A comprehensive computational model to simulate the nonlinear seismic response of composite frames with rectangular concrete-filled steel tube (RCFT) beam-columns and steel girders and braces is presented in this work. A three-dimensional fiber-based distributed plasticity mixed finite element formulation is introduced. The finite element formulation of RCFT beam-columns was derived with separa...

The mechanical behavior of saturated soil is mainly governed by the interaction between the soil skeleton and the pore fluid, and this interaction may lead to significant loss of strength known as liquefaction under seismic loading conditions. The main objective of this paper is to implement a cyclic constitutive model based on fuzzy set plasticity theory, which is capable of modeling soil dila...

Due to the limited resolution at depth of geodetic and other geophysical data, the geometry and the loading rate of the ramp-décollement faults below the metropolitan Los Angeles are poorly understood. Here we complement these data by assuming conservation of motion across the Big Bend of the San Andreas Fault. Using a Bayesian approach, we constrain the geometry of the ramp-décollement system ...

Synopsis Much effort is being deployed in maintaining electricity generation from the UK’s fleet of nuclear power stations with safety being a prime consideration. Up-to-date safety standards demand resistance to hazards which normally include seismic and blast loading, yet many stations were built before such considerations became mandatory. To extend the generating life of older nuclear power...

Many existing reinforced concrete structures were constructed with substandard characteristics. Low quality concrete, poor transverse reinforcement details and insufficient flexural strength are among the most common deficiencies. While substandard structures are in need of retrofitting, particularly in seismic areas, problems such as high costs and disturbance to occupants are major obstacles ...

Modular systems have been mostly researched in relatively low-rise structures but, lately, their applications to mid- to high-rise structures began to be reviewed, and research interest in new modularization subjects has increased. The application of modular systems to mid- to high-rise structures requires the structural stability of the frame and connections that consist of units, and the eval...

Silos generally work as storage structures between supply and demand for various goods, and their structural safety has long been of interest to the civil engineering profession. This is especially true for dynamically loaded silos, e.g., in case of seismic excitation. Particularly thin-walled cylindrical silos are highly vulnerable to seismic induced pressures, which can cause critical bucklin...