• Wind and Structures
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.287-300
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• 2007

Wind action is a factor of fundamental importance in the structural design of light or slender constructions. Codes for structural design usually assume that the incident mean wind velocity is parallel to the ground, which constitutes a valid simplification for frequent winds caused by meteorological phenomena such as Extratropical Storms (EPS) or Tropical Storms. Wind effects due to other phenomena, such as thunderstorms, and its combination with EPS winds in so-called squall lines, are simply neglected. In this paper a model that describes the three-dimensional wind velocity field originated from a downburst in a thunderstorm (TS) is proposed. The model is based on a semi empirical representation of an axially-symmetrical flow line pattern that describes a stationary field, modulated by a function that accounts for the evolution of the wind velocity with time. The model allows the generation of a spatially and temporally variable velocity field, which also includes a fluctuating component of the velocity. All parameters employed in the model are related to meteorological variables, which are susceptible of statistical assessment. A background wind is also considered, in order to account for the translational velocity of the thunderstorm, normally due to local wind conditions. When the translation of the TS is caused by an EPS, a squall line is produced, causing the highest wind velocities associated with TS events. The resulting vertical velocity profiles were also studied and compared with existing models, such as the profiles proposed by Vicroy, et al. (1992) and Wood and Kwok (1998). The present model predicts horizontal velocity profiles that depend on the distance to the storm center, effect not considered by previous models, although the various proposals are globally compatible. The model can be applied in any region of interest, once the relevant meteorological variables are known, to simulate the excitation due to TS winds in the design of transmission lines, long-span crossings, cable-stayed bridges, towers or similar structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.723-732
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• 2019

Globally road transport networks are subjected to continuous levels of stress from increasing loading and environmental effects. As the most popular mean of transport in the UK the condition of this civil infrastructure is a key indicator of economic growth and productivity. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems can provide a valuable insight to the true condition of our aging infrastructure. In particular, monitoring of the displacement of a bridge structure under live loading can provide an accurate descriptor of bridge condition. In the past B-WIM systems have been used to collect traffic data and hence provide an indicator of bridge condition, however the use of such systems can be restricted by bridge type, assess issues and cost limitations. This research provides a non-contact low cost AI based solution for vehicle classification and associated bridge displacement using computer vision methods. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been adapted to develop the QUBYOLO vehicle classification method from recorded traffic images. This vehicle classification was then accurately related to the corresponding bridge response obtained under live loading using non-contact methods. The successful identification of multiple vehicle types during field testing has shown that QUBYOLO is suitable for the fine-grained vehicle classification required to identify applied load to a bridge structure. The process of displacement analysis and vehicle classification for the purposes of load identification which was used in this research adds to the body of knowledge on the monitoring of existing bridge structures, particularly long span bridges, and establishes the significant potential of computer vision and Deep Learning to provide dependable results on the real response of our infrastructure to existing and potential increased loading.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2019

This article investigates the response of Integral Abutment Bridges (IAB) when subjected to a sequence of seasonal thermal loading of the deck followed by ground seismic shaking in the longitudinal direction. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect of pre-seismic thermal Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) on the seismic performance of the IAB, as well as on the ability of various backfills configurations, to minimize the unfavorable SSI effects. A series of two-dimensional numerical analyses were performed for this purpose, on a complete backfill-integral bridge-foundation soil system, subjected to seasonal cyclic thermal loading of the deck, followed by ground seismic shaking, employing ABAQUS. Various backfill configurations were investigated, including conventional dense cohesionless backfills, mechanically stabilized backfills and backfills isolated by means of compressive inclusions. The responses of the investigated configurations, in terms of backfill deformations and earth pressures, and bridge resultants and displacements, were compared with each other, as well as with relevant predictions from analyses, where the pre-seismic thermal SSI effects were neglected. The effects of pre-seismic thermal SSI on the seismic response of the coupled IAB-soil system were more evident in cases of conventional backfills, while they were almost negligible in case of IAB with mechanically stabilized backfills and isolated abutments. Along these lines, reasonable assumptions should be made in the seismic analysis of IAB with conventional sand backfills, to account for pre-seismic thermal SSI effects. On the contrary, the analysis of the SSI effects, caused by thermal and seismic loading, can be disaggregated in cases of IAB with isolated backfills.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2022

Tall buildings are often subjected to steady and unsteady forces due to external wind flows. Measurement and mitigation of these forces becomes critical to structural design in engineering applications. Over the last few decades, many approaches such as modification of the external geometry of structures have been investigated to mitigate wind-induced load. One such proven geometric modification involved the rounding of sharp corners. In this work, we systematically analyze the impact of rounded corner radii on the reducing the flow-induced loading on a square cylinder. We perform 3-Dimensional (3D) simulations for high Reynolds number flows (Re=1 × 105) which are more likely to be encountered in practical applications. An Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) method capable of capturing flow accurately at large Reynolds numbers is employed in this study. The IDDES formulation uses a k-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) model for near-wall modelling that prevents mesh-induced separation of the boundary layer. The effects of these corner modifications are analyzed in terms of the resulting variations in the mean and fluctuating components of the aerodynamic forces compared to a square cylinder with no geometric changes. Plots of the angular distribution of the mean and fluctuating coefficient of pressure along the square cylinder's surface illustrate the effects of corner modifications on the different parts of the cylinder. The windward corner's separation angle was observed to decrease with an increase in radius, resulting in a narrower and longer recirculation region. Furthermore, with an increase in radius, a reduction in the fluctuating lift, mean drag, and fluctuating drag coefficients has been observed.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2022

In this paper, the physical model and governing equations of a shallow arch with a moving boundary were studied. A model with a moving boundary can be easily found in a long span retractable roof, and it corresponds to a problem of a non-cylindrical domain in which the boundary moves with time. In particular, a motion equation of a shallow arch having a moving boundary is expressed in the form of an integral-differential equation. This is expressed by the time-varying integration interval of the integral coefficient term in the arch equation with an un-movable boundary. Also, the change in internal force due to the moving boundary is also considered. Therefore, in this study, the governing equation was derived by transforming the equation of the non-cylindrical domain into the cylindrical domain to solve this problem. A governing equation for vertical vibration was derived from the transformed equation, where a sinusoidal function was used as the orthonormal basis. Terms that consider the effect of the moving boundary over time in the original equation were added in the equation of the transformed cylindrical problem. In addition, a solution was obtained using a numerical analysis technique in a symmetric mode arch system, and the result effectively reflected the effect of the moving boundary.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.15-22
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• 2022

Micro-climate measurements and computational fluid analysis were conducted to use it as basic data for the preservation and management of the old house of Kim Myung-kwan, a traditional building that is National Folk Cultural Property No. 26. As a result of the actual measurement, the temperature and humidity are relatively evenly distributed indoors unlike outdoors, but the temperature and humidity vary depending on the time change and the installation location in the outdoors. It was found that the temperature increases after dawn and the temperature varies depending on the installation position around 14:00-15:00, when the temperature becomes the highest. In particular, the temperature was high at the outdoor measurement point adjacent to the building and the fence. As a result of the computational fluid analysis, the temperature was high in the buildings and fences in the old house or in the area adjacent to the building, and it was about 1℃ higher than the surrounding area. In this area, it is judged that the thickening of wood will occur more severely than in other locations, and special preservation management is required.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.11-21
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• 2009

Considering that the weight of a biaxial hollow slab system is not increased with an incremental increase in its thickness, and that the flexural stiffness of a biaxial hollow slab is not significantly lower than that of a general solid slab, there has been a growing need for biaxial hollow slab systems, because long span structures are in great demand. In a long span structure, the problem of vibration of floor slabs frequently occurs, and the dynamic characteristics of a biaxial hollow slab system are quite different from the conventional floor systems. Therefore, in this study, the floor vibration of a biaxial hollow slab system subjected to walking load is investigated in comparison with a conventional floor slab system. For the efficiency of time history analysis, an equivalent plate slab model that can precisely represent the dynamic behavior of a biaxial hollow slab system is used. From the analytical results, it was determined that vibration of a biaxial hollow slab system subjected to walking load is evaluated as "office-level vibration," according to the classifications of the architectural institute of Japan and ANSI.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.77-93
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• 2015

The idea of using measured dynamic characteristics for damage detection is attractive because it allows for a global evaluation of the structural health and condition. However, vibration-based damage detection for complex structures such as long-span cable-supported bridges still remains a challenge. As a suspension or cable-stayed bridge involves in general thousands of structural components, the conventional damage detection methods based on model updating and/or parameter identification might result in ill-conditioning and non-uniqueness in the solution of inverse problems. Alternatively, methods that utilize, to the utmost extent, information from forward problems and avoid direct solution to inverse problems would be more suitable for vibration-based damage detection of long-span cable-supported bridges. The auto-associative neural network (ANN) technique and the probabilistic neural network (PNN) technique, that both eschew inverse problems, have been proposed for identifying and locating damage in suspension and cable-stayed bridges. Without the help of a structural model, ANNs with appropriate configuration can be trained using only the measured modal frequencies from healthy structure under varying environmental conditions, and a new set of modal frequency data acquired from an unknown state of the structure is then fed into the trained ANNs for damage presence identification. With the help of a structural model, PNNs can be configured using the relative changes of modal frequencies before and after damage by assuming damage at different locations, and then the measured modal frequencies from the structure can be presented to locate the damage. However, such formulated ANNs and PNNs may still be incompetent to identify damage occurring at the deck members of a cable-supported bridge because of very low modal sensitivity to the damage. The present study endeavors to enhance the damage identification capability of ANNs and PNNs when being applied for identification of damage incurred at deck members. Effort is first made to construct combined modal parameters which are synthesized from measured modal frequencies and modal shape components to train ANNs for damage alarming. With the purpose of improving identification accuracy, effort is then made to configure PNNs for damage localization by adapting the smoothing parameter in the Bayesian classifier to different values for different pattern classes. The performance of the ANNs with their input being modal frequencies and the combined modal parameters respectively and the PNNs with constant and adaptive smoothing parameters respectively is evaluated through simulation studies of identifying damage inflicted on different deck members of the double-deck suspension Tsing Ma Bridge.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.321-325
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• 2008

3D and BIM technology are presumed to be used more and more in the construction industry. The scope of this paper arose from a general wondering of how the constructor in general can benefit from the use of 3D models. Presented herewith is the first application of BIM in Korea to a actual bridge construction site located in Cheongpoong in Chooncheongbook-Do. This paper tries to integrate design, cost and schedule under location-based conditions with industry-specific solution for 3D modeling. 292 activities constitute the cable-stayed bridge of 442m long with a main span of 327m long. Integration of 3D model, cost and schedule is shown by comparing the measurements of works at a specific time by use of 2 different construction sequencing scenarios and cost breakdown structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.1015-1039
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• 2014

The widening project on Freeway No.1 in Taiwan has a total length of roughly 14 kilometers, and includes three special bridges, namely a 216 m long-span bridge crossing the original freeway, an F-bent double decked bridge in a co-constructed section, and a steel and prestressed concrete composite bridge. This study employed in-situ monitoring in conjunction with numerical modeling to establish a real-time monitoring system for the three bridges. In order to determine the initial static and dynamic behavior of the real bridges, forced vibration experiments, in-situ static load experiments, and dynamic load experiments were first carried out on the newly-constructed bridges before they went into use. Structural models of the bridges were then established using the finite element method, and in-situ vehicle load weight, arrangement, and speed were taken into consideration when performing comparisons employing data obtained from experimental measurements. The results showed consistency between the analytical simulations and experimental data. After determining a bridge's initial state, the proposed in-situ monitoring system, which is employed in conjunction with the established finite element model, can be utilized to assess the safety of a bridge's members, providing useful reference information to bridge management agencies.