The author’s intention is to contribute to the general discussion on timber multi-level commercial buildings. Interest in this topic is expected due to the environmental advantages of timber construction when compared to concrete and steel. This paper looks into three timber based systems for resisting lateral loads for buildings to six storeys, that will ensure relatively ‘open’ floor spaces. ...

Four design alternatives for lateral force-resisting systems of tall buildings in Dubai, UAE are presented. Quantitative comparisons between the different designs are also made. This paper is intended to provide different feasible lateral systems to be used in Dubai in light of the available seismic hazard studies of the UAE. The different lateral systems are chosen in conformance with the Inte...

The Cuckoo search algorithm is a recent addition to metaheuristic techniques. It simulates the breeding behaviour of certain cuckoo species into a numerical optimization technique. Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nests of other host birds so that their chicks when hatched can be nurtured by the host birds. The optimum design algorithm presented for moment resisting steel frames is based on t...

Beam connections with reduced drilled section and slotted web have been presented after the Northridge earthquake (1994). Their new geometrical shapes have been resulted in weakening of beams and subsequently the bette rperformance of connections in the earthquakes. In this research, the advantages of both connections, mentioned above, have been studied in the Slotted Web Drilled Flange (SWDF) ...

In this study, constant-ductility optimization algorithm under a family of earthquake ground motions is utilized to achieve uniform damage distribution over the height of steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs). SMRF structures with stiffness-degrading hysteric behavior are modeled as single-bay generic frame in which the plastic hinge is confined only at the beam ends and the bottom of the first...

Placing column lap-splice in the locations of possible nonlinear deformation may adversely affect the structures response to strong ground motions. Localization of damage in splice zone may change the structural response and prevent the load redistribution and development of a uniform pattern of nonlinear excursions among the various members. Validated by existing laboratory experiments, this s...

Six buildings were overturned in the town of Onagawa during the 2011 Great East Japan tsunami. This study investigates the possible failure mechanisms of building overturning during tsunami flow. The tsunami inundation depth and flow velocity at each overturned building were recalculated by using a tsunami numerical simulation and verified using a recorded video. The overturning moment is a res...

After Northridge (1994) and Kobe (1995) earthquakes, several studies have been conducted to improve the seismic performance of steel structures. In this investigation, new steel moment-resisting connections (FSFN) developed by the authors, were studied by the non-linear numerical analysis. These connections were single-sided beam-to-column assemblies that are representative of exterior beam-to-...