A numerical investigation into the behaviour of flexible uplifting structures with slip-friction connectors under earthquake loading
While there has been significant research into the behavior of uplifting (or rocking) rigid structures under seismic loading, far less attention has been paid to the behavior of flex- ible structures allowed to uplift. Recently, however, Acikgoz and DeJong (1) have shown that these types of structures have unique dynamic characteristics that arise from the interaction of rocking motion with elastic vibration. An understanding of the behavior of uplifting flexible structures is required in order to fully benefit from the damage avoidance potential of allow- ing uplift. This is because building structures are invariably flexible with a finite fundamental frequency, and it is the desire of the structural designer that the structures themselves remain elastic, even while displaying non-linear behavior in a global sense. This paper is concerned with the behavior of flexible uplifting structures adapted with slip-friction devices. These de- vices act as hold-down connectors resisting overturning moment. They have a definite force threshold at which sliding will occur, and exhibit close to perfect elasto-plastic behavior. The ability of shear walls to avoid damage through the use of slip-friction connectors has been previously demonstrated by Loo et al. (2). The modeling of the slip-friction connectors, using a combination of elements commonly available in finite element software packages, and their verification is discussed. Both single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) flexible structures were modeled with a single plastic deformable hinge at their ba- ses, and their behavior under various earthquake simulations investigated. These flexible structures (both SDOF and MDOF) were then affixed at their bases to a rigid platform, with slip-friction connectors implemented at the ends of the platform, and then subjected to the same earthquake simulations. It was found that the maximum drifts of structures with slip- friction connectors compared favorably with their equivalent structures with a single plastic deformable hinge. With a small amount of vertical load, residual drifts were also found to be small. The performance of MDOF structures with slip-friction connectors was somewhat su- perior to that of the SDOF structures, with maximum drifts and residual drifts smaller than that of comparable SDOF structures.
The interaction of elasticity and rocking in flexible structures allowed to uplift
Numerous structures uplift under the influence of strong ground motion. Although many researchers have investigated the effects of base uplift on very stiff (ideally rigid) structures, the rocking response of flexible structures has received less attention. Related practical analysis methods treat these structures with simplified ‘equivalent’ oscillators without directly addressing the interaction between elasticity and rocking. This paper addresses the fundamental dynamics of flexible rocking structures. The nonlinear equations of motion, derived using a Lagrangian formulation for large rotations, are presented for an idealized structural model. Particular attention is devoted to the transition between successive phases; a physically consistent classical impact framework is utilized alongside an energy approach. The fundamental dynamic properties of the flexible rocking system are compared with those of similar linear elastic oscillators and rigid rocking structures, revealing the distinct characteristics of flexible rocking structures. In particular, parametric analysis is performed to quantify the effect of elasticity on uplift, overturning instability, and harmonic response, from which an uplifted resonance emerges. The contribution of stability and strength to the collapse of flexible rocking structures is discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accurate measurements of output characteristics and detonations of motorbike high-speed racing engine and their optimization at actual atmospheric conditions and combusted mixture composition
Abstract At a motorbike high speed racing engine there is very important an output engine characteristics which depends significantly on a detonation combustion rate, atmospheric conditions and a combusted mixture composition. The combustion process has got a relevant influence on a wear degree of main engine parts or on their damage eventually. The detonation combustion rate is very important because this kind of burning can be not only destructive but a useful phenomenon, as well. If the process of detonation burning is kept on a certain level, it can help significantly to the next increasing of an engine power output. In this article there is described the measurements of output characteristics of a high-speed racing engine which were performed by means of a data-recording system and the detonation combustion was evaluated using a quantitative method. The actual values of atmospheric conditions and the mixture composition were added to the measured values. Then the obtained values are compared visually with a damage degree of an engine piston caused by the detonation burning. The result is a limit value expressed in a number of detonation units related to a run distance interval of the vehicle driven by the high-speed racing engine. In framework of this run distance interval there is the process of detonation burning profitable. As well as it increases an engine power output and together it is not destructive with regard to engine design parts.