Jin-Hwan Cheung

Pounding Characteristics of a Bridge Superstructure on Rubber Bearings

Seismic structure pounding between adjacent superstructures may induce the destruction of pier and bridge superstructures and cause local damage that leads to the collapse of the whole bridge system. The pounding problem is related to the expansion of joints, gap distance and seismic response of the abutments. In this research, methods of the contact element approach, the linear spring model, the Kelvin-Voigt model and the Hertz model were studied to analyse the pounding characteristics. The shaking table test for a model specimen such as a bridge superstructure with elastomeric bearings was performed to evaluate the contact element approach methods. Relationships between the time history response from the numerical analysis results and the measured response from the shaking table test are compared. The experimental results were not well matched with the numerical analysis results using the existing pounding stiffness models. Therefore, in this study, coefficients are proposed to calculate the appropriate pounding stiffness ratio.

Seismic Capacity Test of Nuclear Piping System using Multi-platform Shake Table

In this study, dynamic characteristics and seismic capacity of the nuclear power plant piping system are evaluated by model test results using multi-platform shake table. The model is 21.2 m long and consists of straight pipes, elbows, and reducers. The stainless steel pipe diameters are 60.3 mm (2 in.) and 88.9 mm (3 in.) and the system was assembled in accordance with ASME code criteria. The dynamic characteristics such as natural frequency, damping and acceleration responses of the piping system were estimated using the measured acceleration, displacement and strain data. The natural frequencies of the specimen were not changed significantly before and after the testing and the failure and leakage of the piping system was not observed until the final excitation. The damping ratio was estimated in the range of 3.13 ~ 4.98 % and it is found that the allowable stress(345 MPa) according to ASME criteria is 2.5 times larger than the measured maximum stress (138 MPa) of the piping system even under the maximum excitation level of this test.

Multi-support excitation shaking table test of a base-isolated steel cable-stayed bridge

A series of tests was conducted for full-scale single-pylon asymmetric cable-stayed bridges using a system of multiple shaking tables. The 2-span bridge length was 28 m, and the pylon height was 10.2 m. 4 different base conditions were considered: the fixed condition, RB (rubber bearings), LRB (lead rubber bearings), and HDRB (high damping rubber bearings). Based on investigation of the seismic response, the accelerations and displacements in the axial direction of the isolated bridge were increased compared to non-isolated case. However, the strain of the pylon was decreased, because the major mode of the structure was changed to translation for the axial direction due to the dynamic mass. The response of the cable bridge could differ from the desired response according to the locations and characteristics of the seismic isolator. Therefore, caution is required in the design and prediction in regard to the location and behavior of the seismic isolator.

Seismic Performance Evaluation of Externally Reinforced Panel Water Tank Using Shaking Table Tests

In this study, an externally reinforced structural system for SMC(Sheet Molding Compound) panel water tank, designed according to the Japanese design code, is experimented to evaluate its seismic performance. The test tank is 3m long, 2m wide and 3m high, considering the capacity and size of the shaking table. The measured hydrodynamic pressures are found to be approximately 70% of the Japanese design code values. It may be partially due to the convex shape effect of the unit panels. The analytical results of externally reinforced system based on the measured dynamic water pressures are found in good agreement with the test results. If the design hydrodynamic pressures are estimated properly, the proposed analytical model for the externally reinforced water tank becomes a useful design tool and the Japanese design code is found to provide a safe design for the external frames of SMC panel water tank.

The Vibration Comfort Evaluation of the Shaking Table Mass Foundation

When designing building structures, dynamic serviceability is one of the most important items. Much research is being carried out on machine vibrations that affect inside residents and expensive equipment in the building structure. The vibration effect generally depends on the mass ratio, and an adequate mass ratio is determined by comparison with the serviceability limit according to the criteria. This study investigates the evaluation of vibration serviceability by using ISO 2631 to confirm the propriety of adequate mass ratios and it is verified that the application of a complicated FE model to model the real large shaking table facility with the mathematical model simulated as a SDOF system. The weighted RMS value is then compared with the comfort limit given by ISO 2631. As a result, the analysis of the numerical model is consistent with analysis of the FE model. Moreover, it is found that the adequate mass ratio of the concrete foundation and shake table, considering the self-weight of the real facility, should be less than 0.013. It is also confirm that the sample facility is satisfies the requirement of an adequate mass ratio.