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<p>This thesis reports on shake table tests on fully-grouted reinforced masonry (RM) shear walls. The test walls covers a range of design parameters to facilitate benchmarking, a thorough performance investigation, and calibration of numerical models as well as development of fragility curves within the context of Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD). The details of the experimental program undertaken, including general observations in terms of cracking patterns and failure modes of the tested walls and the results on the lateral strength, hysteretic response, dynamic properties, and the contribution of different displacement components to the response of the walls, are presented. More detailed analyses include seismic performance quantification of the walls in terms of inelastic behaviour characteristics, various energy components, and the effective dynamic properties of the tested walls. The analysis is concluded with development of simplified nonlinear response history analytical models and seismic fragility assessment tools for the tested walls. In general, the study results indicated that the displacement ductility capacity of the RM walls and their capability to dissipate energy through plastic hinging are higher than what is currently recognized by the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). The fragility assessment study further indicated that similar walls are expected to conform to the current drift limits of the NBCC even at high seismic regions in Canada. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the growing Seismic Performance Database (SPD) of RM Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS), and to the understanding of the lightly reinforced masonry wall system behaviour.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

A general framework to design structural systems for a system-reliability goal is proposed. Component-based structural design proceeds on a member to member basis, insuring acceptable failure probabilities for every single structural member without explicitly assessing the overall system safety, whereas structural failure consequences are related to the whole system performance (the cost of a building or a bridge destroyed by an earthquake) rather than a single beam or column failure. Engineering intuition tells us that the system is safer than each individual component due to the likelihood of load redistribution and al- ternate load paths, however such conservatism cannot be guaranteed without an explicit system-level safety check. As a result, component-based structural designs can lead to both over-conservative components and a less-than-anticipated system reliability. System performance depends on component properties as well as the load-sharing network, which can possess a wide range of behaviors varying from a dense redundant system with scope for load redistribution after failure initiates, to a weakest-link type network that fails as soon as the first member exceeds its capacity. The load-sharing network is characterized by its overall system reliability and the system-reliability sensitivity, which quantifies the change in system safety due to component reliability modifications. A general algorithm is proposed to calculate modified component reliabilities using the sensitivity vector for the load-sharing network. The modifications represent an improvement on the structural properties of more critical components (more capacity, better ductility), and provide savings on less important members which do not play a significant role. The general methodology is applied to light steel-framed buildings under seismic loads. The building is modeled with non-linear spring elements representing its subsystems. The stochastic response of this model under seismic ground motions provides load-sharing, system reliability and sensitivity information, which are used to propose target diaphragm and shear wall reliability to meet a building reliability goal. Finally, diaphragm target reliability is used to propose modified component designs using stochastic simulations on geometric and materially non-linear finite-element models including every individual component. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. 1301001 (Virginia Tech), 1301033 (University of Massachusetts, Amherst) and 1300484 (Johns Hopkins University). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily re ect the views of the National Science Foundation. The author is grateful to the industry partner, the American Iron and Steel Institute, for their cooperation. / Ph. D. / This research proposes methods to design engineering networks for acceptable overall safety. Some examples of engineering networks include electrical systems, transportation systems and infrastructural systems. When any such system is designed, the properties of every individual component (size, capacity etc.) are assigned according to cost and safety requirements. However, it is typically very difficult to reliably quantify the overall safety of the entire system, which is technically known as ‘system reliability’. As a result, there are limited options for engineers to adjust the individual component designs within a system to achieve a pre-specified ‘targeted’ system reliability . This dissertation proposes computational and statistical methods to achieve this. The proposed methods are applied to a specific engineering system, namely a two story building subjected to ground shaking resulting from an earthquake. Computer models are developed for different scales of the building, beginning from the full building structure, then its individual floors and walls, and finally the individual components that make up each floor and wall. These models are verified with experimental results spanning all three scales. The verified models are then used to both compute the overall system reliability of the building subjected to earthquake ground shaking, as well as to modify its design component-by-component to achieve a targeted system reliability which is different from the system reliability of the original design. The results indicate that the as-designed reliability of the building system is adequate, but this reliability results from features of the building that are not expected to provide additional safety. The research demonstrates means to obtain this additional safety by redesigning the core functional building components, without relying on the unexpected added safety from ‘non-structural’ components (such as partition walls inside a building). The methods developed herein can be applied to redesign the components of various engineering system networks such that a targeted overall system reliability can be satisfied, resulting in improved performance and life-safety, potentially even at reduced costs.

A crescente valorização das áreas disponíveis para a construção de edifícios nas grandes cidades tem constantemente elevado a altura das edificações. Nos edifícios altos, a consideração das ações horizontais na verificação da estabilidade da construção passa a ter um caráter essencial. As ações horizontais podem ser absorvidas, basicamente, por dois sistemas estruturais: por uma estrutura composta por pórticos de grande rigidez ou pela combinação de pórticos e paredes estruturais. Dentro deste contexto, esta dissertação trata da análise tridimensional de estruturas de edifícios altos de concreto armado, considerando a presença de paredes estruturais. Ao longo do trabalho é desenvolvido um modelo computacional em linguagem FORTRAN 90, baseado no Método dos Elementos Finitos, para realizar este tipo de análise. O modelo segue as recomendações da NBR6118 (ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE NORMAS TÉCNICAS, 2007). Conforme esta norma, a não linearidade física é considerada de forma simplificada pela redução da rigidez dos elementos através de um fator fixo, função do nível de fissuração esperado A não linearidade geométrica, por outro lado, pode ser considerada de maneira simplificada ou de forma exata a partir de uma formulação desenvolvida por Argyris et al. (1979). No modelo analisado, foram implementados elementos de pórtico espacial para a representação de vigas e pilares, e de casca poliédrica para as paredes e lajes. Com o objetivo de se obter um sistema computacional eficiente, são utilizados recursos como a hipótese de diafragma rígido nos pavimentos e a subestruturação. Tais recursos permitem diminuir o tamanho do problema a ser resolvido, sem, no entanto, perder precisão nos resultados. O desenvolvimento do modelo computacional permitiu uma análise crítica de casos, confrontando as duas alternativas de sistemas para edifícios altos, ou seja, de pórticos com e sem paredes estruturais. / The on going increase in value of available construction sites in big cities has steadily pushing up the height of new buildings. In high-rise buildings, the consideration of lateral loads when stability is verified gains an essential role. Basically, lateral loads can be carried out by two types of structural systems: by a structure composed of high-stiffness frames or by a combination of these frames and shear walls. In this context, this work focuses on 3D analyses of high-rise reinforced concrete buildings with the consideration of shear walls. A computational model based on the Finite Element Method is developed for the analyses, being the model described in detail in the text. The model follows the recommendations given in the Brazilian code NBR6118:2007. According to this code, physical nonlinearities are considered in a simplified manner by decreasing stiffnesses by a fixed factor, which depends on the expected level of cracking. Geometrical nonlinearities, on the other hand, could be considered either in a simplified manner or in an exact approach from the formulation developed by Argyris et al. (1979). In the developed model, spatial frame elements were implemented to represent beams and columns, while polyedric shells would represent shear walls and slabs. Targeting an efficient computational system, the rigid diaphragm hypothesis for the slabs as well as substructuring procedures were demanded strategies. Such means allowed smaller problem sizes to be solved without putting in jeopardy the results’ precision. It is also presented an analysis confronting the two alternatives of systems for high-rise building structures, i.e., frames with and without shear walls.

PERFORMANCE-BASED ANALYSIS OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE SHEAR WALL BUILDING Garrett Richard Hagen In this thesis, a special reinforced concrete shear wall building was designed per ASCE 7-05, and then the performance was investigated using the four analysis procedures outlined in ASCE 41-06. The proposed building was planned as a 6-story office building in San Francisco, CA. The structural system consisted of a two-way flat plate and reinforced concrete columns for gravity loads and slender structural walls for seismic loads. The mathematical building models utilized recommendations from ASCE 41-06 and first-principle mechanics. Moment-curvature analysis and fiber cross-section elements were used in developing the computer models for the nonlinear procedures. The results for the analysis procedures showed that the building met the Basic Safety Objective as defined in ASCE 41-06. The performance levels for the nonlinear procedures showed better building performance than for the linear procedures. This paper addresses previously found data for similar studies which used steel special moment frames, special concentric braced frames, and buckling restrained braced frames for their primary lateral systems. The results showcase expected seismic performance levels for a commercial office building designed in a high seismicity region with varying structural systems and when using different analysis procedures. Keywords: reinforced concrete structural walls, shear walls, performance-based analysis, ETABS, Perform-3D, flat plate, two-way slab.

Shear-wall dominant multi-story reinforced concrete structures, constructed by using a special tunnel form technique are commonly built in countries facing a substantial seismic risk, such as Chile, Japan, Italy and Turkey. In 1999, two severe urban earthquakes struck Kocaeli and D&uuml / zce provinces in Turkey with magnitudes (Mw) 7.4 and 7.1, respectively. These catastrophes caused substantial structural damage, casualties and loss of lives. In the aftermath of these destructive earthquakes, neither demolished nor damaged shear-wall dominant buildings constructed by tunnel form techniques were reported. In spite of their high resistance to earthquake excitations, current seismic code provisions including the Uniform Building Code and the Turkish Seismic Code present limited information for their design criteria. This study presents experimental investigation of the panel unit having H-geometry. To investigate the seismic behavior of panel buildings, two prototype test specimens which have H wall design were tested at the Structural Mechanics Laboratory at METU. The experimental work involves the testing of two four-story, 1/5-scale reinforced concrete panel form building test specimens under lateral reversed loading, simulating the seismic forces and free vibration tests. Free vibration tests before and after cracking were done to assess the differences between the dynamic properties of uncracked and cracked test specimens. A moment-curvature program named Waller2002 for shear walls is developed to include the effects of steel strain hardening, confinement of concrete and tension strength of concrete. The moment-curvature relationships of panel form test specimens showed that walls with very low longitudinal steel ratios exhibit a brittle flexural failure with very little energy absorption. Shear walls of panel form test specimens have a reinforcement ratio of 0.0015 in the longitudinal and vertical directions. Under gradually increasing reversed lateral loading, the test specimens reached ultimate strength, as soon as the concrete cracked, followed by yielding and then rupturing of the longitudinal steel. The displacement ductility of the panel form test specimens was found to be very low. Thus, the occurrence of rupture of the longitudinal steel, as also observed in analytical studies, has been experimentally verified. Strength, stiffness, energy dissipation and story drifts of the test specimens were examined by evaluating the test results.

This doctoral thesis addresses questions of how wind loads acting on multistoreytimber buildings can be dealt with by structural design of such buildings.The conventional use of sheathing either nailed or screwed to a timberframework is considered, together with other stabilizing structures such ascross-laminated timber panels.The finite element method was employed in simulating the structuralbehaviour of stabilizing wall units. A series of studies was carried out of walls inwhich the sheathing was nailed to a timber frame. Different structural levelswere studied starting with modelling the performance of single sheathing-toframingconnections, to the use of models for studying the overall structuralbehaviour of walls. The results of calculations using models for simulation ofwalls subjected to different loading agree reasonably well with experimentalresults. The structural properties of the connections between the sheathing andthe frame, as well as of the connections between the members of the frame,were shown to have a substantial effect on the simulated behaviour of shearwall units. Both these types of connections were studied and described inappended papers.Regarding cross-laminated timber wall panels, it was concluded that walls witha high level of both stiffness and strength can be produced by the use of suchpanels, and also that the connections between the solid wall panels can bedesigned in such a way that the shear forces involved are transmitted from onepanel to the next in an efficient manner.Other topics in the thesis include the properties of connections between shearwalls and the rest of the building. Typically high tension forces occur at specificpoints in a timber structure. These forces need to be transmitted downwards inthe structure, ultimately connecting them to the substrate. A lap-joint that maybe used for this purpose has been studied using generalized Volkersen theory.Finally the maximum capacity of a conventional rail to substrate connection hasbeen examined using linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics.

The ability to adjust structural response to external loading and ensure structural safety and serviceability is a characteristic of Smart Systems. The key to achieving this is through the development and implementation of smart materials. An example of a smart material is a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). Reinforced concrete structures are designed to sustain severe damage and permanent displacement during strong earthquakes, while maintaining their integrity, and safeguarding against loss of life. The design philosophy of dissipating the energy of major earthquakes leads to significant strains in the steel reinforcement and, consequently, damage in the plastic hinge zones. Most of the steel strain is permanent, thus leading to large residual deformations that can render the structure unserviceable after the earthquake. Alternative reinforcing materials such as superelastic SMAs offer strain recovery upon unloading, which may result in improved post-earthquake recovery. Shape Memory Alloys have the ability to dissipate energy through repeated cycling without significant degradation or permanent deformation. Superelastic SMAs possess stable hysteretic behavior over a certain range of temperature, where its shape is recoverable upon removal of load. Alternatively, Martensite SMAs also possess the ability to recover its shape through heating. Both types of SMA demonstrate promise in civil infrastructure applications, specifically in seismic-resistant design and retrofit of structures. The primary objective of this research is to investigate experimentally the performance of concrete beams and shear walls reinforced with superelastic SMAs in plastic hinge regions. Furthermore, this research program involves complementary numerical studies and the development of a proposed hysteretic constitutive model for superelastic SMAs applicable for nonlinear finite element analysis. The model considers the unique characteristics of the cyclic response of superelastic materials.

A crescente valorização das áreas disponíveis para a construção de edifícios nas grandes cidades tem constantemente elevado a altura das edificações. Nos edifícios altos, a consideração das ações horizontais na verificação da estabilidade da construção passa a ter um caráter essencial. As ações horizontais podem ser absorvidas, basicamente, por dois sistemas estruturais: por uma estrutura composta por pórticos de grande rigidez ou pela combinação de pórticos e paredes estruturais. Dentro deste contexto, esta dissertação trata da análise tridimensional de estruturas de edifícios altos de concreto armado, considerando a presença de paredes estruturais. Ao longo do trabalho é desenvolvido um modelo computacional em linguagem FORTRAN 90, baseado no Método dos Elementos Finitos, para realizar este tipo de análise. O modelo segue as recomendações da NBR6118 (ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE NORMAS TÉCNICAS, 2007). Conforme esta norma, a não linearidade física é considerada de forma simplificada pela redução da rigidez dos elementos através de um fator fixo, função do nível de fissuração esperado A não linearidade geométrica, por outro lado, pode ser considerada de maneira simplificada ou de forma exata a partir de uma formulação desenvolvida por Argyris et al. (1979). No modelo analisado, foram implementados elementos de pórtico espacial para a representação de vigas e pilares, e de casca poliédrica para as paredes e lajes. Com o objetivo de se obter um sistema computacional eficiente, são utilizados recursos como a hipótese de diafragma rígido nos pavimentos e a subestruturação. Tais recursos permitem diminuir o tamanho do problema a ser resolvido, sem, no entanto, perder precisão nos resultados. O desenvolvimento do modelo computacional permitiu uma análise crítica de casos, confrontando as duas alternativas de sistemas para edifícios altos, ou seja, de pórticos com e sem paredes estruturais. / The on going increase in value of available construction sites in big cities has steadily pushing up the height of new buildings. In high-rise buildings, the consideration of lateral loads when stability is verified gains an essential role. Basically, lateral loads can be carried out by two types of structural systems: by a structure composed of high-stiffness frames or by a combination of these frames and shear walls. In this context, this work focuses on 3D analyses of high-rise reinforced concrete buildings with the consideration of shear walls. A computational model based on the Finite Element Method is developed for the analyses, being the model described in detail in the text. The model follows the recommendations given in the Brazilian code NBR6118:2007. According to this code, physical nonlinearities are considered in a simplified manner by decreasing stiffnesses by a fixed factor, which depends on the expected level of cracking. Geometrical nonlinearities, on the other hand, could be considered either in a simplified manner or in an exact approach from the formulation developed by Argyris et al. (1979). In the developed model, spatial frame elements were implemented to represent beams and columns, while polyedric shells would represent shear walls and slabs. Targeting an efficient computational system, the rigid diaphragm hypothesis for the slabs as well as substructuring procedures were demanded strategies. Such means allowed smaller problem sizes to be solved without putting in jeopardy the results’ precision. It is also presented an analysis confronting the two alternatives of systems for high-rise building structures, i.e., frames with and without shear walls.

A crescente valorização das áreas disponíveis para a construção de edifícios nas grandes cidades tem constantemente elevado a altura das edificações. Nos edifícios altos, a consideração das ações horizontais na verificação da estabilidade da construção passa a ter um caráter essencial. As ações horizontais podem ser absorvidas, basicamente, por dois sistemas estruturais: por uma estrutura composta por pórticos de grande rigidez ou pela combinação de pórticos e paredes estruturais. Dentro deste contexto, esta dissertação trata da análise tridimensional de estruturas de edifícios altos de concreto armado, considerando a presença de paredes estruturais. Ao longo do trabalho é desenvolvido um modelo computacional em linguagem FORTRAN 90, baseado no Método dos Elementos Finitos, para realizar este tipo de análise. O modelo segue as recomendações da NBR6118 (ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE NORMAS TÉCNICAS, 2007). Conforme esta norma, a não linearidade física é considerada de forma simplificada pela redução da rigidez dos elementos através de um fator fixo, função do nível de fissuração esperado A não linearidade geométrica, por outro lado, pode ser considerada de maneira simplificada ou de forma exata a partir de uma formulação desenvolvida por Argyris et al. (1979). No modelo analisado, foram implementados elementos de pórtico espacial para a representação de vigas e pilares, e de casca poliédrica para as paredes e lajes. Com o objetivo de se obter um sistema computacional eficiente, são utilizados recursos como a hipótese de diafragma rígido nos pavimentos e a subestruturação. Tais recursos permitem diminuir o tamanho do problema a ser resolvido, sem, no entanto, perder precisão nos resultados. O desenvolvimento do modelo computacional permitiu uma análise crítica de casos, confrontando as duas alternativas de sistemas para edifícios altos, ou seja, de pórticos com e sem paredes estruturais. / The on going increase in value of available construction sites in big cities has steadily pushing up the height of new buildings. In high-rise buildings, the consideration of lateral loads when stability is verified gains an essential role. Basically, lateral loads can be carried out by two types of structural systems: by a structure composed of high-stiffness frames or by a combination of these frames and shear walls. In this context, this work focuses on 3D analyses of high-rise reinforced concrete buildings with the consideration of shear walls. A computational model based on the Finite Element Method is developed for the analyses, being the model described in detail in the text. The model follows the recommendations given in the Brazilian code NBR6118:2007. According to this code, physical nonlinearities are considered in a simplified manner by decreasing stiffnesses by a fixed factor, which depends on the expected level of cracking. Geometrical nonlinearities, on the other hand, could be considered either in a simplified manner or in an exact approach from the formulation developed by Argyris et al. (1979). In the developed model, spatial frame elements were implemented to represent beams and columns, while polyedric shells would represent shear walls and slabs. Targeting an efficient computational system, the rigid diaphragm hypothesis for the slabs as well as substructuring procedures were demanded strategies. Such means allowed smaller problem sizes to be solved without putting in jeopardy the results’ precision. It is also presented an analysis confronting the two alternatives of systems for high-rise building structures, i.e., frames with and without shear walls.