• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.111-127
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• 2013

This paper describes effects of infill walls on behavior of RC frame with low strength, including numerical modeling, modal testing and finite-element model updating. For this purpose full scaled, one bay and one story RC frame is produced and tested for plane and brick in-filled conditions. Ambient-vibration testis applied to identify dynamic characteristics under natural excitations. Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods are used to obtain experimental dynamic characteristics. A numerical modal analysis is performed on the developed two-dimensional finite element model of the frames using SAP2000 software to provide numerical frequencies and mode shapes. Dynamic characteristics obtained by numerical and experimental are compared with each other and finite element model of the frames are updated by changing some uncertain modeling parameters such as material properties and boundary conditions to reduce the differences between the results. At the end of the study, maximum differences in the natural frequencies are reduced on average from 34% to 9% and a good agreement is found between numerical and experimental dynamic characteristics after finite-element model updating. In addition, it is seen material properties are more effective parameters in the finite element model updating of plane frame. However, for brick in-filled frame changes in boundary conditions determine the model updating process.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.215-238
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• 2009

This paper introduces an improved modal pushover analysis (IMPA) which can effectively evaluate the seismic response of multi-span continuous bridge structures on the basis of modal pushover analysis (MPA). Differently from previous modal pushover analyses which cause the numerical unstability because of the occurrence of reversed relation between the pushover load and displacement, the proposed method eliminates this numerical instability and, in advance the coupling effects induced from the direct application of modal decomposition by introducing an identical stiffness ratio for each dynamic mode at the post-yielding stage together with an approximate elastic deformation. In addition to these two introductions, the use of an effective seismic load, calculated from the modal spatial force and applied as the distributed load, makes it possible to predict the dynamic responses of all bridge structures through a simpler analysis procedure than those in conventional modal pushover analyses. Finally, in order to establish validity and applicability of the proposed method, correlation studies between a rigorous nonlinear time history analysis and the proposed method were conducted for multi-span continuous bridges.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.405-420
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• 2019

In this study, vibration characteristics of offshore wind turbine tower (WTT) with gravity-based foundation (GBF) are identified from dynamic responses under wave-induced excitations. The following approaches are implemented to achieve the objective. Firstly, the operational modal analysis methods such as frequency domain decomposition (FDD) and stochastic subspace identification (SSI) are selected to estimate modal parameters from output-only dynamic responses. Secondly, a GBF WTT model composed of superstructure, substructure and foundation is simulated as a case study by using a structural analysis program, MIDAS FEA. Thirdly, wave pressures acting on the WTT structure are established by nonlinear regular waves which are simulated from a computational fluid software, Flow 3D. Wave-induced acceleration responses of the target structure are analyzed by applying the simulated wave pressures to the GBF WTT model. Finally, modal parameters such as natural frequencies and mode shapes are estimated from the output-only acceleration responses and compared with the results from free vibration analysis. The effect of wave height and period on modal parameter extraction is also investigated for the mode identification of the GBF WTT.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.3 s.93
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• pp.347-354
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• 2006

In this paper we have attempted to bring the wavelet transform theory to the dynamic response conversion algorithm. This algorithm is proposed for the problem of estimating the displacement data by defining the transformed responses. In this algerian, the displacement response can be obtained from the measured acceleration records by integration without requiring the knowledge of the initial velocity and displacement information. The advantage of the wavelet transform over either a pure spectral or temporal decomposition of the signal is that the pertinent signals features can be characterized in the time-frequency plane. In the response conversion procedure using the wavelet decomposition signals, not only the static component can be extracted, but also the dynamic displacement component can be separated by the structural mode from the identified displacement response. The applicability of the technique is tested by an example problem using the real bridge's superstructure under several cases of moving load. If the reliability of the identified responses is ensured, it is expected that the proposed method for estimating the impact factor can be useful in the bridge's dynamic test. This method can be useful in those practical cases when the direct measurement of the displacement is difficult as in the dynamic studies of huge structure.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2007

Reaction kinetics of polyurethane elastomers (PU) were studied using dynamic DSC and TGA for three PU samples of general purpose (Sample A), high temperature cross-likable CASE purpose with MOCA (Sample B), and RT cross-likable CASE purpose grade (Sample C). From DSC results, sample with MOCA(Sample B) showed lower shift of peak temperature, while showing broader thermograms than those of general purpose grade (Sample A). On the other hand, RT cross-linkable PU grade (Sample C) showed an interesting double mode reaction patterns, i.e., a lower temperature reaction at about $70\;^{\circ}C$, and a higher temperature reaction in the range of $140{\sim}170\;^{\circ}C$, indicating that it requires 2-step reaction process in order to complete the reaction. Once the cross-linking reaction completed, however, TGA results showed that all the samples would be considered to have similar chemical structures, showing similar decomposition processes. Sample C, especially, had showed decomposition properties of both Sample A and Sample B. Formation activation energies calculated from Kissinger method showed 10.39, 65.85, 36.52(Low $T_p$) and 18.21(High $T_p$) kcal/mol, while decomposition activation energies were 31.94, 30.84, 24.16 kcal/mol, respectively.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.321-331
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• 2010

A new technique is proposed for bridge structural damage detection based on spatial wavelet analysis of the time history obtained from vehicle body moving over the bridge, which is different from traditional detection techniques based on the bridge response. A simply-supported Bernoulli-Euler beam subjected to a moving spring-mass unit is established, with the crack in the beam simulated by modeling the cracked section as a rotational spring connecting two undamaged beam segments, and the equations of motion for the system is derived. By using the transfer matrix method, the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the cracked beam are determined. The responses of the beam and the moving spring-mass unit are obtained by modal decomposition theory. The continuous wavelet transform is calculated on the displacement time histories of the sprung-mass. The case study result shows that the damage location can be accurately determined and the method is effective.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.277-294
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• 2012

The aim of the study is to determine the modal parameters of a prototype damaged arch dam by operational modal analysis (OMA) method for some damage scenarios. For this purpose, a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation model is constructed under laboratory conditions. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam model are performed to identify the modal parameters such as natural frequency, mode shape and damping ratio. The tests are conducted for four test-case scenarios: an undamaged dam with empty reservoir, two different damaged dams with empty reservoirs, and a damaged dam with full reservoir. Loading simulating random impact effects is applied on the dam to crack. Cracks and fractures occurred at the middle of the upper part of the dams and distributed through the abutments. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed on the dams' crests to collect signals for measurements. Operational modal analysis software processes the signals collected from the ambient vibration tests, and enhanced frequency domain decomposition and stochastic subspace identification techniques are used to estimate modal parameters of the dams. The modal parameters are obtained to establish a basis for comparison of the results of two techniques for each damage case. Results show that approximately 35-40% difference exists between the natural frequencies obtained from Case 1 and Case 4. The natural frequencies of the dam considerably decrease with increasing cracks. However, observation shows that the filled reservoir slightly affected modal parameters of the dam after severe cracking. The mode shapes obtained are symmetrical and anti-symmetrical. Apparently, mode shapes in Case 1 represent the probable responses of arch dams more accurately. Also, damping ratio show an increase when cracking increases.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2013

Modal testing, widely accepted and applied method for determining the dynamic characteristics of structures for operational conditions, uses known or unknown vibrations in structures. The method's common applications includes estimation of dynamic characteristics and also damage detection and monitoring of structural performance. In this study, the structural identification of concrete arch dams is determined using ambient vibration tests which is one of the modal testing methods. For the purpose, several ambient vibration tests are conducted to an arch dam. Sensitive accelerometers were placed on the different points of the crest and a gallery of the dam, and signals are collected for the process. Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique is used for the extraction of natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios. A total of eight natural frequencies are attained by experimentally for each test setup, which ranges between 0-12 Hz. The results obtained from each ambient vibration tests are presented and compared with each other in detail. There is a good agreement between the results for all measurements. However, the theoretical fundamental frequency of Berke Arch Dam is a little different from the experimental.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.968-980
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• 2023

The dynamic structural responses are sensitive to the time-frequency content of seismic waves, and seismic input motions in time-history analysis are usually required to be compatible with design response spectra according to nuclear codes. In order to generate spectra-compatible input motions while maintaining the intrinsic non-stationarity of seismic waves, an improved time-domain approach is proposed in this paper. To maintain the nonstationary characteristics of the given seismic waves, a new time-frequency envelope function is constructed using the Hilbert amplitude spectrum. Based on the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) obtained from given seismic waves through variational mode decomposition, a new corrective time history is constructed to locally modify the given seismic waves. The proposed corrective time history and time-frequency envelope function are unique for each earthquake records as they are extracted from the given seismic waves. In addition, a dimension reduction iterative technique is presented herein to simultaneously superimpose corrective time histories of all the damping ratios at a specific frequency in the time domain according to optimal weights, which are found by the genetic algorithm (GA). Examples are presented to show the capability of the proposed approach in generating spectra-compatible time histories, especially in maintaining the nonstationary characteristics of seismic records. And numerical results reveal that the modified time histories generated by the proposed method can obtain similar dynamic behaviors of AP1000 nuclear power plant with the natural seismic records. Thus, the proposed method can be efficiently used in the design practices.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.667-680
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• 2020

This study aims at reporting a systematic procedure for evaluating the static and dynamic structural performance of steel bridges based on a short-period structural health monitoring measurement. Sungsu bridge located in Korea is considered as a case study presenting the most recent tests carried out to examine the bridge condition. Short-period measurements of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system were used during the bridge testing phase. A novel symmetry index is introduced using statistical analyses of deflection and strain measurements. Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD) is implemented to the strain measurements to estimate the bridge mode shapes and damping ratios. Furthermore, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is also implemented to examine the reliability of bridge performance while ambient design trucks are in static or moving at different speeds. Strain, displacement and acceleration were measured at selected locations on the bridge. The results show that the symmetry index can be an efficient and useful measure in assessing the steel bridge performance. The results from the used method reveal that the performance of the Sungsu bridge is safe under operational conditions.