The close proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the significant population and infrastructure presents a potentially substantial risk for central U.S. cities such as Memphis, Tennessee. However, seismic provisions in currently adopted Memphis building codes for non-essential structures have a lower seismic design intensity level than the 2003 International Building Code (IBC) with broader acceptance nationally. As such, it is important to evaluate structures designed with these local seismic provisions to determine whether they will perform adequately during two different design-level earthquakes in this region. A four-story reinforced concrete (RC) moment frame with wide-module pan joists was designed according to current building codes relevant to the central U.S.: the 2003 IBC, the City of Memphis and Shelby County locally amended version of the 2003 IBC, and the 1999 Standard Building Code (SBC). Special moment frames (SMFs) were required for the IBC and SBC designs, but lower design forces in the amended IBC case study permitted an intermediate moment frame (IMF). However, the margin by which a SMF was required was very small for the SBC design. For slightly different conditions IMFs could be used. Nonlinear push-over and dynamic analyses using synthetic ground motions developed for Memphis for 2% and 10% probabilities of exceedance in 50 years were conducted for each of the three designs. The FEMA 356 recommended Basic Safety Objective (BSO) is to dually achieve Life Safety (LS) for the 10% in 50 years earthquake and Collapse Prevention (CP) for the 2% in 50 years earthquake. For the member-level evaluation, the SMF designs met the LS performance objective, but none of the designs met the CP performance objective or the BSO. However, the margin by which the SMF buildings exceeded CP performance was relatively small compared to that of the IMF building. Fragility curves were also developed to provide an estimate of the probability of exceeding various performance levels and quantitative performance limits. These relationships further emphasize the benefits of using an SMF as required by the IBC and, in this case, the SBC.

Non-corroding materials, such as Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars, are now being used as reinforcement for reinforced concrete structures in order to extend their lifetime and minimize maintenance costs. Because of the softer and brittle behaviour of GFRP bars, behaviour of structural members reinforced with this material is different than that of steel-reinforced members. In this study, 16 GFRP reinforced beams were constructed and tested under flexure and shear loads to failure. Effects of different variables, such as amount of longitudinal and lateral reinforcements, type of bars and concrete strength, were investigated for their effects. The flexural provisions of design codes, namely CSA S806-12, CSA S6-06, and report ACI 440.1R-06, were evaluated against the test data. The main provisions investigated are failure modes, ultimate strength, moment-curvature response, deflection, crack widths, and deformability.

Non-corroding materials, such as Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars, are now being used as reinforcement for reinforced concrete structures in order to extend their lifetime and minimize maintenance costs. Because of the softer and brittle behaviour of GFRP bars, behaviour of structural members reinforced with this material is different than that of steel-reinforced members. In this study, 16 GFRP reinforced beams were constructed and tested under flexure and shear loads to failure. Effects of different variables, such as amount of longitudinal and lateral reinforcements, type of bars and concrete strength, were investigated for their effects. The flexural provisions of design codes, namely CSA S806-12, CSA S6-06, and report ACI 440.1R-06, were evaluated against the test data. The main provisions investigated are failure modes, ultimate strength, moment-curvature response, deflection, crack widths, and deformability.

The close proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the significant population and infrastructure presents a potentially substantial risk for central U.S. cities such as Memphis, Tennessee. However, seismic provisions in currently adopted Memphis building codes for non-essential structures have a lower seismic design intensity level than the 2003 International Building Code (IBC) with broader acceptance nationally. As such, it is important to evaluate structures designed with these local seismic provisions to determine whether they will perform adequately during two different design-level earthquakes in this region. A four-story reinforced concrete (RC) moment frame with wide-module pan joists was designed according to current building codes relevant to the central U.S.: the 2003 IBC, the City of Memphis and Shelby County locally amended version of the 2003 IBC, and the 1999 Standard Building Code (SBC). Special moment frames (SMFs) were required for the IBC and SBC designs, but lower design forces in the amended IBC case study permitted an intermediate moment frame (IMF). However, the margin by which a SMF was required was very small for the SBC design. For slightly different conditions IMFs could be used. Nonlinear push-over and dynamic analyses using synthetic ground motions developed for Memphis for 2% and 10% probabilities of exceedance in 50 years were conducted for each of the three designs. The FEMA 356 recommended Basic Safety Objective (BSO) is to dually achieve Life Safety (LS) for the 10% in 50 years earthquake and Collapse Prevention (CP) for the 2% in 50 years earthquake. For the member-level evaluation, the SMF designs met the LS performance objective, but none of the designs met the CP performance objective or the BSO. However, the margin by which the SMF buildings exceeded CP performance was relatively small compared to that of the IMF building. Fragility curves were also developed to provide an estimate of the probability of exceeding various performance levels and quantitative performance limits. These relationships further emphasize the benefits of using an SMF as required by the IBC and, in this case, the SBC.

Thesis (M.S. in in civil engineering)--Washington State University, December 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jan. 26, 2010). "Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering." Includes bibliographical references (p. 42).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-68). Also available in print.

Akademisk avhandling - Chalmers tekniska hogskola, Gothenburg, Sweden. / "Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska hogskola." Bibliography: p. [441]-444.

Thesis--M. Phil., University of Hong Kong.

The stress-strain characteristics of concrete developed in flexure is very important for flexural strength design of reinforced concrete (RC) members. In current RC design codes, the stress-strain curve of concrete developed in flexure is obtained by scaling down the uni-axial stress-strain curve to account for the strain gradient effect. Therefore, the maximum concrete stress that can be developed under flexure is smaller than its uni-axial strength, and the use of which always underestimates the flexural strength of RC beams and columns even though the safety factors for materials are taken as unity. Furthermore, the value of strength underestimation was different for RC beams and columns, which indicates that the extent of strain gradient will affect the maximum concrete stress and stress-strain curve developed under flexure. To investigate the maximum concrete stress, 29 column specimens were fabricated and tested in this study. They were divided into 9 groups, each of which was poured from the same batch of concrete and contained specimens with identical cross-section properties. In each group, one specimen was tested under concentric load while the rest was/were subjected to eccentric or horizontal load. To study the strain gradient effects, the ratio of the maximum concrete compressive stress developed in the eccentrically/horizontally loaded specimens to the maximum uni-axial compressive stress developed in the counterpart concentrically loaded specimens, denoted by k3, is determined based on axial force and moment equilibriums. Subsequently, the concrete stress block parameters and the equivalent rectangular concrete stress block parameters are determined. It is found that the ratios of the maximum and equivalent concrete stress to uni-axial cylinder strength, denoted respectively by k3 and , depend significantly on strain gradient, while that of the depth of stress block to neutral axis depth, denoted by , remains relatively constant with strain gradient. Design equations are proposed to relate and  with strain gradient for strength calculation, whose applicability is verified by comparing the strengths of RC beams and columns tested by various researchers with their theoretical strengths predicted by the proposed parameters and those evaluated based on provisions of RC codes. Based on the test results, the stress-strain curve of normal-strength concrete (NSC) developed under strain gradient is derived using least-square method by minimising the errors between the theoretical axial load and moment and the respective measured values. Two formulas are developed to derive the flexural stress-strain curve, whose applicability is verified by comparing the predicted strength with those measured by other researchers. Lastly, the application of the proposed stress-block parameters and stress-strain curve of NSC will be illustrated by developing some charts for flexural strength design of NSC beams and columns. The application will further be extended to develop strength-ductility charts for NSC beams and columns, which enable simultaneous design of strength and ductility. By adopting the proposed design charts, the flexural strength design, as well as that of the plastic hinge forming mechanism during extreme events, will be more accurate. The resulting design will be safer, more environmentally friendly and cost effective. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns are the primary load-bearing structural components in buildings. Over time these columns may need to be repaired or strengthened either due to defective construction, having higher loads than those foreseen in the initial design of the structure, or as a result of material deterioration or accidental damage. Three external strengthening methods, namely steel jacketing, concrete jacketing and composite jacketing, are commonly adopted for upgrading the ultimate load capacity of RC columns. Among these strengthening techniques for RC columns, steel jacketing, which is easy to construct, less prone to debonding and has better fire resistance than bonded plates, has been proven to be an effective retrofitting scheme and is the most commonly used. Different methods for strengthening existing RC columns have been proposed in the literature. However, no matter which jacket is used to strengthen RC columns, the adverse effects of pre-existing loads on stress-lagging between the concrete core and the new jacket have yet to be solved. In order to deal with this problem, a new postcompression approach was proposed for strengthening preloaded RC columns. In this approach, the slightly precambered steel plates were used. The advantages of this ‘post-compressed plates’ (PCP) strengthening technique are that both the strength and deformability of existing columns can be enhanced and the design life of old buildings can be prolonged. Due to the aforementioned advantages, the PCP strengthening technique was investigated in this study. To begin with, axial compression tests of the PCP strengthened columns were conducted. The overall response, in particular the internal force distribution between concrete and steel plates was obtained. It was observed that the plate thickness and preloading level had dominant effects on the behaviour of PCP strengthened columns. Subsequently, eccentric compression tests of PCP strengthened columns were undertaken. The behaviour of PCP strengthened columns was mainly affected by the degree of eccentricity and plate thickness. Placing flat and precambered steel plates on the tension and compression sides respectively of the RC columns and using post-compression method on the compression side can significantly improve the ultimate load capacity of RC columns under large eccentricity; while placing precambered steel plates on the side faces of the RC columns can significantly improve the ultimate load capacity of RC columns under small eccentricity. Finally, axial compression tests of PCP repaired fire-exposed columns were carried out. The ultimate load capacity of fire-exposed columns can be restored up to 72% of original level by using this post-compression approach. The corresponding theoretical models were also developed to predict the ultimate load capacity of PCP strengthened columns. Comparison of theoretical and experimental results showed that the theoretical models accurately predicted the load-carrying capacities of PCP strengthened columns. According to the experimental and theoretical results, a unified design procedure for the PCP strengthened columns was proposed to aid engineers in designing this new type of PCP strengthened columns and to ensure proper column detailing for desirable performance. The design procedure was validated by the available experimental and theoretical results. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy