• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.613-625
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• 2021

Non-seismically designed eccentric reinforced concrete beam-column joints were extensively used in existing reinforced concrete frame buildings, which were found to be vulnerable to seismic action in many incidences. To provide a fundamental understanding of the seismic performance and failure mechanism of the joints, three 2/3-scale exterior beam-column joints with non-seismically designed details were cast and tested under reversed cyclic loads simulating earthquake excitation. In this investigation, particular emphasis was given on the effects of the eccentricity between the centerlines of the beam and the column. It is shown that the eccentricity had significant effects on the damage characteristics, shear strength, and displacement ductility of the specimens. In addition, shear deformation and the strain of joint hoops were found to concentrate on the eccentric face of the joint. The results demonstrated that the specimen with an eccentricity of 1/4 column width failed in a brittle manner with premature joint shear failure, while the other specimens with less or no eccentricity failed in a ductile manner with joint shear failure after beam flexural yielding. Test results are compared with those predicted by three seismic design codes and two non-seismic design codes. In general, the codes do not accurately predict the shear strength of the eccentric joints with non-seismic details.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.361-379
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• 2005

Reinforced concrete deep beams have useful applications in tall buildings and foundations. Over the past two decades, numerous design models for deep beams were suggested. However even the latest design manuals still offer little insight into the design of deep beams in particular when complexities exist in the beams like web openings. A method commonly suggested for the design of deep beams with openings is the strut-and-tie model which is primarily used to represent the actual load transfer mechanism in a structural concrete member under ultimate load. In the present study, the development of the strut-and-tie model is transformed to the topology optimization problem of continuum structures. During the optimization process, both the stress and displacement constraints are satisfied and the performance of progressive topologies is evaluated. The influences on the strut-and-tie model in relation to different size, location and number of openings, as well as different loading and support conditions in deep beams are examined in some detail. In all, eleven deep beams with web openings are optimized and compared in nine groups. The optimal strut-and-tie models achieved are also compared with published experimental crack patterns. Numerical results have shown to confirm the experimental observations and to efficiently represent the load transfer mechanism in concrete deep beams with openings under ultimate load.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.69-76
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• 2021

Precast concrete (PC) modules have been increased its use in modular buildings due to their better seismic performance than steel modules. The main issue of the PC module is to ensure structural performance with appropriate connection methods. This study proposed a PC modular beam system for simple construction and improved structural and splicing performance. This modular system consisted of modules with steel plates inserted, and it is easy to construct by bolted connection. The steel plates play the role of tensile rebar and stirrup, which has the advantage of structural performance. The structural performance of the proposed PC modular beam system was evaluated by flexural test on one reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimen consisting of a monolithic, and two PC specimens with the proposed PC modular beam system. The results demonstrated that the proposed PC modular beam system achieved approximately 86% of the structural performance compared to the RC monolithic specimen, with similar ductility of approximately 1.06 fold greater.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.337-348
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• 2023

Shear wall is commonly used as a lateral force resisting system of concrete mid-rise and high-rise buildings, but it brings challenges in providing relatively large space throughout the building height. For this reason, the structure system where the upper structure with bearing, non-bearing and/or shear walls that sits on top of a transfer plate system supported by widely spaced columns at the lower stories is preferred in some regions, particularly in low to moderate seismic regions in Asia. A thick reinforced concrete (RC) plate has often been used as a transfer system, along with RC transfer girders; however, the RC plate becomes very thick for tall buildings. Applying the post-tensioning (PT) technique to RC plates can effectively reduce the thickness and reinforcement as an economical design method. Currently, a simplified model is used for numerical modeling of PT transfer plate, which does not consider the interaction of the plate and the upper structure. To observe the actual behavior of PT transfer plate under seismic loads, it is necessary to model whole parts of the structure and tendons to precisely include the interaction and the secondary effect of PT tendons in the results. This research evaluated the seismic behavior of shear wall-type residential buildings with PT transfer plates for the condition that PT tendons are included or excluded in the modeling. Three-dimensional finite element models were developed, which includes prestressing tendon elements, and response spectrum analyses were carried out to evaluate seismic forces. Two buildings with flat-shape and L-shape plans were considered, and design forces of shear walls and transfer columns for a system with and without PT tendons were compared. The results showed that, in some cases, excluding PT tendons from the model leads to an unrealistic estimation of the demands for shear walls sit on transfer plate and transfer columns due to excluding the secondary effect of PT tendons. Based on the results, generally, the secondary effect reduces shear force demand and axial-flexural demands of transfer columns but increases the shear force demand of shear walls. The results of this study suggested that, in addition to the effect of PT on the resistance of transfer plate, it is necessary to include PT tendons in the modeling to consider its effect on force demand.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1069-1089
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• 2015

This paper presents average numerical results of 2128 nonlinear dynamic finite element (FE) analyses of lightweight acceleration-sensitive non-structural components (NSCs) attached to the floors of one-bay three-storey reinforced concrete (RC) primary structures (P-structures) with different eccentricity ratios. The investigated parameters include the NSC to P-structure vibration period ratio, peak ground acceleration, P-structure eccentricity ratio, and NSC damping ratio. Appropriate constitutive relationships were used to model the behaviour of the RC P-structures. The NSCs were modelled as vertical cantilevers fixed at their bases with masses on the free ends and varying lengths so as to match the vibration periods of the P-structures. Full dynamic interaction was considered between the NSCs and P-structures. A set of seven natural bi-directional ground motions were used to evaluate the seismic response of the NSCs. The numerical results show that the acceleration response of the NSCs depends on the investigated parameters. The accelerations of the NSCs attached to the flexible sides of the P-structures increased with the increase in peak ground acceleration and P-structure eccentricity ratio but decreased with the increase in NSC damping ratio. Comparison between the FE results and Eurocode 8 (EC8) predictions suggests that, under tuned conditions, EC8 provisions underestimate the seismic response of the NSCs mounted on the flexible sides of the plan-irregular RC P-structures.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.103-111
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• 2018

This study examines the seismic failure of RC low-rise building structures having irregularities at the ground story during the 15 November 2017 Pohang, Korea, earthquake, $M_w=5.4$, which is the second strongest since the government began monitoring them in 1978 in South Korea. Some 2,000 private houses were damaged or destroyed in this earthquake. Particularly, serious damage to the piloti story of RC low-rise residential building structures of fewer than five stories was observed within 3 km of the epicenter with brittle shear failure of columns and walls due to severe torsional behavior. Buildings below six stories constructed before 2005 did not have to comply with seismic design requirements, so confinement detailing of columns and walls also led to inadequate performance. However, some buildings constructed after 2005 were damaged at the flexible side of the piloti story due to the high torsional irregularity. Based on these results, this study focuses on the problems of the seismic torsion design approach in current building codes.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.337-351
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• 2021

On September 12, 2016, the Gyeongju earthquake occurred in the south-eastern region of the Korean peninsula. The event was ranked as the largest magnitude earthquake (=5.8) since instrumental recording was started by the Korean Metrological Administration (KMA) in 1978. The objective of this study is to provide information obtained from the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake and to propose a procedure estimating seismic risk of a typical old RC building for past and potential earthquakes. Ground motions are simulated using the point source model at 4941 grid locations in the Korean peninsula that resulted from the Gyeongju earthquake and from potential future earthquakes with the same hypocenter considering different soil conditions. Nonlinear response history analyses are conducted for each grid location using a three-story gravity-designed reinforced concrete (RC) frame that most closely represents conventional old school and public buildings. Then, contour maps are constructed to present the seismic risk associated with this building for the Gyeongju earthquake and potential future scenario earthquakes. These contour maps can be useful in the development of a mitigation plan for potential earthquake damage to school and public buildings at all grid locations on the Korean peninsula.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.6
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• pp.811-824
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• 2022

Despite its disadvantages, soft story can reduce the damage to the upper floors by concentrating drift in that specific story provided that large drifts are avoided. Gapped-Inclined Brace (GIB) with reduced P-delta effects and the control of soft story stiffness makes it possible to take advantage of the soft story in buildings and increase their capacity for energy dissipation. OpenSees software is used in this study to validate and modify the GIB model's shortcomings. Also, the analysis method for this element is changed for design. The modified element is evaluated in 3D analysis. Finally, to retrofit an existing building, this element is used. Based on the Iranian seismic code, a six-story reinforced concrete building is modelled and studied with 3D analysis. In this building, the construction shortcomings and elimination of infills on the ground floor cause the formation of a soft story. Results of nonlinear static analysis, nonlinear dynamic, and incremental dynamic analysis using both components of seismic acceleration applied to the structure at different angles and the fragility curves indicate the improvement of the retrofitted structure's performance using the modified element to reach the required performance level following the retrofit code.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Educational Facilities
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.35-43
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• 2013

Some results of experimental investigation conducted to assess the effect of cement composite strength and ductility on the shear behavior and crack-damage mitigation of stud connections between existing reinforced concrete frame in school buildings and seismic strengthening elements from cyclically direct shear tests are described. The cement composite strengths include 50 for medium strength and 70 MPa for high strength. Two types of cement composites, strain-hardening cement composite (SHCC) and non-shrinkage mortar, are used for stud shear connection specimens. The special SHCCs are reinforced with hybrid 0.2% polyethylene (PE) and 1.3% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers at the volume fraction and exhibits tensile strain capacity ranging from 0.2 to 0.5%. Test result indicates that SHCC improves the seismic performance and crack-damage mitigation of stud shear connections compared with stud connections with non-shrinkage mortar. However, the performance enhancement in SHCC stud connections with transverse and longitudinal reinforcements is less notable for those without additional reinforcement.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.13 no.5 s.57
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• pp.149-159
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• 2009

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the seismic safety of Korean R/C school buildings built in the 1980s, based on "the Japanese Standard for Evaluation of Seismic Capacity of Existing R/C Buildings", the nonlinear static and the nonlinear dynamic analyses. The evaluation result of the Japanese Standard showed that R/C school buildings built in the 1980s have 0.2 through 0.4 of seismic indices($I_S$). This result indicates that more than medium damage could be potentially occurred under a medium intensity level of ground motion(150g). The results of the nonlinear analyses and the post-earthquake damage evaluation method showed that Korean R/C school buildings can be suffered moderate and severe damages under a 150gal and a 200gal intensity levels of ground motions, respectively. These results reveal that R/C school buildings should be urgently required a actual earthquake preparedness measures including seismic strengthening for future earthquake.