• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.3342-3351
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• 2023

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines in nuclear power plants (NPPs) have to meet high requirements for seismic performance. HDPE pipes have been proved to have good seismic performance, but joints are the weak links in the pipelines, and pipeline failures usually initiate from the defects inside the joints. Limited data are available on the seismic performance of butt-fusion joints of HDPE pipelines in NPPs, especially in terms of defects changes inside the joints after earthquakes. In this paper, full-scale shaking table tests were performed on a test section of suspended HDPE pipelines in an NPP, which included straight pipes, elbows, and 10 butt-fusion joints. During the tests, the seismic load-induced strain of the joints was analyzed by strain gauges, and it was much smaller than the internal pressure and self-weight-induced strain. Before and after the shaking table tests, phased array ultrasonic testing (PA-UT) was conducted to detect defects inside the joints. The locations, numbers, and dimensions of the defects were analyzed. It was found that defects were more likely to occur in elbows joints. No new defect was observed after the shaking table tests, and the defects showed no significant growth, indicating the satisfactory seismic performance of the butt-fusion joints.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-380
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• 2023

This study evaluates the seismic fragilities in fill slopes in South Korea through parametric finite element analyses that have been barely investigated thus far. We consider three slope geometries for a slope of height 10 m and three slope angles, and two soil types, namely frictional and frictionless, associated with two soil states, loose and dense for frictional soils and soft and stiff for frictionless soils. The input ground motions accounting for four site conditions in South Korea are obtained from one-dimensional site response analyses. By comparing the numerical modeling of slopes using PLAXIS^2D against the previous studies, we compiled suites of the maximum permanent slope displacement (D_max) against two ground motion parameters, namely, peak ground acceleration (PGA) and Arias Intensity (I_A). A probabilistic seismic demand model is adopted to compute the probabilities of exceeding three limit states (minor, moderate, and extensive). We propose multiple seismic fragility curves as functions of a single ground motion parameter and numerous seismic fragility surfaces as functions of two ground motion parameters. The results show that soil type, slope angle, and input ground motion influence these probabilities, and are expected to help regional authorities and engineers assess the seismic fragility of fill slopes in the road systems in South Korea.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.289-304
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• 2024

The seismic performance of traditional steel frame-shear wall structures was significantly improved by the application of self-centering steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) wall-panel structures in the steel frames. This novel resilience functionality can rapidly restore the structure after an earthquake. The presented steel frame with steel-reinforced concrete self-centering wall-panel structures (SF-SCW) was validated, indicating its excellent seismic performance. The seismic design method based on bear capacity cannot correctly predict the elastic-plastic performance of the structure, especially certain weak floors that might be caused by a major fracture. A four-level seismic performance index, including intact function, continued utilization, life safety, and near-collapse, was established to achieve the ideal failure mode. The seismic design method, based on structural displacement, was proposed by considering performance objectives of the different seismic action levels. The pushover analysis of a six-floor SF-SCW structure was carried out under the proposed design method and the results showed that this six-floor structure could achieve the predicted failure mode.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2024

The incidence angle of seismic excitation relative to the two orthogonal major axes of structures has been a subject of considerable research interest. Previous studies have primarily focused on single-storey symmetric and asymmetric structures, suggesting a minimal effect of incidence angle on structural behavior. This research extends the investigation to multi-storey structures, including vertically irregular configurations, using a comprehensive set of 20 near fault and 20 far field seismic excitation. The study employs nonlinear time-history analysis with a bidirectional hysteresis model to capture inelastic deformations accurately. Various structural models, including one-storey and two- storey regular structures (R1, R2) and vertically irregular structures with setbacks in one direction (IR1) and both directions (IR2), are analysed. The analysis reveals that the incidence angle has no discernible impact over the response of regular multi-storey structures. However, vertically irregular structures exhibit notable responses at corner columns, which decrease towards central columns, irrespective of the incidence angle. This response is attributed to the inherent mass distribution and stiffness irregularities rather than the angle of seismic excitation. The findings indicate that for both near fault and far field seismic excitation, the incidence angle's impact remains marginal even for complex structural configurations. Consequently, the study suggests that the angle of incidence of seismic excitation need not be a primary consideration in the seismic design of both regular and vertically irregular structures. These conclusions are robust across various structural models and seismic excitation characteristics, providing a comprehensive understanding the impact of incidence angle on seismic response.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.03a
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• pp.239-249
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• 2002

The Turbine Building of nuclear power plant is classified as non safety-related structure. During the operation, there may be possibility the original licensing basis would be changed, which makes non safety-related structure safety-related. Such a change in regulation requires utility to perform seismic qualification for the existing structure and their facilities. Thus it is meaningful to evaluate seismic margin of the existing non-qualified building structure. In addition, in this paper it is shown that a modification to the structure can enhance their seismic capacity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.291-310
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• 2007

Current seismic design guidelines in Japan are diverse in the seismic ground strain estimates, because the concepts on a horizontally propagating wave model are not consistent in various seismic design guidelines including gas, water and other underground structures. The purpose of this study is (a) to derive the analytical methods to estimate the ground strains for incident seismic waves, (b) to develop a statistical estimation technique of the ground strains, and finally (c) to compare the theoretical estimation with the observed data which was measured at 441 sites in the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake in Taiwan.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.285-291
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• 2002

This paper proposes the concept and the general framework of the risk-based seismic design. Because earthquakes and the behaviors of structures are very unpredictable, probabilistic seismic design methods have been proposed after deterministic design methods. Considering these changes, we can find that the important point of seismic design is not the structural behavior itself, but the consequence of structural behavior under possible earthquakes. Risk-based seismic design can tell these consequences under any earthquakes. In this paper, structural confidences are considered by using fragility curve, and risk is modeled by failure probability and consequence-property damage cost, casualty cost.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.209-216
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• 1997

The seismic performance of R/C frame structure designed for gravity load investigated in this paper. The investigation shows a satisfactory seismic performance against moderate earthquakes but column sway failure mechanism against severe earthquakes. Capacity design method is employed to redesign the R/C frame to improve seismic performance. This study provides an insight an insight into seismic upgrading methodology for medium rise R/C frame structures designed gravity load.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.82-89
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• 1997

Due to aging of the imported seismic monitoring system of Uljin 1＆2 units it is difficult for this system to provide enough functions needed for the security of seismic safety and the evaluation of the earthquake data from the seismic instrumentation. For this reason, it is necessary to replace the seismic monitoring system of Uljin 1＆2 units with an upgraded system with corresponding softwars. With operation of this system which incorporates the man-machine interface technology, the operators in nuclear power plant can rapidly and correctly determine the exceedance of Operating Basis Earthquake.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.75-84
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• 1998

Korea is located in either low or moderate seismicity continental region. It is realized that design codes and underlying design concepts of high seismicity region may not be appropriate to low or moderate seismicity region. In this paper, test results on the seismic response of structures without seismic detailing are reexamined and compared with numerical analysis results. The seismic design concept based on limited ductility is proposed as an alternative seismic design approach in moderate seismicity regions.