• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.403-413
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• 2017

Residual axial capacity from numerical analysis was widely used as a critical indicator for damage assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) columns subjected to blast loads. However, the convergence of the numerical result was generally based on the displacement response, which might not necessarily generate the correct post-blast results in case that the strain softening behavior of concrete was considered. In this paper, two widely used concrete models are adopted for post-blast analysis of a RC column under blast loading, while the calculated results show a pathological mesh size dependence even though the displacement response is converged. As a consequence, a nonlocal integral formulation is implemented in a concrete damage model to ensure mesh size independent objectivity of the local and global responses. Two numerical examples, one to a RC column with strain softening response and the other one to a RC column with post-blast response, are conducted by the nonlocal damage model, and the results indicate that both the two cases obtain objective response in the post-peak stage.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2021

Many studies have been performed to predict a reliable and accurate stress-range distribution and fatigue damage regarding the Gaussian wide-band stress response due to multi-peak waves and multiple dynamic loads. So far, most of the approximation models provide slightly inaccurate results in comparison with the rain-flow counting method as an exact solution. A step-by-step study was carried out to develop new approximate spectral moments that are close to the rain-flow counting moment, which can be used for the development of a fatigue damage model. Using the special parameters and bandwidth parameters, four kinds of parameter-based combinations were constructed and estimated using the R-squared values from regression analysis. Based on the results, four candidate empirical formulas were determined and compared with the rain-flow counting moment, probability density function, and root mean square (RMS) value for relative distance. The new approximate spectral moments were finally decided through comparison studies of eight response spectra. The new spectral moments presented in this study could play an important role in improving the accuracy of fatigue damage model development. The present study shows that the new approximate moment is a very important variable for the enhancement of Gaussian wide-band fatigue damage assessment.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.3 s.43
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

This paper describes a new objective methodology of seismic building damage assessment which is called Advanced Component Method(ACM). ACM is a major attempt to replace the conventional loss estimation procedure, which is based on subjective measures and the opinions of experts, with one that objectively measures both earthquake intensity and the response ol buildings. First, response of typical buildings is obtained analytically by nonlinear seismic static analysis, push-over analyses. The spectral displacement Is used as a measure of earthquake intensity in order to use Capacity Spectrum Method and the damage functions for each building component, both structural and non-structural, are developed as a function of component deformation. Examples of components Include columns, beams, floors, partitions, glazing, etc. A repair/replacement cost model is developed that maps the physical damage to monetary damage for each component. Finally, building response, component damage functions, and cost model were combined probabilistically, using Wonte Carlo simulation techniques, to develop the final damage functions for each building type. Uncertainties in building response resulting from variability in material properties and load assumptions were incorporated in the Latin Hypercube sampling technique. The paper also presents and compares ACM and conventional building loss estimation based on historical damage data and reported loss data.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.599-614
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• 2018

This study focuses on the earthquake performance of two URM buildings having typical architectural configurations common for residential use constructed per pre-modern code in Albania. Both buildings are unreinforced clay brick masonry structures constructed in 1960 and 1984, respectively. The first building is a three-storey unreinforced one with masonry walls. The second one is confined masonry rising on five floors. Mechanical characteristics of masonry walls were determined based on experimental tests conducted according to ASTM C67-09 regulations. A global numerical model of the buildings was built, and masonry material was simulated as nonlinear. Pushover analyses are carried out to obtain capacity curves. Displacement demands were calculated according to Eurocode 8 and FEMA440 guidelines. Causes of building failures in recent earthquakes were examined using the results of this study. The results of the study showed that the URM building displays higher displacement and shear force demands that can be directly related to damage or collapse. On the other hand, the confined one exhibits relatively higher seismic resistance by indicating moderate damage. Moreover, effects of demand estimation approaches on performance assessment of URM buildings were compared. Deficiencies and possible solutions to improve the capacity of such buildings were discussed.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2011

In this study, nonlinear finite element analysis procedures are presented for the structural performance assessment of damaged reinforced concrete structures. A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was used. Material nonlinearity is taken into account by comprising tensile, compressive and shear models of cracked concrete and a model of reinforcing steel. This paper defines a damage index based on the predicted inelastic behavior of reinforced concrete structures. The proposed numerical method for the structural performance of damaged reinforced concrete structures is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.1307-1313
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• 2019

Recent analysis results with realistic assumptions provide the variability of operator allowable time for the initiation of aggressive cooldown under small break loss of coolant accident or steam generator tube rupture with total failure of high pressure safety injection. We investigated how plant risk may vary depending on the variability of operators' failure probability of timely initiation of aggressive cooldown. Using a probabilistic safety assessment model of a nuclear power plant, we showed that plant risks had a linear relation with the failure probability of aggressive cooldown and could be reduced by up to 10% as aggressive cooldown is more reliably performed. For individual accident management, we found that core damage potential could be gradually reduced by up to 40.49% and 63.84% after a small break loss of coolant accident or a steam generator tube rupture, respectively. Based on the importance of timely initiation of aggressive cooldown by main control room operators within the success criteria, implications for improvement of emergency operating procedures are discussed. We recommend conducting further detailed analyses of aggressive cooldown, commensurate with its importance in reducing risks in nuclear power plants.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2023

Seismic risk assessment studies are one of the most crucial instruments for mitigating casualties and economic losses. This work utilizes fragility curves to evaluate the seismic risk of single-story precast buildings, which are generally favored in Marmara's organized industrial zones. First, the precast building stock in the region has been categorized into nine sub-classes. Then, seven locations in the Marmara region with a high concentration of industrial activities are considered. Probabilistic seismic hazard assessments were conducted for both the soil-dependent and soil-independent scenarios. Subsequently, damage analysis was performed based on the structural capacity and mean fragility curves. Considering four different consequence models, 630 sub-class-specific loss curves for buildings were obtained. In the current study, it has been determined that the consequence model has a significant impact on the loss curves, hence, average loss curves were computed for each case investigated. In light of the acquired results, it was found that the loss ratio values obtained at different locations within the same region show significant variation. In addition, it was observed that the structural damage states change from serviceable to repairable or repairable to unrepairable. Within the scope of the study, 126 average loss functions were presented that could be easily used by non-experts in earthquake engineering, regardless of structural analysis. These functions, which offer loss ratios for varying hazard levels, are valuable outputs that allow preliminary risk assessment in the region and yield sensible outcomes for insurance activities.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.4
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• pp.369-382
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• 2024

The earthquake loss assessment framework of ductile reinforced concrete (or RC) frame using component-performance -based methodology was studied in this paper. The elasto-plastic rotation angle was used as the damage indicator of structural component, and the damage-to-loss model was proposed on the basis of the deformation indicator of structural component. Dynamic instability during incremental dynamic analysis was taken as collapse criterion, and column failure was taken as criterion that structure has to be demolished. Expected earthquake losses of low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise RC frames were discussed. The expected earthquake loss encompassed collapse loss, demolition loss and repair loss. Furthermore, component groups of RC frame were divided into structural components, nonstructural components and rugged components. The results indicate that ductile RC frame is more likely to be demolished than collapse, especially in low-rise and mid-rise RC frames. Furthermore, the less collapse margin ratio the structure has, the more demolition probability the structure will suffer under rare earthquake. The demolition share of total earthquake loss might be more prominent than repair share and collapse share in ductile RC frame.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.149-161
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• 2022

This study selected the indexes for evaluating the damage of the railway embankments due to liquefaction from the earthquake damage cases of railway embankments. The study correlated the selected indexes and the settlement of the embankment crest from the dynamic numerical analysis. Further, the correlation was used to develop a method for evaluating the liquefaction damage to the railway embankment. The damage cases and damage types were analyzed, and referring to the liquefaction damage assessment method for other structures, the embankment height (H), the non-liquefiable layer thickness (H₁), and the liquefaction potential index were selected as indexes for evaluating the damage. The study performed dynamic effective stress analyses on the railway embankment, and the PM4-Sand model was applied as the constitutive liquefaction model for the embankment foundation ground. The model's validity was first verified by comparing it with the existing dynamic centrifugal model test results performed on the railway embankment. Nine sites where the foundation ground can be liquefied were selected from the data of 549 embankments of the Honam High-speed Railway in Korea. Further, dynamic numerical analyses using four seismic waves as input earthquake load were performed for the selected site sections. The numerical analysis results confirmed the correlation between the evaluation indexes and the embankment crest settlement. A method for efficiently evaluating the damage to the embankment due to liquefaction was proposed using the chart obtained from this correlation.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.449-464
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• 2016

Catastrophe models appraise the natural risk of the built-infrastructure simulating the interaction of its exposure and vulnerability with a hazard. Because of unique configurations and reduced number, mid/high-rise buildings present singular challenges to the assessment of their damage vulnerability. This paper presents a novel approach to estimate the vulnerability of mid/high-rise buildings (MHB) which is used in the Florida Public Hurricane Loss Model, a catastrophe model developed for the state of Florida. The MHB vulnerability approach considers the wind pressure hazard exerted over the building's height as well as accompanying rain. The approach assesses separately the damages caused by wind, debris impact, and water intrusion on building models discretized into typical apartment units. Hurricane-induced water intrusion is predicted combining the estimates of impinging rain with breach and pre-existing building defect size estimates. Damage is aggregated apartment-by-apartment and story-by-story, and accounts for vertical water propagation. The approach enables the vulnerability modeling of regular and complex building geometries in the Florida exposure and elsewhere.