Ok, here is some information i think you want to know about the Energy absorber for Earthquakes or the so called fluid viscous dampers. Shaking table tests on a steel frame equipped with hybrid visco-plastic braces Societies urgently demand from engineers to design structures that can avoid damage under strong earthquakes and windstorms. In addition, buildings should provide a suitable living comfort for occupants by reducing deflections and floor accelerations under frequent seismic and wind excitations. Based on full-scale shaking table tests (UPatras shaking table test facility) and advanced numerical simulations, this project develops a hybrid visco-plastic brace that can be installed in civil infrastructure (buildings, offshore structures, bridges etc) with the goal of achieving superior performance under wind and earthquakes. The proposed brace can be fabricated at a relatively low cost compared to other braces, is fully repairable and replaceable, can be used in both wind and earthquake prone areas, and is intended for massive production and use. Demountable shear connector for precast steel-concrete composite bridges Surveys in the UK reveal signs of deterioration even for bridges with less than 25 years of service. In the USA, 12.1% of the bridges are characterized as structurally deficient and 14.8% as functionally obsolete; indicating an imminent need for repair or replacement. Based on full-scale experiments and numerical simulations, this project develops a novel demountable shear connector that can drastically reduce the time and cost required for replacing a deteriorated concrete slab compared to conventional shear connectors that are welded on the flange of the steel beam and are fully embedded within the concrete. The new shear connector provides the opportunity to realize fully sustainable steel-concrete composite designs by having deconstruction and material re-use as major objectives. Development and standardization of seismic-resistant post-tensioned self-centering steel frames Post-tensioned self-centering steel frames avoid inelastic deformations in beams and eliminate residual drifts as the result of gap openings developed in beam-column interfaces; recentering capability due to post-tensioned bars that clamp beams to the columns; and energy dissipaters which are activated when gaps open and can be easily replaced if damaged. Based on full-scale experiments and advanced numerical simulations, we develop practical self-centering connections incorporating very-easy-to-replace energy dissipaters and post-tensioned bar systems that avoid undesirable failures under large cyclic drifts. We work on the standardization of self-centering steel frames within the framework of Eurocode 8. Recent work focuses on the development of state-of-the-art probabilistic seismic assessment and loss estimation procedures for self-centering steel frames. Rate-dependent passive dampers for seismic design of steel frames Rate-dependent passive dampers (high damping elastomer, viscoelastic, viscous fluid) can significantly enhance the seismic performance of buildings by reducing drifts and inelastic deformations, in addition to reducing the velocity and acceleration demands on non-structural components. We have a strong expertise in passive energy dissipation and we conduct research on practical performance-based seismic design procedures for steel frames with dampers within the framework of Eurocode 8; on methodologies for optimal placement of dampers in regular and irregular buildings; and on accurate damper hysteretic models. Demountable minimal-damage steel column bases Steel column bases (steel column, base plate and anchoring assembly) are fundamental components of a steel frame; yet their design is not given the appropriate attention. Conventional steel column bases are difficult to fabricate, cannot be easily repaired if damaged, and exhibit difficult-to-predict and simulate stiffness, strength and hysteresis. Based on integrated experimental and analytical research, this project develops new steel column bases for low-mid-and high-rise steel buildings that are easy to construct, easy to deconstruct and repair, and have fully predictable stiffness, strength and energy dissipation capacity. Emphasis is given on the development of design rules in the framework of EC3 and EC8.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 12:52:52 +0000
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