Thesis (M.E.)--University of Canterbury, 2008. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.E.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the World Wide Web.

Major advances have been observed during the last two decades in the field of seismic engineering with further refinements of performance-based seismic design philosophies and the subsequent definition of corresponding compliance criteria. Following the globally recognized expectation and ideal aim to provide a modern society with high (seismic) performance structures able to sustain a design level earthquake with limited or negligible damage, alternative solutions have been developed for high-performance, seismic resisting systems. In the last two decades, an alternative approach in seismic design has been introduced for precast concrete buildings in seismic regions with the introduction of “dry” jointed ductile systems also called “hybrid” systems based on unbonded post-tensioned rocking connections. As a result structural systems with high seismic performance capabilities can be implemented, with the unique capability to undergo inelastic displacement similar to their traditional monolithic counterparts, while limiting the damage to the structural system and assuring full re-centring capabilities (negligible residual or permanent deformations). The continuous and rapid development of jointed ductile connections for seismic resisting systems has resulted in the validation of a wide range of alternative arrangements, encompassed under the general umbrella of “hybrid” systems. This research provides a comprehensive experimental and analytical investigations of 2- and 3-Dimensional, 2/3 scaled, exterior beam-column joints subjected both uni and bi-directional (four clove) quasic-static loading protocols into the behaviour, modelling, design and feasibility of new arrangements for “dry” jointed ductile systems for use in regions of high seismicity. In order to further emphasize the enhanced performance of these systems, a comparison with the experimental response and observed damage of 2-D and 3-D monolithic beam-column benchmark specimens is presented. However, after a lot of attention given to the behaviour of the skeleton structure, more recently the focus of research in Earthquake Engineering has concentrated on the behaviour of the floor system within the overall 3D behaviour of the building and the effects of beam elongation. The effects of beam elongation in precast frame systems have been demonstrated to be a potential source of un-expected damage, unless adequate detailing is provided in order to account for displacement incompatibilities between the lateral resisting systems and the floor. Two contributions to beam elongation are typically recognized: a) the material contribution due to the cumulative residual strain within the steel, and b) the geometrical contribution due to the presence of a neutral axis and actual depth of the beam. Regarding jointed ductile connections with re-centering characteristics, the extent of beam elongation is significantly reduced, being limited to solely the geometrical contribution. Furthermore, such effects could be minimized when a reduced depth of the beam is adopted due to the use of internal prestressing or external post-tensioning. However, damage to precast floor systems, resulting from a geometric elongation of the beam, has yet to be addressed in detail. In order to emphasize the enhanced performance in controlling and minimizing the damage of the structural elements via the use of the proposed advanced hybrid solutions, this research presents via experimental and analytical validation of two alternative and innovative solutions to reduce the damage to the floor using 2 and 3-Dimensional, 2/3 scaled, exterior beam-column joints. The first approach consists of using standard precast rocking/dissipative frame connections (herein referred to as “gapping”) in combination with an articulated or “jointed” floor. This system uses mechanical devices to connect the floor and the lateral beams which can accommodate the displacement incompatibilities in the connection. The second approach to reduce the floor damage investigates the implementation of a “non-gapping” connection, also called non-tearing-floor connection, using a top hinge at the beam-column interface, while still relying on more traditional floor-to-frame connections (i.e. topping and continuous starter bars). Additionally, further refinements and constructability issues for the non gapping connection are investigated under the experimental and analytical validation of a major 2-Dimensional, 2/3 scaled, two-story one-bay frame using non-tearing floor connections. Based on the non-tearing floor connections, a series of parametric analysis for beam-column joints and frames are carried out. Furthermore, the analysis and design of two prototype frames using different solutions is presented. The frames are subjected to cyclic adaptive pushover and inelastic time history analysis in order to investigate analytically the response characteristics of hybrid frames using non-tearing connections, as well as how the beam growth affects the frame response under earthquake loading. Computational models for hybrid PRESSS frames and a conventional reinforced concrete frames are developed and compared with the ones using non-tearing connections.

The growth of freight transportation within the United States and across borders is tremendous, and it is expected to double over the next decade. The congestion due to increasing pressure of the freight, mainly transported by truck, is affecting the safety and serviceability of the existing transportation system. The proposed Multimodal Freight Shuttle (MFS) system offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method to transport containerized, intercity or port-to-terminal freight, and it alleviates the problem of severe deterioration of the outgrown capacity of existing highways. The Multimodal Freight Shuttle (MFS) system requires a continuous elevated guideway to be constructed for the freight shuttle. This research investigates the viability of a continuous precast bridge system for the freight shuttle. A number of design alternatives for the various bridge components are provided, and the merits of the different types are assessed from design, construction, in-service performance and life-cycle cost points-of-view. Based on the comparative designs, it was found that a bridge system built of fully precast components is the most promising. This included a combination of precast prestressed concrete trough-girders, with a modular precast concrete sub-structure. Due to the significant length of the proposed structural system, the construction sequence is important so that the progress can be made to enable the work force to advance by one span per day. Thus, the steps for construction of the bridge have been schematically presented and sequentially explained.

This thesis is a survey of the precast reinforced concrete skeleton system used in low-cost housing (SPCSS), which has widely spread to different areas of the world, but less studied. The thesis includes three major parts: (1) the development of SPCSS; (2) the design, performance feature of SPCSS; and (3) cases studies. / The development of SPCSS traces its origin as the structure of prefabricated houses for the housing shortage after the world war in Europe to its spread to developing countries for low-cost housing. / Design and performance study focuses on its features related to low-cost housing its special considerations and key points in design as a small component system, its acclaimed system performance features. / Case studies surveys 15 typical cases. Each case includes general background of the system, system design, comments following the design consideration and example of its application.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-106). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 1997. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 450-455).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2004. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves R1-R7).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 556-561). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.