Three-dimensional dynamic analysis of ancient buildings with novel high damping isolation trenches

To improve the efficiency of conventional isolation trench and lighten the impact of the excavation on neighbor buildings, a novel high damping isolation trench is proposed. The viscoelastic braces equipped in the high damping isolation trench can dissipate the energy of ground-borne vibration while providing supporting force to ensure the stability of the soil on both sides. According to two actual ancient buildings, two types of high damping isolation trenchs with the plane shape of U and L are designed to solve the potential damages caused by long-term train-induced vibration. First, three-dimensional finite/infinite models based on these two buildings are established, respectively. Then, the energy dissipation characteristics are obtained by experiments. Through calculation, the control effects of the high damping isolation trenchs for these two buildings are investigated. The results indicate that the viscoelastic braces possess high energy dissipation capacity. After setting the high damping isolation trenchs around the structures, even at a small excavation depth, the acceleration and velocity responses of the two buildings are reduced significantly. Furthermore, the selected U-shaped and L-shaped trenches also show superiority compared with the conventional linear-shaped trench in this project.

Most suitable types of seismic isolation for use in old mosques in Syria

The article discusses the most suitable base isolation bearings from the author's point of view for use in the buildings of old mosques in Syria, which are designed to protect such buildings from the effects of earthquakes that can occur at any time. Especially since many of such buildings have an architectural and cultural value, and are included in the world heritage list of UNESCO. Elastomeric bearings with high energy dissipation capacity (HDRB), elastomeric bearings with lead cores (LDRB), single friction pendulum, double friction pendulum and triple friction pendulum sliding (FPS) bearings are considered. What they consist of, their characteristics. Three, mosques in Syria that are of a great value from the point of view of architecture and cultural heritage are listed and described, and conclusions are drawn.

Design of Flat Vaults with Topological Interlocking Solids

This paper investigates the principles that regulate complex stereotomic constructions as a starting point for the design of a new two-dimensional floor structure based on the principles of TIM (Topological Interlocking Materials). These interlocking systems use an assembly of identical Platonic solids which, due to the mutual bearing between adjacent units and the presence of a global peripheral constraint, lock together to form pure geometric shapes. This type of structure offers several advantages such as a high energy dissipation capacity and tolerance towards localised failure, which has made it a popular research topic over the last 30 years. The current research project includes a case study of an assembly of interlocking cubes to create a “flat vault”. The resulting vault design features a striking appearance and its geometry may be manipulated to achieve different two-dimensional solutions, provided certain geometric conditions necessary for the stability of the system are followed.

Evaluation of Structural Behavior of Hysteretic Steel Dampers under Cyclic Loading

This study proposes a relatively simple steel damper with high energy dissipation capacity. Three types of steel dampers were evaluated for structural performance. The first damper with U-shape had two vertical members and a semicircular connecting member for energy dissipation. The second damper with an angled U-shape replaced the connecting member with a horizontal steel member. The last damper with D-shape had a horizontal member added to the U-shaped damper. All the dampers were designed with steel plates on both sides that transmitted external shear force to the energy-dissipating members. To evaluate the structural performance of the dampers, an in-plane cyclic shear force was applied to the specimens. The D-shaped damper showed ductile behavior with excellent energy dissipation capacity after yielding without decreasing in strength during cyclic load. In other words, the D-shaped specimen showed excellent performance, with about 3.5 times the strength of the U-shaped specimen and about 3.8 times the energy dissipation capacity due to the additional horizontal member. Furthermore, the efficient energy dissipation of the proposed D-shaped steel damper was confirmed from the finite element (FE) analytical and experimental results.

Theoretical and experimental behaviour of a hybrid semi-rigid glulam beam-to-column connection with top and seat angles

This article proposes to use the bolted top and seat angles to provide excellent moment resistance and high energy dissipation capacity for glulam beam-to-column connection. Angles are anchored on the glulam beam using the glued-in steel plate technology and connected to the column by anchorage bolts. A theoretical model is presented in this article to evaluate the moment-resistant properties of the connection based on the component method. To validate the accuracy of the theoretical model, several hybrid connections are tested under monotonic and reversed cyclic load. The test results showed that the proposed hybrid connection has a high rotational stiffness and excellent moment resistance. The theoretical results are also consistent with those of the experimental model.