i-manager's Journal on Civil Engineering (JCE)


Volume 15 Issue 1 January - March 2025

Research Paper

Evaluation of the Seismic Collapse Capacity of Steel Moment-Resisting Frames Designed using Elastic Design (ED) and Performance-Based Plastic Design (PBPD) Methodologies

Kourosh Mehdizadeh* , Abbasali Sadeghi**, Amirreza Sadeghi***, Mohammad Hossein Razmkhah****
* Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran.
** Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran.
*** Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
**** Department of Civil Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
Mehdizadeh, K., Sadeghi, A., Sadeghi, A., and Razmkhah, M. H. (2025). Evaluation of the Seismic Collapse Capacity of Steel Moment-Resisting Frames Designed using Elastic Design (ED) and Performance-Based Plastic Design (PBPD) Methodologies. i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, 15(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.15.1.21742

Abstract

In the past, calculating and spreading seismic base shear forces along the height of buildings mainly used the elastic design (ED) method found in different structural codes. This approach often resulted in designs that were neither optimal nor cost-effective, potentially leading to severe damage to buildings during seismic events. To address these shortcomings, the Performance-Based Plastic Design (PBPD) method has emerged in recent years, emphasizing the plastic behavior of structures. This study focuses on assessing the seismic collapse capacity of Steel Moment Resisting Frames (SMRFs) designed using both the ED and PBPD methods. Two SMRFs, comprising five and ten stories with intermediate ductility, were analyzed using OpenSees software and subjected to seven pairs of far-fault earthquake records. Subsequently, incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) was conducted until structural failure occurred, allowing for the extraction of fragility curves to evaluate the seismic collapse capacities of the frames. The results show that the PBPD method improves how well we can manage the ways structures bend and change shape under stress. Furthermore, the probability of failure for frames designed with the PBPD method is deemed acceptable. Notably, the research reveals that the seismic collapse capacities of frames designed with PBPD are significantly superior to those designed with ED, with a 25% and 31% increase in collapse capacity for the five-story and ten-story frames, respectively, at a statistical level of 50%. This result underscores the reliability and precision of the PBPD method in comparison to the ED approach.

Research Paper

Predicting the Service Life of Self-Compacting Concrete under Corrosive Conditions

Asma Hasheminezhad* , Hossein Beheshti Nezhad**, Melika Mahmoodabadi***, Abbasali Sadeghi****
*-**** Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Birjand Branch, Birjand, Iran.
Hasheminezhad, A., Nezhad, H. B., Mahmoodabadi, M., and Sadeghi, A. (2025). Predicting the Service Life of Self-Compacting Concrete under Corrosive Conditions. i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, 15(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.15.1.21743

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is widely used in construction projects due to its unique properties, such as ease of placement and reduced labor costs. However, its durability and resistance to corrosive conditions, including chloride and sulfate attacks, present certain challenges. In this study, the Life-365 model is utilized to predict the service life of SCC under corrosive conditions. The Life-365 model can simulate ion transport and reinforcement corrosion to predict the initiation time of corrosion and its progression rate under varying environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, and chloride concentration). This research focuses on predicting the service life of conventional and self-compacting concrete, considering the effects of marble powder and microsilica additives in reducing permeability and enhancing durability in chloride-contaminated environments, using the Life-365 model.

Review Paper

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC/UHPFRC) for Civil Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Material Innovations, Structural Applications, and Future Engineering Perspectives

Girmay Mengesha Azanaw*
Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Azanaw, G. M. (2025). Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC/UHPFRC) for Civil Structures: A Comprehensive Review of Material Innovations, Structural Applications, and Future Engineering Perspectives. i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, 15(1), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.15.1.21792

Abstract

Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) and Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) have revolutionized the construction industry with their exceptional mechanical strength, durability, and sustainability. This comprehensive review explores the material composition, structural applications, mechanical behavior, durability performance, and sustainability potential of UHPC/UHPFRC in civil structures. The study provides a critical analysis of recent advancements in mix design, highlighting the role of nanomaterials, fiber reinforcement, and alternative binders in enhancing performance. The review discusses key structural applications, including bridges, high-rise buildings, seismic-resistant structures, and protective elements, where UHPC/UHPFRC offers significant advantages in load-bearing capacity, impact resistance, and long-term durability. The integration of digital fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, smart sensing, and AI-driven optimization, is also examined for its potential to improve structural efficiency and sustainability. Furthermore, the study evaluates the environmental impact and life-cycle benefits of UHPC/UHPFRC, emphasizing the reduction in material consumption, extended service life, and resilience against harsh environmental conditions. While UHPC/UHPFRC presents promising opportunities, challenges related to high initial costs, standardization, and large-scale adoption remain critical research areas. The findings of this review provide a comprehensive knowledge base for researchers, engineers, and policymakers, facilitating the development of next-generation construction technologies. Future research should focus on cost-effective material innovations, enhanced sustainability strategies, and broader industrial applications to unlock the full potential of UHPC/UHPFRC in modern civil engineering.

Case Study

Case Study on Sustainable Construction

Seshadri Sekhar Tirumala*
National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR), Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Tirumala, S. S. (2025). Case Study on Sustainable Construction. i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, 15(1), 31-38. https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.15.1.21862

Abstract

Man's rapid industrialization and growth of society have caused huge damage to the environment in the world. Every development leads to some degree of environmental degradation. With the materials and technologies in the construction industry evolving through the ages, energy consumed in the manufacturing processes, recycling and safe disposal, natural resources and raw materials consumed, problems of long-distance transportation, impact on the environment, and long-term sustainability require attention. As a result, these issues need to be considered regarding future needs, and using any new construction material should focus on how efficiently buildings use resources while minimizing their impact on people's health and the environment, which is known as sustainable building or green building growth. This paper compares traditional construction technology with new green infrastructure construction technology, which has a major effect on resource conservation such as soil, water, electricity, air, and material, lowering overall construction costs.

Case Study

A Case Study of Human Wildlife Conflict at Bakhira Lake

Abhishek Kumar Singh* , Prateek Shahi**
*-** Department of Civil Engineering, NIT, Patna, Bihar, India.
Singh, A. K., and Shahi, P. (2025). A Case Study of Human Wildlife Conflict at Bakhira Lake. i-manager’s Journal on Civil Engineering, 15(1), 39-42. https://doi.org/10.26634/jce.15.1.21722

Abstract

The Bakhira Lake is the largest natural floodplain wetland in India, in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. It supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna; however, human activity such as farming, fishing, hunting, tourism, and industrialization harmed the ecological balance, leading to loss of habitat & biodiversity. According to a report by Wetland International South Asia, over 70% of wetland boundaries are affected by agricultural expansion, and illegal hunting has led to a 20% decline in certain migratory bird populations over the decade. Water pollution, particularly from industrial discharge, has increased biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels by 30% in the last 5 years, significantly affecting aquatic biodiversity. Climate change further increases this challenge by changing precipitation patterns and high temperatures and influencing the migration and breeding behavior of various species. This paper examines how these factors affect the biodiversity of the lake, particularly looking at the bird and fish populations along with environmental aspects of habitat disturbance in migration and water quality indicators such as BOD, total dissolved solids (TDS), and hardness. Additionally, the study addresses conservation strategies aimed at reducing these conflicts between humans and wildlife. The Bakhira Lake is the largest natural floodplain wetland in India, in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, covering 2,894 hectares, and serves as an essential habitat for resident and migratory birds. This paper seeks to examine the human-wildlife conflict at Bakhira Lake, pinpoint its causes, and propose effective conservation strategies.