Dae-Hyoung Lee

Fragility Analysis Method Based on Seismic Performance of Bridge Structure considering Earthquake Frequencies

Dept. of Civil Engineering, ChungAng University, Ansung 456-756, KoreaABSTRACT This paper presents a systematic approach for estimating fragility curves and damage probability matrices for dif-ferent frequencies. Fragility curves and damage probability indicate the probabilities that a structure will sustain different degreesof damage at different ground motion levels. The seismic damages are to achieved by probabilistic evaluation because of uncer-tainty of earthquakes. In contrast to previous approaches, this paper presents a method that is based on nonlinear dynamic analysisof the structure using empirical data. This paper presents the probability of damage as a function of peak ground acceleration andestimates the probability of five damage levels for prestressed concrete (PSC) bridge pier subjected to given ground acceleration.At each level, 100 artificial earthquake motions were generated in terms of soil conditions, and nonlinear time domain analyseswas performed for the damage states of PSC bridge pier structures. These damage states are described by displacement ductilityresulting from seismic performance based on existing research results. Using the damage states and ground motion parameters, fivefragility curves for PSC bridge pier with five types of dominant frequencies were constructed assuming a log-normal distribution.The effect of dominant frequences was found to be significant on fragility curves.Keywords : fragility curve, displacement ductility, curvature ductility, frequency

Stress-Strain Behavior Characteristics of Concrete Cylinders Confined with FRP Wrap

Recently, fiber-reinforced plastic(FRP) wraps are blown as an effective material for the enhancement and rehabilitation of aged concrete structures. The purpose of this investigation is to experimentally investigate behavior of concrete cylinder wrapped with FRP materials. Experimental parameters include compressive strength of concrete cylinder, FRP material, and confinement ratio. This paper presents the results of experimental studies on the performance of concrete cylinder specimens externally wrapped with aramid, carbon and glass fiber reinforced Polymer sheets. Test specimens were loaded in uniaxial compression. Axial load, axial and lateral strains were investigated to evaluate the stress-strain behavior, ultimate strength ultimate strain etc. Test results showed that the concrete strength and confinement ratio, defined as the ratio of transverse confinement stress and transverse strain were the most influential factors affecting the stress-strain behavior of confined concrete. More FRP layers showed the better confinement by increasing the compressive strength of test cylinders. In case of test cylinders with higher compressive strength, FRP wraps increased the compressive strength but decreased the compressive sham of concrete test cylinders, that resulted in prominent brittle failure mode. The failure of confined concrete was induced by the rupture of FRP material at the stain, being much smaller than the ultimate strain of FRP material.

Aseismatic Performance Analysis of Circular RC Bridge Piers II. Suggestion for Transverse Steel Ratio

In this research, major design factors have been evaluated for the establishment of the rational seismic design code of circular RC(reinforced concrete) bridge pier Previous experimental researches have drawn a conclusion that transverse confinement reinforcements have been excessively used for RC bridge piers in Korea. Thus, the objective of this study is to propose a rational design equation for transverse reinforcements of RC bridge piers in Korea which would be classified as a low or moderate seismic region. Newly proposed equation further considers the effect of the axial force ratio and the longitudinal steel ratio. Minimum transverse confinement steel ratio is also proposed to avoid probable buckling of the longitudinal reinforcing steels subjected to relatively low axial force. It is thought that these new codes seem to alleviate the rebar congestion in the plastic hinge region of RC bridge piers which contribute to the enhancement of constructibility and economization for RC bridge construction

Limited-Ductile Seismic Design and Performance Assessment Method of RC Bridge Piers Based on Displacement Ductility

Until recently Korea is considered to be immune from the earthquake hazard because it is located for away from the active fault. However, we have noticed that recent strong earthquakes inflicted enormous losses on human lives and nation`s economy all over the world. Hence, there has been raised the importance of the earthquake resistant design for various infrastructures. In this research, new methodologies for the seismic design and performance assessment of reinforced concrete(RC) bridge pier were proposed from experimental results of 82 circular RC bridge piers and 54 rectangular RC bridge piers tested in domestic and aboard. New seismic design method was based on the concept of the limited ductile design, which could be practically used for low or moderate seismic regions like Korea. Further study for the seismic safety of RC bridge piers was carried out to enhance the seismic performance of aged RC bridge piers, which were designed and constructed before implementing the 1992 seismic design provision in Korea. New formula for the seismic performance assessment of RC bridge piers was proposed and practically used for the decision on the need of repair and retrofit of many aged RC bridge piers.

A Seismatic Performance Analysis of Circular RC Bridge Piers I. Evaluation of Influence Parameters of Confinement Steel Ratio

For the establishment of rational seismic design code for RC (reinforced concrete) bridge pier, this paper has analyzed the seismic code of RC bridge pier specified in )veil-known codes such as KHBDS (Korea Highway Bridge Design Specification), AASHTO Standard, ATC-32, Eurocode 8, NZS 3101, etc. So as to secure aseismic ductility of RC pier, transverse confinement steel ratios of those codes have been examined together with other design parameters such as strength of concrete and reinforcing steel, axial force ratio, aspect ratio, longitudinal steel ratio, etc. However, there has been arisen a doubt for the validity of those parameters. Thus, the objective of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the validity of design parameter of each code on the experimental seismic ductility for about 80 test specimens. It was concluded from this study that the axial force ratio is a dominant factor for the seismic displacement ductility. Therefore, it Is desirable that the axial force ratio be further taken into account in the corresponding seismic design formula of RC bridge pier in current KHBDS.

Empirical Prediction for the Compressive Strength and Strain of Concrete Confined with FRP Wrap

Previous researches showed that confined concrete with Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) sheets significantly improves the strength and ductility of concrete compared with unconfined concrete. However, the retrofit design of concrete with FRP materials requires an accurate estimate of the performance enhancement due to the confinement mechanism. The object of this research is to predict the compressive strength and strain of concrete confined with FRP wraps. For the purpose of this research, 102 test specimens were fabricated and loaded statically under uniaxial compression. Axial load, axial and lateral strains were investigated to predict the ultimate stress and strain. Also, to achieve reliability of proposed strength and strain models for FRP-confined concrete, another series of uniaxial compression test results were used. This paper presents strength and strain models for FRP-confined concrete. The proposed models to estimate the ultimate stresses and failure strains produce satisfactory predictions as compared to current design equations. In conclusion, it is proposed that the modified stress-strain model of concrete cylinders could be effectively used for the repair and retrofit of concrete columns.

Flexure-Shear Behavior of Circular Bridge Columns under Cyclic Lateral Loads

The purpose of this research is to investigate the flexure-shear behavior of bridge columns under seismic loads. Four full scale circular reinforced concrete columns were tested under cyclic lateral load with constant axial load. The selected test variables are aspect ratio(1.825, 2.5, 4.0), transverse steel configuration, and longitudinal steel ratio. Volumetric ratio of transverse hoop of all the columns is 0.0023 in the plastic hinge region. It corresponds to of the minimum requirement of confining steel by Korean Bridge Design Specifications, which represent existing columns not designed by the current seismic design specifications or designed by limited ductility concept. The columns showed flexural failure or flexure-shear failure depending on the test variables. Failure behavior and seismic performance are investigated and discussed in this paper.