• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2016

It is important to select an accurate set of ground motions when conducting linear and nonlinear response history analyses of structures. This study proposes a method for selecting ground motions from a ground motion library with response spectra that match the target response spectrum mean, variance and correlation structures. This study also has addressed the determination of an appropriate value for the weight factor of a correlation structure. The proposed method is conceptually simple and straightforward, and does not involve a simulation algorithm. In this method, a desired number of ground motions are sequentially selected from first to last. The proposed method can be also used for selecting ground motions with response spectra that match the conditional spectrum. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed procedure are verified with numerical examples.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

This study is the sequel of a companion paper (I. Algorithm) for assessment of the seismic performance evaluation of structure using ground motions selected by the proposed algorithm. To evaluate the effect of the correlation structures of selected ground motions on the seismic responses of a structure, three sets of ground motions are selected with and without consideration of the correlation structure. Nonlinear response history analyses of a 20-story reinforced concrete frame are conducted using the three sets of ground motions. This study shows that the seismic responses of the frames vary according to ground motion selection and correlation structures.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.192-205
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• 2020

Seismic design practices and seismic response analyses of civil structures and nuclear power plants (NPPs) have conventionally used the peak ground acceleration (PGA) or spectral acceleration (S_a) as an intensity measure (IM) of an earthquake. However, there are many other earthquake IMs that were proposed by various researchers. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between seismic responses of NPP components and 23 earthquake IMs and identify the best IMs for correlating with damage of NPP structures. Particularly, low- and high-frequency ground motion records are separately accounted in correlation analyses. An advanced power reactor NPP in Korea, APR1400, is selected for numerical analyses where containment and auxiliary buildings are modeled using SAP2000. Floor displacements and accelerations are monitored for the non- and base-isolated NPP structures while shear deformations of the base isolator are additionally monitored for the base-isolated NPP. A series of Pearson's correlation coefficients are calculated to recognize the correlation between each of the 23 earthquake IMs and responses of NPP structures. The numerical results demonstrate that there is a significant difference in the correlation between earthquake IMs and seismic responses of non-isolated NPP structures considering low- and high-frequency ground motion groups. Meanwhile, a trivial discrepancy of the correlation is observed in the case of the base-isolated NPP subjected to the two groups of ground motions. Moreover, a selection of PGA or S_a for seismic response analyses of NPP structures in the high-frequency seismic regions may not be the best option. Additionally, a set of fragility curves are thereafter developed for the base-isolated NPP based on the shear deformation of lead rubber bearing (LRB) with respect to the strongly correlated IMs. The results reveal that the probability of damage to the structure is higher for low-frequency earthquakes compared with that of high-frequency ground motions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.825-837
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• 2017

Due to the severe impacts of recent earthquakes, the use of seismic isolation is paramount for the safety of nuclear structures. The diversity observed in seismic events demands ongoing research to analyze the devastating attributes involved, and hence to enhance the sustainability of base-isolated nuclear power plants. This study reports the seismic performance of a seismically-isolated nuclear reactor containment building (NRCB) under strong short-period ground motions (SPGMs) and long-period ground motions (LPGMs). The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission-based design response spectrum for the seismic design of nuclear power plants is stipulated as the reference spectrum for ground motion selection. Within the period range(s) of interest, the spectral matching of selected records with the target spectrum is ensured using the spectral-compatibility approach. NRC-compliant SPGMs and LPGMs from the mega-thrust Tohoku earthquake are used to obtain the structural response of the base-isolated NRCB. To account for the lack of earthquakes in low-to-moderate seismicity zones and the gap in the artificial synthesis of long-period records, wavelet-decomposition based autoregressive moving average modeling for artificial generation of real ground motions is performed. Based on analysis results from real and simulated SPGMs versus LPGMs, the performance of NRCBs is discussed with suggestions for future research and seismic provisions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-100
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• 2005

This paper presents results from a study to extend a performance-based shearwall selection procedure to take into account the contributions of nonstructural finish materials (such as stucco and gypsum wallboard), construction quality issues, and their effects on the displacement performance of engineered wood shearwalls subject to seismic loading. Shearwall performance is evaluated in terms of peak displacements under seismic loading (characterized by a suite of ordinary ground motion records) considering different combinations of performance levels (drift limits) and seismic hazard. Shearwalls are analyzed using nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis with global assembly hysteretic parameters determined by fitting to actual shearwall test data. Peak displacement distributions, determined from sets of analyses using each of the ground motion records taken to characterize the seismic hazard, are postprocessed into performance curves, design charts, and fragility curves which can be used for risk-based design and assessment applications.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

This paper proposes an efficient method for selecting ground motions with the mean response spectrum matching a target spectrum. Since former studies reported that the shape and amplitude of the response spectra can be treated independently for selecting ground motions, this study first selects ground motions such that the shape of their mean response spectrum matches that of the target spectrum, then scales the ground motions. To select the ground motions best matching the shape of the target response spectrum, the standard deviation of the difference between the target response spectrum and the mean response spectrum of the selected ground motions needs to be minimized. Unlike the existing procedure, the scaling factor can be computed without iteration. Based on the selection results of 7 ground motions from a library of 40 ground motions, the proposed method is verified as an accurate and efficient method.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.509-520
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• 2020

Currently, the criteria for input motions used in dam seismic design are clearly presented in general provisions of seismic design (KDS 17 10 00), and seismic ground motion records should be matched to the standard design response spectrum. However, the effect on the results is not assessed according to the selection of the seismic ground motion records, making it difficult to select seismic input motions. Therefore, in this study, the change in the amount of crest settlement of an embankment dam was assessed through numerical analysis after matching the seismic ground motion records of domestic and overseas earthquakes in accordance with the standard design response spectrum provided in the seismic design code (KDS 17 10 00). The results showed that the behavior of the upper part of the embankment, such as maximum acceleration at the crest and amplification through the dam, rather than the effect of free-field acceleration, had a greater effect on the amount of crest settlement. Moreover, it was confirmed that even an input seismic motion matched to the standard design response spectrum can make a difference in settlement depending on the characteristics of amplification through a dam body.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.103-110
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• 2020

In the recent seismic design code KDS 41 17 00, selection and modification procedures of ground motions which are used for nonlinear dynamic analyses were adopted. However, its practical applications are still limited due to the lack of literatures. This paper introduces case studies which used site-response analyses to select and modify ground motions for nonlinear dynamic analyses. Based on the case studies, design criterion for site-response analyses were reviewed thoroughly in the viewpoint of practical applications. It was found that design requirements related with bedrock motions are too conservative that ground motions are selected and modified in the excessive manner. It is especially true for low-rise building structures with period ranges including acceleration-sensitive regions. Even though surface motions have shown appropriate responses, such building structures have to re-select and re-modify ground motions based on pre-analysis procedures rather than post-ones according to the current seismic design code. Also, it was observed that building structures with soft soils under strong ground motions need more comprehensive investigations on soil properties and efficient analysis methods in order to perform site-response analyses. This is due to the fact that lack of reliabilities on soil properties and analysis methods could result in unstable site-responses.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2020

Recently, some of the most destructive earthquakes have occurred in South Korea since earthquake observations began in 1978. In particular, the soil liquefactions have been reported in Pohang as a result of the ML 5.4 earthquake that occurred in November 2017. Liquefaction-induced ground deformations can cause significant damage to a wide range of buildings and infrastructures. Therefore, it is necessary to take practical steps to ensure safety during an earthquake. In the current seismic design in South Korea, the Hachinohe earthquake and Ofunato earthquake recorded in Japan, along with artificial earthquakes, have been generally used for input motions in dynamic analyses. However, such strong ground motions are only from Japan, and artificial earthquake ground motions are different from real ground motions. In this study, seven ground motions are selected, including those recorded in South Korea, while others are compatible to the current design spectra of South Korea. The effects of the newly selected ground motions on site response analyses and liquefaction analyses are evaluated.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.605-616
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• 2018

In this paper, an extended Cloud analysis method is developed for seismic fragility assessment of existing highway bridges in the southeast Queensland region. This method extends the original Cloud analysis dataset by performing scaled Cloud analyses. The original and scaled Cloud datasets are then paired to generate seismic fragility curves. The seismic hazard in this region is critically reviewed, and the ground motion records are selected for the time-history analysis based on various record selection criteria. A parametric highway bridge model is developed in the OpenSees analysis software, and a sampling technique is employed to quantify the uncertainties of highway bridges ubiquitous in this region. Technical recommendations are also given for the seismic performance evaluation of highway bridges in such low-to-moderate seismic zones. Finally, a probabilistic fragility study is conducted by performing a total of 8000 time-history analyses and representative bridge fragility curves are generated. It is illustrated that the seismic fragility curves generated by the proposed extended Cloud analysis method are in close agreement with those which are obtained by the rigorous incremental dynamic analysis method. Also, it reveals that more than 50% of highway bridges existing in southeast Queensland will be damaged subject to a peak ground acceleration of 0.14 g.