• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1037-1053
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• 2015

This paper presents finite element (FE) based pushover analysis of a reinforced concrete structure with a two-leaf cavity wall (TLCW) to estimate the performance level of this structure. In addition to this, an unreinforced masonry (URM) model was selected for comparison. Simulations and analyses of these structures were performed using the DIANA FE program. The mentioned structures were selected as two storeys and two bays. The dimensions of the structures were scaled 1:1.5 according to the Cauchy Froude similitude law. A shake table experiment was implemented on the reinforced concrete structure with the two-leaf cavity wall (TLCW) at the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC) in Lisbon, Portugal. The model that simulates URM was not experimentally studied. This structure was modelled in the same manner as the TLCW. The purpose of this virtual model is to compare the respective performances. Two nonlinear analyses were performed and compared with the experimental test results. These analyses were carried out in two phases. The research addresses first the analysis of a structure with only reinforced concrete elements, and secondly the analysis of the same structure with reinforced concrete elements and infill walls. Both researches consider static loading and pushover analysis. The experimental pushover curve was plotted by the envelope of the experimental curve obtained on the basis of the shake table records. Crack patterns, failure modes and performance curves were plotted for both models. Finally, results were evaluated on the basis of the current regulation ASCE/SEI 41-06.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.545-550
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• 2016

The main purpose of this study is to analyze and evaluate the feasibility of ligthweight pavement system with pile foundation on soft soil by laboratory small chamber test. In order to verify the stability of lightweight pavement system, the 1/30 scaled downed model system was tested at lab. The soft soil condition was simulated and group piles for skin friction resistance were used. Within the limited lab test, the settlements of pavement system were 0.86 mm for Case A, 0.70 mm for Case B, and 0.50 mm for Case C. The converted maximum settlement differential settlement were 25.8 mm and 10.8 mm. These values meet the inside of specification of Bridge Design Guide in Korea. The use of lightweight pavement systems on soft soils could be an alternative construction method on soft soils to reduce the challenges of conventional design and constructions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.475-484
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• 2020

The prediction of the ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face is very important, especially for tunnel boring machine (TBM) tunneling, because encountering unexpected anomalies during tunnel excavation can cause a considerable loss of time and money. Several prediction techniques, such as BEAM, TSP, and GPR, have been suggested. However, these methods have various shortcomings, such as low accuracy and low resolution. Most studies on electrical resistivity tomography surveys have been conducted using numerical simulation programs, but laboratory experiments were just a few. Furthermore, most studies of scaled model tests on electrical resistivity tomography were conducted only on the ground surface, which is a different environment as compared to that of mechanized tunneling. This study performed a laboratory experimental test to extend and verify a prediction method proposed by Lee et al., which used electrical resistivity tomography to predict the ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face in TBM tunneling environments. The results showed that the modified dipole-dipole array is better than the other arrays in terms of predicting the location and shape of the anomalies ahead of the tunnel face. Having longer upper and lower borehole lengths led to better accuracy of the survey. However, the number and length of boreholes should be properly controlled according to the field environments in practice. Finally, a modified and verified technique to predict the ground conditions ahead of a tunnel face during TBM tunneling is proposed.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2022

When the rolling stocks run on the curve, the external rail has to be lifted to a certain level to balance the centrifugal force acting on the train body. Under such a situation, passengers may feel uncomfortable, and the slanted vehicle has the potential overturning risks at high speed. This paper conducted a wind tunnel test in an annular wind tunnel with φ=3.2 m based on a 1/20^th scaled high-speed train (HST) model. The sensitivity of Reynolds effects ranging from Re = 0.37×10⁶ to Re = 1.45×106 was tested based on the incoming wind from U=30 m/s to U=113 m/s. The wind speed covers the range from incompressible to compressible. The impact of roll angle ranging from γ=0° to γ=4° on train aerodynamics was tested. In addition, the boundary layer development was also analyzed under different wind speeds. The results indicate that drag and lift aerodynamic coefficients gradually stabilized and converged over U=70 m/s, which could be regeared as the self-similarity region. Similarly, the thickness of the boundary layer on the floor gradually decreased with the wind speed increase, and little changed over U=80 m/s. The rolling moment of the head and tail cars increased with the roll angle from γ=0° to γ=4°. However, the potential overturning risks of the head car are higher than the tail car with the increase of the roll angle. This study is significant in providing a reference for the overturning assessment of HST.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.405-418
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• 2022

The aerodynamic behaviour of a CRH high-speed train under three infrastructure scenarios (flat ground, embankment, and viaduct) in the presence of a crosswind was simulated using a 1/8th scaled train model with three cars and the IDDES framework. The time-averaged and instantaneous flow field around the model were examined. The employed numerical algorithm was verified through a wind tunnel test, and the grid and timestep resolution analyses were conducted to ensure the reliability of the data. It was noted that the flow around the rail line was different under different infrastructure scenarios, especially in the case of the embankment, which degraded the aerodynamic performance of the train under the crosswind. The flow around the train on the flat ground and viaduct was different, although the aerodynamic performance of the train was similar in both cases. Moreover, the viaduct accidents were noted to have the most critical consequences, thereby requiring the most attention. The aerodynamic performance of the train on the windward track of the embankment under the crosswind was worse than that of the train on the leeward track. But for the other two infrastructure scenarios, the aerodynamic performance of the train on the windward track is relatively dangerous, which is mainly caused by the head car. These observations suggest that the aerodynamic behaviour of the train on an embankment under a crosswind must be carefully considered and that certain wind protection measures must be adopted around rail lines in windy areas.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.291-321
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• 2011

The paper describes a simple numerical FLAC model that was developed to simulate the dynamic response of two instrumented reduced-scale model reinforced soil walls constructed on a 1-g shaking table. The models were 1 m high by 1.4 m wide by 2.4 m long and were constructed with a uniform size sand backfill, a polymeric geogrid reinforcement material with appropriately scaled stiffness, and a structural full-height rigid panel facing. The wall toe was constructed to simulate a perfectly hinged toe (i.e. toe allowed to rotate only) in one model and an idealized sliding toe (i.e. toe allowed to rotate and slide horizontally) in the other. Physical and numerical models were subjected to the same stepped amplitude sinusoidal base acceleration record. The material properties of the component materials (e.g. backfill and reinforcement) were determined from independent laboratory testing (reinforcement) and by back-fitting results of a numerical FLAC model for direct shear box testing to the corresponding physical test results. A simple elastic-plastic model with Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion for the sand was judged to give satisfactory agreement with measured wall results. The numerical results are also compared to closed-form solutions for reinforcement loads. In most cases predicted and closed-form solutions fall within the accuracy of measured loads based on ${\pm}1$ standard deviation applied to physical measurements. The paper summarizes important lessons learned and implications to the seismic design and performance of geosynthetic reinforced soil walls.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.361-377
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• 2012

Four Reinforced Concrete (RC) single span structural walls having various opening sizes and locations were constructed and tested under lateral reversed cyclic loading at the structural laboratory of Kyoto University. These specimens were scaled to 40% and represented the lower three stories of a six-storied RC building. The main purposes of the experimental tests were to evaluate the shear behavior and to identify the influence of opening ratios on the cracks distribution and shear strength of RC structural walls. The shear strength of the specimens was estimated by combining the shear strength of structural wall without openings and the reduction factor that takes into account the openings. Experimental and analytical results showed that the shear strength was different depending on the loading direction due to opening locations. A two-dimensional finite element analysis was carried out to simulate the performance of the tested specimens. The constructed finite elements model simulated the lateral load-drift angle relations quite well.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.349-360
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• 2018

Reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames supported on two ground levels have been widely constructed in mountainous areas with medium to high seismicity in China. In order to investigate the seismic collapse behavior and risk, a scaled frame model was tested under constant axial load and reversed cyclic lateral load. Test results show that the failure can be induced by the development of story yielding at the first story above the upper ground. The strong column and weak beam mechanism can be well realized at stories below the upper ground. Numerical analysis model was developed and calibrated with the test results. Three pairs of six case study buildings considering various structural configurations were designed and analyzed, showing similar dynamic characteristics between frames on two ground levels and flat ground of each pair. Incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) were then conducted to obtain the seismic collapse fragility curves and collapse margin ratios of nine analysis cases designated based on the case study buildings, considering amplification of earthquake effect and strengthening measures. Analysis results indicate that the seismic collapse safety is mainly determined by the stories above the upper ground. The most probable collapse mechanism may be induced by the story yielding of the bottom story on the upper ground level. The use of tie beam and column strengthening can effectively enhance the seismic collapse safety of frames on two ground levels.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2017

In this paper, it is aimed to present a comparative study about the structural behavior of tall buildings consisting of different type of materials such as concrete, steel or timber using finite element analyses and experimental measurements on shaking table. For this purpose, two 1/60 scaled 28 and 30-stories wooden building models with $40{\times}40cm$ and $35{\times}35cm$ ground/floor area and 1.45 m-1.55 m total height are built in laboratory condition. Considering the frequency range, mode shapes, maximum displacements and relative story drifts for structural models as well as acceleration, displacement and weight limits for shaking table, to obtain the typical building response as soon as possible, balsa is selected as a material property, and additional masses are bonded to some floors. Finite element models of the building models are constituted in SAP2000 program. According to the main purposes of earthquake resistant design, three different earthquake records are used to simulate the weak, medium and strong ground motions. The displacement and acceleration time-histories are obtained for all earthquake records at the top of building models. To validate the numerical results, shaking table tests are performed. The selected earthquake records are applied to first mode (lateral) direction, and the responses are recorded by sensitive accelerometers. Comparisons between the numerical and experimental results show that shaking table tests are enough to identify the structural response of wooden buildings. Considering 20%, 10% and 5% damping rations, differences are obtained within the range 4.03-26.16%, 3.91-65.51% and 6.31-66.49% for acceleration, velocity and displacements in Model-1, respectively. Also, these differences are obtained as 0.49-31.15%, 6.03-6.66% and 16.97-66.41% for Model-2, respectively. It is thought that these differences are caused by anisotropic structural characteristic of the material due to changes in directions parallel and perpendicular to fibers, and should be minimized using the model updating procedure.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 2010

This paper presents the influence of the underground structure (such as cavern and tunnels) behavior according to the rock joint orientation and underground cavern size. In order to perform this research, numerical and experimental studies are carried out. Stress aspect was assessed by quantitative according two kind of factor. In the experimental study, the laboratory model tests are performed in the several ground conditions with different underground cavern size. The results obtained from the model tests are also verified and evaluated using the numerical analysis. Due to the underground cavern, it is found from this study that the stresses developed in archcrown, side wall of underground are increased with increasing the underground cavern size. It is also investigated that the rock joint direction is one of main influence factor as risk factor, to maintain the underground cavern stability. It may be expected that this research will provide the very useful information to evaluate the underground cavern stability.