• Wind and Structures
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.633-648
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• 2020

The objective of this work was to investigate the interference effects of two-parallel bridge decks on aerodynamic coefficients, vortex-induced vibration, flutter instability and flutter derivatives. The two bridges have significant difference in cross-sections, dynamic properties, and flutter speeds of each isolate bridge. The aerodynamic static tests and aeroelastic tests were performed in TU-AIT boundary layer wind tunnel in Thammasat University (Thailand) with sectional models in a 1:90 scale. Three configuration cases, including the new bridge stand-alone (case 1), the upstream new bridge and downstream existing bridge (case 2), and the downstream new bridge and the upstream existing bridge (case 3), were selected in this study. The covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification technique (SSI-COV) was applied to identify aerodynamic parameters (i.e., natural frequency, structural damping and state space matrix) of the decks. The results showed that, interference effects of two bridges decks on aerodynamic coefficients result in the slightly reduction of the drag coefficient of case 2 and 3 when compared with case 1. The two parallel configurations of the bridge result in vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) and significantly lower the flutter speed compared with the new bridge alone. The huge torsional motion from upstream new bridge (case 2) generated turbulent wakes flow and resulted in vertical aerodynamic damping H1^* of existing bridge becomes zero at wind speed of 72.01 m/s. In this case, the downstream existing bridge was subjected to galloping oscillation induced by the turbulent wake of upstream new bridge. The new bridge also results in significant reduction of the flutter speed of existing bridge from the 128.29 m/s flutter speed of the isolated existing bridge to the 75.35 m/s flutter speed of downstream existing bridge.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-58
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• 2020

Pile foundations of existing bridges lie in soil and water environment for long term and endure relatively heavy vertical loads, thus prone to damages, especially after stricken by external forces, such as earthquake, collision, soil heap load and etc., and the piles may be injured to certain degrees as well. There is a relatively complete technical system for quality inspection of new bridge pile foundations without structures on the top. However, there is no mature technical standard in the engineering community for the non-destructive testing technology specific to the existing bridge pile foundations. The quality of bridge pile foundations has always been a major problem that plagues bridge maintenance. On the basis of many years' experiences in test engineering and theoretical studies, this study developed a new type of detection technology and equipment for the existing bridge piles.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.357-369
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• 2014

In the existing bridge management systems, assessment of the structural behavior is based on the results of visual inspections in which corresponding condition states are assigned to individual elements. In this process, limited attention is given to the correlation between bridge elements from structural perspective. Also, the uncertainty of parameters which affect the structural capacity is ignored. A system reliability-based assessment model is potentially an appropriate replacement for the existing procedures. The aim of this research is to evaluate the system reliability of existing conventional Steel-Reinforced bridge decks over time. The developed method utilizes the reliability theory and evaluates the structural safety for such bridges based on their failure mechanisms. System reliability analysis has been applied to simply-supported concrete bridge superstructures designed according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC-S6) and the deterioration pattern is achieved based on the reliability estimates. Finally, the bridge condition index of an old existing bridge in Montreal has been estimated using the developed deterioration pattern. The results obtained from the developed reliability-based deterioration model and from the evaluation done by bridge engineers have been found to be in accordance.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.241-252
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• 2013

Because of financial and safety concerns, there are needs for more accurate prediction of bridge behavior. Underestimation of the bridge load carrying capacity can have serious economic consequences, as deficient bridges must be repaired or rehabilitated. Therefore, the knowledge of the actual bridge behavior under live load may lead to a more realistic calculation of the load carrying capacity and eventually this may allow for more bridges to remain in service with or without minor repairs. The presented research is focused on the reliability evaluation of the actual load carrying capacity of existing bridges based on the field testing. Seventeen existing bridges were tested under truck load to confirm their adequacy of reliability. The actual response of existing bridge structures under live load is measured. Reliability analysis is performed on the selected representative bridges designed in accordance with AASHTO codes for bridge component (girder). Bridges are first evaluated based on the code specified values and design resistance. However, after the field testing program, it is possible to apply the experimental results into the bridge reliability evaluation procedures. Therefore, the actual response of bridge structures, including unintentional composite action, partial fixity of supports, and contribution of nonstructural members are considered in the bridge reliability evaluation. The girder distribution factors obtained from the tests are also applied in the reliability calculation. The results indicate that the reliability indices of selected bridges can be significantly increased by reducing uncertainties without sacrificing the safety of structures, by including the result of field measurement data into calculation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.329-334
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• 2019

Traffic flow capacity of some old road bridges is insufficient due to limited deck width. In such cases bridge deck widening is a common solution. For multi-girder reinforced concrete (RC) bridges it is possible to add steel-concrete composite girders as the new outermost girders. The deck widening may be combined with bridge strengthening thanks to thickening of the existing deck slab. Joint action of the existing and the added parts of such bridge span must be ensured. It refers especially to the horizontal plane at the interface of the existing slab and the added concrete layer as well as to the vertical planes at the external surfaces of the initially outermost girders where the added girders are connected to the existing bridge span. Since the distribution of the added concrete is non-uniform in the span cross-section the structure is particularly sensitive to the added concrete shrinkage. The shrinkage induces shear forces in the aforementioned planes. Widening of a 12 m long RC multi-girder bridge span is numerically analysed to assess the influence of the added concrete shrinkage. The analysis results show that: a) in the vertical plane of the connection of the added and the existing deck slab the longitudinal shear due to the shrinkage of the added concrete is comparable with the effect of live load, b) it is necessary to provide appropriate longitudinal reinforcement in the deck slab over the added girders due to tension induced by the shrinkage of the added concrete.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.514-519
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of existing bridge foundation reinforced by battered micropiles. In order to do numerical method using a Finite element program was used to predict the micropile behavior and quantify their reinforcing effect to existing bridge foundations. In addition, effect of battered micropiles on existing foundations was compared with vertically reinforced bridge foundations. Based on the study performed, it was found that the use of battered micropile is more efficiently reducing displacement of existing foundation than vertically installed micropiles under vertical and horizontal loadings respectively. The batter angle of micropile was also found effective about $15^{\circ}\sim20^{\circ}$ to reduce the vortical displacement. The horizontal reinforcement effect is continuously larger with an increase in batter angle. So, it is believed that the results presented could give an idea to enhance in-service performance of existing bridge foundations reinforced by micropiles.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.47-52
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• 2001

Short reinforced concrete bridge piers are particularly susceptible to shear failure as a consequence of the high shear/moment ratio and conservatism in the flexural strength design of existing RC bridge pier, which were constructed before 1992. In addition, shear failure is brittle and involves rapid strength degradation. Inelastic shear deformation is thus unsuitable fur ductile seismic response. It is, however, believed that there are not many experimental research works fur shear failure of the existing RC bridge pier in Korean peninsula subjected to earthquake motions. The object of this research is to evaluate the seismic performance of existing circular RC bridge piers by the quasi-static test. Existing RC bridge piers were moderate seismically designed in accordance with the conventional provisions of Korea Highway Design Specification. This study has been performed to verify the effect of aspect ratio (column height-diameter ratio). Quasi-static test has been done to investigate the physical seismic performance of RC bridge piers, such as lateral force-displacement hysteric curve, envelope curve etc.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.941-946
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• 2002

Short reinforced concrete bridge piers are particularly susceptible to shear failure as a consequence of the high shear/moment ratio and conservatism in the flexural strength design of existing RC bridge pier, which were constructed before 1992. In addition, shear failure is brittle and involves rapid strength degradation. Inelastic shear deformation is thus unsuitable for ductile seismic response. It is, however, believed that there are not many experimental research works for shear failure of the existing RC bridge pier in Korean peninsula subjected to earthquake motions. The object of this research is to evaluate the seismic performance of existing circular RC bridge piers by the quasi-static test. Existing RC bridge piers were moderate seismically designed in accordance with the conventional provisions of Korea Highway Design Specification. This study has been performed to verify the effect of aspect ratio (column height-diameter ratio). Quasi-static test has been done to investigate the physical seismic performance of RC bridge piers, such as lateral force-displacement hysteric curve, envelope curve etc.

• Architectural research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2005

Over the years, existing bridges have had various degrees of maintenance to extend the service life. As the existing bridges continue to deteriorate, however, each Department of Transportation (DOT) of the United States of America faces increasing demands on the limited funds available for bridge maintenance. Therefore, it is very important for State Department of Transportations to establish Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation (MR&R) strategies for bridge structures such that funds get allocated for appropriate maintenance over the service life. This paper identifies the state-of-art and the state-of-practice of MR&R actions and the use of MR&R strategies in concrete bridge decks. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the type and timing for MR&R actions as well as existing MR&R strategies taken in concrete bridge deck by each DOT. This paper also presents the results of the survey.

• Water Engineering Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2000

In this paper, the increment of the local scour depth at piers by constructing the bridge between existing bridges is examined through the experiments in which 5 piers in the non-cohesive bed material in the experimental flume were installed. In the experiments the maximum distance of 25 times of the pier length and the maximum distortion width of 8 times of the pier width were utilized. Through the experimental studies, it was indicated that low flow, which can be characterized as the flow having low Froude numbers, the maximum bed configuration change is obtained when the piers are installed in the straight line in the flor direction without any distortion. However, In the high flow, which can be characterized as the flow having high Froude numbers, the maximum bed configuration change is obtained when the piers are installed with some distortion from the flow direction. The influence of the bed configuration by interaction between bridge piers is changed depending upon the Froude numbers, the distance between piers, and the distortion width between adjacent bridge piers. Also, because the scour patterns are affected by the bed configuration, the maximum scour should be increased by about 60% compared to that in a single pier if the interaction between bridge piers exists. It can be suggested that the maximum scour depth at bridge piers predicted by applying the existing equations should be increased if the interaction between bridge piers exist. Those cases are found when new bridges are constructed successively in the river in the urban area.