• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.577-592
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• 2017

A computing procedure is presented to predict the ultimate behavior of prestressed beams under torsion. This computing procedure is based on an extension of the Variable Angle Truss-Model (VATM) to cover both longitudinal and transversal prestressed beams. Several constitutive relationships are tested to model the behavior of the concrete in compression in the struts and the behavior of the reinforcement in tension (both ordinary and prestress). The theoretical predictions of the maximum torque and corresponding twist are compared with some results from reported tests and with the predictions obtained from some codes of practice. One of the tested combinations of the relationships for the materials was found to give simultaneously the best predictions for the resistance torque and the corresponding twist of prestressed beams under torsion. When compared with the predictions from some codes of practice, the theoretical model which incorporates the referred combination of the relationships provides best values for the torsional strength and leads to more optimized designs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.11-15
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• 2009

Recently, a new PSC (Prestressed Concrete) bridge system, which is supported by Concrete-filled fiber-reinforced polymer (CFFRP) strut, has been introduced. This bridge is able to reduce self-weight and increase the width of traditional PSC bridges. However, no relevant research has been reported on local behavior of CFFRP strut in the bridge system. The purpose of this study is to investigate local behavior of CFFRP struts using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. Field tests were performed to examine the hoop strains and longitudinal strains of the FRP strut under various lateral positions and velocities of a test truck. It has been observed that CFFRP strut is under compression regardless of vehicle speed and location. However, the CFFRP strut is sensitive to the lateral position of vehicles in terms of strain magnitude. Results also indicated that the FBG sensors can faithfully record the hoop and longitudinal strains of the FRP strut without electro-magnetic interference.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-89
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• 2009

Reinforced and prestressed concrete (RC and PC) thin walls are crucial to the safety and serviceability of structures subjected to shear. The shear strengths of elements in walls depend strongly on the softening of concrete struts in the principal compression direction due to the principal tension in the perpendicular direction. The past three decades have seen a rapid development of knowledge in shear of reinforced concrete structures. Various rational models have been proposed that are based on the smeared-crack concept and can satisfy Navier's three principles of mechanics of materials (i.e., stress equilibrium, strain compatibility and constitutive laws). The Cyclic Softened Membrane Model (CSMM) is one such rational model developed at the University of Houston, which is being efficiently used to predict the behavior of RC/PC structures critical in shear. CSMM for RC has already been implemented into finite element framework of OpenSees (Fenves 2005) to come up with a finite element program called Simulation of Reinforced Concrete Structures (SRCS) (Zhong 2005, Mo et al. 2008). CSMM for PC is being currently implemented into SRCS to make the program applicable to reinforced as well as prestressed concrete. The generalized program is called Simulation of Concrete Structures (SCS). In this paper, the CSMM for RC/PC in material scale is first introduced. Basically, the constitutive relationships of the materials, including uniaxial constitutive relationship of concrete, uniaxial constitutive relationships of reinforcements embedded in concrete and constitutive relationship of concrete in shear, are determined by testing RC/PC full-scale panels in a Universal Panel Tester available at the University of Houston. The formulation in element scale is then derived, including equilibrium and compatibility equations, relationship between biaxial strains and uniaxial strains, material stiffness matrix and RC plane stress element. Finally the formulated results with RC/PC plane stress elements are implemented in structure scale into a finite element program based on the framework of OpenSees to predict the structural behavior of RC/PC thin-walled structures subjected to earthquake-type loading. The accuracy of the multiscale modeling technique is validated by comparing the simulated responses of RC shear walls subjected to reversed cyclic loading and shake table excitations with test data. The response of a post tensioned precast column under reversed cyclic loads has also been simulated to check the accuracy of SCS which is currently under development. This multiscale modeling technique greatly improves the simulation capability of RC thin-walled structures available to researchers and engineers.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2019

The masonry infill walls are one of the most popular components that are used for dividing and arranging spaces in building construction. In spite of the fact that the masonry infills have many advantages, the system needs to be used with caution when the earthquake load is to be considered. The infills tend to develop diagonal compression struts during earthquake and increase the demand in surrounding RC frames. If there are openings in the infill walls, the loading path gets even complicated and the engineering judgements are required for designing the system. In this study, a masonry infill system was investigated through finite element analysis (FEA) and the results were compared with the current design standard, ASCE 41. It is noted that the equivalent width of the compression strut estimated by ASCE 41 could be 32% less than that using detailed FEA. The global load resisting capacity was also estimated by 28% less when ASCE 41 was used compare to the FEA case. Rather than using expensive FEA, the adapting ASCE 41 for the analysis and design of the masonry infills with openings would provide a good estimation by about 25% conservatively.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.13 no.1 s.53
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• pp.179-185
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• 2009

In recent, the investigations related to the FRP(Fiber Reinforced Polymers) have been increased due to their superior material and mechanical properties such as environmental resistance, high specific strength and stiffness. Considering these advantages, the FRP tube may be proper for strut on the PSC box girder bridge that can maximize the efficiency of cross section and are effective on economics and aesthetics of bridges. In this research, the specimen tests of the FRP tube and compression tests of the concrete member enclosed with the FRP were performed in order to evaluate the suitability of the FRP tubes, which are applied to the PSC box girder bridge with strut. The specific strength of concrete and the energy absorbing capacity as well as ductility were increased according to the experimental results, and it was found that FRP tubes have sufficient safety as strut member.