• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 2024

In this study, compared two distinct estimation methods (stress charts and regression equations) proposed by the Indian road congress design guideline (IRC:58-2015) to determine flexural stress in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP). The occurrence of critical flexural stresses in pavement slabs is due to the combined effects of wheel loads and temperature. These stresses depend on various factors such as material properties of concrete, soil-subgrade strength, loading, and geometric properties of the slab. In order to account for the practical variability of these factors, critical edge stresses are determined using both methods and compared considering tied concrete shoulder. IRC:58 (2015) suggests, the stresses calculated by both the procedures should provide the same results. However, when these stresses are compared for the same configurations and same loading conditions, large variations are observed. The effect of tied concrete shoulder on reduction in critical edge stress is observed. Based on the study, certain important conclusions and recommendations are presented.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.354-365
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• 2014

The horizontal response spectra using the observed ground motions from 15 Fukuoka earthquake series, including main earthquake (2005/03/20; Mw=6.5), were analysed and then were compared to both the seismic design response spectra (Regulatory Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 178 horizontal ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum have strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the horizontal response spectra revealed higher values for frequency bands at two frequency bands (about 8 - 10 and 16- 20 Hz) than Regulatory Guide 1.60. The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Building Design Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that thehorizontal response spectra revealed higher values for almost all period bands than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (500 yrs; Return Period; Seismic province 1; SE soil conditions). Through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the diversity of the observed ground motions should be considered more significantly to improve the certainty of response spectrum.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.399-407
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• 2010

The horizontal response spectra using the observed ground motions from the recent more than 19 macro earthquakes were analysed and then were compared to both the seismic design response spectra (Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings (1997). 130 horizontal ground motions, without considering soil types, were used for normalization with respect to the peak acceleration value of each ground motion. The results showed that response spectrum have strong dependency on epicentral distance. The results also showed that the horizontal response spectra revealed much higher values for frequency bands above 5 Hz than Reg. Guide (1.60). The results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types and showed that the vertical response spectra revealed much higher values for the frequency bands below 0.3 second than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum (SD soil condition). These spectral values dependent on frequency could be related to characteristics of the domestic crustal attenuation and the effect of each site amplification. However, through the qualitative improvements and quantitative enhancement of the observed ground motions, the conservation of horizontal seismic design response spectrum should be considered more significantly for the frequency bands above 5 Hz.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2005

Analogue physical modelling using granular materials (i.e., sandbox experiments) has been applied with great success to a number of geological problems at various scales. Such physical experiments can also be simulated numerically with the Discrete Element Method (DEM). In this study, we apply the DEM simulation to the collision between the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian Plate, one of the most significant current tectonic processes in the Earth. DEM simulation has been applied to various kinds of dynamic modelling, not only in structural geology but also in soil mechanics, rock mechanics, and the like. As the target of the investigation is assumed to be an assembly of many tiny particles, DEM simulation makes it possible to treat an object with large and discontinuous deformations. However, in DEM simulations, we often encounter difficulties when we examine the validity of the input parameters, since little is known about the relationship between the input parameters for each particle and the properties of the whole assembly. Therefore, in our previous studies (Yamada et al.,2002a,2002b,2002c), we were obliged to tune the input parameters by trial and error. To overcome these difficulties, we introduce a numerical biaxial test with the DEM simulation. Using the results of this numerical test, we examine the validity of the input parameters used in the collision model. The resulting collision model is quite similar to the real deformation observed in eastern Asia, and compares well with GPS data and in-situ stress data in eastern Asia.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.81-91
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• 2005

'Coarse grained material' refers to crushed stones or gravels, and the behaviour of soil containing coarse grained material is not easily defined using the conventional soil mechanics theory due to the influences of large particles, therefore large scale test is essential to investigate their effects. Previous studies have identified the major factors affecting the properties of coarse grained materials by using large scale shear testing apparatus, such as maximum particle size, water content, density and uniformity coefficients. In this paper, the effect of variation of maximum particle size and water content on shear strength was analyzed from the results of large scale shear test. In addition, the fiction coefficient at critical state per vertical load was estimated using the equation proposed by Wood (1998). The sample for the test was obtained from the local quarry sites. Tests results show that the shear strength for 50.8 m maximum particle size is relatively larger than that of 76.3 m and air-dry sample has larger shear strength than saturated sample. In the meantime, the friction coefficient at critical state shows $1.0\sim1.6$ according to the test conditions.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.526-533
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• 2009

This study presents Mine Green Framework(M.G.F) which can protect the slope of rock and tailings. M.G.F method provides the fiber frame which helps the growth of the plant in the barren site like mined rock slope. M.G.F system consists of the polyester fiber mat, soil, seeds and anchors for the attachment. The optimum rate of filling materials was figured out by many germination tests in order to improve the effect of filling materials and the optimum rate of filling materials was applied in four test sites individually. High rooting rate over 70% was confirmed in all field tests. Especially the moisturizer was the most important component of filling materials and it could make the better condition for the plants.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.287-306
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• 2002

The assessment of structural performance of transfer structures under potential seismic actions is presented. Various seismic assessment methodologies are used, with particular emphasis on the accurate modelling of the higher mode effects and the potential development of a soft storey effect in the mega-columns below the transfer plate (TP) level. Those methods include response spectrum analysis (RSA), manual calculation, pushover analysis (POA) and equivalent static load analysis (ESA). The capabilities and limitations of each method are highlighted. The paper aims, firstly, to determine the appropriate seismic assessment methodology for transfer structures using these different approaches, all of which can be undertaken with the resources generally available in a design office. Secondly, the paper highlights and discusses factors influencing the response behaviour of transfer structures, and finally provides a general indication of their seismic vulnerability. The representative Hong Kong building considered in this paper utilises a structural system with coupled shear walls and moment resisting portal-frames, above and below the TP, respectively. By adopting the wind load profile stipulated in the Code of Practice on Wind Effects: Hong Kong-1983, all the structural members are sized and detailed according to the British Standards BS8110 and the current local practices. The seismic displacement demand for the structure, when built on either rock or deep soil sites, was determined in a companion paper. The lateral load-displacement characteristic of the building, determined herein from manual calculation, has indicated that the poor ductility (brittle nature) of the mega-columns, due mainly to the high level of axial pre-compression as found from the analysis, cannot be effectively alleviated solely by increasing the quantity of confinement stirrups. The interstorey drift demands at lower and upper zones caused by seismic actions are found to be substantially higher than those arising from wind loads. The mega-columns supporting the TP and the coupling beams at higher zones are identified to be the most vulnerable components under seismic actions.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.141-157
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• 2014

The Conditional Mean Spectrum represents a powerful link between the seismic hazard information and the selection of strong ground motion records at a particular site. The scope of the paper is to apply for the city of Bucharest for the first time the method to obtain the Conditional Mean Spectrum (CMS) presented by Baker (2011) and to select, on the basis of the CMS, a suite of strong ground motions for performing elastic and inelastic dynamic analyses of buildings and structures with fundamental periods of vibration in the vicinity of 1.0 s. The major seismic hazard for Bucharest and for most of Southern and Eastern Romania is dominated by the Vrancea subcrustal seismic source. The ground motion prediction equation developed for subduction-type earthquakes and soil conditions by Youngs et al. (1997) is used for the computation of the Uniform Hazard Spectrum (UHS) and the CMS. The disaggregation of seismic hazard is then performed in order to determine the mean causal values of magnitude and source-to-site distance for a particular spectral ordinate (for a spectral period T = 1.0 s in this study). The spectral period of 1.0 s is considered to be representative for the new stock of residential and office reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in Bucharest. The differences between the Uniform Hazard Spectrum (UHS) and the Conditional Mean Spectrum (CMS) are discussed taking into account the scarcity of ground motions recorded in the region of Bucharest and the frequency content characteristics of the recorded data. Moreover, a record selection based on the criteria proposed by Baker and Cornell (2006) and Baker (2011) is performed using a dataset consisting of strong ground motions recorded during seven Vrancea seismic events.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 2005

This paper is the results of experimental and numerical works on the investigating design factors influencing the bearing capacity, the ratio of stress concentration, and the failure mechanism of the clay ground improved with sand compaction piles (SCP). In order to find the behavior of the clay ground improved with SCP, extensive centrifuge model experiments were carried out for each of the SCP replacement ratio of 20, 40, and $70\%$, the non-plastic fine contents in sand of 5, 10, and $15\%$, and the ratio of the improved width to the loaded area (W/B) of 1, 2, and 3. The commertially available software of FEM, CRISP, was used to analyze test results by performing numerical estimations. In these numerical analyses the sand compaction piles and the clay ground were simulated as a linear elastic and plastic constitutive model and the modified Cam-clay model, based on Critical State Soil Mechanics, respectively.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.1 s.54
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• pp.71-79
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• 2005

The stability of the intersection area of two tunnels is analyzed by observational method. The depth from ground surface to the intersected area is shallow and the geology around the area consists of soil and/or weathered rock. The tunnel is supported by reinforced protective umbrella method with 12 m long 3-layer steel-pipes and the intersected area is additionally reinforced with 6 m long rockbolts. The measured displacements are converged and mechanical stability of the intersected area of two tunnels is confirmed; tunnel arch settles to 6-7 mm at the crown and the sidewalls converges to about 5 mm. So based on the displacement measurements, the supporting system for the tunnel intersection proves to be effective to not only reduce the deformation of tunnels but also maintain the stability of tunnels.