• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.1 s.41
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• pp.17-24
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• 2005

Response of reinforced concrete (RC) column-bent piers subjected to bidirectional seismic loadings was experimentally investigated. RC column-bent piers represent one of the most popular shapes of piers used in Korea highway bridges. Four column-bent piers were constructed in 400 mm diameter and 2,000 mm height. Each pier has two circular supporting columns. These piers were tested under bidirectional lateral load reversals with an axial load of $0.1f_{ck}A_g$. The test parameters included : different transverse reinforcement contents and lap-spliced longitudinal reinforcing steels. Test results indicate that the lap splice of longitudinal reinforcing steels have significantly influenced on hysteretic response of column-bent piers similar to previous test results for single columns with corresponding test parameters. Column capacity was changed with the level of transverse confinement. From the comparison of test result for single column under unidirectional loading, the damage of single column was concentrated on lower plastic hinge region but the damage of column-bent piers was scattered to upper and lower plastic hinge region.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2002

The accurate evaluation of settlement is important to every steps in the constructions involving soft soils. Relating with those constructions, especially, it has been emphasized recently that the influnce of secondary settlement is important. The ratio of $C_a/C_c$ and the surcharging tests can be applied collaboratively to predicting and reducing secondary consolidation. A series of incremental loading consolidation test and surcharging tests for undisturbed samples of Kunsan clay were performed in this study. As a result of the tests, the ratio of $C_a/C_c$ for the clay was found to be 0.0329. Also, the relationship between void ratio and $t/t_p$ was shown to be linear. Accordingly, the secondary compression index, $C_a for a long term loading had a constant value regardless of time. When the total surcharge ratio was 0.4 and the dissipation ratio of excessive porewater pressure was in the range from 80% to 100%, secondary settlement was effectively reduced for Kunsan clay.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.1 s.85
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

A RC column-bent pier represents one of the most popular piers used in highway bridges. Seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) column-bent piers under bidirectional seismic loadings was experimentally investigated. Six column bent-piers were constructed with two circular supporting columns which were made in 400 mm diameter and 2,000 mm height. One single column specimen was additionally made to comparatively evaluate the seismic response of RC column-bent piers. Test parameters are different transverse reinforcement and loading pattern. These piers were tested under lateral load reversals with the axial load of $0.1 f_{ck}A_g$. Three specimens were subjected to bidirectional lateral load cycles which consisted of two main longitudinal loads and two sub transverse loads in one load cycle. Other three specimens were loaded in the opposite way. Test results indicated that lateral strength and ductility of the latter three specimens were generally bigger than those of the former three specimens. Plastic hinges were formed with the spall of cover concrete and the fracture of the longitudinal reinforcing steels in the bottom plastic hinge of two supporting columns for the former three specimens. Similar behavior was observed in the top and bottom parts of two supporting columns for the latter three specimens.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.10 no.3 s.49
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• pp.47-55
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• 2006

Seismic performance and retrofit of reinforced concrete (RC) two-column piers widely used at roadway bridges in Korea was experimentally evaluated. Ten two-column piers that were 400 mm in diameter and 2,000 mm in height were constructed. These piers were subjected to hi-directional cyclic loadings under a constant axial load of $0.1f_{ck}A_g$. Test parameters were the confinement steel ratio, loading pattern, lap splice of longitudinal reinforcing bars, and retrofitting method. Specimens with lap-spliced longitudinal bars were retrofitted with steel jacket, pre-stressing steel wire, and steel band. Test result showed that while the specimens subjected to bi-directional lateral cyclic loadings which consisted of two main amplitudes in the transverse axis and two sub amplitudes in longitudinal axis, referred to as a T-series cyclic loadings, exhibited plastic hinges both at the top and bottom parts of the column, the specimens subjected to bi-directional lateral cyclic loadings in an opposite way, referred to as a L-series cyclic loadings, exhibited a plastic hinge only at the bottom of the column. The displacement ductility of the specimen under the T-series loadings was bigger than that of the specimen under the L-series loadings. Specimen retrofitted with pre-stressing steel wires exhibited poor ductility due to the upward shift of the plastic hinge region because of over-reinforcement, but specimens retrofitted with steel jacket and steel band showed the required displacement ductility. Steel band can be an effective retrofitting scheme to improve the seimsic performance of RC bridge piers, considering its practical construction.