University of Lige Faculty of Applied Science

Department of Architecture, Geology, Environment and Constructions

Boyan MIHAYLOV, Assistant Professor (boyan.mihaylov@ulg.ac.be)

MSc THESIS TOPICS 2014

Pushover Analyses of Bridges with Shear-Critical Wall Piers
This project is aimed at investigating the behaviour of bridges with shear critical wall
piers under extreme events such as strong earthquakes or vehicle impact. More
specifically, the project will consist of analyses of bridges under increasing lateral loads
up to the collapse of the structure (pushover analysis). The analysis will be based on a
novel three-parameter kinematic theory (3PKT) capable of predicting the complete
pre- and post- peak behaviour of wall piers including the loss of axial load-bearing
capacity, see figure.
In the first phase of the project the non-linear 3PKT for piers will be integrated with a
linear elastic beam model for the superstructure of the bridge by developing a MatLab
code. In the second phase of the project the MatLab code will be used to perform nonlinear pushover analyses of a set of bridges with variable detailing of the piers. These
analyses will be used to draw conclusions on the ability of bridges with wall piers to
absorb shocks from extreme events. In particular, the effects of the failure mode of
the piers - shear failure or flexural failure - on the global response of the structure will
be investigated.

Lateral
loads

3PKT

P, kN

a+ t,avg l t

Gravity loads
-60
v

, mm

Exp.
x

wall pier

Bridge with wall piers

CLZ
z

-1000

3PKT approach for

wall piers

Load-displacement response
of wall pier

University of Lige Faculty of Applied Science

Department of Architecture, Geology, Environment and Constructions
Boyan MIHAYLOV, Assistant Professor (boyan.mihaylov@ulg.ac.be)

Robustness of Buildings with Steel Frames and Deep Reinforced

Concrete Transfer Girders
Co-supervisor Dr. J.-F. Demonceau
In high-rise buildings the bottom floors are usually constructed with reinforced
concrete structure (RC) and can accommodate theatres, conference halls, and other
facilities which require a large space uninterrupted by columns or walls, see figure. The
upper floors, on the other hand, accommodate offices or flats and can be designed
with a lighter steel frame structure. The gravity loads carried by the steel frames above
the large halls are transferred to external vertical elements in the bottom floors by
means of deep reinforced concrete girders. The depth of the girders can reach up to 23 floors depending on the number of floors they support. If these girders are
overloaded by an unexpected event, such as for example a rare earthquake, this may
result in the collapse of the entire structure.

steel
frame

RC
transfer
girder

footing

High-rise steel frame structure with deep RC transfer girders

This project is focused on investigating the capacity of steel frame structures with
deep RC transfer girders to resist progressive collapse under extreme loads. The
investigation will include the analysis of structures with different number of floors and
different detailing of the reinforcement in the transfer girders. Advanced non-linear
analysis techniques will be used to model the collapse mechanisms of the entire
structure. These techniques account for large shear deformations in the reinforced
concrete girders and the catenary action of the steel beams. The main question that
will be answered is whether the structure possesses the capacity to sustain additional
vertical loads after the transfer girders begin to fail under extreme loading.

University of Lige Faculty of Applied Science

Department of Architecture, Geology, Environment and Constructions
Boyan MIHAYLOV, Assistant Professor (boyan.mihaylov@ulg.ac.be)

Modelling of Girders Supporting Shear Walls

Transfer girders which support shear walls in high-rise
buildings are loaded by large vertical forces combined
with significant moments. The moments are caused by
the lateral loads on the shear walls due to wind and
earthquakes. This project will consist of non-linear finite
element (FE) modelling of reinforced concrete girders
subjected to vertical forces and moments. The FE model
will be validated with data from experimental
investigations. The effect of the size of the shear wall
compared to the span of the girder as well as that of the
magnitude of the moment on the girder will be
investigated through a systematic parametric study.
Based on this study recommendations will be given on
how to account for these parameters when designing
transfer girders with strut-and-tie models or macrokinematic approaches.

Shear
wall

Non-linear FEM program VecTor2

Punching Shear of Deep Pile Caps

Transfer
girder

Pile cap

High-rise building

Pile caps in the foundations of high-rise buildings and

bridges carry very large forces and are susceptible to
punching shear failures. For this reason such members
are often designed with small span-to-depth ratios and
develop three-dimensional strut-and-tie action. 3D
strut-and-tie models however are not completely
developed and are difficult to use. This thesis will consist
of the development of an alternative approach: a macrokinematic model. Such model has been developed for 2D
deep beams and will be extended to 3D pile caps. The
study will also include non-linear FE simulations of the
failure of the pile caps. The results from the models will
be compared to experimental data.
3

University of Lige Faculty of Applied Science

Department of Architecture, Geology, Environment and Constructions
Boyan MIHAYLOV, Assistant Professor (boyan.mihaylov@ulg.ac.be)

Kinematic Modelling of the Displacement Capacity of Shear Walls

A three-parameter kinematic theory (3PKT) has been recently developed to predict the
deformation capacity of shear critical walls subjected to horizontal and vertical loads
at the top of the wall. In multi-story buildings however the loads are applied at each
floor level along the height of the wall. This thesis will consist of extending the 3PKT
method to such important practical cases by proposing a set of simplifying
assumptions for the multi-story walls. Particular attention will be given to the
evaluation of the deformation capacity of the walls which becomes very important in
the performance-based assessment of existing RC structures in seismic areas. The
kinematic model will be validated with results from non-linear FE models and
experimental data.

Ultimate Shear Behavior of Post-Tensioned Deep Transfer Girders

The behaviour of deep transfer girders under service loads can be improved by
applying post-tensioning with curved tendons. Due to their small span-to-depth ratios,
such members feature steep tendons and non-linear distribution of the strains across
the section (plane sections do not remain plane). For these reasons the design of such
members requires the use of more advanced approaches than those used for slender
post-tensioned girders. This thesis will consist of non-linear FE modelling of posttensioned deep transfer girders to study their entire behaviour and compare it to that
of similar non-prestressed members. In particular, the effect of post-tensioning on the
ultimate shear strength and displacement capacity of the girders will be investigated.
Comparisons will be made with test results and simple analytical models.

Some additional topics:

-

Design of the connection between deep transfer girders and supporting shear
walls
Design of corbels supported on perpendicular walls
Design of the connection between primary and secondary transfer girders
Checks of complex nodes in strut-and-tie models
Diaphragm effects in parking garages with inclined floors (ramps)