Inelastic response spectra of self-centering structures with the flag-shaped hysteretic response subjected to near-fault pulse-type ground motions

Many studies on the inelastic response spectra have mainly focused on structures with the conventional hysteretic behavior. However, for self-centering structures with the flag-shaped (FS) hysteretic behavior, the corresponding study is limited. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the inelastic response spectra of self-centering structures with FS hysteretic behavior subjected to the near-fault pulse-type ground motion. To this end, the smooth FS hysteretic model based on Bouc–Wen model is developed, and the characteristics of pulse-type ground motions are described in detail. It is found that the general features of inelastic response spectra of the FS model are sensitive to the acceleration-, velocity-, and displacement-sensitive spectral regions of the ground motion. The inelastic displacement, velocity, acceleration, and ductility factor spectra of the FS hysteretic model for pulse-type ground motions are much larger than those for ordinary ground motions, while the residual displacement spectra under the two types of ground motions are both very small due to its self-centering capacity. Moreover, the inelastic response spectra are affected by the ground motion characteristics and structural hysteresis behavior, especially the large pulse period and peak ground velocity (PGV) significantly increase the inelastic displacement, velocity, and acceleration spectra.

Dynamic, In-situ, Nonlinear-Inelastic Response and Post-Cyclic Strength of a Plastic Silt Deposit

This study presents the use of controlled blasting as a source of seismic energy to obtain the coupled, dynamic, linear-elastic to nonlinear-inelastic response of a plastic silt deposit. Characterization of blast-induced ground motions indicate that the shear strain and corresponding residual excess pore pressures (EPPs) are associated with low frequency near- and far-field shear waves that are within the range of earthquake frequencies, whereas the effect of high frequency P-waves are negligible. Three blasting programs were used to develop the initial and pre-strained relationships between shear strain, EPP, and nonlinear shear modulus degradation. The initial threshold shear strain to initiate soil nonlinearity and to trigger generation of residual EPP ranging from 0.002 to 0.003% and 0.008 to 0.012%, respectively, where the latter corresponded to ~30% of Gmax. Following pre-straining and dissipation of EPPs within the silt deposit, the shear strain necessary to trigger residual excess pore pressure increased two-fold. Greater excess pore pressures were observed in-situ compared to that of intact direct simple shear (DSS) test specimens at a given shear strain amplitude. The reduction of in-situ undrained shear strength within the blast-induced EPP field measured using vane shear tests compared favorably with that of DSS test specimens.