• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3A
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• pp.139-148
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• 2012

Circular concrete-filled tubes (CFTs) are composite members, which consists of a steel tube and concrete infill. CFTs have been used as building columns and bridge piers due to several advantages such as their strength-to-size efficiency and facilitation of rapid construction. Extensive experimental studies about CFT have been conducted for past decades. However experimental results alone are not sufficient to support the engineering of these components. Complementary advanced numerical models are needed to simulate the behavior of CFT to extend the experimental research and develop predictive tools required for design and evaluation of structural systems. In this study, a finite element modeling technique for CFT was developed. The confinement effects, and behavior of CFT subjected various types of loading predicted by the proposed finite element model for CFT were verified by comparing with test results.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.397-407
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• 2013

Recently, a great progress has been made in bridge construction technology through the development of high performance materials and new structural types. However, most of attention has been paid to the cast-in-place technologies and material cost saving. The cast-in-place method is always subject to some environmental damages in construction sites, which frequently causes conflicts with residents. To overcome the disadvantages, a lot of fabrication construction method was developed. Most fabrication construction methods developed up to now have been applied for superstructure of bridges. In contrast, such fabricable methods developed for substructures are extremely rare. A fabricated column using ICH CFT(Internally Confined Hollow CFT) column was developed in a series of previous researches. Included in the previous studies are design and construction methods for the precast segmental coping, the column-coping connection, the column-segment connection, column-foundation connection. In this paper, seismic performance of the fabricated ICH CFT columns was extensively investigated experimentally. Two test specimens were prepared depending on the connection methods of segments; one by mortar-grouting method and the other by reinforcement method using stiffeners.

• KCI Concrete Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2000

The effect of structure size on the nominal strength of unidirectional fiber-polymer composites, failing by propagation of a kink band with fiber microbuckling, is analyzed experimentally and theoretically. Tests of novel geometrically similar carbon-PEEK specimens, with notches slanted so as to lead to a pure kink band (without shear or splitting cracks), are conducted. The specimens are rectangular strips of widths 15.875, 31.75. and 63.5 mm (0.625, 1.25 and 2.5 in and gage lengths 39.7, 79.375 and 158.75 mm (1.563, 3.125 and 6.25 in.). They reveal the existence of a strong (deterministic. non-statistical) size effect. The doubly logarithmic plot of the nominal strength (load divided by size and thickness) versus the characteristic size agrees with the approximate size effect law proposed for quasibrittle failures in 1983 by Bazant This law represents a gradual transition from a horizontal asymptote, representing the case of no size effect (characteristic of plasticity or strength criteria), to an asymptote of slope -1/2 (characteristic of linear elastic fracture mechanics. LEFM) . The size effect law for notched specimens permits easy identification of the fracture energy of the kink bandand the length of the fracture process zone at the front of the band solely from the measurements of maximum loads. Optimum fits of the test results by the size effect law are obtained, and the size effect law parameters are then used to identify the material fracture characteristics, Particularly the fracture energy and the effective length of the fracture process zone. The results suggest that composite size effect must be considered in strengthening existing concrete structural members such as bridge columns and beams using a composite retrofitting technique.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.203-210
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• 2004

The fragility curves of seismic retrofitted bridges by steel jacketing at bridge columns and restrainers at expansion joints after the 1994 Northridge earthquake are developed. Fragility curves are represented by lognormal distribution functions with two parameters (median and log-standard deviation) and developed as a function of peak ground acceleration(PGA). Two parameters in the lognormal distribution are estimated by the maximum likelihood method. The sixty ground acceleration time histories for Los Angeles area developed for FEMA SAC project are used for the dynamic analysis of bridges. The comparison of fragility curves of the bridges before and after column retrofit demonstrates that the improvement of the bridges with steel jacketing on the seismic performance is excellent for the damage states defined in this study. The comparison of fragility curves of the bridges before and after the installation of restrainers at expansion joints also shows the improvement in the seismic performance of restrained bridges for the severe damage state.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.811-818
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• 2018

A fire and explosion accident caused by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) welding and cutting torch gas leak occurred 10 m underground at the site of reinforcement work for bridge columns, killing four people and seriously injuring ten. We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the accident to identify the fundamental causes of the explosion by analyzing the structure of the construction site and the properties of propane, which was the main component of LPG welding and cutting work used at the site. The range between the lower and upper explosion limits of leaking LPG for welding and cutting work was examined using Le Chatelier's formula; the behavior of LPG concentration change, which included dispersion and concentration change, was analyzed using the fire dynamic simulator (FDS). We concluded that the primary cause of the accident was combustible LPG that leaked from a welding and cutting torch and formed a explosion range between the lower and upper limits. When the LPG contacted the flame of the welding and cutting torch, LPG explosion occurred. The LPG explosion power calculation was verified by the blast effect computation program developed by the Department of Defense Explosive Safety Board (DDESB). According to the fire simulation results, we concluded that the welding and cutting torch LPG leak caused the gas explosion. This study is useful for safety management to prevent accidents caused by LPG welding and cutting work at construction sites.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.121-129
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• 2006

Stone column is one of the ground improvement systems which is being used for accelerating consolidation and increasing bearing capacity for settlement sensitive structures like load embankments, bridge abutments, oil storage tanks etc. The effects of this method are enhancement of ground bearing capacity, reduction of settlement, prevention of liquefaction and prevention of lateral ground movement. Recently, geosynthetic reinforced (encased) stone column approach has been developed to improve its load carrying capacity through increasing confinement effect. Although such a concept has successfully been applied in practice, fundamentals of the method have not been fully explored. This paper presents the results of an investigation on the bearing capacity and failure mechanism of geogrid-encased stone column by model tests. The results of the analyses indicated improved bearing capacity of the geogrid reinforced stone column method over the conventional strone column method with no encasing.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1A
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• pp.147-154
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the structural performance of an innovative new shear resistance connecting structure of precast member. Joints such as shear resistance connecting structure require special attention when designing and constructing precast segmental structures. An experimental and analytical study was conducted to quantify performance measures and examine one aspect of detailing for developed shear resistance connecting structure. A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was used. A joint element is used to predict the inelastic behavior of the joints between segmental members. Future work by the authors will do a model test of precast segmental prestressed concrete bridge columns with this shear resistance connecting structure, and examined both the structural behavior and seismic performance.