• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.243-254
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• 2021

In this study, the conservatism of the response displacement method (RDM) for the seismic response analysis of box-shaped power cable tunnels was evaluated. A total of 50 examples were used considering the cross-sections of 25 power cable tunnels and two soil conditions for each power cable tunnel. The following three methods were applied for the analysis by the RDM: (1) single cosine method, (2) double cosine method, and (3) dynamic free-field analysis method. A refined dynamic analysis method considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) was employed to compare the conservatism of the RDM. The double cosine method demonstrated the most conservative result, while the dynamic free-field analysis method yielded the least deviation. The soil stiffness reduction factor, C, for the double cosine method was recommended to be 0.9 and 0.7 for the operational performance and collapse prevention levels, respectively, to ensure a probability of at least 80% that the member force by the RDM is larger than that of dynamic SSI analysis.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2022

This paper presents experimental studies on reinforced concrete moment resisting frames that have engineered cementitious composite (ECC) in plastic hinge length (PHL) of beam/column members and beam-column joints. A two-story frame structure reduced by a 1:3 scale was further tested through a shake-table (seismic simulator) using multiple levels of simulated earthquake motions. One model conformed to all the ACI-318 requirements for IMRF, whereas the second model used lower-strength concrete in the beam/column members outside PHL. The acceleration time history of the 1994 Northridge earthquake was selected and scaled to multiple levels for shake-table testing. This study reports the observed damage mechanism, lateral strength-displacement capacity curve, and the computed response parameters for each model. The tests verified that nonlinearity remained confined to beam/column ends, i.e., member joint interface. Calculated response modification factors were 11.6 and 9.6 for the code-conforming and concrete strength deficient models. Results show that the RC-ECC frame's performance in design-based and maximum considered earthquakes; without exceeding maximum permissible drift under design-base earthquake motions and not triggering any unstable mode of damage/failure under maximum considered earthquakes. This research also indicates that the introduction of ECC in PHL of the beam/column members' detailing may be relaxed for the IMRF structures.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.152-161
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• 2023

In general, large-capacity hydrogen storage vessels, typically in the form of vertical cylindrical vessels, are constructed using steel materials. These vessels are anchored to foundation slabs that are specially designed to suit the environmental conditions. This anchoring method involves pre-installed anchors on top of the concrete foundation slab. However, it's important to note that such a design can result in concentrated stresses at the anchoring points when external forces, such as seismic events, are at play. This may lead to potential structural damage due to anchor and concrete damage. For this reason, in this study, it selected an vertical hydrogen storage vessel based on site observations and created a 3D finite element model. Artificial seismic motions made following the procedures specified in ICC-ES AC 156, as well as domestic recorded earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 5.0, were applied to analyze the structural behavior and performance of the target structures. Conducting experiments on a structure built to actual scale would be ideal, but due to practical constraints, it proved challenging to execute. Therefore, it opted for an analytical approach to assess the safety of the target structure. Regarding the structural response characteristics, the acceleration induced by seismic motion was observed to amplify by approximately ten times compared to the input seismic motions. Additionally, there was a tendency for a decrease in amplification as the response acceleration was transmitted to the point where the centre of gravity is located. For the vulnerable components, specifically the sub-system (support columns and anchorages), the stress levels were found to satisfy the allowable stress criteria. However, the concrete's tensile strength exhibited only about a 5% margin of safety compared to the allowable stress. This indicates the need for mitigation strategies in addressing these concerns. Based on the research findings presented in this paper, it is anticipated that predictable load information for the design of storage vessels required for future shaking table tests will be provided.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2017

Near-fault ground motions are characterized by high values of the ratio between the peak of vertical and horizontal ground accelerations, which can significantly affect the nonlinear response of a base-isolated structure. To check the effectiveness of different base-isolation systems for retrofitting a r.c. framed structure located in a near-fault area, a numerical investigation is carried out analyzing the nonlinear dynamic response of the fixed-base and isolated structures. For this purpose, a six-storey r.c. framed building is supposed to be retrofitted by insertion of an isolation system at the base for attaining performance levels imposed by current Italian code in a high-risk seismic zone. In particular, elastomeric (e.g., high-damping-laminated-rubber bearings, HDLRBs) and friction (e.g., steel-PTFE sliding bearings, SBs, or friction pendulum bearings, FPBs) isolators are considered, with reference to three cases of base isolation: HDLRBs acting alone (i.e., EBI structures); in-parallel combination of HDLRBs and SBs (i.e., EFBI structures); FPBs acting alone (i.e., FPBI structures). Different values of the stiffness ratio, defined as the ratio between the vertical and horizontal stiffnesses of the HDLRBs, sliding ratio, defined as the global sliding force divided by the maximum sliding force of the SBs, and in-plan distribution of friction coefficient for the FPs are investigated. The EBI, EFBI and FPBI base-isolation systems are designed assuming the same values of the fundamental vibration period and equivalent viscous damping ratio. The nonlinear dynamic analysis is carried out with reference to near-fault earthquakes, selected and scaled on the design hypotheses adopted for the test structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1155-1171
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• 2016

Post-tensioned (PT) steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) with semi-rigid connections (SRC) can be used to control the hysteretic energy demands and to reduce the maximum inter-story drift (${\gamma}$). In this study the seismic behavior of steel MRFs with PT connections is estimated by incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis in terms of dissipated hysteretic energy ($E_H$) demands. For this aim, five PT steel MRFs are subjected to 30 long duration earthquake ground motions recorded on soft soil sites. To assess the energy dissipated in the frames with PT connections, a new expression is proposed for the hysteretic behavior of semi-rigid connections validated by experimental tests. The performance was estimated not only for the global $E_H$ demands in the steel frames; but also for, the distribution and demands of hysteretic energy in beams, columns and connections considering several levels of deformation. The results show that $E_H$ varies with ${\gamma}$, and that most of $E_H$ is dissipated by the connections. It is observed in all the cases a log-normal distribution of $E_H$ through the building height. The largest demand of $E_H$ occurs between 0.25 and 0.5 of the height. Finally, an equation is proposed to calculate the distribution of $E_H$ in terms of the normalized height of the stories (h/H) and the inter-story drift.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.284-289
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• 2016

In recent years, the earthquake sequence in Christchurch, New Zealand (NZ) was unprecedented in terms of repeated earthquake shocks with substantial levels of ground motion affecting modern infrastructure, and in particular, broad and precise reports for liquefaction-induced permanent ground deformation (PGD) and repairs of wastewater (WW) pipelines were collected. In this study, a geographical information system (GIS) and linear regression analysis were performed using data for the length and repair points of earthenware (EW) and concrete (CONC) wastewater pipelines acquired after the MW 6.2 February 22, 2011 earthquake. The repair rates (repairs/km) for the EW and CONC wastewater pipelines were evaluated inside the areas of PGD, and both angular distortion of ground and lateral ground strain were calculated from the high resolution LiDAR data acquired before and after the seismic event. The research results showed that both pipelines have similar trends of damage but the CONC wastewater pipeline with higher stiffness showed less damage. The results of linear regression analyses can be used to predict the repair rates for EW and CONC wastewater pipelines inside the areas of PGD induced by future earthquakes.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.325-335
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• 2021

The majority of Turkey's geography is at risk of earthquakes. Within the borders of Turkey, including the two major active faults contain the North-Eastern and Eastern Anatolia, earthquake, threatening the safety of life and property. On January 24, 2020, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 occurred at 8:55 p.m. local time. According to the data obtained from the stations in the region, peak ground acceleration in the east-west direction was measured as 0.292 g from the 2308 coded station in Sivrice. It is thought that the earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 6.8 was developed on the Sivrice-Puturge segment of the Eastern Anatolian Fault, which is a left lateral strike slip fault, and the tear developed in an area of 50-55 km. Aftershocks ranging from 0.8 to 5.1 Mw occurred following the main shock on the Eastern Anatolian Fault. The earthquake caused severe structural damages in Elazığ and neighboring provinces. As a result of the field investigations carried out in this study, significant damage levels were observed in the buildings since it did not meet the criteria in the earthquake codes. Within the study's scope, the structural damage cases in reinforced concrete and masonry structures were investigated. Many structural deficiencies and mistakes such as non-ductile details, poor concrete quality, short columns, strong beams-weak columns mechanism, large and heavy overhangs, masonry building damages and inadequate reinforcement arrangements were observed. Requirements of seismic codes are discussed and compared with observed earthquake damage.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2023

The maximum drifts are important to the seismic evaluation of steel buildings and connections, but the information can hardly be obtained from the post-earthquake field investigation. This research studies the feasibility of using the loss rate of bolt pretension as an earthquake damage predictor. Full-scale tests were made on four steel connections using bolted-web-welded-flange details. One connection was unreinforced (UN), another was reinforced with double shear plates (DS), and the other two used reduced beam sections (RBS). The preinstalled strain gauges were used to control the pretensions and monitor the losses of the high-strength bolts. The results showed that the loss rate of bolt pretension was highly related to the damage of the connections. The pretensions lost up to 10% in all the connections at the yield drifts of 0.5% to 1%. After yielding of the connections, the pretensions lost significantly until fracture occurred. The UN and DS connections failed with a maximum drift of 4 %, and the two RBS connections showed better ductility and failed with a maximum drift of 6%. Under the far-field-type loading protocol, the loss rate grew to 60%. On the contrary, the rate for the specimen under near-fault-type loading protocol was about 40%. The loss rate of bolt pretension is therefore recommended to use as an earthquake damage predictor. Additionally, the 10% and 40% loss rates are recommended to predict the limit states of connection yielding and maximum strength, respectively, and to define the performance levels of serviceability and life-safety for the buildings.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2012

Fixed connection is generally used for beam and column connections of concrete structures, but significant damages at the connection due to severe earthquakes have been reported. In order to reduce damages of the connection and improve seismic performance of the connection, several innovative connections have been suggested. One newly proposed connection type allows a rotation of the connection for applications in rotating or rocking beams, columns, and shear walls. Such structural elements would provide a nonlinear lateral force-displacement response since their contact depth developed during rotation is gradually reduced and the stress across the sections of the elements is non-linearly distributed around a contact area, which is called an elastic hinge region in the present study. The purpose of the present study is to define the elastic hinge region or length for the rocking columns, through investigating the cross-sectional stress distribution during their lateral behavior. Performing a finite element analysis (FEA), several parameters are considered including axial load levels (5% and 10% of nominal strength), different boundary conditions (confined-ends and cantilever types), and slenderness ratios (length/depth = 5, 7, 10). The FEA results showed that the elastic hinge length does not directly depend on the parameters considered, but it is governed by a contact depth only. The elastic hinge length started to develop after an opening state and increased non-linearly until a rocking point(pre-rocking). However, the length did not increase any more after the rocking point (post-rocking) and remained as a constant value. Half space model predicting the elastic hinge length is adapted and the results are compared with the numerical results.