• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.539-558
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• 2012

The diagnosis of bridge serviceability is carried out by a combination of in-situ visual inspection, static and dynamic loading tests and analyses. Structural health monitoring (SHM) using information technology and sensors is increasingly being used for providing a better estimate of structural performance characteristics rather than above traditional methods. Because the mechanical behavior of bridges with various kinds of damage can not be made clear, it is very difficult to estimate both the damage mode and degree of damage of existing bridges. In this paper, the sensitivity of both static and dynamic behaviors of bridges are studied as a measure of damage assessment through experiments on model bridges induced with some specified artificial damages. And, a method of damage assessment of bridges based on those behaviors is discussed in detail. Finally, based on the results, a possible application for structural health monitoring systems for existing bridges is also discussed.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.3 s.55
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

This study suggests a method to determine optimal seismic retrofitting schemes for existing bridges based on weighting-factored evaluation. According to the recognition for potential seismic risk, various kinds of retrofitting methods are applied to improve the seismic performance of existing bridges. However, the relevant technique is not available to select optimal retrofitting scheme for bridges now. This suggested method weights five factors, structural compatibility, economic efficacy, environmental factor, consturctability and maintenance, and draws out optimal seismic retrofitting schemes. The application of the developed method to one hundred sixty existing bridges verifies the adaptability of this method. As a result, this study provides an idealized retrofitting schemes, and the suggested method could be a guideline to determine the more cost-effective and optimal retrofitting schemes for existing bridges in Korea.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2004

Development and application of structural health monitoring system in Korea have become active since the early 1990's. In earlier applications, health monitoring systems were installed in several existing bridges in order to collect initial field data by full scale load capacity test for design verification and subsequently monitor long-term performance and durability of the bridge as part of an inspection and maintenance program. Recently, modem and integrated monitoring systems have been introduced in most of the newly constructed long-span bridges since the design stage. This paper outlines the progresses and applications of monitoring systems in Korea for both existing and newly constructed bridges and describes their aims and characteristics.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1989.04a
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• pp.11-16
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• 1989

This paper presents a fatigue reliability model for the reliability-based evaluation of remaining fatigue life of existing rail-road bridges. It is demonstrated that the simple fatigue reliability model based on the Weibull distribution of fatigue life can be extended by incorporating various effects due to the rate of the train-traffic increase and in-service Inspections. The paper also suggests the system fatigue reliability analysis using an approximate formulation and 2nd-order bound solutions. The application of the proposed model to existing rail-road brdiges based on field load tests shows that it may be practically used for the assessment of fatigue reliability, remaining life, and in-service inspection scheduling of existing rail-road bridges.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1998.10b
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• pp.737-742
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• 1998

Non-destructive field tests of the concrete has achieved increasing acceptance for the evaluation of existing concrete structures. But the application of this test has not still accomplished to guarantee perfectly the durability of the concrete bridges in Korea. As two major testing methods, this paper recommends the proper empirical relationship between the rebound number together with the ultrasonic pulse velocity and the core strength. Also, this paper recommend the relationships as the aging and as the element.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.284-291
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• 2002

New information technology developments continue to have a significant impact on civil engineering fields. The objective of this study is to develop STEP-based database which will be able to store and manipulate the information of steel bridges over the life cycle. In this study, there are three steps to fulfil the objective to build database and develop the application module for that data model practically and effectively To begin with, STEP methodology for a development of data model has been used for modelling data structure. And then the data model for a steel bridge's shape and structural analysis information has been made up by using AP203 (configuration controlled design) and AP203 (composite and metallic structural analysis and related design) which are the international standard in STEP Lastly, the application module for an access to information of steel bridges has been developed by means of already made database. This study show efficiently the prototype of developing information system with the existing standard technology in civil engineering fields.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.33-42
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• 2007

This paper describes the state-of-the art research activities on seismic isolation systems for improving the seismic capacities of the bridges in Korea. Though Korea is located in a region of low-to-moderate seismicity, the construction of seismic isolation systems has increased rapidly. The application of seismic isolation system has become popular worldwide because of its stable behavior and economical construction especially for bridge structures. Since optimal reliability level of isolated bridges can be determined as the one that provides the highest net life-cycle benefit to society, or the minimum Life-Cycle Cost (LCC), an optimal design procedure based on minimum LCC concept is more expedient for the design of seismically isolated bridges in areas of low-to-moderate seismicty. To verify the adequacy of the new design concept based on the LCC minimization, experimental studies on seismically isolated bridge are introduced as well, which include pseudo-dynamic test of scaled pier and dynamic field test of full-scale. With the application of seismic isolation systems, many kinds of dampers to improve the seismic capacity of structure are also applied not only to new bridges but also to existing bridges.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.367-389
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• 2008

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are unique materials with a paramount potential for various applications in bridges. The novelty of this material lies in its ability to undergo large deformations and return to its undeformed shape through stress removal (superelasticity) or heating (shape memory effect). In particular, Ni-Ti alloys have distinct thermomechanical properties including superelasticity, shape memory effect, and hysteretic damping. SMA along with sensing devices can be effectively used to construct smart Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridges that can detect and repair damage, and adapt to changes in the loading conditions. SMA can also be used to retrofit existing deficient bridges. This includes the use of external post-tensioning, dampers, isolators and/or restrainers. This paper critically examines the fundamental characteristics of SMA and available sensing devices emphasizing the factors that control their properties. Existing SMA models are discussed and the application of one of the models to analyze a bridge pier is presented. SMA applications in the construction of smart bridge structures are discussed. Future trends and methods to achieve smart bridges are also proposed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.595-603
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• 2012

This study applied elastic supports in order to evaluate load carrying capacity using measurement data obtained from load tests actively and utilizing various evaluation methods. In order to confirm the adequacy of structural analysis based on elastic supports and to improve the reliability of experiment results, we conducted a deflection test with flexural beams prepared as overhanging beams and, based on the results, performed precision safety diagnosis for real bridges under public service for improving the load carrying capacity evaluation method for bridges under public service. In the results of the bending test, compared to deflection calculated by the existing method, deflection obtained by applying elastic supports was closer to the actually measured deflection. In the results of evaluating load carrying capacity for a 3 span continuous steel box girder bridge just after its completion, load carrying capacity by elastic supports was smaller by up to 39% than that by the existing method. When the load carrying capacity of bridges is evaluated by the existing method the results vary among engineers due to lack of guidelines for evaluation such as the application of stress modification factor. This study was conducted as an effort to solve this problem through active research.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.209-221
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• 2012

The flutter reliability analysis of long span bridges requires use of a software tool that predicts the uncertainty in a flutter response due to uncertainties in the model formulation and input parameters. Existing flutter analysis numerical codes are not capable of dealing with stochastic uncertainty in the analysis of long span bridges. The goal of the present work is to develop a software tool (FREASB) to enable designers to efficiently and accurately conduct flutter reliability analysis of long span bridges. The FREASB interfaces an open-source Matlab toolbox for structural reliability analysis (FERUM) with a typical deterministic flutter analysis code. The paper presents a brief introduction to the generalized first-order reliability method implemented in FREASB and key steps involved in coupling it with a typical deterministic flutter analysis code. A numerical example concerning flutter reliability analysis of a long span suspension bridge with a main span of 1385 m is presented to demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the methodology and the software.