• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.5 s.95
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• pp.595-602
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• 2006

An experimental study was conducted to investigate seismic behaviour of post-tensioned(PT) exterior slab-column connections used for the purpose to resist gravity loads only. For these, 2/3-scale, two PT post-tensioned exterior connections with two different tendon arrangement patterns and one conventional reinforced concrete(RC) exterior connection was tested under quasi-static, uni-directional reversed cyclic loading. During the lateral testing, gravity forces transferred to the column were kept constant to closely simulate a moment to shear ratio of a real building. One of the objectives of this study was to assess the necessity and/or the quantity of bottom bonded reinforcement needed to resist moment reversal which would occur under significant inelastic deformations of the adjacent lateral force resisting systems. The ACI 318 and 352 provisions for structural integrity were applied to provide the bottom reinforcement passing through the column for the specimens. Prior test results were also collected to conduct comparative studies for some design parameters such as the tendon arrangement pattern, the effect of post-tensioning forces and the use of bottom bonded reinforcement. Consequently, the impact of tendon arrangement on the seismic performance of the PT connection, that is lateral drift capacity and ductility, dissipated energy and failure mechanism, was considerable. Moreover, test results showed that the amount of bottom reinforcement specified by ACI 352. 1R-89 was sufficient for resisting positive moments arising from moment reversal under reversed cyclic loads. Shear strength of the tested specimens was more accurately predicted by the shear strength equation(ACI 318) considering the average compressive stress over the concrete($f_{pc}$) due to post-tensioning forces than that without considering $f_{pc}$.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.277-290
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• 2010

Internationally the load carrying capacity of bridges is decreasing due to material deterioration while at the same time increasing live loads mean that they are often exposed to stresses for which they were not designed. However there are limited resources available to ensure that these bridges are fit for purpose, meaning that new approaches to bridge maintenance are required that optimize both their service lives as well as maintenance costs. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) provide a tool that could support such an optimized maintenance program. In many situations WSNs have advantages over conventional wired monitoring systems in terms of installation time and cost. In order to evaluate the potential of these systems two WSNs were installed starting in July 2007 on the Humber Bridge and on a nearby approach bridge. As part of a corrosion prevention strategy, a relative humidity and temperature monitoring system was installed in the north anchorage chambers of the main suspension bridge where the main cables of the bridge are anchored into the foundation. This system allows the Bridgemaster to check whether the maximum relative humidity threshold, above which corrosion of the steel wires might occur, is not crossed. A second WSN which monitors aspects of deterioration on a reinforced concrete bridge located on the approach to the main suspension bridge was also installed. Though both systems have provided useful data to the owners, there are still challenges that must be overcome in terms of monitoring corrosion of steel, measuring live loading and data management before WSNs can become an effective tool for bridge managers.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.269-282
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• 2015

Civil structures should be designed with the lowest cost and longest lifetime possible and without service failure. The efficient and sustainable use of materials in building design and construction has always been at the forefront for civil engineers and environmentalists. Timber is one of the best contenders for these purposes particularly in terms of aesthetics; fire protection; strength-to-weight ratio; acoustic properties and seismic resistance. In recent years, timber has been used in commercial and taller buildings due to these significant advantages. It should be noted that, since the launch of the modern building standards and codes, a number of different structural systems have been developed to stabilise steel or concrete multistorey buildings, however, structural analysis of high-rise and multi-storey timber frame buildings subjected to lateral loads has not yet been fully understood. Additionally, timber degradation can occur as a result of biological decay of the elements and overloading that can result in structural damage. In such structures, the deficient members and joints require strengthening in order to satisfy new code requirements; determine acceptable level of safety; and avoid brittle failure following earthquake actions. This paper investigates performance assessment and damage assessment of older multi-storey timber buildings. One approach is to retrofit the beams in order to increase the ductility of the frame. Experimental studies indicate that Sprayed Fibre Reinforced Polymer (SFRP) repairing/retrofitting not only updates the integrity of the joint, but also increases its strength; stiffness; and ductility in such a way that the joint remains elastic. Non-linear finite element analysis ('pushover') is carried out to study the behaviour of the structure subjected to simulated gravity and lateral loads. A new global index is re-assessed for damage assessment of the plain and SFRP-retrofitted frames using capacity curves obtained from pushover analysis. This study shows that the proposed method is suitable for structural damage assessment of aged timber buildings. Also SFRP retrofitting can potentially improve the performance and load carrying capacity of the structure.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.411-424
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• 2018

This study explores the inelastic behavior of systems with flexible base. The use of a single degree of freedom system (ESDOF) with equivalent ductility to represent the response of flexible base systems is discussed. Two different equations to compute equivalent ductility are proposed, one which includes the contribution of rigid body components, and other based on the overstrength of the structure. In order to asses the accuracy of ESDOF approach with the proposed equations, the behavior of a 10-story regular building with reinforced concrete (RC) moment resisting frames is studied. Local and global ductility capacity and demands are used to study the modifications introduced by base flexibility. Three soil types are considered with shear wave velocities of 70, 100 and 250 m/s. Soil-foundation stiffness is included with a set of springs on the base (impedance functions). Capacity curves of the building are computed with pushover analysis. In addition, non linear time history analysis are used to asses the ductility demands. Results show that ductility capacity of the soil-structure system including rigid body components is reduced. Base flexibility does not modify neither yield and maximum base shear. Equivalent ductility estimated with the proposed equations is fits better the results of the numerical model than the one considering elastoplastic behavior. Modification of beams ductility demand due to base flexibility are not constant within the structure. Some elements experience reduced ductility demands while other elements experience increments when flexible base is considered. Soil structure interaction produces changes in the relation between yield strength reduction factor and structure ductility demand. These changes are dependent on the spectral shape and the period of the system with fixed and flexible base.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.125-135
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• 2011

To obtain a lower story height with a long span and better fire resistance, a new composite floor system using GFRP (glass-fiber-reinforced plastics) was proposed. This floor system consists of asymmetric steel with a web opening, a hollow core ball, concrete, and GFRP. To evaluate the flexural performance of the new composite floor system, an experiment was conducted. The test parameters were the presence of GFRP, the void ratio in relation to the hollow core balls, and the web opening. The test results showed that the resistance and stiffness of the specimen with GFRP were 10% higher than those of the reference specimen, and that fully composite action was accomplished up to the yielding point. After the attainment of the yield strength, the ductility of the specimen was reduced due to the stress concentration around the web openings. The slip between the concrete and steel beam, however, was small. Thus, in the design of the proposed new floor systems, it is desirable that the calculated resistance be reduced by 15%, for safety.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.403-418
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• 2020

In recent years, the use of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) as one of the most common ways to increase the strength of concrete samples, has been introduced. Evaluation of the final strength of these specimens is performed with different experimental methods. In this research, due to the variety of models, the low accuracy and impact of different parameters, the use of new intelligence methods is considered. Therefore, using artificial intelligent-based models, a new solution for evaluating the bond strength of FRP is presented in this paper. 150 experimental samples were collected from previous studies, and then two new hybrid models of Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA)-Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC)-ANN were developed. These models were evaluated using different performance indices and then, a comparison was made between the developed models. The results showed that the ICA-ANN model's ability to predict the bond strength of FRP is higher than the ABC-ANN model. Finally, to demonstrate the capabilities of this new model, a comparison was made between the five experimental models and the results were presented for all data. This comparison showed that the new model could offer better performance. It is concluded that the proposed hybrid models can be utilized in the field of this study as a suitable substitute for empirical models.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.128-137
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• 2012

In high multistory buildings, hybrid coupled shear walls can provide an efficient structural system to resist horizontal force due to wind and seismic loads. Hybrid coupled shear walls are usually built over the whole height of the building and are laid out either as a series of walls coupled by steel beams with openings to accommodate doors, elevator walls, windows and corridors. In this paper, the behavior characteristics of hybrid coupled shear wall system considering connection details is examined through results of an experimental research program where 5 two-thirds scale specimens were tested under cyclic loading. Such connections details are typically employed in hybrid coupling wall system consisting of steel coupling beams and reinforced concrete shear wall. The test variables of this study are embedment length of steel coupling beam and wall thickness of concrete shear wall. The results and discussion presented in this paper provide fundamental data for seismic behavior of hybrid coupled shear wall systems.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.325-343
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• 2018

This study aims to propose a performance-based design method of a novel passive base isolation system, BIO isolation system, which is inspired by an energy dissipation mechanism called 'sacrificial bonds and hidden length'. Fragility functions utilized in this study are derived, indicating the probability that a component, element, or system will be damaged as a function of a single predictive demand parameter. Based on PEER framework methodology for Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE), a systematic design procedure using performance and fragility objectives is presented. Base displacement, superstructure absolute acceleration and story drift ratio are selected as engineering demand parameters. The new design method is then performed on a general two degree-of-freedom (2DOF) structure model and the optimal design under different seismic intensities is obtained through numerical analysis. Seismic performances of the biologically inspired (BIO) isolation system are compared with that of the linear isolation system. To further demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this method, the BIO isolation system of a 4-storey reinforced concrete building is designed and investigated. The newly designed BIO isolators effectively decrease the superstructure responses and base displacement under selected earthquake excitations, showing good seismic performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.401-419
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• 2013

In this study, the efficiency of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and genetic expression programming (GEP) in predicting the effects of infill walls on base reactions and roof drift of reinforced concrete frames were investigated. Current standards generally consider weight and fundamental period of structures in predicting base reactions and roof drift of structures by neglecting numbers of floors, bays, shear walls and infilled bays. Number of stories, number of bays in x and y directions, ratio of shear wall areas to the floor area, ratio of bays with infilled walls to total number bays and existence of open story were selected as parameters in GEP and ANFIS modeling. GEP and ANFIS have been widely used as alternative approaches to model complex systems. The effects of these parameters on base reactions and roof drift of RC frames were studied using 3D finite element method on 216 building models. Results obtained from 3D FEM models were used to in training and testing ANFIS and GEP models. In ANFIS and GEP models, number of floors, number of bays, ratio of shear walls and ratio of infilled bays were selected as input parameters, and base reactions and roof drifts were selected as output parameters. Results showed that the ANFIS and GEP models are capable of accurately predicting the base reactions and roof drifts of RC frames used in the training and testing phase of the study. The GEP model results better prediction compared to ANFIS model.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.367-389
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• 2008

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are unique materials with a paramount potential for various applications in bridges. The novelty of this material lies in its ability to undergo large deformations and return to its undeformed shape through stress removal (superelasticity) or heating (shape memory effect). In particular, Ni-Ti alloys have distinct thermomechanical properties including superelasticity, shape memory effect, and hysteretic damping. SMA along with sensing devices can be effectively used to construct smart Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridges that can detect and repair damage, and adapt to changes in the loading conditions. SMA can also be used to retrofit existing deficient bridges. This includes the use of external post-tensioning, dampers, isolators and/or restrainers. This paper critically examines the fundamental characteristics of SMA and available sensing devices emphasizing the factors that control their properties. Existing SMA models are discussed and the application of one of the models to analyze a bridge pier is presented. SMA applications in the construction of smart bridge structures are discussed. Future trends and methods to achieve smart bridges are also proposed.