Dr. Maureira-Carsalade, Nelson

This article presents the validation of a load-level isolation system designed for seismic protection and vibration control of industrial storage racks. This system exhibits the necessary versatility to protect the structure against different seismic intensities. The objective is to verify the effectiveness of the studied load-level isolation system in reducing the structural response and improving the seismic performance of the industrial racking, validating it with experimental tests. This was carried out on a shaking table with a total of 12 two-level rack tested at full scale, with 6 in conventional use conditions and 6 with the load-level isolation system. The 2010 earthquake in El Maule, Chile, was used as a forcing, scaled in the frequency domain to adjust its response spectrum with the design spectrum of NCh2369Of.2023. In the tests, the amount and distribution of the mass were varied, repeating the test for the design earthquake scaled to 10 %, 20 %, … 100 %. The results indicated that the implementation of the isolation system achieved a reduction of between 40 % and 81 % in floor deformations, and between 49 % and 63 % in the base shear, being able to resist up to at least 120 of the design earthquakes considered. The isolation system proved effective in protecting the structural integrity of the storage rack from low, medium, and high-intensity earthquakes.

In this research an experimental study to assess the cyclic behavior of bolted moment connection in racks structures is performed. The effect of bolt pretension in the response is evaluated. Sixteen full-scale steel rack joint configurations were subjected to cyclic load according to the protocol established in AISC Seismic provisions. The cyclic performance was evaluated in terms of hysteretic response, failure mechanism, energy dissipation, stiffness, and rotation on the components. Two different configurations were studied. The results showed that the steel rack connections using a 70 % of bolt pretension can accommodate a 0.8 My at 0.04 rad of drift angle, while the joints without bolt pretension reached values below 0.7 My at 4 % of rotation. The failure mechanism was controlled by weld fracture at 4 % of the rotation. A high dispersion in the energy dissipation pattern was obtained and a drop in energy dissipation of up to 4 times in all specimens tested for a 4 % rotation was developed. This phenomenon is due to the welding rupture between the beam and the L-connector. A degradation of the secant stiffness reached up to 60 % for 2 % rotation. Finally, the most important effect of bolt pretension on the cyclic response of steel rack connections was achieved in the increase of flexural resistance and rotation developed.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) members offer significant advantages over hot-rolled sections, primarily due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and versatility in forming various cross-sectional shapes. These attributes make CFS an efficient choice for design and construction. This paper reviews current design methods for CFS, focusing on the impact of initial imperfections. It also examines various techniques for measuring residual stress in CFS sections, including analytical, experimental, and numerical approaches. The study concludes that while analytical methods are effective, they become complex when accounting for material anisotropy. Laboratory techniques provide reliable measurements but are limited in detecting through-thickness residual stresses. Numerical approaches offer comprehensive insights but require further validation across different material and geometric configurations. The paper highlights the need for advanced analytical models, improved laboratory methods, and expanded numerical techniques to address existing knowledge gaps in residual stress assessment for CFS structures.

This study evaluates bentonite clay (BNC) as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material for enhancing the structural performance of rigid pavement systems, with a dual focus on durability and eco-efficiency. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the effects of varying BNC content on concrete properties were systematically analyzed. Results indicate that increasing BNC reduces workability, with slump values declining from 10.21 to 62.55 % due to its high-water absorption and decreases density (2355 kg/m³ for control vs. 2293 kg/m³ for 20 % BNC) owing to its lower specific gravity. While early-age strength diminishes at higher BNC levels, an optimal replacement of 12–16 % enhances long-term compressive strength via pozzolanic reactions, achieving 37.55 MPa at 91 days for the 16 % BNC mix. Flexural strength improvements are attributed to BNC’s crack and shrinkage mitigation. However, excessive BNC content (>16 %), compromises durability, evidenced by reduced ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and increased porosity. BNC enhances sulfate resistance and thermal stability, demonstrating suitability for hot climates. Cement substitution with BNC reduces the carbon footprint by 31.91 %, aligning with sustainability goals. RSM-derived empirical models exhibit strong predictive accuracy (F-values: 67.07 for compressive strength, 36.92 for flexural strength; non-significant lack-of-fit, p > 0.04). The optimized mix (16 % BNC, 82-day curing) balances strength, durability, and environmental benefits. This work advances sustainable pavement design, addressing performance trade-offs and promoting low-carbon construction practices.

Introducción: el contacto con la naturaleza es fundamental para la salud física y mental de las personas, especialmente en estudiantes universitarios. Sin embargo, este vínculo se ha ido perdiendo en las últimas décadas debido al crecimiento de las ciudades. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el nivel de contacto directo con el medio natural en estudiantes universitarios chilenos según la zona geográfica donde habitan. Métodos: se realizó una investigación cuantitativa con un diseño descriptivo analítico. Participaron 272 estudiantes de 6 universidades chilenas ubicadas en diferentes zonas geográficas (norte, centro y sur). Se aplicó la escala de contacto con la naturaleza de manera online. Se utilizó la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis para determinar diferencias significativas entre las distribuciones de respuesta según zona geográfica. Resultados: los estudiantes de la zona central reportaron mayor contacto con la naturaleza en su vida cotidiana (45,40 % en niveles 4-5). En excursiones, los del sur lideraron (45,16 % en niveles 4-5). En actividad física, los del sur también presentaron los mayores porcentajes (58,06 % en niveles 4-5). Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre zonas en todas las dimensiones (p<0,05). Conclusiones: en general, los estudiantes presentan un bajo contacto con entornos naturales, siendo los de la zona norte quienes reportan los niveles más bajos. Esto evidencia la necesidad de incluir más áreas verdes en las instituciones educativas, especialmente en el norte y grandes ciudades, para fomentar el vínculo con la naturaleza y sus beneficios en la salud y desarrollo de los estudiantes.

This paper introduces a system allows for seismic isolation of the pallet from the rack in the down-aisle direction, occupies minimal vertical space (5 cm) and ±7.5 cm of deformation range. A conceptual model of the isolation system is presented, leading to a constitutive equation governing its behavior. A first experimental campaign studying the response of the isolation system's components was conducted to calibrate the parameters of its constitutive equation. A second experimental campaign evaluated the response of the isolation system with mass placed on it, subjected to cyclic loading. The results of this second campaign were compared with the numerical predictions using the pre-calibrated constitutive equation, allowing a double-blind validation of the constitutive equation of the isolation system. Finally, a numerical evaluation of the isolation system subjected to a synthetic earthquake of one component. This evaluation allowed verifying attributes of the proposed isolation system, such as its self-centering capacity and its effectiveness in reducing the absolute acceleration of the isolated mass and the shear load transmitted to the supporting beams of the rack.

Se presentan resultados de ensayos de conexiones de momento viga-columna de racks de almacenamiento. Se realizaron ensayos cuasi-estáticos usando un actuador electromecánico controlado por desplazamiento a conexiones con dos diferentes torques de apriete de pernos. El montaje experimental contempla una columna 1.48 m de largo, rotulada en sus dos extremos, y una viga de largo 1.72 m. El actuador cuenta con una celda de carga de 900 kg de capacidad en su extremo de conexión con la viga y registra ladeformación aplicada mediante un sensor de desplazamiento de recorrido de 300 mm. La viga fue instrumentada con sensores de giro, disponiendo uno justo antes del apoyo, y dos en el perfil L que la conecta con la columna. El forzante corresponde a secuencias de desplazamiento cíclico tipo serrucho con amplitudes crecientes, adaptada del AISC341 (2022) sección K. Los resultados mostraronque, al incrementar el torque de 54.2 Nm a 108.5 Nm, la rigidez elástica se incrementó en un 45%. Un mayor torque de apriete generó reducción en el pinching y aumento en la energía disipada de la conexión, en comparación al caso con menor torque. En general, las conexiones fueron capaces de resistir rotaciones de hasta 0.07 rad.