• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.1045-1067
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• 2015

A performance-based design (PBD) procedure, initially proposed for the seismic design of buildings, is tailored herein to the structural configurations commonly adopted in bridges. It aims at the efficient design of bridges for multiple performance levels (PLs), achieving control over a broad range of design parameters (i.e., strains, deformations, ductility factors) most of which are directly estimated at the design stage using advanced analysis tools (a special type of inelastic dynamic analysis). To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed design methodology, it is applied to an actual bridge that was previously designed using a different PBD method, namely displacement-based design accounting for higher mode effects, thus enabling comparison of the alternative PBD approaches. Assessment of the proposed method using nonlinear dynamic analysis for a set of spectrum-compatible motions, indicate that it results in satisfactory performance of the bridge. Comparison with the displacement-based method reveals significant cost reduction, albeit at the expense of increased computational effort.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.549-557
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• 2021

Nowadays, strengthening of buildings is an inclusive and effective field in civil engineering that is not only applicable to the buildings but also it can be developed for the bridges. Rehabilitation and strengthening of structures are highly recommended for the existing structures due to the alter in codes and provisions as well as buildings' use change. Extensive surveys have been conducted in this field in the world that propose wide variety of methods for strengthening of structures. In recent years, more specific researches have been carried out that present novel materials for rehabilitation beside proposing methods and performing techniques. In the current study, a novel technique for developing the bending capacity of reinforced concrete beams to enhance their performance as well as rehabilitating and reforming the performance of reinforced concrete beams with nonstandard lap splices, has been proposed. In this method, a post-tensioned concrete layer is added to the side face of the concrete beams built in 1:1 scale. Results reveals that addition of the post-tensioned layer enhances the beams' performance and covers their weaknesses. In this method, 18 reinforced concrete beams were prepared for the bending test which were subjected to the four-point pushover test after they were reinforced. The testing process ended when the samples reached complete failure status. Results show that the performance and flexural capacity of reinforced beams without lap splice is improved 22.7% compared to the samples without the post-tensioned layer, while it is enhanced up to at least 80% compared to the reinforced beams with nonstandard lap splice. Furthermore, the location of plastic hinges formation was transformed from the beam's mid-span to the 1/3 of span's end and the beam's cracking pattern was significantly improved.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.325-336
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• 2023

A significant component of many civil constructions such as buildings, reservoirs, bridges, and sports halls, concrete has become increasingly popular due to its versatile properties. Concrete's internal characteristics change due to the use of different types of fibers, including changes in its microstructure, volume, and hole dimensions. Additionally, the type, dimensions, and distribution of fibers in concrete can affect the results of flexural strength tests by affecting its compressive and tensile strength. Due to a lack of information, fiber concrete is a new composite material in the production industry that requires laboratory studies to determine its behavior. This study investigated the bending behavior of multilayer slabs made of concrete reinforced by polyamide-propylene fibers against impact in weight lifting exercises. Results showed that adding fibers to concrete slab samples improved the mechanical properties while replacing them hurt the mechanical properties and failure of polymer fiber-reinforced concrete. On the other hand, adding and replacing fibers increases durability and has a positive effect.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.329-338
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• 2022

This work addresses the optimization controller design problem combining the AI evolution bat (EB) optimization algorithm with a fuzzy controller in the practical application of a reinforced concrete frame structure. This article explores the use of an intelligent EB strategy to reduce the dynamic response of Lead Rubber Bearing (LRB) composite reinforced concrete frame structures. Recently developed control units for plant structures, such as hybrid systems and semi-active systems, have inherently non-linear properties. Therefore, it is necessary to develop non-linear control methods. Based on the relaxation method, the nonlinear structural system can be stabilized by properly adjusting the parameters. Therefore, the behavior of a closed-loop system can be accurately predicted by determining the behavior of a closed-loop system. The performance and durability of the proposed control method are demonstrated by numerical simulations. The simulation results show that the proposed method is a viable and feasible control strategy for seismically tuned composite reinforced concrete frame structures.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.83-88
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• 1996

Reinforced-concrete structures built on the seashore or in seawater are damaged from flying-salt of chloride ion in the seawater. Recently many bridges are being constructed under marine enviornment and there are many serious problems of chlofide attack owing to penetration of chloride ion. And up to now it has not only so little a seatch about damage from flying-salt and seawater but also little systematic study outcome about steel corrosion. In this study we investigate the concrete deterioration and steel corrosion of RC bridges on the seashore. Environmental conditions are investigated, and compressive strength, carbonation depth and steel-corrosion degree are measured.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.305-320
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• 2018

The second half of the 20th century was marked with a significant raise in amount of railway bridges in Austria made of reinforced concrete. Today, many of these bridges are slowly approaching the end of their envisaged service life. Current methodology of assessment and evaluation of structural condition is based on visual inspections, which, due to its subjectivity, can lead to delayed interventions, irreparable damages and additional costs. Thus, to support engineers in the process of structural evaluation and prediction of the remaining service life, the Austrian Federal Railways (${\ddot{O}}$ BB) commissioned the formation of a concept for an anticipatory life cycle management of engineering structures. The part concerning concrete bridges consisted of forming a bridge management system (BMS) in a form of a web-based analysis tool, known as the LeCIE_tool. Contrary to most BMSs, where prediction of a condition is based on Markovian models, in the LeCIE_tool, the time-dependent deterioration mechanisms of chloride- and carbonation-induced corrosion are used as the most common deterioration processes in transportation infrastructure. Hence, the main aim of this article is to describe the background of the introduced tool, with a discussion on exposure classes and crucial parameters of chloride ingress and carbonation models. Moreover, the article presents a verification of the generated analysis tool through service life prediction on a dozen of bridges of the Austrian railway network, as well as a case study with a more detailed description and implementation of the concept applied.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.1272-1277
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• 2009

Since improved capacity for RC bridges has been required due to deterioration or increase in traffic, the deflection of cracked reinforced concrete slabs need to be reconsidered. Strengthening is known as the better way to improve capacity of bridges than reconstructing. In this paper, Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) was introduced as one of the best strengthening methods for civil structures. The structures strengthened with FRPs can improve the strengthening capacity and serviceability. Therefore, CFRP sheet and Glass Fiber-Steel Composite Plate (GSP) in this research were used for strengthening slabs of RC bridges. Experimental data from the strengthening will be helpful to better understand the effect of the strengthening and effective flexural rigidity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.152-156
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• 2003

In this paper, we present the results of an experimental research on the load-deflection characteristics of full-scale concrete bridge decks reinforced with GFRP re-bars. Similar researches have been conducted in many countries to extend the service life of concrete bridge decks, which are under harsh environmental condition. Concrete bridge decks are one of the major concerns for the maintenance of bridges. GFRP re-bar available in the domestic construction market was investigated and the concrete deck reinforced with GFRP re-bars was tested under flexure to investigate the applicability of GFRP re-bar on the bridge deck construction.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.283-288
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• 2007

This paper presents an analytical prediction of Nonlinear characteristics of prestressed concrete bridges by strengthened of externally tendon considering the work sequence, using beam-column element based on flexibility method and tendon element. The beam-column element was developed with reinforced concrete material nonlinearities which are based on the smeared crack concept. The fiber hysteresis rule of beam-column element is derived from the uniaxial constitutive relations of concrete and reinforcing steel fibers. The tendon element represent the bonded tendon and unbonded tendon behaviors. Beam-column element and tendon element was be subroutine A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of RC and PSC structures was used. The proposed numerical method for prestressed concrete structures by strengthened of externally tendon is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 2013

One of the biggest problems affecting bridges is the transverse cracking and deterioration of concrete bridge decks. The causes of early age cracking are primarily attributed to plastic shrinkage, temperature effects, autogenous shrinkage, and drying shrinkage. The cracks can be influenced by material characteristics, casting sequence, formwork, climate conditions, geometry, and time dependent factors. The cracking of bridge decks not only creates unsightly aesthetic condition but also greatly reduces durability. It leads to a loss of functionality, loss of stiffness, and ultimately loss of structural safety. This investigation consists of field, laboratory, and analytical phases. The experimental and field testing investigate the early age transverse cracking of bridge decks and evaluate the use of sealant materials. The research identifies suitable materials, for crack sealing, with an ability to span cracks of various widths and to achieve performance criteria such as penetration depth, bond strength, and elongation. This paper also analytically examines the effect of a wide range of parameters on the development of cracking such as the number of spans, the span length, girder spacing, deck thickness, concrete compressive strength, dead load, hydration, temperature, shrinkage, and creep. The importance of each parameter is identified and then evaluated. Also, the AASHTO Standard Specification limits liveload deflections to L/800 for ordinary bridges and L/1000 for bridges in urban areas that are subject to pedestrian use. The deflection is found to be an important parameter to affect cracking. A set of recommendations to limit the transverse deck cracks in bridge decks is also presented.