• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2017

In this study, the optimum parameters of Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) are proposed using Gravity Search Algorithm (GSA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to reduce the responses of the structures. A MATLAB program is developed to apply the new approach to the benchmark 10 and 40-story structures. The obtained results are compared to those of other optimization methods used in the literature to verify the developed code. To show the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed methods, nine far-field and near-field worldwide earthquakes are applied to the structures. The results reveal that in the 40-story structure, GSA algorithm can reduce the Relative Displacement (RD) and Absolute Acceleration (AA) up to 43% and 21%, respectively while the PSO decreases them by 50% and 25%, respectively. In contrast, both GSA and PSO algorithms reduce the RD and AA about 29% and 21% for the 10-story structure. Furthermore, using the proposed approach the required TMD parameters reduce by 47% and 63% in the 40 and 10-story buildings in comparison with the referenced ones. Result evaluation and related comparison indicate that these methods are more effective even by using smaller TMD parameters resulting in the reduction of acting force from TMD, having smaller stiffness and damping factors while being more cost effective due to its decreased parameters. In other words, the TMD with optimum parameters can play a positive role in both tall and typical structures.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.311-319
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• 2019

The number of aged bridges is increasing so that bridges over 30 years old account for about 11% of all bridges. Consequently, the development of a seismic performance evaluation method that considers the effects of ageing is essential for a seismic retrofitting process for improvement of the seismic safety of existing old bridges. Assessment of the damage situation of bridges after the recent earthquakes in Korea has been limited to the bearings, anchor, and concrete mortar on piers. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the seismic responses of PSC box girder bridges by considering the ageing effect of rubber bearings (RBs) and lead-rubber bearings (LRBs). The modification factor proposed by AASHTO is used to take into account the ageing effect in the bearings. PSC box girder bridges with RBs and LRBs were 3D modeled and analyzed with the OpenSEES program. In order to evaluate the ageing effect of RBs and LRBs, 40 near fault and 40 far field records were used as the input earthquakes. When considering the effect of ageing, the displacement responses and shear forces of bridge bearings (RBs and LRBs) were found to increase mostly under the analytical conditions. It was shown that the effect of ageing is greater in the case of RBs than in the case of LRBs.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2023

The maximum drifts are important to the seismic evaluation of steel buildings and connections, but the information can hardly be obtained from the post-earthquake field investigation. This research studies the feasibility of using the loss rate of bolt pretension as an earthquake damage predictor. Full-scale tests were made on four steel connections using bolted-web-welded-flange details. One connection was unreinforced (UN), another was reinforced with double shear plates (DS), and the other two used reduced beam sections (RBS). The preinstalled strain gauges were used to control the pretensions and monitor the losses of the high-strength bolts. The results showed that the loss rate of bolt pretension was highly related to the damage of the connections. The pretensions lost up to 10% in all the connections at the yield drifts of 0.5% to 1%. After yielding of the connections, the pretensions lost significantly until fracture occurred. The UN and DS connections failed with a maximum drift of 4 %, and the two RBS connections showed better ductility and failed with a maximum drift of 6%. Under the far-field-type loading protocol, the loss rate grew to 60%. On the contrary, the rate for the specimen under near-fault-type loading protocol was about 40%. The loss rate of bolt pretension is therefore recommended to use as an earthquake damage predictor. Additionally, the 10% and 40% loss rates are recommended to predict the limit states of connection yielding and maximum strength, respectively, and to define the performance levels of serviceability and life-safety for the buildings.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4A
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• pp.659-675
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• 2006

Recently, significant progress has been made in performance-based engineering methods that rely mainly on nonlinear static seismic analysis procedures. The Capacity Spectrum Method (CSM) and the Displacement Coefficient Method (DCM) are the representative nonlinear static seismic analysis procedures. In order to evaluate the applicability of the procedures to the seismic evaluation and design process of new and existing structures, the accuracy of both CSM and DCM should be evaluated in advance. The accuracy of seismic responses by the nonlinear static procedures is evaluated in comparison with the shaking table test results for the structural wall specimen subjected to the far field and near field earthquakes. Also conducted are comparative studies where the shaking table test results are compared with those from nonlinear dynamic analysis procedures, i.e., Single-Degree-of-Freedom (SDOF), equivalent SDOF and Multi-Degree-of-Freedom (MDOF) systems.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.667-673
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• 2010

The near fault ground motion (NFGM) is characterized by a single long period velocity pulse with large magnitude. NFGMs have been observed in recent strong earthquakes, Northridge (1994), Japan Kobe (1995), Turkey Izmit (1999), China Sichuan (2008), Haiti (2010) etc. These strong earthquakes have caused considerable damage to infrastructures because the epicenter was close to the urban area, called as NFGM. Extensive research for the far field ground motion (FFGM) have been carried out in strong seismic region, but limited research have been done for NFGM in low or moderate seismic regions because of very few records. The purpose of this research is to investigate and analyze the seismic response of reinforced concrete bridge piers subjected to near-fault ground motions. The seismic performance of six RC bridge piers depending on three confinement steel ratios and three superstructure mass was investigated on the shaking table. From these experimental results, it was confirmed that the reduction of seismic performance was observed for test specimens with lower confinement steel ratio or more deck weight. The displacement ductility of RC bridge piers in terms of the stiffness degradation is proposed based on test results the shaking table.