• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 2019

Existing reinforced concrete frame buildings designed for only gravity loads have been seismically vulnerable due to their inadequate column detailing. The seismic vulnerabilities can be mitigated by the application of a column retrofit technique, which combines high-strength near surface mounted bars with a fiber reinforced polymer wrapping system. This study presents the full-scale shaker testing of a non-ductile frame structure retrofitted using the combined retrofit system. The full-scale dynamic testing was performed to measure realistic dynamic responses and to investigate the effectiveness of the retrofit system through the comparison of the measured responses between as-built and retrofitted test frames. Experimental results demonstrated that the retrofit system reduced the dynamic responses without any significant damage on the columns because it improved flexural, shear and lap-splice resisting capacities. In addition, the retrofit system contributed to changing a damage mechanism from a soft-story mechanism (column-sidesway mechanism) to a mixed-damage mechanism, which was commonly found in reinforced concrete buildings with strong-column weak-beam system.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.743-755
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• 2019

In this paper, a new system of seismic isolation for buildings - called suspended columns - is introduced. In this method, the building columns are placed on the hinged cradle seats instead of direct connection to the foundation. In this system, each of the columns is put on a seat hung from its surrounding area by a number of cables, for which cavities are created inside the foundation around the columns. Inside these cavities, the tensile cables are hung. Because of the flexibility of the cables, the suspended seats vibrate during an earthquake and as a result, there is less acceleration in the structure than the foundation. A Matlab code was written to analyze and investigate the response of the system against the earthquake excitations. The findings showed that if this system is used in a building, it results in a significant reduction in the acceleration applied to the structure. A shear key system was used to control the structure for service and lateral weak loads. Moreover, the effect of vertical acceleration on the seismic behavior of the system was also investigated. Effect of the earthquake characteristic period on the system performance was studied and the optimum length of the suspension cables for a variety of the period ranges was suggested. In addition, measures have been taken for long-term functioning of the system and some practical feasibility features were also discussed. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the system were discussed and compared with the other common methods of seismic isolation.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2019

This paper reports on the results of a parametric study, which examines the effects of varying aspect ratios on the dynamic response of cylindrical silos directly supported on the ground under earthquake loading. Previous research has shown that numerical models can provide considerably realistic simulations when it comes to the behavior of silos by using correct boundary conditions, appropriate element types and material models. To this end, a three dimensional numerical model, taking into account the bulk material-silo wall interaction, was produced by the ANSYS commercial program, which is in turn based on the finite element method. The results obtained from the numerical analysis are discussed comparatively in terms of dynamic material pressure, horizontal displacement, equivalent base shear force and equivalent bending moment responses for considered aspect ratios. The effects experienced because of the slenderness of the silo in regards to the seismic response were evaluated along with the effectiveness of the classification system proposed by Eurocode in evaluating the loads on the vertical walls. Results clearly show that slenderness directly affects the seismic response of such structures especially in terms of behavior and the magnitude of the responses. Furthermore the aspect ratio value of 2.0, given as a behavioral changing limit in the technical literature, can be used as a valid limit for seismic behavior.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.485-498
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• 2020

Non-ductile detailing of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames may lead to structural failure when the structure is subjected to earthquake response. These designs are generally encountered in older RC frames constructed prior to the introduction of the ductility aspect. The failure observed in the beam-column joints (BCJs) and accompanied by excessive column damage. This work examines the seismic performance and failure mode of non-ductile designed RC columns and exterior BCJs. The design was based on the actual building in Tainan City, Taiwan, that collapsed due to the 2016 Meinong earthquake. Hence, an experimental investigation using cyclic testing was performed on two columns and two BCJ specimens scaled down to 50%. The experiment resulted in a poor response in both specimens. Excessive cracks and their propagation due to the incursion of the lateral loads could be observed close to the top and bottom of the specimens. Joint shear failure appeared in the joints. The ductility of the member was below the desired value of 4. This is the minimum number required to survive an earthquake with a similar magnitude to that of El Centro. The evidence provides an understanding of the seismic failure of poorly detailed RC frame structures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.447-456
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• 2021

Methods for predicting the ultimate/buckling strength of ship structures have been extensively improved in terms of design formulas and analytical solutions. In recent years, the design strategy of ships and offshore structures has tended to emphasize lighter builds and improve operational safety. Therefore, the corresponding geometrical changes in design necessitate the use of high-tensile steel and thin plates. However, the existing design formulas were mainly developed for thick plates and mild steels. Therefore, the calculation methods require appropriate modification for new designs beased on high-tensile steel and thin plates. In this study, a modified formula was developed to predict the ultimate strength of thin steel plates subjected to compressive and shear loads. Based on the numerical results, the effects of the yield stress, slenderness ratio, and loading condition on the buckling/ultimate strength of steel plates were examined, and a newly modified double-beta parameter formula was developed. The results were used to derive and modify existing closed-form expressions and empirical formulas to predict the ultimate strength of thin-walled steel structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.221-241
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• 2022

Perfobond rib connectors are widely used in composite structures to achieve the composite action between the steel and the concrete, and empirical expressions for their strength and secant stiffness have been obtained by numerical simulations or push-out tests. Since perfobond connections are generally in an elastic state in the service process and the structural analysis are always based on the elastic properties of the members, the secant stiffness is not applicable for the normal structural analysis. However, the tangent stiffness of perfobond connections has not been introduced in previous studies. Moreover, the perfobond connections are bearing tension and shear force simultaneously when the composite beams subjected to torque or local loads, but the current studies fail to arrive at the elastic stiffness considering the combined effects. To resolve these discrepancies, this paper investigates the initial elastic stiffness of perfobond connections under combined forces. The calculation method for the elastic stiffness of perfobond connections is analyzed, and the contributions of the perfobond rib, the perforating rebar and the concrete dowel are investigated. A finite element method was verified with a high value of correlation for the test results. Afterwards, parametric studies are carried out using the reliable finite element analysis to explore the trends of several factors. Empirical equations for predicting the initial elastic stiffness of perfobond connections are proposed by the numerical regression of the data extracted by parametric studies. The equations agree well with finite element analysis and test results, which indicates that the proposed empirical equations reflect a high accuracy for predicting the initial elastic stiffness of perfobond connections.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2022

In this study, the problem of discontinuous contact in two functionally graded (FG) layers resting on a rigid plane and loaded by two rigid blocks is solved by the finite element method (FEM). Separate analyzes are made for the cases where the top surfaces of the problem layers are metal, the bottom surfaces are ceramic and the top surfaces are ceramic and the bottom surfaces are metal. For the problem, it is accepted that all surfaces are frictionless. A two-dimensional FEM analysis of the problem is made by using a special macro added to the ANSYS package program The solution of this study, which has no analytical solution in the literature, is given with FEM. Analyzes are made by loading different Q and P loads on the blocks. The normal stress (σy) distributions at the interfaces of FG layers and between the substrate and the rigid plane interface are obtained. In addition, the starting and ending points of the separations between these surfaces are determined. The normal stresses (σx, σy) and shear stresses (τxy) at the point of separation are obtained along the depth. The results obtained are shown in graphics and tables. With this method, effective results are obtained in a very short time. In addition, analytically complex and long problems can be solved with this method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2022

Steel laminated elastomeric bearings are commonly used in bridge structures to control displacements and rotations and transfer forces from the superstructure to the substructure. Proper knowledge of design, fabrication and erection procedures is important to ensure stability and adequate structural performance during the lifetime of the bridge. Difference in elevations sometimes leads to large size gaps between the bearing and the girder which makes the grout thickness that is commonly used for leveling deviate beyond standards. This paper investigates the structural response of High Strength Fiber Reinforced Cementitious (HSFRC) thin plinths that are used to close gaps between bearing pads and precast girders. An experimental program was developed for this purpose where HSFRC plinths of different size were cast and tested under vertical loads that simulate bridge loading in service. The structural performance of the plinths was closely monitored during testing, mainly crack propagation, vertical reaction and displacement. Analytically, the HSFRC plinth was analyzed using the beam on elastic foundation theory as the supporting elastomeric bearing pads are highly compressible. Closed form solutions were derived for induced displacement and forces and comparisons were made between analytical and experimental results. Finally, recommendations were made to facilitate the practical use of HSFRC plinths in bridge construction based on its enhanced load carrying capacity in shear and flexure.

• Bulletin of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.56-72
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• 1990

The hydrodynamic aspects of bow flare impact are discussed and the assumptions implicit in typical flare impact calculations are examined. Calculations based upon a pressure release free surface boundary condition are presented. While this simplified boundary condition eliminates the possibility of important factors such as splash-up and above-surface wetting, it has the significant advantage of being computationally simple. Both three-dimensional and two-dimensional results are compared with experiments. Errors resulting from the approximate free surface condition are examined. Also included in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional analysis are longitudinal distributions of the vertical bending moment and vertical shear force.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.289-296
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• 2023

The failure of a thin-walled tube was studied in this paper based on three failure models. Both proportional and non-proportional loading paths were applied. Proportional loading consisted of combined tension-torsion. Cyclic non-proportional loading was also applied. It was a circular out-of-phase axial-shear stress loading path. The third loading path was a combination of a constant internal pressure and a bending moment. The failure models under study were equivalent plastic strain, modified Mohr-Coulomb (Bai-Wierzbicki) and Tearing parameter models. The elasto-plastic analysis was conducted using J2 criterion and nonlinear kinematic hardening. The return mapping algorithm was employed to numerically solve the plastic flow relations. The effects of the hydrostatic stress on the plastic flow and the stress triaxiality parameter on the failure were discussed. Each failure model under study was utilized to predict failure. The failure loads obtained from each model were compared with each other. The equivalent plastic strain model was independent from the stress triaxiality parameter, and it predicted the highest failure load in the bending problem. The modified Mohr-Coulomb failure model predicted the lowest failure load for the range of the stress triaxiality parameter and Lode's angle.