• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.539-558
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• 2012

The diagnosis of bridge serviceability is carried out by a combination of in-situ visual inspection, static and dynamic loading tests and analyses. Structural health monitoring (SHM) using information technology and sensors is increasingly being used for providing a better estimate of structural performance characteristics rather than above traditional methods. Because the mechanical behavior of bridges with various kinds of damage can not be made clear, it is very difficult to estimate both the damage mode and degree of damage of existing bridges. In this paper, the sensitivity of both static and dynamic behaviors of bridges are studied as a measure of damage assessment through experiments on model bridges induced with some specified artificial damages. And, a method of damage assessment of bridges based on those behaviors is discussed in detail. Finally, based on the results, a possible application for structural health monitoring systems for existing bridges is also discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.55-72
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• 2012

Precast-cast insitu concrete bridge construction is widely practiced for small to medium span structures. These bridges consist of precast pre-stressed concrete beams of various cross-sections with a cast in-situ reinforced concrete slab. The connection between the beams and the slab is via shear links often included during the manufacturing process of the beams. This form of construction is attractive as it provides for standardisation, reduced formwork and construction time. The assessment of the integrity of shear connectors in existing bridges is a major challenge. A procedure for assessment of shear connectors based on vibration testing and finite element model updating is proposed. The technique is applied successfully to a scaled model bridge model and an existing bridge structure.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.204-204
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• 2000

There are many weld defects such as surface crack, lack of fusion, and incomplete penetration(IP) in the butt joint weld of the existing steel bridges. The crack-like defects may significantly reduce the life of the structure. This paper presents the procedure and the results of the fatigue life assessment of the butt joints with weld defects in the existing steel girder bridge. The butt joint welds with incomplete penetration were instrumented with strain gages to determine the stress histogram under normal traffic. Based on the measured stress histogram the crack propagation analysis were performed for the fatigue life assessment. By using the suggested procedure and methodology, one can decide the time of periodic inspection and the necessity of repair of the butt joint welds with serious weld defects in the existing steel bridge. (Received October 1, 1999)

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2000

There are many weld defects such as surface crack, lack of fusion, and incomplete penetration (IP) in the butt joint weld of existing steel bridges. The crack-like defects may significantly reduce the fatigue life of the structure. This paper presents the procedure and the results of the fatigue life assessment of the butt joints with weld defects in the existing steel girder bridge. The butt joint welds with incomplete penetration were instrumented with strain gages to determine the stress histogram under normal traffic. Based on the measured stress histogram the crack propagation analysis were performed for the fatigue life assessment. By using the suggested procedure and methodology, one can decide the time of periodic inspection and the necessity of repair of the butt joint welds with serious weld defects in the existing steel bridge.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.637-662
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• 2013

The Jiangyin Bridge is a suspension bridge with a main span of 1385 m over the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, China. Being the first bridge with a main span exceeding 1 km in Chinese mainland, it had been instrumented with a structural health monitoring (SHM) system when completed in 1999. After operation for several years, it was found with malfunction in sensors and data acquisition units, and insufficient sensors to provide necessary information for structural health evaluation. This study reports the SHM system upgrade project on the Jiangyin Bridge. Although implementations of SHM system have been reported worldwide, few studies are available on the upgrade of SHM system so far. Recognizing this, the upgrade of original SHM system for the bridge is first discussed in detail. Especially, lessons learned from the original SHM system are applied to the design of upgraded SHM system right away. Then, performance assessment of the bridge, including: (i) characterization of temperature profiles and effects; (ii) recognition of wind characteristics and effects; and (iii) identification of modal properties, is carried out by making use of the long-term monitoring data obtained from the upgraded SHM system. Emphasis is placed on the verification of design assumptions and prediction of bridge behavior or extreme responses. The results may provide the baseline for structural health evaluation.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.5 s.45
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• pp.63-74
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to assess the seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridge columns using inelastic finite element analysis. The accuracy and objectivity of the assessment process may be enhanced by the use of sophisticated nonlinear finite element analysis program. A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was used. Damage index aims to provide a means of quantifying numerically the damage in reinforced concrete bridge columns sustained under earthquake loading. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete bridge columns is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.165-176
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• 2012

The aim of this study is to assess the seismic performance of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns, and to provide data for developing improved seismic design criteria. By using a sophisticated nonlinear finite element analysis program, the accuracy and objectivity of the assessment process can be enhanced. A computer program, RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), is used to analyze reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures. Tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and models of reinforcing and prestressing steel were used to account for the material nonlinearity of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete. The smeared crack approach was incorporated. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns is verified by comparing it with the reliable experimental results. Additionally, the studies and discussions presented in this investigation provide an insight into the key behavioral aspects of hollow reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete bridge columns.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.45-54
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• 2011

This paper presents a nonlinear finite element analysis procedure for the performance assessment of deteriorated reinforced concrete bridge columns. A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), was used to analyze these reinforced concrete structures. Material nonlinearity is taken into account by comprising tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and a model of reinforcing steel. Advanced deteriorated material models are developed to predict behaviors of deteriorated reinforced concrete bridge columns. The proposed numerical method for the performance of damaged reinforced concrete bridge columns is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.199-219
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• 2015

This paper presents the non-destructive evaluation of a high-speed railway bridge using train-induced strain responses. Based on the train-track-bridge interaction analysis, the strain responses of a high-speed railway bridge under moving trains with different operation status could be calculated. The train induced strain responses could be divided into two parts: the force vibration stage and the free vibration stage. The strain-displacement relationship is analysed and used for deriving critical displacements from theoretical stain measurements at a forced vibration stage. The derived displacements would be suitable for the condition assessment of the bridge through design specifications defined indexes and would show certain limits to the practical application. Thus, the damage identification of high-speed railways, such as the stiffness degradation location, needs to be done by comparing the measured strain response under moving trains in different states because the vehicle types of high-speed railway are relatively clear and definite. The monitored strain responses at the free vibration stage, after trains pass through the bridge, would be used for identifying the strain modes. The relationship between and the degradation degree and the strain mode shapes shows certain rules for the widely used simply supported beam bridges. The numerical simulation proves simple and effective for the proposed method to locate and quantify the stiffness degradation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.1 s.73
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• pp.105-113
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• 2006

The footing of a bridge is a very essential part that support the whole load induced by the bridge itself and the traffic as well. However, once a bridge is built, the footing is buried under soil so the footing is invisible from outside. Therefore, the safety or condition of the footing is very difficult to estimate. Not only the length of the imbedded part of the footings but also the type of footings are unknown once the design record is gone. Some nondestructive techniques can be used to evaluate invisible part of the footings but the results have not been successful yet. Using GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar), which has been used for the nondestructive evaluation in military purposes, the condition assessment of the footings have been successfully conducted in this research. The field evaluation and laboratory tests have been conducted to find effective factors in the condition assessment of the footings. The equipment and basic theory of the GPR has been presented. The field test results show that the GPR can be successfully used for the safety evaluation of the footings. More test results and field data are needed for more precise evaluation of the footings.