• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.951-968
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• 2016

Long-span cross-strait bridges extending into deep-sea waters are exposed to complex marine environments. During the construction stage, the flexible freestanding bridge towers are more vulnerable to environmental loads imposed by wind and wave loads. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the dynamic responses of a 389-m-high freestanding bridge tower model in a test facility with a wind tunnel and a wave flume. An elastic bridge model with a geometric scale of 1:150 was designed based on Froude similarity and was tested under wind-only, wave-only and wind-wave combined conditions. The dynamic responses obtained from the tests indicate that large deformation under resonant sea states could be a structural challenge. The dominant role of the wind loads and the wave loads change according to the sea states. The joint wind and wave loads have complex effects on the dynamic responses of the structure, depending on the approaching direction angle and the fluid-induced vibration mechanisms of the waves and wind.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.695-703
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• 2018

Based on monitoring data collected from the Nanjing Dashengguan Bridge over the last five years, this paper systematically investigates the effects of temperature field and train loadings on the structural responses of this long-span high-speed railway bridge, and establishes the early warning thresholds for various structural responses. Then, some lessons drawn from the structural health monitoring system of this bridge are summarized. The main context includes: (1) Polynomial regression models are established for monitoring temperature effects on modal frequencies of the main girder and hangers, longitudinal displacements of the bearings, and static strains of the truss members; (2) The correlation between structural vibration accelerations and train speeds is investigated, focusing on the resonance characteristics of the bridge at the specific train speeds; (3) With regard to various static and dynamic responses of the bridge, early warning thresholds are established by using mean control chart analysis and probabilistic analysis; (4) Two lessons are drawn from the experiences in the bridge operation, which involves the lacks of the health monitoring for telescopic devices on the beam-end and bolt fractures in key members of the main truss.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.621-652
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• 2016

A new cable-supported bridge model consisting of suspension parts, self-anchored cable-stayed parts and earth-anchored cable-stayed parts is presented. The new bridge model can be used for suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, cable-stayed suspension bridges, and partially earth-anchored cable-stayed bridges by varying parameters. Based on the assumption that each structural member is in either an axial compressive or tensile state, and the stress in each member is equal to the allowable stress of the material, the material quantity for each component is calculated. By introducing the unit cost of each type of material, the estimation formula for the cost of the new bridge model is developed. Numerical examples show that the results from the estimation formula agree well with that from the real projects. The span limit of cable supported bridge depends on the span-to-height ratio and the density-to-strength ratio of cables. Finally, a parametric study is illustrated aiming at the relations between three key geometrical parameters and the cost of the bridge model. The optimization of the new bridge model indicates that the self-anchored cable-stayed part is always the dominant part with the consideration of either the lowest total cost or the lowest unit cost. It is advisable to combine all three mentioned structural parts in super long span cable supported bridges to achieve the most excellent economic performance.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2017

The dynamic performance of railway bridges under high-speed trains draws the attention of bridge engineers. The vibration issue for long-span bridges under high-speed trains is still not well understood due to lack of validations through structural health monitoring (SHM) data. This paper investigates the correlation between bridge acceleration and train speed based on structural dynamics theory and SHM system from three foci. Firstly, the calculated formula of acceleration response under a series of moving load is deduced for the situation that train length is near the length of the bridge span, the correlation between train speed and acceleration amplitude is analyzed. Secondly, the correlation scatterplots of the speed-acceleration is presented and discussed based on the transverse and vertical acceleration response data of Dashengguan Yangtze River Bridge SHM system. Thirdly, the warning indexes of the bridge performance for correlation scatterplots of speed-acceleration are established. The main conclusions are: (1) The resonance between trains and the bridge is unlikely to happen for long-span bridge, but a multimodal correlation curve between train speed and acceleration amplitude exists after the resonance speed; (2) Based on SHM data, multimodal correlation scatterplots of speed-acceleration exist and they have similar trends with the calculated formula; (3) An envelope line of polylines can be used as early warning indicators of the changes of bridge performance due to the changes of slope of envelope line and peak speed of amplitude. This work also gives several suggestions which lay a foundation for the better design, maintenance and long-term monitoring of a long-span high-speed bridge.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.489-505
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• 2012

In this study, it is aim to perform the construction stage analysis of suspension bridges using time dependent material properties. Fatih Sultan Mehmet Suspension Bridge connecting the Europe and Asia in Istanbul is selected as an example. Finite element models of the bridge are modelled using SAP2000 program considering project drawing. Geometric nonlinearities are taken into consideration in the analysis using P-Delta large displacement criterion. The time dependent material strength variations and geometric variations are included in the analysis. Because of the fact that the bridge has steel structural system, only prestressing steel relaxation is considered as time dependent material properties. The structural behaviour of the bridge at different construction stages has been examined. Two different finite element analyses with and without construction stages are carried out and results are compared with each other. As analyses result, variation of the displacement and internal forces such as bending moment, axial forces and shear forces for bridge deck and towers are given with detail. It is seen that construction stage analysis has remarkable effect on the structural behaviour of the bridge.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.564-571
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• 2005

Two-plate girder bridge and narrow steel box girder bridge are suggested for the steel wheel AGT system. For these bridge system, rail-bridge interaction analysis was carried out and dynamic behavior of these bridges was investigated. The result shows that all the estimated parameters satisfy the criteria concerned. As a result these two suggested bridge systems have enough performance to be competitive for the LRT elevated structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.609-626
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• 2004

The Land Transport Authority of Singapore has a continuing program of highway bridge upgrading, to refurbish and strengthen bridges to allow for increasing vehicle traffic and increasing axle loads. One subject of this program has been a short span bridge taking a busy highway across a coastal inlet near a major port facility. Experiment-based structural assessments of the bridge were conducted before and after upgrading works including strengthening. Each assessment exercise comprised two separate components; a strain and acceleration monitoring exercise lasting approximately one month, and a full-scale dynamic test carried out in a single day. This paper reports the application of extreme value statistics to estimate bridge live loads using strain measurements.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.236-247
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• 2009

In Korea, the driving system restriction criteria is strictly applied(gross weight 400kN, axial load 100kN). Especially after the Seoungsu Bridge accident, safety factor has been strictly applied. The Safety factor is applied to the cumulative results for each steps like design, construction, maintenance of the Bridge. Because of it, the bridge is undervalued compared to its capacity. So, this generates loss for both private and military sector(eg. logistical delays, structural damage, etc.). But analyzing data from many existing researches we have confirmed that the military heavy vehicle may pass through the first class bridges. In consequence, this study have focused on determining whether HETS vehicles can pass over the first class bridge, without safety issues, using MIDAS structural analysis program. The results have confirmed that the military heavy vehicle may pass over the bridge.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.169-175
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• 2001

Bridge load rating calculations provide a basis for determining the safe load capacity of bridge. Load rating requires engineering judgement in determining a rating value that is applicable to maintaining the safe use of the bridge and arriving at posting and permit decisions. Load testing is an effective means in calculating the rating value of bridge. In Korea, load carrying capacity of bridge is modified by response modification factor that is determined from comparisons of measured values and analysis results. The response modification factor may be corrupted by vehicle location error that is defined as the gap of test vehicle location between load testing and analysis. In this study, the effects of vehicle location error to structural response and response modification factor are investigated, and a new method for evaluating response modification factor is proposed. The random data analysis shows that the proposed method is less sensitive to vehicle location error than the present method.

• 한국방재학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.333-336
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• 2008

U-Channel Bridge is effective bridge type, because its edge beam performs role of barrier and enables to reduce additional dead loads. Nevertheless, there is possibility of bridge collapse under impact load due to car crash. Also, edge beam must have ability to induce safe driving and prevent falling accidents. Therefore, this study carries out analysis of behavior of edge beam and slab and evaluation of structural stability under impact loads, based on Korean Highway Bridge Design Specifications and AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification. According to analysis result, the maximum stress of edge beam and slab satisfies specification of allowable stress.