• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

In 2016, an earthquake occurred at Gyeongju, Korea. At the Wolsong site, the observed peak ground acceleration was lower than the operating basis earthquake (OBE) level of Wolsong nuclear power plant. However, the measured spectral acceleration value exceeded the spectral acceleration of the operating-basis earthquake (OBE) level in some sections of the response spectrum, resulting in a manual shutdown of the nuclear power plant. Analysis of the response spectra shape of the Gyeongju earthquake motion showed that the high-frequency components are stronger than the response spectra shape used in nuclear power plant design. Therefore, the seismic performance evaluation of structures and equipment of nuclear power plants should be made to reflect the characteristics of site-specific earthquakes. In general, the floor response spectrum shape at the installation site or the generalized response spectrum shape is used for the seismic performance evaluation of structures and equipment. In this study, a generalized response spectrum shape is proposed for seismic performance evaluation of structures and equipment for nuclear power plants. The proposed response spectrum shape reflects the characteristics of earthquake motion in Korea through earthquake hazard analysis, and it can be applied to structures and equipment at various locations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.6
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• pp.735-744
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• 2021

In recent years, the use of new materials and technologies with the aim of developing high-performing and cost-effective structures has greatly increased. Application of high-strength concrete (HSC) has been found effective in reducing the dimensions of frame members; nonetheless, such reduction in dimensions of structural elements in the most cases may result in the lack of accountability in the tolerable drift capacity. On this basis, strengthening of frame members using fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) may be deemed as an appropriate remedy to address this issue, which albeit requires comprehensive and systematic investigations. In this paper, the performance of properly-designed, two-dimensional frames made of high-strength concrete and strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) is investigated through detailed numerical simulation. To this end, nonlinear dynamic time history analyses have been performed using the Seismosoft software through application of five scaled earthquake ground motion records. Unstrengthened (bare) and strengthened frames have been analyzed under seismic loading for performance assessment and comparison purposes. The results and findings of this study show that use of CFRP can be quite effective in seismic response improvement of high-strength-concrete structures.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2011

After a concrete is poured, reinforced concrete structures were distressed by physical and chemical factor over time. It is in need to define important variables related to structural behavior for effectively conducting seismic analysis of structures with age-related degradation. In this study, a sensibility analysis using the first-order second moment method was performed to analyze an important variables for the reinforced concrete shear wall with age-related degradation. Because the seismic capacity of aging structures without a concrete hardening effect can be underestimated, the sensibility of analysis variables was analyzed according to the concrete hardening. Important variables for RC shear wall with age-related degradation was presented by using the tornado diagram.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.43-48
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• 2022

In order to evaluate the seismic performance of the modular expansion joint known for its large expansion allowance and remarkable durability, this study conducts seismic response analysis and seismic simulation test. The bridge selected for the seismic response analysis is a cable stayed bridge with main span length of 1,000m. Three artificial earthquake were generated with respect to the design response spectra of the Korean Standards (KS), AASHTO LRFD and Eurocode, and applied to the selected bridge. The seismic simulation tests reproduced the artificial earthquakes using dynamic hydraulic actuators in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The test results verified the durability and safety of the expansion joint in view of its seismic behavior since abnormal behavior or failure of the expansion joint was not observed when the artificial earthquake waves were applied in the longitudinal direction, transverse direction and both directions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2022

The use of electricity and communication between electronic devices is increasing daily, which makes the stability of electrical power supply vital. Since the 1990s, large earthquakes have occurred frequently causing considerable direct damage to electrical power facilities as well as secondary damage, such as difficulty in restoring functions due to the interruption of electric power supply. Therefore, it is very important to establish measures to protect electrical power facilities, such as transformers and switchboards, from earthquakes. In this study, a 154 kV transformer whose service life had expired was installed on the base fabricated by simulating the field conditions and conducting the shaking table tests. The dynamic characteristics and seismic behavior of the 154 kV transformer were analyzed through the resonance frequency search test and seismic simulation test that considers the front, rear, left, and right directions. Since the purpose of this study is to analyze the acceleration amplification in the bushing due to the acceleration amplification, the experimental results were analyzed focusing on the acceleration response and the converted acceleration amplification ratio rather than the failure due to the displacement response of the transformer. The seismic force amplification at the transformer bushing was evaluated by simulating the characteristics of electrical power facilities in South Korea, and compared with the IEC TS 61463 acceleration amplification factor. Finally, the amplification factor at zero period acceleration (ZPA) modified for each return period was summarized. The results of this study can be used as data to define the amplification factor at ZPA of the transformer bushing, simulating the characteristics of electrical power facilities in Korea.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.939-963
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• 2016

According to the new directives about the rational and efficient use of energy, thermal bridges in buildings have to be avoided, and the thermal insulation (TI) layer should run without interruptions all around the building - even under its foundations. The paper deals with the seismic response of multi-storeyed reinforced concrete (RC) frame building structures founded on an extruded polystyrene (XPS) layer placed beneath the foundation slab. The purpose of the paper is to elucidate the problem of buildings founded on a TI layer from the seismic resistance point of view, to assess the seismic behaviour of such buildings, and to search for the critical parameters which can affect the structural and XPS layer response. Nonlinear dynamic and static analyses were performed, and the seismic response of fixed-base (FB) and thermally insulated (TI) variants of nonlinear RC building models were compared. Soil-structure interaction was also taken into account for different types of soil. The results showed that the use of a TI layer beneath the foundation slab of a superstructure generally induces a higher peak response compared to that of a corresponding system without TI beneath the foundation slab. In the case of stiff structures located on firm soil, amplification of the response might be substantial and could result in exceedance of the superstructure's moment-rotation plastic hinge capacities or allowable lateral roof and interstorey drift displacements. In the case of heavier, slenderer, and higher buildings subjected to stronger seismic excitations, the overall response is governed by the rocking mode of oscillation, and as a consequence the compressive strength of the XPS could be insufficient. On the other hand, in the case of low-rise and light-weight buildings, the friction capacity between the layers of the applied TI foundation set might be exceeded so that sliding could occur.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2024

Recent research is increasingly focused on utilizing seismic waves for structure health monitoring (SHM). Specifically, seismic interferometry, a technique applied in geophysical surveys using ambient noise, is widely applied in SHM. This method involves analyzing the response of buildings to propagating seismic waves. This enables the estimation of changes in structural stiffness and the evaluation of the location and presence of damage. Analysis of seismic interferometry applied to SHM, along with case studies, indicates its highly effective application for assessing structural stability and monitoring building conditions. Seismic interferometry is thus recognized as an efficient approach for evaluating building integrity and damage detection in SHM and monitoring applications.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1993.04a
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• pp.191-198
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• 1993

This paper presents the analysis briefs to evaluate the structural adequacy of the KMRR spent fuel storage racks which stack modules in three layers. The seismic analysis models are idealized to consider the overall dynamic motions such as rocking, sliding and liftoff in the event of an postulated earthquake. The displacement time histories of the floor obtained from the floor response spectra in three orthogonal directions are simultaneously applied to the nonlinear seismic model of the structure with gap and friction elements.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1992.10a
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• pp.148-155
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• 1992

A method to verify seismic qualification of the plant protection system cabinet for a nuclear power plant is presented. A finite element model of the cabinet is developed and correlated to the dynamic properties observed during in-situ vibration test of the actual structure. The results of the modal analysis provide insight into the fundamental dynamic properties of the structure. Techniques for verifying structural integrity and operability are exemplified by summarizing response spectrum and time history analyses of the structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Shake table tests performed on five 1:3 reduced scale two story RC moment resisting frames having construction defects, have shown severe joint damageability in deficient RC frames, resulting in joint panels' cover spalling and core concrete crushing. Haunch retrofitting technique was adopted herein to upgrade the seismic resistance of the deficient RC frames. Additional four deficient RC frames were built and retrofitted with steel haunch; both axially stiffer and deformable with energy dissipation, fixed to the beam-column connections to reduce shear demand on joint panels. The as-built and retrofitted frames' seismic response parameters are calculated and compared to evaluate the viability of haunch retrofitting technique. The haunch retrofitting technique increased the lateral stiffness and strength of the structure, resulting in the increase of structure's overstrength. The retrofitting increased response modification factor R by 60% to 100%. Further, the input excitation PGA was correlated with the lateral roof displacement to derive structure response curve that have shown significant resistance of retrofitted models against input excitations. The technique can significantly enhance the seismic performance of deficient RC frames, particularly against the frequent and rare earthquake events, hence, promising for seismic risk mitigation.