• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.641-647
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• 2010

Ground-source(Geothermal) heat pump(GSHP) systems can achieve a higher coefficient of performance than conventional air-source heat pump(ASHP) systems. However, GSHP systems are not widespread because of their expensive installation costs. The authors have developed a GSHP system that employs the cast-in-place concrete pile foundations of a building as heat exchangers in order to reduce the initial cost. In this system, eight U-tubes are arranged around the surface of a cast-in-place concrete pile foundation. The heat exchange capability of this system, subterranean temperature changes and heat pump performance were investigated in a full-scale experiment. As a result, the average values for heat rejection were 186~201 W/m(per pile, 25 W/m per pair of tubes) while cooling. The average COP of this system was 4.6 while cooling; rendering this system more effective in energy saving terms than the typical ASHP systems.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 1991

Most of the conventional aseismic design methods for reinforced concrete structures, based on the strong¬column weak-beam design concept, do not necessarily the state of damage distribution over the entire frame. This paper introduces a seismic damage-controlled design method for RC frames which aim at individual member damage indices. Three design parameters, namely the longitudinal steel ratio, the confinement steel ratio and the frame member depth, were studied for their influence on the frame response to an earthquake. The usefulness of this design method will be demonstrated with a three-bay four-story building frame so that, on the one hand, the method will reduce the damage as measured by the global damage index under the same earthquake and, on the other hand, will lead to a larger capacity enabling stronger earthquakes to be accom¬odated .

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.303-310
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• 2003

Small-scale models have been frequently used for experimental evaluation of seismic performance because of limited testing facilities and economic reasons. However, there are not enough studies on similitude law for analogizing prototype structures accurately with small-scale models, although conventional similitude law based on geometry is not well consistent in the inelastic seismic behavior. When fabricating prototype and small-scale model of reinforced concrete structures by using the same material, added mass is demanded from a volumetric change and scale factor could be limited due to size of aggregate. Therefore, it is desirable that different material is used for small-scale models. Thus, a modified similitude law could be derived depending on geometric scale factor and equivalent modulus ratio. In this study, compressive strength tests are conducted to analyze equivalent modulus ratio of micro-concrete to normal-concrete. Equivalent modulus ratios are divided into elastic, weak nonlinear and strong nonlinear phases, which are based on ultimate strain level. Therefore, an algorithm adaptable to the pseudodynamic test, considering equivalent three phase similitude law based on seismic damage levels, is developed. In addition, prior to tile experiment, it is verified numerically if tile algorithm is applicable to the pseudodynamic test.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.389-402
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• 2019

Reinforced concrete walls and buckling restrained braces are effective structural elements that are used to resist seismic loads. In this paper, the behavior of the reinforced concrete walls coupled with buckling restrained braces is investigated. In such a system, there is not any conventional reinforced concrete coupling beam. The coupling action is provided only by buckling restrained braces that dissipate energy and also cause coupling forces in the wall piers. The studied structures are 10-, 20- and 30-story ones designed according to the ASCE, ACI-318 and AISC codes. Wall nonlinear model is then prepared using the fiber elements in PERFORM-3D software. The responses of the systems subjected to the forward directivity near-fault (NF) and ordinary far-fault (FF) ground motions at maximum considered earthquake (MCE) level are studied. The seismic responses of the structures corresponding to the inter-story drift demand, curvature ductility of wall piers, and coupling ratio of the walls are compared. On average, the results show that the inter-story drift ratio for the examined systems subjected to the far-fault events at MCE level is less than allowable value of 3%. Besides, incremental dynamic analysis is used to examine the considered systems. Results of studied systems show that, the taller the structures, the higher the probability of their collapse. Also, for a certain peak ground acceleration of 1 g, the probability of collapse under NF records is more than twice this probability under FF records.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.867-883
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• 2016

In this paper, the effects of steel-fiber and rebar reinforcements on the ultimate bearing strength of the local anchorage zone were investigated based on experiments and comparisons between test results and design-equation predictions (AASHTO 2012, NCHRP 1994). Eighteen specimens were fabricated using the same anchorage device, which is one of the conventional anchorage devices, and two transverse ribs were used to secure an additional bearing area for a compact anchorage-zone design. Eight of the specimens were reinforced with only steel fiber and are of two concrete strengths, while six were reinforced with only rebars for two concrete strengths. The other four specimens were reinforced with both rebars and steel fiber for one concrete strength. The test and the comparisons between the design-equation predictions and the test results showed that the ultimate bearing strength and the section efficiency are highly affected by the reinforcement details and the concrete strength; moreover, the NCHRP equation can be conservatively applied to various local anchorage zones for the prediction of the ultimate bearing strength, whereby conditions such as the consideration of the rib area and the calibration factor are changed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.365-384
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• 2014

The intensity of a ground motion can be measured by a number of parameters, some of which might exhibit robust correlations with the damage of structures subjected to that motion. In this study, 204 near-fault pulse-type records are selected and their seismic parameters are determined. Time history and damage analyses of a tested 3-storey reinforced concrete frame representing for low-rise reinforced concrete buildings subjected to those earthquake motions are performed after calibration and comparison with the available experimental results. The aim of this paper is to determine amongst several available seismic parameters, the ones that have strong correlations with the structural damage measured by a damage index and the maximum inter-story drift. The results show that Velocity Spectrum Intensity is the leading parameter demonstrating the best correlation, followed by Housner Intensity, Spectral Acceleration and Spectral Displacement. These seismic parameters are recommended as reliable parameters of near-fault pulse-type motions related to damage potential of low-rise reinforced concrete structures. The results also reaffirm that the conventional and widely used parameter of Peak Ground Acceleration does not exhibit a good correlation with the structural damage.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.409-419
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• 2019

In the present study, effect of size and placement of cubic specimens on compressive strength of self-compacting lightweight concrete (SCLC) were considered. To do so, 81 specimens of different sizes (50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, and 150 mm) were prepared by using three different mixes of SCLC. Results of the cured specimens were then used in regression analyses to find predictive equations with regard to both the placement direction and the size. Test results showed that the strength ratio in cases in which the direction of loading and placement were parallel, were higher than those specimens, whose configurations were normal between loading and placement. In addition, strength ratios in SCLC mixes were slightly higher than those are for self-compacting normal weight concrete. In order to analyze the effect of size on compressive strength the conventional size effect law as well as the modified size effect law (MSEL) were used. Besides, the convergence criterion of nonlinear regression process of size effect study has been discussed. Analyses of the results showed that the unconstraint nonlinear regression in size effect study of SCLC mixes could lead to erroneous results.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.65-72
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• 2021

The Precast concrete(PC) modular structures are a method of assembling pre-fabricated unit modules in the construction site. The essential aim of modular structures is to introduce a connection method that can ensure splicing performance and effectively resist shear strength. This study proposed PC module using a connecting plate that can replace splice sleeves and shear keys used in the conventional PC modular structures. To evaluate the splicing performance and shear capacity of the proposed method, the shear test was conducted by fabricating one monolithic reinforced concrete(RC) beam and two PC modular beams with a shear span-to-depth ratio as variables. The experimental results showed that the shear capacity of the PC modular beam was about 89% compared to that of the RC beam, and showed a failure of the RC beam according to the shear span-to-depth ratio. Therefore, it was considered that the connecting plate effectively transferred the stress between each PC module through the joint and ensure integrity. In addition, the applicability of shear strength equation of ACI 318-19 and Zsutty's equation to PC modular beams were evaluated. Results demonstrated that the improved shear strength equations are needed to consider reduction of shear strength in PC modules.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.231-243
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• 2022

Beam-column joints (BCJs) are recognized among the most crucial zones in reinforced concrete structures, as they are the critical elements subjected to a complex state of forces during a severe earthquake. Under such conditions, BCJs exhibit behaviors with impacts that extend to the whole structure and significantly influence its ductility and capability of dissipating energy. The focus of this paper is to investigate the effect of undamaged transverse beam (secondary beams) on the ductility of concrete BCJs reinforced with conventional steel and shape memory alloys bars using pushover analysis at tip of beam under different axial load levels at the column using a nonlinear finite element model in ABAQUS environment. A numerical model of a BCJ was constructed and the analysis outcomes were verified by comparing them to those obtained from previous experiments found in the literature. The comparison evidenced the capability of the calibrated model to predict the load capacity response of the joint. Results proved the ability of undamaged secondary beams to provide a noticeable improvement to the ductility of reinforced concrete joints, with a very negligible loss in load capacity. However, the effect of secondary beams can become less significant if the beams are damaged due to seismic effects. In addition, the axial load was found to significantly enhance the performance of BCJs, where the increase in axial load magnified the capacity of the joint. However, higher values of axial load resulted in greater initial stiffness of the BCJ.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.385-398
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• 2024

As concrete dominates the construction industry, alternatives to traditionally used steel reinforcement are being sought. This study explored the suitability of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) as a substitute within rigid frames, focusing on its impact on section ductility and overall structural durability against seismic events. However, current design guidelines address quasi-static loads, leaving a gap for dynamic or extreme circumstances. Our approach included multiscale simulations, parametric study, and energy dissipation analyses, drawing upon a unique adaptation of modified compression field theory. In our efforts to optimize macro and microparameters to improve yield strength, manage brittleness, and govern failure modes, we also recognized the potential of CFRP's high corrosion resistance. This characteristic of CFRP could significantly reduce the frequency of required repairs, thereby contributing to enhanced durability of the structures. The research reveals that CFRP's durability and seismic resistance are attributed to plastic joints within compressed fibers. Notably, CFRP can impart ductility to structural designs, effectively balancing its inherent brittleness, particularly when integrated with quasi-brittle materials. This research challenges the notion that designing bendable components with carbon fiber reinforcement is impractical. It shows that creating ductile bending components with CFRP in concrete is feasible despite the material's brittleness. This funding overturns conventional assumptions and opens new avenues for using CFRP in structural applications where ductility and resilience are crucial.