A multi-panel PMC infilled system, using polymer matrix composite (PMC) material, was introduced as new conceptual design for seismic retrofitting. A proposed multi panel PMC infilled system was composed of two basic structural components: inner PMC sandwich infills and outer FRP damping panels. The PMC material had high stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios. Therefore, the addition...

Upgrading existing buildings to meet current seismic design codes is important in high seismic hazard regions. Decision makers must choose from many possible retrofitting options, each with inherent advantages and disadvantages. The two main decision drivers that are commonly used are: increasing engineering performance (ductility, strength, etc.) and reducing cost. There is currently little in...

This paper presents a study to statistically characterize the joint earthquake-snow hazard and subsequently develop maximum inter-story drift fragility curves for a series of archetype woodframe structures. Of particular focus are structures built in heavy-snow regions where seismic design may govern (and hence the roof snow load contributes additional seismic mass). While load standards such a...

Today, the major challenge in reservoir characterization is integrating data coming from different sources in varying scales, in order to obtain an accurate and high-resolution reservoir model. The role of seismic data in this integration is often limited to providing a structural model for the reservoir. Its relatively low resolution usually limits its further use. However, its areal coverage ...

Seismic design criteria based on performance of structures have recently been adopted by practicing engineers in response to destructive earthquakes. A simple but efficient structural-analysis tool capable of predicting both the strength and ductility is needed to analyze reinforced concrete (RC) structures under such event. A three-dimensional lattice model is developed in this study to analyz...

Non-linear dynamic time history analysis is considered as the most advanced and comprehensive analytical method for evaluating the seismic response and performance of multi-degree-of-freedom building structures under the influence of earthquake ground motions. However, effective and accurate application of the method requires the implementation of advanced hysteretic constitutive models of the ...

The knee bracing steel frame (KBF) is a new type of energy dissipating frame which enjoys exceptional ductility and lateral stiffness. Rather than the beam-column joint, one end of the diagonal brace in KBF is attached to the knee element. Indeed, the knee element as a hysteretic damper is designed and detailed to behave like a structural fuse by sustaining controlled inelastic deformations as ...

Dual systems of steel moment frame and reinforced concrete shear wall have combined the advantages of steel frames and reinforced concrete shear wall. These walls have increased the lateral stiffness of steel frames and have reduced seismic demands on steel frames thus providing opportunities to use such system. In this research intermediate dual system of steel moment frame was chosen with int...

displacement coefficient method (dcm) stipulated in the asce 41-06 standard is becoming the preferred method for seismic rehabilitation of buildings in many high-seismic-hazard countries. applications of the method for non-building constructions such as bridges are beyond the scope of this standard. thus its application to this kind of structure should be approached with care. target displaceme...