• Wind and Structures
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.461-487
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• 2015

In recent years, the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) has become a competitive computing technology in comparison with the standard Central Processing Unit (CPU) technology due to reduced unit cost, energy and computing time. This paper describes the derivation and implementation of GPU-based algorithms for the analysis of wind loading uncertainty on high-rise systems, in line with the research field of probability-based wind engineering. The study begins by presenting an application of the GPU technology to basic linear algebra problems to demonstrate advantages and limitations. Subsequently, Monte-Carlo integration and synthetic generation of wind turbulence are examined. Finally, the GPU architecture is used for the dynamic analysis of three high-rise structural systems under uncertain wind loads. In the first example the fragility analysis of a single degree-of-freedom structure is illustrated. Since fragility analysis employs sampling-based Monte Carlo simulation, it is feasible to distribute the evaluation of different random parameters among different GPU threads and to compute the results in parallel. In the second case the fragility analysis is carried out on a continuum structure, i.e., a tall building, in which double integration is required to evaluate the generalized turbulent wind load and the dynamic response in the frequency domain. The third example examines the computation of the generalized coupled wind load and response on a tall building in both along-wind and cross-wind directions. It is concluded that the GPU can perform computational tasks on average 10 times faster than the CPU.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2010

It has been known that one-dimensional rod theory is very effective as a simplified analytical approach to large scale or complicated structures such as high-rise buildings, in preliminary design stages. It replaces an original structure by a one-dimensional rod which has an equivalent stiffness in terms of global properties. If the structure is composed of distinct constituents of different stiffness such as coupled walls with opening, structural behavior is significantly governed by the local variation of stiffness. This paper proposes an extended version of the rod theory which accounts for the two-dimensional local variation of structural stiffness; viz, variation in the transverse direction as well as longitudinal stiffness distribution. The governing equation for the two-dimensional rod theory is formulated from Hamilton's principle by making use of a displacement function which satisfies continuity conditions across the boundary between the distinct structural components in the transverse direction. Validity of the proposed theory is confirmed by comparison with numerical results of computational tools in the cases of static, free vibration and forced vibration problems for various structures.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.377-386
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• 2020

Beginning a few decades ago, Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, has experienced a dramatic construction boom that is revitalizing its skyline. The expansive growth looks to uphold the historic past of Baku as a focal point within the Caspian Sea Region while also evoking aspirations for a city of the future. With superstructure complete and interiors progressing, the Ministry of Taxation (MOT) tower is the latest addition to the city, with its stacked cubes twisting above a multi-level podium at the base. Each cube is separated by column-free green roof terraces, creating unique parametric reveals of the developing surroundings. Aside from MOT's stunning shape, its geolocation resulted in unusually high wind loads coupled with high seismic hazards for a tower of its height. In addition, limitations on possible structural systems required stepping away from a typical prescriptive code-based approach into one that utilized Performance-Based Design (PBD) methods. This paper presents the numerous structural challenges and innovations that allowed the design of a new icon to be realized.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2013

In any subject area related to the provision of safety, failure is typically the most effective mechanism for evoking rapid reform and an introspective assessment of the accepted operating methods and standards within a professional body. In the realm of tall buildings the most notable failures in history, those of the WTC towers, widely accepted as fire induced failures, have not to any significant extent affected the way they are designed with respect to fire safety. This is clearly reflected in the surge in numbers of Tall Buildings being constructed since 2001. The combination of the magnitude and time-scale of the WTC investigation coupled with the absence of meaningful guidance resulting from it strongly hints at the outdatedness of current fire engineering practice as a discipline in the context of such advanced infrastructure. This is further reflected in the continual shift from prescriptive to performance based design in many parts of the world demonstrating an ever growing acceptance that these buildings are beyond the realm of applicability of prescriptive guidance. In order for true performance based engineering to occur however, specific performance goals need to be established for these structures. This work seeks to highlight the critical elements of a fire safety strategy for tall buildings and thus attempt to highlight some specific global performance objectives. A survey of tall building fire investigations is conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of current designs in meeting these objectives, and the current state-of-the-art of fire safety design guidance for tall structures is also analysed on these terms. The correct definition of the design fire for open plan compartments is identified as the critical knowledge gap that must be addressed in order to achieve tall building performance objectives and to provide truly innovative, robust fire safety for these unique structures.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.81-91
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• 2003

Recently, many high-rise reinforced concrete(RC) bearing-wall structures of multiple uses have been constructed, which have the irregularities of weak(or soft) story and torsion at the lower stories simultaneously. The study stated herein was performed to investigate seismic performance of such a high-rise RC structure through a series of shaking table tests of a 1: 12 model. Based on the observations of the test results, the conclusions are drawn as follows: 1) Accidental torsion due to the uncertainty on the properties of structure can be reasonably predicted by using the dynamic analysis than by using lateral force procedure. 2) The mode coupled by translation and torsion induced the overturning moments not only in the direction of excitations but also in the perpendicular direction: The axial forces in columns due to this transverse overturning moment cannot be adequately predicted using the existing mode analysis technique, and 3) the hysteretic curve and the strength diagram between base shear and torque(BST) clearly reveal the predominant mode of vibrations and the failure mode.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.303-310
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• 2017

The coupled shear wall system with coupling beams is an efficient structural system for high-rise buildings because it can provide excellent ductility and energy dissipation to the buildings. The objective of this study is to simulate the hysteretic behavior of diagonally reinforced concrete coupling beams including pinching and cyclic deteriorations in strength and stiffness using a numerical model. For this purpose, coupling beams are modeled with an elastic beam element and plastic spring element placed at the beam ends. Parameters for the analytical model was calibrated based on the test results of 6 specimens for diagonally reinforced concrete coupling beams. The analytical model with calibrated model parameters is verified by comparing the hysteretic curves obtained from analysis and experimental tests.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.43-64
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• 2011

One-dimensional rod theory is very effective as a simplified analytical approach to large scale or complicated structures such as high-rise buildings, in preliminary design stages. It replaces an original structure by a one-dimensional rod which has an equivalent stiffness in terms of global properties. The mechanical behavior of structures composed of distinct constituents of different stiffness such as coupled walls with opening is significantly governed by the local variation of stiffness. Furthermore, in structures with setback the distribution of the longitudinal stress behaves remarkable nonlinear behavior in the transverse-wise. So, the author proposed the two-dimensional rod theory as an extended version of the rod theory which accounts for the two-dimensional local variation of structural stiffness; viz, variation in the transverse direction as well as longitudinal stiffness distribution. This paper proposes how to deal with the two-dimensional rod theory for structures with setback. Validity of the proposed theory is confirmed by comparison with numerical results of computational tools in the cases of static, free vibration and forced vibration problems for various structures. The transverse-wise nonlinear distribution of the longitudinal stress due to the existence of setback is clarified to originate from the long distance from setback.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2021

Supplementary damping systems, such as tuned mass dampers (TMDs) and tuned sloshing dampers (TSDs) - also known as tuned liquid dampers (TLDs) - have been successfully employed to reduce building motion during wind events. A design of a damping system consisting of a TMD and two TSDs performing in unison has been developed for a tall building in Taiwan to reduce wind-induced motion. The architecturally exposed TMD will also be featured as a tourist attraction. The dual-purpose TSD tanks will perform as fire suppression water storage tanks. Linearized equivalent mechanical TSD and TMD models are coupled to the structure to simulate the multi-degree of freedom system response. Frequency response curves for the structure with and without the damping system are created to evaluate the performance of the damping system. The performance of the combined TMD-TSD system is evaluated against a conventional TMD system by computing the effective damping produced by each system. The proposed system is found to have superior performance in acceleration reduction. The combined TMD-TSD system is an effective and affordable means to reduce the wind-induced resonant response of tall buildings.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2012.04a
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• pp.377-380
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• 2012

대피 및 인명피해 시뮬레이션 기술은 성능위주 설계의 핵심 기술 중 하나이다. 기존 해외에서 개발된 프로그램들은 단순한 인명피해 계산 방식과 비주얼의 조악으로 한계성을 나타내고 있다. 본 연구에서 개발된 대피 및 인명피해 평가 프로그램은 기존의 프로그램의 한계점을 극복함과 동시에 다음의 관련 기술을 향상시키고 실제 사례에 적용하여 현재 사용되고 있는 상용 대피 프로그램과 비교/검증하였다. 첫째, 피난계단 뿐만 아니라 엘리베이터를 이용하여 대피할 수 있는 알고리즘을 적용하였다. 둘째, 미국 표준연구소(NIST)의 화재해석 프로그램 (FDS, Fire Dynamics Simulator)과 연계(Coupled)를 통해 화재에 의한 인명피해 발생여부 판단이 가능한 프로그램이다. 마지막으로 그래픽 전용 모듈을 적용하여 현실에 가까운 3차원 가상현실을 구현하였다.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.1193-1219
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the seismic performance of high-rise reinforced concrete (RC) box-type wall structures commonly used for most residential buildings in Korea. For this purpose, an analytical model was calibrated with the results of the earthquake simulation tests on a 1:5 scale 10-story distorted model. This calibrated model was then transformed to a true model. The performance of the true model in terms of the stiffness, strength, and damage distribution through inelastic energy dissipation was observed with reference to the earthquake simulation test results. The model showed high overstrength factors ranging from 3 to 4. The existence of slab in this box-type wall system changed the main resistance mode in the wall from bending moment to tension/compression coupled moment through membrane actions, and increased the overall resistance capacity by about 25~35%, in comparison with the common design practice of neglecting the slab's existence. The flexibility of foundation, which is also commonly neglected in the engineering design, contributes to 30~50% of the roof drift in the stiff direction containing many walls. The possibility of concrete spalling and reinforcement buckling and fracture under the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) in Korea appears to be very low when compared with the case of the 2010 Concepcion, Chile earthquake.