• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.209-220
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• 2008

A methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment of historical monuments is presented in this paper. The ongoing work has been conducted in Tunisia within the framework of the FP6 European Union project (WIND-CHIME) on the use of appropriate modern seismic protective systems in the conservation of Mediterranean historical buildings in earthquake-prone areas. The case study is the five-century-old Zaouia of Sidi Kassem Djilizi, located downtown Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Ambient vibration tests were conducted on the case study using a number of force-balance accelerometers placed at selected locations. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD) technique was applied to extract the dynamic characteristics of the monument. A 3-D finite element model was developed and updated to obtain reasonable correlation between experimental and numerical modal properties. The set of parameters selected for the updating consists of the modulus of elasticity in each wall element of the finite element model. Seismic vulnerability assessment of the case study was carried out via three-dimensional time-history dynamic analyses of the structure. Dynamic stresses were computed and damage was evaluated according to a masonry specific plane failure criterion. Statistics on the occurrence, location and type of failure provide a general view for the probable damage level and mode. Results indicate a high vulnerability that confirms the need for intervention and retrofit.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.89-102
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• 2020

Shape memory alloy (SMA)-based Superelasticity-assisted Slider (SSS) is proposed as an engineering solution to practically exploit the well-accepted advantages of both sliding isolation and SMA-based recentering. Self-centering capability in SSS is provided by austenitic SMA cables (or wire ropes), recently attracting a lot of interest and attention in earthquake engineering and seismic isolation. The cables are arranged in various novel and conventional configurations to make SSS versatile for aseismic design and retrofit of structures. All the configurations are detailed with thorough technical drawings. It is shown that SSS is applicable without the need for Isolation Units (IUs). IUs, at the same time, are devised for industrialized applications. The proof-of-concept study is carried out through the examination of mechanical behavior in all the alternative configurations. Force-displacement relations are determined. Isolation capabilities are predicted based on the decreases in seismic demands, estimated by the increases in effective periods and equivalent damping ratios. Restoring forces normalized relative to resisting forces are assessed as the criteria for self-centering capabilities. Lengths of SMA cables required in each configuration are calculated to assess the cost and practicality. Practical implementation is realized by setting up a small-scale IU. The effectiveness of SSS under seismic actions is evaluated using an innovative computer model and compared to those of well-known Isolation Systems (ISs) protecting a reference building. Comparisons show that SSS seems to be an effective IS and suitable for earthquake protection of both structural and non-structural elements. Further research aimed at additional validation of the system are outlined.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.667-674
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• 2013

Improving the earthquake resistance of buildings through seismic retrofitting using steel braces can result in brittle failure at the connection between the brace and the building, as well as buckling failure of the braces. This paper proposes a new seismic retrofit methodology combined with glass fiber sheet (GFS) and non-compression X-brace system using carbon fiber (CFXB) for reinforced concrete buildings damaged in earthquakes. The GFS is used to improve the ductility of columns damaged in earthquake. The CFXB consists of carbon fiber bracing and anchors, to replace the conventional steel bracing and bolt connection. This paper reports the seismic resistance of a reinforced concrete frame strengthened using the GFS-CFXB system. Cyclic loading tests were carried out, and the hysteresis of the lateral load-drift relations as well as ductility capacities were investigated. Carbon fiber is less rigid than the conventional materials used for seismic retrofitting, resulting in some significant advantages: the strength of the structure increased markedly with the use of CF X-bracing, and no buckling failure of the bracing was observed.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.39-45
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the energy saving and cost benefit analysis of the Low-income Energy Efficiency Treatment Program supported by KOREF(Korea Energy Foundation). This program was launched in 2007 and performs building energy retrofit for the low-income and energy poverty houses. Method: Energy simulation and cost benefit analysis were accomplished for the low-income detached houses. The structure of detached house was a lot og block structure, wood frame (single glass) and concrete roof. Baseline model of the low-income detached houses was proposed. Result: Annual heating energy consumptions were decreased by about 3.2% with the window system replacement(Case 1), 9.3% with reinforcement of insulation(Case2), and 12.5% with both(Case 3) compared to those of baseline model. The construction cost will be recouped within 5 years for the Case 1, 3 years for the Case 2, and 3 years for the Case 3. Case 3 was the most cost beneficient construction method in the analyzed cases in this study.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

In this study, a new RCSF (Reinforced Concrete Steel Frame) external connection method is proposed for seismic strengthening of medium-and low-rise reinforced concrete buildings. The RCSF method, proposed in this study, is capable of carrying out the seismic retrofitting construction while residents can live inside structures. The method is one of the strength design approach by retrofit which can easily increase the ultimate lateral load capacity of concrete buildings controlled by shear. The pseudo-dynamic test, designed using a existing school building in Korea, was carried out in order to verify the seismic strengthening effects of the proposed method in terms of the maximum load carrying capacity and ductility. Test results revealed that the proposed RCSF strengthening method installed in RC frame enhanced conspicuously the strength and displacement capacities, and the method can resist markedly under the large scaled earthquake intensity level.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.385-392
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• 2011

In this study, experimental research was carried out to evaluate and improve the seismic performance of reinforced concrete beam-column joint regions using strengthening materials (steel plate, carbon fiber sheet, and embedded carbon fiber rod) in existing reinforced concrete buildings. Six specimens of retrofitted beam-column joints are constructed using various retrofitting materials and tested for their retrofit performances. Specimens designed by retrofitting the beam-column joint regions (LBCJ series) of existing reinforced concrete building showed a stable mode of failure and an increase in load-carrying capacity due to the effect of crack control at the time of initial loading and confinement from retrofitting materials during testing. Specimens of LBCJ series, designed by the retrofitting of FRP in reinforecd beam-column joint regions increased its maximum load carrying capacity by 26~50% and its energy dissipation capacity by 13.0~14.4% when compared to standard specimen of LBCJC with a displacement ductility of 4.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.97-103
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• 2004

Most of the columns in centrally braced steel frame buildings are usually designed as the gravity columns to reduce connection cost. For a rational seismic performance evaluation of centrally braced steel frame buildings, it is important to properly incorporate in the analysis  the P-${\Delta}$ effects arising from the gravity columns. An effective scheme for the P-${\Delta}$ effects modeling due to the gravity columns was illustrated based on the concept of fictitious leaning column. Seismic performance evaluation of inverted V braced steel frames with or without P-${\Delta}$ effects modeling was conducted by following the FEMA 273 NSP (Nonlinear Static Procedure). The problem in estimating dynamic P-${\Delta}$ modification factor (C3) in FEMA 273 was discussed. The results of this study indicated that the P-${\Delta}$ effects should be included in the seismic performance evaluation of centrally braced steel frames. This study also showed that the inverted V braced frames, retrofitted by applying the tie bars to redistribute the inelastic demand over the height of the building, exhibit significantly improved seismic performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.839-856
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• 2012

To enable remodeling of the exterior of buildings more convenient, such finishing materials as curtain walls, metal panels, concrete panels or dry stones need to be easily detached. In this respect, this study proposed a new design of the slab for the purposes. In the new design, the sides of the slab were properly modified, and the capabilities of anchors fixed in the modified slab were experimentally tested. In details, a number of concrete specimens with different sizes and compressive strengths were prepared, and the effect of anchors with different diameters and embedment depths applied in the concrete specimens were tested. The test results of the maximum capacities of the anchors were compared with the number of current design codes and the stress distribution was identified. This study found that the embedment depth specified in the current design code (ACI318-08) should be revised to be more than 1.5 times the edge distance. However, with the steel sheet reinforcement, the experiment acquired higher tensile strength than the design code proposed. In addition, for two types of specimens in the tensile strength experiment, the current design code (ACI 318-08) is overestimated for the anchor depth of 75 mm. This study demonstrated that the ideal breakout failure was attainable for the side slot details of a slab with more than 180 mm of a slab thickness and less than 75 mm of an anchor embedment depth. It is expected that these details of the modified slab can be specified in the upgraded construction design codes.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.136-145
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• 2013

Social interest in the seismic retrofit of the structure is growing massive earthquake that occurred recently. The brittle fracture of Non-seismically designed Columns lead to full collapse of the building. In the past, cross-sectional expansion method, a steel plate reinforcing method is applied mainly in recent years, fiber-reinforced method utilizing the advantages of the composite material are preferred. However, the reinforcement methods such as this, there is a drawback to induce physical damage to structures, and time consuming work space is large. IIn this study, FRP seismic reinforcement was developed using the Aluminum connector and the composite material (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer). Then, the optimum quantities of FRP seismic reinforcement was determined using a nonlinear finite element analysis program. Finally, the quantity decision process through the design and analysis of FRP reinforcement was suggested.

• Architectural research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Structural ageing influences the structural performance in a negative way by reducing the seismic resilience of the structure which makes it a major concern around the world. Retrofitting is considered to be a pragmatic and feasible solution to address this issue. Numerous retrofitting techniques are devised by researchers over the years. The viability of using steel bracings as retrofitting component is evaluated on a G+30 storied building model designed according to ACI318-14 and ASCE 7-16. Four different types of steel bracing arrangements (V, Inverted V/ Chevron, Cross/ X, Diagonal) are assessed in the model developed in commercial nu-merical analysis software while considering both material and geometric nonlinearities. Reducing displacement and cost in the structures indicates that the design is safe and economical. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to find the best bracing system that causes minimum displacement, which indicates maximum lateral stiffness. To evaluate the seismic vulnerability of each system, incremental dynamic analysis was conducted to develop fragility curves, followed by the formation of collapse margin ratio (CMR) as stipulated in FEMA P695 and finally, a cost estimation was made for each system. The outcomes revealed that the effects of ge-ometric nonlinearity tend to evoke hazardous consequences if not considered in the structural design. Probabilistic seismic and economic probes indicated the superior performance of V braced frame system and its competency to be a germane technique for retrofitting.