• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.525-542
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• 2022

In this work we present an advanced approach to the design of small wind turbine support steel structures. To this end we use an improved version of previously developed geometrically exact beam models. Namely, three different geometrically exact beam models are used, the first two are the Reissner and the Kirchhoff beam models implementing bi-linear hardening response and the third is the Reissner beam capable of also representing connections response. All models were validated in our previous research for a static response, and in this work they are extended to dynamic response. With these advanced models, we can perform analysis of four practical solutions for the installation of small wind turbines in new or existing buildings including effects of elastoplastic response to vibration problems. The numerical simulations confirm the robustness of numerical models in analyzing vibration problems and the crucial effects of elastoplastic response in avoiding resonance phenomena.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.17 no.3 s.76
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• pp.347-356
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• 2005

Recently, pre-engineering building (P.E.B.) systematic frames are increasingly being used in steel factory buildings, but almost of the related techniques are dependent on the engineering program (e.g, MBS, LTI), which is usually imported from other countries. These are designed under the AISC-ASD because at present there is no Korean design code for P.E.B. frames. Also, there are few studies onbehaviour and we need to develop the element techniques by using H-shaped components.In particular, there is a tendency towards overestimated design because column-rafter connections have been designed with extended end plate type joint, which is treated asrigid joint,so structural examinations are needed. Therefore, this study represents a basic step in ascertaining the application of P.E.B. systematic frames by using H-shaped column-rafter connectionwith flush type end plate. Its structural performance is compared with that of existing extended type joint using a structural performance test. The structural behaviour of specimen was understood qualitatively and the possibility of application (e.g, design aid charts) of semi-connection (flush type) with H-shaped column-rafter was determined.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1167-1184
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• 2015

Despite considerable life casualty and financial loss resulting from past earthquakes, many existing steel buildings are still seismically vulnerable as they have no lateral resistance or at least need some sort of retrofitting. Passive control methods with decreasing seismic demand and increasing ductility reduce rate of vulnerability of structures against earthquakes. One of the most effective and practical passive control methods is to use a shear panel system working as a ductile fuse in the structure. The shear Panel System, SPS, is located vertically between apex of two chevron braces and the flange of the floor beam. Seismic energy is highly dissipated through shear yielding of shear panel web while other elements of the structure remain almost elastic. In this paper, lateral behavior and related benefits of this system with narrow-flange link beams is experimentally investigated in chevron braced simple steel frames. For this purpose, five specimens with IPE (narrow-flange I section) shear panels were examined. All of the specimens showed high ductility and dissipated almost all input energy imposed to the structure. For example, maximum SPS shear distortion of 0.128-0.156 rad, overall ductility of 5.3-7.2, response modification factor of 7.1-11.2, and finally maximum equivalent viscous damping ratio of 35.5-40.2% in the last loading cycle corresponding to an average damping ratio of 26.7-30.6% were obtained. It was also shown that the beam, columns and braces remained elastic as expected. Considering this fact, by just changing the probably damaged shear panel pieces after earthquake, the structure can still be continuously used as another benefit of this proposed retrofitting system without the need to change the floor beam.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.73-91
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• 2015

The effectiveness of tuned mass dampers (TMDs) in reducing the seismic response of civil structures is still a debated issue. The few studies regarding TMDs on inelastic structures indicate that they would perform well under moderate earthquake loading, when the structure remains linear or weakly nonlinear, while tending to fail under severe ground shaking, when the structure experiences strong nonlinearities. TMD seismic efficiency should be therefore rationally assessed by considering to which extent moderate and severe earthquakes respectively contribute to the expected cost of damages and losses over the lifespan of the structure. In this paper, a method for evaluating, in a life-cycle cost (LCC) perspective, the seismic effectiveness of TMDs on inelastic building structures is presented and exemplified on the SAC LA 9-storey steel moment-resisting frame benchmark building. Results show that the LCC concept may provide an appropriate alternative to traditional performance criteria for the evaluation of the effectiveness of TMDs and that TMD installation on typical existing middle-rise buildings in high seismic hazard regions may significantly reduce building lifetime cost despite the poor control performance observed under the most severe seismic events.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.599-620
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• 2011

The investigation on possible causes of failures related to documented collapses is a complicated issue, primarily due to the scarcity and inadequacy of information available. Although several studies have tried to understand which are the inherent structural deficiencies or circumstances associated to failure of the main structural elements in a reinforced concrete frame, to the authors knowledge a uniform approach for the evaluation building static vulnerability, does not exist yet. This paper investigates, by means of a detailed case study, the potential failure mechanisms of an existing reinforced concrete building. The linear elastic analysis for the three-dimensional building model gives an insight on the working conditions of the structural elements, demonstrating the relevance of a number of structural faults that could sensibly lower the structure's safety margin. Next, the building's bearing capacity is studied by means of parametric nonlinear analysis performed at the element's level. It is seen that, depending on material properties, concrete strength and steel yield stress, the failure hierarchy could be dominated by either brittle or ductile mechanisms.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2020

In different high seismic regions around the world, many non-ductile existing reinforced concrete frame buildings, built without adequate seismic detailing requirements, have been damaged or collapsed after past earthquakes. The assessment and the retrofit of these non-ductile concrete structures is crucial theme of research for all the scientific community of engineers. In particular, a careful assessment of the existing building is fundamental for understanding the failure mechanisms that govern the collapse of the structure or the achievement of the recommended limit states. Based on the seismic assessment, the best retrofit strategy can be designed and applied to the structure. A school building located in Avellino province (Italy) is the case study. The analysis of seismic vulnerability carried out on the mentioned building has highlighted deficiencies in both static and seismic load conditions. The retrofit of the building has been designed based on different retrofit options in order to show the real retrofit design developed from the engineers to achieve the seismic safety of the building. The retrofit costs associated to structural operations are calculated for each case and have been summed up to the costs of the in situ tests. The paper shows a real retrofit design case study in which the best solution is chosen based on the results in terms of structural performance and cost among the different retrofit options.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.149-161
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• 2012

The use of seismic energy-dissipative devices for passive control is increasing exponentially in the recent years for both new and existing buildings. Use of these devices started in and has been somewhat limited to developed countries. One of the current challenges is to promote the use of seismic dampers in earthquake-prone developing countries by lowering the cost of the devices. This paper proposed a new type of seismic damper based on yielding of a cantilever type metallic element for seismic retrofit of existing and new building structures. The hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation capacity of the proposed damper was investigated using component tests under cyclic loads. The experimental results indicated that the damping device had stable restoring force characteristics and a high energy dissipation capacity. Based on these results, a simple hysteretic model for predicting the load-displacement curve of the seismic damper was proposed.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.182-192
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• 2022

Brittle feature is one of the fracture behaviors of structure s and has a great influence on the seismic performance of structure materials. The load velocity acts as one of the main causes of brittle fracture, and in particular, in situations such as earthquakes, a high load velocity acts on buildings. However, most of the seismic performance evaluation of the domestic and external steel connections is conducted through static experiments. Therefore, there is a possibility that brittle fracture due to factors such as degradation of material toughness and reduction of maximum deformation rate due to high load velocity during an earthquake was not sufficiently considered in the existing seismic performance evaluation. This study conducts a static test at a low load velocity according to the existing experimental method and a dynamic test at a high load velocity using a shaking table, respectively. It compares and analyzes the fracture shape and structural performance according to the results of each experiment, and finally analyzes the effect of the load velocity size on the seismic performance of the connection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2012

With the increase in the demand for high-rise buildings, the use of high-strength steel has likewise increased. Thus, it has become more necessary to study the resistance force of the high-strength hollow structural section (HSS) joint of 600MPa. Additionally, the current design equation in Korea limits maximum yield stress at 360MPa in the case of HSS. In other words, since the current specification does not apply to HSS of 600MPa, this study aims to investigate the applicability of design equations as well as examine the behavior of the connection through the experiment and finite element analysis (FEA) of the plate-tube connection of 600MPa. In particular, this paper presents the behavior of joints with the gusset plates welded in the longitudinal direction of the circular hollow section (CHS) when the joints are subjected to lateral force. Comparing design equations with the results of FEA and the test, existing design equations are underestimated to be 56~79% in the case of high-strength materials.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2019

2016 Gyeongju and 2017 Pohang earthquakes led Koreans to acknowledge that the Korean peninsula is not an earthquake-free zone anymore. Among various buildings crucial to after-shock recovery, general hospital buildings, especially existing old ones, are very significant so seismic retrofitting of those must be an important issue. Self-centering energy dissipative(SCED) brace is one of retrofitting methods, which consists of tendon with restoring force and friction device capable of dissipating seismic energy. The strength of the SCED brace is that the tendon forces a structure to go back to the original position, which means residual drift can be negligible. The residual drift is a very important parameter to determine usableness of general hospitals after shock. To the contrary, buckling-restrained braces(BRB) are also a very effective way to retrofit because they can resist both compressive and tensile, but residual drift may exist when the steel core yields. On this background, the seismic retrofitting effect of general hospitals reinforced with SCED braces was investigated and compared to that of the BRD in this study. As a result, although the floor acceleration cannot be reduced, the story drift and residual drift, and the shear demand of walls significantly decreased. Consequently, seismic retrofitting by SCED braces are very effective for domestic low-rise general hospitals.