• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.227-235
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• 2018

Cables are the main load-bearing members of prestressed structure and other tensegrity structures. Based on the static equilibrium principle, a new cable force identification method considering cable flexural rigidity is proposed. Its computational formula is derived and the strategy to solve its implicit formula is introduced as well. In order to improve the reliability and practicality of this method, the influence of the cable flexural rigidity on cable force identification accuracy is also investigated. Through cable force identification experiments, the relationships among certain parameters including jacking force, jacking displacement, initial cable force, and sectional area (flexural rigidity) are studied. The results show that the cable force calculated by the proposed method considering flexural rigidity is in good agreement with the finite element results and experimental results. The proposed method with high computational accuracy and resolution efficiency can avoid the influences of the boundary condition and the length of the cable on calculation accuracy and is proven to be conveniently applied to cable force identification in practice.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-89
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• 2009

Reinforced and prestressed concrete (RC and PC) thin walls are crucial to the safety and serviceability of structures subjected to shear. The shear strengths of elements in walls depend strongly on the softening of concrete struts in the principal compression direction due to the principal tension in the perpendicular direction. The past three decades have seen a rapid development of knowledge in shear of reinforced concrete structures. Various rational models have been proposed that are based on the smeared-crack concept and can satisfy Navier's three principles of mechanics of materials (i.e., stress equilibrium, strain compatibility and constitutive laws). The Cyclic Softened Membrane Model (CSMM) is one such rational model developed at the University of Houston, which is being efficiently used to predict the behavior of RC/PC structures critical in shear. CSMM for RC has already been implemented into finite element framework of OpenSees (Fenves 2005) to come up with a finite element program called Simulation of Reinforced Concrete Structures (SRCS) (Zhong 2005, Mo et al. 2008). CSMM for PC is being currently implemented into SRCS to make the program applicable to reinforced as well as prestressed concrete. The generalized program is called Simulation of Concrete Structures (SCS). In this paper, the CSMM for RC/PC in material scale is first introduced. Basically, the constitutive relationships of the materials, including uniaxial constitutive relationship of concrete, uniaxial constitutive relationships of reinforcements embedded in concrete and constitutive relationship of concrete in shear, are determined by testing RC/PC full-scale panels in a Universal Panel Tester available at the University of Houston. The formulation in element scale is then derived, including equilibrium and compatibility equations, relationship between biaxial strains and uniaxial strains, material stiffness matrix and RC plane stress element. Finally the formulated results with RC/PC plane stress elements are implemented in structure scale into a finite element program based on the framework of OpenSees to predict the structural behavior of RC/PC thin-walled structures subjected to earthquake-type loading. The accuracy of the multiscale modeling technique is validated by comparing the simulated responses of RC shear walls subjected to reversed cyclic loading and shake table excitations with test data. The response of a post tensioned precast column under reversed cyclic loads has also been simulated to check the accuracy of SCS which is currently under development. This multiscale modeling technique greatly improves the simulation capability of RC thin-walled structures available to researchers and engineers.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.373-384
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• 2022

To improve the seismic performance of suspended ceiling structures, various vibration-damping devices have been developed. However, the devices made of metals have a limit in that they cause large deformation and seriously damages the exterior of the suspended ceiling structure from the wall. As a results, their strengthening effect of the suspended ceiling structure was minimal. Thus, this study employed a spring and vibration-proof rubber effectively controlled vibrations without increasing horizontal seismic loads on the ceiling to enhance the seismic resistance of suspended ceiling structures. The objective of the study is to examine the dynamic properties of a seismic damping-isolation unit (SDI) with various details developed. The developed SDI was composed of a spring, embossed rubbers, and prestressed bolts, which were the main factors enhancing the damping effect. The shaking table tests were performed on eight SDI specimens produced with the number of layers of embossed rubber (n_s), presence or absence of a spring, prestressed force magnitude introduced in bolts (f_ps), and mass weight (W_m) as the main parameters. To identify the enhancement effect of the SDI, the dynamic properties of the control specimen with a conventional hanger bolt were compared to those of the SDI specimens. The SDI specimens were effective in reducing the maximum acceleration (A_{c max}), acceleration amplification factor (α_p), relative displacement (δ_R), and increasing the damping ratio (ξ) when compared to the control specimen. The A_{c max}, α_p, and δ_R of the SDI specimens with two rubbers, spring, and f_ps of 0.1f_by, where f_by is the yielding strength of the screw bolt were 57.8%, 58.0%, and 61.9% lower than those of the conventional hanger bolt specimens, respectively, resulting in the highest ξ (=0.127). In addition, the α_p of the SDI specimens was 50.8% lower than those specified in ASCE 7 and FEMA 356. Consequently, to accurately estimate the α_p of the SDI specimens, a simple model was proposed based on the functions of f_ps, stiffness constant of the spring (K), W_m, and n_s.

• KSTLE International Journal
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2006

In this paper, the leakage safety of prestressed concrete structure including the insulation panels has been analyzed using a finite element analysis just after a collapse of 9% nickel inner tank. This FEM study shows that the outer tank may contain the leaked cryogenic liquid for the time being until the primary pump in the inner tank transports stored cryogenic liquids to the nearest LNG storage tank before the outer tank is demolished. This means that the total tank thickness from the insulation panel to the outer tank system safely may retain the leaked cryogenic fluids. The FE computed results indicate that the current structure in a full containment tank is obviously enough to securing the leak-proof safety of the tank system with two primary pumps.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2010

There is world wide concern for safety of nuclear power installations after the terrorist attack on World Trade Center in 2001 and several other civilian structures in the last decade. The nuclear containment structure in many countries is a double shell structure (outer shell a RCC and inner a prestressed concrete). The outer reinforced concrete shell protects the inner shell and is designed for external loading like impact and blast. A comparative study of non-linear response of reinforced concrete nuclear containment cylindrical shell subjected to impact of an aircraft (Phantom) and explosion of different amounts of blast charges have been presented here. A material model which takes into account the strain rate sensitivity in dynamic loading situations, plastic and visco-plastic behavior in three dimensional stress state and cracking in tension has been developed earlier and implemented into a finite element code which has been validated with published literature. The analysis has been made using the developed software. Significant conclusions have been drawn for dissimilarity in response (deflections, stresses, cracks etc.) of the shell for impact and blast loading.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.17-22
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• 2008

Construction project have extremely high risk in the process of construction owing to unexpected event, like as design amendment. As a result, owner have to endure enormous extra-cost to control the risk and continue to the project having more higher uncertainty. Also, if the structure is completed, it is needed that the structure is protected and maintained continuously during life cycle time to satisfying original aim of structure itself. LCC analysis to calculate cost of structure alternatives divides into two stage, one is design_LCC and the other is maintenace_LCC. But two stages all is needed in the transition deterioration model to calculate more reasonable LCC analysis. This paper developed the model using analysis of FMS contents and survey from professional about Prestressed concrete beam girder bridge(PC Beam bridge)in railway. The model is focused in project level of PC beam because any condition state information for element level analysis can not get up. This paper is intended to use the developed model in LCC analysis of PC Beam bridge in railway and constitute the foundation to perform more deep study in the near future.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.407-416
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• 2021

The checking stresses in the Chinese codes for reinforced concrete (RC) or prestressed concrete (PC) bridges are aimed for the thin-web beam, which cannot reflect the actual behavior of the modern structures. The incompleteness of the checking stresses could give rise to the deficiency in the design and calculation, and unable to reveal the reason of some common cracks in the structure. In this paper, the complete stress checklist for RC or PC girder bridges are listed, as well as the corresponding crack shapes. The expression of the complete checking stresses is proposed in details. Spatial Grid Model can reflect all the concerned stresses in the structure. Through the comparison of the calculation results from the spatial grid model and the solid model, it is seen that the spatial grid model can reflect load effects such as shear lag effect, thin-wall effect and local effect. The stresses obtained from the spatial grid model could help engineers to have a good understanding of the structural behavior. Meanwhile, the stress checklist provides the information for analyzing and solving the deficiency in the structure.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.241-253
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• 2016

Depending on the researcher, the effect of prestressing on the natural frequency of a PSC (prestressed concrete) structure appear to have been interpreted differently. Most laboratory tests on PSC beams available showed that the natural frequency is increased appreciably by prestressing. On the other hand, some other references based on field experience argued that the dynamic response of a PSC structure does not change regardless of the prestressing applied. Therefore, the deduced conclusions are inconsistent. Because an experiment with and without prestressing is a difficult task on a full size PSC bridge, the change in natural frequency of a PSC bridge due to prestressing may not be examined through field measurements. The study examined analytically the effects of prestressing on the natural frequency of PSC bridges. A finite element program for an undamped dynamic motion of a beam-tendon system was developed with additional geometric stiffness. The analytical results confirm that a key parameter in changing the natural frequency due to prestressing is the relative ratio of prestressing to the total weight of the structure rather than the prestressing itself.

• Proceeding of KASS Symposium
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.37-42
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• 2008

Cable member in structure is tension systems in which the load carrying members transmit loads to support system by tensile stress with no compression or flexure allowed. Cable system have been widely used large span structure roof, air-supported structure, prestressed membrane, cable network roof, suspension structures, guyed tower, ocean platforms, suspension bridges. Cable member can transmit loads by the edge connected system such as socket, swaging, mechanical splice sleave, clip, wedge, loop splice etc. This study will shown an experimental results on the strength of connection socket of cables. In the results of experiment, most of cable connection specimen occurred the failure at the connection socket part before the cable arrived at tensile failure load.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2010

This paper presents a prestress-loss monitoring technique for prestressed concrete (PSC) girder structures that uses a vibration-based system identification method. First, the theoretical backgrounds of the prestress-loss monitoring technique and the system identification technique are presented. Second, vibration tests are performed on a lab-scaled PSC girder for which the modal parameter was measured for several prestress-force cases. A numerical modal analysis is performed by using an initial finite element (FE) model from the geometric, material, and boundary conditions of the lab-scaled PSC girder. Third, a vibration-based system identification is performed to update the FE model by identifying structural parameters since the natural frequency of the FE model became identical to the experimental results. Finally, the feasibility of the prestress-loss monitoring technique is evaluated for the PSC girder model by using the experimentally measured natural frequency and numerically identified natural frequency for several prestress-force cases.