• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.67-86
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• 2016

Strengthening as well as correcting unsightly deflections of reinforced concrete (RC) beam may be accomplished by retrofitting. An innovative way to do this retrofitting that is proposed in this study utilizes turnbuckle to apply external post-tensioning. This Turnbuckle External Post-Tensioning (T-EPT) was experimentally proven to improve the serviceability and load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete beams. The T-EPT system comprises a braced steel frame and a turnbuckle mechanism to provide the prestressing force. To further develop the T-EPT, this research aims to develop a numerical scheme to analyze the structural performance of reinforced concrete beams with this kind of retrofitting. The fiber method analysis was used as the numerical scheme. The fiber method is a simplified finite element method that is used in this study to predict the elastic and inelastic behavior of a reinforced concrete beam. With this, parametric study was conducted so that the effective setup of doing the T-EPT retrofitting may be determined. Different T-EPT configurations were investigated and their effectiveness evaluated. Overall, the T-EPT was effective in improving the serviceability condition and load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete beam.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.3 s.55
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

This study suggests a method to determine optimal seismic retrofitting schemes for existing bridges based on weighting-factored evaluation. According to the recognition for potential seismic risk, various kinds of retrofitting methods are applied to improve the seismic performance of existing bridges. However, the relevant technique is not available to select optimal retrofitting scheme for bridges now. This suggested method weights five factors, structural compatibility, economic efficacy, environmental factor, consturctability and maintenance, and draws out optimal seismic retrofitting schemes. The application of the developed method to one hundred sixty existing bridges verifies the adaptability of this method. As a result, this study provides an idealized retrofitting schemes, and the suggested method could be a guideline to determine the more cost-effective and optimal retrofitting schemes for existing bridges in Korea.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.78 no.1
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• pp.77-86
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• 2021

Local school buildings are critical facilities that can provide shelter in disasters such as earthquakes, so they must be more resistant to seismic forces than other structures. In this study, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine which columns-as the most critical members in a reinforced concrete building-most urgently require seismic retrofitting. The sensitivity analysis was conducted using an optimization technique with the location of each column as a parameter. A numerical model was developed to simulate a realistic collapse mode through a three-dimensional dynamic analysis. Based on numerical analysis results, it was found that the columns positioned in the lower floors, such as the first floor and in the outer part of a building, urgently require retrofitting. For reinforcement of the RC columns, which has been proven for its performance in previous research, was applied. Through this study, the importance of appropriate retrofitting is demonstrated. Further, a method for determining the appropriate location for retrofitting-when retrofitting is not possible on the entire structure-is presented.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2017

A new method is suggested for the retrofitting of torsionally sensitive buildings. The main objective is to eliminate the torsional component from the first two natural modes of the structure by properly modifying its stiffness distribution via selective strengthening of its vertical elements. Due to the multi-parameter nature of this problem, state-of-art optimization schemes together with an ad-hoc software implementation were used for quantifying the required stiffness increase, determine the required retrofitting scheme and finally design and analyze the required composite sections for structural rehabilitation. The performance of the suggested method and its positive impact on the earthquake response of such structures is demonstrated through benchmark examples and applications on actual torsionally sensitive buildings.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.805-810
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• 2002

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the structural performance of new retrofitting technology using high performance carbon fiber bar and strengthening metal fittings. Experimental programs were accomplished to evaluate the structural performance of test specimens, such as load-displacement relationship, crack propagation, ductility, and strain of retrofitting materials etc.. Specimens(BCR2, BCR2-AF1) designed with the new retrofitting technology using high-performance carbon fiber bar and strengthening metal fittings showed much higher load-carrying capacity and ductility compared to specimens(BC1P, BC2P, BS30) designed with the conventional retrofitting method.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.625-639
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• 2019

The concept of the combined seismic and energy retrofitting of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings was examined in this paper through a number of case studies conducted on model buildings (simulating buildings of the '60s-'80s in southern Europe) constructed according to outdated design standards. Specifically, seismic and thermal analyses have been conducted prior to and after the application of selected retrofitting schemes, in order to quantify the positive effect that retrofitting could provide to RC buildings both in terms of their structural and energy performance. Advanced materials, namely the textile reinforced mortars (TRM), were used for providing seismic retrofitting by means of jacketing of masonry infills in RC frames. Moreover, following the application of the TRM jackets, thermal insulation materials were simultaneously provided to the RC building envelope, exploiting the fresh mortar used to bind the TRM jackets. In addition to the externally applied insulation material, all the fenestration elements (windows and doors) were replaced with new high energy efficiency ones. Afterwards, an economic measure, namely the expected annual loss (EAL) was used to evaluate the efficiency of each retrofitting method, but also to assess whether the combined seismic and energy retrofitting is economically feasible. From the results of this preliminary study, it was concluded that the selected seismic retrofitting technique can indeed enhance significantly the structural behaviour of an existing RC building and lower its EAL related to earthquake risks. Finally, it was found that the combined seismic and energy upgrading is economically more efficient than a sole energy or seismic retrofitting scenario for seismic areas of south Europe.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2008

For historical masonry structures existing in the Mediterranean area, structural strengthening is of primary importance due to the continuous earthquake threat that is posed on them. Proper retrofitting of historical structures involves a thorough understanding of their structural pathology, before proceeding with any intervention measures. In this paper, a methodology is presented for the evaluation of the actual state of historical masonry structures, which can provide a useful tool for the seismic response assessment before and after the retrofitting. The methodology is mainly focused on the failure and vulnerability analysis of masonry structures using the finite element method. Using this methodology the retrofitting of historical structures with innovative techniques is investigated. The innovative technique presented here involves the exploitation of Shape Memory Alloy prestressed bars. This type of intervention is proposed because it ensures increased reversibility and minimization of interventions, in comparison with conventional retrofitting methods. In this paper, a case study is investigated for the demonstration of the proposed methodologies and techniques, which comprises a masonry Byzantine church and a masonry Cistern. Prestressed SMA alloy bars are placed into the load-bearing system of the structure. The seismic response of the non-retrofitted and the retrofitted finite element models are compared in terms of seismic energy dissipation and displacements diminution.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.879-884
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• 2002

The objective of this study is to investigate the seismic capacity of the non-seismically detailed RC bridge piers before and after applying a seismic retrofitting method using stainless steel wire mesh. Total nine circular section RC piers were constructed. Different lap splice longitudinal reinforcement details were adapted for four specimens and various types of stainless steel wire mesh were applied for the remaining five specimens. Harmonic cyclic lateral load was applied on each specimen under a constant axial load. The test results indicated that the existing circular piers have low seismic capacity while the stainless steel wire mesh retrofitting method improves the seismic capacity considerably. In addition, test results revealed that the circular section piers could have a considerable amount of ductility if longitudinal bars are not lap-spliced in potential plastic hinge zone. Based on this experimental study it could be concluded that the seismic performance, that is ductility and energy absorption capacity, of the non-seismically detailed RC bridge piers would be increased by applying the stainless steel wire mesh seismic retrofitting method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.209-226
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• 2016

Integral bridges are typically designed with flexible foundations that include one row of piles. The construction of integral bridges solves difficulties due to the maintenance of expansion joints and bearings during serviceability. It causes integral bridges to become more economic comparing with conventional bridges. Research has been focused not only to enhance the seismic performance of newly designed bridges, but also to develop retrofit strategies for existing ones. The local performance of the pile to abutment connection will have a major effect on the performance of the structure and the embedment length of pile inside the abutment has a key role to provide shear and flexural resistance of pile-abutment connections. In this paper, a simple method was developed to estimate the initial value of embedment length of the pile for retrofitting of specimens. Four specimens of pile-abutment connections were constructed with different embedment lengths of pile inside the abutment to evaluate their performances. The results of the experimentation in conjunction with numerical and analytical studies showed that retrofitting pile-abutment connections with CFRP wraps increased the strength of the connection up to 86%. Also, designed connections with the proposed method had sufficient resistance against lateral load.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2024

The paper presents the experimental investigation of RC beams retrofitted with Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM), featuring enhanced bond capacity. Anchoring systems, including an extension of retrofitting length and the use of chemical anchors, are newly employed to improve the structural performance of the RC beam retrofitted with TRM. For the experimental investigation, a total of seven shear-critical RC beams, with and without stirrups, were designed and constructed. The structural behaviors of specimens retrofitted with the proposed TRM methods were compared to those of non-retrofitted specimens or specimens strengthened with conventional TRM methods. Crack pattern, force-displacement relationship, and absorbed energy were evaluated for each specimen. The experimental results indicate a significant improvement in the shear capacity of the RC beam with the proposed retrofitting method. Therefore, it is concluded that the application of an extended retrofitting length and chemical anchors to the TRM retrofitting method can effectively enhance the bond capacity of TRM, thereby improving the shear performance of RC beams.