• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.3
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• pp.355-366
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• 2019

Self-centering wall (SCW) is a resilient and sustainable structural system which incorporates unbonded posttensioning (PT) tendons to provide self-centering (SC) capacity along with supplementary dissipators to dissipate seismic energy. Hysteretic energy dissipators are usually placed at two sides of SCWs to facilitate ease of postearthquake examination and convenient replacement. To achieve a good prediction for the skeleton curve of the wall, this paper firstly developed an analytical investigation on lateral load responses of self-centering walls with distributed vertical dampers (VD-SCWs) using the concept of elastic theory. A simplified method for the calculation of limit state points is developed and validated by experimental results and can be used in the design of the system. Based on the analytical results, parametric analysis is conducted to investigate the influence of damper and tendon parameters on the performance of VD-SCWs. The results show that the proposed approach has a better prediction accuracy with less computational effects than the Perez method. As compared with previous experimental results, the proposed method achieves up to 60.1% additional accuracy at the effective linear limit (DLL) of SCWs. The base shear at point DLL is increased by 62.5% when the damper force is increased from 0kN to 80kN. The wall stiffness after point ELL is reduced by 69.5% when the tendon stiffness is reduced by 75.0%. The roof deformation at point LLP is reduced by 74.1% when the initial tendon stress is increased from $0.45f_{pu}$ to $0.65f_{pu}$.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.197-222
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• 2006

In this paper, the non-linear time-dependent closed-form, discrete and combined solutions for the post-elastic response of a geometrically and physically non-linear suspended cable to a uniformly distributed load considering the creep effects, are presented. The time-dependent closed-form method for the particularly straightforward determination of a vertical uniformly distributed load applied over the entire span of a cable and the accompanying deflection at time t corresponding to the elastic limit and/or to the elastic region, post-elastic and failure range of a suspended cable is described. The actual stress-strain properties of steel cables as well as creep of cables and their rheological characteristics are considered. In this solution, applying the Irvine's theory, the direct use of experimental data, such as the actual stress-strain and strain-time properties of high-strength steel cables, is implemented. The results obtained by the closed-form solution, i.e., a load corresponding to the elastic limit, post-elastic and failure range at time t, enable the direct use in the discrete non-linear time-dependent post-elastic analysis of a suspended cable. This initial value of load is necessary for the non-linear time-dependent elastic and post-elastic discrete analysis, concerning incremental and iterative solution strategies with tangent modulus concept. At each time step, the suspended cable is analyzed under the applied load and imposed deformations originated due to creep. This combined time-dependent approach, based on the closed-form solution and on the FEM, allows a prediction of the required load that occurs in the post-elastic region. The application of the described methods and derived equations is illustrated by numerical examples.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.1 s.173
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• pp.38-51
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• 2000

The study on the mechanical behavior of a spot-welded specimen is largely divided into the quasi-static overload failure analysis and the fatigue failure prediction. The main issue in an overload analysis is to examine the critical loads, thereby providing a generalized overload failure criterion. As the welding spot forms a singular geometry of an external crack type, fatigue failure of spot-welded specimens can be evaluated by means of a fracture parameter. In this study, we first present the limit loads of 4 representative types of single spot-welded specimens in terms of the base metal yield strength and specimen geometries. Recasting the load vs. fatigue life relationships experimentally, obtained here, we then predict the fatigue life of spot-weld specimens with a single parameter denoted the equivalent stress intensity factor. This crack driving parameter is demonstrated to successfully describe the effects of specimen geometry and loading type in a comprehensive manner. The suggested fatigue life formula for a single spot weld can play a key, role in the design and assessment of spot-welded panel structures, in that the fatigue strength of multi-spots is eventually determined by the fatigue strength of each single spot.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.2188-2197
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• 2022

To ensure the safety margin of a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) under normal operating conditions, it is regulated through the pressure-temperature (P-T) limit curve. The stress intensity factor (SIF) obtained by the internal pressure and thermal load should be obtained through crack analysis of the nozzle corner crack in advance to generate the P-T limit curve for the nozzle. In the ASME code Section XI, Appendix G, the SIF via the internal pressure for the nozzle corner crack is expressed as a function of the cooling or heating rate, and the wall thickness, however, the SIF via the thermal load is presented as a polynomial format based on the stress linearization analysis results. Inevitably, the SIF can only be obtained through finite element (FE) analysis. In this paper, simple prediction equations of the SIF via the thermal load under, cool-down and heat-up conditions are presented. For the Korean standard nuclear power plant, three geometric variables were set and 72 cases of RPV models were made, and then the heat transfer analysis and thermal stress analysis were performed sequentially. Based on the FE results, simple engineering solutions predicting the value of thermal SIF under cool-down and heat-up conditions are suggested.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2020

The common practice to predict the characteristic structural load effects (LEs) in long reference periods is to employ the extreme value theory (EVT) for building limit distributions. However, most applications ignore that LEs are driven by multiple loading events and thus do not have the identical distribution, a prerequisite for EVT. In this study, we propose the composite extreme value modeling approach using clustering to (a) cluster initial blended samples into finite identical distributed subsamples using the finite mixture model, expectation-maximization algorithm, and the Akaike information criterion; (b) combine limit distributions of subsamples into a composite prediction equation using the generalized Pareto distribution based on a joint threshold. The proposed approach was validated both through numerical examples with known solutions and engineering applications of bridge traffic LEs on a long-span bridge. The results indicate that a joint threshold largely benefits the composite extreme value modeling, many appropriate tail approaching models can be used, and the equation form is simply the sum of the weighted models. In numerical examples, the proposed approach using clustering generated accurate extrema prediction of any reference period compared with the known solutions, whereas the common practice of employing EVT without clustering on the mixture data showed large deviations. Real-world bridge traffic LEs are driven by multi-events and present multipeak distributions, and the proposed approach is more capable of capturing the tendency of tailed LEs than the conventional approach. The proposed approach is expected to have wide applications to general problems such as samples that are driven by multiple events and that do not have the identical distribution.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.235-252
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• 2016

This paper presents a new numerical solution of the ultimate lateral capacity of rectangular piles in clay. The two-dimensional plane strain finite element was employed to determine the limit load of this problem. A rectangular pile is subjected to purely lateral loading along either its major or minor axes. Complete parametric studies were performed for two dimensionless variables including: (1) the aspect ratios of rectangular piles were studied in the full range from plates to square piles loaded along either their major or minor axes; and (2) the adhesion factors between the soil-pile interface were studied in the complete range from smooth surfaces to rough surfaces. It was found that the dimensionless load factor of rectangular piles showed a highly non-linear function with the aspect ratio of piles and a slightly non-linear function with the adhesion factor at the soil-pile interface. In addition, the dimensionless load factor of rectangular piles loaded along the major axis was significantly higher than that loaded along the minor axis until it converged to the same value at square piles. The solutions of finite element analyses were verified with the finite element limit analysis for selected cases. The empirical equation of the dimensionless load factor of rectangular piles was also proposed based on the data of finite element analysis. Because of the plane strain condition of the top view section, results can be only applied to the full-flow failure mechanism around the pile for the prediction of limiting pressure at the deeper length of a very long pile with full tension interface that does not allow any separation at soil-pile interfaces.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.435-442
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• 2002

Fluid Confirmation Tests(FCT) on 1500 ground Anchors install in weathered rock were carried out to investigate upper and lower limit of elastic elongation, frictional resistant of fixed anchor body, mobilized angle between anchor body and soil. All the measured data were analysed and compared with theoretical equations. The frictional angles of diaphragm wall and anchorage system in weathered rock showed nonlinear curve between upper and lower limit of standard elongation. The FCT results indicated that the frictional resistant angles increased with higher values of surcharge load. The quality assurance on the fixed anchor location was investigated by means of measuring elastic elongation during the FCT, and comparing these with theoretical design length, the quality of anchors in this particular site found to be above average standard. The results of this research works with provide valuable guide line on quality assurance of anchors system as well as resonable prediction of friction resistance between the fixed anchor body and the weathered rock.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.89-94
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• 2003

Rolling stock structures such as bogie frame and car body play an important role for the support of vehicle leading. In general, more than 25 years' durability is needed for them. A lot of study has been carried out for the prediction of the fatigue life of the bogie frame and car body in experimental and theoretical domains. One of the new methods is a probabilistic fatigue lift evaluation. The objective of this paper is to estimate the fatigue lift of the bogie frame of an electric car, which was developed by the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI). We used two approaches. In the first approach probabilistic distribution of S-N curve and limit state function of the equivalent stress of the measured stress spectra are used. In the second approach, limit state function is also used. And load spectra measured by strain gauges are approximated by the two-parameter Weibull distribution. Other probabilistic variables are represented by log-normal and normal distributions. Finally, reliability index and structural integrity of the bogie frame are estimated.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.47-53
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• 2014

The paper investigates the limit state of deflection for short and medium span steel girder bridges. Deflection depends on stiffness of steel girders and integrity of the reinforced concrete slab (composite action). Load and resistance parameters are treated as random variables. A probabilistic model is developed for prediction of the deflection. The structural performance can be affected by deterioration of components, in particular corrosion of steel girders. In addition, the creep of concrete can greatly influence the deflection of composite structures. Therefore, the statistical models for creep and corrosion of structural steel are incorporated in the model. Structures designed according to the AASHTO LRFD Code are considered. Load and resistance models are developed to account for time-variability of the parameters. Monte Carlo simulations are used to estimate the deflections and probabilities of serviceability failure. Different span lengths and girder spacing are considered for structures designed as moment-controlled and deflection-controlled. A summary of obtained results is presented.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.10 s.241
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• pp.1361-1368
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• 2005

The structural and leakage integrity of steam generator tubes should be sustained all postulated loads with appropriate margin even if a crack is present. During the past three decades, for effective integrity evaluation, several limit load solutions have been used world-widely. However, to predict accurately load carrying capacities of specific components under different conditions, the solutions have to be modified by using lots of experimental data. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new burst pressure estimation scheme based on fracture mechanics analyses for steam generator tube with an axial or circumferential through-wall crack. A series of three dimensional elastic-plastic finite element analyses were carried out and, then, closed-form estimation equations with respect to both J-integral and crack opening displacement were derived through reference stress method. The developed engineering equations were utilized for structural integrity evaluation and the resulting data were compared to the corresponding ones fiom experiments as well as limit load solutions. Thereafter, since the effectiveness was proven by promising results, it is believed that the proposed estimation scheme can be used as an efficient tool for integrity evaluation of cracked steam generator tubes.