• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.415-433
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• 2015

Tendon failures in bonded post-tensioned bridges over the last two decades have motivated ongoing investigations on various aspects of unbonded tendons and their monitoring methods. Recent research shows that change of strain distribution in anchor heads can be useful in detecting wire breakage in unbonded construction. Based on this strain variation, this paper develops a damage detection model that enables an automated tendon monitoring system to identify and locate wire breaks. The first part of this paper presents an experimental program conducted to study the strain variation in anchor heads by generating wire breaks using a mechanical device. The program comprised three sets of tests with fully populated 19-strand anchor head and evaluated the levels of strain variation with number of wire breaks in different strands. The sensitivity of strain variation with wire breaks in circumferential and radial directions of anchor head in addition to the axial direction (parallel to the strand) were investigated and the measured axial strains were found to be the most sensitive. The second part of the paper focuses on formulating the wire breakage detection framework. A finite element model of the anchorage assembly was created to demonstrate the algorithm as well as to investigate the asymmetric strain distribution observed in experimental results. In addition, as almost inevitably encountered during tendon stressing, the effects of differential wedge seating on the proposed model have been analyzed. A sensitivity analysis has been performed at the end to assess the robustness of the model with random measurement errors.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.157-164
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• 2010

This research was conducted to analyze the behavior of Single-PTAS (Single Post-Tensioned Approach Slab) under tensioning and environmental loads by performing field tests when the demonstration Single-PTAS was being constructed. The temperature measurement sensors were installed at different depths, and the displacements in the approach slab under environmental loads and tensioning were measured using displacement transducers. As an experimental result, an abrupt change in the longitudinal displacement due to tensioning was not observed. The daily temperature change in the approach slab was negligible where the depth is over about 35cm. The temperature gradient in the approach slab adjacent to bridge was smaller than that adjacent to pavement. The patterns and magnitudes of vertical displacements were directly related to the temperature gradient at the measuring location. The behavior of Single-PTAS was very similar to that of concrete pavement. Therefore, a new design methodology for approach slabs is needed to include the pavement concept and to overcome drawback of current design procedures based on the simple beam concept.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.745-757
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• 2018

The inclusion of a ductile steel bracing as means of repairing an earthquake-damaged bridge bent is evaluated and experimentally assessed for the purposes of restoring the damaged bent's strength and stiffness and further improving the energy dissipation capacity. The study is focused on substandard reinforced concrete multi-column bridge bents constructed in the 1950 to mid-1970 in the United States. These types of bents have numerous deficiencies making them susceptible to seismic damage. Large-scale experiments were used on a two-column reinforced concrete bent to impose considerable damage of the bent through increasing amplitude cyclic deformations. The damaged bent was then repaired by installing a ductile fuse steel brace in the form of a buckling-restrained brace in a diagonal configuration between the columns and using post-tensioned rods to strengthen the cap beam. The brace was secured to the bent using steel gusset plate brackets and post-installed adhesive anchors. The repaired bent was then subjected to increasing amplitude cyclic deformations to reassess the bent performance. A subassemblage test of a nominally identical steel brace was also conducted in an effort to quantify and isolate the ductile fuse behavior. The experimental data from these large-scale experiments were analyzed in terms of the hysteretic response, observed damage, internal member loads, as well as the overall stiffness and energy dissipation characteristics. The results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness of utilizing ductile steel bracing for restoring the bent and preventing further damage to the columns and cap beams while also improving the stiffness and energy dissipation characteristics.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.476-479
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• 2010

In recent years, the deterioration of infrastructures is especially considered. In prestress concrete bridges, one of the important mechanisms of deterioration is the corrosion of the post-tensioned tendon due to environmental agents. In this study, the reliability analysis is performed for a prestress concrete box girder bridge under the pitting corrosion attack with considering the inspection and failure cost. The variation of life-time performance depending on inspection methods have to be quantified. The inspection methods with different accuracy of corrosion detection are presented and applied for model of reliability analysis. The computer program for analysis reliability index of the structure as well as updating process is obtained. An existing bridge is applied for illustrating the influence of inspection cost on the behaviors of structure. Subsequently, the benefit of inspection has shown to predict the time to failure of structure.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.7-14
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• 2011

The numerical analyses were performed to investigate the curling behavior of the post-tensioned prestressed concrete approach slab (PTAS) under environmental loads. A technique to include properly the boundary conditions of one end of PTAS that was connected to the bridge abutment using hinges was proposed for the numerical model. The applicability of a simplified model not having hunches was also investigated. By using the developed models, the curling behavior of PTAS was analyzed when the foundation settlement occurred. The analysis results showed that the maximum tensile stress obtained from the simplified model involving a simplified hinge connection was very closed to that obtained from a rigorous model. When the slab curled up, the maximum tensile stress occurred in the model including no foundation settlement, but when the slab curled down, the maximum stress occurred in the model including partial settlement of the foundation. Therefore, the design of PTAS should be performed considering those maximum tensile stresses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.75-81
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• 2016

Tendon corrosion reliability in KICT-ultra high performance concrete (K-UHPC) bridges is assessed and predicted considering uncertainties in flexural bending capacity and corrosion occurrence. In post-tensioning bridge systems, corrosion is a one of most critical failure mechanisms due to strength reduction by it. During the entire service life, those bridges may experience lifetime corrosion deterioration initiated and propagated in tendons which are embedded not only in normal concrete but also in K-UHPC. For this reason, the time-variant corrosion performance has to be assessed. In the absence of in-depth researches associated with K-UHPC tendon corrosion, a reliability-based prediction model is developed to evaluate lifetime corrosion performance of tendon in K-UHPC bridges. In 2015, KICT built a K-UHPC pilot bridge at 168/5~168/6 milestone on Yangon-Mandalay Expressway in Myanmar, by using locally produced tendons which post-tensioned in longitudinal and lateral ways of K-UHPC girders. For an illustrative purpose, this K-UHPC bridge is used to identify the time-variant corrosion performance.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.155-169
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• 2006

In this paper, the application of magnetoelasticity in static tension monitoring for large steel cables is discussed. Magnetoelastic (EM) stress sensors make contact-free tension monitoring possible for hanger cables and post-tensioned cables on suspension and cable-stayed bridges. By quantifying the correlation of magnetic relative permeability with tension and temperature, the EM sensors inspect the load levels in the steel cables. Cable tension monitoring on Qiangjiang (QJ) 4th Bridge demonstrates the reliability of the EM sensors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.69 no.4
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• pp.371-381
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• 2019

A hybrid prestressed segmental concrete (HPSC) girder utilizing low carbon materials was developed in this paper. This paper introduces the hybrid prestressing concept of pre-tensioning the center segment and assembling all segments by post-tensioning, as well as the development process of the low carbon HPSC girder. First, an optimized mix proportion of 60 MPa high strength concrete containing high volume blast furnace slag was developed, then its mechanical properties and durability characteristics were evaluated. Second, the mechanical properties of 2,400 MPa high strength prestressing strands and the transfer length characteristics in pre-tensioned prestressed concrete beams were evaluated. Third, using those low carbon materials and the hybrid prestressing concept, the HPSC girders were manufactured, and their structural performance was evaluated. A 30-m long HPSC girder for highway bridges and a 35-m long HPSC girder for railway bridges were designed, manufactured, and structurally confirmed as having sufficient strength and safety. Finally, five 35-m long HPSC girders were successfully applied to an actual railway bridge for the first time.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.73-83
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• 2016

Bearing stress near anchor plates is usually very high due to prestressing force in anchorage zone of concrete structure used post-tensioned prestressed method. In order to effective utilization of cross section and crack control, appropriate size of anchorage plates should be used to prevent crack initiation and failure of concrete structures eventually. This study aims to suggest equation for effective area of bearing plate of rectangle type and circular type by Highway Bridge Design Specification and PTI etc. A shape factor according to bearing plate shape is suggested based on numerical analysis, and it can be used suitability for design of special anchorage plate dimension.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.475-491
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• 2004

Anchorage devices play an important role in post-tensioned bridge structures since they must sustain heavy loads in order to permit the transfer of the prestressing force to the structure. In external prestressing, the situation is even more critical since the anchorage mechanisms, with the deviators, are the only links between the structure and the tendons throughout the service life of the structure. The behaviour of anchorage devise may be studied by using the finite element method. To do so, each component of the anchorage must be adequately represented in order to approximate the anchor mechanism as accurately as possible. In particular, the modelling of the jaw/tendon device may be carried out using the real geometry of these two components with an appropriate constitutive contact law or by replacing these components by a single equivalent. This paper presents the numerical study of a mono-strand anchorage device. The results of a comparison between two different representations of the jaw/tendon device, either as two distinct components or as a single equivalent, will be examined. In the double-component setup, the influence of the wedge configuration composing the jaw, and the influence of lubrication of the anchor, will be assessed.