• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.251-269
• /
• 2014

To investigate the seismic performance and to obtain quantitative parameters for the requirement of performance-based bridge seismic design approach, 12 reinforced concrete (RC) hollow rectangular bridge column specimens were tested under constant axial load and cyclic bending. Parametric study is carried out on axial load ratio, aspect ratio, longitudinal reinforcement ratio and transverse reinforcement ratio. The damage states of these column specimens were related to engineering limit states to determine the quantitative criteria of performance-based bridge seismic design. The hysteretic behavior of bridge column specimens was simulated based on the fiber model in OpenSees program and the results of the force-displacement hysteretic curves were well agreed with the experimental results. The damage states of residual cracking, cover spalling, and core crushing could be well related to engineering limit states, such as longitudinal tensile strains of reinforcement or compressive strains of concrete, etc. using cumulative probability curves. The ductility coefficient varying from 3.71 to 8.29, and the equivalent viscous damping ratio varying from 0.19 to 0.31 could meet the requirements of seismic design.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2021

The present study fabricated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag/fly ash (AASF) composites with varying mixture ratios of slag and fly ash. The thermomechanical behaviors of the AASF composites exposed to 200, 400, 600, or 800℃ were evaluated by means of compressive strength test, visual observation, and fire resistance tests. X-ray diffractometry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and thermogravimetry tests were performed to analyze the microstructure change of the AASF composites upon exposure to high temperatures. Specimens exhibited a gradual strength loss up to 600℃, while also showing a significant decrease in the strength above 600℃. The fire resistance test revealed the occurrence of an inflection point as indicated by an increase in the internal temperature at around 200℃. In addition, specimens showed the dehydration of C-S-H gel, the presence of åkermanite, gehlenite, and anorthite upon exposure to 800℃, which is associated with the formation of macropore population with pores having diameters of 1-3 ㎛ and 20-40 ㎛. Visual observation indicated that the PVA fibers mitigated the cracking and/or spalling of the specimens upon exposure to 800℃.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.25-28
• /
• 2008

Generally, reinforced concrete structures exposed to the outside temperature are affected by freezing and thawing process during winter and early spring. These freezing and thawing process can lead to the reduction in durability of concrete as cracking or surface spalling. This paper is to study the hysteretic behavior of RC beams exposed to freezing and thawing under cyclic loadings. To compare the difference in hysteretic behavior of RC Beams, limited tests were conducted under different types of damage and freezing and thawing cycles. For this purpose, six specimens were tested. It is thought that experimental results will be used as basic data to evaluate hysteretic behavior of RC beams exposed to freezing and thawing.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.475-494
• /
• 2007

This paper deals with the development of an innovative distributed construction system based on smart prefabricated concrete elements for the real-time condition assessment of civil infrastructure. So far, two reduced-scale prototypes have been produced, each consisting of a $0.2{\times}0.3{\times}5.6$ m RC beam specifically designed for permanent instrumentation with 8 long-gauge Fiber Optic Sensors (FOS) at the lower edge. The sensing system is Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based and can measure finite displacements both static and dynamic with a sample frequency of 625 Hz per channel. The performance of the system underwent validation in the laboratory. The scope of the experiment was to correlate changes in the dynamic response of the beams with different damage scenarios, using a direct modal strain approach. Each specimen was dynamically characterized in the undamaged state and in various damage conditions, simulating different cracking levels and recurrent deterioration scenarios, including cover spalling and corrosion of the reinforcement. The location and the extent of damage are evaluated by calculating damage indices which take account of changes in frequency and in strain-mode-shapes. The outcomes of the experiment demonstrate how the damage distribution detected by the system is fully compatible with the damage extent appraised by inspection.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 2022

The megacity Istanbul was struck by an earthquake on September 26, 2019, with a moment magnitude (Mw) of 5.8. The mainshock was followed by many aftershocks. Although the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of the mainshock was as low as 0.08 g, its effect has been more than expected. The intensive reconnaissance studies were accomplished in the highly populated Zeytinburnu and Pendik districts of Istanbul. While the earthquake (EQ) was relatively smaller concerning record-specific intensity measures; the damages such as concrete spalling in reinforced concrete (RC) members, detachment and diagonal cracking of infill walls in RC frames as well as cracks in masonry structures were reported from non-engineered and some engineered buildings. Many studies in the literature state that record-specific intensity measures are not sufficient to evaluate the seismic performance of the structures. The structure-specific intensity measures, soil characteristics, as well as significant duration, energy, and frequency content of EQs should be considered for the evaluation. Dependently, the frequency and energy contents of the Istanbul Earthquake are evaluated to discuss the possible reasons for the perceived effects and the damages. It is concluded that the EQ caused resonance effects on a variety of structures because of its complex frequency content as well as rather low building quality.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.87 no.3
• /
• pp.273-282
• /
• 2023

Concrete construction, one of the oldest building practices, is commonly used in all parts of the world. Concrete is the primary building material for both residential and commercial constructions. The challenge of protecting the buildings, hence nation, against the attack of terrorism has raised the importance to explore the understanding of building materials against the explosion. In this research, a security check-post (reinforced concrete frame filled with plain cement concrete) has been chosen to study the behavior of structural elements under blast loading. Eight nitroglycerines-based dynamite blasts with varying amounts of explosive charge, up to 17 kg weight has been carried out at various scale distances. Pressure and acceleration time history records are measured using blast measuring instruments. Security check post after being exposed by explosive loading are photographed to view cracking/failure patterns on the structural elements. It is noted that with the increase of quantity of explosive, the dimensions of spalling and crack patterns increase on the front panels. Simple empirical analyses are conducted using ConWep and other design manuals such as UFC 3-340-02 (2008) and AASTP-1 (2010) for the purpose of comparison of blast parameters with the experimental records. The results of experimental workings are also compared with earlier researchers to check the compatibility of developed equations. It is believed that the current study presents the simple and preliminary procedure for calculating the air blast and ground shock parameters on the structures exposed to blast explosion.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.535-547
• /
• 2022

Failure patterns of rock specimens represent valuable information about the mechanical properties and crack evolution mechanism of rock. Several kinds of research have been conducted regarding the failure mechanism of brittle material, however; the influence of brittleness on the failure mechanism of rock specimens has not been precisely considered. In the present study, experimental and numerical examinations have been made to evaluate the physical and mechanical phenomena associated with rock failure mechanisms through the uniaxial compression test. In the experimental part, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests equipped with Acoustic Emission (AE) have been conducted on rock samples with three different brittleness. Then, the numerical models have been calibrated based on experimental test results for further investigation and comparing the micro-cracking process in experimental and numerical models. It can be perceived that the failure mode of specimens with high brittleness is tensile axial splitting, based on the experimental evidence of rock specimens with different brittleness. Also, the crack growth mechanism of the rock specimens with various brittleness using discrete element modeling in the numerical part suggested that the specimens with more brittleness contain more tensile fracture during the loading sequences.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.137-143
• /
• 2008

In recent years, much research work has been performed on durability design and long-term performance of concrete structures in marine environments. In particular, the development of new procedures for probability-based durability design has been shown to provide a more realistic basis for the analysis. This approach has been successfully applied to several new concrete structures, where requirements for a more controlled durability and service life have been specified. For reinforced concrete structures in a marine environment, it is commonly assumed that the dominant degradation mechanism is the corrosion of the reinforcement due to the presence of chlorides. The design approach is based on the verification of durability limit states, examples of which are: depassivation of reinforcement, cracking and spalling due to corrosion, and collapse due to cross section loss of reinforcement. With this design approach the probability of failure can be determined as a function of time. In the present paper, a probability-based durability performance analysis is used in order to demonstrate the importance of the durability design approach of concrete structures in marine environments. In addition, the sensitivity of the various durability parameters affecting and controlling the durability of concrete structures in a marine environment is studied. Results show that the potential of this approach to assist durability design decisions making process is great. Based the crucial information generated, it is possible to prolong the service life of structures while simultaneously optimizing the final design solution.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.6 no.6
• /
• pp.631-643
• /
• 2018

The focus of this paper is given to the investigation of mechanical properties of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete after being exposed to fire. The research programme covered tests of two sets of beams: specimens subjected to fire and specimens not subjected to fire. The fire test was conducted in an environment mirroring one of possible real fire situations where concrete surface for an extended period of time is directly exposed to flames. Micro-cracking of concrete surface after tests was digitally catalogued. Compressive strength was tested on cube specimens. Flexural strength and equivalent flexural strength were tested according to RILEM specifications. Damages of specimens caused by spalling were assessed on a volumetric basis. A comparison of results of both sets of specimens was performed. Significant differences of all tested properties between two sets of specimens were noted and analysed. It was proved that the limit of proportionality method should not be used for testing fire damaged beams. Flexural characteristics of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete were significantly influenced by fire. The influence of fire on properties of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete was discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.529-542
• /
• 2021

Shear connectors are required to build composite (concrete and steel) beams. They are placed at the interface of concrete and steel to transfer shear and normal forces between two structural components. Such composite beams are sensitive to provide structural integrity when exposed to fire as they loss strength, stiffness, and ductility at elevated temperature. The present study is designed to investigate the shear resistance and the failure modes of the headed stud shear connectors at fire exposure and post-fire exposure. The study includes ordinary concrete and concrete with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to build composite (concrete-steel) beams with structural steel. Experimental push tests were conducted on composite beams at ambient and elevated temperatures, such as 200, 400 & 600℃. Moreover, push tests were performed on the composite beams after being exposed to 200, 400 & 600℃. Push test results illustrated the reduction of ultimate shear capacity and stiffness of headed stud shear connectors as the temperature increased. Although similar values of ultimate shear were obtained for the headed stud connectors in both ordinary and CNT concrete, the CNT modified concrete reduced the concrete spalling and cracking compared to ordinary concrete and was observed to be effective at temperatures greater than 400℃. All specimens showed a lower shear resistance at fire exposures compared to the corresponding post-fire exposures. Moreover, numerical simulation by Finite Element (FE) analyses were carried out at ambient temperature and at fire conditions. The FE analysis results show a good agreement with the experimental results. In the experimental studies, failure of all specimens occurred due to shear failure of headed stud, which was later validated by FE analyses using ABAQUS.