• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-380
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• 2023

This study evaluates the seismic fragilities in fill slopes in South Korea through parametric finite element analyses that have been barely investigated thus far. We consider three slope geometries for a slope of height 10 m and three slope angles, and two soil types, namely frictional and frictionless, associated with two soil states, loose and dense for frictional soils and soft and stiff for frictionless soils. The input ground motions accounting for four site conditions in South Korea are obtained from one-dimensional site response analyses. By comparing the numerical modeling of slopes using PLAXIS^2D against the previous studies, we compiled suites of the maximum permanent slope displacement (D_max) against two ground motion parameters, namely, peak ground acceleration (PGA) and Arias Intensity (I_A). A probabilistic seismic demand model is adopted to compute the probabilities of exceeding three limit states (minor, moderate, and extensive). We propose multiple seismic fragility curves as functions of a single ground motion parameter and numerous seismic fragility surfaces as functions of two ground motion parameters. The results show that soil type, slope angle, and input ground motion influence these probabilities, and are expected to help regional authorities and engineers assess the seismic fragility of fill slopes in the road systems in South Korea.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.699-706
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• 2014

The probabilistic seismic performance of a standard Korean nuclear power plant (NPP) with an idealized isolation is investigated in the present work. A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) of the Wolsong site on the Korean peninsula is performed by considering peak ground acceleration (PGA) as an earthquake intensity measure. A procedure is reported on the categorization and selection of two sets of ground motions of the Tohoku earthquake, i.e. long-period and common as Set A and Set B respectively, for the nonlinear time history response analysis of the base-isolated NPP. Limit state values as multiples of the displacement responses of the NPP base isolation are considered for the fragility estimation. The seismic risk of the NPP is further assessed by incorporation of the rate of frequency exceedance and conditional failure probability curves. Furthermore, this framework attempts to show the unacceptable performance of the isolated NPP in terms of the probabilistic distribution and annual probability of limit states. The comparative results for long and common ground motions are discussed to contribute to the future safety of nuclear facilities against drastic events like Tohoku.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.348-359
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• 2018

A series of indoor simulation tests on a large-sized shaking table was performed, which was used to simulate the earthquake ground motion for the pipe-soil interaction system to be tested. The purpose of this study is to examine the dynamic characteristic and seismic response of a length of PVC pipeline lay on a clay seabed under seismic load. The pipeline was fully instrumented to provide strain and acceleration responses in both transverse and in-line. Dynamical modal tests show that corresponding mode shapes vertically and horizontally are basically the same. But the absolute values of the natural frequencies vertically are all higher than those corresponding values in transverse. It turned out that the geometry configuration of riser affects its stiffness. Seismic response of pipeline depends significantly on the waveform, and Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA). As the seismic loading progressed, the strain response was severe around both TDZ and catenary zone. Additionally, strain responses in top and bottom positions were more severe than the result in left or right side of the pipeline in the same section.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.867-891
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• 2016

This paper addresses numerically the behavior of steel structures under Fire-after-Earthquake (FAE) loading. The study is focused on a four-storey library building and takes into account the damage that is induced in structural members due to earthquake. The basic objective is the assessment of both the fire-behavior and the fire-resistance of the structure in the case where the structure is damaged due to earthquake. The combined FAE scenarios involve two different stages: during the first stage, the structure is subjected to the ground motion record, while in the second stage the fire occurs. Different time-acceleration records are examined, each scaled to multiple levels of the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) in order to represent more severe earthquakes with lower probability of occurrence. In order to study in a systematic manner the behavior of the structure for the various FAE scenarios, a two-dimensional beam finite element model is developed, using the non-linear finite element analysis code MSC-MARC. The fire resistance of the structure is determined using rotational limits based on the ductility of structural members that are subjected to fire. These limits are temperature dependent and take into account the level of the structural damage at the end of the earthquake and the effect of geometric initial imperfections of structural members.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.319-325
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• 2003

The fragility curves of seismic retrofitted bridges by steel jacketing of bridge columns and restrainers at expansion joints after the 1994 Northridge earthquake are developed. Fragility curves are represented by lognormal distribution functions with two parameters(fragility parameters consisting of median and log-standard deviation) and developed as a function of peak ground acceleration (PGA). Two parameters in the lognormal distribution are estimated by the maximum likelihood method. The sixty ground acceleration time histories for Los Angeles area developed for FEMA SAC project are used for the dynamic analysis of the bridges and a computer code is developed to calculate hysterestic parameters of bridge columns before and after steel jacketing. The effect of retrofit is expressed in terms of the increase of the median value of the fragility curve for the retrofitted bridge from that of the bridge before retrofit. The comparison of fragility curves of the bridges before and after column retrofit demonstrates that the improvement of the bridges with steel jacketing on the seismic performance is excellent for the damage states defined in this study. The comparison of fragility curves of the bridges before and after restrainers at expansion joints also shows the improvement in the seismic performance of restrained bridges for the severe damage states.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.445-457
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• 2020

An ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission system has the advantages of low circuitry loss, high bulk capacity and long-distance transmission capabilities over conventional transmission systems, but it is easier for this system to cross fault rupture zones and become damaged during earthquakes. This paper experimentally and numerically investigates the seismic responses and collapse failure of a UHV transmission tower-line system crossing a fault. A 1:25 reduced-scale model is constructed and tested by using shaking tables to evaluate the influence of the forward-directivity and fling-step effects on the responses of suspension-type towers. Furthermore, the collapse failure tests of the system under specific cross-fault scenarios are carried out. The corresponding finite element (FE) model is established in ABAQUS software and verified based on the Tian-Ma-Qu material model. The results reveal that the seismic responses of the transmission system under the cross-fault scenario are larger than those under the near-fault scenario, and the permanent ground displacements in the fling-step ground motions tend to magnify the seismic responses of the fault-crossing transmission system. The critical collapse peak ground acceleration (PGA), failure mode and weak position determined by the model experiment and numerical simulation are in relatively good agreement. The sequential failure of the members in Segments 4 and 5 leads to the collapse of the entire model, whereas other segments basically remain in the intact state.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2023

On February 6, 2023, Türkiye woke up with a strong ground motion felt in a wide geography. As a result of the Kahramanmaraş, Pazarcık and Elbistan earthquakes, which took place 9 hours apart, there was great destruction and loss of life. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes occurred on active faults known to pose a high seismic hazard, but their effects were devastating. Seismic code spectra were investigated in Hatay, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş where destruction is high. The study mainly focuses on the investigation of ground motion parameters of 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and the correlation between ground motion parameters. In addition, earthquakes greater than Mw 5.0 that occurred in Türkiye were compared with certain seismic parameters. As in the strong ground motion studies, seismic energy parameters such as Arias intensity, characteristic intensity, cumulative absolute velocity and specific energy density were determined, especially considering the duration content of the earthquake. Based on the study, it was concluded that the structures were overloaded far beyond their normal design levels. This, coupled with significant vertical seismic components, is a contributing factor to the collapse of many buildings in the area. In the evaluation made on Arias intensity, much more energy (approximately ten times) emerged in Kahramanmaraş earthquakes compared to other Türkiye earthquakes. No good correlation was found between moment magnitude and peak ground accelerations, peak ground velocities, Arias intensities and ground motion durations in Türkiye earthquakes. Both high seismic components and long ground motion durations caused intense energy to be transferred to the structures. No strong correlation was found between ground motion durations and other seismic parameters. There is a strong positive correlation between PGA and seismic energy parameter AI. Kahramanmaraş earthquakes revealed that changes should be made in the Turkish seismic code to predict higher spectral acceleration values, especially in earthquake-prone regions in Türkiye.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2014

To evaluate the behavior of the advanced unbonded pre-stressed concrete containment vessel (UPCCV) for one typical China nuclear power plant under Japan's March 11 earthquake, five nonlinear time history analysis and a nonlinear static analysis of a 1:10 scale UPCCV structure have been carried out with MSC.MARC finite element program. Comparisons between the analytical and experimental results demonstrated that the developed finite element model can predict the earthquake behavior of the UPCCV with fair accuracy. The responses of the 1:10 scale UPCCV subjected to the 11 March 2011 Japan earthquakes recorded at the MYG003 station with the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 781 gal and at the MYG013 station with the PGA of 982 gal were predicted by the dynamic analysis. Finally, a static analysis was performed to seek the ultimate load carrying capacity for the 1:10 scale UPCCV.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.189-206
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• 2017

Tanks are used to store a wide variety of liquids such as oil, gasoline and water. It is reported that, a large number of tanks have been damaged during severe earthquakes. Therefore, understanding their behavior under earthquake is an important subject for structural engineers. In this paper, a comprehensive study is presented on dynamic response of tanks. A parametric study has been completed on the rectangular storage tanks with aid of finite element method (FEM). Various parameters are investigated, such as; liquid height, density and earthquake with different peak ground acceleration (PGA). When investigating these parameters, modal and time history method is used. Six different earthquake records are used for time history analysis. The analysis results show that when the PGA increases by 10.7 times, the maximum displacements, stress, sloshing and base shear increase by 11.4, 22.6, 5.46 and 17.8 times, respectively and when the liquid height increases by two times, the absolute maximum values of stress, displacements, base shear and sloshing increase 1.65, 2.04, 2.05 and 1.34. Furthermore, values of sloshing increase with decrease in density.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.529-541
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• 2017

According to the definition, progressive collapse could occur due to the initial partial failure of the structural members which by spreading to the adjacent members, could result in partial or overall collapse of the structure. Up to now, most researchers have investigated the progressive collapse due to explosion, fire or impact loads. But new research has shown that the seismic load could also be a factor for initiation of the progressive collapse. In this research, the progressive collapse capacity for the 5 and 15-story steel special moment resisting frames using push-down nonlinear static analysis, and nonlinear dynamic analysis under the gravity loads specified in the GSA Guidelines, were studied. After identifying the critical members, in order to investigate the seismic progressive collapse, the 5-story steel special moment resisting frame was analyzed by the nonlinear time history analysis under the effect of earthquakes with different characteristics. In order to account for the initial damage, one of the critical columns was weakened at the initiation of the earthquake or its Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA). The results of progressive collapse analyses showed that the potential of progressive collapse is considerably dependent upon location of the removed column and the number of stories, also the results of seismic progressive collapse showed that the dynamic response of column removal under the seismic load is completely dependent on earthquake characteristics like Arias intensity, PGA and earthquake frequency contents.