Structural Engineering Commons^™

Performance-Based Analysis Of Steel Buildings: Special Concentric Braced Frame, Scott Michael Adams

Master's Theses

The performance-based analysis methods and evaluation criteria in ASCE 41-06 were used to evaluate a special concentric braced frame building based on the design standards in ASCE 7-05. A rectangular, six-story office building was evaluated using linear static, linear dynamic, nonlinear static, and nonlinear dynamic procedures. The results showed that the linear procedures underestimated damage compared to the nonlinear procedures, with the building performing to Life Safety for the linear procedures, and the nonlinear procedures indicating component damage beyond the intended Life Safety limit for the 2/3 maximum considered earthquake (MCE) hazard. This trend continued to the maximum considered earthquake …

Simplified Procedures For Seismic Analysis And Design Of Piers And Wharves In Marine Oil And Lng Terminals, Rakesh K. Goel

Civil and Environmental Engineering

No abstract provided.

Scale Model Shake Table Testing Of Underground Structures In Soft Clay, Victor A. Crosariol

Master's Theses

Underground structures perform an important role in transportation systems in many seismically active regions around the world, but empirical data regarding the seismic behavior of these structures is limited. This research works towards filling that empirical gap through the use of scale model shake table testing. Underground seismic soil-structure interaction (USSSI) effects were investigated for a stiff rectangular tunnel cross-section embedded within soft clay. San Francisco Young Bay Mud was used as a prototype soil for developing a scale model soil mixture consisting of kaolinite, bentonite, class C fly ash, and water. A single cell Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) …

Identification Of Physical Changes To A Steel Frame, Daniel Eric Means

Master's Theses

The thesis utilized physical testing and computer modeling to determine the feasibility of identifying a change to the mass or stiffness of a steel frame. Physical testing was performed using an accelerometer, linear shaker, and arbitrary function generator. Two methods of laboratory testing were developed: ambient vibration testing (AVT) and forced vibration testing (FVT). AVT was able to preliminarily identify the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the frame. FVT was able to precisely identify four distinct natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios. The baseline frame then underwent two physical changes: the addition of mass to its roof, and …

Design And Performance Of Load Bearing Shear Walls Made From Composite Rice Straw Blocks, Kevin Robert Camann

Master's Theses

Although rice straw and other grains have been used in building since pre-history, in the past two decades, there has been a move to utilize this rapidly renewable, locally available, agricultural byproduct as part of the sustainable construction movement. Up to this point, this has been done by simply stacking up the full straw bales. Stak Block, invented by Oryzatech, Inc., is a modular, interlocking block made of a composite of rice straw and binding agent that serves as an evolution in straw construction. This study investigates the feasibility of using these Stak Blocks as a structural system. The report …

Optimization Of Two-Way Post-Tensioned Concrete Floor Systems, Gaelyn B. Krauser

Master's Theses

This thesis investigates a parametric study of a flat plate floor system designed using post-tensioning. The load balanced by the post-tensioning, the slab depth, and the strength of concrete were varied to create the parametric study of a hotel/condominium grid layout. In order to perform the parametric study, research was conducted on the development of post-tensioning, methods of analysis for two-way slab design, and post-tensioning methods of analysis. Design was conducted by hand through a series of Excel spreadsheets and compared to results found using the computer analysis program, ADAPT-PT. The designs found in the parametric study were then used …

Frp Confined Reinforced Concrete Circular Cross Section Seismic Applications, Jeffrey G. Lyon

Master's Theses

In recent earthquakes, structures have not performed as well as expected resulting in a need for better means of retrofitting and improvements in seismic design. Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP), as a material with potential to increase strength and ductility of columns in conjunction with capacity design methodology, has promise for seismic design. By investigating the displacement, ductility, and flexural strength properties of FRP confined reinforced concrete circular cross sections, this study analyzes the seismic applications of FRP confinement.

The study is performed by incorporating an FRP confined concrete stress-strain model into a developed Moment-Curvature and PM Interaction software. This software …

Prestressing Concrete With Shape Memory Alloy Fibers, Skye M. Orvis

Master's Theses

Concrete is considerably stronger in compression than it is in tension. When cracks form in concrete members, the flexural stiffness of the member decreases and the deflection increases which increases the overall size of the member. Prestressing concrete remedies this problem by inducing a compressive stress in the concrete thereby reducing the net tension in the member and increasing the load required to crack the member. Traditional prestressing is generally limited to large, straight members. During the last decade, shape memory alloys (SMA) have become more prevalent in engineering and civil engineering applications. The shape memory effect refers to the …

A Study Of The Seismic Performance Of Early Multi-Story Steel Frame Structures With Unreinforced Masonry Infill, Kristin Potterton

Master's Theses

Steel frame construction with unreinforced masonry infill walls is a common system found in high-rise structures built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Recorded performance of this dual system during seismic events shows that the structures are able to resist a high level of lateral loads without collapse, primarily because a majority of damage is confined to the infill walls instead of the gravity carrying frame. To better understand expected performance of this structural system in different seismic risk regions, a prototypical building was analyzed using modal and nonlinear static procedures based on currently accepted evaluation guidelines. Nonlinear …

Predicting The Seismic Behavior Of The Dywidag Ductile Connector (Ddc) Precast Concrete System, Elizabeth Mary Kenyon

Master's Theses

Structural engineering is heavily dependent on the use of computers. When creating a building model using structural analysis software, it is required that the designer have an understanding of the system behavior and the modeling program capabilities.

Some engineers in the Southern California region are taking steps towards incorporating the Dywidag ductile connector (DDC) and super hybrid systems into building practice due to the advantages found in these systems’ construction methods and seismic performance.

As the DDC and super hybrid systems reach industry, the design engineer will need to model these systems using structural analysis programs. This report describes two …