• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2016

PURPOSES : The applicability of the mechanics-based similarity concept (suggested by Feng et al.) for determining scaled variables, including length and load, via laboratory-scale tests and discrete element analysis, was evaluated. METHODS: Several studies on the similarity concept were reviewed. The exact scaling approach, a similarity concept described by Feng, was applied in order to determine an analytical solution of a free-falling ball. This solution can be considered one of the simplest conditions for discrete element analysis. RESULTS : The results revealed that 1) the exact scaling approach can be used to determine the scale of variables in laboratory tests and numerical analysis, 2) applying only a scale factor, via the exact scaling approach, is inadequate for the error-free replacement of small particles by large ones during discrete element analysis, 3) the level of continuity of flowable materials such as SCC and cement mortar seems to be an important criterion for evaluating the applicability of the similarity concept, and 4) additional conditions, such as the kinetics of particle, contact model, and geometry, must be taken into consideration to achieve the maximum radius of replacement particles during discrete element analysis. CONCLUSIONS : The concept of similarity is a convenient tool to evaluate the correspondence of scaled laboratory test or numerical analysis to physical condition. However, to achieve excellent correspondence, additional factors, such as the kinetics of particles, contact model, and geometry, must be taken into consideration.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.809-821
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• 2016

Concentric-tube continuum robots have formed an active field of research in robotics because of their manipulative exquisiteness essential to facilitate delicate surgical procedures. A set of concentric tubes with designed initial curvatures comprises a robot whose workspace can be controlled by relative translations and rotations of the tubes. Kinematic models have been widely used to predict the movement of the robot, but they are incapable of describing its time-dependent hysteretic behaviors accurately particularly when snapping occurs. To overcome this limitation, here we present a finite element modeling approach to investigating the dynamics of concentric-tube continuum robots. In our model, each tube is discretized using MITC shell elements and its transient responses are computed implicitly using the Bathe time integration method. Inter-tube contacts, the key actuation mechanism of this robot, are modeled using the constraint function method with contact damping to capture the hysteresis in robot trajectories. Performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by analyzing three specifications of two-tube robots including the one exhibiting snapping phenomena while the method can be applied to multiple-tube robots as well.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.255-268
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• 2021

Purpose: We sought to understand why a high-speed rotating projectile featuring a fuze-and-body assembly sometimes exhibited airburst, and we intended to improve the flight stability by eliminating airburst. Methods: We performed characteristic factor analysis, structural mechanics modeling, and dynamic modeling and simulation; and we scheduled firing tests to discover the cause of airburst. We used a step-by-step procedure to analyze the reliability function for selecting the bonding force standard that prevents airburst. Results: The 00MM high-speed rotating projectile features a fuze bonded to a body assembly; the bonding sometimes can break on firing. The resulting contact force, vibration and roll damping during flight generated yaw. Flight became unstable; fuze operation triggered an airburst. Our reliability test improved the bonding force standard (the force was increased). When the bonding force was at least the minimum required, a firing test revealed that airburst/flight instability disappeared. Conclusion: Analysis and identification of the causes of flight instability and airburst render military training safer and enhance combat power. Ammunition must perform as designed. Our method can be used to set standards that improve the performances of similar types of ammunition.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.699-712
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• 2019

The reinforced concrete lining of hydraulic pressure tunnels tends to crack under high inner water pressure (IWP), which results in the inner water exosmosis along cracks and involves typical hydro-mechanical interaction. This study aims at the development, validation and application of an indirect-coupled method to simulate the lining cracking process. Based on the concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model, the utility routine GETVRM and the user subroutine USDFLD in the finite element code ABAQUS is employed to calculate and adjust the secondary hydraulic conductivity according to the material damage and the plastic volume strain. The friction-contact method (FCM) is introduced to track the lining-rock interface behavior. Compared with the traditional node-shared method (NSM) model, the FCM model is more feasible to simulate the lining cracking process. The number of cracks and the reinforcement stress can be significantly reduced, which matches well with the observed results in engineering practices. Moreover, the damage evolution of reinforced concrete lining can be effectively slowed down. This numerical method provides an insight into the cracking process of reinforced concrete lining in hydraulic pressure tunnels.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

On the basis of the explicit time-domain method, an investigation is performed on the influence of the rotational stiffness and rotational damping of the vehicle body and front-rear bogies on the dynamic responses of the vehicle-bridge coupled systems. The equation of motion for the vehicle subsystem is derived employing rigid dynamical theories without considering the rotational stiffness and rotational damping of the vehicle body, as well as the front-rear bogies. The explicit expressions for the dynamic responses of the vehicle and bridge subsystems to contact forces are generated utilizing the explicit time-domain method. Due to the compact wheel-rail model, which reflects the compatibility requirement of the two subsystems, the explicit expression of the evolutionary statistical moment for the contact forces may be performed with relative ease. Then, the evolutionary statistical moments for the respective responses of the two subsystems can be determined. The numerical results indicate that the simplification of vehicle model has little effect on the responses of the bridge subsystem and the vehicle body, except for the responses of the rotational degrees of freedom for the vehicle subsystem, regardless of whether deterministic or random analyses are performed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.511-529
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• 2023

This paper aims to better understand the bonding behavior in Reinforced Concrete beams strengthened with an Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (RCUHPFRC) layer on the compression side using experimental tests and numerical analyses. The UHPFRC mix design was obtained through an optimization procedure, and the characterization of the materials included compression and slant shear tests. Flexural tests were carried out in RC beams and RC-UHPFRC beams. The tests demonstrated a debonding of the UHPFRC layer. In addition, 3D finite element analyses were carried out in the Abaqus CAE program, in which the interface is modeled considering a zero-thickness cohesive-contact approach. The cohesive parameters are investigated, aiming to calibrate the numerical models, and a sensitivity analysis is performed to check the reliability of the assumed cohesive parameters and the mesh size. Finally, the experimental and numerical values are compared, showing a good approximation for both the RC beams and the RC strengthened beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.4
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• pp.357-370
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• 2024

Due to the fact that the mechanism of the effects of temperature and initial geometric imperfection on low-velocity impact problem of axially moving plates is not yet clear, the present paper is to fill the gap. In the present paper, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of axially moving imperfect graphene platelet reinforced metal foams (GPLRMF) plates subjected to lowvelocity impact in thermal environment is analyzed. The equivalent physical parameters of GPLRMF plates are estimated based on the Halpin-Tsai equation and the mixing rule. Combining Kirchhoff plate theory and the modified nonlinear Hertz contact theory, the nonlinear governing equations of GPLRMF plates are derived. Under the condition of simply supported boundary, the nonlinear control equation is discretized with the help of Gallekin method. The correctness of the proposed model is verified by comparison with the existing results. Finally, the time history curves of contact force and transverse center displacement are obtained by using the fourth order Runge-Kutta method. Through detailed parameter research, the effects of graphene platelet (GPL) distribution mode, foam distribution mode, GPL weight fraction, foam coefficient, axial moving speed, prestressing force, temperature changes, damping coefficient, initial geometric defect, radius and initial velocity of the impactor on the nonlinear impact problem are explored. The results indicate that temperature changes and initial geometric imperfections have significant impacts.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.6
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• pp.543-549
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• 2024

The utilization of the fabric materials for lightweight building structures has attracted considerable attention due to the multiple functions and high strength-to-weight ratio. The mechanical properties of the fabric materials evolve with the loading cycle, especially for the Poisson's ratio that requires the full cyclic strain to determine the accurate values. The digital image correlation method has been justified but needs to meet the flexibility and complexity requirements of the fabric materials. This paper thus proposes a modified digital image correlation method to quantify the Poisson's ratio of fabric materials. To obtain the accurate Poisson's ratio of fabric materials in the cyclic experiments using non-contact measuring method, a speckle generation of the digital image correlation method is implemented to obtain the strain distribution and strain characteristics. The uniaxial cyclic experiments for the fabric materials are carried out in the warp, weft and 45° directions. The digital image correlation photos are taken when the material properties become stable in the cyclic loading. The results show that the strain distributions are non-uniform and dependent on the specimen directions. The reliable Poisson's ratios of the fabric materials in the warp, weft and 45° directions are 0.016, 1.2 and 2.6. The strain asymmetry at the maximum strain position is related with the weaving architecture. These observations and results are indispensable to understand the Poisson's ratios of fabric materials and to guide the proper analysis of the large-span membrane structures.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2012

This study presents the assessment results of adhesive properties on the interface between a silicon wafer and nano-scale polymer thin film pattern through UAFM images by using the contact resonance frequency of the cantilever. For the experiment, we varied surface treatment processes for the silicon wafer and fabricated a 300nm polymer thin film pattern through lithography. Images from the optical microscope were used to compare the produced test specimens for adhesive condition and the critical load value from the nano scratch test was used to verify the adhesive condition of the nano pattern. Each test specimen resulted in a $1{\mu}m{\times}1{\mu}m$ surface image and subsurface adhesive image. Adhesive condition was evaluated by image contrast differences on the interface according to the changing amplitudes and phases of contact resonance frequency.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Rockfall monitoring systems generally used in the country are mainly based on the detection of tension of protection wire or tilting of protection post due to rock fall. However, rock fall protection net must be installed prior to the monitoring system and continual maintenance work after each rock fall event is required for a normal operation of these detection systems. To solve these problems, we suggested and implemented a non-contact rock fall detection system using multiple photo sensors and additional camera. After a laboratory experiment and field application, we can conclude that this system is effective and reliable for detecting, collecting and analyzing the rock fall information. In addition, lighten and difference operations on two captured images were able to yield rough estimation of size and direction of rock fall.