Abstract: A high-power seismic wave early warning method is provided to use an earliest-arriving seismic wave to estimate a maximum power value of a later-arriving high-power seismic wave for a target site. When the estimated maximum power value of the later-arriving high-power seismic wave is greater than a warning value, an earthquake early warning is transmitted to an earthquake early warning device that is located at the target site.

Abstract: A method for identifying prestress force in single-span or multi-span PCI girder-bridges is provided. The method includes non-destructive steps for obtaining a set of parameters of the PCI girder-bridge under investigation, and combines various analyses to identify the change of prestress force. Therefore, the losses of prestress force are tracked and predicted. The method does not cause structural damages along the PCI girder-bridge, and the cost of the identification is significantly decreased.

Abstract: An energy dissipation device includes a primary core module, a housing module, first and second outer plates, an energy dissipation unit, first and second preload tension members and a resilient compression unit. When the primary core module and the housing module are subjected to an external force, the first and second preload tension members stretched by the external force, and the resilient compression unit is compressed, such that relative movement between the primary core module and the housing module is generated. The energy dissipation unit generates a retarding force during the relative movement between the primary core module and the housing module, so as to dissipate the kinetic energy generated as a result of the external force.

Abstract: An energy dissipation device includes a primary core module, a housing module, first and second outer plates, an energy dissipation unit, first and second preload tension members and a resilient compression unit when the primary core module and the housing module are subjected to an external force, the first and second preload tension members stretched by the external force, and the resilient compression unit is compressed, such that relative movement between the primary core module and the housing module is generated. The energy dissipation unit generates a retarding force during the relative movement between the primary core module and the housing module, so as to dissipate the kinetic energy generated as a result of the external force.

Abstract: A forming tube for forming and reinforcing a concrete column includes a tubular lining and a fiber-reinforced composite shell. The tubular lining is made from a first material, and has inner and outer tubular surfaces. The inner tubular surface has a plurality of ridge units displaced from one another in a direction of an axis. Each ridge unit has a plurality of ridges displaced from one another in a circumferential direction. The fiber-reinforced composite shell is made from a second material different from the first material, and is configured to enclose the outer tubular surface. The fiber-reinforced composite shell is formed by winding a prepreg filament on the outer tubular surface, followed by curing the prepreg filament.

Abstract: A lever viscoelastic damping wall assembly includes a first wall, a second wall and a viscoelastic damper. The first and second walls are connected respectively to a first structural member and a second structural member. The viscoelastic damper includes a swing rod connected pivotally to the first and second walls, a first viscoelastic unit connected between the first wall and an end portion of the swing rod, and a second viscoelastic unit connected between the second wall and an opposite end portion of the swing rod. The swing rod is driven to pivot relative to the first and second walls, and to thereby generate shear deformations of the first and second viscoelastic units to damp a relative movement between the first and second structural members.

Abstract: A lever viscoelastic damping wall assembly includes a first wall, a second wall and a viscoelastic damper. The first and second walls are connected respectively to a first structural member and a second structural member. The viscoelastic damper includes a swing rod connected pivotally to the first and second walls, a first viscoelastic unit connected between the first wall and an end portion of the swing rod, and a second viscoelastic unit connected between the second wall and an opposite end portion of the swing rod. The swing rod is driven to pivot relative to the first and second walls, and to thereby generate shear deformations of the first and second viscoelastic units to damp a relative movement between the first and second structural members.

Abstract: A forming tube for forming and reinforcing a concrete column includes a tubular lining and a fiber-reinforced composite shell. The tubular lining is made from a first material, and has inner and outer tubular surfaces. The inner tubular surface has a plurality of ridge units displaced from one another in a direction of an axis. Each ridge unit has a plurality of ridges displaced from one another in a circumferential direction. The fiber-reinforced composite shell is made from a second material different from the first material, and is configured to enclose the outer tubular surface. The fiber-reinforced composite shell is formed by winding a prepreg filament on the outer tubular surface, followed by curing the prepreg filament.

Abstract: A dual-core self-centering buckling-restrained brace includes a core unit, a restraining unit clamping the core unit therein, a middle sleeve disposed around the an energy dissipating section of the core unit and the restraining unit and having an end welded to one end of the core unit, an outer sleeve disposed around the middle sleeve and having an end welded to the other end of the core unit, two inner plates disposed respectively at two ends of the restraining unit, two outer plates disposed respectively at two ends of each of the middle sleeve and said outer sleeve, at least one first tensing member connecting the first inner plate to the second outer plate, and at least one second tensioning element connecting the first outer plate to the second inner plate.

Abstract: A dual-core self-centering brace apparatus is mounted to a building, and includes a first core member, at least one second core member, an outer sleeve disposed around the first and second core members, two inner abutment plates abutting respectively against two ends of the first core member, two outer abutment plates abutting respectively against two ends of the second core member, a plurality of tensioning members, and an energy-dissipating unit for retarding relative movement of the first core member and the outer sleeve. When subjected to an external force, the length of each of the tensioning elements is increased by an elongation amount, and the total length of the first core member and the outer sleeve is increased by an amount that is two times the elongation amount.

Abstract: A dual-core self-centering brace apparatus is mounted to a building, and includes a first core member, at least one second core member, an outer sleeve disposed around the first and second core members, two inner abutment plates abutting respectively against two ends of the first core member, two outer abutment plates abutting respectively against two ends of the second core member, a plurality of tensioning members, and an energy-dissipating unit for retarding relative movement of the first core member and the outer sleeve. When subjected to an external force, the length of each of the tensioning elements is increased by an elongation amount, and the total length of the first core member and the outer sleeve is increased by an amount that is two times the elongation amount.

Abstract: A series of etchant compositions for silver alloy is disclosed. The etchant composition for silver alloy comprises 1 to 60 weight part(s) of hydrogen peroxide; 1 to 60 weight part(s) of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, or organic acid; and 5 to 90 weight part(s) of water Similar etchant composition for silver alloy is. also disclosed, which comprises. 1 to 60 weight part(s) of ammonium compound; 1 to 60 weight part(s) of hydrogen peroxide; and 0 to 96 weight part(s) of water. The etchant composition for silver alloy of the present invention can: etch silver alloy containing more than 80% of silver with a controlled etching rate selectively and effectively. Moreover, the method for using the foresaid etchant composition for silver alloy to form a patterned silver alloy is also disclosed therewith.