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This paper aims to provide a new method to study and improve the dynamic characteristics of the four-column resistance strain force sensor through the elastomer structure design and optimization.

Based on the mechanism analysis method, the authors first present a dynamic characteristic model of the four-column resistance strain force sensors’ elastomer. Then, the authors verified and modified the model according to the Solidworks finite element simulation results. Finally, the authors designed and optimized two types of four-column elastomers based on the dynamic characteristic model and verified the improvement of sensor dynamic performance through a hammer knock dynamic experiment.

The Solidworks finite element simulation and hammer knock dynamic experiment results show that the relative error of the model is less than 10%, which confirms the accuracy of the model. The dynamic performance of the sensors based on the model can be improved by more than 30%, which is a great improvement in sensor dynamic performance.

The authors first present a dynamic characteristic model of the four-column elastomer and optimize the four-column sensors successfully based on the mechanism analysis method. And a new method to study and improve the dynamic characteristics of the resistance is provided.

About 26,000 Airey Houses were erected during the post war years (1946–55) as part of the house building programme of that period. The Airey House is essentially a prefabricated concrete structure which was erected on site to form a box. This box was erected upon a concrete raft which acted as the foundation and floor of the dwelling. The basic box was formed from several framed ‘goal posts’ to which thin concrete cladding panels were fastened to the upright columns by copper wire. The vertical loading from the first floor and roof is taken on the vertical columns but may also be shared with the concrete cladding panels (see Figure 1).

This study aims to further study the fire resistance of prefabricated concrete beam-column joints with end-plate connection. This paper aims to analyze the fire resistance of this joint in prefabricated reinforced concrete frame structure (PRCS).

First, the accuracy of the model is verified by using the test data. Based on this, a refined finite element model of PRCS structure with two stories and two spans is established. The influence of four working conditions with different fire floors (positions) and different axial compression ratios on the deformation, failure and fire resistance of PRCS structure are analyzed.

The results show that under the four working conditions, the fire resistance of the PRCS structure under Condition 1 and Condition 2 is smaller. It shows that the beam deformation develops slowly in PRCS structure under four kinds of fire positions, and the large displacement emerges 60 min later, which is poles apart from that of prefabricated beam column members. With the increase of the fire time, the material is damaged and deteriorated, which leads to the eccentricity of the axial load, so that the column top appears large lateral displacement. Under the Conditions 1 and 3, the lateral displacement of the column gradually decreases as the axial compression ratio rises.

It is found that there is a distinct lack of researching on the fire resistance of prefabricated joints, and the existed research studies are limited to the fire resistance of members. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen the first floor and side column design of prefabricated frame structure.

Isolated steel columns, when exposed to high temperatures, lose strength in a few minutes due to the high thermal conductivity of its constituent material. When these structural elements are embedded in walls, the response to exceptional action is altered so that the compartmentation offers an increase in the fire resistance of the columns. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the behavior of steel columns inserted in walls subject to thermal action in a numerical context.

For this purpose, the computational code ABAQUS version 6.14, which applies the finite element method formulation to solve engineering problems, was used.

The thermo-mechanical modeling, considering the wall only as a compartmentation element, generated few consistent results, leading to the conclusion that the walls influence the structural response of columns in a fire situation.

There is a lack of both numerical and experimental research works. In numerical modeling, the research works found in the literature had difficulties in developing a numerical model that satisfactorily represented steel columns inserted in walls, not being able to adequately understand their behavior at high temperatures. All of them did not consider the influence of masonry on the thermo-structural behavior of the columns. In this paper, this influence was evaluated and discussed.

The fire response of structural reinforced concrete columns is usually justified by the reduction in ultimate load bearing capacity. This is due to the decrease in mechanical strength of steel and concrete upon exposure to a fire. In structural design, it is more desirable to consider the action of load directly. The concept of equivalent accidental load due to a fire might give more convenient structural design data. This paper aims to focus on these issues.

A theoretical analysis for the equivalent accidental load imposed on reinforced concrete columns (axially loaded columns, uniaxially loaded columns and biaxially loaded columns) exposed to four‐side fires is carried out. The test results of previous research are used as examples and for checking computations. After determining its temperature field, the equivalent accidental load due to fire is calculated using simplified methods. The fire resistance period of reinforced concrete columns can also be determined.

If the response of a structural element to a fire can be converted into an accidental load, it can be combined with other components such as wind load and earthquake action to give a total design load. With this method, the equivalent accidental load due to a fire and fire resistance of reinforced concrete columns at elevated temperature can be derived directly, and the process is very simple. The equivalent accidental load and fire resistance of reinforced concrete columns exposed to fire on one, two or three sides can also be derived by the same method. However, the thermal performance of steel and concrete cannot be considered during the calculation.

A simplified approach of equivalent accidental load due to fire is proposed. Much simpler guides can be drafted in structural fire design.

Damage detection of frame structures is important for guaranteeing the safety of people’s lives and property. Sensitivity analysis is an effective method for damage identification. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a sensitivity analysis of beam–column joint rotation angles for frame structures with limited flexural stiffness beams.

First, based on the D-value method and the assumption of inflection points, statically indeterminate frames were transformed to statically determinate structures, and the expressions of beam–column joint rotation angles were derived. Next, the sensitivity coefficients of beam–column joint rotation angles were obtained by taking the derivative of the expressions of beam–column joint rotation angles with respect to the linear stiffness of column. Finally, the expressions of the sensitivity coefficients were verified by a numerical example.

The analytical solutions of the sensitivity coefficients are in good agreement with finite element results. The results show that the beam–column joint rotation angles of damaged column decrease and those of intact columns within the same story increase when damage occurs.

In this study, the sensitivity coefficients of beam–column joint rotation angles with respect to the linear stiffnesses of columns were derived for frame structures. Based on the result of the sensitivity analysis, the relationship between the changes of beam–column joint rotation angles and damaged columns is revealed. The findings provide an important base to further detect damage of frame structures.

Columns are structural elements that are predominantly subjected to compressive forces and moments that are to be transferred from the super-structure to the sub-structure. The geometrical shape of a column is a significant factor to be considered. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Pushover analysis is carried out, to study the behavior of RC frames with rectangular and specially shaped columns for the same building layout.

Reduction of 27.3 percent in base shear, 67.4 percent in spectral displacement, 66.5 percent reduction in storey displacement, 70.22 percent in storey drift and 0.315 percent reduction in storey shear is observed.

Special shaped RC columns can effectively enhance the structural behavior of high rise structures under seismic excitation in comparison to those with regular shaped RC columns.

Applications of special shaped columns in structures have showed a great deal of reduction in displacement and shear forces developed due to seismic activity, for the same area of concrete and steel as in rectangular columns.

In the Taguchi’s experimentations, orthogonal arrays, interaction tables, and linear graphs are provided for planning experiments, but they become quite unwieldy when the number of runs is large. The purpose of this article is to propose a quick and easy method for obtaining two‐factor interaction columns in two‐level orthogonal arrays. Geometrical designs proposed by Plackett and Burman are two‐level orthogonal arrays and can be obtained very easily by a successive doubling method. Based on the property of doubling, a NR method using a number representation system whose base is a power of 2 is derived in this article for obtaining two‐factor interaction columns in geometrical designs. Furthermore, since Taguchi’s two‐level orthogonal arrays are obtainable by successive doubling with some column permutations, it is shown that their two‐factor interaction columns can be obtained directly by using the NR method without looking up tables.

Prefabricated columns connected by grouted sleeves are increasingly used in practical projects. However, seismic fragility analyses of such structures are rarely conducted. Seismic fragility analysis has an important role in seismic hazard evaluation. In this paper, the seismic fragility of sleeve connected prefabricated column is analyzed.

A model for predicting the seismic demand on sleeve connected prefabricated columns has been created by incorporating engineering demand parameters (EDP) and probabilities of seismic failure. The incremental dynamics analysis (IDA) curve clusters of this type of column were obtained using finite element analysis. The seismic fragility curve is obtained by regression of Exponential and Logical Function Model.

The IDA curve cluster gradually increased the dispersion after a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.3 g was reached. For both columns, the relative displacement of the top of the column significantly changed after reaching 50 mm. The seismic fragility of the prefabricated column with the sleeve placed in the cap (SPCA) was inadequate.

The sleeve was placed in the column to overcome the seismic fragility of prefabricated columns effectively. In practical engineering, it is advisable to utilize these columns in regions susceptible to earthquakes and characterized by high seismic intensity levels in order to mitigate the risk of structural damage resulting from ground motion.

The stone dust column was used to strengthen the sample and had a significant effect on improving the shear strength of the kaolin clay. The application of stone columns, which can improve the overall carrying capacity of soft clay as well as lessen the settlement of buildings built on it, is among the most widespread ground improvement techniques throughout the globe. The performance of foundation beds is enhanced by their stiffness values and higher strength, which could withstand more of the load applied. Stone dust is a wonderful source containing micronutrients for soil, particularly those derived from basalt, volcanic rock, granite and other related rocks. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the properties of soft clay reinforced with encapsulated stone dust columns to remediate problematic soil and obtain a more affordable and environmentally friendly way than using other materials.

In this study, the treated kaolin sample's shear strength was measured using the unconfined compression test (UCT). 28 batches of soil samples total, 12 batches of single stone dust columns measuring 10 mm in diameter and 12 batches of single stone dust columns measuring 16 mm in diameter. Four batches of control samples are also included. At heights of 60 mm, 80 mm and 100 mm, respectively, various stone dust column diameters were assessed. The real soil sample has a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm.

Test results show when kaolin is implanted with a single encased stone dust column that has an area replacement ratio of 10.24% and penetration ratios of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0, the shear strength increase is 51.75%, 74.5% and 49.20%. The equivalent shear strength increases are 48.50%, 68.50% and 43.50% for soft soil treated with a 12.00% area replacement ratio and 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 penetration ratios.

This study shows a comparison of how sample types affect shear strength. Also, this article provides argumentation behind the variation of soil strength obtained from different test types and gives recommendations for appropriate test methods for soft soil.