The equivalent static load for non-structural elements has a limitation in that the sloshing effect and the interaction between the fluid and the water tank cannot be considered. In this study, the equations to evaluate the impulse and convective components in the design codes and previous research were compared with the shaking table test results of a rectangular water tank with flexible wall panels. The conclusions of this study can be summarized as follows: (1) It was observed that the natural periods of the impulsive component according to ACI 350.3 were longer than system identification results. Thus, ACI 350.3 may underestimate the earthquake load in the case of water tanks with flexible walls. (2) In the case of water tanks with flexible walls, the side walls deform due to bending of the front and back walls. When such three-dimensional fluid-structure interaction was included, the natural period of the impulsive component became similar to the experimental results. (3) When a detailed finite element (FE) model of the water tank was unavailable, the assumption   could be used, resulting in a reasonably conservative design earthquake load.

The 2017 Pohang earthquake caused severe damage to low-rise piloti buildings. The damage was caused mainly by column shear failure, and some core walls were as well. The damaged piloti buildings in Pohang City could be relieved if they were designed correctly according to the standards at that time. However, the post-earthquake investigation revealed design, construction, and permission problems. To solve the problems, the Piloti Building Structure Design Guidelines that include strict specifications were published in 2018. Separately, KDS 41 17 00, the seismic design standard for buildings, was enacted in 2019 and it included the guideline contents. Therefore, at least after the publication of the guidelines, piloti buildings, designed by the standard and guidelines, can be expected to possess better seismic performance than existing piloti buildings. To confirm this, the probability of exceedance for several damage state thresholds was estimated for existing and designed piloti buildings. As a result, the probability of damage of designed piloti buildings was very low compared to existing ones. Consequently, it was confirmed that the guideline and standard adequately supplement the structural fragility of existing piloti buildings.

Seismic designs for Korean nuclear power plants (NPPs) under earthquakes’ design basis are noticed due to the recent earthquake events in Korea and Japan. Japan has developed the technologies and experiences of the NPPs through theoretical research and experimental verification with extensively accumulated measurement data. This paper describes the main features of the design-time history complying with the Japanese seismic design standard. Proper seed motions in the earthquake catalog are used to generate one set of design time histories. A magnitude and epicentral distance specify the amplitude envelope function configuring the shape of the earthquake. Cumulative velocity response spectral values of the design time histories are compared and checked to the target response spectra. Spectral accelerations of the time histories and the multiple-damping target response spectra are also checked to exceed. The generated design time histories are input to the reactor building seismic analyses with fixed-base boundary conditions to calculate the seismic responses. Another set of design time histories is generated to comply with Korean seismic design procedures for NPPs and used for seismic input motions to the same reactor containment building seismic analyses. The responses at the dome apex of the building are compared and analyzed. The generated design time histories will be also applied to subsequent seismic analyses of other Korean standard NPP structures.

The design response spectrum presented in the seismic design standard reflects the characteristics of the tectonic environment at a site. However, since the design response spectrum does not represent the ground motion with a specific earthquake magnitude or distance, input ground motions for response history analysis need to be selected reasonably. It is appropriate to use observed ground motions recorded in Korea for the seismic design. However, recently recorded ground motions in the Gyeongju (2016) or Pohang (2017) earthquakes are not compatible with the design response spectrum. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the recorded ground motion in Korea to a model similar to the design response spectrum. In this study, several approaches to adjust the spectral acceleration level at each period range were tested. These are the intrinsic and scattering attenuation considering the earthquake environment, magnitude, distance change by the green function method, and a rupture propagation direction's directivity effect. Using these variables, the amplification ratio for the representative natural period was regressed. Finally, the optimum condition compatible with the design response spectrum was suggested, and the validation was performed by converting the recorded ground motion.

In the event of an earthquake, non-structural components require seismic performance to ensure evacuation routes and to protect lives from falling non-structural components. Accordingly, the seismic design code proposes horizontal force for the design and evaluation of non-structural components. Ground motion observed on each floor is affected by a building's eigen vibration mode. Therefore, the earthquake damage of non-structural components is determined by the characteristics of the non-structural component system and the vibration characteristics of the building. Floor response spectra in the seismic design code are estimated through time history analysis using seismic waves. However, it is difficult to use floor response spectra as a design criterion because of user-specific uncertainties of time history analysis. In addition, considering the response characteristics of high-rise buildings to long-period ground motions, the safety factor of the proposed horizontal force may be low. Therefore, this study carried out the horizontal force review proposed in the seismic design code through dynamic analysis and evaluated the floor response of seismic waves considering buildings and predominant periods of seismic waves.

In a previous paper, ambient vibration tests were conducted on a cable stayed bridge with resilient-friction base isolation systems (R-FBI) to extract the dynamic characteristics of the bridge and compare the results with a seismic analysis model. In this paper, a nonlinear seismic analysis model was established for analysis of the bridge to compare the difference in seismic responses between nonlinear time history analysis and multi-mode spectral analysis methods in the seismic design phase of cable supported bridges. Through these studies, it was confirmed that the seismic design procedures of the “Korean Highway Bridge Design Code (Limit State Design) for Cable Supported Bridges” is not suitable for cable supported bridges installed with R-FBI. Therefore, to reflect the actual dynamic characteristics of the R-FBI installed on cable-supported bridges, an improved seismic design procedure is proposed that applies the seismic analysis method differently depending on the seismic isolation effect of the R-FBI for each seismic performance level.

In this study, a field bridge test was conducted to find the dynamic properties of cable supported bridges with resilient-friction base isolation systems (R-FBI). Various ambient vibration tests were performed to estimate dynamic properties of a test bridge using trucks in a non-transportation state before opening of the bridge and by ordinary traffic loadings about one year later after opening of the bridge. The dynamic properties found from the results of the tests were compared with an analysis model. From the result of the ambient vibration tests of the cable supported bridge with R-FBI, it was confirmed that the dynamic properties were sensitive to the stiffness of the R-FBI in the bridge, and the seismic analysis model of the test bridge using the effective stiffness of the R-FBI was insufficient for reflecting the dynamic behavior of the bridge. In the case of cable supported bridges, the seismic design must follow the “Korean Highway Bridge Design Code (Limit State Design) for Cable supported bridges.” Therefore, in order to reflect the actual behavior characteristics of the R-FBI installed on cable-supported bridges, an improved seismic design procedure should be proposed.

Several water tanks installed in the building were damaged during the Gyeongju earthquake (2016) and the Pohang earthquake (2017). Since a water tank for fire protection is very important component, seismic safety should be ensured. In this study, an interaction between a water tank and a building was studied by the dynamic analysis of the RC building with the water tank. In case the water tank was installed on the roof of the RC building, it was confirmed that it did not significantly affect the response of the building. Based on the result, dynamic response characteristics of the water tank in the building were studied using two SDOF models represented dynamic behavior of the water tanks under earthquake. An earthquake time-history analysis was carried out with variables of aspect ratio of the tank, story of the building, and installed location in the building using three kinds of earthquakes.

Seismic performance of ordinary reinforced concrete shear wall systems commonly used in high-rise residential buildings is evaluated. Three types of shear walls exceeding 60m in height are designed by performance-based seismic design. Then, incremental dynamic analysis is performed collapse probability is assessed in accordance with the procedure of FEMA P695. As a result, story drift, plastic rotation, and compressive strain are observed to be major failure modes, but shear failure occur little. Collapse probability and collapse margin ratio of performance groups do not meet requirement of FEMA P695. It is observed that critical wall elements fail due to excessive compressive strain. Therefore, the compressive strain of concrete at the boundary area of the shear wall needs to be evaluated with more conservative acceptance criteria.

The site coefficients in the common requirements for seismic design codes, which were promulgated in 2017, were reevaluated and the standard design spectrum for soil sites were newly proposed in order to ensure the consistency of the standard design spectra for rock and soil sites specified in the common requirements. Using the 55 ground motions from domestic and overseas intraplate earthquakes, which were used to derive the standard design spectrum for rock sites, as rock outcropping motions, site response analyses of Korean soil were performed and its ground-motion-amplification was characterized. Then, the site coefficients for soil sites were reevaluated. Compared with the existing site coefficients, the newly proposed short-period site coefficient Fa increased and the long-period site coefficient Fv decreased overall. A new standard design spectrum for soil sites was proposed using the reevaluated site coefficients. When compared with the existing design spectrum, it could be seen that the proposed site coefficients and the standard design spectrum for soil sites were reasonably derived. They reflected the short-period characteristics of earthquake and soil in Korea.

On November 15, 2017, Pohang earthquake occurred. Its local magnitude was announced to be ML=5.4 by Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Ground motion data recorded at KMA stations were obtained from their data bases. From the data, horizontal and vertical response spectra, and V/H ratio were calculated. The horizontal spectra were defined as GMRotI50 spectra. From the statistical analysis of the GMRotI50 spectra, a mean plus one standard deviation spectrum in lognormal distribution is obtained. Regression analysis is performed on this curve to determine the shape of spectrum including transition periods. Applying the same procedure, the shape and transition periods of vertical spectrum were obtained. These results were compared with the Korean standard design spectra, which were developed from domestic and overseas intra-plate earthquake records, and Gyeongju earthquake response spectra. The response spectra of Pohang earthquake were found to be almost identical with the newly proposed design spectra. Even the V/H ratios showed good agreement. These results confirmed that the method adopted when developing the standard design spectra were valid and the developed design spectra were reliable.

On September 12, 2016, Gyeongju earthquake occurred. Its local magnitude was announced to be ML=5.8 by Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Ground motion data recorded at KMA, EMC and KERC stations was obtained from their data bases. From the data, horizontal and vertical response spectra, and V/H ratio were calculated. The horizontal spectrum was defined as geometric mean spectrum, GMRotI50. From the statistical analysis of the geometric mean spectra, a mean plus one standard deviation spectrum in lognormal distribution is obtained. Regression analysis is performed on this curve to determine the shape of spectrum including transition periods. Applying the same procedure, the shape and transition periods of vertical spectrum was obtained. These results were compared with the Korean standard design spectra, which were developed from domestic and overseas intraplate earthquake records. The response spectra of Gyeongju earthquake were found to be almost identical with the newly proposed design spectra. Even the V/H ratios showed good agreement. These results confirmed that the method adopted when developing the standard design spectra were valid and the developed design spectra were reliable.

Current seismic design provisions such as ASCE 7-10 provide criteria for selecting ground motions for conducting response history analysis. This study is the sequel of a companion paper (I – Ground Motion Selection) for assessment of the ASCE 7-10 criteria. To assess of the ASCE 7-10 criteria, nonlinear response history analyses of twelve single degree of freedom (SDF) systems and one multi-degree of freedom (MDF) system are conducted in this study. The results show that the target seismic demands for SDF can be predicted using the mean seismic demands over seven and ten ground motions selected according to the proposed method within an error of 30% and 20%, respectively

In this study, to estimate the combination of earthquake magnitude (Mw) and distance (R) corresponding to the design spectrum defined in Korean Building Code (KBC) 2016, the response spectra predicted from the attenuation relationships with the variation of Mw (5.0~7.0) and R (10~30km) are compared with the design spectrum in KBC 2016. Four attenuation relationships, which were developed based on local site characteristics and seismological parameters in Southern Korea and Eastern North America (ENA), are used. As a result, the scenario ground motions represented by the combinations of Mw and R corresponding to the design spectrum for Seoul defined in KBC 2016 are estimated as (1) when R =10 km, Mw = 6.2~6.7; (2) when R = 15 km, Mw = 6.5~6.9; and (3) when R = 20 km, Mw = 6.7~7.1.

After the Gyeong-ju 9.12 earthquake, we found the necessity of seismic design of nonstructural element is important to reduce damages in view of properties and economic losses. This study focused on the investigation of damages including both properties and human beings. It was found that most of the damages are leaking of water pipe line, rupture of glasses, spalling of roof finishing, cracks of building, and falling from roof. It was also found that the seismic design force of nonstructural elements is taking account into the natural periods, amplification factors, response modification factors to forsee inelastic behaviors. From this studies, it is recommended that more studies are necessary on the seismic design force of nonstructural element.

The vertical design spectrum for Korea, which is known to belong to an intra-plate region, is developed from the ground motion records of the earthquakes occurred in Korea and overseas intra-plate regions. From the statistical analysis of the vertical response spectra, a mean plus one standard deviation spectrum in lognormal distribution is obtained. Regression analysis is performed on this curve to determine the shape of spectrum including transition periods. The developed design spectrum is valid for the estimation both spectral acceleration and displacement. The ratio of vertical to horizontal response spectrum for each record is calculated. Statistical analysis of the ratios rendered the vertical to horizontal ratio (V/H ratio). Subsequently the ratio between the peak vertical ground acceleration to the horizontal one is obtained.

The design spectrum for Korea, which is known to belong to an intra-plate region, is developed from the ground motion records of the earthquakes occurred in Korea and overseas intra-plate regions. The horizontal spectrum is defined as geometric mean spectrum, GMRotI50. From the statistical analysis of the geometric mean spectra, a mean plus one standard deviation spectrum in lognormal distribution is obtained. Regression analysis is performed on this curve to determine the shape of spectrum including transition periods. The developed design spectrum is valid for the estimation both spectral acceleration and displacement.