• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.859-887
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• 2015

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has gained in popularity in recent years since it can assess the performance and condition of instrumented structures in real time and provide valuable information to the asset's manager and owner. Operational modal analysis plays an important role in SHM and it involves the determination of natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes of a constructed structure based on measured dynamic data. This paper presents the operational modal analysis and seismic response characterization of the Tsing Ma Suspension Bridge of 2,160 m long subjected to different earthquake events. Three kinds of events, i.e., short-distance, middle-distance and long-distance earthquakes are taken into account. A fast Bayesian modal identification method is used to carry out the operational modal analysis. The modal properties of the bridge are identified and compared by use of the field monitoring data acquired before and after the earthquake for each type of the events. Research emphasis is given on identifying the predominant modes of the seismic responses in the deck during short-distance, middle-distance and long-distance earthquakes, respectively, and characterizing the response pattern of various structural portions (deck, towers, main cables, etc.) under different types of earthquakes. Since the bridge is over 2,000 m long, the seismic wave would arrive at the tower/anchorage basements of the two side spans at different time instants. The behaviors of structural dynamic responses on the Tsing Yi side span and on the Ma Wan side span under each type of the earthquake events are compared. The results obtained from this study would be beneficial to the seismic design of future long-span bridges to be built around Hong Kong (e.g., the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge).

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.755-763
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• 2011

Recently, extreme tsunami waves generated by submarine earthquake have caused tremendous damages to the coastal cities and ports. Strong seiche oscillations and runups are observed in specific sea areas around the world. Although no frequent impacts to the coast of Korean peninsula, there exist some important events in the east of Korea in the past. This study focuses on two historical events and recalculate with different fault and rupture mechanism for prediction considering the recent trend of submarine earthquake. The present study of the 1983 Akita tsunamis demonstrates the multi-scale resonance along continental coasts. Together with the Nankai tsunami for inland sea, we have confirmed the inland sea resonance surrounded by islands in defining the impact along the coast. Coherence and wavelet analyses for deducing a predominant period and time frequency are useful in reasoning the inundation. The resonance modes, which are largely independent of the tsunami source, allow identification of at-risk communities and infrastructure for mitigation of tsunami hazards. Furthermore, understanding of the resonance and the predicted runups for the site of power plant and industrial complex in the east coast of Korea would allow better preparation for the future disasters.