Journals >> Abstract VOLUME 13 No. 1 (April 2000)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Education of Structural Engineers: (R. Fenwick)
Structural Engineering Education - An Employer's Point of View: (A. Buchanan)
TECHNICAL PAPERS
The Future of the Concrete Industry in the 21st Century: (Prof. P-C Aitcin)
A discussion of the present state of the industry, and consideration of sustainable development, and new promising technologies in the domain of concrete. Also considered are high performance, self-leveliing, roller compacted and reactive powder concretes.
A Summary of Test Results from the PRESSS 5-Storey Precast Concrete Building: (M.J.N. Priestley, S. Sritharan, J. Conley and S. Pampanin).
A 60% full size five storey building was tested under simulated seismic loading. The building, which comprised four different precast structural frame systems in one direction of response, and a jointed structural wall system in the other direction, was subjected to seismic input levels equivalent to at least 50% higher than the UBC Zone 4. Behaviour was extremely satisfactory, with only minimal damage in the wall direction, and no significant strength loss in the frame direction, despite being taken to drift levels up to 4.5%, more than 100% higher than the design drift level.
Ductile Concentrically Braced Frames Using Slotted Bolted Joints: (J. Butterworth)
This paper explores the use of a passive energy dissipating device, a slotted bolted joint, as a means of providing concentrically braced frames with similar levels of ductility to moment resisting frames whilst avoiding the associated plastic hinge damage. The benefits of this approach include the ability to consider CFB’s as potential candidates for stiff, lightweight seismic-resisting systems, with the promise of lower repair costs, after a damaging seismic event.
Issues Related to the Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Structural Systems; (J.I. Restrepo)
The paper builds on the ongoing discussion on reinforced concrete member stiffness and building period for seismic design presented in the Journal. In it the basic behaviour of reinforced concrete structural members is reviewed. Using the earthquake average return period as a measure of probable actions a building is expected to be subjected to, it is shown that the structural systems are expected to reach their elastic limit in relatively moderate/minor earthquakes. The paper also makes a critique of the current force-based procedure and, incorporating some concepts of performance-based design, it proposes some rational modifications that could be implemented, upon maturity, in future designs.
Concrete and Fire – What are the Issues? (M. Inwood)
The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the issues involved in the design of concrete members that are required to have a fire stability rating. This is a general overview of the requirements of a fire rating, implications of the loading standard, and design of concrete members, with a more detailes review of the properties of concrete at elevated temperatures, and post fire, and surface spalling. The article is intended to stimulate discussion and provide readers with general information and further references on this topic.
ARTICLES FOR DISCUSSION
Theory, Reality and the Laws of Nature: (T. Paulay)
Comment on C.R.O'Grady's article "Theory and Reality", in Vol.12 No.2.
Is there a Logical Explanation? (E.J. Forrest)
Questioning the design philosophy behind some bridge railings and motorway crash barriers.
Understanding Structural Behaviour: (G. Bird)
A further set of challenges to engineers about the behaviour of simple structures. Answers to the challenges in the last issue are also given.
MATERIALS CORNER
Problems Relevant to the Poor Ductility Properties of European Reinforcing Steel; (H. Bachmann)
In recent years the technological development of ductile reinforcing steel in Europe has been disastrous. It has been characterised by efforts to obtain ever higher yield strength. Also, under the governing pressure of costs caused by the import of cheap steel from Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1990, more and more procedures leading to poor ductility properties were and are still being used. This has lead to structures with an insufficient plastic deformation capacity, and hence an insufficient margin against structural failure. Structural walls were tested, resulting in recommendations for future structures.
STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND REPORT
Standards for Structural Engineers: (I. Brewer)
A new edition of NZS4229 Concrete Masonry Structures not Requiring Specific Design has been published, and an amendment to NZS4299 Earth Buildings Not Requiring Specific Design has been issued.
A review of current progress on revisions to the Loadings, Masonry Construction: Materials and Workmanship, and Steel Structures Standards. Work on a new standard, NZS 3915 Conditions of Contract with No Engineer is in its final stages.
JOINT SESOC / IPENZ / STRUCT.E COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER
Notice is given of the following publications available from the Institution of Structural Engineers, London.
They may be purchased at website http:www/ISTRUCTE.org.uk/ under the publications section.The Structural Use of Glass in Buildings
The Achievement of Structural Adequacy in Buildings
Soil-Structure Interaction
International Journal of Computer Integrated Design and Construction
NOTES FROM THE REGIONS
News of Meetings and Visits from the Auckland (S. Tucker), Wellington (C. Ashby), and Christchurch (J. Henry).
CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED