• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.97-110
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• 2011

In this paper, FEM procedure is applied to the static and dynamic analyses of R/C structures. Simple R/C shell structure is solved by using FEM procedures and the experimental evaluations are performed to represent the applicability of FEM procedure to R/C structures. Also, R/C columns are analyzed numerically and experimentally. On the basis of these results, FEM procedures are applied to the R/C cooling tower structures assembled by huge R/C shell structure and a lot of discrete R/C columns. In this analysis, the parallel computing procedures are introduced into these analyses to reduce the computational effort. The dynamic performances of R/C cooling tower are also solved by the application of parallel computations as well. From the numerical analyses, the conventional FEM procedures combined with computational technologies enables us to design the huge R/C structures statically and dynamically.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2011

A theoretical model known as the modified rotating-angle softened-truss model (MRA-STM), which is a modification of Rotating-Angle Softened-Truss Model and Modified Compression Field Theory, is presented for the analysis of reinforced concrete membranes in shear. As an application, shear strength and behaviour of reinforced concrete exterior beam-column joints are analysed using the MRA-STM combining with the deep beam analogy. The joints are considered as RC panels and subjected to vertical and horizontal shear stresses from adjacent columns and beams. The strut and truss actions in a beam-column joint are represented by the effective transverse compression stresses and a softened concrete truss in the proposed model. The theoretical predictions of shear strength of reinforced concrete exterior beam-column joints from the proposed model show good agreement with the experimental results.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 2008

A Boost Power Factor Correction (PFC) Converter employing Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) based Compound Active Clamping (CAC) technique is presented in this paper. An Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) Filer is connected at the line side of the proposed converter to suppress Electro Magnetic Interference. The proposed converter can effectively reduce the losses caused by diode reverse recovery. Both the main switch and the auxiliary switch can achieve soft switching i.e. ZVS under certain condition. The parasitic oscillation caused by the parasitic capacitance of the boost diode is eliminated. The voltage on the main switch, the auxiliary switch and the boost diode are clamped. The principle of operation, design and simulation results are presented here. A prototype of the proposed converter is built and tested for low input voltage i.e. 15V AC supply and the experimental results are obtained. The power factor at the line side of the converter and the converter efficiency are improved using the proposed technique.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.147-164
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• 2005

This paper summarizes an experimental study on the seismic behavior of lower stories of a mid-rise reinforced concrete frame building. Two reinforced concrete frames with two stories and one span were tested and each frame represents lower two stories of an 11-story RC frame building. Both frames were designed in accordance with Japanese design guidelines and were identical except in the variation of axial force. The tests demonstrated that the overall load-displacement relations of the two frames were nearly the same and the first-story column shear was closely related to the column axial load. The columns and beams elongated during both of the tests, with the second-floor beam elongation exceeding 1.5% of the beam clear span length. The frame with higher axial loads developed more cracks that the frame under moderate axial load.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.417-432
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• 2004

An analytical model which can simulate the post-cracking nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) members such as bars and panels subject to uniaxial and biaxial stresses is presented. The proposed model includes the description of biaxial failure criteria and the average stress-strain relation of reinforcing steel. Based on strain distribution functions of steel and concrete after cracking, a criterion to consider the tension-stiffening effect is proposed using the concept of average stresses and strains. The validity of the introduced model is established by comparing the analytical predictions for reinforced concrete uniaxial tension members with results from experimental studies. In advance, correlation studies between analytical results and experimental data are also extended to RC panels subject to biaxial tensile stresses to verify the efficiency of the proposed model and to identify the significance of various effects on the response of biaxially loaded reinforced concrete panels.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.433-455
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• 2004

The paper presents results of FE-calculations on shear localizations in quasi-brittle materials during both an uniaxial plane strain compression and uniaxial plane strain extension. An elasto-plastic model with a linear Drucker-Prager type criterion using isotropic hardening and softening and non-associated flow rule was used. A non-local extension was applied in a softening regime to capture realistically shear localization and to obtain a well-posed boundary value problem. A characteristic length was incorporated via a weighting function. Attention was focused on the effect of mesh size, mesh alignment, non-local parameter and imperfections on the thickness and inclination of shear localization. Different methods to calculate plastic strain rates were carefully discussed.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.401-416
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• 2004

This paper presents investigation of a three-dimensional (3-D) nonlinear finite element model analysis to examine the behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites to enhance the flexural capacity and ductility of the beams. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models were developed between the internal reinforcement and concrete using a smeared relationship. In addition, bond models between the concrete surface and CFRP composite were developed using a smeared bond for general analyses and a contact bond for sensitivity analyses. The results of the FEA were compared with the experimental data on full-scale members. The results of two finite-element bonding models showed good agreement with those of the experimental tests.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.355-369
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• 2004

This paper presents a study of four finite element techniques that can be used to model slabon-beam highway bridges. The feasibility and correctness of each modeling technique are examined by applying them to a prestressed concrete I-beam bridge and a prestressed concrete box-beam bridge. Other issues related to bridge modeling such as torsional constant, support conditions, and quality control check are studied in detail and discussed in the paper. It is found that, under truck loading, the bending stress distribution in a beam section depends on the modeling technique being utilized. It is observed that the behavior of the bridge superstructure can be better represented when accounting for composite behavior between the supporting beams and slab.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.371-388
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• 2004

Our objective is to model static multi-cracking processes in concrete. The explicit dynamic relaxation (DR) method, which gives the solutions of non-linear static problems on the basis of the steady-state conditions of a critically damped explicit transient solution, is chosen to deal with the high geometric and material non-linearities stemming from such a complex fracture problem. One of the common difficulties of the DR method is its slow convergence rate when non-monotonic spectral response is involved. A modified concept that is distinct from the standard DR method is introduced to tackle this problem. The methodology is validated against the stable three point bending test on notched concrete beams of different sizes. The simulations accurately predict the experimental load-displacement curves. The size effect is caught naturally as a result of the calculation. Micro-cracking and non-uniform crack propagation across the fracture surface also come out directly from the 3D simulations.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.249-260
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• 2004

The stress transmission mechanism in pretensioned concrete beams, though very interesting from an economical point of view, is very complex, integrating various phenomenons such as sliding, bond, bursting. For long the complexity of this mechanism has led engineers to provide a massive rectangular anchorage zone at each end of the beam. The necessity of using such a concrete reinforcement is certainly unquestionable in post-tensioned beams. However in pretensioned elements the stresses induced in concrete in the anchorage zone are smaller than in post-tensioned elements. In this article the stress field in the end zone is calculated numerically and from this analysis the possible reduction of the cross-section of the anchorage block is examined.