• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.83-101
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• 2005

This paper summarizes the application of a rational methodology for the structural assessment of older reinforced concrete Tunisian bridges. This methodology is based on ambient vibration measurement of the bridge, identification of the structure's modal signature and finite element model updating. The selected case study is the Boujnah bridge of the Tunis-Msaken Highway. This bridge is made of a continuous four-span simply supported reinforced concrete slab without girders resting on elastomeric bearings at each support. Ambient vibration tests were conducted on the bridge using a data acquisition system with nine force-balance accelerometers placed at selected locations of the bridge. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique was applied to extract the dynamic characteristics of the bridge. The finite element model was updated in order to obtain a reasonable correlation between experimental and numerical modal properties. For the model updating part of the study, the parameters selected for the updating process include the concrete modulus of elasticity, the elastic bearing stiffness and the foundation spring stiffnesses. The primary objective of the paper is to demonstrate the use of the Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique combined with model updating to provide data that could be used to assess the structural condition of the selected bridge. The application of the proposed methodology led to a relatively faithful linear elastic model of the bridge in its present condition.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.85-88
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seismic behavior of precast concrete segmental bridge piers with shear resistance connecting structure. A model of precast concrete segmental bridge columns with shear resistance connecting structure was tested under a constant axial load and a cyclically reversed horizontal load. A computer program, RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was used. The proposed numerical method for the seismic behavior of precast concrete segmental bridge piers with shear resistance connecting structure is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.953-964
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• 2015

A model has been proposed that can predict the ultimate torsional strength of single-box multi-cell reinforced concrete box girder under combined loading of bending, shear and torsion. Compared with the single-cell box girder, this model takes the influence of inner webs on the distribution of shear flow into account. According to the softening truss theory and thin walled tube theory, a failure criterion is presented and a ultimate torsional strength calculating procedure is established for single-box multi-cell reinforced concrete box girder under combined actions, which considers the effect of tensile stress among the concrete cracks, Mohr stress compatibility and the softened constitutive law of concrete. In this paper the computer program is also compiled to speed up the calculation. The model has been validated by comparing the predicted and experimental members loaded under torsion combined with different ratios of bending and shear. The theoretical torsional strength was in good agreement with the experimental results.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2000.10b
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• pp.839-844
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• 2000

The research was conducted to investigate the effects of intermediate diaphragm in concrete girder bridge. The analytical variables consisted of various types(reinforced concrete and steel) and locations of intermediate diaphragm, slab thickness, girder spacing etc. Finite element analyses of the bridge model assuming simply support condition. The Vertical load distribution was determined to be essentially independent of type and location of intermediate diaphragms. Also, it is found that the practical design of intermediate diaphragm may be revised.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.59-66
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• 2008

Recently, the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures, primarily due to corrosion of steel reinforcement, has become a major concern. Chloride-induced deterioration is the most important deterioration phenomenon in reinforced concrete structures in harsh environments. For the realistic prediction of chloride penetration into concrete, a mathematical model was developed in which the effects of diffusion, chloride binding and convection due to water movement can be taken into account. The aim of this research was to reach a better understanding on the physical mechanisms underlying the deterioration process of reinforced concrete associated with chloride-induced corrosion and to propose a reliable method for estimating these effects. Chloride concentrations coming from de-icing salts are significantly influenced by the exposure conditions such as salt usage, ambient temperature and repeated wet-dry cycles.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.194-199
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• 2001

Lap splice in plastic hinge region is inevitable because of due to constructional joint between footing and column. R/C Circular columns with lap-splice in plastic hinge region are widely used in Korean highway bridges. In addition, these columns which constructed before the seismic design code have a number of structural deficiencies. It is, however, believed that there are not many experimental research works for nonlinear behavior of these columns subjected to earthquake motions. The object of this research is to evaluate the seismic performance of existing circular reinforced concrete bridge piers by the Quasi-static test. Existing reinforced concrete bridge piers were moderate seismically designed in accordance with the conventional provisions of Korea Highway Design Specification. This study has been performed to verify the effect of lap spliced longitudinal steel, confinement steel type and confinement steel ratio far the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete bridge piers. Quasi-static test has been done to investigate the physical seismic performance of RC bridge piers, such as displacement ductility, energy absorption, strength degradation etc.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2010

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.345-352
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• 2001

Recent destructive seismic events demonstrated the importance of mitigating human casualties and serious property damages in design and construction of structures. The Korean Bridge Design Specifications (1992) adopted seismic design requirements based on the AASHTO specification, and minor modification was made in 2000. The longitudinal steel connection of reinforced concrete bridge column is sometimes practically unavoidable. The longitudinal reinforcement details affect seisimc performance such as flexural failure and shear failure. This research aims to develop longitudinal steel connection details with confinement steel by experimental study for seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridge columns. Quasi-static test under three different axial load levels was conducted for 12 spiral column specimens. All the column specimens had the same aspect ratio of 3.5. The column specimens were transversely reinforced with spiral and with five different longitudinal steel connection. The final objective of this study is to suggest appropriate longitudinal reinforcement connection details for the limited ductility design concept and improve construction quality.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.131-138
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to investigate size effect on inelastic behavior of reinf bridge piers subjected to cyclic load. A computer program, named RCAHEST(Reinforced Co Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technologr), for the analysis of reinforced concret was used. Material nonlinearity is taken into account by comprising tensile, compressiv models of cracked concrete and a model of reinforcing steel The smeared crack app incorporated. In boundary plane at which each member with different thickness is conne discontinuous deformation due to the abrupt change in their stiffness can be taken into introducing interface element. The effect of number of load reversals with the same d amplitude has been also taken into account to model the reinforcing steel. To determine th on bridge pier inelastic behavior, a 1/4-scale replicate model was also loaded for compar full-scale bridge pier behavior.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.521-539
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• 2011

Jilin highway concrete bridge is located in the center of Jilin City, which is positioned in the middle part in Jilin Province in the east north of China. This bridge crosses the Songhua River and connects the north and the south of Jilin City. The main purpose of damages inspection of the bridge components is to ensure the safety of a bridge and to identify any maintenance, repair, or strengthening which that need to be carried out. The damages that occur in reinforced concrete bridges include different types of cracks, scalling and spalling of concrete, corrosion of steel reinforcement, deformation, excessive deflection, and stain. The main objectives of this study are to inspect the appearance of Jilin highway concrete bridge and describe all the damages in the bridge structural members, and to evaluate the structural performance of the bridge structure under dead and live loads. The tests adopted in this study are: (a) the depth of concrete carbonation test, (b) compressive strength of concrete test, (c) corrosion of steel test, (d) static load test, and (e) dynamic load test. According to the damages inspection of the bridge structure appearance, most components of the bridge are in good conditions with the exception arch waves, spandrel arch, deck pavement of new arch bridge, and corbel of simply supported bridge which suffer from serious damages. Load tests results show that the deflection, strain, and cracks development satisfy the requirements of the standards.