• 한국지진공학회논문집
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

Many reinforced concrete (RC) buildings constructed prior to 1980's lack important features guaranteeing ductile response under earthquake excitation. Structural components in such buildings, especially columns, do not satisfy the reinforcement details demanded by current seismic design codes. Columns with deficient reinforcement details may suffer significant damage when subjected to cyclic lateral loads. They can also experience rapid lateral strength degradation induced by shear failure. The objective of this study is to accurately simulate the load-deformation response of RC columns experiencing shear failure. In order to do so, model parameters are calibrated to the load-deformation response of 40 RC column specimens failed in shear. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses are conducted to develop the relationship between the model parameters and physical parameters of RC column specimens. It is shown that the proposed predictive equations successfully estimated the model parameters of RC column specimens with great accuracy. The proposed equations also showed better accuracy than the existing ones.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권9호
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• pp.3225-3234
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• 2022

Alloy 690 tubing has been shown to be highly resistant to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). Nevertheless, predicting the failure by PWSCC in Alloy 690 SG tubes is indispensable. In this work, a Bayesian-based statistical approach is proposed to predict the occurrence of failure by PWSCC in Alloy 690 SG tubing. The prior distributions of the model parameters are developed based on the prior knowledge or information regarding the parameters. Since Alloy 690 is a replacement for Alloy 600, the parameter distributions of Alloy 600 tubing are used to gain prior information about the parameters of Alloy 690 tubing. In addition to estimating the model parameters, analysis of tubing reliability is also performed. Since no PWSCC has been observed in Alloy 690 tubing, only right-censored free-failure life of the tubing are available. Apparently the inference is sensitive to the choice of prior distribution when only right-censored data exist. Thus, one must be careful in choosing the prior distributions for the model parameters. It is found that the use of non-informative prior distribution yields unsatisfactory results, and strongly informative prior distribution will greatly influence the inference, especially when it is considerably optimistic relative to the observed data.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.193-208
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• 2008

This paper focuses on assessing the failure of one of the transmission towers that collapsed in Winnipeg, Canada, as a result of a microburst event. The study is conducted using a fluid-structure numerical model that was developed in-house. A major challenge in microburst-related problems is that the forces acting on a structure vary with the microburst parameters including the descending jet velocity, the diameter of the event and the relative location between the structure and the jet. The numerical model, which combines wind field data for microbursts together with a non-linear finite element formulation, is capable of predicting the progressive failure of a tower that initiates after one of its member reaches its capacity. The model is employed first to determine the microburst parameters that are likely to initiate failure of a number of critical members of the tower. Progressive failure analysis of the tower is then conducted by applying the loads associated with those critical configurations. The analysis predicts a collapse of the conductors cross-arm under a microburst reference velocity that is almost equal to the corresponding value for normal wind load that was used in the design of the structure. A similarity between the predicted modes of failure and the post event field observations was shown.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.471-484
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• 2020

Previous earthquakes show that, structural safety evaluations should include the evaluation of nonstructural components. Failure of nonstructural components can affect the operational capacity of critical facilities, such as hospitals and fire stations, which can cause an increase in number of deaths. Additionally, failure of nonstructural components may result in economic, architectural, and historical losses of community. Accelerations and random vibrations must be under the predefined limitations in structures with high technological equipment, data centers in this case. Failure of server equipment and anchored server racks are investigated in this study. A probabilistic study is completed for a low-rise rigid sample structure. The structure is investigated in two versions, (i) conventional fixed-based structure and (ii) with a base isolation system. Seismic hazard assessment is completed for the selected site. Monte Carlo simulations are generated with selected parameters. Uncertainties in both structural parameters and mechanical properties of isolation system are included in simulations. Anchorage failure and vibration failures are investigated. Different methods to generate fragility curves are used. The site-specific annual hazard curve is used to generate risk curves for two different structures. A risk matrix is proposed for the design of data centers. Results show that base isolation systems reduce the failure probability significantly in higher floors. It was also understood that, base isolation systems are highly sensitive to earthquake characteristics rather than variability in structural and mechanical properties, in terms of accelerations. Another outcome is that code-provided anchorage failure limitations are more vulnerable than the random vibration failure limitations of server equipment.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.545-557
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• 2024

A real-case incident occurred where a 9-meter-high segment of a pre-fabricated concrete separation wall unexpectedly collapsed. This collapse was triggered by improperly depositing excavated soil against the wall's back, a condition for which the wall segments were not designed to withstand lateral earth pressure, leading to a flexural failure. The event's analysis, integrating technical data and observational insights, revealed that internal forces at the time of failure significantly exceeded the wall's capacity per standard design. The Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) further replicates the collapse mechanism. Our approach involved defining various parameter sets to replicate the concrete's mechanical response, consistent with the tested compressive strength. Subsequent stages included calibrating these parameters across different scales and conducting full-scale simulations. These simulations carried out with various parameter sets, were thoroughly analyzed to identify the most representative failure mechanism. We developed an equation from this analysis that quickly correlates the parameters to the wall's load-carry capacity, aligned with the simulation. Additionally, our study examined the wall's post-peak behavior, extending up to the point of collapse. This aspect of the analysis was essential for preventing failure, providing crucial time for intervention, and potentially averting a disaster. However, the reinforced concrete residual state is far from being fully understood. While it's impractical for engineers to depend on the residual state of structural elements during the design phase, comprehending this state is essential for effective response and mitigation strategies after initial failure occurs.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.1169-1175
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• 2009

In this paper, the inferences of data obtained from periodic inspection and type I censoring for the step-stress accelerated life test are studied. The exponential distribution with a failure rate function that a log-linear function of stress and the tampered failure rate model are considered. The maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters are estimated and also the optimal stress change time which minimize the asymptotic variance of maximum likelihood estimators of parameters is determined. A numerical example will be given to illustrate the proposed inferential procedures and the sensitivity of the asymptotic variance of the estimated mean by the guessed parameters is investigated.

• 한국콘크리트학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국콘크리트학회 2006년도 춘계학술발표회 논문집(I)
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• pp.334-337
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• 2006

Generally, fragility curve has been used in predicting failure of structures due to seismic actions. In this research, the method of drawing fragility curve has been applied to evaluating success/failure of structures and satisfactory/unsatisfactory of concrete mixture performance based on material parameters. In the paper, a detailed explanation of the procedure of drawing fragility curve based on material parameter has been introduced. Fragility curve generating procedure includes generation of virtual data points from limited number of actual data points by bell curve implementation, determination of success/failure status of each data point by assigned criterion, and completion of final fragility curve. For practical applications, workability of concrete mixture content based on "unit water" has been used to obtain fragility curve. Detailed explanation of fragility curve drawing procedure for material parameters is presented.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.287-311
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• 2015

The ultimate bearing capacity and failure mechanism of square footings resting on a sand layer over clay soil have been investigated numerically by performing a series of three-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses. The parameters investigated are the thickness of upper sand layer, strength of sand, undrained shear strength of lower clay and surcharge effect. The results obtained from finite element analyses were compared with those from previous design methods based on limit equilibrium approach. The results proved that the parameters investigated had considerable effect on the ultimate bearing capacity and failure mechanism occurring. It was also shown that the thickness of upper sand layer, the undrained shear strength of lower clay and the strength of sand are the most important parameters affecting the type of failure will occur. The value of the ultimate bearing capacity could be significantly different depending on the limit equilibrium method used.

• 품질경영학회지
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.320-328
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• 2011

This research proposes comprehensive models for analyzing common cause failures (CCF) due to cumulative shocks and to assess system reliability under the CCF. The proposed cumulative shock models are based on the binomial failure rate (BFR) model. Six kinds of models are proposed so as to explain diverse cumulative shock phenomena. The models are composed of the initial failure probability, shape parameter, and the total shock number. Some parameters of the proposed models can not be explicitly estimated, so we adopt the Expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm in order to obtain the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for the parameters. By estimating the parameters for the cumulative shock models, the system reliability with CCF can be assessed sequentially according to the number of cumulative shocks. The result can be utilizes in dynamic probabilistic safety assessment (PSA), aging studies, or risk management for nuclear power plants. Replacement or maintenance policies can also be developed based on the proposed model.

• 한국지반환경공학회 논문집
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.77-91
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• 2003

연속체 해석을 위한 암반거동 모델로서 널리 이용되고 있는 Hoek-Brown 파괴기준은 1980년도에 발표된 이후 수차례의 수정 보완을 거쳐 1994년에 발표된 Generalized Hoek-Brown 파괴기준식을 토대로 현재 암반을 대상으로 한 지반구조물 해석에 많이 적용되고 있다. 그러나 지반구조물 수치해석시 Hoek-Brown 파괴기준의 적용은 일반적으로 등가의 Mohr-Coulomb 전단강도정수를 산정하여 간접적으로 이용하게 되는데, 이때 등가의 암반 전단강도정수를 암반내 주응력 분포와 상관없이 일정 상수로 적용함으로서 Hoek-Brown 파괴기준의 비선형성을 고려하지 못하는 단점이 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 암반사면의 안정성 평가를 위한 연속체 해석시 Hoek-Brown 파괴기준의 비선형성을 고려할 수 있는 해석기법을 검토하고, 수치해석기법에 의한 사면안정검토에 주로 이용되고 있는 강도감소법을 이용하여 암반사면의 안정성을 정량적으로 평가하고자 하였다. 특히 최근에 발표된 수정 Hoek-Brown 파괴기준을 토대로 수정된 등가 Mohr-Coulomb 강도정수 산정법과 사면굴착시 발파 및 응력이완에 의한 암반 교란/손상을 고려한 암반교란상수(Disturbance Factor) D을 이용하여 안정해석을 수행하였다.