• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.141-158
• /
• 2005

A new design of distributed crack sensors based on the topological change of transmission line cables is presented for the condition assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) structures during and immediately after an earthquake event. This study is primarily focused on the performance of cable sensors under dynamic loading, particularly a feature that allows for some "memory" of the crack history of an RC member. This feature enables the post-earthquake condition assessment of structural members such as RC columns, in which the earthquake-induced cracks are closed immediately after an earthquake event due to gravity loads, and are visually undetectable. Factors affecting the onset of the feature were investigated experimentally with small-scale RC beams under cyclic loading. Test results indicated that both crack width and the number of loading cycles were instrumental in the onset of the memory feature of cable sensors. Practical issues related to dynamic acquisition with the sensors are discussed. The sensors were proven to be fatigue resistant from shake table tests of RC columns. The sensors continued to show useful performance after the columns can no longer support additional loads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.87 no.3
• /
• pp.273-282
• /
• 2023

Concrete construction, one of the oldest building practices, is commonly used in all parts of the world. Concrete is the primary building material for both residential and commercial constructions. The challenge of protecting the buildings, hence nation, against the attack of terrorism has raised the importance to explore the understanding of building materials against the explosion. In this research, a security check-post (reinforced concrete frame filled with plain cement concrete) has been chosen to study the behavior of structural elements under blast loading. Eight nitroglycerines-based dynamite blasts with varying amounts of explosive charge, up to 17 kg weight has been carried out at various scale distances. Pressure and acceleration time history records are measured using blast measuring instruments. Security check post after being exposed by explosive loading are photographed to view cracking/failure patterns on the structural elements. It is noted that with the increase of quantity of explosive, the dimensions of spalling and crack patterns increase on the front panels. Simple empirical analyses are conducted using ConWep and other design manuals such as UFC 3-340-02 (2008) and AASTP-1 (2010) for the purpose of comparison of blast parameters with the experimental records. The results of experimental workings are also compared with earlier researchers to check the compatibility of developed equations. It is believed that the current study presents the simple and preliminary procedure for calculating the air blast and ground shock parameters on the structures exposed to blast explosion.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.1135-1156
• /
• 2014

The ratcheting effect greatly challenges the design of piping components. With the assistance of the quasi-three point bending apparatus, ratcheting and the ratcheting boundary of pressurized straight Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipe under bending loading and vertical displacement control were studied experimentally. The characteristics of progressive inelastic deformation in axial and hoop directions of the Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipes were investigated. The experiment results show that the ratcheting strain occurs mainly in the hoop direction while there is less ratcheting strain in the axial direction. The characteristics of the bending ratcheting behavior of the pressure pipes were derived and compared under load control and displacement control, respectively. The results show that the cyclic bending loading and the internal pressure affect the ratcheting behavior of the pressurized straight pipe significantly under load control. In the meantime, the ratcheting characteristics are also highly associated with the cyclic displacement and the internal pressure under displacement control. All these factors affect not only the saturation of the ratcheting strain but the ratcheting strain rate. A series of multi-step bending ratcheting experiments were conducted under both control modes. It was found that the hardening effect of Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipe under previous cyclic loadings no matter with high or low displacement amplitudes is significant, and the prior loading histories greatly retard the ratcheting strain and its rate under subsequent loadings. Finally, the ratcheting boundaries of the pressurized straight Z2CND18.12N stainless steel pipe were determined and compared based on KTA/ASME, RCC-MR and the experimental results.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.1683-1686
• /
• 2018

Low back pain (LBP) is the most common reason for seeking physical therapy (PT) care. Recent studies suggest that axial loading can have a positive impact on the intervertebral disc by improving its tensile strength. Further, whole body vibration (WBV) appears to improve spinal muscle relaxation. Therefore, this case study describes the use of axial loading using a mini-trampoline in a female with chronic LBP. This case report is a single subject design. This patient is a 29-year-old female with a six-month history of low back pain following a motor vehicle accident. MRI found herniated discs at L4 and L5, clinical tests were positive for pain in the L4 and L5 dermatome and myotome the slump test was positive for neural tension, and LBP was constant at 4-6/10 over the past four months. She received axial loading exercises using a mini-trampoline and performed six sessions that were, scheduled twice a week for three weeks. Her Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score improved from 40% at the time of her first visit to 22% at her final visit. Pain measure on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after the first treatment was 7/10, and her pain after the final treatment was 0/10. These changes in the pain scores are clinically significant and exceed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). This patient had a significant improvement in her pain using the NPRS and the ODI. This case study suggests that axial loading may be an effective treatment for some individuals with discogenic chronic low back pain.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2019

The use of non-linear analysis of structures in a functional way for evaluating the structural seismic behavior has attracted the attention of the engineering community in recent years. The most commonly used functional method for analysis is a non-linear static method known as the "pushover method". In this study, for the first time, a cyclic pushover analysis with different loading protocols was used for seismic investigation of curved bridges. The finite element model of 8-span curved bridges in plan created by the ZEUS-NL software was used for evaluating different pushover methods. In order to identify the optimal loading protocol for use in astatic non-linear cyclic analysis of curved bridges, four loading protocols (suggested by valid references) were used. Along with cyclic analysis, conventional analysis as well as adaptive pushover analysis, with proven capabilities in seismic evaluation of buildings and bridges, have been studied. The non-linear incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method has been used to examine and compare the results of pushover analyses. To conduct IDA, the time history of 20 far-field earthquake records was used and the 50% fractile values of the demand given the ground motion intensity were computed. After analysis, the base shear vs displacement at the top of the piers were drawn. Obtained graphs represented the ability of a cyclic pushover analysis to estimate seismic capacity of the concrete piers of curved bridges. Based on results, the cyclic pushover method with ISO loading protocol provided better results for evaluating the seismic investigation of concrete piers of curved bridges in plan.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.229-243
• /
• 2023

This study analyzes the response of a tall building with an H-shaped cross-section when subjected to wind loading generated by the same H-shape. As normative standards usually adopt regular geometries for determining the wind loading, this paper shows unpublished results which compares results of the dynamic response of H-shaped buildings with the response of simplified section buildings. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is employed to determine the steady wind load on the H-shaped building. The CFD models are validated by comparison with wind tunnel test data for the k-ε and k-ω models of turbulence. Transient wind loading is determined using the Synthetic Wind Method. A new methodology is presented that combines Stochastic and CFD methods. In addition, time-history dynamic structural analysis is performed using the HHT method for a period of 60 seconds on finite element models. First, the along-wind response is studied for wind speed variations. The wind speeds of 28, 36, 42, and 50 m/s at 0° case are considered. Subsequently, the dynamic response of the building is studied for wind loads at 0°, 45°, and 90° with a wind speed of 42 m/s, which approximates the point of resonance between gusts of wind and the structure. The response values associated with the first two directions for the H-shaped building are smaller than those for the R-shaped (Equivalent Rectangular Shape) one. However, the displacements of the H-shaped building associated with the latter wind load are larger.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.43-54
• /
• 2006

The scope of this paper covers the applications of bender element tests in consolidation, tomography, and liquefaction. Loading and unloading time during consolidation are evaluated based on shear wave velocity. As S-wave velocity is dependent on effective stress, the loading step may be determined. However, cautions are required due to the different mechanism between the settlement and effective stress criteria. The stress history may be evaluated because the S-wave shows the cement controlled regime and stress controlled regimes. A fixed frame complemented with bender elements permits S-wave tomography The tomography system is tested at low confinement within a true triaxial cell. Results show that shear wave velocity tomography permits monitoring changes in the velocity field which is related to the average effective stress. To monitor the liquefaction phenomenon, S-wave trans-illumination is implemented with a high repetition rate to provide detailed information on the evolution of shear stiffness during liquefaction. The evolution of shear wave propagation velocity and attenuation parallel the time-history of excess pore pressure during liquefaction. Applications discussed in this paper show that bender elements can be a very effective tool for the detection of shear waves in the laboratory.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.86-93
• /
• 2023

As the hysteretic behavior of reinforced concrete members under cyclic loading progresses, the energy dissipation ability decreases due to a decrease in stiffness and strength and pinching effects. However, the guideline "Nonlinear Analysis Model for Performance-Based Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Building Structures, 2021" requires calculating a single energy dissipation factor for each member and all histeric step, so the decrease in energy dissipation capacity according to histeric step cannot be considered. It is judged that Therefore, in this study, the energy dissipation factor according to the histeric step was examined by comparing the existing experimental results and the nonlinear time history analysis results for a general beam under cyclic loading. The energy dissipation factor was calculated as the ratio of the energy dissipation amount of the actual specimen to the energy dissipation amount of the idealized elastoplastic behavior obtained as a result of nonlinear time history analysis. In the existing experiment results, the energy dissipation factor was derived by calculating one cycle for each histeric step, and the energy dissipation factor was derived based on the nonlinear modeling process in the guidelines. In the existing experimental study, the energy dissipation factor was calculated by setting each histeric step (Y-L-R), and the energy dissipation factor was found to be 0.36 in the Y-L step and 0.28 in the L-R step, and the energy dissipation factor in the guideline was found to be 0.31. This shows that the energy dissipation factor calculation formula in the guidelines does not indicate a decrease in the energy dissipation capacity of reinforced concrete members.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2001.04a
• /
• pp.278-286
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this paper is to suggest an analytical technique for time history analysis of R/C frame structure using high-strength concrete under seismic loading. Current researches in hysteretic model of structral elements using high-strength concrete are not enough. It is the cause of error that apply hysteretic model of element using normal-strength concrete to the inelastic analysis of high-strength concrete R/C frame structures. In this paper time history analysis using IDARC and DRAIN programs was performed for a 2-bay, 20-story R/C frame structures. Particularly nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed by IDARC program that was applied hysteretic model of structural element using high-strength concrete. centro earthquake 1940 NS waves was used in the analysis and its peak ground accelerations are changed to be 0.12g, 0.25g

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.99-112
• /
• 2016

During earthquake, reinforced concrete walls show complicated post-yield behavior varying with shear span-to-depth ratio, re-bar detail, and loading condition. In the present study, a macro-model for the nonlinear analysis of multi-story wall structures was developed. To conveniently describe the coupled flexure-compression and shear responses, a reinforced concrete wall was idealized with longitudinal and diagonal uniaxial elements. Simplified cyclic material models were used to describe the cyclic behavior of concrete and re-bars. For verification, the proposed method was applied to various existing test specimens of isolated and coupled walls. The results showed that the predictions agreed well with the test results including the load-carrying capacity, deformation capacity, and failure mode. Further the proposed model was applied to an existing wall structure tested on a shaking table. Three-dimensional nonlinear time history analyses using the proposed model were performed for the test specimen. The time history responses of the proposed method agreed with the test results including the lateral displacements and base shear.