• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.983-997
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• 2015

This research evaluates the soil conditions for seismic stations situated in Romania using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR). The strong ground motion database assembled for this study consists of 179 analogue and digital strong ground motion recordings from four intermediate-depth Vrancea seismic events with $M_w{\geq}6.0$. In the first step of the analysis, the influence of the earthquake magnitude and source-to-site distance on the H/V curves is evaluated. Significant influences from both the earthquake magnitude and hypocentral distance are found especially for soil class A sites. Next, a site classification method proposed in the literature is applied for each seismic station and the soil classes are compared with those obtained from borehole data and from the topographic slope method. In addition, the success and error rates of this method are computed and compared with other studies from the literature. A more in-depth analysis of the H/V results is performed using data from seismic stations in Bucharest and a comparison of the free-field and borehole H/V curves is done for three seismic stations. The results show large differences between the free-field and the borehole curves. As a conclusion, the results from this study represent an intermediary step in the evaluation of the soil conditions for seismic stations in Romania and the need to perform more detailed soil classification analysis is highly emphasized.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.663-672
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• 2001

Numerous failures in welded connections in steel moment-resisting building frames (SMRF) were observed when buildings were inspected after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. These observations raised concerns about the effectiveness of such frames for resisting strong earthquake ground motions. The behavior of SMRFs during an earthquake must be assessed using nonlinear dynamic analysis, and such assessments must permit the deterioration in connection strength to capture the behavior of the frame. The uncertainties that underlie both structural and dynamic loading also need to be included in the analysis process. This paper describes the analysis of one of approximately 200 SMRFs that suffered damage to its welded beam-to-column connections from the Northridge Earthquake is evaluated. Nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of this SMRF in the time domain is performed using ground motions representing the Northridge Earthquake. Subsequently, a detailed uncertainty analysis is conducted for the building using an ensemble of earthquake ground motions. Probability distributions for deformation-related limit states, described in terms of maximum roof displacement or interstory drift, are constructed. Building fragilities that are useful for condition assessment of damaged building structures and for performance-based design are developed from these distributions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.360-372
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• 2017

Many advanced reactor designs rely on passive systems to fulfill safety functions during accident sequences. These systems depend heavily on boundary conditions to induce a motive force, meaning the system can fail to operate as intended because of deviations in boundary conditions, rather than as the result of physical failures. Furthermore, passive systems may operate in intermediate or degraded modes. These factors make passive system operation difficult to characterize within a traditional probabilistic framework that only recognizes discrete operating modes and does not allow for the explicit consideration of time-dependent boundary conditions. Argonne National Laboratory has been examining various methodologies for assessing passive system reliability within a probabilistic risk assessment for a station blackout event at an advanced small modular reactor. This paper provides an overview of a passive system reliability demonstration analysis for an external event. Considering an earthquake with the possibility of site flooding, the analysis focuses on the behavior of the passive Reactor Cavity Cooling System following potential physical damage and system flooding. The assessment approach seeks to combine mechanistic and simulation-based methods to leverage the benefits of the simulation-based approach without the need to substantially deviate from conventional probabilistic risk assessment techniques. Although this study is presented as only an example analysis, the results appear to demonstrate a high level of reliability of the Reactor Cavity Cooling System (and the reactor system in general) for the postulated transient event.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2020

4- and 8-storey reinforced-concrete frame buildings are analyzed under the suites of the near-fault pulse-like, and the corresponding spectrally equivalent far-fault ground-motion records. Seismic fragility curves for the slight, moderate, extensive, and complete damage states are developed, and the damage probability matrices, and the mean loss ratios corresponding to the Design Basis Earthquake and the Maximum Considered Earthquake hazard levels are compared, for the investigated buildings and sets of ground-motion records. It is observed that the spectrally equivalent far-fault ground-motion records result in comparable estimates of the fragility curve parameters, as that of the near-fault pulse-like ground-motion records. As a result, the derived damage probability matrices and mean loss ratios using two suites of ground-motion records differ only marginally (of the order of ~10%) for the investigated levels of seismic hazard, thus, implying the potential for application of the spectrally equivalent ground-motion records, for seismic fragility and risk assessment at the near-fault sites.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.563-576
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• 2015

Over the past few decades, seismic retrofitting of structural systems has been significantly improved by the adoption of various methods such as FRP composite wraps, base isolation systems, and passive/active damper control systems. In parallel with this trend, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) for structural and nonstructural components has become necessary for risk mitigation and the achievement of reliable designs in performance-based earthquake engineering. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect on piping fragility at T-joints due to seismic retrofitting of structural systems with passive energy-dissipation devices (i.e., linear viscous dampers). Three mid-rise building types were considered: without any seismic retrofitting; with distributed damper systems; with optimal placement of dampers. The results showed that the probability of piping system failure was considerably reduced in a Multi Degree of Freedom (MDOF) building retrofitted with optimal passive damper systems at lower floor levels. This effect of damper systems on piping fragility became insignificant as the floor level increased.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3244-3251
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• 2012

In the construction and operation of large marine structure, hazard risk analysis is one of important factors. Therefore, this paper investigates the hazard risk indexes and evaluates the risk level in the construction and operation of SFT on the basis of expert survey and Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Hazard risk is divided into natural hazard risk (earthquake, typhoon, tsunami, and ice collision) and human factor hazard risk (fire, explosion, traffic accident, ship or submarine collision). Also, the influence of hazard risk indexes on SFT was evaluated in tunnel tube, supporting system, ventilation tower, foundation, and connection part. As the hazard risk level of SFT is compared with those of bridge, underwater tunnel, and immersed tunnel, the intrinsic risk level of SFT was evaluated. Tsunami and earthquake had higher risk level in natural hazard risk, and the risk levels of fire and explosion were higher in human factor hazard risk. Hazard risk level of SFT was 1.4 times higher than immersed tunnel, and 3.2 times higher than bridge.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.226-232
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• 2000

Seismic probabilistic risk assessment(RA) rather than deterministic assessment provides more valuable information and insight for resolving seismic safety issues in nuclear power plant design. In the course of seismic PRA seismic fragility analysis is the most significant and essential phase especially for structural or mechanical engineers. Lately the seismic fragility analysis is taken as a useful tool in general structural engineering as well. A systemized and synthesized procedure or technology related to seismic fragility analysis of critical industrial facilities reflecting the unique experiences and database in Korea is urgently required. This paper gives a state-of-the-art reviews of PRA and briefly summarizes the technologies related to PRA and seismic fragility analysis before developing an unique technology considering characteristics of Korean database. Some key items to be resolved theoretically or technically are extracted and presented for the future research.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.617-634
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• 2007

Algeria is a country with a high seismic activity. During the last decade, many destructive earthquakes occurred, particularly in the northern part, causing enormous losses in human lives, buildings and equipments. In order to reduce this risk in the capital and avoid serious damages to the strategic existing buildings, the government decided to invest into seismic upgrade, strengthening and retrofitting of these buildings. In doing so, seismic vulnerability study of this category of buildings has been considered. Structural analysis is performed on the basis of site investigation (inspection of the building, collecting data, materials, general conditions of the building, etc), and existing drawings (architectural plans, structural design, etc). The aim of these seismic vulnerability studies is to develop guidelines and a methodology for rehabilitation of existing buildings. This paper will provide insight to the vulnerability assessment and strengthening of the telecommunication centre, according to the new code RPA 99/version 2003. Both, static equivalent method and non linear dynamic analysis are performed in this study.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.101-109
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• 2003

In evaluating the individual Plant Examination of Seismic Events, two methodologies, Seismic Probabilistic Risk Assessment(SPRA) and Seismic Margin Assessment(SMA) can be used. SPRA is based on the probubilistic approach and SMA is based on the deterministic approach in evaluating seismic capacities. In this paper, by evaluating the seismic capacities of the same component by these two approaches respectively, the correlation of two methodologies can be shown. In addition, the meaning of HCLPF(High Confidence of Low Probability of Failure) values that are inherent in these two methodologies is recognized by the quantitative comparison analysis.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2011

In this study, a ground motion response spectrum for the seismic risk assessment of low and intermediate level radioactive waste repositories was developed. For the development of the ground motion response spectrum, a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) was performed. Through the performance of a PSHA, a seismic hazard curve which was based on a seismic bed rock was developed. A uniform hazard spectrum was determined by using a developed seismic hazard curve. Artificial seismic motions were developed based on the uniform hazard spectrum. A seismic response analysis was performed on the developed artificial seismic motion. Finally, an evaluation response spectrum for the seismic risk assessment analysis of low and intermediate level radioactive waste repositories was developed.