Computational Methods in Engineering

In this research, nonlinear dynamic analysis of concrete shear wall using a new nonlinear model based on damage mechanics approach and considering bond slip effects is presented. Nonlinear behavior of concrete is modeled by a rotational smeared crack model using damage mechanics approach. The proposed model considers major characteristics of the concrete subjected to two and three dimensional loading conditions. These characteristics are pre-softening behavior, softening initiation criteria and fracture energy conservation. The model was used in current research analysis after verification by some available numerical tests. Reinforcements are modeled by a bilinear relationship using two models: Discrete truss steel element and Smeared model. In Discrete model the effects of bond-slide between concrete and rebar is mentioned using the bond-link element model concept. Based on the presented algorithms and methodology, an FEM code is developed in FORTRAN. The validity of the proposed models and numerical algorithms has been checked using the available experimental results. Finally, numerical simulation of CAMUS I and CAMUS III reinforced concrete shear walls is carried out. Comparisons of deduced results confirm the validity of proposed models. The obtained results, both in the expected displacements and crack profiles for the walls, show a good accuracy with respect to the experimental results. Also, using discrete truss element model with respect to the smeared steel model leads to increasing the accuracy of maximum displacement response to 7% in analysis.

Since there is no closed-form formula for designing TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) for nonlinear structures, some researchers have proposed numerical optimization procedures such as a genetic algorithm to obtain the optimal values of TMD parameters for nonlinear structures. These methods are based on determining the optimal values of TMD parameters to minimize the maximum response (e.g. inter story drift) of the controlled structure subjected to a specific earthquake record. Therefore, the performance of TMD that has been designed using a specific record strongly depends on the characteristics of the earthquake record. By changing the characteristics of the input earthquake record, the efficiency of TMD is changed and in some cases, it is possible that the response of the controlled structure is increased. To overcome the shortcomings of the previous researches, in this paper, an efficient method for designing optimal TMD on nonlinear structures is proposed, in which the effect of different ground motion records is considered in the design procedure. In the proposed method, the optimal value of the TMD parameters are determined so that the average maximum response (e.g. inter story drift) resulting from different records in the controlled structure is minimized. To illustrate the procedure of the propose method, the method is used to design optimal TMD for a sample structure. The results of numerical simulations show that the average maximum response of controlled structure resulting from different records is reduced significantly. Hence, it can be concluded that the proposed method for designing optimal TMD under different earthquakes is effective.