• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.533-539
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• 2009

In this study, the femur, the tibia, the articular cartilage and the menisci are three dimensionally reconstructed using MR images of healthy knee joint in full extension of 26-year-old male. Three dimensional finite element model of the knee joint is fabricated on the reconstructed model. Also, the FE models of ligaments and tendons are attached on the biologically suitable position of the FE model. Bones, articular cartilages and menisci are considered as homogeneous, isotropic and linear elastic materials, and ligaments and tendons are modeled as truss element and nonlinear elastic springs. The numerical results show the contact pressure and the von Mises stress distribution in the soft tissues such as articular cartilages and menisci which can be regarded as important parameters to estimate the failure of the tissues and the pain of the patients.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.533-544
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• 2016

This paper provides a reference to determine the seal performance of metallic O-rings for a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). A nonlinear elastic-plastic model of an O-ring was constructed by the finite element method to analyze its intrinsic properties. It is also validated by experiments on scaled samples. The effects of the compression ratio, the geometrical parameters of the O-ring, and the structure parameters of the groove on the flange are discussed in detail. The results showed that the numerical analysis of the O-ring agrees well with the experimental data, the compression ratio has an important role in the distribution and magnitude of contact stress, and a suitable gap between the sidewall and groove can improve the sealing capability of the O-ring. After the optimization of the sealing structure, some key parameters of the O-ring (i.e., compression ratio, cross-section diameter, wall thickness, sidewall gap) have been recommended for application in megakilowatt class nuclear power plants. Furthermore, air tightness and thermal cycling tests were performed to verify the rationality of the finite element method and to reliably evaluate the sealing performance of a RPV.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.2
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• pp.261-276
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• 2023

The use of the ordinary double nut (i.e., ODN) composed of a master nut (i.e., M-nut) and a slave nut (i.e., S-nut) is a highly efficient method to prevent bolts loosening. A novel double nut (i.e., FODN) composed of a master nut (i.e., M-nut) and flat slave nut (i.e., FS-nut) is proposed to save raw materials. The bolt fastening tests with single nut, ODN and FODN are performed to investigate the preload and counterbalance forces. Corresponding finite element analysis (FEA) models are established and validated by comparing the preload with the experimental results. The load-bearing capacity, the extrusion effect, and the contact stress of each engaged thread for ODN and FODN are observed by FEA. The experimental and simulated results revealed that the bolt fastening with double-nut has different load-transferring mechanisms from single-nut. Nevertheless, for double-nut/bolt assemblies, the FS-nut can provide load transfer that is like that of the S-nut, and the FODN is a reasonable and reliable fastening method. Furthermore, based on the theory of Yamamoto, a formula considering the extrusion effect is proposed to calculate the preload distribution of the double-nut, which is applicable to varying thicknesses of slave-nuts in double-nut/bolt assemblies.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.345-352
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• 2014

In this paper, the CAD data for the optimal shape design obtained by isogeometric shape optimization is directly used to fabricate the specimen by using 3D printer for the experimental validation. In a conventional finite element method, the geometric approximation inherent in the mesh leads to the accuracy issue in response analysis and design sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, in the finite element based shape optimization, subsequent communication with CAD description is required in the design optimization process, which results in the loss of optimal design information during the communication. Isogeometric analysis method employs the same NURBS basis functions and control points used in CAD systems, which enables to use exact geometrical properties like normal vector and curvature information in the response analysis and design sensitivity analysis procedure. Also, it vastly simplify the design modification of complex geometries without communicating with the CAD description of geometry during design optimization process. Therefore, the information of optimal design and material volume is exactly reflected to fabricate the specimen for experimental validation. Through the design optimization examples of elasticity problem, it is experimentally shown that the optimal design has higher stiffness than the initial design. Also, the experimental results match very well with the numerical results. Using a non-contact optical 3D deformation measuring system for strain distribution, it is shown that the stress concentration is significantly alleviated in the optimal design compared with the initial design.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.83-97
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• 1999

This paper presents the results of a parametric study on the interaction between buried pipes and surface load using the finite element method of analysis. A series of laboratory model tests were also performed in order to validate the adopted finite element model and to capture essential features of the physical behavior of buried pipes subjected to surface load. In the parametric study, a wide range of boundary conditions were analyzed with emphasis on the response of the buried pipes to surface load. The results of analysis such as contact stress distribution at the soil/pipe interface and axial thrust of the pipe were thoroughly analyzed, and a database on the response of buried pipe under surface load was established for future development of a semi-empirical design/analysis method. The results indicated that the degree of interaction between buried pipes and surface load significantly varies with the vertical and lateral location of pipe with respect to surface load, and that the current design method, which does not consider soil-structure interaction, cannot correctly capture the pipe response to surface loading. Furthermore, based on the results of analysis, a semi-empirical equation was suggested, which estimates the maximum pipe thrust due to surface load for flexible buried pipes.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.635-642
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• 2014

In this paper, an efficient technique is developed to predict failure probability of three failure modes(case rupture, fracture and bolt breakage) related to solid rocket motor case due to the inner pressure during the mission flight. The overall procedure consists of the steps: 1) design parameters affecting the case failure are identified and their uncertainties are modelled by probability distribution, 2) combustion analysis in the interior of the case is carried out to obtain maximum expected operating pressure(MEOP), 3) stress and other structural performances are evaluated by finite element analysis(FEA), and 4) failure probabilities are calculated for the above mentioned failure modes. Axi-symmetric assumption for FEA is employed for simplification while contact between bolted joint is accounted for. Efficient procedure is developed to evaluate failure probability which consists of finding first an Most Probable Failure Point(MPP) using First-Order Reliability Method(FORM), next making a response surface model around the MPP using Latin Hypercube Sampling(LHS), and finally calculating failure probability by employing Importance Sampling.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.213-230
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to analyze the initial movement and the stress distribution of each tooth and periodontal ligament during the lingual lever-arm retraction of 6 maxillary incisors using FEA. Two kinds of finite element models were produced: 2-properties model (simple model) and 24-properties model (multi model) according to the material property assignment. The subject was an adult male of 23 years old. The DICOM images through the CT of the patient were converted into the 3D image model of a skull using the Mimics (version 10.11, Materialise's interactive Medical Image Control System, Materialise, Belgium). After series of calculating, remeshing, exporting, importing process and volume mesh process was performed, FEA models were produced. FEA models are consisted of maxilla, maxillary central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, periodontal ligaments and lingual traction arm. The boundary conditions fixed the movements of posterior, sagittal and upper part of the model to the directions of X, Y, Z axis respectively. The model was set to be symmetrical to X axis. Through the center of resistance of maxilla complex, a retraction force of 200g was applied horizontally to the occlusal plane. Under this conditions, the initial movements and stress distributions were evaluated by 3D FEA. In the result, the amount of posterior movement was larger in the multi model than in the simple model as well as the amount of vertically rotation. The pattern of the posterior movement in the central incisors and lateral incisors was controlled tipping movement, and the amount was larger than in the canine. But the amount of root movement of the canine was larger than others. The incisor rotated downwardly and the canines upwardly around contact points of lateral incisor and canine in the both models. The values of stress are similar in the both simple and multi model.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.401-410
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• 2003

This study investigates the biomechanical efficacies of various cement augmentation techniques with or without pressurization for varying degrees of osteoporotic femur. For this study, a biomechanical analysis using a finite element method (FEM) was undertaken to evaluate surgical procedures, Simulated models include the non-cemented(i.e., hip screw only, Type I), the cement-augmented(Type II), and the cemented augmented with pressurization(Type III) models. To simulate the fracture plane and other interfacial regions, 3-D contact elements were used with appropriate friction coefficients. Material properties of the cancellous bone were varied to accommodate varying degrees of osteoporosis(Singh indices, II∼V). For each model. the following items were analyzed to investigate the effect surgical procedures in relation to osteoporosis of varying degrees : (a) von Mises stress distribution within the femoral head in terms of volumetric percentages. (b) Peak von Mises stress(PVMS) within the femoral head and the surgical constructs. (c) Maximum von Mises strain(MVMS) within the femoral head, (d) micromotions at the fracture plane and at the interfacial region between surgical construct and surrounding bone. Type III showed the lowest PVMS and MVMS at the cancellous bone near the bone-construct interface regardless of bone densities. an indication of its least likelihood of construct loosening due to failure of the host bone. Particularly, its efficacy was more prominent when the bone density level was low. Micromotions at the interfacial surgical construct was lowest in Type III. followed by Type I and Type II. They were about 15-20% of other types. which suggested that pressurization was most effective in limiting the interfacial motion. Our results demonstrated the cement augmentation with hip screw could be more effective when used with pressurization technique for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. For patients with low bone density. its effectiveness can be more pronounced in limiting construct loosening and promoting bone union.