• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2017

In this study, cyclic loading analysis was conducted in order to understand the behavior of self-centering connections based on the number of PT(posttensioning) strands and initial posttensioning force. The initial posttensioning force needs to be above the yield moment of an angle for obtaining noticeable self-centering effect and it is proper that decompression moment ratio needs to be below 0.35 to minimize the residual displacement of major elements. As the number of PT strands increased, self-centering capacity also improved since initial posttensiong force in each PT strand has been decreased. It is also appropriate that initial posttensiong force needs to be less than or equal to 75% of yield strength of PT strands.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.523-537
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• 2023

This paper proposed a new self-centering brace (SCB), which consists of four post-tensioned (PT) high strength steel strands and energy absorbing steel plate (EASP) clusters. First, analytical equations were derived to describe the working principle of the SCB. Then, to investigate the hysteretic performance of the SCB, four full-size specimens were manufactured and subjected to the same cyclic loading protocol. One additional specimen using only EASP clusters was also tested to highlight the contribution of PT strands. The test parameters varied in the testing process included the thickness of the EASP and the number of EASP in each cluster. Testing results shown that the SCB exhibited nearly flag-shape hysteresis up to expectation, including excellent recentering capability and satisfactory energy dissipating capacity. For all the specimens, the ratio of the recovered deformation is in the range of 89.6% to 92.1%, and the ratio of the height of the hysteresis loop to the yielding force is in the range of 0.47 to 0.77. Finally, in order to further understand the mechanism of the SCB and provide additional information to the testing results, the high-fidelity finite element (FE) models were established and the numerical results were compared against the experimental data. Good agreement between the experimental, numerical, and analytical results was observed, and the maximum difference is less than 12%. Parametric analysis was also carried out based on the validated FE model to evaluate the effect of some key parameters on the cyclic behavior of the SCB.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2012

Recently, investigated failures of external post-tensioned (PT) tendons have called attention to the corrosion of strands in PT bridges, and the prevention of ongoing corrosion is required to secure their structural integrity. Since voids inside ducts can be a source for the ingress of water or deleterious chemicals, the vacuum grouting (VG) method and a volumeter for estimating amount of repair grouts were employed to fill voided ducts. However, the VG method is expensive and time-consuming for infield application because it requires an air-tight condition of entire ducts. Thus, latest research assessed three different repair grouting methods, and the pressure vacuum grouting (PVG) method was recommended in the field because it showed good filling capability in voided ducts and did not require an air-tight condition. Thus, a new method is required to estimate the volume of repair grouts because the PVG method is not applied in air-tight ducts. This research assesses the relationship between voided areas on ducts identified with soundings and required grout volume for repair using experimental results. The results show that the proposed equations and assumptions for estimating repair grout volume provide a sufficient amount of repair grouts for filling voided ducts.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.151-164
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• 2023

The latest earthquake's costly repairs and economic disruption were brought on by excessive residual drift. Self-centering systems are one of the most efficient ways in the current generation of seismic resistance system to get rid of and reduce residual drift. The mechanics and behavior of the self-centering system in response to seismic forces were impacted by a number of important factors. The amount of post-tensioning (PT) force, which is often employed for the standing posture after an earthquake, is the first important component. The energy dissipater element is another one that has a significant impact on how the self-centering system behaves. Using the damper as a replaceable and affordable tool and fuse in self-centering frames has been recommended to boost energy absorption and dampening of structural systems during earthquakes. In this research, the self-centering steel moment frame connections are equipped with cushion flexural dampers (CFDs) as an energy dissipator system to increase energy absorption, post-yielding stiffness, and ease replacement after an earthquake. Also, it has been carefully considered how to reduce permanent deformations in the self-centering steel moment frames exposed to seismic loads while maintaining adequate stiffness, strength, and ductility. After confirming the FE model's findings with an earlier experimental PT connection, the behavior of the self-centering connection using CFD has been surveyed in this study. The FE modeling takes into account strands preloading as well as geometric and material nonlinearities. In addition to contact and sliding phenomena, gap opening and closing actions are included in the models. According to the findings, self-centering moment-resisting frames (SF-MRF) combined with CFD enhance post-yielding stiffness and energy absorption with the least amount of permeant deformation in a certain CFD thickness. The obtained findings demonstrate that the effective energy dissipation ratio (β), is increased to 0.25% while also lowering the residual drift to less than 0.5%. Also, this enhancement in the self-centering connection with CFD's seismic performance was attained with a respectable moment capacity to beam plastic moment capacity ratio.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1277-1297
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• 2015

Post-tensioned precast segmental bridge columns have shown high level of strength and ductility, and low residual displacement, which makes them suffer minor damage after earthquake loading; however, there is still lack of confidence on their lateral response against severe seismic loading due in part to their low energy dissipation capacity. This study investigates the influence of major design factors such as post-tensioning force level, strands position, columns aspect ratio, steel jacket and mild steel ratio on seismic performance of self-centring segmental bridge columns in terms of lateral strength, residual displacement and lateral peak displacement. Seismic analyses show that increasing the continuous mild steel ratio improves the lateral peak displacement of the self-centring columns at different levels of post-tensioning (PT) forces. Such an increase in steel ratio reduces the residual drift in segmental columns with higher aspect ratio more considerably. Suggestions are proposed for the design of self-centring segmental columns with various aspect ratios at different target drifts.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 2017

This research was planned to evaluate the structural performance of post tensioned(PT) concrete member subjected to fire. Prime objective was to suggest some techniques to evaluate the performance of post tensioned concrete beam and slab exposed to high temperature through experiment. To accomplish this objective, the following two scopes have been proceeded to verify the strength reducing ratio of strands and find out the difference of resisting force at the PT concrete members exposed to high temperature through the fire test. The properties of prestressing steel(tendon) in PT concrete beam and slab under variable temperatures were reviewed. The test of this study was shown that stress relaxation occurred at high temperature, and some restoration of tensional force appeared as it got cooling down. The residual tension of the post tensioned beams at 4 hours after reaching the target temperature were 70% at $400^{\circ}C$, 10% at $600^{\circ}C$ and 2% at $800^{\circ}C$. The post tensioned slabs were 94% at $400^{\circ}C$, 84.5% at $600^{\circ}C$ and 62% at $800^{\circ}C$. The reason why the residual tension loss of the post tensioned slab was relatively small was considered to be that the slab was exposed just one side to high temperature and the strength of the strand was restored larger than that of beam. Also, it was confirmed that the post tensioned member inevitably experienced the loss of strength by fire damage, and restoration design of the member should be required to compensate for the value as much as lost strength.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.415-433
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• 2015

Tendon failures in bonded post-tensioned bridges over the last two decades have motivated ongoing investigations on various aspects of unbonded tendons and their monitoring methods. Recent research shows that change of strain distribution in anchor heads can be useful in detecting wire breakage in unbonded construction. Based on this strain variation, this paper develops a damage detection model that enables an automated tendon monitoring system to identify and locate wire breaks. The first part of this paper presents an experimental program conducted to study the strain variation in anchor heads by generating wire breaks using a mechanical device. The program comprised three sets of tests with fully populated 19-strand anchor head and evaluated the levels of strain variation with number of wire breaks in different strands. The sensitivity of strain variation with wire breaks in circumferential and radial directions of anchor head in addition to the axial direction (parallel to the strand) were investigated and the measured axial strains were found to be the most sensitive. The second part of the paper focuses on formulating the wire breakage detection framework. A finite element model of the anchorage assembly was created to demonstrate the algorithm as well as to investigate the asymmetric strain distribution observed in experimental results. In addition, as almost inevitably encountered during tendon stressing, the effects of differential wedge seating on the proposed model have been analyzed. A sensitivity analysis has been performed at the end to assess the robustness of the model with random measurement errors.