• Wind and Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.221-238
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• 2011

The estimated response of large-scale engineering structures to severe wind loads is prone to modelling uncertainties that can only ultimately be assessed by full-scale testing. To this end ambient vibration data from full-scale monitoring of the historic Clifton Suspension Bridge has been analysed using a combination of a frequency domain system identification method and a more elaborate stochastic identification technique. There is evidence of incipient coupling action between the first vertical and torsional modes in strong winds, providing unique full-scale data and making this an interesting case study. Flutter derivative estimation, which has rarely previously been attempted on full-scale data, was performed to provide deeper insight into the bridge aerodynamic behaviour, identifying trends towards flutter at higher wind speeds. It is shown that, as for other early suspension bridges with bluff cross-sections, single-degree-of-freedom flutter could potentially occur at wind speeds somewhat below requirements for modern designs. The analysis also demonstrates the viability of system identification techniques for extracting valuable results from full-scale data.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2013

For shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel lining, the segment joint is the most critical component for determining the mechanical response of the complete lining ring. To investigate the mechanical behavior of the segment joint in a water conveyance tunnel, which is different from the vehicle tunnel because of the external loads and the high internal water pressure during the tunnel's service life, full-scale joint tests were conducted. The main advantage of the joint tests over previous ones was the definiteness of the loads applied to the joints using a unique testing facility and the acquisition of the mechanical behavior of actual joints. Furthermore, based on the test results and the theoretical analysis, a mechanical model of segment joints has been proposed, which consists of all important influencing factors, including the elastic-plastic behavior of concrete, the pre-tightening force of the bolts and the deformations of all joint components, i.e., concrete blocks, bolts and cast iron panels. Finally, the proposed mechanical model of segment joints has been verified by the aforementioned full-scale joint tests.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.171-191
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• 2024

Wind Driven Rain (WDR) poses a significant threat to the building environment, especially in hurricane prone regions by causing interior and content damage during tropical storms and hurricanes. The damage due to rain intrusion depends on the total amount of water that enters the building; however, owing to the use of inadequate empirical methods, the amount of water intrusion is difficult to estimate accurately. Hence, the need to achieve full-scale testing capable of realistically simulating rain intrusion is widely recognized. This paper presents results of a full-scale experimental simulation at the NHERI Wall of Wind Experimental Facility (WOW EF) aimed at obtaining realistic rain characteristics as experienced by structures during tropical storms and hurricanes. A full-scale simulation of rain in strong winds would allow testing WDR intrusion through typical building components. A study of rain intrusion through a sliding glass door is presented, which accounted for the effects of multiple wind directions, test durations and wind speeds; configurations with and without shuttering systems were also considered. The study showed that significant levels of water intrusion can occur during conditions well below current design levels. The knowledge gained through this work may enhance risk modeling pertaining to loss estimates due to WDR intrusion in buildings, and it may help quantify the potential reduction of losses due to the additional protection from shuttering systems on sliding glass doors during winds.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.571-582
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• 1998

Testing of steel roof purlins is usually performed on full scale models in large vacuum test rigs. To undertake a comparison between web cleat connected purlins and flange bolted purlins a series of tests were performed on a 1:4 small scale model vacuum test rig. Various modelling issues need to be addressed to ensure reasonable comparison with actual constructed roof framing methods but still be suitable for an economical comparison between the connection methods. Model test results were supported by, and found to be in reasonable agreement with, deflection predictions from computer models based on finite element methods. This paper discusses the testing methods adopted and the value of small scale model testing programs as a means of obtaining comparisons between framing options.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2011

The purpose of the present study is to develop conceptual design of a railway vehicle simulator based on a scaled model. Although the scaled simulator is limited in its ability to manipulate the full dynamics of a full-size railway vehicle, it has been known to have an advantage in that it could provide means of testing the fundamental dynamic behavior within a limited laboratory space and at low operation cost. The present study proposes a design strategy for a simulator so that a small scaled roller rig could be fabricated and operated in laboratory setting based on the design philosophy. The data obtained from experimental testing using a scale model can be used to verify and interpret the dynamic performance of full-scale railway vehicle by applying appropriate non-dimensional analysis.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2010

A new full scale testing apparatus generically named the Wall of Wind (WoW) has been built by the researchers at the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) at Florida International University (FIU). WoW is capable of testing single story building models subjected up to category 3 hurricane wind speeds. Depending on the relative model and WoW wind field sizes, testing may entail blockage issues. In addition, the proximity of the test building to the wind simulator may also affect the aerodynamic data. This study focuses on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assessment of the effects on the quality of the aerodynamic data of (i) blockage due to model buildings of various sizes and (ii) wind simulator proximity for various distances between the wind simulator and the test building. The test buildings were assumed to have simple parallelepiped shapes. The computer simulations were performed under both finite WoW wind-field conditions and in an extended Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) wind flow. Mean pressure coefficients for the roof and the windward and leeward walls served as measures of the blockage and wind simulator proximity effects. The study uses the commercial software FLUENT with Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations and a Renormalization Group (RNG) k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model. The results indicated that for larger size test specimens (i.e. for cases where the height of test specimen is larger than one third of the wind field height) blockage correction may become necessary. The test specimen should also be placed at a distance greater than twice the height of the test specimen from the fans to reduce proximity effect.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.194-202
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• 1996

An approach to increase the seismic resistance of large structures is to reduce the seismic forces, to which structures are subjected by base isolation systems. The anti-seismic performance of base-isolated beatings has been verified experimentally by shaking table tests. However, it may be difficult to perform the tests for the full-scale beatings of base-isolated structures. Therefore, the test program was designed to evaluate the reliability and properties of the beatings under a range of loading conditions including axial stress, loading frequency and direction, and temperature. The effects of scale were also evaluated by comparing the results of the 1/4-scale beatings with those from the full-scale bearings, and the ultimate behavior of both types of bearings with evaluated through a series of roll-out tests. This report draws comparisons among the different tests and bearings to determine the importance of various factors including load history, axial stress, and frequency. Comparisons between the 1/4-scale bearings were difficult because of the scaling effects in manufacturing and thermal radiation, but qualitative results from the 1/4-scale bearings can certainly be extrapolated the full-scale bearings.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.281-289
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• 2018

Existing reinforced concrete building structures have seismic vulnerabilities due to their seismically-deficient details resulting in non-ductile behavior. The seismic vulnerabilities can be mitigated by retrofitting the buildings using a fiber-reinforced polymer column jacketing system, which can provide additional confining pressures to existing columns to improve their lateral resisting capacities. This study presents dynamic responses of a full-scale non-ductile reinforced concrete frame retrofitted using a fiber-reinforced polymer column jacketing system. A series of forced-vibration testing was performed to measure the dynamic responses (e.g. natural frequencies, story drifts and column/beam rotations). Additionally, the dynamic responses of the retrofitted frame were compared to those of the non-retrofitted frame to investigate effectiveness of the retrofit system. The experimental results demonstrate that the retrofit system installed on the first story columns contributed to reducing story drifts and column rotations. Additionally, the retrofit scheme helped mitigate damage concentration on the first story columns as compared to the non-retrofitted frame.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 2013

PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to analyze and evaluate the behavior of orthotropic steel bridge deck pavement using three-dimensional finite element analysis and full-scale wheel load testing. METHODS: Since the layer thickness and material properties used in the bridge deck pavement are different from its condition, it is very difficult to measure and access the behavior of bridge deck pavement in the field. To solve this problem, the full-scale wheel load testing was conducted on the PSMA/Mastic bridge deck pavement and the deflection of bridge deck and horizontal tensile strain on top of pavement were measured under the loading condition. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was conducted to predict the behavior of bridge deck pavement and the predicted deflection and tensile strain values are compared with measured values from the wheel loading testing. RESULTS: Test results showed that the predicted deflections are 10% lower than measured ones and the error between predicted and measured horizontal tensile strain values is less than 2% in the critical location. CONCLUSIONS: The fact indicates that the proposed the analysis is found to be accurate for estimating the behavior of bridge deck pavements.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.339-354
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• 2007

Arched Corrugated Steel Roof (ACSR) is a kind of thin-walled steel shell, composing of arched panels with transverse small corrugations. Four full-scale W666 ACSR samples with 18m and 30m span were tested under full and half span static vertical uniform loads. Displacement, bearing capacities and failure modes of the four samples were measured. The web and bottom flange in ACSR with transverse small corrugations are simplified to anisotropic curved plates, and the equivalent tensile modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio of 18m span ACSR were measured. Two 18 m-span W666 ACSR samples were analyzed with the Finite Element Analysis program ABAQUS. Base on the tests, the limit bearing capacity of ACSR is low, and for half span loading, it is 74-75% compared with the full span loading. When the testing load approached to the limit value, the bottom flange at the sample's bulge place locally buckled first, and then the whole arched roof collapsed suddenly. If the vertical loads apply along the full span, the deformation shape is symmetric, but the overall failure mode is asymmetric. For half span vertical loading, the deformation shape and the overall failure mode of the structure are asymmetric. The ACSR displacement under the vertical loads is large and the structural stiffness is low. There is a little difference between the FEM analysis results and testing data, showing the simplify method of small corrugations in ACSR and the building techniques of FEM models are rational and useful.