• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 1994

An equivalent homogeneous 3-D linear composite analysis and accomponying finite element program is presented for elastomeric bearings. This study is limited to the 3-D layered system with linear, elastic, isoparametric small deformation. And we used method of multiscale to model the 3-dimensional configurations and overall response of the layered elastomeric bearings with global and local coordinates. The primary dependent variables for the theory have been selected that require only $C_o$ continuity of the finite element analysis. As a result, it is very simple and computationally economical. The presented theory can also be applied easily to the analysis of nonlinear behavior of layered systems. And those of past are not applicable to nonlinear analysis, because it uses superposition theory. Numerical examples are presented to verify the theory and to illustrate potential applications of the analysis.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2015

Horizontally curved bridges are subjected to torsional loads by their vertical dead loads only as well as eccentric loads, which cause negative reactions at supports. In this paper, effects of bridge curvature on vertical reactions at supports are investigated for 48.8 m length simple span steel box girder bridges with elastomeric bearings by varying curvature angle from 0.49 to 1.35 rad. In order to expect magnitude and direction of reactions including possibility of negative reactions, reaction evaluation equations have been analytically developed by separating a superstructure of curved bridge into independent components. Concrete slabs and bottom flanges in steel box section are assumed geometrical annular sectors in area dimension, and top flanges and webs that have very narrow projected areas are assumed geometrical arcs in line dimension. Proposed equations have relatively simple forms and prediction values are on very good agreement with those from finite element analyses by difference of 1% order.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.267-277
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• 2017

Base-isolation is now being adopted as a retrofitting strategy to improve seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete (r.c.) framed structures subjected to far-fault earthquakes. However, the increase in deformability of a base-isolated framed building may lead to amplification in the structural response under the long-duration horizontal pulses of high-magnitude near-fault earthquakes, which can become critical once the strength level of a fire-weakened r.c. superstructure is reduced. The aim of the present work is to investigate the nonlinear seismic response of fire-damaged r.c. framed structures retrofitted by base-isolation. For this purpose, a five-storey r.c. framed building primarily designed (as fixed-base) in compliance with a former Italian seismic code for a medium-risk zone, is to be retrofitted by the insertion of elastomeric bearings to meet the requirements of the current Italian code in a high-risk seismic zone. The nonlinear seismic response of the original (fixed-base) and retrofitted (base-isolated) test structures in a no fire situation are compared with those in the event of fire in the superstructure, where parametric temperature-time curves are defined at the first level, the first two and the upper levels. A lumped plasticity model describes the inelastic behaviour of the fire-damaged r.c. frame members, while a nonlinear force-displacement law is adopted for the elastomeric bearings. The average root-mean-square deviation of the observed spectrum from the target design spectrum together with a suitable intensity measure are chosen to select and scale near- and far-fault earthquakes on the basis of the design hypotheses adopted.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 1988

An "equivalent homogeneous, orthotropic" model that includes edge effects and an accompanying finite element analysis is presented for elastomeric bearings. The model is developed for two-dimensional configurations with horizontal layers, and for linear, elastic, small deformation conditions. The equivalent homogeneous theory, in addition to capturing the overall response characteristics of the layered elastomeric bearing system, approximately models the important edge effects, which occur at and near boundaries that cut the layers, and the stress concentrations at layer interfaces. The primary dependent variables for the theory have been selected such that the highest derivatives appearing in the strain energy function are first-order, thus requiring only $C_0$ continuity of the finite element approximations. As a result, the finite element analysis is simple and computationally efficient. Numerical examples are presented to verify the theory and to illustrate potential applications of the analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2022

Steel laminated elastomeric bearings are commonly used in bridge structures to control displacements and rotations and transfer forces from the superstructure to the substructure. Proper knowledge of design, fabrication and erection procedures is important to ensure stability and adequate structural performance during the lifetime of the bridge. Difference in elevations sometimes leads to large size gaps between the bearing and the girder which makes the grout thickness that is commonly used for leveling deviate beyond standards. This paper investigates the structural response of High Strength Fiber Reinforced Cementitious (HSFRC) thin plinths that are used to close gaps between bearing pads and precast girders. An experimental program was developed for this purpose where HSFRC plinths of different size were cast and tested under vertical loads that simulate bridge loading in service. The structural performance of the plinths was closely monitored during testing, mainly crack propagation, vertical reaction and displacement. Analytically, the HSFRC plinth was analyzed using the beam on elastic foundation theory as the supporting elastomeric bearing pads are highly compressible. Closed form solutions were derived for induced displacement and forces and comparisons were made between analytical and experimental results. Finally, recommendations were made to facilitate the practical use of HSFRC plinths in bridge construction based on its enhanced load carrying capacity in shear and flexure.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.103-110
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• 2021

Elastomeric bearings composed of flexible rubber materials and steel reinforcement plates are widely used for seismic retrofit of bridges due to their excellent vertical stiffness and flexible lateral stiffness. Especially, it has the advantages of simple construction and low cost. Chloroprene rubber, a type of rubber material, has greater resistance to aging than natural rubber, but its performance is also degraded due to various deterioration factors. Although these aging characteristics are not reflected in the seismic design standards and seismic performance evaluation guidelines, it is reasonable to reflect this when related studies are accumulated. For chloroprene rubber, accelerated heat aging test was performed with variables of heating temperatures and exposure time to analyze shear characteristics. As aging progresses the maximum shear stress and shear strain decrease. Also, the shear stiffness is greatly increased at the same shear strain.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.569-580
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• 2014

Seismic isolation is a viable strategy for protecting safety-related nuclear structures from the effects of moderate to severe earthquake shaking. Although seismic isolation has been deployed in nuclear structures in France and South Africa, it has not seen widespread use because of limited new build nuclear construction in the past 30 years and a lack of guidelines, codes and standards for the analysis, design and construction of isolation systems specific to nuclear structures. The funding by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission of a research project to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and MCEER/University at Buffalo facilitated the writing of a soon-to-be-published NUREG on seismic isolation. Funding of MCEER by the National Science Foundation led to research products that provide the technical basis for a new section in ASCE Standard 4 on the seismic isolation of safety-related nuclear facilities. The performance expectations identified in the NUREG and ASCE 4 for seismic isolation systems, and superstructures and substructures are described in the paper. Robust numerical models capable of capturing isolator behaviors under extreme loadings, which have been verified and validated following ASME protocols, and implemented in the open source code OpenSees, are introduced.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.133-143
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• 2015

It is very important to assure the seismic performance of equipment as well as building structures in seismic design of nuclear power plant(NPP). Seismically isolated structures may be reviewed mainly on the horizontal seismic responses. Considering the equipment installed in the NPP, the vertical earthquake responses of the structure also should be reviewed. This study has investigated the vertical seismic demand of seismically isolated structure by lead rubber bearings(LRBs). For the numerical evaluation of seismic demand of the base isolated NPP, the Korean standard nuclear power plant (APR1400) is modeled as 4 different models, which are supported by LRBs to have 4 different horizontal target periods. Two real earthquake records and artificially generated input motions have been used as inputs for earthquake analyses. For the study, the vertical floor response spectra(FRS) were generated at the major points of the structure. As a results, the vertical seismic responses of horizontally isolated structure have largely increased due to flexibility of elastomeric isolator. The vertical stiffness of the bearings are more carefully considered in the seismic design of the base-isolated NPPs which have the various equipment inside.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.379-386
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• 2002

The objective of this study is to investigate the seismic demand on the isolated slab-on-steel girder bridge under cold climate conditions. To this end comparative test results are presented of laminated elastomeric and lead-rubber seismic isolators in warm and cold temperature conditions. At extremely cold temperatures, rubber "glass-harden" and as a result rubber bearings that may be used for seating bridges behave in a significantly non-linear fashion. From the nonlinear time history analysis of the isolated slab-on-steel girder bridge, larger forces are transferred to the substructures. however smaller displacement at superstructure is obtained under cold climate conditions. These phenomenons might need to be considered in design stage of the seismically isolated bridges.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 1994

Linear composite theory as well as a finite element program is developed for axisymmetric elastomeric bearings. This study is limited to axisymmetrically loaded horizontal layered systems with linear, elastic, small' deformation conditions. A multiscale method is used in the development of the composite theory which enables us to model inhomogeneous layered composites as equivalent homogeneous, orthotropic material. Only continuity of the prime variables is required for the finite element analysis, allowing the use of simple $C_o$ elements whereas rather complicated theories presented in the past need more requirements. Four node isoparametric elements are used in the study. The developed theory of this paper is limited to linear conditions, however, the analysis can be extended to nonlinear behavior of flexible material in elastomeric bearing by using multiscale method presented here. Two numerical examples are examined and compared to the results of discrete and previously obtained composite analysis to verify the theory.