• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.81-88
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• 2022

It is necessary to better understand the effect of age-related degradation on the performance of reinforced concrete shear walls in nuclear power plants in order to ensure their structural safety in the event of earthquakes. Therefore, this paper studies seismic fragility of the typical shear wall in nuclear power plants under earthquake excitation Reinforced concrete shear wall is composed of wall, horizontal and vertical flanges. Due to characteristics of its geometry, it is difficult to predict the ultimate behavior of shear wall under earthquake excitation. In this study, for more realistic numerical simulation, the Latin Hyper-Cube (LHC) simulation technique was used to generate uncertain variables for the material properties of concrete shear walls. The effects of crack, characteristics of inelastic behavior of concrete, and loss of cross section were considered in the nonlinear finite element analysis. The effects of aging-related deterioration were investigated on the performance of reinforced concrete shear walls through analysis of undegraded concrete shear walls and degraded concrete shear walls. The resulting seismic fragility curves present the change of performance of concrete shear wall due to age-related degradation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.369-383
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• 2022

In this study, an equivalent boundary conditions (BCs) determination method is developed numerically for a panel reinforced concrete (RC) slab to realistically analyze the deformation and fatigue behaviors of a bridge RC slab. For this purpose, a finite element analysis of a bridge RC slab is carried out beforehand to calculate the stiffness of the bridge RC slab, and then the equivalent BCs for the panel RC slab are determined to achieve the same stiffness at the BCs to the obtained stiffness of the bridge RC slab at the corresponding locations of the bridge RC slab. Moreover, for the simulation of fatigue behaviors, fatigue analysis of the panel RC slab is carried out employing a finite element method based on a numerical model that considers the bridging stress degradation. Both the determined equivalent BCs and the BCs that have been typically applied in past studies are employed. The analysis results confirm that, in contrast to the panel RC slab with typically used BCs, the panel RC slab with equivalent BCs simulate the same bending moment distribution and deformation behaviors of the bridge RC slab. Furthermore, the equivalent BCs reproduce the extensive grid crack pattern in the panel RC slab, which is alike the pattern normally witnessed in a bridge RC slab. Conclusively, the panel RC slab with equivalent BCs behaves identical to the bridge RC slab, and, as a result, it shows more realistic fatigue behaviors observed in the bridge RC slab.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.333-343
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• 2023

Various seismic isolation and reduction devices have been applied to suppress the longitudinal vibration of continuous girder bridges. As representative devices, lead rubber bearing (LRB) and fluid viscous damper (FVD) might suffer from deterioration during the long-term service. This study aims to evaluate the impact of device deterioration on the seismic responses of continuous girder bridges and investigate the seismic behavior of deteriorated LRBs and FVDs. Seismic performance of a simplified bridge model was investigated, and the influence of device deterioration was evaluated by the coefficient of variation method. The contribution of LRB and FVD was assessed by the Sobol global sensitivity analysis method. Finally, the seismic behaviors of deteriorated LRBs and FVDs were discussed. The result shows that (i) the girder-pier relative displacement is the most sensitive to the changes in the deterioration level, (ii) the deterioration of FVD has a greater effect on the structural responses than that of LRB, (iii) FVD plays a major role in energy dissipation with a low degradation level while LRB is more essential in dissipating energy when suffering from high degradation level, (iv) the deteriorated devices are more likely to reach the ultimate state and thus be damaged.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2147-2157
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• 2023

The aggregate-forming minerals in concrete undergo volume swelling and microstructure change under neutron irradiation, leading to degradation of physical and mechanical properties of the aggregates and concrete. A comprehensive investigation of volume change and elastic property variation of major aggregate-forming minerals is still lacking, so molecular dynamics simulations have been employed in this paper to improve the understanding of the degradation mechanisms. The results demonstrated that the densities of the selected aggregate-forming minerals of similar atomic structure and chemical composition vary in a similar trend with deposited energy due to the similar amorphization mechanism. The elastic tensors of all silicate minerals are almost isotropic after saturated irradiation, while those of irradiated carbonate minerals remain anisotropic. Moreover, the elastic modulus ratio versus density ratio of irradiated minerals is roughly following the density-modulus scaling relationship. These findings could further provide basis for predicting the volume and elastic properties of irradiated concrete aggregates in nuclear facilities.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2024

The objective of this study is to analyze, using the finite element method, the durability of damaged and repaired structures under the effect of mechanical loading coupled with environmental conditions (water absorption and/or temperature). The study is based on the hybrid patch repair technique, considering several parameters based on the J integral to observe the behavior of the adhesive in transferring load from a damaged plate to the repair patch. The results clearly show that water absorption and increased temperature cause degradation of the mechanical properties of the adhesive, leading to an increase in its plasticization, which is beneficial for the assembly's strength. However, the degradation of the adhesive's properties due to aging in the repair results in poor load transfer from the damaged area to the patch. The findings of this study allowed the authors to conclude that the [0°]8 sequence consistently offers the best performance, with the lowest J integral values and superior crack resistance. The lowest the J integral for the [0°]8 stacking sequence is typically 3-7% lower than that of the [0/-45/45/90]S and [0/-45/90/45]S sequences at elevated temperatures. At 60℃, the J integral increases by approximately 3-6% compared to 40℃ and 20, depending on the aging duration and stacking sequences.

• Nanomaterials
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• v.12 no.17
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• pp.2945-2957
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• 2022

In this work, the growth of extended tri-s-triazine units (melem units) on g-C₃N₄ (CN) by hydrothermal treatment and its effect on the photodegradation efficiency of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) is investigated. The CN-180-x and CN-200-6 samples were prepared using different hydrolysis times and temperatures, and they were characterized by multiple physicochemical techniques. In addition, their photodegradation performance was evaluated under visible light irradiation. Compared to the CN, CN-180-6 possesses remarkable photocatalytic degradation efficiency at 97.17% towards TC removal in an aqueous solution. The high visible-light-induced photo-reactivity of CN-180-6 directly correlates to charge transfer efficiency, numerous structural defects with a high specific surface area (75.0 m² g^-1), and sufficient O-functional groups over g-C₃N₄. However, hydrothermal treatment at a higher temperature or during a longer time additionally induces the growth of extended melem units on the surface of g-C₃N₄, resulting in the inhibition of the charge transfer. In addition, the superoxide radical is proven to be generated from photoexcited reaction and plays a key role in the TC degradation.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.269-282
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• 2015

Civil structures should be designed with the lowest cost and longest lifetime possible and without service failure. The efficient and sustainable use of materials in building design and construction has always been at the forefront for civil engineers and environmentalists. Timber is one of the best contenders for these purposes particularly in terms of aesthetics; fire protection; strength-to-weight ratio; acoustic properties and seismic resistance. In recent years, timber has been used in commercial and taller buildings due to these significant advantages. It should be noted that, since the launch of the modern building standards and codes, a number of different structural systems have been developed to stabilise steel or concrete multistorey buildings, however, structural analysis of high-rise and multi-storey timber frame buildings subjected to lateral loads has not yet been fully understood. Additionally, timber degradation can occur as a result of biological decay of the elements and overloading that can result in structural damage. In such structures, the deficient members and joints require strengthening in order to satisfy new code requirements; determine acceptable level of safety; and avoid brittle failure following earthquake actions. This paper investigates performance assessment and damage assessment of older multi-storey timber buildings. One approach is to retrofit the beams in order to increase the ductility of the frame. Experimental studies indicate that Sprayed Fibre Reinforced Polymer (SFRP) repairing/retrofitting not only updates the integrity of the joint, but also increases its strength; stiffness; and ductility in such a way that the joint remains elastic. Non-linear finite element analysis ('pushover') is carried out to study the behaviour of the structure subjected to simulated gravity and lateral loads. A new global index is re-assessed for damage assessment of the plain and SFRP-retrofitted frames using capacity curves obtained from pushover analysis. This study shows that the proposed method is suitable for structural damage assessment of aged timber buildings. Also SFRP retrofitting can potentially improve the performance and load carrying capacity of the structure.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.13-20
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• 2021

Post-installed anchor is a structural material that connects structural and non-structural members to existing concrete members. However, there are cases where rebar interception and construction error occur at the site. In that case, measures are needed to prevent performance degradation of the rear-installation anchors. In this study, in order to evaluate the performance of torsional control expandable post-installed anchors for compressive strength and effective depth of the reference concrete was tested. The results of the most commonly used tests of M10 and M20 showed that had variable coefficients within 15%, satisfying the reliability presented in KCI(2017). It was also confirmed that the depth of the buried and the strength of concrete affect the strength of the pavement. Based on the results of the existing similar studies and the results of this study, the design equation of the post-installed anchor was proposed and the results were compared with the existing design.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.812-815
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• 2005

This study was conducted to see the influence of additives and fermentation periods on Mott grass silage (MGS) characteristics, its chemical composition and to compare the digestion kinetics of Mott grass (MG) and MGS in Nili buffaloes. Mott grass chopped with a locally manufactured chopper was ensiled using two additives, cane molasses and crushed corn grains each at 2, 4 and 6% of forage DM for 30 and 40 days in laboratory silos. The pH, lactic acid concentration, dry matter (DM), crude protein and fiber fractions of MGS were not affected by the type or level of additive and fermentation periods. The non-significant pH lactic acid concentration, and chemical composition of MGS indicated that the both molasses and crushed corn were utilized at similar rate for the growth of lactic acid bacteria and production of organic acids. The MG ensiled with molasses at 2% of fodder DM for 30 days was screened out for in situ digestion kinetics in Nili buffaloes. Ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradabilities of MGS were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of MG. The DM and NDF rate of degradation, lag time and extent of degradation was nonsignificant between MGS and MG. The higher ruminal degradation of DM and NDF of MGS than MG was probably a reflection of fermentation of MG during ensilation that improved its degradability by improving the availability of easily degradable structural polysaccharides to ruminal microbial population. The results in the present study have indicated that MG ensiled with either 2% molasses or 2% crushed corn for 30 days has better nutritive value for buffalo.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.415-424
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• 2001

The destructive method is reliable and widely used for the estimation of material degradation but, it have time-consuming and a great difficulty in preparing specimens from in-service industrial facilities. Therefore, the estimation of degraded structural materials by nondestructive evaluation is strongly desired. In this paper, the use of guided wave was suggested for the evaluation on thermally damaged 2.25Cr-1Mo steel as an alternative way to compensate for limitations of fracture tests. The observation of microstructure variations of the material including carbide precipitation increase and spheroidization near grain boundary was conducted and the correlation with the guided wave features such as energy loss ration and group velocity changes was investigated. Through this study, the feasibility of ultrasonic guided wave evaluation for thermally damaged materials was explored.