• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.743-767
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• 2020

Due to the impressive flexural performance, enhanced compressive strength and more constrained crack propagation, Fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) have been widely employed in the construction application. Majority of experimental studies have focused on the seismic behavior of FRC columns. Based on the valid experimental data obtained from the previous studies, the current study has evaluated the seismic response and compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns while following hybrid metaheuristic techniques. Due to the non-linearity of seismic data, Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has been incorporated with metaheuristic algorithms. 317 different datasets from FRC column tests has been applied as one database in order to determine the most influential factor on the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to the simulated seismic loading. ANFIS has been used with the incorporation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic algorithm (GA). For the analysis of the attained results, Extreme learning machine (ELM) as an authentic prediction method has been concurrently used. The variable selection procedure is to choose the most dominant parameters affecting the ultimate strengths of FRC rectangular columns subjected to simulated seismic loading. Accordingly, the results have shown that ANFIS-PSO has successfully predicted the seismic lateral load with R² = 0.857 and 0.902 for the test and train phase, respectively, nominated as the lateral load prediction estimator. On the other hand, in case of compressive strength prediction, ELM is to predict the compressive strength with R² = 0.657 and 0.862 for test and train phase, respectively. The results have shown that the seismic lateral force trend is more predictable than the compressive strength of FRC rectangular columns, in which the best results belong to the lateral force prediction. Compressive strength prediction has illustrated a significant deviation above 40 Mpa which could be related to the considerable non-linearity and possible empirical shortcomings. Finally, employing ANFIS-GA and ANFIS-PSO techniques to evaluate the seismic response of FRC are a promising reliable approach to be replaced for high cost and time-consuming experimental tests.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2019

This paper brings up fallacy of material factors specified for the design of concrete members in the current Korean limit state design code for highway bridges, and proposes new material factors based on a robust optimization scheme to overcome the fallacy. It is shown that the current load factors in the code and the proposed material factors lead to a much higher reliability index than the target index. The load factors are adjusted to yield the target reliability index using the inverse reliability analysis. A reliability-based approach following the basic concept of Eurocode is formulated to determine material factors as well as load factors. The load-material factors obtained by the proposed reliability-based approach yield a lower reliability level than the target index. Drawbacks of the basic concept of Eurocode are discussed. It is pointed out that differences in the uncertainties between materials and members may cause the lower reliability index of concrete member than the target.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.57-76
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• 2015

The Performance-based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) concept implies the definition of multiple target performance levels of damage which are expected to be achieved (or not exceeded), when the structure is subjected to earthquake ground motion of specified intensity. These levels are associates to different return period (RP) of earthquakes and structural behaviors quantified with adopted factors or indexes of control. In this work an 8-level PBEE study is carried out, finding different curves for control index or Engineering Demand Parameters (EDP) of levels that assess the structural behavior. The results and the curves for each index of control allow to deduce the structural behavior at an a priori unspecified RP. A general methodology is proposed that takes into account a possible optimization process in the PBEE field. Finally, an application to 8-level seismic performance assessment to structure in a Spanish seismic zone permits deducing that its behavior is deficient for high seismic levels (RP > 475 years). The application of the methodology to a low-to-moderate seismic zone case proves to be a good tool of structural seismic design, applying a more sophisticated although simple PBEE formulation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2019

In this paper, the buckling of micro sandwich hollow circular plate is investigated with the consideration of the porous core and piezoelectric layer reinforced by functionally graded (FG)carbon nano-tube. For modeling the displacement field of sandwich hollow circular plate, the high-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) of plate and modified couple stress theory (MCST) are used. The governing differential equations of the system can be derived using the principle of minimum potential energy and Maxwell's equation that for solving these equations, the Ritz method is employed. The results of this research indicate the influence of various parameters such as porous coefficients, small length scale parameter, distribution of carbon nano-tube in piezoelectric layers and temperature on critical buckling load. The purpose of this research is to show the effect of physical parameters on the critical buckling load of micro sandwich plate and then optimize these parameters to design structures with the best efficiency. The results of this research can be used for optimization of micro-structures and manufacturing different structure in aircraft and aerospace.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.439-452
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• 1994

A method to optimize the cost of R/C frames and an algorithm of the optimal limit state design for R/C frames subjected to dynamic loads are presented. The modal superposition method was used to find the dynamic responses of the frames. Each member of R/C frame is made up of more than two elements and the stiffness matrix and consistent mass matrix of three d.o.f in the node of each element was used to include axial, shear and flexural effects. The objective function to be minimized formulated the cost of materials, steel and concrete, and optimised to satisfy the behaviors of R/C frame and each constraint imposed by the limit state requirements. Both objective function and each constraint are derived in terms of design variables which include the effective depth, beam width, compression and tension steel area, and column shear steel area. A few applications are presented which demonstrate the feasibility, the validity and efficiency of the algorithm for automated optimum design of R/C frames where dynamic behavior is to be considered.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.281-291
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• 2002

This paper describes the minimum cost design of prestressed reinforced concrete (PRC) hem with rectangular section. The cost of construction as objective function which includes the costs of concrete, prestressing steel, non prestressing steel, and formwork is minimized. The design constraints include limits on the minimum deflection, flexural and shear strengths, in addition to ductility requirements, and upper-Lower bounds on design variables as stipulated by the specification. The optimization is carried out using the methods based on discretized continuum-type optimality criteria(DCOC). Based on Kuhn-Tucker necessary conditions, the optimality criteria are explicitly derived in terms of the design variables - effective depth, eccentricity of prestressing steel and non prestressing steel ratio. The prestressing profile is prescribed by parabolic functions. In this paper the effective depth is considered to be freely-varying and one uniform for the entire multispan beam respectively. Also the maximum eccentricity of prestressing force is considered in every span. In order to show the applicability and efficiency of the derived algorithm, several numerical examples of PRC continuous beams are solved.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2017

Finite element model updating is very effective procedure to determine the uncertainty parameters in structural model and minimize the differences between experimentally and numerically identified dynamic characteristics. This procedure can be practiced with manual and automatic model updating procedures. The manual model updating involves manual changes of geometry and analyses parameters by trial and error, guided by engineering judgement. Besides, the automated updating is performed by constructing a series of loops based on optimization procedures. This paper addresses the ambient vibration based finite element model updating of long span reinforced concrete highway bridges using manual model updating procedure. Birecik Highway Bridge located on the $81^{st}km$ of Şanliurfa-Gaziantep state highway over Firat River in Turkey is selected as a case study. The structural carrier system of the bridge consists of two main parts: Arch and Beam Compartments. In this part of the paper, the arch compartment is investigated. Three dimensional finite element model of the arch compartment of the bridge is constructed using SAP2000 software to determine the dynamic characteristics, numerically. Operational Modal Analysis method is used to extract dynamic characteristics using Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition method. Numerically and experimentally identified dynamic characteristics are compared with each other and finite element model of the arch compartment of the bridge is updated manually by changing some uncertain parameters such as section properties, damages, boundary conditions and material properties to reduce the difference between the results. It is demonstrated that the ambient vibration measurements are enough to identify the most significant modes of long span highway bridges. Maximum differences between the natural frequencies are reduced averagely from %49.1 to %0.6 by model updating. Also, a good harmony is found between mode shapes after finite element model updating.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2008

The research and development in soundproof materials for preventing noise have attracted great attention due to their social impact. Noise insulation materials are especially important in the field of soundproofing. Since the insulation ability of most materials follows a mass rule, the heavy weight materials like concrete, lead and steel board are mainly used in the current noise insulation materials. To overcome some weak points in these materials, fiber reinforced composite materials with lightweight and other high performance characteristics are now being used. In this paper, innovative insulation sheet materials with carbon and/or glass fabrics and nano-silica hybrid PU resin are developed. The parameters related to sound performance, such as materials and fabric texture in base fabric, hybrid method of resin, size of silica particle and so on, are investigated. At the same time, the wave analysis code (PZFlex) is used to simulate some of experimental results. As a result, it is found that both bundle density and fabric texture in the base fabrics play an important role on the soundproof performance. Compared with the effect of base fabrics, the transmission loss in sheet materials increased more than 10 dB even though the thickness of the sample was only about 0.7 mm. The results show different values of transmission loss factor when the diameters of silica particles in coating materials changed. It is understood that the effect of the soundproof performance is different due to the change of hybrid method and the size of silica particles. Fillers occupying appropriate positions and with optimum size may achieve a better effect in soundproof performance. The effect of the particle content on the soundproof performance is confirmed, but there is a limit for the addition of the fillers. The optimization of silica content for the improvement of the sound insulation effect is important. It is observed that nano-particles will have better effect on the high soundproof performance. The sound insulation effect has been understood through a comparison between the experimental and analytical results. It is confirmed that the time-domain finite wave analysis (PZFlex) is effective for the prediction and design of soundproof performance materials. Both experimental and analytical results indicate that the developed materials have advantages in lightweight, flexibility, other mechanical properties and excellent soundproof performance.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.120-127
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• 2016

Due to the enlargement and high-rise of reinforced concrete structure, the application of high functional material is required. However, high-strength bar is recently introduced to the country and the material is insufficient to measure the variation of quantity of rebar quantitatively when using high-strength bar. For these reasons, this study is to provide useful data in cost decision making when applying high-strength bar at a stage of architectural project planning. For residence-commerce complex buildings, we set up six types of conditions such as in case of using only rebar, in case of using only high-strength bar, in case of using rebar mixed with high-strength bar and so on. With the standard of study model 1 that applies only SD400 regardless of rebar diameter, the analyzed result of rebar variation and the cost change of construction in other study model is as follows. When the rebar amount and cost in study model I was 100%, each ratio was 88.3% and 90.5% in study model II, 80.2% and 83.4% in study model III, 91.9% and 93.5% in study model IV, 88.9% and 87.7% in study model V and 82.4% and 85.5% in study model VI. Therefore, in case of rebar amount and construction cost, study model III was evaluated as the best that was applied only SD600.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.157-166
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• 2022

Structural supervision on the construction site has been performed based on visual inspection, which is highly labor-intensive and subjective. In this study, the remote technique was developed to improve the efficiency of the measurements on rebar spacing using a 360° camera and reconstructed 3D models. The proposed method was verified by measuring the spacings in reinforced concrete structure, where the twelve locations in the construction site (265 m²) were scanned within 20 seconds per location and a total of 15 minutes was taken. SLAM, consisting of SIFT, RANSAC, and General framework graph optimization algorithms, produces RGB-based 3D and 3D point cloud models, respectively. The minimum resolution of the 3D point cloud was 0.1mm while that of the RGB-based 3D model was 10 mm. Based on the results from both 3D models, the measurement error was from 10.8% to 0.3% in the 3D point cloud and from 28.4% to 3.1% in the RGB-based 3D model. The results demonstrate that the proposed method has great potential for remote structural supervision with respect to its accuracy and objectivity.