• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.43-50
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• 2004

Objective : Obesity is associated with degenerative arthropathy giving stress on joints. It also amplifies loads of weight bearing joints by changing the gravity line of the body. Our aim is to investigate the correlation between obesity and lumbar lordosis in obese pre-menopausal Korean females. The hypothesis was tested that there is a correlation between obesity and lumbar lordosis. Methods : A cross-sectional evaluation of 44 Females (baseline age 30.77 ± 6.46) with BMI 31.53 ± 3.82 (kg/㎡) was done. Body composition was measured using bio-impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry was done by the same observer. A lateral whole spine X-ray was taken in standing position to measure the lumbar lordotic angle (LLA), Ferguson angle (FA) and lumbar gravity line (LGL). A Pearson correlation was used to measure the correlation between obesity and lumbar lordosis (SPSS 10.0 for windows). Results : Body mass index (BMI kg/㎡) had a negative relationship with LLA((equation omitted)=-0.469), FA((equation omitted) =-0.347) and LGL((equation omitted)=-0.389). Body fat rate had a negative relationship with LLA only(γ=-0.385). Waist circumference had a negative relationship with LLA((equation omitted)=-0.345) and LGL((equation omitted)=-0.346). WH ratio had no relationship with lumbar lordosis. Conclusion : These data show that obesity is related to mechanical structures, such as lumbar lordosis. BMI was the most useful index, which reflects a change of mechanical structure of lumbar, more than other variables in this study.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.287-306
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• 2002

The assessment of structural performance of transfer structures under potential seismic actions is presented. Various seismic assessment methodologies are used, with particular emphasis on the accurate modelling of the higher mode effects and the potential development of a soft storey effect in the mega-columns below the transfer plate (TP) level. Those methods include response spectrum analysis (RSA), manual calculation, pushover analysis (POA) and equivalent static load analysis (ESA). The capabilities and limitations of each method are highlighted. The paper aims, firstly, to determine the appropriate seismic assessment methodology for transfer structures using these different approaches, all of which can be undertaken with the resources generally available in a design office. Secondly, the paper highlights and discusses factors influencing the response behaviour of transfer structures, and finally provides a general indication of their seismic vulnerability. The representative Hong Kong building considered in this paper utilises a structural system with coupled shear walls and moment resisting portal-frames, above and below the TP, respectively. By adopting the wind load profile stipulated in the Code of Practice on Wind Effects: Hong Kong-1983, all the structural members are sized and detailed according to the British Standards BS8110 and the current local practices. The seismic displacement demand for the structure, when built on either rock or deep soil sites, was determined in a companion paper. The lateral load-displacement characteristic of the building, determined herein from manual calculation, has indicated that the poor ductility (brittle nature) of the mega-columns, due mainly to the high level of axial pre-compression as found from the analysis, cannot be effectively alleviated solely by increasing the quantity of confinement stirrups. The interstorey drift demands at lower and upper zones caused by seismic actions are found to be substantially higher than those arising from wind loads. The mega-columns supporting the TP and the coupling beams at higher zones are identified to be the most vulnerable components under seismic actions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.3
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• pp.239-257
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• 2020

In the present study, an innovative steel bracket and haunch hybrid scheme is devised, for retrofitting of earthquake damaged deficient beam-column sub-assemblages. Formulations are presented for evaluating haunch force factor under combined load case of lateral and gravity loads for the design of double haunch retrofit. The strength hierarchies of control and retrofitted beam-column sub-assemblages are established to showcase the efficacy of the retrofit in reversing the undesirable strength hierarchy. Further, the efficacy of the proposed retrofit scheme is demonstrated through experimental investigations carried out on gravity load designed (GLD), non-ductile and ductile detailed beam-column sub-assemblages which were damaged under reverse cyclic loading. The maximum load carried by repaired and retrofitted GLD specimen in positive and negative cycle is 12% and 28% respectively higher than that of the control GLD specimen. Further, the retrofitted GLD specimen sustained load up to drift ratio of 5.88% compared with 2.94% drift sustained by control GLD specimen. Repaired and retrofitted non-ductile specimen, could attain the displacement ductility of three during positive cycle of loading and showed improved ductility well above the expected displacement ductility of three during negative cycle. The hybrid haunch retrofit restored the load carrying capacity of damaged ductile specimen to the original level of control specimen and improved the ductility closer to the expected displacement ductility of five. The total cumulative energy dissipated by repaired and retrofitted GLD, non-ductile and ductile specimens are respectively 6.5 times, 2.31 times, 1.21 times that of the corresponding undamaged control specimens. Further, the damage indices of the repaired and retrofitted specimens are found to be lower than that of the corresponding control specimens. The novel and innovative steel bracket and haunch hybrid retrofit scheme proposed in the present study demonstrated its effectiveness by attaining the required displacement ductility and load carrying capacity and would be an excellent candidate for post-earthquake retrofit of damaged existing RC structures designed according to different design evolutions.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

Shear wall systems behave as individual wall because of openings like window and elevator cage. When coupling beams are installed in shear walls, they will have high strength and stiffness so that be less damaged by lateral loads like earthquake. However, coupling beam is difficult construction method. And arranging reinforcement of slender coupling beams are especially hard. It is because the details of coupling beam provided by ACI 318 are complex. In this paper, experiments were conducted using coupling beams with 3.5 aspect ratio to improve the details of slender coupling beams provided by ACI 318. Two specimens were proposed for this study. One specimen applied with bundled diagonally reinforcement only. Another specimen applied both bundled diagonally reinforcement and High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composite (HPFRCC) so that coupling beams have half of transverse reinforcement. All specimen were compared with a coupling beam designed according to ACI 318 and were evaluated with hysteretic behaviors. Test results showed that the performance of two specimen suggested in this study were similar to that of coupling beam designed according to current criteria. And it was considered that simplification of the details of reinforcement would be available if transverse reinforcement was reduced by using bundled diagonally reinforcement and HPFRCC.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2018

Low cyclic loading tests are conducted on the steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) column-steel (S) beam composite frame joints. This research aims to evaluate the earthquake damage performance of composite frame joints by performing cyclic loading tests on eight specimens. The experimental failure process and failure modes, load-displacement hysteresis curves, characteristic loads and displacements, and ductility of the composite frame joints are presented and analyzed, which shows that the composite frame joints demonstrate good seismic performance. On the basis of this finding, seismic damage performance is examined by using the maximum displacement, energy absorbed in the hysteresis loops and Park-Ang model. However, the result of this analysis is inconsistent with the test failure process. Therefore, this paper proposes a modified Park-Ang seismic damage model that is based on maximum deformation and cumulative energy dissipation, and corrected by combination coefficient ${\alpha}$. Meanwhile, the effects of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement percentage and axial compression ratio on the seismic damage performance are analyzed comprehensively. Moreover, lateral displacement angle is used as the quantification index of the seismic performance level of joints. Considering the experimental study, the seismic performance level of composite frame joints is divided into five classes of normal use, temporary use, repair after use, life safety and collapse prevention. On this basis, the corresponding relationships among seismic damage degrees, seismic performance level and quantitative index are also established in this paper. The conclusions can provide a reference for the seismic performance design of composite frame joints.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.333-347
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• 2017

Masonry infill walls are unavoidable parts of any building to create a separation between internal space and external environment. In general, there are some prevalent openings in the infill wall due to functional needs, architectural considerations or aesthetic concerns. In current design practice, the strength and stiffness contribution of infill walls is not considered. However, the presence of infill walls may decisively influence the seismic response of structures subjected to earthquake loads and cause a different behavior from that predicted for a bare frame. Furthermore, partial openings in the masonry infill wall are significant parameter affecting the seismic behavior of infilled frames thereby decreasing the lateral stiffness and strength. The possible effects of openings in the infill wall on seismic behavior of RC frames is analytically studied by means of pushover analysis of several bare, partially and fully infilled frames having different bay and story numbers. The stiffness loss due to partial opening is introduced by the stiffness reduction factors which are developed from finite element analysis of frames considering frame-infill interaction. Pushover curves of frames are plotted and the maximum base shear forces, the yield displacement, the yield base shear force coefficient, the displacement demand, interstory drift ratios and the distribution of story shear forces are determined. The comparison of parameters both in terms of seismic demand and capacity indicates that partial openings decisively influences the nonlinear behavior of RC frames and cause a different behavior from that predicted for a bare frame or fully infilled frame.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-61
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• 2017

The inverted T-type abutments are generally used in highway bridges constructed in Korea. This type of abutment is used because it has greater stability, with more pile foundations embedded in the bedrock, while simultaneously providing support for lateral earth pressure and vertical loads of superstructures. However, the cross section of inverted T-type abutments is large compared with the piers, which makes them more expensive. In addition, a differential settlement between the abutment and embankment, as well as the expansion joints, causes driving discomfort. This study evaluated the driving comfort of several types of abutments to improve driving comfort on the abutment. To achieve this objective, a traditional T-type abutment and three types of candidate abutments, namely, mechanically stabilized earth wall (MSEW) abutment supported by a shallow foundation (called "true MSEW abutment"), MSEW abutment supported by piles (called "mixed MSEW abutment"), and pile bent and integral abutment with MSEW (called "MIP abutment"), were selected to consider their design and economic feasibility. Finite element analysis was performed using the design section of the candidate abutments. Subsequently, the settlements of each candidate abutment, approach slabs, and paved surfaces of the bridges were reviewed. Finally, the driving comfort on each candidate abutment was evaluated using a vehicle dynamic simulation. The true MSEW abutment demonstrated the most excellent driving comfort. However, this abutment can cause problems with respect to serviceability and maintenance due to excessive settlements. After our overall review, we determined that the mixed MSEW and the MIP abutments are the most appropriate abutment types to improve driving comfort by taking the highway conditions in Korea into consideration.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of shock absorption strategy and postural stability during the drop landing for each types. Methods : The motions were captured with Vicon Motion Capture System, with the fourteen infra-red cameras (100Hz) and synchronized with GRF(ground reaction force) data(1000Hz). Ten male soccer players performed a drop landing with single-leg and bi-legs on the 30cm height box. Dependent variables were the CoM trajectory and the Joint Moment. Statistical computations were performed using the paired t-test and ANOVA with Turkey HSD as post-hoc. Results : The dominant leg was confirmed to show a significant difference between the left leg and right leg as the inverted pendulum model during Drop Landing(Phase 1 & Phase 2). One-leg drop landing type had the higher CoM displacement, the peak of joint moment with the shock absorption than Bi-leg landing type. As a lower extremity joint kinetics analysis, the knee joint showed a function of shock absorption in the anterior-posterior, and the hip joint showed a function of the stability and shock absorption in the medial-lateral directions. Conclusion : These findings indicate that the instant equilibrium of posture balance(phase 1) was assessed by the passive phase as Class 1 leverage on the effect of the stability of shock absorption(phase 2) assessed by the active phase on the effect of Class 2 leverage. Application : This study shows that the cause of musculo-skeletal injuries estimated to be focused on the passive phase of landing and this findings could help the prevention of lower damage from loads involving landing related to the game of sports.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.129-137
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• 2015

Recently, offshore wind farms are increasingly expected, because there are huge resource and large site in offshore. Jeju island has optimum condition for constructing a wind energy farm. Unlike the mainland, Jeju island has stratified structure distribution between rock layers sediments due to volcanic activation. In these case, it can be occur engineering problems in whole structures as well as the safety of foundation as the thickness and distribution of sediment under top rock layer can not support sufficiently the structure. One of the most obvious applications of the pressuremeter test is the solution of the problem of laterally loaded piles. A hyperbolic non-linear p-y criterion for rock is developed in this study that can be used in LPILE program, to predict the deflection, moment, and shear reponses of a shaft under the applied lateral loads. Finally, a comparison between the predicted and measured response at two different sites is shown to give an idea of the accuracy of the IFP method.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.63-73
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• 1998

Due to the collapse of corrugated bulkheads subject to accidental flooding which is thought to be a primary cause of bulk carrier losses International Maritime Organization(IMO), the International Association of Classification Societies(IACS) and the leading classification societies are taking a growing concern for the structural safety of corrugated bulkheads of bulk carriers. To prevent progressive collapse of corrugated bulkhead in flooded condition particularly of forward cargo ho1d they try to make rules which require reinforcement of corrugated bulkhead structure. However, we are still confronted with the urgent problem of more accurate and efficient ultimate strength assessment for corrugated bulkheads. This paper develops a special purpose nonlinear FE program for analyzing progressive collapse behavior of corrugated bulkheads subject to lateral pressure loads. As verification examples, the program is applied to collapse strength analysis of steel corrugated bulkhead test model.