• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.275-294
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• 2003

In this study, 24 high-strength concrete dapped-end beams were tested to study the effects of the amount of main dapped-end reinforcement, the nominal shear span-to-depth ratio, and the concrete strength on the shear strength of dapped-end beams. Test results indicate that the shear strength of dapped ends increases with the increase in the amount of main dapped-end reinforcement and the concrete strength. The shear strength of dapped-end beam increases with the decrease of nominal shear span-to-depth ratio. A simplified method for determining the shear strength of reinforced concrete dapped ends is also proposed in this paper. The shear strengths predicted by the proposed method and the approach of PCI Design Handbook are compared with test results. The comparison shows that the proposed method can more accurately predict the shear strength of reinforced concrete dapped-end beams than the approach of PCI Design Handbook.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.673-693
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• 2005

A general step-by-step simulation for the time-dependent analysis of segmentally-erected prestressed concrete box-girder bridges is presented. A three dimensional finite-element model for the balanced-cantilever construction of segmental bridges, including effects of the load history, material nonlinearity, creep, shrinkage, and aging of concrete and the relaxation of prestressing steel was developed using ABAQUS software. The models included three-dimensional shell elements to model the box-girder walls and Rebar elements representing the prestressing tendons. The step-by-step procedure allows simulating the construction stages, effects of time-dependent deformations of materials and changes in the structural system of the bridges. The structural responses during construction and throughout the service life were traced. A comparison of the developed computer simulation with available experimental results was conducted and good agreement was found. Deflection of the bridge deck, changes in stresses and strains and the redistribution of internal forces were calculated for different examples of bridges, built by the balanced-cantilever method, over thirty-year duration. Significant time-dependent effects on the bridge deflections and redistribution of internal forces and stresses were observed. The ultimate load carrying capacities of the bridges and the behavior before collapse were also determined. It was observed that the ultimate load carrying capacity of such bridges decreases with time as a result of time-dependent effects.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.4
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• pp.521-532
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• 2020

A floating dry dock is an advanced structure that can provide a solution for dry dock space shortages. The critical point in floating dock operation is compensating the deflection caused by a heavy payload by adjusting the water level in the ballast system. An appropriate ballasting plan warrants safe and precise construction on a floating dock. Particularly, in the case of a 2D floating dock, ballasting plan evaluation is crucial due to complex deformation modes. In this paper, we developed a method to calculate the optimal ballasting plan for accurate and precise construction on a 2D floating dock. The finite element method was used for considering the flexibility of the floating dock as well as the construction blocks. Through a gradient-based optimization algorithm, the optimal ballasting plan for the given load condition was calculated in semi-real time (5 min). The present method was successfully used for the actual construction of an offshore structure on the 2D floating dock.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.701-721
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• 2014

In the assessment of existing RC buildings, the reliable appraisal of the compressive strength of in-situ concrete is a fundamental step. Unfortunately, the data that can be obtained by the available testing methods are typically affected by a high level of uncertainty. Moreover, in order to derive indications about the degradation and ageing of the materials by on site tests, it is necessary to have the proper terms of comparison, that is to say, to know the reference data measured during the construction phases, that are often unavailable when the building is old. In the cases when such a comparison can be done, the in situ strength values typically turn out to be lower than the reference strength values (tests performed on taken samples during the construction). At this point, it is crucial to discern and quantify the specific effect induced by different factors: ageing of the materials; poor quality of the placement, consolidation or cure of the concrete during the construction phases; damage due to drilling. This paper presents a procedure for correlating the destructive compressive tests and non-destructive tests (ultrasonic pulse velocity tests) with the data documenting the compressive strength tested during the construction phases. The research work is aimed at identifying the factors that induce the difference between the in-situ strength and cubes taken from the concrete casting, and providing, so, useful information for the assessment procedure of the building.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.215-228
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• 2014

Traditional beam connections to the minor axis of a column have relatively low strength and stiffness. A modified detail, using a plate welded between the toes of the column flange - referred to as a toe plate connection - is examined in this paper. The results of an experimental investigation for both flush and extended end-plate connections connected to a 25 mm thick end-plate are presented. The tests are complemented by finite element modelling which compares very well with the test observations. The results show a significant increase in both moment resistance and initial stiffness for this connection detail compared with connections made directly to the column web. This offers the prospect of more optimal solutions taking advantage of partial strength frame design for the minor axis as well as major axis.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2009

The GK immersed tunnel as a part of Busan-Geoje Fixed Link Project, is the first attempt in Korea. In spite of existing of many difficulties in construction like the absent of construction cases in Korea, the connection work under approximately 50 m below sea level and weak ground condition, etc., now eight caissons were installed successfully on the accurate position and we are going to install upto the twelfth caisson in this year. The purpose of this paper is to introduce design and construction conditions of the GK immersed tunnel to advise the tunnel designers who will handle the similar project.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.317-327
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• 2008

About 70% of domestic land is mountainous and the construction of many geotechnical structures is inevitable for building transportation networks across region. Many geotechnical surveys, including rock physical and mechanical tests, are performed during construction. Thus study is a basic research for establishing database of physical and mechanical properties in domestic rocks, and analyzing the rock mechanical relationships between 2,000 rock properties obtained from laboratory tests in KOLAS. For the construction of useful database, systematic management, based on the standard information as well as reliable data accumulation, is required.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.837-851
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• 2013

In construction industry, strength is a primary criterion in selecting a concrete for a particular application. The concrete used for construction gains strength over a long period of time after pouring the concrete. The characteristic strength of concrete is defined as the compressive strength of a sample that has been aged for 28 days. Neither waiting for 28 days for such a test would serve the rapidity of construction, nor would neglecting it serve the quality control process on concrete in large construction sites. Therefore, rapid and reliable prediction of the strength of concrete would be of great significance. On this backdrop, the method is proposed to establish a predictive relationship between properties and proportions of ingredients of concrete, compaction factor, weight of concrete cubes and strength of concrete whereby the strength of concrete can be predicted at early age. Multiple regression analysis was carried out for predicting the compressive strength of concrete containing Portland Pozolana cement using statistical analysis for the concrete data obtained from the experimental work done in this study. The multiple linear regression models yielded fairly good correlation coefficient for the prediction of compressive strength for 7, 28 and 40 days curing. The results indicate that the proposed regression models are effectively capable of evaluating the compressive strength of the concrete containing Portaland Pozolana Cement. The derived formulas are very simple, straightforward and provide an effective analysis tool accessible to practicing engineers.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.95-106
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• 2013

Earthborne vibrations are induced by construction operation such as pile driving, roadbed compaction, and blasting and also by transit activities such as truck and trains. The earthborne vibration creates the stress waves traveling outward from the source and can structurally damage nearby buildings and structures in the forms of direct damage to structure and damage due to dynamic settlement. The wave propagation characteristics depends on impact or vibration energy, distance from the source, and soil characteristics. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on the mechanistic of earthborne vibration and the current practice of vibration control and mitigation measures. The paper describes the state of knowledge in the areas of: (1) mechanics of earthborne vibration, (2) damage mechanism by earthborne vibration, (3) calculation, prediction of ground vibration, (4) the criteria of vibration limits, (5) vibration mitigation measures and their performance, and (6) the current practice of vibration control and mitigation measures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.141-156
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• 2011

A cable stayed bridge under construction has low structural damping and is not as stable as the completed bridge. Control countermeasures, such as the installation of energy dissipating devices, are thus required. In this study, the general procedure and key issues on adopting an active control device, the active mass damper (AMD), for vibration control of cable stayed bridges under construction were studied. Taking a typical cable stayed bridge as the prototype structure; a lab-scale test structure was designed and fabricated firstly. A baseline FEM model was then setup and updated according to the modal parameters measured from vibration test on the structure. A numerical study to simulate the bridge-AMD control system was conducted and an efficient LQG-based controller was designed. Based on that, an experimental implementation of AMD control of the transverse vibration of the bridge model was performed. The results from numerical simulation and experimental study verified that the AMD-based active control was feasible and efficient for reducing dynamic responses of a complex structural system. Moreover, the discussion made in this study clarified some critical problems which should be addressed for the practical implementation of AMD control on real cable-stayed bridges.