• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.6A
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• pp.955-963
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• 2006

As the geometrical characteristic of the curved bridge, the seismic response of curved bridges are different from straight bridges. This study analyzed the seismic response of the curved bridges considering diverse factors such as radius of curvature, direction of seismic load and support condition. The improved simple modeling of the curved bridge for seismic analysis is proposed, and it is compared with the detail modeling in order to verify the simple modeling. Three simply supported curved bridges and six 3-span continuous bridges are selected for seismic analysis. The behavior of curved bridges are evaluated in terms of the displacement and the force at supports and piers under seismic load applied in various directions. The results of this study show that upward reaction force may appear in simply supported curved bridge under seismic load. And continuous curved bridges are affected by the direction of the seismic load.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.739-749
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• 2007

The seismic velocity at the formation varies widely with physical properties in the layers. These features on seismic shot gathers are not capable of reproducing normally by numerical modeling of homogeneous medium, so that we need that of random inhomogeneous medium instead. In this study, we conducted Gaussian autocorrelation function (ACF), exponential autocorrelation function and von Karman autocorrelation function for getting inhomogeneous velocity model and applied a simple geological model. According to the results, von Karman autocorrelation function showed short wavelength to the inhomogeneous velocity medium. For numerical modeling for a gas hydrate, we determined a geological model based on field data set gathered in the East sea. The numerical modeling results showed that the von Karman autocorrelation function could properly describe scattering phenomena in the gas hydrate velocity model which contains an inhomogeneous layer. Besides, bottom-simulating-reflectors and scattered waves which appear at seismic shot gather of the field data showed properly in the inhomogeneous numerical modeling.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 2022

Ensuring the integrity of a country's infrastructure is necessary to protect surrounding communities in case of disaster. Embankment dam systems across the US are an essential component of infrastructure, referred to as lifeline structures. Embankment dams are crucial to the survival of life and if these structures were to fail, it is imperative that states be prepared. Southern California is particularly concerned with the stability of embankment dams due to the frequent seismic activity that occurs in the state. The purpose of this study was to create a numerical model of an existing embankment dam simulated under seismic loads using previously recorded data. The embankment dam that was studied in Los Angeles, California was outfitted with accelerometers provided by the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program that have recorded strong motion data for decades and was processed by the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data to be used in future engineering applications. The accelerometer data was then used to verify the numerical model that was created using finite element modeling software RS2. The results from this study showed Puddingstone Dam's simulated response was consistent with that experienced during previous earthquakes and therefore validated the predicted behavior from the numerical model. The study also identified areas of weakness and instability on the dam that posed the greatest risk for its failure. Following this study, the numerical model can now be used to predict the dam's response to future earthquakes, develop plans for its remediation, and for emergency response in case of disaster.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.557-570
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• 2017

In this study, the seismic performance levels of four bridges are determined using finite element modeling based on ambient vibration testing. The study includes finite element modeling, analytical modal analyses, ambient vibration testing and earthquake analyses of the bridges. For the purpose, four prestressed precast I beam bridges that were constructed for the Ankara-Sivas high speed railway line are selected for analytical and experimental studies. In the study, firstly a literature review related to the dynamic behavior of bridges especially precast beam bridges is given and then the formulation part related to ambient vibration testing and structural performance according to Turkish Seismic Code (2007) is presented. Next, 3D finite element models of the bridge are described and modeled using LARSA 4D software, and analytical dynamic characteristics are obtained. Then ambient vibration testing conducted on the bridges under natural excitations and experimental natural frequencies are estimated. Lastly, time history analyses of the bridges under the 1999 Kocaeli, 1992 Erzincan, and 1999 Duzce Earthquakes are performed and seismic performance levels according to TSC2007 are determined. The results show that the damage on the bridges is all under the minimum damage limit which is in the minimum damage region under all three earthquakes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.211-229
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• 2004

The main purpose of this paper is the numerical analysis of the non-linear seismic response of a RC building mock-up. The mock-up is subjected to different synthetic horizontal seismic excitations. The numerical approach is based on a 3D-model involving multilayered shell elements. These elements are composed of several single-layer membranes with various eccentricities. Bending effects are included through these eccentricities. Basic equations are first written for a single membrane element with its own eccentricity and then generalised to the multilayered shell element by superposition. The multilayered shell is considered as a classical shell element : all information about non-linear constitutive relations are investigated at the local scale of each layer, whereas balance and kinematics are checked afterwards at global scale. The non-linear dynamic response of the building is computed with Newmark algorithm. The numerical dynamic results (blind simulations) are considered in the linear and non linear cases and compared with experimental results from shaking table tests. Multilayered shell elements are found to be a promising tool for predictive computations of RC structures behaviour under 3D seismic loadings. This study was part of the CAMUS International Benchmark.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-26
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• 2015

Minimizing construction cost and reducing seismic damage are two conflicting objectives in the design of any new structure. In the present work, we try to develop a framework in order to solve the optimum performance-based design problem considering the construction cost and the seismic damage of steel moment-frame structures. The Park-Ang damage index is selected as the seismic damage measure because it is one of the most realistic measures of structural damage. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is employed as the optimization algorithm to search the Pareto optimal solutions. To improve the time efficiency of the proposed framework, three simplifying strategies are adopted: first, simplified nonlinear modeling investigating minimum level of structural modeling sophistication; second, fitness approximation decreasing the number of fitness function evaluations; third, wavelet decomposition of earthquake record decreasing the number of acceleration points involved in time-history loading. The constraints of the optimization problem are considered in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) recommended seismic design specifications. The results from numerical application of the proposed framework demonstrate the efficiency of the framework in solving the present multi-objective optimization problem.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-51
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• 2020

In this study, the seismic response analysis of embankment dams was investigated through numerical modeling. The seismic behavior of dams under main earthquake records and wavelet-based records were studied. Earthquake records were decomposed using de-noising method (DNM) and down-sampling method (DSM) up to five levels. In decomposition process, low and high frequencies of the main earthquake record were separated into two signals. Acceleration response, spectral acceleration, and Fourier amplitude spectrum at the crest of embankment dams under different decomposition levels were evaluated. The seismic behavior under main and decomposed earthquake records was compared. The results indicate an acceptable agreement between the seismic responses of embankment dams under wavelet-based decomposed records and main earthquake motions. Dynamic analyses show that the DNM-based decomposed earthquake records have a better performance compared to DSM-based records. DNM-based records up to level 4 and DSM-based records up to level 2 have a high accuracy in assessment of seismic behavior of embankment dams. The periods corresponding to the maximum values of acceleration spectra and the frequencies corresponding to the maximum values of Fourier amplitude spectra of embankment dam crest under main and decomposed records are in good agreement. The results demonstrate that the main earthquake records can be replaced by wavelet-based decomposed records in seismic analysis of embankment dams.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1288-1293
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• 2009

This paper discusses about modeling method to simulate a nonlinear behavior like sliding or rocking of two stacked body system under earthquake condition. A double body system design can be an option to reduce seismic response of a component in comparison to a single body system for free standing structures. Therefore, according to the priority of components, the structure is to be designed by proper ratio of partition in their height for improvement of seismic capability and structural integrity. Nonlinear modeling and analysis using simple rigid body and dynamic system has been performed to check the trend in such cases. As a result, one of the two bodies can be chosen to reduce the seismic response from energy absorption of the other one by appropriate application of friction ratios not only in slip-slip condition but in slip-rock condition.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.2696-2707
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of various structural modeling schemes for evaluating seismic performances and fragility of the reactor containment building (RCB) structure in the advanced power reactor 1400 (APR1400) nuclear power plant (NPP). Four structural modeling schemes, i.e. lumped-mass stick model (LMSM), solid-based finite element model (Solid FEM), multi-layer shell model (MLSM), and beam-truss model (BTM), are developed to simulate the seismic behaviors of the containment structure. A full three-dimensional finite element model (full 3D FEM) is additionally constructed to verify the previous numerical models. A set of input ground motions with response spectra matching to the US NRC 1.60 design spectrum is generated to perform linear and nonlinear time-history analyses. Floor response spectra (FRS) and floor displacements are obtained at the different elevations of the structure since they are critical outputs for evaluating the seismic vulnerability of RCB and secondary components. The results show that the difference in seismic responses between linear and nonlinear analyses gets larger as an earthquake intensity increases. It is observed that the linear analysis underestimates floor displacements while it overestimates floor accelerations. Moreover, a systematic assessment of the capability and efficiency of each structural model is presented thoroughly. MLSM can be an alternative approach to a full 3D FEM, which is complicated in modeling and extremely time-consuming in dynamic analyses. Specifically, BTM is recommended as the optimal model for evaluating the nonlinear seismic performance of NPP structures. Thereafter, linear and nonlinear BTM are employed in a series of time-history analyses to develop fragility curves of RCB for different damage states. It is shown that the linear analysis underestimates the probability of damage of RCB at a given earthquake intensity when compared to the nonlinear analysis. The nonlinear analysis approach is highly suggested for assessing the vulnerability of NPP structures.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.825-837
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• 2017

Due to the severe impacts of recent earthquakes, the use of seismic isolation is paramount for the safety of nuclear structures. The diversity observed in seismic events demands ongoing research to analyze the devastating attributes involved, and hence to enhance the sustainability of base-isolated nuclear power plants. This study reports the seismic performance of a seismically-isolated nuclear reactor containment building (NRCB) under strong short-period ground motions (SPGMs) and long-period ground motions (LPGMs). The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission-based design response spectrum for the seismic design of nuclear power plants is stipulated as the reference spectrum for ground motion selection. Within the period range(s) of interest, the spectral matching of selected records with the target spectrum is ensured using the spectral-compatibility approach. NRC-compliant SPGMs and LPGMs from the mega-thrust Tohoku earthquake are used to obtain the structural response of the base-isolated NRCB. To account for the lack of earthquakes in low-to-moderate seismicity zones and the gap in the artificial synthesis of long-period records, wavelet-decomposition based autoregressive moving average modeling for artificial generation of real ground motions is performed. Based on analysis results from real and simulated SPGMs versus LPGMs, the performance of NRCBs is discussed with suggestions for future research and seismic provisions.