Tunnels, culverts, and subway stations are the main parts of an integrated infrastructure system. Most of them are constructed by the cut-and-cover method at shallow depths (mainly lower than 30 m) of soil deposits, where large-scale seismic ground deformation can occur with lower stiffness and strength of the soil. Therefore, the transverse racking deformation (one of the major seismic ground deformation) due to soil shear deformations should be included in the seismic design of underground structures using cost- and time-efficient methods that can achieve robustness of design and are easily understood by engineers. This paper aims to develop a simplified but comprehensive approach relating to vulnerability assessment in the form of fragility curves on a shallow two-story reinforced concrete underground box structure constructed in a highly-weathered soil. In addition, a comparison of the results of earthquakes per peak ground acceleration (PGA) is conducted to determine the effective and appropriate number for cost- and time-benefit analysis. The ground response acceleration method for buried structures (GRAMBS) is used to analyze the behavior of the structure subjected to transverse seismic loading under quasi-static conditions. Furthermore, the damage states that indicate the exceedance level of the structural strength capacity are described by the results of nonlinear static analyses (or so-called pushover analyses). The Latin hypercube sampling technique is employed to consider the uncertainties associated with the material properties and concrete cover owing to the variation in construction conditions. Finally, a large number of artificial ground shakings satisfying the design spectrum are generated in order to develop the seismic fragility curves based on the defined damage states. It is worth noting that the number of ground motions per PGA, which is equal to or larger than 20, is a reasonable value to perform a structural analysis that produces satisfactory fragility curves.

In this study, a time-dependent corrosion depth estimation method using atmospheric corrosion monitor (ACM) sensor data to evaluate time-dependent corrosion behaviors is proposed. For the time-dependent corrosion depth estimation of uncoated carbon steel and weathering steel, acceleration corrosion tests were conducted in salt-spray corrosion environments and evaluated with a corrosion damage estimation method using ACM sensing data and corrosion loss data of the tested steel specimens. To estimate the time-dependent corrosion depth using corrosion current by an ACM sensor, the relationship between the mean corrosion depth calculated from the weight loss method and the corrosion current was evaluated. The mean corrosion depth was estimated by calculating the corrosion current and evaluating the relationship between the mean corrosion depth and corrosion current during the expected period. From the test and estimation results, the corrosion current demonstrated a good linear correlation with the mean corrosion depth of carbon steel and weathering. The calculated mean corrosion depth is nearly the same as that of the tested specimen, which can be well used to estimate corrosion rate for the uncoated carbon steel and weathering steel.

Ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes are important pieces of equipment in container terminals for container handling, so they need to be properly designed to avoid damage or collapse due to natural hazards (i.e., storms or earthquakes). However, the dynamic analyses necessary for this can be cost- and time-consuming because of the need to consider the time history of ground motions and several sources of uncertainty. Thus, sensitivity analysis on the input parameters to the responses of the structures is needed to categorize which sources of uncertainty are significant enough to be considered as random variables. In this study, an investigation is carried out into the sensitivity of some sources of uncertainty to the seismic response of a Korean container crane structure. The input random variables studied include ground motion intensity, ground motion profiles, mass, damping, and elastic modulus of steel. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are conducted using a set of 20 natural ground motions scaled to three ground motion intensity levels, in compliance with the Korean Design Standard. The method of deterministic sensitivity analysis using the so-called tornado diagram is applied for the evaluation of structural systems. For the studied type of Korean container crane, it can be stated that the intensity of ground motions (i.e., spectral acceleration) is the most significant input parameter on the response of the structure, as measured in terms of portal drift, vertical reaction of the crane’s legs, and total base shear. The next most significant influencing factors are the mass of the structure and the characteristics of every ground motion. Damping plays a relatively important role on the total base shear, while it shows almost no impact on the axial reaction of the crane’s legs. Of the three engineering design parameters (portal drift, vertical reaction, and total base shear), the elastic modulus exhibits a low effect, but it should be considered a source of uncertainty in seismic analysis.

In recent years, several large earthquakes have caused the collapse of container cranes, which have resulted in halting of freighting, and significantly affected the economy. Some reports are concerned the uplift and derailment events of crane legs, and the collapse of the crane itself. In this study, the effects of different boundary conditions used in the numerical method are investigated for a container crane under seismic excitation. Three different boundary conditions are considered in terms of the connection of the crane’s legs (wheels) and the ground (rails), namely pin support (PIN), gap element (GAP), and Friction contact (FC) elements, by using the SAP2000 program for a typical container crane. Then, time history dynamic analyses are conducted using nine recorded ground motions. Dynamic behaviors of the container crane are studied in terms of the total base shear, portal drift, and relative displacement of legs, by investigating the three types of base boundary conditions. The results of the study show that when the intensity of earthquakes is large enough to create uplift and derailment events, the selection of the boundary condition model considerably affects the dynamic responses of the container crane. In addition, when uplift and derailment of the crane occur, the FC support condition is the most compatible with the real behavior of the crane. On the other hand, under low seismic excitation, there is no significant difference of the crane behavior according to the choice of boundary condition model.

Local corrosion damage of steel structures can occur due to damage to the paint-coated surface of structures. Such damage can affect the structural behavior and performance of steel structures. Compressive loading tests were, thus, carried out in this study to examine the effect of local corrosion damage on the structural behavior and strength of tubular members. Artificial cross-sectional damage on the surface of the tubular members was introduced to reflect the actual corroded damage under exposure to a corrosion environment. The compressive failure modes and compressive strengths of the tubular members were compared according to the localized cross-sectional damage. The compressive loading test results showed that the compressive strengths were affected by the damaged width within a certain range. In addition, finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted with various parameters to determine the effects of the damage on the failure mode and compressive strength of the stub column. From the FEA results, the compressive strength was decreased proportionally with the equivalent cross-sectional area ratio and damaged volume ratio.