Search

To evaluate and quantify the effect of the axial compression ratio (ACR) on the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) columns, studies of analytical relationships between the axial compression and the mechanical behaviour of RC columns were conducted, followed by a comprehensive statistical analysis with 474 sets of experimental data. Stipulated limits on the ACR and their evaluation methods in various design codes of practice in the world were analysed and compared. Based on the findings of the research, the development of new provisions on the ACR for the seismic design of RC columns is presented on a scientific basis. The limiting values of column ACR which can be stipulated in the developing design code of structures for seismic resistance in Hong Kong are recommended. © 2016 The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

For the sake of efficient computation yet accurate nonlinear structural analysis of masonry structures, a Fourier-based incremental homogenisation strategy is developed. In the proposed strategy, the macro-micro mappings of mechanic quantities are solved by incremental variational problem in Representative Volume Elements with respect to local fluctuating displacement fields, from which generalised localisation tensors expressed in Fourier space are derived. The proposed homogenisation strategy is implemented in ABAQUS through the user-subroutine and successfully simulates the macroscopic structural behaviour of masonry structures. The computational effort is significantly reduced that the analysis time of the homogenisation approach is reduced by as much as 5 times in comparison to the simulation by the discrete approach. Thus, the proposed homogenisation model provides an effective mean of analysis and design of multi-storey masonry or infilled frame structures, where the local mechanical are deemed to be not of interest.