• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.805-822
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• 2019

In this work, a simple four-variable integral plate theory is employed for examining the thermal buckling properties of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates. The proposed kinematics considers integral terms which include the effect of transverse shear deformations. Material characteristics and thermal expansion coefficient of the ceramic-metal FGM sandwich plate faces are supposed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a "simple power-law" variation in terms of the "volume fractions" of the constituents. The central layer is always homogeneous and consists of an isotropic material. The thermal loads are supposed as uniform, linear, and nonlinear temperature rises within the thickness direction. The influences of geometric ratios, gradient index, loading type, and type sandwich plate on the buckling properties are examined and discussed in detail.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.865-875
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• 2019

The current article proposed to develop a geometrical model for the analysis and modelling of the uniaxial functionally graded structure using the higher-order displacement kinematics with and without the presence of porosity including the distribution. Additionally, the formulation is capable of modelling three different kinds of grading patterns i.e., Power-law, sigmoid and exponential distribution of the individual constituents through the thickness direction. Also, the model includes the distribution of porosity (even and uneven kind) through the panel thickness. The structural governing equation of the porous graded structure is obtained (Hamilton's principle) and solved mathematically by means of the isoparametric finite element technique. Initially, the linear frequency parameters are obtained for different geometrical configuration via own computer code. The comparison and the corresponding convergence studies are performed for the unidirectional FG structure for the validation purpose. Finally, the impact of different influencing parameters like aspect ratio (O), thickness ratio (S), curvature ratio (R/h), porosity index (λ), type of porosity (even or uneven), power-law exponent (n), boundary condition on the free vibration characteristics are obtained for the FG panel and discussed in details.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.206-211
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• 2017

Background: Self-reported low back pain (LBP) has been evaluated in relation to material handling lifting tasks, but little research has focused on relating quantifiable stressors to LBP at the individual level. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Composite Lifting Index (CLI) has been used to quantify stressors for lifting tasks. A chemical exposure can be readily used as an exposure metric or stressor for chemical risk assessment (RA). Defining and quantifying lifting nonchemical stressors and related adverse responses is more difficult. Stressor-response models appropriate for CLI and LBP associations do not easily fit in common chemical RA modeling techniques (e.g., Benchmark Dose methods), so different approaches were tried. Methods: This work used prospective data from 138 manufacturing workers to consider the linkage of the occupational stressor of material lifting to LBP. The final model used a Bayesian random threshold approach to estimate the probability of an increase in LBP as a threshold step function. Results: Using maximal and mean CLI values, a significant increase in the probability of LBP for values above 1.5 was found. Conclusion: A risk of LBP associated with CLI values > 1.5 existed in this worker population. The relevance for other populations requires further study.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.492-504
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of employment of elderly over 65 years on elderly depression using the "Nation Elderly Survey 2014". Methods: The subjects were 10,451 elderly aged 65 or older who were selected from 16 cities and provinces via multilevel stratified sampling method. In an effort to represent well the nation's elderly population, composite sample analysis method was used for the study, and a hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed to identify those factors affecting the depression among the elderly population. Results: The factors affecting the depression were education level, household income, Perceived health status, smoking, drinking, physical activity, body mass index and employment status. It was found that the unemployed persons were 1.68 times more likely to be depressed than those who remain employed. Conclusion: Where the average life expectancy is getting longer and the poverty rate of elderly is high, employment activities of the elderly are of great significance in terms of ensuring economic stability as well as in lowering medical expenses through reduction of depression. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the employment rates of the elderly for economic, social and healthcare perspectives.

• East Asian Economic Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-96
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• 2012

Previous literature has looked merely into the effect of trade facilitation on aggregate trade, or analyzed trade growth using the extensive and intensive margins. This paper blends these two lines of research for a detailed analysis of the impact of trade facilitation on trade by using highly disaggregated trade data and a more composite index for measuring trade facilitation, also taking into account the export sectors and income levels of countries. As a result, this paper finds that developing countries with higher trade facilitation levels export a wider range of products, especially primary goods. While trade facilitation levels do not have a statistically significant association with trade at the intensive margin in general, further analysis shows that the impact of advanced trade facilitation is the largest for lower middle-income countries in primary goods trade at the intensive margin, and the largest for upper middle-income countries in manufactured goods trade at the intensive margin. More importantly, our policy simulation results suggest that trade facilitation-related policy reforms enable developing countries to benefit from increased trade in manufactured goods at the extensive margin.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.975-999
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• 2016

This work investigates a thermomechanical bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates by proposing a novel quasi-3D type higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The mathematical model introduces only 5 variables as the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Unlike the conventional HSDT, the present one presents a novel displacement field which includes undetermined integral variables. The mechanical properties of functionally graded layers of the plate are supposed to change in the thickness direction according to a power law distribution. The core layer is still homogeneous and made of an isotropic ceramic material. The governing equations for the thermomechanical bending investigation are obtained through the principle of virtual work and solved via Navier-type method. Interesting results are determined and compared with quasi-3D and 2D HSDTs. The influences of functionally graded material (FGM) layer thickness, power law index, layer thickness ratio, thickness ratio and aspect ratio on the deflections and stresses of functionally graded sandwich plates are discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-112
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• 2016

In this paper, post-buckling behavior of sandwich plates with functionally graded (FG) face sheets under uniform temperature rise loading is examined based on both sinusoidal shear deformation theory and stress function. It is supposed that the sandwich plate is in contact with an elastic foundation during deformation, which acts in both compression and tension. Thermo-elastic non-homogeneous properties of FG layers change smoothly by the variation of power law within the thickness, and temperature dependency of material constituents is considered in the formulation. In the present development, Von Karman nonlinearity and initial geometrical imperfection of sandwich plate are also taken into account. By employing Galerkin method, analytical solutions of thermal buckling and post-buckling equilibrium paths for simply supported plates are determined. Numerical examples presented in the present study discuss the effects of gradient index, sandwich plate geometry, geometrical imperfection, temperature dependency, and the elastic foundation parameters.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.533-547
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• 2018

In this paper the time-dependent creep analysis of a thick-walled FG cylinder with finite length subjected to axisymmetric mechanical and thermal loads are presented. First order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used for description of displacement components. Inner and outer temperatures and outer pressure are considered as thermo-mechanical loadings. Both thermal and mechanical loadings are assumed variable along the axial direction using the sinusoidal distribution. To find temperature distribution, two dimensional heat transfer equation is solved using the required boundary conditions. The energy method and Euler equations are employed to reach final governing equations of the cylinder. After determination of elastic stresses and strains, the creep analysis can be performed based on the Yang method. The results of this research indicate that the boundaries have important effects on the responses of the cylinder. The effect of important parameters of this analysis such as variable loading, non-homogeneous index of functionally graded materials and time of creep is studied on the behaviors of the cylinder.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2017

This paper is presented to solve the buckling problem of functionally graded truncated conical shells subjected to displacement-dependent pressure which remains normal to the shell middle surface throughout the deformation process by the semi-analytical finite strip method. Material properties are assumed to be temperature dependent, and varied continuously in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of a ceramic and metal. The governing equations are derived based on first-order shear deformation theory which accounts for through thickness shear flexibility with Sanders-type of kinematic nonlinearity. The element linear and geometric stiffness matrices are obtained using virtual work expression for functionally graded materials. The load stiffness also called pressure stiffness matrix which accounts for variation of load direction is derived for each strip and after assembling, global load stiffness matrix of the shell which may be un-symmetric is formed. The un-symmetric parts which are due to load non-uniformity and unconstrained boundaries have been separated. A detailed parametric study is carried out to quantify the effects of power-law index of functional graded material and shell geometry variations on the difference between follower and non-follower lateral buckling pressures. The results indicate that considering pressure stiffness which arises from follower action of pressure causes considerable reduction in estimating buckling pressure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.705-717
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• 2018

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the mechanical performance of concrete-filled dual steel tubular columns of circular section subjected to concentric axial load. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed and validated against a series of experimental tests. A good agreement is obtained between the experimental and numerical results, both in the peak load value and in the ascending and descending branches of the load-displacement curves. By means of the numerical model, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of the main parameters that determine the axial capacity of double-tube columns, such as the member slenderness, inner and outer steel tube thicknesses and the concrete grade - of both the outer concrete ring and inner core -, including ultra-high strength concrete. A total number of 163 numerical simulations are carried out, by combining the different parameters. Specific indexes are defined (Strength Index, Concrete-Steel Contribution Ratio, Inner Concrete Contribution Ratio) to help rating the relative mechanical performance of dual steel tubular columns as compared to conventional concrete-filled steel tubular columns, and practical design recommendations are subsequently given.