Seismic Performance Evaluation of RC Columns Retrofitted by 3D Textile Reinforced Mortars

The paper investigates the seismic performance of rectangular RC columns retrofitted by a newly developed 3D Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) panel. The 3D-TRM used in this study consists of two components: self-leveling mortar and 3D textiles. Firstly, the flexural capacity of the 3D-TRM panel was investigated through the four-point flexural test. Secondly, a total of five specimens were constructed and experimentally investigated through static cyclic loading tests with constant axial load. One specimen was a non-seismically designed column without any retrofit, while the others were strengthened with either the 3D-TRM panel or conventional Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sheets. Experimental results in terms of hysteretic behavior, ductility ratio, and energy dissipation are investigated and compared with the cases of specimens with conventional retrofitting methods and without any retrofit. The maximum lateral force, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation of RC columns with 3D-TRM panels were significantly improved compared with the conventional RC column. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed retrofitting method can improve the seismic performance of non-conforming RC columns.

Experimental investigations into the mechanical performance of glulam dowel-type connections with either bolts or screws as fasteners

Dowel-type connections are the most common connections in glulam structures. Bolts are often used as fasteners for dowel-type connections. However, the clearance between the bolts and the pre-drilled bolt holes leads to low rotational stiffness and insufficient moment-resisting capacity. To achieve better mechanical performance, screws can be used as alternative fasteners for dowel-type connections. In this paper, monotonic and cyclic loading tests were conducted on glulam dowel-type connections with either bolts or screws as fasteners. The failure modes, moment-resisting capacity, ductility ratio, stiffness degradation, and equivalent viscous damping ratio of the specimens were analyzed and reported. Results showed that compared with traditional bolted connections, the screwed connections had larger moment-resisting capacity and better ductility. The hysteretic loops of the screwed connections were plumper, and the pinching effect was gentler compared to those of traditional bolted connections.

Evolution of hysteresis characteristic of shape memory alloys at incomplete phase transformation cyclic loading

The phase transformation ratchetting of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) at incomplete phase transformation cyclic loading is experimentally and theoretically investigated. To this end, two different kinds of incomplete phase transformation cyclic loading tests on NiTi wires are performed, i.e. incomplete transformation cyclic loads are respectively applied at the stages of forward martensite transformation and reverse martensite transformation. When the cyclic load of incomplete transformation is applied in the positive martensitic transformation stage, a novel phenomenon is discovered: although there is no greater stress to drive the anstenite turn to martensite, the SMAs can still gradually undergo martensite transformation and accumulation until martensite reaches saturation. The hysteretic behavior finally reaches a shakedown state where the strain-stress curve no longer changes with the number of cycles. When the cyclic load of incomplete transformation is applied in the reverse martensitic transformation stage, a similar phenomenon is obtatined. According to the analysis of the temperature evolution during the deformation process of the SMAs, combined with the relationship between the phase transformation yield stress and the temperature of SMAs, the experimental results are reasonably explained. This research is of great significance for a more comprehensive grasp of the mechanical behavior of SMAs.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of a Displacement-Amplified Torsional Damper

In this work, a displacement-amplified torsional damper (DATD) is proposed for improving the seismic capacity of the beam-column joints of a frame structure. The proposed DATD uses common steel, lead, and high-damping rubber. This damper exhibits good energy dissipation under small earthquakes. Under strong earthquakes and large displacements, the strengthening of the high-damping rubber can improve the overall stiffness of the damper and increase the energy dissipation. In order to investigate the performance of the proposed DATD, theoretical analyses, simulations, and cyclic loading tests were performed, and their results were compared, showing an overall good agreement.