• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.39-46
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• 2009

The selection of an evaluation response spectrum can have a significant effect on the seismic fragility evaluation of a structure. A method for modifying the seismic fragility parameters that are calculated based on the design spectrum is described in this study. The modification factor is used to modify the original fragility parameters. The HCLPF (High Confidence of Low Probability of Failure) acceleration levels of the electric system using previous design spectrum and uniform hazard spectrum (UHS) were compared. Finally, seismic risk analyses were performed according to a uniform hazard spectrum. From the results, it was concluded that based on the design spectrum, seismic risk for the electric system might be underestimated.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.269-284
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• 2016

Simplified techniques based on in situ testing methods are commonly used to assess seismic liquefaction potential. Many of these simplified methods were developed by analyzing liquefaction case histories from which the liquefaction boundary (limit state) separating two categories (the occurrence or non-occurrence of liquefaction) is determined. As the liquefaction classification problem is highly nonlinear in nature, it is difficult to develop a comprehensive model using conventional modeling techniques that take into consideration all the independent variables, such as the seismic and soil properties. In this study, a modification of the Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) approach based on Logistic Regression (LR) LR_MARS is used to evaluate seismic liquefaction potential based on actual field records. Three different LR_MARS models were used to analyze three different field liquefaction databases and the results are compared with the neural network approaches. The developed spline functions and the limit state functions obtained reveal that the LR_MARS models can capture and describe the intrinsic, complex relationship between seismic parameters, soil parameters, and the liquefaction potential without having to make any assumptions about the underlying relationship between the various variables. Considering its computational efficiency, simplicity of interpretation, predictive accuracy, its data-driven and adaptive nature and its ability to map the interaction between variables, the use of LR_MARS model in assessing seismic liquefaction potential is promising.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2021

A comprehensive study on seismic performance of wood frame building in hilly regions is presented. Specifically, seismic fragility assessment of a typical wood frame building at various locations of the northeast region of India are demonstrated. A three-dimensional simplified model of the wood frame building is developed with due consideration to nonlinear behaviour of shear walls under lateral loads. In doing so, a trilinear model having improved capability to capture the force-deformation behaviour of shear walls including the strength degradation at higher deformations is proposed. The improved capability of the proposed model to capture the force-deformation behaviour of shear wall is validated by comparing with the existing experimental results. The structural demand values are obtained from nonlinear time history analysis (NLTHA) of the three-dimensional wood frame model considering the effect of uncertainty due to record to record variation of ground motions and structural parameters as well. The ground motion bins necessary for NLTHA are prepared based on the identified hazard level from probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of the considered locations. The maximum likelihood estimates of the lognormal fragility parameters are obtained from the observed failure cases and the seismic fragilities corresponding to different locations are estimated accordingly. The results of the numerical study show that the wood frame constructions commonly found in the region are likely to suffer minor cracking or damage in the shear walls under the earthquake occurrence corresponding to the estimated seismic hazard level; however, poses negligible risk against complete collapse of such structures.

• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.675-687
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• 2019

As the bridges are an integral part of the transportation network, their function as one of the most important vital arteries during an earthquake is fundamental. In a design point of view, the bridges piers, and in particular the wall piers, are considered as effective structural elements in the seismic response of bridge structures due to their cantilever performance. Owing to reduced seismic load during design procedure, the response of these structural components should be ductile. This ductile behavior has a direct and decisive correlation to the development of plastic hinge region at the base of the wall pier. Several international seismic design codes and guidelines have suggested special detailing to assure ductile response in this region. In this paper, the parameters which affect the length of plastic hinge region in the reinforced concrete bridge with wall piers were examined and the sensitivity of these parameters was evaluated on the length of the plastic hinge region. Sensitivity analysis was accomplished by independently variable parameters with one standard deviation away from their means. For this aim, the Monte Carlo simulation, tornado diagram analysis, and first order second moment method were used to determine the uncertainties associated with analysis parameters. The results showed that, among the considered design variables, the aspect ratio of the pier wall (length to width ratio) and axial load level were the most important design parameters in the plastic hinge region, while the yield strength of transverse reinforcements had the least effect on determining the length of this region.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.1315-1330
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• 2016

This study investigates ground motion parameters and their damage potential for building type structures. It focuses on low and mid-rise reinforced concrete buildings that are important portion of the existing building stock under seismic risk in many countries. Correlations of 19 parameters of 466 earthquake records with nonlinear displacement demands of 1056 Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) systems are investigated. Properties of SDOF systems are established to represent RC building construction practice. The correlation of damage and ground motion characteristics is examined with respect to number of story and site classes. Equations for average nonlinear displacement demands of considered RC buildings are given for some of the ground motion parameters. Velocity related parameters are generally found to have better results than the acceleration, displacement and frequency related ones. Correlation of the parameters may be expected to decrease with increasing intensity of seismic event. Velocity Spectrum Intensity and Peak Ground Velocity have been found to have the highest correlation values for almost all site classes and number of story groups. Common parameter of Peak Ground Acceleration has lower correlation with damage when compared to them and some other parameters like Effective Design Acceleration and Characteristic Intensity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.17-35
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• 2016

Earthquake-induced disasters are often more severe in locations with soft soils than firm soils or rocks due to differences in ground motion amplification. On a regional scale, such differences can be estimated by spatially predicting subsurface soil thickness over the entire target area. In general, soil deposits are generally deeper in coastal or riverside areas than in inland regions. In this study, a coastal metropolitan area, Incheon, was selected to assess site effects and provide information on seismic hazards. Spatial prediction of geotechnical layers was performed for the entire study area within the GIS framework. Approximately 7,000 existing borehole drilling data in the Incheon area were gathered and archived into the GIS Database (DB). In addition, surface geotechnical data were acquired from a walkover survey. Based on the built geotechnical DB, spatial zoning maps of site-specific seismic response parameters were created and presented for use in a regional seismic strategy. Site response parameters were performed to determine site coefficients for seismic design over the entire target area and compared with each other. Site classifications and subsequent seismic zoning were assigned based on site coefficients. From this seismic zonation case study in Incheon, we verified that geotechnical GIS-DB can create spatial zoning maps of site-specific seismic response parameters that are useful for seismic hazard mitigation particularly in coastal metropolitan areas.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.25-34
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• 2012

In order to verify that the recently proposed two-parameters site classification system and the corresponding site coefficients are suitable for the local geological conditions in Korea, a comparison was conducted with current Korean seismic code, Eurocode-8, NYC DOT seismic code. The design spectrum of the current Korean seismic code is significantly amplified in the long-period range, whereas the other response spectra, including the proposed two-parameters approach, are significantly amplified in the short-period range, which is a typical geological condition in Korea. In addition, based on the results of site response analyses in the specific $10km{\times}10km$ area of Gyeongju, spatial distributions of site coefficients from site-specific seismic response analyses were compared with the proposed site coefficients, as well as those specified in the current Korean seismic code. The site coefficients ($F_a$ and $F_v$) from the current Korean seismic codes show significantly high spatial error distributions compared with those specified by the two-parameters site classification system. Therefore, the proposed system is suitable for regions of shallow bedrock including the Korean peninsula.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2023

Türkiye has made significant changes and updates in both seismic risk maps and design codes over time, as have other countries with high seismic risk. In this study, the last two seismic design codes and risk maps were compared for the Aegean Region (Western Türkiye) where the earthquake risk has once again emerged with the 2020 Izmir Earthquake (Mw=6.9). In this study, information about the seismicity of the Aegean Region was given. The seismic parameters for all provinces in the region were compared with the last two earthquake risk maps. The spectral acceleration coefficients of all provinces have increased and differentiated with the current seismic hazard map as a result of the design spectra used on a regional basis have been replaced by the geographical location-specific design spectra. In addition, section damage limits were obtained for all provinces within the scope of the last two seismic design codes. Structural analyses for a sample reinforced-concrete building were made separately for each province using pushover analysis. The deformations in the cross-sections were compared with the limit states corresponding to the damage levels specified in the last two seismic design codes for the region. Target displacement requests for all provinces have decreased with the current code. The differentiation of geographical location-specific design spectra both in the last two seismic design code and between provinces has caused changes in section damages and building performance levels. The main aim of this study is to obtain and compare both seismic and structural analysis results for all provinces in the Aegean Region (Western Türkiye).

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.194-201
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• 2000

In this study the modified seismic coefficient method for seismic analysis of buried box structures is developed for practical purpose. The loading coefficient in the modified seismic coefficient method is determined from the results of the response displacement analysis. In the developed method adequate velocity response spectrum in accordance with soil condition is also needed to seismic design of buried box structures, In order to investigate applicability of the modified seismic coefficient method various analyses are performed with different parameters such as depth of base rock height and width of box buried depth and value of standard penetration test. Results from the modified seismic coefficient method are compared with those of the response displacement method in terms of the maximum bending moment and the location of it. From the comparison it is shown that the feasibility of the modified seismic coefficient method for seismic analysis of buried box structures.