• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.421-433
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• 2020

Masonry infills are normally considered as non-structural elements in design practice, therefore, the interaction between the bounding frame and the strength contribution of masonry infills is commonly ignored in the seismic analysis work of the RC frames. However, a number of typical RC frames with irregular distributed masonry infills have suffered from undesirable weak-story failure in major earthquakes, which indicates that ignoring the influence of masonry infills may cause great seismic collapse risk of RC frames. This paper presented the investigation on the risk of seismic collapse of RC frames with irregularly distributed masonry infills through a large number of nonlinear time history analyses (NTHAs). Based on the results of NTHAs, seismic fragility curves were developed for RC frames with various distribution patterns of masonry infills. It was found that the existence of masonry infills generally reduces the collapse risk of the RC frames under both frequent happened and very strong earthquakes, however, the severe irregular distribution of masonry infills, such as open ground story scenario, results in great risk of forming a weak story failure. The strong-column weak-beam (SCWB) ratio has been widely adopted in major seismic design codes to control the potential of weak story failures, where a SCWB ratio value about 1.2 is generally accepted as the lower limit. In this study, the effect of SCWB ratio on inter-story drift distribution was also parametrically investigated. It showed that improving the SCWB ratio of the RC frames with irregularly distributed masonry infills can reduce inter-story drift concentration index under earthquakes, therefore, prevent weak story failures. To achieve the same drift concentration index limit of the bare RC frame with SCWB ratio of about 1.2, which is specified in ACI318-14, the SCWB ratio of masonry-infilled RC frames should be no less than 1.5. For the open ground story scenario, this value can be as high as 1.8.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.107-122
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• 2024

Following an internal column failure, adjacent double-span beams above the failed column will play a critical role in the load transfer and internal force redistribution within the remaining structure, and the span-to-depth ratios of double-span beams significantly influence the structural resistance capacity against progressive collapse. Most existing studies have focused on the collapse-resistant performances of single-story symmetric structures, whereas limited published works are available on the collapse resistances of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. To this end, in this study, numerical models based on shell elements were employed to investigate the structural behavior of multi-story steel frames with unequal spans. The simulation models were validated using the previous experimental results obtained for single- and two-story steel frames, and the load-displacement responses and internal force development of unequal-span three-story steel frames under three cases were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, the specific contributions of the different mechanism resistances of unequal-span, double-span beams of each story were separated quantitatively using the energy equilibrium theory, with an aim to gain a deeper level of understanding of the load-resistance mechanisms in the unequal-span steel frames. The results showed that the axial and flexural mechanism resistances were determined by the span ratio and linear stiffness ratio of double-span beams, respectively.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2013

In this study, to have a better judgment on the structural performance, the effects of dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) on seismic behaviour and lateral structural response of mid-rise moment resisting building frames are studied using Finite Difference Method. Three types of mid-rise structures, including 5, 10, and 15 storey buildings are selected in conjunction with three soil types with the shear wave velocities less than 600m/s, representing soil classes $C_e$, $D_e$ and $E_e$, according to Australian Standard AS 1170.4. The above mentioned frames have been analysed under two different boundary conditions: (i) fixed-base (no soil-structure interaction), and (ii) flexible-base (considering soil-structure interaction). The results of the analyses in terms of structural lateral displacements and drifts for the above mentioned boundary conditions have been compared and discussed. It is concluded that the dynamic soil-structure interaction plays a considerable role in seismic behaviour of mid-rise building frames including substantial increase in the lateral deflections and inter-storey drifts and changing the performance level of the structures from life safe to near collapse or total collapse. Thus, considering soil-structure interaction effects in the seismic design of mid-rise moment resisting building frames, particularly when resting on soft soil deposit, is essential.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.349-360
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• 2018

Reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames supported on two ground levels have been widely constructed in mountainous areas with medium to high seismicity in China. In order to investigate the seismic collapse behavior and risk, a scaled frame model was tested under constant axial load and reversed cyclic lateral load. Test results show that the failure can be induced by the development of story yielding at the first story above the upper ground. The strong column and weak beam mechanism can be well realized at stories below the upper ground. Numerical analysis model was developed and calibrated with the test results. Three pairs of six case study buildings considering various structural configurations were designed and analyzed, showing similar dynamic characteristics between frames on two ground levels and flat ground of each pair. Incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were then conducted to obtain the seismic collapse fragility curves and collapse margin ratios of nine analysis cases designated based on the case study buildings, considering amplification of earthquake effect and strengthening measures. Analysis results indicate that the seismic collapse safety is mainly determined by the stories above the upper ground. The most probable collapse mechanism may be induced by the story yielding of the bottom story on the upper ground level. The use of tie beam and column strengthening can effectively enhance the seismic collapse safety of frames on two ground levels.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.251-263
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• 2011

The geomechanical characteristics of rock and the structural geological feature of the fault should be studied and examined for the successful construction of large-span tunnel. In this case study, that is a important case for the tunnel collapse and reinforcement during the construction for the waterway tunnel at large thrust fault zone in schist, we carried out geological and geotechnical survey for make the cause and mechanism of tunnel collapse. Also, we have designed the reinforcement and re-excavation for the safe construction for collapse zone and have carried out successfully the re-excavation and finished the final concrete lining.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.30-38
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• 1998

In this study, in order to measure energy-absorbing characteristics in impact test of CFRP thin-walled laminates and interpret the cause of decreasing age when collapse test is carried out under the environments of high temperatures and hygrothermals, the moisture absorbing behavior according to the variety of orientation angle is observed and impact collapse characteristics of no moisture absorbing status is compared with that under the environments of high temperatures and hygrothermals. Especially, we try to obtain quantitative design data to develop CFRP thin-walled laminates with energy characteristics of optimum impact absorbing. The value of the maximum loading, mean loading, rate of energy absorption energy per unit volume and mass in CFRP thin-walled laminates on the high temperatures and hygrothermals is measured much lower than under no moisture absorbing. The maximum collapse loading in dynamic impact test is taken measurements lower than in static collapse test CFRP circular laminates in high temperatures and hygrothermals. But the absorbed energy per unit mass and volume is almost same each other and the biggest amount of energy is shown in CFRP circular laminates with orientation angle of $15^{\circ}$. Therefore, in the case of using CFRP circular laminates with axisymmetric mode, CFRP thin-walled structural members with orientation angle of $10^{\circ}$, $15^{\circ}$ has generally best condition.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.197-214
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• 2020

Diagrid structures have been introduced as a fairly modern lateral load-resisting system in the design of high-rise buildings. In this paper, a novel diagrid system called tube-in-tube diagrid building is introduced and assessed through pushover and incremental dynamic analyses. The main objectives of this paper are to find the optimum angle of interior and exterior diagrid tube and evaluate the efficiency of diagrid core on the probability of collapse comparing to the conventional diagrid system. Finally, the seismic performance factors of the proposed system are validated according to the FEMA P695 methodology. To achieve these, 36-story diagrid buildings with various external and internal diagonal angles are designed and then 3-D nonlinear models of these structures developed in PERFORM-3D. The results show that weight of steel material highly depends on diagonal angle of exterior tube. Adding diagrid core generally increases the over-strength factor and collapse margin ratio of tall diagrid buildings confirming high seismic safety margin for tube-in-tube diagrid buildings under severe excitations. Collapse probabilities of both structural systems under MCE records are less than 10%. Finally, response modification factor of 3.0 and over-strength factor of 2.0 and 2.5 are proposed for design of typical diagrid and tube-in-tube diagrid buildings, respectively.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.77-93
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• 1999

The twin aims of the paper are to investigate the collapse strength characteristics of ship plating subject to impact pressure loads and to develop a simple structural design formula considering impact load effects. The general purpose nonlinear finite element program STARDYNE together with existing experimental results is used to investigate the collapse behavior of plating under impact pressure loads. The rigid plastic theory taking into account large deflection effects is applied to the development of the design formulation. In the theoretical method, the collapse strength formulation for plating subject to hydrostatic pressure is first derived using the rigid plastic theory. By including the strain rate erects in the formulation it can be applied to impact pressure problems. As illustrative examples, the collapse behavior of steel unstiffened plates and aluminum alloy stiffened panels subject to impact pressure loads is analyzed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.3
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• pp.305-315
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• 2019

Extremely long-span transmission tower-line system is an indispensable portion of an electricity transmission system, and its failures or collapse can impact on the entire electricity grid, affect the modern life, and cause great economic losses. It is therefore imperative to investigate the failure and safety of the transmission tower subjected to ground motions. In the present study, a detailed finite element (FE) model of a representative extremely long-span transmission tower-line system is established. A segmental damage indicator (SDI) is proposed to quantitatively assess the damage level of each segment of the transmission tower under earthquakes. Additionally, parametric studies are conducted to investigate the influence of different ground motions and incident angles on the ultimate capacity and weakest segment of the transmission tower. Finally, the collapse fragility curve in terms of the maximum SDI value and PGA is plotted for the exampled transmission tower. The results show that the proposed SDI can quantitatively assess the damage level of the segments, and thus determine the ultimate capacity and weakest segment of the transmission tower. Moreover, the different ground motions and incident angles have a significant influence on the SDI values of the transmission tower, and the collapse fragility curve is utilized to evaluate the collapse resistant capacity of the transmission tower subjected to ground motions.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Most commercial buildings among existing RC buildings in Korea have a multi-story wall-frame structure where RC shear wall is commonly used as its core at stairways or elevators. The members of the existing middle and low-rise wall-frame buildings are likely arranged in ordinary details considering building occupancy, and the importance and difficulty of member design. This is because there are few limitations, considerations, and financial burdens on the code for designing members with ordinary details. Compared with the intermediate or unique details, the ductility and overstrength are insufficient. Furthermore, the behavior of the member can be shear-dominated. Since shear failure in vertical members can cause a collapse of the entire structure, nonlinear characteristics such as shear strength and stiffness deterioration should be adequately reflected in the analysis model. With this background, an 8-story RC wall-frame building was designed as a building frame system with ordinary shear walls, and the effect of reflecting the shear failure mode of columns and walls on the collapse mechanism was investigated. As a result, the shear failure mode effect on the collapse mechanism was evident in walls, not columns. Consequently, it is recommended that the shear behavior characteristics of walls are explicitly considered in the analysis of wall-frame buildings with ordinary details.