Terms of Civils
Terms of Civils
Terms of Civils
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An alternative approach for predicting the punching shear strength compressive strain at the shear crack. Even though Kinnunen
of concentrically loaded interior slab-column connections using fuzzy and Nylander’s model8 did not provide high accuracy in
learning from examples is presented. A total of 178 experimental punching shear strength predictions, it significantly contributed
datasets obtained from concentric punching shear tests of reinforced
to a better understanding of the failure mechanism of the
concrete slab-column connections from the literature are used in
training and testing of the fuzzy system. The fuzzy-based model is slab-column connections and enabled visualizing a rational
developed to address the interaction between various punching flow of forces in such connections. Alexander and
shear modeling parameters and the uncertainties between them, Simmonds2 proposed a strut-and-tie model with concrete ties
which might not be properly captured in classical modeling to describe the load transfer in the slab-column connections.
approaches. The model is trained using 82 datasets and verified Bažant and Cao9 developed a punching shear strength model
using 96 datasets that are not used in the training process. The considering size effect of concrete based on principles of
punching shear strength predicted by the fuzzy-based model is fracture mechanics. The size-effect model was able to
compared with those predicted by current punching shear strength explain the experimental observations of decreasing
models widely used in the design practice, such as ACI 318-05, punching failure shear stresses of slab-column connections
Eurocode 2, CEB-FIP MC 90, and CSA A23.3-04 codes. It is noted
without punching reinforcement with increasing slab thickness.
that the fuzzy-based model yields a significant enhancement in the
prediction of the punching shear strength of concentrically loaded Numerous models suggested modifications to these general
interior slab-column connections while still respecting the funda- directions outlined previously (flexure, combined stress-
mental failure mechanisms in punching shear of concrete. strength criteria, plasticity, strut and tie, and size effect). A
recent review of such models can be found elsewhere.10 In
Keywords: fuzzy systems; punching shear; slab-column connections. spite of the importance of these models in understanding the
failure mechanism of slab-column connections, there is
INTRODUCTION considerable difficulty in using these models in the daily
design practice. Moreover, the level of complexity encountered
Flat plates consist of slabs directly supported on the
in using these models for design might be difficult to justify
columns without beams. For this simple appearance, flat
given the fact that most of these models do not usually show
plate systems have various economic and functional advantages
high accuracy in the prediction of punching shear strength.11
over other floor systems such as fast construction, low story
height, and irregular column layout. From a viewpoint of To develop simple strength equations, most design codes
structural mechanics, however, flat plates are structures of use the so-called control perimeter approach12-15 depicted in
complex behavior. Moreover, flat plates usually fail in a Fig. 1. The applied punching shear stress is calculated at a
brittle manner by punching at the slab-column connections defined critical perimeter and compared with an allowed
within the discontinuity region known as the D-region.1,2 At value based on the calibration of existing test results. The
these connections, three-dimensional stresses are developed various design codes show significant difference in defining
due to the combined high shear and normal stresses creating the location of the critical section as well as the allowed
a stress state that is complex to analyze accurately.3 punching shear stress. It becomes apparent that the complexity
of the punching problem and the dependence of the punching
For the last three decades, a significant amount of research shear strength on a number of interacting variables necessitate
has been performed to investigate this complex problem of the use of empirical modeling approach to estimate the punching
concentric punching shear of reinforced concrete flat plates shear strength. While classical empirical techniques used by
by using various methods ranging from mechanical models many design codes show limited accuracy, a more robust
up to purely empirical models. In early models including empirical modeling technique that respects fundamental
Yitzhaki4 and Long and Rankin,5 punching shear strength failure mechanisms of the punching shear is needed.
was defined considering the flexural capacity of reinforced
concrete slabs. This was based on the experimental observation
that the punching shear strength was close to the flexural RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
capacities of the concrete slabs. Pralong6 and Nielsen7 The present study introduces a new approach for predicting
derived lower bound and upper bound values for punching shear the punching shear strength of concentrically loaded interior
strength based on the theory of plasticity. These formulations slab-column connections using fuzzy learning from examples.
did not consider the effect of flexural reinforcement on the The proposed approach incorporates the control perimeter
punching shear strength. Kinnunen and Nylander8 developed
the first mechanical model for punching shear strength using ACI Structural Journal, V. 104, No. 4, July-August 2007.
failure criteria based on the observation of shear cracks in the MS No. S-2006-214 received May 27, 2006, and reviewed under Institute publication
policies. Copyright © 2007, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved, including
experiments. In this model, the failure criteria were defined the making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors. Pertinent
discussion including author’s closure, if any, will be published in the May-June 2008
by the inclined radial compressive stress and the tangential ACI Structural Journal if the discussion is received by January 1, 2008.
FUZZY LEARNING OF PUNCHING concrete compressive strength, slab thickness and effective
SHEAR DATABANK depth, span length, column geometry, punching shear
Fuzzy systems have been widely used in the last decade perimeter, and compression and tension reinforcement
for modeling complex engineering systems (for example, ratios. Assuming the geometry of punching shear perimeter
modeling robots16 and in assessing concrete durability17) to be known a priori, the Bayesian analysis showed that for
and their feasibility as universal approximators has been circular and square columns (c1/c2 ratio equals to 1.0), the
proven.18 The capability of the fuzzy systems to model most significant parameters that affect the punching shear
complex systems is attributed to their inherent ability to strength are concrete compressive strength fc′, slab thickness
accommodate a tolerance for uncertainty in the modeling h, and tension reinforcement ratio ρ. The assumption of the
parameters.19,20 While probabilistic empirical models are punching shear perimeter to be known a priori is based on the
limited to random uncertainties, fuzzy systems have the ability fact that the punching shear databank does not include
to consider random and nonrandom types of uncertainties detailed information about the failure pattern and the
that arise due to vagueness and/or ambiguity in the modeling punching shear perimeter. This hinders the ability to learn
parameters/process.18-20 the failure patterns of slab-column connections as part of the
The fundamental concept in modeling complex phenomena new model. It is also noted that the results of Bayesian analysis
using fuzzy systems is to establish a fuzzy rule-base that is showed that the compression reinforcement does not have a
capable of describing the relationship between the input significant effect on the maximum punching shear strength.
parameters and the output parameters while considering This finding is in agreement with the literature8,23 showing
uncertainty bounds.19 This fuzzy rule-base captures individual that the primary effect of compression reinforcement is on
and group relationships that distinguish the internal complex post-punching behavior providing a membrane action.
relations between the system parameters.20 As such, system Hereafter, these three parameters have been used as input
nonlinearity is not recognized by using nonlinear equations parameters to the fuzzy-based model for predicting the
but through establishing a number of fuzzy rules (that could punching shear strength. By considering these three parameters,
use linear relations) such that the fuzzy system becomes the fuzzy-based model considers the major criteria on punching
capable of describing the phenomena to a pre-specified level shear examined by many researchers.24-28 These include shear
of accuracy.18-20 A group of successful techniques to establish strength and cracking capacity conventionally represented
a fuzzy rule-base using exemplar observations was recently by the cubical or square root of the compressive strength,6,24,27
developed.20,21 size effect related to slab thickness,9 and membrane effect28
Here, the use of the fuzzy set theory to model the punching represented by the flexural reinforcement ratio.
shear strength of a slab-column connection is demonstrated. While the ratio of the column dimensions of rectangular
Preliminary investigations using Bayesian analysis of columns and the perimeter-to-depth ratio (bo/d) have been
significance22 have been performed to identify the most reported to affect the punching shear strength of slab-column
primary input parameters that have a significant influence on connections,24,29 the experimental database for rectangular
the punching shear strength. Possible parameters included columns or for slabs with significantly large perimeter-to-
k k k
If f ′c∈ A f , h ∈ A h , and ρ∈ A p , (2)
˜ ˜ ˜
then vi = ai f c′ + bih + ciρ + di
Fig. 3—Pictorial representation of bell-shaped membership
function used to represent fuzzy sets defined over input k k k
domains. where A f , A h , and A p are the k-th fuzzy set (k = 1, 2, … Nj)
defined˜ on ˜the fuzzy˜ domains of compressive strength f ′c,
slab thickness h, and tension reinforcement ratio ρ, respectively.
depth ratio (bo/d > 15) is insufficient to develop the knowledge The value of Nj is the total number of fuzzy sets defined over
rule base that is necessary for the fuzzy-based model to the j-th input parameter. In the present study, ρ is defined
consider both effects on the punching shear strength. There- with respect to effective depth. Equation (2) represents the i-th
fore, first, the fuzzy-based model is trained by using the rule in the fuzzy rule-base. The values ai, bi, ci, and di are
experimental data with square and circular columns only and known as the consequent coefficients that define the output
with perimeter to depth ratio (bo/d) < 15. Based on this fact, side of the i-th rule in the fuzzy rule-base.
prediction of the fuzzy-based model will be modified to A bell-shape membership function is employed to represent
consider the effect of rectangularity of columns or high the fuzzy sets defined on the input domains. The use of other
perimeter-to-depth ratios in excess of that used in the training membership functions (for example, gaussian and triangular) is
(bo/d > 15) as shown in the Results and discussion section. possible, but constrained by having a differentiable membership
In the present study, the punching shear failure load of function.21 The bell-shape membership function to represent
slab-column connections without shear reinforcement Vc is the k-th fuzzy set of the j-th input parameter xj can be
defined as described as μ A(x).
˜
Vc = vcbod (1)
k 1
μ A ( x j ) = -----------------------------------k (3)
˜ k 2q
where Vc equals the punching failure load and bo equals the x j – x cj j
1 + --------------- -
critical perimeter at a distance d/2 from the column face; k
bo = (2c1 + 2c2 + 4d) for a square column and bo = π(D + d) wj
for a circular column. The values c1 and c2 equal the short
and long sizes of a rectangular column, D equals the diameter k , w k, and q k represents the center, the top width,
where x cj j j
of a circular column, and vc represents the average ultimate and the shape parameters of the membership function
punching shear strength, which is defined with respect to defining the k-th fuzzy set defined over the j-th input parameter.
defective depth. Equation (1), although simplified, has been A pictorial representation of the bell-shaped membership
adopted by almost all current design codes and respects the function is shown in Fig. 3. By considering the T-norm
fundamental mechanics governing the slab-column punching (product) operator (Π) to capture the influence of the interaction
∑ ( vpn – vdbn ) ∂E ( m )
2
k k
w j ( m ) = w j ( m – 1 ) + η ------------------ (8)
n---------------------------------------
=1 ∂w j ( m )
E = - (6)
N
k k ∂E ( m )
where vpn is the predicted punching shear strength for the n-th q j ( m ) = q j ( m – 1 ) + η ----------------- (9)
∂q j ( m )
dataset, vdbn is the punching shear of the n-th dataset from
the database, and N is the total number of training datasets.
As the target mean square prediction error will not be where x kj (m), w kj (m), and q kj (m) are the center, the top width,
achieved from the first learning trial (using the initial fuzzy and the shape of the membership function, respectively,
sets and consequence coefficients), the premise parameters defining the k-th fuzzy set defined over the j-th input param-
describing the fuzzy sets can be updated using the gradient eter in the m-th learning epoch (trial). The values x kj (m – 1),
descent method as w kj (m – 1), and q kj (m – 1) are the center, the top width, and
the shape of the membership function, respectively, defining
the k-th fuzzy set defined over the j-th input parameter in the
k k ∂E ( m ) (m – 1) learning epoch. The value η is the learning rate and
x cj ( m ) = x cj ( m – 1 ) + η ------------------- (7)
∂x cj ( m ) ∂E(m)/∂xj(m), ∂E(m)/∂wj(m), and ∂E(m)/∂qj(m) are components
therefore magnify the contribution of the rules associated product operator in artificial neural networks as an efficient
with high membership values in computing the shear Hebbian-type learning algorithm.20 Finally, the choice of the
strength (Eq. (4) and (5)). This fact promoted the use of the product implication was also controlled by the need to