicidade do território brasileiro. Algumas edificações construídas antes da publicação dessa norma não foram projetadas para resistir a ações sísmicas aumentando a sua fragilidade e vulnerabilidade para terremotos de qualquer intensidade. Observa-se ainda que alguns desses edifícios foram projetados e construídos com distribuições irregulares de massa, rigidez ou resistência ao longo da sua altura que podem levar a um desempenho sísmico inadequado. Assim, torna-se essencial para os engenheiros e projetistas uma melhor compreensão dos efeitos dos abalos sísmicos no comportamento sísmico de edificações, especialmente aquelas com diversas irregularidades. Por simplicidade, utiliza-se neste trabalho o termo "estruturas irregulares" para referenciar estruturas como as descritas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o comportamento sísmico de uma estrutura de concreto armado de oito pavimentos e com diversas irregularidades introduzidas na planta da mesma, a fim de verificar a influência dessas irregularidades na perda da capacidade de resistir cargas laterais e dissipação de energia, as quais são calculadas utilizando o método dinâmico espectral e uma análise pushover, procedimentos descritos nas normas NBR15421:2006 [1] e na norma americana FEMA 356 [2]. Do mesmo modo, calcula-se o desempenho sísmico dos modelos usando o método do espectro de capacidade definido na norma ATC-40 [3]. Todos os resultados são comparados com os obtidos para uma estrutura totalmente regular chamada de caso base ou de referência, com o intuito de visualizar as diversas mudanças provocadas pelas irregularidades. O estudo proposto é realizado de forma numérica e as simulações são feitas no programa CSI ETABS(r) Nonlinear v9.5 [4]. Os resultados mostram que a capacidade da estrutura dependerá da plasticidade de seus elementos para não colapsar e do detalhamento adequado para garantir o bom funcionamento do sistema resistente.

Evaluation of Stability in Railway Vehicles on Basis of Bogie Lateral Acceleration

The paper focuses on evaluating the stability of the railway vehicle during running on a track horizontal irregularities and investigating the possibilities to improve the dynamic behavior on a lateral direction. The evaluation method for the stability relies on the homologation specifications of the railway vehicles from the perspective of the dynamic behavior included in the UIC 518 Leaflet, where the lateral accelerations of the bogies represent evaluation units for the stability. The lateral accelerations are derived from numerical simulations, developed on a non-linear complex model of the vehicle/track system, where the vehicle is described by a mechanical system with 21 degrees of freedom. The results thus presented outline the possibilities of improving the vehicle stability by adopting the best values of the lateral damping of the secondary suspension or of the lateral stiffness of the primary suspension that will lead to the minimizing of the lateral acceleration in a bogie.

THE MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY IMPROVEMENT OF THE HORIZONTAL IRREGULARITIES IN PLAN

Purpose. Across the track superstructure (TSS) there are structures where standard approach to the decision on the future of their operation is not entirely correct or acceptable. In particular, it concerns the track sections which are sufficiently quickly change their geometric parameters: the radius of curvature, angle of rotation, and the like. As an example, such portions of TSS may include crossovers where their component is within the so-called connecting part, which at a sufficiently short length, substantially changes curvature. The estimation of the position in terms of a design on the basis of the existing technique (by the difference in the adjacent arrows bending) is virtually impossible. Therefore it is proposed to complement and improve the methodology for assessing the situation of the curve in plan upon difference in the adjacent versine. Methodology. The possible options for measuring horizontal curves in the plan were analyzed. The most adequate method, which does not contradict existing on the criterion of the possibility of using established standards was determined. The ease of measurement and calculation was took into account. Findings. Qualitative and quantitative verification of the proposed and existing methods showed very good agreement of the measurement results. This gives grounds to assert that this methodology can be recommended to the workers of track facilities in the assessment of horizontal irregularities in plan not only curves, but also within the connecting part of switch congresses. Originality. The existing method of valuation of the geometric position of the curves in the plan was improved. It does not create new regulations, and all results are evaluated by existing norms. Practical value. The proposed technique makes it possible, without creating a new regulatory framework, to be attached to existing one, and expanding the boundaries of its application. This method can be used not only for ordinary curves, but for very short sections, the curvature of which changes abruptly to its opposite value.

Investigation of the effect of weak-story on earthquake behavior and rough construction costs of RC buildings

A significant portion of residential areas of Turkey is located in active earthquake zones. In Turkey occurred major earthquakes in last twenty years, such as Erzincan (1992), Kocaeli and Duzce (1999), Bingol (2003), Van (2011). These earthquakes have demonstrated that reinforced concrete (RC) buildings having horizontal and vertical irregularities are significantly damaged, which in turn most of them are collapsed. Architectural design and arrangement of load-bearing system have important effect on RC building since architectural design criteria in design process provide opportunity to make this type of buildings safer and economical under earthquake loads. This study aims to investigate comparatively the effects of weak story irregularity on earthquake behavior and rough construction costs of RC buildings by considering different soil-conditions given in the Turkish Earthquake Code. With this aim, Sta4-CAD program based on matrix displacement method is utilized. Considering that different story height and compressive strength of concrete, and infill walls or their locations are the variables, a set of structural models are developed to determine the effect of them on earthquake behavior and rough construction costs of RC buildings. In conclusion, some recommendations and results related to making RC buildings safer and more economical are presented by comparing results obtained from structural analyses.

Rapid assessment for seismic vulnerability of low and medium rise infilled RC frame buildings

An indexing method for rapid evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of infilled RC frame buildings in Jordan is proposed. The method aims at identifying low and medium rise residential buildings as safe or in need of further detailed evaluation. Following a rapid visual screening, the building is assigned a Basic Capacity Index (BCI); five performance modifiers are identified and multiplied by the BCI to arrive at the Capacity Index (CI) of the building. A Capacity Index lower than a limit CI value indicates that the screened building could experience moderate earthquake damage whereas a higher value implies that minor damage, if any, would take place. To establish the basic evaluation parameters; forty RC frame buildings were selected, designed and analyzed using static nonlinear analysis and incorporating the effect of infill walls. Effects of seismicity, local site conditions, horizontal irregularities (setbacks and re-entrant corners), vertical irregularities (soft story at ground floor level) and overhangs on the seismic performance of local buildings were examined. Assessment forms were designed and used to evaluate and rank 112 sample buildings. About 40% of the surveyed buildings were found to be in need of detailed evaluation to better define their seismic vulnerabilities.

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ДИНАМИКИ ЭЛЕКТРОМЕХАНИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ МОСТОВОГО КРАНА

Presents the methods and results of modeling of dynamic processes controlled movement of the bridge crane with regard to wheel slippage, redistribution vertical loads, horizontal irregularities of rails and other features of the mechanical subsystem based on the combination of software systems Matlab/Simulink and «Universal mechanism».

Comparison of Nonlinear Static and Dynamic Analyses on a R/C Building

In recent years, nonlinear calculation methods can be easily carried out by means of developing computer technologies. In this way, comparisons of the nonlinear methods have started to increase rapidly and more studies are carried out on regular and irregular buildings. However, it is most important to compare consistency of the methods on buildings. In this study, most common nonlinear static (pushover) and nonlinear dynamic analysis (time history analysis) methods were compared on an asymmetric planned reinforced concrete (R/C) building. Building having horizontal and vertical irregularities was 5-story. Analyses were carried out by using SAP2000 program. The results are discussed in terms of base shear, lateral displacements and top displacement ratios.

Fundamental period of irregular concentrically braced steel frame structures

SUMMARYThis paper presents the results of investigation on the fundamental periods of concentrically braced frame (CBF) structures with varying geometric irregularities. A total of 12 CBFs are designed and analyzed. On the basis of the results obtained from vibration theory, equations for the approximate fundamental periods are put forth for CBFs, which take into account vertical and horizontal irregularities. Through statistical comparison, it was found that a three‐variable power model that is able to account for irregularities resulted in a better fit to the Rayleigh data than equations that were dependent on height only. The proposed equations were validated through a comparison of available measured period data for CBFs. These proposed equations will allow design engineers to quickly and to accurately estimate the fundamental period of CBF structures by taking into account irregularities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fundamental period of irregular moment‐resisting steel frame structures

SUMMARYThe determination of the fundamental period of vibration of a structure is essential to earthquake design. Current code equations such as American Society of Civil Engineers Standard (ASCE) 7‐10 provide formulas for the approximate period of moment‐resisting frames (MRFs), which are dependent only on the height of the structure or number of stories. Such a formulation is overly conservative and unable to account for structures with geometric irregularities. This study investigated the fundamental periods of MRFs with varying geometric irregularities. The fundamental periods based on vibration theory for each example were compared with empirical equations, including current code equations as well as equations proposed in recent literature. New equations are proposed for the fundamental periods of MRFs, which take into account vertical and horizontal irregularities. Through statistical comparison, it was found that a three‐variable power model that is able to account for irregularities resulted in a better fit to the Rayleigh data than equations that were dependent on height only. The proposed equations were validated through a comparison of available measured period data for MRFs. They will allow design engineers to quickly estimate the fundamental period of MRF structures by taking into account irregularities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Calculated disturbances for evaluation of dynamical properties of freight cars

Purpose. To form realizations of the calculated disturbances for studying the dynamic properties of railway vehicles. Methodology. Records of the track-test car for one of the typical track sections of the Pridneprovsk railroad are the basic data for building the disturbance components. To derive the true geometric parameters of the railway gauge the records of the track-test car using a double-point metering circuit are transformed considering the transfer function of the measuring system. A model of the calculated disturbances is presented as the four components: a symmetric vertical irregularity determined as a semi-sum of vertical irregularities of the right and left rails; an oblique-symmetric vertical irregularity of the track determined as a semi-difference of vertical irregularities of the right and left rails; horizontal irregularities of the right and left rails. Acceptability criterion of the constructed disturbances is a relationship between the values of the dynamical properties factors of cars and the corresponding experimental data. Findings. The three techniques for the calculated disturbances forming are proposed. The first technique uses records of the track-test car for the track with a sufficiently high amount for given track conditions as components of the calculated disturbances. In so doing symmetrical vertical components of disturbances resulting from records of settling are corrected with the mass and stiffness parameters of the car under consideration. The second technique uses building and applying the theoretical realizations of irregularities corresponding to a real track according to a spectral analysis. The third technique ensures a polyharmonic model of disturbances, the parameters of which are the values of the basic frequencies and amplitudes that are typical for irregularities of a railway track. A possibility of practical applying of the constructed models of disturbances are presented using an example for defining the standardized factors of the dynamical properties of empty and loaded open cars. Comparison of the calculated factors and experimental data demonstrated its assurance. Originality. The three models of the calculated disturbances that can be used for calculating estimation of the maximal values of the standardized dynamical factors of freight vehicles are proposed. Practical value. The research results ensure an acceptable predicted evaluation of the dynamical properties factors for the designed or refitted vehicles of railway rolling stock, refinement of the values of the certain system parameters at the stage of prototypes, reduction of the expenses for performance trials, etc.

Flux tube analysis of L‐band ionospheric scintillation

This manuscript presents magnetic flux tube analysis of L‐band signal scintillation in the nighttime equatorial and low‐latitude ionosphere. Residues of the scintillation index estimated from the L‐band signals received from Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites are employed in the analysis. The estimates have been shown to be associated with simultaneous GPS VTEC variations derived from JPL's GIPSY‐GIM package. We have applied the wavelet decomposition technique simultaneously on the time series in a flux tube over the equatorial and low‐latitude regions. The technique decomposes the signal to identify the dominant mode of variabilities and the temporal variations of scintillation‐producing irregularities in the context of a flux tube. Statistically significant regions of the wavelet power spectra considered in our study have mainly shown that (a) dominant plasma irregularities associated with variabilities in a flux tube have periods of about 4 to 15 minutes (horizontal irregularity scales of about 24 to 90 km). These periods match short period gravity waves, (b) scintillation‐producing irregularities are anisotropic along the flux tube and in the east‐west direction, and (c) the occurrences of scintillation‐producing irregularities along the flux tube indicate that the entire flux tube became unstable. However, plasma instability occurrences were not simultaneous in most cases along the flux tube, there were time delays of various orders. Understanding the attributes of L‐band scintillation‐producing irregularities could be important for developing measures to mitigate L‐band signal degradation.

Experimental work on seismic behavior of various types of masonry infilled RC frames

Reinforced concrete frame structures with masonry infill walls constitute the significant portion of the building stock in Turkey. Therefore it is very important to understand the behavior of masonry infill frame structures under earthquake loads. This study presents an experimental work performed on reinforced concrete (RC) frames with different types of masonry infills, namely standard and locked bricks. Earthquake effects are induced on the RC frames by quasi-static tests. Results obtained from different frames are compared with each other through various stiffness, strength, and energy related parameters. It is shown that locked bricks may prove useful in decreasing the problems related to horizontal and vertical irregularities defined in building codes. Moreover tests show that locked brick infills maintain their integrity up to very high drift levels, showing that they may have a potential in reducing injuries and fatalities related to falling hazards during severe ground shakings.

Analysis and interpretation of the seismic response of RC buildings in Concepción during the February 27, 2010, Chile earthquake

Observed trends in the seismic performance of eight severely damaged reinforced concrete (RC) structures after the February 27, 2010, Chile earthquake are presented in this article. After a reconnaissance and surveying process conducted immediately after the earthquake, several aspects not conventionally considered in building design were observed in the field. Most of the considered structures showed extensive localized damage in walls of lower stories and first basements. Several factors indicate that damage was brittle, and occurred mainly in recent RC structures supported on soft soils with some degree of vertical and/or horizontal irregularity. Non-ductile behavior has been inferred due to the lack of evidence of spread damage in the structure, and the fact that very similar structural configurations existed nearby without apparent damage. Some key aspects in understanding the observed damage are: geographical orientation of the building, presence of vertical and horizontal irregularities, wall thickness and reinforcement detailing, and lack of sources for energy dissipation. Additionally, results of a building-code type analysis are presented for the 4 most critical buildings, and Demand/Capacity ratios are calculated and compared with the observed behavior. It is concluded that the design codes must be revised relative to wall design provisions.

Backarc basin oceanic crust and uppermost mantle seismic velocity structure of the Shikoku Basin, south of Japan

Seismic refraction and reflection measurements were made along three profiles across the Shikoku Basin, one of the three backarc basins on the Philippine Sea plate. The P-wave velocity models show the presence of a very large horizontal irregularity related to the seamounts on the extinct spreading center, transition zones from the Shikoku Basin to Kyushu-Palau Ridge, and from the Shikoku Basin to the Izu-Ogasawara Island arc. However, the other areas were found to have features similar to those of a normal oceanic crustal model composed of oceanic Layer 2 with a high velocity gradient and Layer 3 with a small velocity gradient. The Shikoku backarc basin oceanic crust was found to be characterized by a thinner igneous crust, especially in Layer 3, and the azimuthal anisotropy in the uppermost mantle expected from the seafloor spreading was not detected.

Non-stationary random vibration analysis for train–bridge systems subjected to horizontal earthquakes

This paper investigates the use of PEM (the pseudo-excitation method) and PIM (the precise integration method), to compute the non-stationary random responses of three-dimensional train–bridge systems subjected to lateral horizontal earthquakes. A method for estimating their maxima is also proposed and evaluated. Each vehicle of the train is described by 27 degrees of freedom and the bridge deck is modeled by three-dimensional Euler beam elements. It is assumed that the lateral horizontal earthquake is a uniformly modulated non-stationary random process, while the excitations due to track irregularity are multi-phase stationary random ones. PEM is first proved to be still valid for such time-dependent systems, and then applied to transform the random excitations of the lateral horizontal earthquakes and track irregularities into a series of deterministic pseudo-excitations, respectively. Furthermore, PIM is extended to solve the corresponding pseudo-responses efficiently and precisely. Hence the time-dependent power spectral density functions and standard deviations of the system responses can be obtained conveniently. Finally, a new formula for estimating the maxima of such non-stationary random responses is suggested, based on the first-passage failure criterion. As a case study, the China-Star high-speed train running on a five-span bridge subjected to lateral horizontal earthquakes is investigated. The results show the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method and the reliability of the maximum estimation formula, by comparison with the time-history method. The influences of site soils and train speeds on system random responses are discussed.

Gradient drift instability as a source of spread F in the region of large-scale irregularities in the low-latitude topside ionosphere

The expression for the increment of instability and decrement of diffusion damping of gradient drift waves for ionospheric altitudes above the F 2 layer maximum is obtained. The gradient drift instability is used to interpret the observations of spread F in the region of large-scale horizontal irregularities of the electron density. Two types of such irregularities observed on board the Intercosmos-19 (IC-19) satellite in the region of low latitudes (a peak of the density in the dusk ionosphere and a trough of the density in the dawn ionosphere) are considered. It is shown that the observed gradients of the density and electric field values in the dawn and dusk ionospheric sectors are quite sufficient for the instability development criterion to be satisfied in both considered cases.

Characterization of subglacial landscapes by a two-parameter roughness index

AbstractPrevious studies using Fourier transformation (FT) methods to analyze subglacial roughness have shown promise for distinguishing between different types of subglacial landscape from raw subglacial elevation data. We derive a two-parameter FT roughness index {ξ, η}, where • is based on the FT of elevation (as previously considered in isolation), and η is based on both the FT of elevation and the FT of bed-slope profile. In this way, we take account of both vertical and horizontal irregularities in subglacial surfaces. We demonstrate the statistical veracity of using {ξ, η} to consider roughness in terms of obstacle amplitudes and spacing, and consider the use of {ξ, η} in studies of ice dynamics and subglacial geomorphological interpretation. We show that {ξ, η} can be linked to basal sliding rates on the metre scale, and can be used to differentiate further than single-parameter roughness indices between different classes of subglacial landscape, in particular between erosional and depositional settings.

Depression of the ULF geomagnetic pulsation related to ionospheric irregularities

We consider a depression in intensity of ULF magnetic pulsations, which is observed on the ground surface due to appearance of the irregularities in the ionosphere. It is supposed that oblique Alfven waves in the ULF frequency range are downgoing from the magnetosphere and the horizontal irregularities of ionospheric conductivity are created by upgoing atmospheric gravity waves from seismic source. Unlike the companion paper by Molchanov et al. (2003), we used a simple model of the ionospheric layer but took into consideration the lateral inhomogeneity of the perturbation region in the ionosphere. It is shown that ULF intensity could be essentially decreased for frequencies f = 0.001-0.1 Hz at nighttime but the change is negligible at daytime in coincidence with observational results.

An overview of rolling stock and track monitoring systems and guidelines to provide safety of heavy and long train operation in the Russian Railways

An analysis of statistics on derailment of freight trains in the Russian Railways is carried out. Some results of simulation of vehicle—track interaction and experimental studies on moving of empty cars along track sections with diverse combination of horizontal and vertical irregularities are presented. An overview of guidelines to provide safety of heavy and long train operation is also presented. Technical means of rolling stock and track condition monitoring that is used and developing in the Russian Railways is described. Existing and developing wayside and on-board automated monitoring systems enabling continuous control over moving rolling stock and track are discussed. To provide safety of heavy haul operation, a general concept of a complex system of safety management based on monitoring of rolling stock and track is suggested.