• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2008

It is hard to predict the mechanical characteristics of discontinuous stone masonry structures by the static analysis method, because of irregularity of face stones and also due to randomness of backfill materials. Inversely, one can estimate the mechanical characteristics by comparing the natural frequencies between measured and computed. The aim of this paper is to investigate the computational modeling method of ancient stone arch bridges in Korea and to find the factors influencing their dynamic characteristics. The results revealed that the rigidity of spandrel walls and backfill materials are the most important factors influencing the natural frequencies of stone arch bridges.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.419-439
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• 2014

In this study, the structural performance of a seven span masonry arch bridge was evaluated. Investigations were performed on Aspendos (Belkis) Masonry Arch Bridge which was located on road of Aspendos Acropolis City in Antalya, Turkey. The old bridge was constructed in the early of fourth century AD, but it was exposed to the earthquakes in this region and the overloading by the river water. The old bridge was severely damaged and collapsed by probably an earthquake many years ago and a new bridge was then reconstructed on the remains of this old bridge by Seljuk in the 13th century. The bridge has also been affected from overflowing especially in the spring of each year, so some protective measures should be taken for this monumental bridge. Therefore, the structural performance under these loading has to be known. For this purpose, an initial finite element model was developed for the bridge and it was calibrated according to ambient vibration test results. After that, it was analyzed for different load cases such as dead, live, earthquake and overflow. Three load combinations were taken into account by deriving from these load cases. The displacements and the stresses for these combination cases were attained and compared with each other. The structural performance of Aspendos Masonry Arch Bridge was determined by considering the demand-capacity ratio for the tensile stress of the mortar used in Aspendos Masonry Arch Bridge. After these investigations, some concluding remarks and offers were presented at the end of this study.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2021

Composite nature of the masonry structures in general causes complex and non-linear behaviour, especially in intense vibration conditions. The presence of different types and forms of structural elements and different materials is a major problem for the analysis of these type of structures. For this reason, the analysis of the behaviour of masonry structures requires a combination of experimental tests and non-linear mathematical modelling. The famous UNESCO Heritage Old Bridge in Mostar was selected as an example for the analysis of the global behaviour of reinforced stone arch masonry bridges. As part of the experimental research, a model of the Old Bridge was constructed in a scale of 1:9 and tested on a shaking table platform for different levels of seismic excitation. Non-linear mathematical modelling was performed using a combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), including the effect of connection elements. The paper presents the horizontal displacement of the top of the arch and the failure mechanism of the Old Bridge model for the experimental and the numerical phase, as well as the comparison of the results. This research provided a clearer insight into the global behaviour of stone arch masonry structures reinforced with steel clamps and steel dowels, which is significant for the structures classified as world cultural heritage.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.19 no.4 s.74
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• pp.25-31
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• 2006

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.29-47
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• 2014

The masonry stone arch bridge, due to its superior durability and aesthetics, has been one of the oldest and popular types of short span bridges. In Europe, this type of bridges have been continuously constructed, and numerous related researches have been conducted until recently. However, there are few construction cases in Korea since the economic efficiency and the construction effectiveness is not contentable. Therefore, this study proposed the reinforced joint to improve structural performance of the conventional arch systems which is proposed by previous researchers. The structural performance of the proposed reinforced joint, which consists of the transverse loop joint and the longitudinal reinforcement, is validated by experimental test of an arch bridge which is constructed using precast concrete segments. Based on this results of the experimental test, it is concluded that the strength of arch bridges can be enhanced by applying the proposed reinforced joints since the reinforced joint restrains hinge behavior and relative displacement between segments with a little reinforcement.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.61-69
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• 2011

It is hard to predict the mechanical characteristics of discontinuous stone masonry structures with the use of by the static analysis method, because of irregularity of face stones and also due to randomness of backfill materials. Inversely, one can estimate the mechanical characteristics by comparing the natural frequencies between measured from the field tests and computed from the analytical models. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness and confidence of the computational modeling method of ancient stone arch bridges in Korea and to find the factors influencing their dynamic characteristics. The results revealed that the rigidity of spandrel walls and backfill materials are the most important factors influencing the natural frequencies of stone arch bridges, which are the critical for the stability of the stone arch structure.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.379-393
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to first evaluate the seismic behavior of ageing arch bridges by using the Intensity Measure - based demand and DCFD format, which is referred to as the fragility-hazard format. Then, an investigation is performed for their seismic vulnerability. Analytical models are created for bridges concerning different features and these models are subjected to Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) analysis using a set of 22 earthquake records. The hazard curve and results of IDA analysis are employed to evaluate the return period of exceeding the limit states in the IM-based probabilistic performance-based context. Subsequently, the fragility-hazard format is used to assess factored demand, factored capacity, and the ratio of the factored demand to the factored capacity of the models with respect to different performance objectives. Finally, the vulnerability curves are obtained for the investigated bridges in terms of the loss ratio. The results revealed that decreasing the span length of the unreinforced arch bridges leads to the increase in the return period of exceeding various limit states and factored capacity and decrease in the displacement demand, the probability of failure, the factored demand, as well as the factored demand to factored capacity ratios, loss ratio, and seismic vulnerability. Finally, it is derived that the probability of the need for rehabilitation increases by an increase in the span length of the models.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2009

Masonry structures that are very strong in compression fail due to the instability of structural shape of geometry rather than the material stress limit. Considering such structural behavior, the use of the limit theorem that focuses on structural collapse mechanisms is more appropriate for the evaluation of the structural safety of stone voussoir arch bridges. This paper is to investigate structural performance of the stone arch bridges constructed using dry construction method in Korea based on the limit theorem and to exploit the result to develop a system for an structural safety margin. It is expected that this study will help us understand structural behavior of stone voussoir arch bridges in Korea. Also, it will provide a guideline to make engineering decision from the viewpoint of the maintenance of cultural heritages.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.389-402
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• 2014

In this paper, the load test of full-scale precast concrete arch bridges considering reinforced joint and backfill was conducted. It is an improved method that the reinforced joint enhanced the structural performance of conventional masonry arch system which was proposed by previous researchers. The models of full-scale test are $10m(span){\times}3m$ (rise) and $10m(span){\times}2m$ (rise), which are 2 meters in width. The critical load position was shown at a third-span from the results of the pre-analysis. Based on the this results, the positions of load, measuring items and points were determined in experiments. As a result, the maximum load capacity of the specimen $10m{\times}2m$, a relatively small rise to span ratio (compared to the specimen $10m{\times}3m$), was higher than the specimen $10m{\times}3m$. It was evaluated that all the specimens have sufficient structural performance on the design load.