• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.825-837
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• 2017

Due to the severe impacts of recent earthquakes, the use of seismic isolation is paramount for the safety of nuclear structures. The diversity observed in seismic events demands ongoing research to analyze the devastating attributes involved, and hence to enhance the sustainability of base-isolated nuclear power plants. This study reports the seismic performance of a seismically-isolated nuclear reactor containment building (NRCB) under strong short-period ground motions (SPGMs) and long-period ground motions (LPGMs). The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission-based design response spectrum for the seismic design of nuclear power plants is stipulated as the reference spectrum for ground motion selection. Within the period range(s) of interest, the spectral matching of selected records with the target spectrum is ensured using the spectral-compatibility approach. NRC-compliant SPGMs and LPGMs from the mega-thrust Tohoku earthquake are used to obtain the structural response of the base-isolated NRCB. To account for the lack of earthquakes in low-to-moderate seismicity zones and the gap in the artificial synthesis of long-period records, wavelet-decomposition based autoregressive moving average modeling for artificial generation of real ground motions is performed. Based on analysis results from real and simulated SPGMs versus LPGMs, the performance of NRCBs is discussed with suggestions for future research and seismic provisions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.37-55
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• 2013

An important issue in the design of soil-nailing systems, as long-term retaining walls, is to assess their stability during seismic events. As such, this study is aimed at simulating the dynamic behavior and failure pattern of nailed structures using two series of numerical analyses, namely dynamic time history and pseudo-static. These numerical simulations are performed using the Finite Difference Method (FDM). In order to consider the actual response of a soil-nailed structure, nonlinear soil behaviour, soil-structure interaction effects, bending resistance of structural elements and construction sequences have been considered in the analyses. The obtained results revealed the efficiency of both analysis methods in simulating the seismic failure mechanism. The predicted failure pattern consists of two sliding blocks enclosed by three slip surfaces, whereby the bottom nails act as anchors and the other nails hold a semi-rigid soil mass. Moreover, it was realized that an increase in the length of the lowest nails is the most effective method to improve seismic stability of soil-nailed structures. Therefore, it is recommended to first estimate the nails pattern for static condition with the minimum required static safety factor. Then, the required seismic stability can be obtained through an increase in the length of the lowest nails. Moreover, placement of additional long nails among lowest nails in existing nailed structures can be considered as a simple retrofitting technique in seismic prone areas.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2019

Post-earthquake crisis management is a key capability for a country to be able to recover after a major seismic event. Instrumental seismic data transmitted and processed in a very short time can contribute to better management of the emergency and can give insights on the earthquake's impact on a specific area. Romania is a country with a high seismic hazard, mostly due to the Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes. The elastic acceleration response spectrum of a seismic motion provides important information on the level of maximum acceleration the buildings were subjected to. Based on new data analysis and knowledge advancements, the acceleration elastic response spectrum for horizontal ground components recommended by the Romanian seismic codes has been evolving over the last six decades. This study aims to propose a framework for post-earthquake warning based on code spectrum exceedances. A comprehensive background analysis was undertaken using strong motion data from previous earthquakes corroborated with observational damage, to prove the method's applicability. Moreover, a case-study for two densely populated Romanian cities (Focsani and Bucharest) is presented, using data from a $5.5M_W$ earthquake (October 28, 2018) and considering the evolution of the three generations of code-based spectral levels for the two cities. Data recorded in free-field and in buildings were analyzed and has confirmed that no structural damage occurred within the two cities. For future strong seismic events, this tool can provide useful information on the effect of the earthquake on structures in the most exposed areas.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.731-753
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• 2018

The recent seismic events have led to concerns on safety and vulnerability of Reinforced Concrete Moment Resisting Frame "RC-MRF" buildings. The seismic design demands are greatly dependent on the computational tools, the inherent assumptions and approximations introduced in the modeling process. Thus, it is essential to assess the relative importance of implementing different modeling approaches and investigate the computed response sensitivity to the corresponding modeling assumptions. Many parameters and assumptions are to be justified for generation effective and accurate structural models of RC-MRF buildings to simulate the lateral response and evaluate seismic design demands. So, the present study aims to develop reliable finite element model through many refinements in modeling the various structural components. The effect of finite element modeling assumptions, analysis methods and code provisions on seismic response demands for the structural design of RC-MRF buildings are investigated. where, a series of three-dimensional finite element models were created to study various approaches to quantitatively improve the accuracy of FE models of symmetric buildings located in active seismic zones. It is shown from results of the comparative analyses that the use of a calibrated frame model which was made up of line elements featuring rigid offsets manages to provide estimates that match best with estimates obtained from a much more rigorous modeling approach involving the use of shell elements.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2023

Structural vibration induced by earthquake hazards is one of the most significant concerns in structure performance-based design. Structural hazards evoked from seismic events must be properly identified to make buildings resilient enough to withstand extreme earthquake loadings. To investigate the effects of combined earthquake-resistant systems, shear walls and five types of dampers are incorporated in nineteen structural models by altering their arrangements. All the building models were developed as per ACI 318-14 and ASCE 7-16. Seismic fragility curves were developed from the incremental dynamic analyses (IDA) performed by using seven sets of ground motions, and eventually, by following FEMA P695 provisions, the collapse margin ratio (CMR) was computed from the collapse curves. It is evident from the results that the seismic performance of the proposed combined shear wall-damper system is significantly better than the models equipped with shear walls only. The scrutinized dual seismic resisting system is expected to be applied practically to ensure a multi-level shield for tall structures in high seismic risk zones.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.49-56
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• 2000

Instrumental observation of earth quakes in KIGAM was first attempted in the earty 1980`s by using 6 portable seismographs in the vicinity of Yang-San Faults. Now twenty-four permanent stations, which are equipped with short-period or broad-band seismometer, are included in seismic research network in KIGAM, including KSRS array station in Wonju which is consisted of 26 bore-hole stations. The seismic network of KIGAM is also linked to that of KEPRI(Korea Electric Power Research Institute)which is consisted of eight stations installed within and around the nuclear power plants. Owing to real-time data acquisition by telemetry, it became feasible to automatically locate hypocenters of the local events within fifteen minutes by computer data processing system, named KEMS(Korea Earthquake Monitoring System). Results of the hypocenter determination, together with observational data, are compiled and stored in the data base system. And they are published via web site whose URL is http://quake.kigam.re.kr KIGAM is also running t재 permanent geomagnetic stations installed in Daejun and Kyungju. The observed geomagnetic data are transmitted to Earthquake Research Centre in KIGAM by seismic network and compiled for the purpose of earthquake prediction research and other basic geophysical research.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.515-529
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• 2018

Multiple hazards (multihazard) conditions may cause significant risk to structures that are originally designed for individual hazard scenarios. Such a multihazard condition arises when an earthquake strikes to a bridge pre-exposed to scour at foundations due to flood events. This study estimates the impact spectrum of flood-induced scour on seismic vulnerability of bridges. Characteristic river-crossing highway bridges are formed based on the information obtained from bridge inventories. These bridges are analyzed under earthquake-only and the abovementioned multihazard conditions, and bridge fragility curves are developed at component and system levels. Research outcome shows that bridges having pile shafts as foundation elements are protected from any additional seismic vulnerability due to the presence of scour. However, occurrence of floods can increase seismic fragility of bridges at lower damage states due to the adverse impact of scour on bridge components at superstructure level. These findings facilitate bridge design under the stated multihazard condition.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.51-60
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• 1998

Base isolation is an innovative design strategy that provides a practical alternative for the seismic design of structures. Base isolators, mainly employed to isolate large structures subjected to earthquake ground excitations and to rehabilitate structures damaged by past earthquakes, deflect and absorb the seismic energy horizontally transmitted to the structures. This study demonstrated that the base isolation system may offer effective performance for bridges during severe seismic events through shaking table tests. Two base isolation systems using laminated rubber bearings with and without hydraulic dampers are tested. The test results strongly show that the laminate rubber bearings cause the natural period of the bridge structure increased considerably, which results in the deck acceleration and the shear forces on the deck acceleratino and the shear forces on the piers reduced significantly. The results also demonstrate that the hydraulic dampers enhance the system's capacity in dissipating energy to reduce the relative displacement between the bridge deck and the pier.

• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.267-276
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• 2014

Wharfs are essential to shipping and support very large gravity loads on both a short-term and long-term basis which cause quite large seismic internal forces. Therefore, these structures are vulnerable to seismic activities. As they are supported on vertical and/or batter piles, soil-pile interaction effects under earthquake events have a great importance in seismic resistance which is not yet fully understood. Seismic design codes have become more stringent and suggest the use of new design methods, such as Performance Based Design principles. According to Turkish Code for Coastal and Port Structures (TCCS 2008), the interaction between soil and pile should somehow be considered in the nonlinear analysis in an accurate manner. This study aims to explore the lateral load carrying capacity of recently designed wharf structures considering soil-pile interaction effects for different soil conditions. For this purpose, nonlinear structure analysis according to TCCS (2008) has been performed comparing simplified and detailed modeling results.