• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.141-161
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• 2016

In seismic fragility and risk analysis, the definition of structural limit state (LS) capacities is of crucial importance. Traditionally, LS capacities are defined according to design code provisions or using deterministic pushover analysis without considering the inherent randomness of structural parameters. To assess the effects of structural randomness on LS capacities, ten structural parameters that include material strengths and gravity loads are considered as random variables, and a probabilistic pushover method based on a correlation-controlled Latin hypercube sampling technique is used to estimate the uncertainties in LS capacities for four typical reinforced concrete frame buildings. A series of ten LSs are identified from the pushover curves based on the design-code-given thresholds and the available damage-controlled criteria. The obtained LS capacities are further represented by a lognormal model with the median $m_C$ and the dispersion ${\beta}_C$. The results show that structural uncertainties have limited influence on $m_C$ for the LSs other than that near collapse. The commonly used assumption of ${\beta}_C$ between 0.25 and 0.30 overestimates the uncertainties in LS capacities for each individual building, but they are suitable for a building group with moderate damages. A low uncertainty as ${\beta}_C=0.1{\sim}0.15$ is adequate for the LSs associated with slight damages of structures, while a large uncertainty as ${\beta}_C=0.40{\sim}0.45$ is suggested for the LSs near collapse.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Geophysical surveys were conducted on an upper part of a natural slope located at Daejeon University. Electrical resistivity and seismic refraction measurements were carried out to obtain information on a weathered zone and internal structure at shallow depth, while AMT measurement a bed rock and geological structure at deep depth. With all the techniques applied, these results show a good correlation between electrical resistivity images and refraction velocity distributions for the characterization of a weathering and geological structure at depth. In particular, AMT survey seems to be the powerful tool for detecting a distribution of a bed rock with deep depth. The combined geophysical investigation produced a detailed image of a subsurface structure and improved well in the interpretation.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2010

Accurate peak response estimation of a seismically excited structure with frictional damping system (FDS) is very difficult since the structure with FDS shows nonlinear behavior dependent on the structural period, loading characteristics, and relative magnitude between the frictional force and the excitation load. Previous studies have estimated the peak response of the structure with FDS by replacing a nonlinear system with an equivalent linear one or by employing the response spectrum obtained based on nonlinear time history and statistical analysis. In case that earthquake excitation is defined probabilistically, corresponding response of the structure with FDS becomes to have probabilistic distribution. In this study, nonlinear time history analyses were performed for the structure with FDS subjected to artificial earthquake excitation generated using Kanai-Tajimi filter. An equation for the probability density function (PDF) of the displacement response is proposed by adapting the PDF of the normal distribution. Coefficients of the proposed PDF are obtained by regression of the statistical distribution of the time history responses. Finally, the correlation between the resulting PDFs and statistical response distribution is investigated.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-35
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• 2012

Simplified equations for fundamental period of vibration of skeletal structures provided by most seismic design provisions suffer from the absence of any associated confidence levels and of any reference to their empirical basis. Therefore, such equations may typically give a sector of designers the false impression of yielding a fairly accurate value of the period of vibration. This paper, although not addressing simplified codes equations, introduces a set of mathematical equations utilizing the theory of error propagation and First-Order Second-Moment (FOSM) techniques to determine bounds on the relative error in theoretically calculated fundamental period of vibration of skeletal structures. In a complementary step, and for verification purposes, Monte Carlo simulation technique has been also applied. The latter, despite involving larger computational effort, is expected to provide more precise estimates than FOSM methods. Studies of parametric uncertainties applied to reinforced concrete frame bents - potentially idealized as SDOF systems - are conducted demonstrating the effect of randomness and uncertainty of various relevant properties, shaping both mass and stiffness, on the variance (i.e. relative error) in the estimated period of vibration. Correlation between mass and stiffness parameters - regarded as random variables - is also thoroughly discussed. According to achieved results, a relative error in the period of vibration in the order of 19% for new designs/constructions and of about 25% for existing structures for assessment purposes - and even climbing up to about 36% in some special applications and/or circumstances - is acknowledged when adopting estimates gathered from the literature for relative errors in the relevant random input variables.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.555-565
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• 2020

The main objective of seismic codes is to prevent structural collapse and ensure life safety. Collapse probability of a structure is usually assessed by making a series of analytical model assumptions. This paper investigates the effect of finite element modeling (FEM) assumptions on the estimated collapse capacity of a reinforced concrete (RC) frame building and points out the modeling limitations. Widely used element formulations and hysteresis models are considered in the analysis. A full-scale, three-story RC frame building was utilized as the experimental model. Alternative finite element models are established by adopting a range of different modeling strategies. Using each model, the collapse capacity of the structure is evaluated via Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA). Results indicate that the analytically estimated collapse capacities are significantly sensitive to the utilized modeling approaches. Furthermore, results also show that models that represent stiffness degradation lead to a better correlation between the actual and analytical responses. Results of this study are expected to be useful for in developing proper models for assessing the collapse probability of RC frame structures.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.2 s.54
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

The method of generating the artificial acceleration time histories for seismic analysis based on genetic algorithms is presented. For applying to the genetic algorithms, the frequencies are selected as the decision variables eventually to be genes. An arithmetic average crossover operator and an arithmetic ratio mutation operator are suggested in this study. These operators as well as the typical simple crossover operator are utilized in generating the artificial acceleration time histories corresponding to the specified design response spectrum. Also these generated artificial time histories are checked whether their outward features are to be coincident with the recorded earthquake motion or not. The features include envelope shape, correlation condition between 2 horizontal components of motion, and the relationship of max. acceleration, max. velocity and max. displacement of ground.

• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2004

We calculate moment magnitudes of earthquakes occurred in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula from January, 2001 to February, 2004 and compare them with local magnitudes published by KMA(Korea Meteorological Administration) and KIGAM(Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources). From this study, we find that local magnitudes of KIGAM have higher correlation with moment magnitudes than local magnitudes of KMA have. We induce a proper conversion formula by analyzing relation between published local magnitudes and calculated moment magnitudes. The induced formula can be used to unify kinds of magnitudes in earthquake catalogues and unified earthquake catalogues can be applied as necessary factors for analyzing earthquake characteristics, seismic hazards or attenuation formulas in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 1988

The purpose of this study is to collect basic data which are prerequisite for quantitative analysis of coal logging data. The study involves laboratory measurements of physical properties such as seismic velocities (P,S-waves), resitivity and density of domestic and imported foreign coals. The relationships between these properties were analyzed by using cross-plots. Correlation between the physical properties of coal and the results of chemical analysis (calorie, fixed carbon, ash, moisture, volatile matter and sulfur contents) was also studied to obtain ideas about coal quality analysis using logging data. Summarized results are as follows: 1. $V_P$ is exponentialy related to $V_S$. And the average value of $V_P$ is about l.8 times as large as $V_S$. 2. Since coal has very low density compared with surrounding sedimentary rocks, density logging is appeared to be the best method for identifying coal seams and evaluating their qualities. 3. For the case of domestic coals, the ash contents and calorie show a perfect inverse relationship. Since the density increases as increase of ash content with a well-defined functional form, the ash content of domestic coals can be estimated by density measurements. 4. Because of low ash content, low density and high resistivity, foreign coals and domestic lignites are easily distinguished from domestic coals.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.4_1
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• pp.77-85
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• 1992

The Pseudo-dynamic test is a new experimental technique for simulating the earthquake response of structures or structural components in the time domain. It is especially efficient for testing specimens that are too large, heavy or strong to be tested on a shaking table. But, in general, the responses obtained in the Pseudo-dynamic test can be distorted by the experimental errors inevitably during control and measurement procedures. The studies are to investigate the effects of the experimental errors on the Pseudo-dynamic responses and apply a correction method to the Pseudo-dynamic testing algorithm. It is shown that the corrected responses using the equivalent energy compensation method are in a good correlation with the theoretical ones. Thus, the corrected Pseudo-dynamic responses could be reliable for evaluating the seismic performance of structural systems.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.771-785
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• 2016

The thermal conductivity of soils is an important property in energy-related geotechnical structures, such as underground heat pumps and underground electric power cable tunnels. This study explores the effects of geotechnical engineering properties on the thermal conductivity of soils. The thermal conductivities of quartz sands and Korean weathered silty sands were documented via a series of laboratory experiments, and its variations with effective stress, porosity, and water saturation were examined. While thermal conductivity was found to increase with an increase in the effective stress and water saturation and with a decrease in porosity, replacing air by water in pores the most predominantly enhanced the thermal conductivity by almost one order of magnitude. In addition, we have suggested an improved model for thermal conductivity prediction, based on water saturation, dry thermal conductivity, saturated thermal conductivity, and a fitting parameter that represents the curvature of the thermal conductivity-water saturation relation.