• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2015

A CCTV inspection method has been widely used to assess sewer condition and performance, but Korea lacks a proper decision support system for prioritizing sewer repair and rehabilitation (R&R). The objective of this paper is to introduce the results that we have developed in the Sewer Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation Decision-making (SCARD) Program using MS-EXCEL. The SCARD-Program is based on a standardized defect score for sewer structural and hydraulic assessment. Priorities are ranked based on risk scores, which are calculated by multiplying the sewer severity scores by the environmental impacts. This program is composed of three parts, which are decision-making for sewer condition and performance assessment, decision-making for sewer R&R priority assessment, and decision-making for optimal budget allocation. The SCARD-Program is useful for decision-makers, as it enables them to assess the sewer condition and to prioritize sewer R&R within the limited annual budget. In the future, this program logic will applied to the GIS-based sewer asset management system in local governments.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.751-767
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• 2015

A new procedure is proposed for assessing probabilistic condition of structures considering effect of measured data uncertainty. In this procedure, multiple Finite Element (FE) models are identified by using weighting vectors that represent the uncertainty conditions of measured data. The distribution of structural parameters is analysed using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in relation to uncertainty conditions, and the identified models are classified into groups according to their similarity by using a K-means method. The condition of a structure is then assessed probabilistically using FE models in the classified groups, each of which represents specific uncertainty condition of measured data. Yeondae bridge, a steel-box girder expressway bridge in Korea, is used as an illustrative example. Probabilistic condition of the bridge is evaluated by the distribution of load rating factors obtained using multiple FE models. The numerical example shows that the proposed method can quantify uncertainty of measured data and subsequently evaluate efficiently the probabilistic condition of bridges.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.995-1015
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• 2016

In the design and condition assessment of bridges, it is usually necessary to take into consideration the extreme conditions which are not expected to occur within a short time period and thus require an extrapolation from observations of limited duration. Long-term structural health monitoring (SHM) provides a rich database to evaluate the extreme conditions. This paper focuses on the extrapolation of extreme traffic load effects on bridges using long-term monitoring data of structural strain. The suspension Tsing Ma Bridge (TMB), which carries both highway and railway traffic and is instrumented with a long-term SHM system, is taken as a testbed for the present study. Two popular extreme value extrapolation methods: the block maxima approach and the peaks-over-threshold approach, are employed to extrapolate the extreme stresses induced by highway traffic and railway traffic, respectively. Characteristic values of the extreme stresses with a return period of 120 years (the design life of the bridge) obtained by the two methods are compared. It is found that the extrapolated extreme stresses are robust to the extrapolation technique. It may owe to the richness and good quality of the long-term strain data acquired. These characteristic extremes are also compared with the design values and found to be much smaller than the design values, indicating conservative design values of traffic loading and a safe traffic-loading condition of the bridge. The results of this study can be used as a reference for the design and condition assessment of similar bridges carrying heavy traffic, analogous to the TMB.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to evaluate structural integrity of a weldment which is partially screwed and then welded. Two finite element models are constructed and solved: operating temperature and internal pressure are considered in the first simple model, and welding process and normal operating condition including heat-up process are simulated in the second model. Structural integrity assessment criteria are satisfied with both finite element models, therefore the repair weldment finely sustains structural integrity of this assembly and prevents leakage. Stresses are dramatically increased when weld residual stress is considered, but it should be considered as a secondary stress.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.5
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• pp.493-504
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• 2024

This paper presents the methodology and results for the investigation of the structural safety of 40 aged underground water tanks to support the weight of photovoltaic (PV) systems that were supposed to be placed on their roof reinforced concrete (RC) slabs. The investigation procedure included (1) review of available documents; (2) visual inspection of the roof RC slabs; (3) carrying out a series of nondestructive (ND) tests; and (4) analysis of results. Out of the 40 tanks, eleven failed the visual inspection phase and were discarded from further investigation. The roof RC slabs of the tanks that passed the visual inspection were subjected to a series of ND tests that included infrared thermography, impact echo, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), Schmidt hammer, concrete core compressive strength, and water-soluble chloride content. The NDT results proved that eight more tanks were not suitable to support the PV systems. Based on the results of the visual inspection and testing, a probabilistic decision-making criterion was established to reach a decision regarding the structural integrity of the roof slabs. The study concluded that the condition of the drainage filter was essential in protecting the tanks and its intact presence can be used as a strong indication of the structural integrity of the roof RC slabs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.603-606
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• 2006

We present a study on the development of a practical and quantitative technique for the assessment of the structural health condition with using piezoceramic(PZT) sensors. The electro-impedance-based technique with the PZT patches is very sensitive for evaluation of the incipient and small damage in a high frequency range, and however the commonly traditional modal analysis method is effective only for considerably larger damages in low frequency range. The paper presents the technique in detecting and characterizing real-time damage on the specimen that is an aluminum plate fastened with bolts and nuts by different torques and as well a plate with a crack. By using the special arrangement of the PZT sensors, the required longitudinal wave is generated through the specimen. A large number of experiments are conducted and the different conditions of the specimens, i.e. the location and extent of loosening bolts, and the plate with a crack are simulated. respectively. Since fixing and loosening the loosened bolt is controlled by a torque wrench, we can control exactly the experiment of the different torques. Compared with the simulated healthy condition, we can find whether or not there is a damage in the specimen with using an impedance analyzer with the PZT sensors. Several indices are discussed and used for assessing the different simulated damages. As for the location of bolt loosening, the RMSD is found to be the most appropriate index for numerical assessment and as well the RMSD shows strongly linear relationship for assessing the extent of the bolt loosening, and the frequency peak shift ${\Delta}F$ is used to assess the cracked plate. The possibility of repeatability of the pristine condition signatures is also presented and the appropriate frequency range and interval are uniquely selected through large numbers of experiments.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.34-40
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• 2003

Ship damage due to maritime casualties lead to marine pollution, loss of life and properties. The maritime casualties come from the rough sea and bad weather condition generally. Therefore the large-scaled casualties will be derived from loss of structural strength and stability due to the progressive flooding and enlargement of damage by the effect of wave and wind. The improvement of damage survivability is very important in maritime safety This paper described the damage survivability assessment system which can be evaluate and improve the ship safety in consideration of loading, sea and damage condition. The components of the system and decision criteria for damage stability and structural safety is established. The ship modeler and behavior analysis program in wave is developed. Finally further research work is also discussed.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.118-125
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• 2004

The assessment of fatigue property is one of the most indispensable factors to design mechanical structures or parts. For accurately assessing fatigue property, it is necessary to precisely identify the loading condition and material property of the objective structure. However, there are many kind of problems in conducting predictive activity for a design concerned with variable factor such as fatigue phenomenons and environments. Therefore, most of the fatigue problems have been assessed from exiting experiment data and prediction method. In this study, expert system is developed for simply conducting performance assessment of weldments based on Finite element Analysis carrying out performance improvement and safety assessment of welded structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 2005

A new design of distributed crack sensors based on the topological change of transmission line cables is presented for the condition assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) structures during and immediately after an earthquake event. This study is primarily focused on the performance of cable sensors under dynamic loading, particularly a feature that allows for some "memory" of the crack history of an RC member. This feature enables the post-earthquake condition assessment of structural members such as RC columns, in which the earthquake-induced cracks are closed immediately after an earthquake event due to gravity loads, and are visually undetectable. Factors affecting the onset of the feature were investigated experimentally with small-scale RC beams under cyclic loading. Test results indicated that both crack width and the number of loading cycles were instrumental in the onset of the memory feature of cable sensors. Practical issues related to dynamic acquisition with the sensors are discussed. The sensors were proven to be fatigue resistant from shake table tests of RC columns. The sensors continued to show useful performance after the columns can no longer support additional loads.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.731-742
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• 2020

Due to incessant earthquakes, many historic South Nias traditional timber houses have been damaged while some still stand today. As Nias is part of an extremely active tectonic region and the buildings are getting older by day, it is essential that these unique houses are well maintained and functioning well. A post-earthquake condition assessment was conducted on 2 selected buildings; 'Building A' survived the seismic shakings while 'Building B' got severely damaged. The overall condition assessment of "Building A' was found out to be poor and the main structural members were not performing as intended. In 'Building B', the columns were not well anchored to the ground, no tie beams to tie the columns together, and eventually, the timber columns moved in various directions during the earthquake. The frequent earthquakes along with deterioration due to lack of proper maintenance program are responsible for the non-survival of the buildings. Thus, a process guideline for managing the maintenance of these buildings was proposed. This is necessary because managing the maintenance works could help to extend the life of the buildings and seek to avoid the need for potentially expensive and disruptive intervention works, which may damage the cultural significance of the buildings.