Vol.40/No.2 (156) (2025)
Title | Statistical Study on the Relationship Between the Depth of Neutralization and the Age of Concrete in RC Buildings |
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Author | Chia-Chin Hsu, Wen-I Liao, Fu-Pei Hsiao |
Keywords | concrete, neutralization depth, age, compressive strength, durability |
Abstract | Neutralization of concrete is one of the main factors causing the aging of reinforced concrete (RC) structures and shortening their service life. Neutralization of concrete leads to the loss of functionality of the protective film on the reinforcement, which in turn causes corrosion of the reinforcement and a decrease in structural bearing capacity. Therefore, estimating the depth of concrete neutralization is an important research topic for the durability assessment of reinforced concrete structures. In this study, the material testing data by core sampling from 454 Taiwan RC school buildings were collected. By using relevant formulas used in Japan and Taiwan for predicting neutralization depth, regression analysis was carried out on the material test data base on those formula. Parameters such as concrete neutralization depth, region, concrete age, and concrete compressive strength were used to regressively analyze and derive a durability assessment model suitable for Taiwan’s environment and characteristics of concrete material. Corresponding formulas for neutralization depth and time-variable properties such as building age were obtained. The estimated concrete neutralization depth curve from this study can be used to evaluate the neutralization depth of RC structures during their service life, thereby determining whether neutralization depth affects the durability of the structures, and executing appropriate maintenance or repair and retrofit measure. |
Title | A Preliminary Exploration of the Traction-Based Deep Energy Method (tDEM) for Solving Elastic Body Problems |
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Author | Kuan-Chung Lin, Hung-Liang Wang, Kuo-Chou Wang |
Keywords | deep learning, PINNs, DEM, tDEM, engineering applications, accuracy |
Abstract | With the rapid advancement of deep learning technologies in addressing complex physical problems and engineering applications, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and deep energy method (DEM), as two primary deep learning approaches integrating physical knowledge, have emerged as hot topics in computational science and engineering research. PINNs enable efficient and accurate predictions under data-scarce conditions by embedding physical laws into the neural network training regimen. In contrast, DEM utilize deep learning frameworks to establish energy models of systems, adept at simulating complex physical processes such as material deformation and fracture. Despite the significant strides made by PINNs and DEM in simulating complex physical systems, challenges remain in the computational costs of model training and enhancing model generalizability. This study introduces a novel traction-based deep energy method (tDEM), considering the boundary effects of tractions, evolved from the mixed DEM (mDEM) and amalgamating the strengths of both PINNs and DEM. Whereas mDEM introduced constitutive behavior during training, incurring higher computational expenses, tDEM concentrates on traction boundary conditions, aiming to reduce computational overhead. Future research will delve into these issues to further augment model precision and application scope. This paper not only reviews the latest advancements and engineering applications of PINNs and DEM but also proposes improvements, discusses the main challenges faced, and envisages future directions. It aims to provide valuable insights for researchers in the field and to propel the innovative application of deep learning in solving physical problems. |
Title | Seismic Design, Testing and Analysis of CoverPlate Stiffened Steel Panel Damper |
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Author | Shun-Wei Hsu, Keh-Chyuan Tsai, An-Chien Wu |
Keywords | steel panel damper, capacity design, stiffener, cover plate, finite element model analysis |
Abstract | The three-segment steel shear panel damper (SPD) consists of an inelastic core (IC) that controls overall strength and could dissipate energy through large inelastic shear deformation. The two elastic joints (EJs) at the both ends of the SPD that remain elastic and provide lateral stiffness. Stiffeners are welded to the IC web to delay the shear buckling. This study employs hot-rolled, as opposed to built-up, sections to fabricate the SPD. This study proposes a cover-plate stiffened steel panel damper (CSPD). It involves cutting specific hot-rolled steel beam to obtain the doubler plates and cover plates, which are welded respectively to the web and the outer surfaces of the f lange at the both ends of the same hot-rolled steel beam. For example, with a section depth of 800mm, height of 2600mm, the same design shear force, and similar lateral stiffness, the proposed CSPD weighs only 87% of the conventional 3-segment SPD. This study intentionally uses SN490B steel for specimens to validate the design procedures for stiffeners in the IC. Test results, of two 2.60 m tall full-scale CSPD specimens using RH800 × 300 × 14 × 26 section with different IC height and stiffeners, confirm that the cover plates and doubler plates work as expected. This study confirms that the proposed CSPD design procedures can effectively estimate the IC shear deformational capacity, lateral stiffness and maximum shear strength of the CSPD. The proposed finite element model can accurately simulate the strength, stiffness, and hysteretic behavior of the CSPDs. This study tabulates the complete design results for CSPDs using American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) sections with typical heights and inter-story drift demands. Results of additional finite element model parametric studies confirm that different IC stiffener arrangements can achieve the targeted shear deformational capacities as predicted using the proposed design procedure. |
Title | Seismic Compactness and Risk Assessments of Circular Steel Bridge Piers |
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Author | Wen-Yu Xiao, Tung-Yu Wu, Chi-Rung Jiang, Yu-Chen Ou |
Keywords | single-column steel bridge piers, compactness requirements, finite element analysis, ductility capacity, risk analysis, near-fault ground motions |
Abstract | Bridge piers, which are ductile components of bridges, need to exhibit sufficient energy dissipation under earthquakes. However, there is little emphasis on the compactness requirements for steel bridge piers in Taiwan seismic design codes. Structural engineers can only refer to seismic design guidelines from other countries, but the difference in the seismic design concept makes them potentially inappropriate for Taiwan. To address this shortcoming, this study investigates single-column steel bridge piers with varied compactness and axial load levels. The ductility capacity of each pier is determined by quasi-static analysis and considered as the failure criteria in the subsequent risk assessment. Assuming located in the Taipei basin zone II, the seismic risk of steel bridge piers is evaluated using the failure probability during the 50-year lifespan and under the seismic scenario of the Shanchiao fault. Based on the results of ductility capacity and risk assessment, the seismic compactness requirements are proposed for single-column steel bridge piers. |
Title | Experimental Study of High-Mode Buckling Behavior of Flat Steel Core in a Buckling-Restrained Brace |
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Author | Chih-Wei Chang, Pao-Chun Lin, Bing-Cheng Wu |
Keywords | buckling-restrained brace, local bulging failure, high-mode buckling, cyclic loading test, all-steel restrainer |
Abstract | Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) featuring flat steel core plates can be susceptible to local bulging failures when the restrainer lacks the necessary stiffness and strength. These failures arise from outward forces generated by high-mode buckling waves within the steel core. However, the methods for evaluating these high-mode buckling waves and the associated outward forces have remained elusive. This study addresses this gap by conducting cyclic loading tests on five BRB specimens with all-steel restrainers. These tests allow for direct observation of high-mode buckling waves during loading. Among the specimens, three have core segment lengths of 300 mm, each with varying debonding layer thicknesses (0.6 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm). The remaining two specimens have approximately 900 mm core segments with a 2 mm thick debonding layer. All f ive specimens displayed stable hysteretic responses until the steel core fractured. Load cells were used to directly measure the outward forces induced by the steel core plate during testing. Strain gauges attached to the steel core surface provided insights into the distribution of strain variations at the high-mode buckling waves. The results indicate that adopting the tangent modulus theorem is a suitable method for estimating high-mode buckling wavelengths. Furthermore, this study establishes relationships between the outward forces and gap dimensions, including their growth over time. This research proposes a method to estimate outward forces, accounting for bending moments developed at the crests of high-mode buckling waves and considering restrainer stiffness. This method can serve as a valuable tool for assessing the risk of local bulging failure in BRBs. |