• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.685-698
• /
• 2001

In this paper, a general method for the automatic search for Strut-and-Tie (S&T) models representative of possible resistant mechanisms in reinforced concrete elements is proposed. The representativeness criterion here adopted is inspired to the principle of minimum strain energy and requires the consistency of the model with a reference stress field. In particular, a highly indeterminate pin-jointed framework of a given layout is generated within the assigned geometry of the concrete element and an optimum truss is found by the minimisation of a suitable objective function. Such a function allows us to search the optimum truss according to a reference stress field deduced through a F.E.A. and assumed as representative of the given continuum. The theoretical principles and the mathematical formulation of the method are firstly explained; the search for a S&T model suitable for the design of a deep beam shows the method capability in handling the reference stress path. Finally, since the analysis may consider the structure as linear-elastic or cracked and non-linear in both the component materials, it is shown how the proposed procedure allows us to verify the possibilities of activation of the design model, oriented to the serviceability condition and deduced in the linear elastic field, by following the evolution of the resistant mechanisms in the cracked non-linear field up to the structural failure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.259-274
• /
• 1998

The test results from non-destructive and destructive field testing of a three-span deteriorated reinforced concrete slab bridge are used as a vehicle to examine the reliability of available tools for finite-element analysis of in-situ structures. Issues related to geometric modeling of members and connections, material models, and failure criteria are discussed. The results indicate that current material models and failure criteria are adequate, although lack of inelastic out-of-plane shear response in most nonlinear shell elements is a major shortcoming that needs to be resolved. With proper geometric modeling, it is possible to adequately correlate the measured global, regional, and local responses at all limit states. However, modeling of less understood mechanisms, such as slab-abutment connections, may need to be finalized through a system identification technique. In absence of the experimental data necessary for this purpose, upper and lower bounds of only global responses can be computed reliably. The studies reaffirm that success of finite-element models has to be assessed collectively with reference to all responses and not just a few global measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2018

This paper introduces a innovative diamond wire saw cutting technology and its experimental verification that can be utilized for cutting heavy structures. While conventional diamond wire saw cutting technologies such as water cooled cutting method and dry cutting method cause severe environmental problems due to generating massive concrete sludge or dust scattering, the proposed method can eliminate those problems considerably. Through extensive experiments using heavy structure test bed and real bridge pier structure, comprehensive analysis and comparative evaluation about various cutting methods were performed. As a result, the innovative diamond wire saw cutting method could achieve a similar cutting and cooling performance to the water cooled cutting method without generating concrete sludge and it showed an improved cutting and cooling performance to the dry cutting method without dust scattering. Consequently it is confirmed that the suggested cutting technology can be a promising environment-friendly alternative in the field of heavy structure dismantling.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.355-365
• /
• 2014

Concrete-filled tubes (CFTs) have been used in civil engineering practices as a column of buildings and a bridge pier. CFTs have several advantages over the conventional reinforced concrete columns, such as rapid construction, enhanced buckling resistance, and inherited confinement effect. However, CFT component have not been widely used in civil engineering practice, since the design provisions among codes significantly vary each other. It leads to conservative design of CFT component. In this study, the design provisions of AISC and EC4 for CFT component were examined, based on the extensive test results conducted by previous researchers and finite element analysis results obtained in this study. Especially, the focus was made on the validation of P-M interaction curves proposed by AISC and EC4. From the results, it was found that the current design codes considerably underestimated the strength of CFT component under general combined axial load and bending. Finally, the modified P-M interaction curve was proposed and successfully verified.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2020

Precast concrete elements in accelerated bridge construction (ABC) extends from superstructure to substructure, precast pile foundation has proven a benefit for regions with fragile ecological environment and adverse geological condition. There is still a lack of knowledge of the seismic behavior and performance of the precast pile foundation. In this study, a 1/8 scaled model of precast pile foundation with elevated cap is fabricated for quasi-static test. The failure mechanism and responses of the precast pile-soil interaction system are analyzed. It is shown that damage occurs primarily in precast pile-soil interaction system and the bridge pier keeps elastic state because of its relatively large cross-section designed for railways. The vulnerable part of the precast pile with elevated cap is located at the embedded section, but no plastic hinge forms along the pile depth under cyclic loading. Hysteretic curves show no significant strength degradation but obvious stiffness degradation throughout the loading process. The energy dissipation capacity of the precast pile-soil interaction system is discussed by using index of the equivalent viscous damping ratio. It can be found that the energy dissipation capacity decreases with the increase of loading displacement due to the unyielding pile reinforcements and potential pile uplift. It is expected to promote the use of precast pile foundation in accelerated bridge construction (ABC) of railways designed in seismic regions.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.85
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural behavior of RC Piers using high strength concrete and high strength rebars. The high strength concrete offers many advantages such as enhanced mechanical performance and durability, in addition to member size reduction. The high strength rebars are used here to reduce the amount of rebars, which facilitates the placement of concrete and labor works. Five RC piers were tested under a constant axial load and a cyclically reversed horizontal load. The seismic design of piers were implemented, according to the current Korean Bridge Design Code. The test variables include concrete compressive strength, steel strength, and steel ratio. The test results indicate that RC piers using the high strength concrete and high strength rebars exhibit ductile behavior and appropriate seismic performance, in compliance with the design code. The present study allows more realistic application of high strength rebars and concrete to RC piers, which will provide enhanced durability as well as more economy.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.207-212
• /
• 2015

Bridges are designed and constructed as infrastructures in order to overcome topographical obstructions for fast and smooth transfer of human/material resources. Therefore the shape and size of piers constructed along the longitudinal bridge axis should be restricted by topographical conditions. Action forces of connections and piers are affected by pier shapes and sizes together with connection arrangement which decides load carrying path under earthquakes. In this study a typical bridge is modelled with steel bearings and reinforced concrete piers and seismic analyses are performed with analysis models with different arrangement of steel bearings and piers. From analysis results ductile failure mechanisms for all analysis models are checked based on strength/action force ratios of steel bearings and pier columns. In this way the influences of arrangement of connections and piers on the earthquake resistant capacity of typical bridges are figured out in view of forming ductile failure mechanism.

• Journal of Korean Society of societal Security
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2009

Seismic design of newly built bridges can be considered and carried out during construction process according to the revised road bridge design standard issued recently. While for the existing reinforced concrete bridge priers under service before new standard implements, their resistance capacity against lateral seismic loading is inferior. In this research, seismic reinforcing for existing bridge piers by nickel-chrome alloy bar has been analyzed. Based on the established model by MIDAS program, the behaviors of bridge piers including deformation and stress with and without nickel-chrome alloy reinforcing bars have been compared and discussed under lateral seismic loading. And the advantages of using nickel-chrome alloy bar as seismic reinforcement over other materials, such as good performance, good economy etc. have been demonstrated by comparison with other researches. Also the anti-seismic efficiency of nickel-chrome alloy reinforcing bars has been confirmed by MIDAS modeling analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.101-116
• /
• 2008

The use of reinforced earth walls id permanent structures is getting its popularity. Despite a number of advantages of reinforced earth walls over conventional concrete retaining walls, there exists concerns over long-term residual deformations when subjected to repeated and/or cyclic loads, during their service period. In this investigation, the effects of pre-loading in reducing long term residual deformation of reinforced soil structures under sustained and/or repeated loading environment are investigated using a series of reduced-scale model tests. A model pier and a back-to-back (BTB) reinforced soil structures were constructed and tested under various loading and backfilling conditions. The results indicate that the pre-loading technique can be an effective means of controlling residual deformations of reinforced soils under various loading conditions.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2000.04a
• /
• pp.319-326
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study is to evaluate seismic performance of reinforced concrete pier columns in Seohae Ground Bridge. Since the bridge was designed before preparing the seismic design specification the bridge columns of hollow hexagonal section were designed and constructed with insufficient seismic reinforcement details such as longitudinal and transverse reinforcement lap-splices. In order to take the necessary measures to improve its seismic performance experimental study was performed by small-scale test for the bridge columns, From the quasi-static test for small-scale column specimens the lap-splices were not critical for overall behavior of the column if sufficient lap-splice-length was provided. The test results of failure mode effective stiffness ductility and equivalent viscous damping ratio are presented.