• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2023

Concrete construction, one of the oldest building practices, is commonly used in all parts of the world. Concrete is the primary building material for both residential and commercial constructions. The challenge of protecting the buildings, hence nation, against the attack of terrorism has raised the importance to explore the understanding of building materials against the explosion. In this research, a security check-post (reinforced concrete frame filled with plain cement concrete) has been chosen to study the behavior of structural elements under blast loading. Eight nitroglycerines-based dynamite blasts with varying amounts of explosive charge, up to 17 kg weight has been carried out at various scale distances. Pressure and acceleration time history records are measured using blast measuring instruments. Security check post after being exposed by explosive loading are photographed to view cracking/failure patterns on the structural elements. It is noted that with the increase of quantity of explosive, the dimensions of spalling and crack patterns increase on the front panels. Simple empirical analyses are conducted using ConWep and other design manuals such as UFC 3-340-02 (2008) and AASTP-1 (2010) for the purpose of comparison of blast parameters with the experimental records. The results of experimental workings are also compared with earlier researchers to check the compatibility of developed equations. It is believed that the current study presents the simple and preliminary procedure for calculating the air blast and ground shock parameters on the structures exposed to blast explosion.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.217-230
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• 2023

Methods for designing the post-tensioned anchorage zones at ultimate limit state has been specified in current design codes based on strut-and-tie models (STM). However, it is still not clear how to estimate the serviceability behavior of the anchorage zones. The serviceability is just indirectly taken into account by means of the reasonable reinforcement detailing. To address this issue, this paper is devoted to developing a modified strut-and-tie model (MSTM) to predict the behavior of concentric anchorage zones throughout the loading process. The principle of stationary complementary energy is introduced into STM at each load step to satisfy the compatibility condition and generate the unique MSTM. The structural behavior of anchorage zones can be achieved based on MSTM from loading to failure. Simplified formulas have been proposed to estimate the first cracking load, bearing capacity and maximum crack width with the consideration of the details of reinforcement bursting bars. The proposed model provides a definite method to control the bursting crack width in concentric anchorage zones. Four specimens with different bearing plate ratios have been designed and tested to validate the proposed method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.587-600
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• 2024

In order to investigate the seismic performance of regionally confined concrete circular column with trapezoid stirrups (TRCCC) under high axial compression ratio, the confinement mechanism of regionally confined concrete was analyzed. Three regionally confined concrete circular columns with trapezoid stirrups were designed, and low cyclic loading tests were conducted at three different axial compression ratios (0.9, 1.1, 1.25) to study the failure mode, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, deformation capacity, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity of the specimens. The results indicate that the form of regional confinement concrete provides more uniform confinement to the normal confinement, and the confinement efficiency at the edges is 1.4 times that of normal confined concrete. The ductility coefficients of the specimens were all greater than 3 under high axial compression ratios, and the stiffness and horizontal bearing capacity increased with the increase of axial compression ratio. Therefore, it is recommended that the code of design specifications can appropriately relax the axial compression ratio limit for TRCCC. Finally, the spacing between stirrups of TRCCC was analyzed using ABAQUS software. The results showed that as the spacing between the stirrups decreased, the cracking load and peak load of TRCCC increased continuously, but the rate of increase decreases.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.735-749
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to derive solutions and prevent similar cases from occurring by analyzing the causes of cracks found in temperature cycling tests of rocket motor. Methods: By combining the results of the current state confirmation test, non-destructive test, domestic and foreign rocket motor comparison test, cutting test, and adhesion test according to the number of times to apply mold release agent, a Cause and Effect Diagram analysis was performed to derive the cause of cracks. Results: Through this study, 26 factors that could cause cracking in rocket motors during temperature cycling tests were identified. Through various additional test results, a total of five causes were identified, including chemical and structural design of the joint between the propellant and stress relief insert, omission of procedure in the manufacturing procedures, natural aging due to temperature, and load accumulation due to temperature changes. The fundamental cause was confirmed to be insufficient consideration of the release properties of the propellant and stress relief insert. Conclusion: During the design process, it was confirmed that this could be solved by structurally or chemically designing the insert so that it does not combine with the propellant, or by applying a mold release agent during the manufacturing process.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.1
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• pp.103-121
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• 2024

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is a numerical technique used in dynamic analysis to simulate the fluid-like behavior of materials under extreme conditions, such as those encountered in explosions or high velocity impacts. In SPH, fluid or solid materials are discretized into particles. These particles interact with each other based on certain smoothing kernels, allowing the simulation of fluid flows and predict the response of solid materials to shock waves, like deformation, cracking or failure. One of the main advantages of SPH is its ability to simulate these phenomena without a fixed grid, making it particularly suitable for analyzing complex geometries. In this study, the structural damage to a masonry arch bridge subjected to blast loading was investigated. A high-fidelity micro-model was created and the explosives were modeled using the SPH approach. The Johnson-Holmquist II damage model and the Mohr-Coulomb material model were considered to evaluate the masonry and backfill properties. Consistent with the principles of the JH-II model, the authors developed a VUMAT code. The explosive charges (50 kg, 168 kg, 425 kg and 1000 kg) were placed in close proximity to the deck and pier of a bridge. The results showed that the 50 kg charges, which could have been placed near the pier by a terrorist, had only a limited effect on the piers. Instead, this charge caused a vertical displacement of the deck due to the confinement effect. Conversely, a 1000 kg TNT charge placed 100 cm above the deck caused significant damage to the bridge.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.3
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• pp.251-262
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• 2024

Numerical modeling using the finite element method (FEM) offers crucial insights into the mechanical behavior of prostheses, including stress and strain distribution, load transfer, and stress intensity factors. Analyzing cracking in PMMA surgical cement (polymethylmethacrylate) for total hip prostheses (THP) is essential for understanding the loosening phenomenon, as the rupture of orthopedic cement is a primary cause. By understanding various failure mechanisms, significant advancements in cemented total prostheses can be achieved. This study performed a numerical analysis using a 3D FEM model to evaluate stress levels in different THP models, aiming to model damage in the orthopedic cement used in total hip arthroplasty. Utilizing ABAQUS software, FEM, and XFEM, the damage in three types of THPs-Charnley (CMK3), Osteal (BM3), and THOMPSON was modeled under stumbling loading conditions. XFEM allowed for the consideration of crack propagation between the cement and bone, while the GEARING criterion employed a user-defined field subroutine to model damage parameters. The study's findings can contribute to improving implant fixation techniques and preventing postoperative complications in orthopedic surgery.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.126-135
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• 2002

Plate bonding technique has been widely used in strengthening of existing concrete structures, although it has often a serious problem of premature falure such as interface separation and rip-off. However, this premature failure problem has not been well explored yet especially in view of local failure mechanism around the interface of plate ends. The purpose of the present study is, therefore, to identify the local failure of strengthened plates and to derive a separation criterion at the interface of plates. To this end, a comprehensive experimental program has been set up. The double lap pull-out tests considering pure shear force and half beam tests considering combined flexure-shear force were performed. The main experimental parameters include plate thickness, adhesive thickness, and plate end arrangement. The strains along the longitudinal direction of steel plates have been measured and the shear stress were calculated from those measures strains. The effects of plate thickness, bonded length, and plate end treatment have been also clarified from the present test results. Nonlinear finite element analysis has been performed and compared with test results. The Interface properties are also modeled to present the separation failure behavior of strengthened members. The cracking patterns as well as maximum failure loads agree well with test data. The relation between maximum shear and normal stresses at the interface has been derived to propose a separation failure criterion of strengthened members. The present study allows more realistic analysis and design of externally strengthened flexural member with steel plates.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.1765-1775
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• 2013

The application of FRP wire as a mean of improving strength and ductility capacity of concrete cylinders under axial compressive load through confinement is investigated experimentally in this study. An experimental investigation involves axial compressive test of three confining amounts of FRP wire and three concrete compressive strengths. The effectiveness of FRP wire confinement on the concrete microstructure were examined by evaluating the internal concrete damage using axial, circumferential, and volumetric strains. The axial stress-strain relations of FRP wire confined concrete showed bilinear behavior with transition region. It showed strain-hardening behavior in the post-cracking region. The load carrying capacity was linearly increased with increasing of the amount of FRP wire. The ultimate strength of the 35 MPa specimen confined with 3 layer of FRP wire was increased by 286% compared to control one. When the concrete were effectively confined with FRP wire, horizontal cracks were formed by shearing. It was developed from sudden expansion of the concrete due to confinement ruptures at one side while the FRP wire was still working in hindering expansion of concrete at the other side of the crack. The FRP wire failure strains obtained from FRP wire confined concrete tests were 55~90%, average 69.5%, of the FRP wire ultimate uniaxial tensile strain. It was as high as any other FRP confined method. The magnitude of FRP wire failure strain was related to the FRP wire effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.777-786
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• 2010

This paper examines the flexural behavior of full-scale prestressed concrete girders that were constructed of steel fiber reinforced ultra high performance concrete (UHPC). This study is designed to provide more information about the bending characteristics of UHPC girders in order to establish a reasonable prediction model for flexural resistance and deflection for future structural design codes. Short steel fibers have been introduced into prestressed concrete T-girders in order to study their effects under flexural loads. Round straight high strength steel fibers were used at volume fraction of 2%. The girders were cast using 150~190 MPa steel fiber reinforced UHPC and were designed to assess the ability of steel fiber reinforced UHPC to carry flexural loads in prestressed girders. The experimental results show that steel fiber reinforced UHPC enhances the cracking behavior and ductility of beams. Moreover, when ultimate failure did occur, the failure of girders composed of steel fiber reinforced UHPC was observed to be precipitated by the pullout of steel fibers that were bridging tension cracks in the concrete. Flexural failure of girders occurred when the UHPC at a particular cross section began to lose tensile capacity due to steel fiber pullout. In addition, it was determined that the level of prestressing force influenced the ultimate load capacity.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2012

This paper presents the test results on the shear performance of large-size reinforced concrete beams using recycled fine aggregate to evaluate its applicability to structural concrete. The performance of these beams is compared to that of similar beams casted with natural coarse and fine aggregates. All of the beam specimens without shear reinforcement had $400mm{\times}600mm$ rectangular cross section and a shear span ratio (a/d) of 5.0. Five concrete mixtures with different replacement levels of recycled fine aggregates (0, 30, 60, 70 and 100%) were used to obtain a nominal concrete compressive strength of 28MPa. The test results of load-deflection curve, shear deformation, diagonal cracking load, crack pattern, ultimate shear strength, and failure mode are examined and compared. In addition, code and empirical equations from KCI, JSCE, CSA, Zsutty, and MCFT were considered to evaluate the applicability of these equations for predicting shear strength of reinforced concrete beam with recycled fine aggregate. The results showed that the overall shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams incorporating less than 60% recycled fine aggregate was comparable with that of conventional concrete beam. The MCFT gave good prediction and other code equations were conservative in predicting the shear strength of the tested beams. The beam specimens with replacement of 70 and 100% of natural fine aggregates by recycled fine aggregates showed different failure mode than other tested beams.