• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.2 no.3 s.6
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• pp.101-108
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• 2002

There exist many construction joints in segmentally constructed bridge girders. It is required coupling of tendons or overlapping of tendons to introduce continuous prestress through several spans of bridges. Even though tendon coupling method is easier to use in practice, some cracking problems around construction joints have been reported and complicated stress states around construction joints in PSC girders is not clearly investigated. The purpose of this paper is to investigate in detail the complicated longitudinal stress distributions around the construction joints in prestressed concrete girders with tendon couplers. To this end, a comprehensive experimental program has been set up and a series of specimens have been tested to identify the effects of tendon coupling and segmental construction of bridge sections. The present study indicates that the longitudinal stress distributions of PSC girders with tendon couplers are quite different from those of PSC girders without tendon couplers. The longitudinal compressive stresses introduced by prestressing are greatly reduced around coupled joints according to tendon coupling ratios.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.237-250
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• 2003

Since an orthotropic steel deck bridge has large number of design variables and shows complex structural behavior, it would be very difficult and impractical to directly use a Conventional Single Level (CSL) optimization algorithm for its optimum design. Thus, in this paper, an Improved Multi Level Design Synthesis (IMLDS) optimization algorithm is proposed to improve the computational efficiency. In the proposed IMLDS algorithm, a coordination method is introduced to divide the bridge into main girders and orthotropic steel deck with preserving the characteristics of the structural behavior. For an efficient optimization of the bridge, the IMLDS algorithm incorporates the various crucial approximation techniques such as constraints deletion, Automatic Differentiation (AD), stress reanalysis, and etc. In the case of orthotropic steel deck system, optimum design problems are characterized by mixed continuous discrete variables and discontinuous design space. Thus, a modified Genetic Algorithm (GA) is also applied to optimize discrete member design for orthotropic steel deck. From the numerical example, the efficiency and convergency of the IMLDS algorithm proposed in this paper is investigated. It may be positively stated that the IMLDS algorithm will lead to more effective and practical design compared with previous algorithms.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.7_spc
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• pp.435-441
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• 2016

The Korean peninsula has known as a minor-to-moderate seismic region. However, some recent studies had shown that the maximum possible earthquake magnitude in the region is approximately 6.3-6.5. Therefore, a seismic vulnerability assessment of the existing infrastructures considering ground motions in Korea is necessary. In this study, we developed seismic fragility curves for a continuous steel box girder bridge and two typical transmission towers, in which a set of seven artificial and natural ground motions recorded in South Korea is used. A finite element simulation framework, OpenSees, is utilized to perform nonlinear time history analyses of the bridge and a commercial software, SAP2000, is used to perform time history analyses of the transmission towers. The fragility curves based on Korean ground motions were then compared with the fragility curves generated using worldwide ground motions to evaluate the effect of the two ground motion groups on the seismic fragility curves of the structures. The results show that both non-isolated and base-isolated bridges are less vulnerable to the Korean ground motions than to worldwide earthquakes. Similarly to the bridge case, the transmission towers are safer during Korean motions than that under worldwide earthquakes in terms of fragility functions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.10 no.1 s.34
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• pp.1-10
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• 1998

The temporary steel bridges which are constructed for detour and constructional expediency are consisted of H-beams(as superstructure) and H-piles(as substructure). Because these members are fastened by high-tension bolts, there are no expansion joints in these bridges. So, these kinds of bridges have no system which can relieve the excessive thermal stress. In this investigation, monitoring system was set up at temporary steel bridge and stress and temperature changes of H-beam are monitored. From these measured data, it is analyzed that the relationship between ambient and main-girder temperature change, between temperature and stress change. With these analyses, it is resulted that the thermal stress take main part of stress variation in this bridge and the restrain of thermal longitudinal displacement of H-pile. In addition, because the connection part of H-beam to H-beam is weak in the continuous spans, the sub-modelling is well apt to reflect the effect of thermal stress.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.127-139
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• 2019

Residual drifts after an earthquake can incur huge repair costs and might need to replace the infrastructure because of its non-reparability. Proper functioning of bridges is also essential in the aftermath of an earthquake. In order to mitigate pounding and unseating damage of bridges subjected to earthquakes, a self-adaptive Ni-Ti shape memory alloy (SMA)-cable-based frictional sliding bearing (SMAFSB) is proposed considering self-adaptive centering, high energy dissipation, better fatigue, and corrosion resistance from SMA-cable component. The developed novel bearing is associated with the properties of modularity, replaceability, and earthquake isolation capacity, which could reduce the repair time and increase the resilience of highway bridges. To evaluate the super-elasticity of the SMA-cable, pseudo-static tests and numerical simulation on the SMA-cable specimens with a diameter of 7 mm are conducted and one dimensional (1D) constitutive hysteretic model of the SMAFSB is developed considering the effects of gap, self-centering, and high energy dissipation. Two types of the SMAFSB (i.e., movable and fixed SMAFSBs) are applied to a two-span continuous reinforced concrete (RC) bridge. The seismic vulnerabilities of the RC bridge, utilizing movable SMAFSB with the constant gap size of 60 mm and the fixed SMAFSBs with different gap sizes (e.g., 0, 30, and 60 mm), are assessed at component and system levels, respectively. It can be observed that the fixed SMAFSB with a gap of 30 mm gained the most retrofitting effect among the three cases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.633-642
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• 2006

Serviceability design is required to control the cracking at the joint of precast decks with longitudinal prestress in continuous composite bridges. Details of twin-girder bridges are especially complex not only due to their main reinforcements and transverse prestresses for the design of long-span concrete slabs, but also due to the shear pockets for obtaining the composite action. This paper suggests the design guidelines for the magnitude of the effective prestress and for the selection of filling materials and their requirements that would allow for the use of precast decks for twin-girder continuous composite bridges. The necessary initial prestress was also evaluated through long-term behavior analysis. From the analysis, existing design examples were revised and their effectiveness was estimated. When a filling material with a bonding strength higher than the requirement is used in the region of a high negative moment, a uniform configuration of the longitudinal prestressing steels along thewhole span length of continuous composite bridges can be achieved, which would result in the simplification of the details and the reduction of the construction costs.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.907-913
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• 1994

The design of railroad bridges differs from road bridges because of the interface between track structure and bridge structure. The track generally consists of Continuous Welded Rail(CWR) which is fixed by fasteners to the sleepers embedded in the ballast. The ballast provides the interface between the track structure and the bridge structure. Large longitudinal forces can develop from the temperature variation in rail and bridge structure. These longitudinal forces are specially important for long bridges because the bridge layout for span length, pier dimensions and arrangement and type of bearings can be governed by these forces. This report provides a comparison of longitudinal track forces determined by analysis and actual measured track forces. In recent practice the longitudinal track force for European railways is analyzed using a finite element analysis method. This method is very time-consuming and requires the detail design of the bridge to be complete. Redesign is required if the design criteria for longitudinal track forces are not satisfied. There is a need to develop a simple analysis method considering the large number of bridge structures and a relatively short design time on the Korean High Speed Rail Project. The analysis results presented herein, based on a simplified analysis, show good agreement with those obtained by finite element analysis, as well as with those measured on an actual track. The proposed analysis method is particularly useful for the preliminary design of bridge structures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2007

Previous finite element studies have shown that AASHTO Standard load distribution factor (LDF) equations appear to be conservative for longer spans and larger girder spacing, but too permissible for short spans and girder spacing. AASHTO LRFD specification defines the distribution factor equation for girder spacing, span length, slab thickness, and longitudinal stiffness. However, this equation requires an iterative procedure to correctly determine the LDF value due to an initially unknown longitudinal stiffness parameter. This study presents a simplified LDF equation for interior and exterior girders of two-span continuous I-girder bridges that does not require an iterative design procedure. The finite element method was used to investigate the effect of girder spacing, span length, slab thickness, slab width, and spacing and size of bracing. The computer program, GTSTRUDL, was used to idealize the bridge superstructures as the eccentric beam model, the concrete slab by quadrilateral shell elements, steel girders by space frame members, and the composite action between these elements by rigid links. The distribution factors obtained from these analyses were compared with those from the AASHTO Standard and LRFD methods. It was observed through the parametric studies that girder spacing, span length, and slab thickness were the dominant parameters compared with others. The LRFD distribution factor for the interior girder was found to be conservative in most cases, whereas the factor for the exterior girder to be unconservative in longer spans. Furthermore, a regression analysis was performed to develop simplified LDF formulas. The formulas developed in this study produced LDF values that are always conservative to those from the finite element method and are generally smaller than the LDF values obtained from the AASHTO LRFD specification. The proposed simplified equation will assist bridge engineers in predicting the actual LDF in two-span continuous I-girder bridges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.469-481
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• 2008

The inelastic design of the three-span continuous composite plate girder with consideration of moment redistribution over the interior pier is performed using the LRFD method. The design of the girder section, based on the inelastic method, is compared with that by the conventional elastic design. The length of the center span for the three-span continuous bridge ranges from 40m to 70m and the relative ratio of the span length is assumed to be 4:5:4. Although the AASHTO- LRFD specifications are applied in the design of the composite girder, the recently proposed new design live load is used. After determining the maximum positive and negative sections by the elastic design for various limit states, the amount of moment redistributed to the maximum positive moment section is calculated. With the increased design moment due to moment redistribution from the interior pier, the maximum positive section designed by the elastic method is checked for the strength limit state and the service limit state. The maximum negative moment section is redesigned by reducing the size of the steel girder relative to the section designed by the elastic method and the new section is checked for the service limit state. Based on the design results for the five bridges considered in this study, it is estimated that about 23% of steel can be saved in the interior pier section if it is designed by the inelastic method compared with that designed by the elastic method.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.59-68
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• 2010

Seismic performances of existing structures should be assessed with more accuracy for cost-effective retrofits. Existing bridges are assessed by the current guidelines in which a simple method has been adapted considering the technical level of engineers of the historical time of construction. Recently many probabilistic approaches have been performed to reflect the uncertainties of seismic input motions. Structures are modeled frequently with the neglection of soil foundations or modeled occasionally with elastic soil spring elements to consider the effect of the soil on the structural response. However, soil also shows nonlinearity under seismic events, so this characteristic should be reflected in order to obtain a more accurate assessment. In this study, a 6-span continuous bridge has been analyzed under various seismic events, in which the soil was represented by equivalent linear spring elements having different properties according to the intensities of the input motions experienced. The seismic vulnerabilities with respect to the failure of piers and the dropping of the super-structure were evaluated on the basis of the analysis results.