• Advances in Computational Design
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• 제4권4호
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• pp.381-395
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• 2019

This paper proposes a new approach to model the screw joints of integrated ceilings via the finite element method (FEM). The simulation models consist of the beam elements. The screw joints used in the main bars and cross bars and in the W bars and cross bars are assumed to be rotation springs. The stiffness of the rotation springs is defined according to the technical standards proposed by the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management of Japan. By comparing the results of the sheer tests and the simulation models, the effectiveness and efficiency of the simulation models proposed in this paper are verified. This paper indicates the possibility that the seismic performance of suspended ceilings can be confirmed directly via beam element models using FEM if the stiffnesses of the screw joints of the ceiling substrates are appropriately defined. Because cross-sectional shapes, physical properties, and other variables of the ceiling substrates can be easily changed in the models, it is expected that suspended ceiling manufactures will be able to design and confirm the seismic performance of suspended ceilings with different cross-sectional shapes or materials via computers, instead of spending large amounts of time and money on shake table tests.

• International Journal of Reliability and Applications
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.111-124
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• 2007

In this paper, we apply insightful statistical reliability tools to manage and seek improvements in the strengths of Oriented Strand Board (OSB). As a part of the OSB manufacturing process, the product undergoes destructive testing at various intervals to determine compliance with customers' specifications. Workers perform these tests on sampled cross sections of the OSB panel to measure the tensile strength, also called internal bond (IB), in pounds per square inches until failure. Additional stiffness strength tests include parallel and perpendicular elasticity indices (EI), which are taken from cross sectional samples of the OSB panel in the parallel and perpendicular directions with respect to the orientation of the wood strands. We explore both graphically and statistically these "pressure-to-failures" of OSB. Also, we briefly comment on reducing sources of variability in the IB and EI of OSB.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.375-392
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• 2005

Cable supported structures offer an elegant and economical solution for bridging over long spans with resultant low material content and ease of construction. In this paper, a model of shallow cable supported footbridge with reverse profiled pre-tensioned cables is treated and its load deformation characteristics under different quasi-static loads are investigated. Effects of important parameters such as cable sag and pre-tension are also studied. Numerical results performed on a 3D model show that structural stiffness of this bridge (model) depends not only on the cable sag and cross sectional areas of the cables, but also on the pre-tension in the reverse profiled cables. The tension in the top supporting cables can be adjusted to a high level by the pre-tension in the reverse profiled bottom cables, with the total horizontal force in the bridge structure remaining reasonably constant. It is also evident that pre-tensioned horizontally profiled cables can greatly increase the lateral horizontal stiffness and suppress the lateral horizontal deflection induced by eccentric vertical loads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.567-579
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• 2008

To gain understanding of the applicability of CFRP cables in super long-span cable-stayed bridges, by taking a 1400 m cable-stayed bridge as example, mechanics performance including the static behavior under service load, dynamic behavior, wind stability and seismic behavior of the bridge using either steel or CFRP cables are investigated numerically and compared. The results show that viewed from the aspect of mechanics performance, the use of CFRP cables in super long-span cable-stayed bridges is feasible, and the cross-sectional areas of CFRP cables should be determined by the principle of equivalent axial stiffness.

• 한국전산구조공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국전산구조공학회 2001년도 가을 학술발표회 논문집
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• pp.175-182
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• 2001

Effective length factor approach for framed column design has long played an important design-aid role. This approach, however, is effective only when the columns are in the form of prismatic or uniform cross sections. Structural engineers who have to design or analyse framed columns with variable cross sections need some means to do their job. By using the finite element method, the stability analysis of the isolated compression members with variable cross sections and that of the framed columns are performed. The parameters considered in the stability analysis are taper and sectional property parameters of the columns, the second moment of inertia ratio of beam to column, and beam span to column height ratio. On the basis of the stability analysis results, effective length factor formulas for the columns with variable sections are derived.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.133-155
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• 2013

The earthquake responses are studied for the tall flexible structures such as TV towers when the vertical eccentricities between the discrete nodes and the corresponding centroids of investigated lumps are considered. In practical analyses, the tall flexible structures can be made into a spatial-discrete system of some certain length of beam elements with different lengths and cross-sectional areas. These elements are used to construct the investigated lumps in this paper. The different cross-sectional areas and the different lengths of two adjacent elements lead to the appearance of vertical eccentricity between the discrete node and the centroid of investigated lump within the same investigated lump. Firstly, the governing equations are established for a typical investigated lump. Secondly, the calculating formulae of the forces and moments acting on the investigated lump are derived and provided. Finally the new dynamic equilibrium equations with modified mass matrix and assemblage of stiffness matrix have been derived for the stick MDOF model based on beam theory when the existing vertical eccentricities are considered. Numerical results demonstrate that these vertical eccentricities should be considered in order to obtain the accurate earthquake responses for the tall flexible structures.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.13
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• 2021

Background: Multifidus muscle stiffness decreases in patients with lumbar intervertebral disk herniation; however, age-related changes in humans have not been reported. Objectives: The reliability of ultrasound shear wave elastography in dogs, and changes in the shear elastic modulus of the thoracolumbar multifidus muscle with aging in dogs, were investigated. Methods: Twelve beagle dogs were divided into 2 groups based on the age of onset of intervertebral disk herniation: young (aged not exceeding 2 years; 1.3 ± 0.6 years old, n = 5) and adult (4.9 ± 1.2 years old, n = 7). The shear elastic modulus of the multifidus muscle, from the thirteenth thoracic spine to the fourth lumbar spine, was measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography. The length, cross-sectional area and muscle to fat ratio of the multifidus muscle, and the grade of intervertebral disk degeneration, were assessed using radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Results: The length and cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle increased caudally. In the young group, the shear elastic modulus of the multifidus muscle of the thirteenth thoracic spine was less than that of the third lumbar spine. In the adult group, the shear elastic modulus of the multifidus muscle of first and third lumbar spine was lower than that of the same site in the young group. Conclusions: Ultrasound can be used to measure shear wave elastography of the thoracolumbar multifidus in dogs. If the multifidus muscle stiffness decreases, we should consider age-related change.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.1011-1015
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• 2003

The objectives of this work focus on the differences in responses of paired tendons from different anatomical locations. Tendon specimens were obtained from the hindlimbs of canines and frozen to -70$^{\circ}C$. After being thawed, specimens were mounted in the immersion bath, preloaded to 0.13N, and then subjected to 3% or 4% of the initial length at a strain rate of 5%/sec. It was found that the mechanical responses of anatomically paired tendons were nearly the same within each pair but different between pairs of tendons from different anatomical locations. Although flexor tendons had much larger cross-sectional area than the others, such as peroneus or extensor tendons, the stiffness of the flexor tendons were much lower than the others throughout their stress-strain responses. The nature and causes of these differences in the stiffness are not fully known. However, it is clear that differences in the mechanical response of tendons and other connective tissues are significant to the musculoskeletal performance.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.591-602
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• 2017

A cable-stiffened cylindrical single-layer latticed shell that is reinforced by cable-stiffened system has superior stability behaviour compared with the ordinary cylindrical latticed shell. The layouts of cable-stiffened system are flexible in this structural system, and different layouts contribute different stiffness to the structure. However, the existed few research primarily focused on the simplest type of cable layouts, in which the grids of the latticed shell are diagonally stiffened by prestressed cables in-plane. This current work examines the stability behaviour of the cable-stiffened cylindrical latticed shells with two different types of cable layouts using nonlinear finite element analysis. A parametric study on the effect of cross-sectional of the cables, pretension in cables, joint stiffness, initial imperfections, load distributions and boundary conditions is presented. The findings are useful for the reference of the designer in using this type of structural system.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.17-34
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• 2001

An improved method has been developed for the computation of the section forces and stiffness in nonlinear finite element analysis of RC plane frames. The need for a new approach arises because the conventional technique may have a questionable level of efficiency if a large number of layers is specified and a questionable level of accuracy if a smaller number is used. The proposed technique is based on automatically dividing the section into zones of similar state of stress and tangent modulus and then numerically integrating within each zone to evaluate the sectional stiffness parameters and forces. In the new system, the size, number and location of the layers vary with the state of the strains in the cross section. The proposed method shows a significant improvement in time requirement and accuracy in comparison with the conventional layered approach. The computer program based on the new technique has been used successfully to predict the experimental load-deflection response of a RC frame and good agreement with test and other numerical results have been obtained.