• Computers and Concrete
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.533-546
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• 2020

The prediction of spall response of reinforced concrete members like columns and slabs have been attempted by earlier researchers with analytical solutions, as well as with empirical models developed from data generated from physical or numerical experiments, with different degrees of success. In this article, compared to the empirical models, more versatile and accurate models are developed based on model-free approach of artificial neural network (ANN). Synthetic data extracted from the results of numerical experiments from literature have been utilized for the purpose of training and testing of the ANN models. For two concrete members, namely, slabs and columns, different sets of ANN models were developed, each of which proved to have definite advantages over the corresponding empirical model reported in literature. In case of slabs, for all three categories of spall, the ANN model results were superior to the empirical models as evaluated by the various performance metrics, such as correlation, root mean square error, mean absolute error, maximum overestimation and maximum underestimation. The ANN models for each category of column spall could handle three variables together: namely, depth, spacing of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement, as contrasted to the empirical models that handled one variable at a time, and at the same time yielded comparable performance. The application of the ANN models for spall prediction of concrete slabs and columns developed in this study has been discussed along with their limitations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.5
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• pp.687-704
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• 2023

This study aims to examine the structural response of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (Glass-FRP) reinforced geopolymer electronic waste aggregate concrete (GEWC) compression elements under axial compression for sustainable development. The research includes the fabrication of nine GEWC circular compression elements with different reinforcement ratios and a 3-D nonlinear finite element model using ABAQUS. The study involves a detailed parametric analysis to examine the impact of various parameters on the behavior of GEWC compression elements. The results indicate that reducing the vertical distance of glass-FRP ties improves the ductility of GEWC compression elements, and those with eight longitudinal rebars have higher axial load-carrying capacities. The finite element predictions were in good agreement with the testing results, and the put forwarded empirical model shows higher accuracy than previous models by involving the confinement effect of lateral glass-FRP ties on the axial strength of GEWC compression elements. This research work contributes to minimizing the carbon footprint of cement manufacturing and electronic waste materials for sustainable development.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.527-536
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• 2023

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bar has emerged as a viable and sustainable replacement to steel in reinforced concrete (RC) under severe corrosive environment. The behavior of concrete columns reinforced with FRP bars, spirals, and hoops is an ongoing area of research. In this study, 3D nonlinear numerical modelling of circular concrete columns reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars and transversely confined with GFRP spirals were conducted using fracture-plastic model. The numerical models and experimental results are found to be in good agreement. The effectiveness of confinement was accessed through von-mises stresses, and it was found that the stresses in the concrete's core are higher with a 30 mm pitch (46 MPa) compared to a 60 mm pitch (36 MPa). The validated models are used to conduct parametric studies. In terms of axial load carrying capacity and member ductility, the effect of concrete strength, spiral pitch, and longitudinal reinforcement ratio are thoroughly investigated. The confinement effect and member ductility of a GFRP RC column increases as the spiral pitch decreases. It is also found that the confinement effect and member ductility decreased with increase in strength of concrete.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.883-898
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• 2022

A hollow-core partially-encased composite beam, named HPEC beam, is investigated in this paper. HPEC beam comprises I-beam, longitudinal reinforcement, stirrup, foam formwork, and cementitious grout. The foam formwork is located on both sides of the web, and cementitious grout is cast within the steel flange. To investigate the shear performance of HPEC beams, static loading tests of six HPEC beams and three control beams were conducted. The shear span ratio and the number of studs on the shear behavior of the HPECspecimens were studied. The failure mechanism was studied by analyzing the curves of shear force versus both deflection and strain. Based on the shear span ratio (𝜆), two typical shear failure modes were observed: shear compression failure when 1.6 ≤ 𝜆 ≤ 2; and diagonal compression failure when 𝜆 ≤ 1.15. Shear studs welded on the flange can significantly increase the shear capacity and integrity of HPEC beams. Flange welded shear studs are suggested. Based on the deformation coordination theory and superposition method, combined with the simplified modified compression field model and the Truss-arch model, Modified Deformation Coordination Truss-arch (M.D.C.T.) model was proposed. Compared with the shear capacity from YB9038-2006 and JGJ138-2016, the calculation results from M.D.C.T. model could provide reasonable predictions.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.41-53
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• 2024

Under constant and cyclic axial compression, square composite short columns reinforced with Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) added with scrap rubber infilled inside steel tubes and with different types of concrete were cast and tested. The test is carried out to find the effectiveness of utilizing an aggregate manufactured from industrial waste and to address the problems associated with the need for alternative reinforcements along with waste management. The main testing parameters are the type of concrete, the effect of fiber inclusion, and the significance of rubber-infilled steel tubes. The failure modes of the columns and axial load-displacement curves of the steel tube-reinforced columns were all thoroughly investigated. According to the test results, all specimens failed due to compression failure with a longitudinal crack along the loading axis. The fiber-reinforced column specimens demonstrated improved ductility and energy absorption. In comparison to the normal-weight concrete columns, the lightweight concrete columns significantly improved the axial load-carrying capacity. The addition of basalt fiber to the columns significantly increased the yield stress and ultimate stress to 9.21%. The corresponding displacement at yield load and ultimate load was reduced to 10.36% and 28.79%, respectively. The precision of volumetric information regarding the obtained crack quantification, aggregates, and the fiber in concrete is studied in detail through image processing using MATLAB environment.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.361-372
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• 2024

Reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns are typically designated as the primary source of energy dissipation for a bridge structure during an earthquake. Therefore, seismic repair of RC bridge columns has been studied extensively during the past several decades. On the other hand, few studies have been conducted to evaluate how repaired column members influence the system-level response of an RC bridge structure in subsequent earthquakes. In this study, a numerical model was established to simulate the response of two large-scale RC columns, repaired using different techniques, reported in the literature. The columns were implemented into a prototype bridge model that was subjected to earthquake loading. Incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) and fragility analysis were conducted on numerical bridge models to evaluate the efficacy of the repairs and the post-repair seismic performance of the prototype bridge that included one or more repaired columns in various locations. For the prototype bridge herein modeled, the results showed that a confinement-enhanced oriented repair would not affect the seismic behavior of the prototype bridge. Increasing the strength of the longitudinal reinforcement could effectively reduce the drift of the prototype bridge in subsequent earthquakes. A full repair configuration for the columns was the most effective method for enhancing the seismic performance of the prototype bridge. To obtain a positive effect on seismic performance, a minimum of two repaired columns was required.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2013

Little investigations have been carried out to study the shear behaviors of RC beams with recycled aggregates. So, this experiment investigates the shear performance and suggests the possible application of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) for building structures. In general, shear strength of reinforced concrete beam without stirrups is dependent on the compressive strength of concrete, the longitudinal steel ratio, and the shear span-to-depth ratio. In this study, total 28 recycled aggregate concrete beams without shear reinforcement were tested by two-point load and all beams were singly reinforced. The variables studied in this investigation are shear span-to-depth ratios (a/d=2, 3 and 4), RCA replacement ratios (0, 15, 30 and 50%) and longitudinal steel ratios (0.80, 1.27 and 1.84%). The designed concrete compressive strength with a 30 MPa is used. This research will play an important role toward the establishment of the structural design standard for RCA concrete.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.21-31
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• 2017

Geobag method is an eco-friendly method to minimize the impact on the environment in the construction of retaining wall structure as a kind of geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls. In this study, evaluated behavior of full scaled geobag retaining wall about four different types of geobag retaining walls, that is, non-compacted geobags wall, compacted geobag wall, combination of longitudinal and transversal laied geobags wall, gabion and geobag wall were constructed in the field with instrumentation. Based on the results of field measurement, transversal layered geobag wall for non-compacted case was displaced 30% more than that of mixed gabion wall. Also, the more than 2m geobag walls without reinforcement at the backfill area are turned out to be unstable in terms of wall displacement. On the one hand, the distribution of the earth pressure for all geobag retaining walls sites show within the range of Rankine's and Coulomb's earth pressure after construction. But after intensity rainfall, the transversal laied geobag walls significantly increment of soil pressure. The geobag walls which constructed in the way of mixed wall systems such as gabion and geobag, longitudinal and transversal laied geobags are much stable with comparison of transversal laied geobag wall.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.1 s.85
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

A RC column-bent pier represents one of the most popular piers used in highway bridges. Seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) column-bent piers under bidirectional seismic loadings was experimentally investigated. Six column bent-piers were constructed with two circular supporting columns which were made in 400 mm diameter and 2,000 mm height. One single column specimen was additionally made to comparatively evaluate the seismic response of RC column-bent piers. Test parameters are different transverse reinforcement and loading pattern. These piers were tested under lateral load reversals with the axial load of $0.1 f_{ck}A_g$. Three specimens were subjected to bidirectional lateral load cycles which consisted of two main longitudinal loads and two sub transverse loads in one load cycle. Other three specimens were loaded in the opposite way. Test results indicated that lateral strength and ductility of the latter three specimens were generally bigger than those of the former three specimens. Plastic hinges were formed with the spall of cover concrete and the fracture of the longitudinal reinforcing steels in the bottom plastic hinge of two supporting columns for the former three specimens. Similar behavior was observed in the top and bottom parts of two supporting columns for the latter three specimens.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.5 s.95
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• pp.611-620
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• 2006

In the shear failure mechanism of a beam, beam and arch actions always exist simultaneously. According to the shear span to depth ratio, the proportion between these two actions is varied and the contribution of these actions to shear capacity is changed. Moreover, the current codes provide recommendations based on experimental results of normal strength concrete, so the application range of concrete strength must be extended. Based on this mechanism and new requirement, a simplified analytical equation for shear capacity prediction of reinforced high strength concrete beams without stirrups is proposed. To reflect the change in the contribution between these actions, stress variation in the longitudinal reinforcement along the span is considered by use of the Jenq and Shah Model. Dowel action with horizontal splitting failure and shear friction between cracks are also taken into account. ize effect is included to derive a more precise equation. Regression analysis is performed to determine each variable and simplify the equation. And, the formula derived from theoretical approaches is evaluated by comparison with numerous experimental data, which are in broad range of concrete strength(especially in high strength concrete), shear span to depth ratio, geometrical size and longitudinal steel ratio. It is shown that the proposed equation is more accurate and simpler than other empirical equations, so a wide range of a/d can be considered in one equation.