Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/06/10). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2004. / Includes vita. In two parts. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 508-510).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-242).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 515-518). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S. in Engineering)--University of Texas at Austin, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (University of Texas Digital Repository, viewed on Aug. 10, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-120).

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 22, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 22, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2006. / Title from title screen (site viewed May 23, 2007). PDF text: v, 326 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 3.85Mb UMI publication number: AAT 3237557. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Investigations into the behaviour of precast buildings under earthquake loading have shown that the connections are likely to be the weakest link in a pre-cast structure, and the stability of the structure under earthquake loading depends upon the strength & stability of these connections. A 2-dimensional non-linear dynamic analysis of a one storey box-type pre-cast buildings is presented. The shear walls in the buildings are modelled by linear springs, the properties of which depend upon the connections connecting the rigid panels of the shear walls. To check the effectiveness of the NBCC code design, computer studies have been made on a box-type building statically designed for different eccentricities. The strength of the shear walls was calculated assuming that each panel was a cantilever fixed at the base with dowel bars providing the flexural steel. To make the building survive a major earthquake, we need dowel connections that can take 5mm to 6mm elongation which can be easily accommodated. Studies have also shown that under the action of an earthquake, the response of a highly unsymmetrical building will not be very different from that of a symmetric building as long as the building is properly designed using the NBCC code provisions for earthquake loading. It has also been shown that the NBCC code design eccentricity equation is somewhat conservative in calculating the design eccentricity and that a small change in the stiffness of walls perpendicular to the direction of earthquake has little effect on the response of the structures. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

This study presents the behavior of a precast skewed integral abutment bridge (IAB) using the recently developed NEXT-F Beam section in particular. In order to understand the bridge response, a 3-dimensional finite element model of a bridge (Brimfield Bridge) was developed to examine the thermal effect on the response of the bridge structural components. Eighteen months of field monitoring including abutments displacements, abutment rotations, deck strains, and beam strains was conducted utilizing 136 strain gauges, 6 crackmeters, and 2 tiltmeters. The behavior of the NEXT beams during construction was examined by conducting hand calculation considering all factors that could affect strain readings captured by strain gauges embedded in the 6 beams. Parametric analysis and model validation were conducted considering the effect of soil conditions, distribution of thermal loads, and the coefficient of thermal expansion used for the analyses. Using the validated model, the effect pile orientation was investigated. All the results and illustration plots are presented in detail in this study. As a result of this study, the behavior of the NEXT beams during construction was explained. Long term behavior of the bridge was also explained using field data and FE model. Furthermore, it was concluded that the coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete and temperature variation along the bridge depth and transverse direction can have a significant effect on the strain readings and calculated response, respectively. Lastly, it was found that orienting piles with their web perpendicular on the bridge centerline or with their web perpendicular to the abutment centerline will result in small ratio of moment demand to moment capacity.