• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.219-233
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• 2014

In a companion paper, Pasala and Nagarajaiah analytically and experimentally validate the Adaptive Length Pendulum Smart Tuned Mass Damper (ALP-STMD) on a primary structure (2 story steel structure) whose frequencies are time invariant (Pasala and Nagarajaiah 2012). In this paper, the ALP-STMD effectiveness on a primary structure whose frequencies are time varying is studied experimentally. This study experimentally validates the ability of an ALP-STMD to adequately control a structural system in the presence of real time changes in primary stiffness that are detected by a real time observer based system identification. The experiments implement the newly developed Adaptive Length Pendulum Smart Tuned Mass Damper (ALP-STMD) which was first introduced and developed by Nagarajaiah (2009), Nagarajaiah and Pasala (2010) and Nagarajaiah et al. (2010). The ALP-STMD employs a mass pendulum of variable length which can be tuned in real time to the parameters of the system using sensor feedback. The tuning action is made possible by applying a current to a shape memory alloy wire changing the effective length that supports the damper mass assembly in real time. Once a stiffness change in the structural system is detected by an open loop observer, the ALP-STMD is re-tuned to the modified system parameters which successfully reduce the response of the primary system. Significant performance improvement is illustrated for the stiffness modified system, which undergoes the re-tuning adaptation, when compared to the stiffness modified system without adaptive re-tuning.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.1077-1099
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• 2016

One of the main shortcomings in the current passive base isolation system is lack of adaptability. The recent research and development of a novel adaptive seismic isolator based on magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) material has created an opportunity to add adaptability to base isolation systems for civil structures. The new MRE based base isolator is able to significantly alter its shear modulus or lateral stiffness with the applied magnetic field or electric current, which makes it a competitive candidate to develop an adaptive base isolation system. This paper aims at exploring suitable control algorithms for such adaptive base isolation system by developing a close-loop semi-active control system for a building structure equipped with MRE base isolators. The MRE base isolator is simulated by a numerical model derived from experimental characterization based on the Bouc-Wen Model, which is able to describe the force-displacement response of the device accurately. The parameters of Bouc-Wen Model such as the stiffness and the damping coefficients are described as functions of the applied current. The state-space model is built by analyzing the dynamic property of the structure embedded with MRE base isolators. A Lyapunov-based controller is designed to adaptively vary the current applied to MRE base isolator to suppress the quake-induced vibrations. The proposed control method is applied to a widely used benchmark base-isolated structure by numerical simulation. The performance of the adaptive base isolation system was evaluated through comparison with optimal passive base isolation system and a passive base isolation system with optimized base shear. It is concluded that the adaptive base isolation system with proposed Lyapunov-based semi-active control surpasses the performance of other two passive systems in protecting the civil structures under seismic events.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.99-116
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• 2014

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318-11 permits the use of the moment magnifier method for computing the design ultimate strength of slender reinforced concrete columns that are part of braced frames. This computed strength is influenced by the column effective length factor K, the equivalent uniform bending moment diagram factor $C_m$ and the effective flexural stiffness EI among other factors. For this study, 2,960 simple braced frames subjected to short-term loads were simulated to investigate the effect of using different methods of calculating the effective length factor K when computing the strength of columns in these frames. The theoretically computed column ultimate strengths were compared to the ultimate strengths of the same columns computed from the ACI moment magnifier method using different combinations of equations for K and EI. This study shows that for computing the column ultimate strength, the current practice of using the Jackson-Moreland Alignment Chart is the most accurate method for determining the effective length factor. The study also shows that for computing the column ultimate strength, the accuracy of the moment magnifier method can be further improved by replacing the current ACI equation for EI with a nonlinear equation for EI that includes variables affecting the column stiffness and proposed in an earlier investigation.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.93-114
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• 2011

The current status of Canadian research on rotor-based actively controlled technologies for helicopters is reviewed in this paper. First, worldwide research in this field is overviewed to put Canadian research into context. Then, the unique hybrid control concept of Carleton University is described, along with its key element, the "stiffness control" concept. Next, the smart hybrid active rotor control system (SHARCS) projected's history and organization is presented, which aims to demonstrate the hybrid control concept in a wind tunnel test campaign. To support the activities of SHARCS, unique computational tools, novel experimental facilities and new know-how had to be developed in Canada, among them the state-of-the-art Carleton Whirl Tower facility or the ability to design and manufacture aeroelastically scaled helicopter rotors for wind tunnel testing. In the second half of the paper, details are provided on the current status of development on the three subsystems of SHARCS, i.e. that of the actively controlled tip, the actively controlled flap and the unique stiffness-control device, the active pitch link.

• 한국정밀공학회지
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• 제18권11호
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• pp.107-115
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• 2001

Most of rotating machineries supported by contact bearing accompany lowering efficiency, vibration and wear. Moreover, because of vibration, which is occurred in rotating shaft, they have the limits of driving speed and precision. The rotor system has parametric variations or external disturbances such as mass unbalance variations in long operation. Therefore, it is necessary to research about magnetic bearing, which is able to support the shaft without mechanical contact and to control rotor vibration without being affected by external disturbances or parametric changes. Magnetic bearing system in the paper is composed of position sensor, digital controller, actuating amplifier and electromagnet. This paper applied the robust control method using quantitative feedback theory (QFT) to control the magnetic bearing. It also proposed design skill of optimal controller, in case the system has structured uncertainty, unstructured uncertainty and disturbance. Reduction of vibration is verified at critical rotating speed even external disturbance exists. Unbalance response, a serious problem in rotating machinery, is improved by magnetic bearing using QFT algorithm.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제69권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

In the construction of flat plate slabs, which are widely used for tall buildings but have relatively low flexural stiffness, serviceability problems such as excessive deflections and cracks are of great concern. To prevent excessive deflections at service load levels, current design codes require the minimum slab thickness, but the requirement could be unconservative because it is independent on loading and elastic modulus of concrete, both of which have significant effects on slab deflections. In the present study, to investigate the effects of the construction load of shored slabs, reduced flexural stiffness and moment distribution of early-age slabs, and creep and shrinkage of concrete on immediate and time-dependent deflections, numerical analysis was performed using the previously developed numerical models. A parametric study was performed for various design and construction conditions of practical ranges, and a new minimum permissible thickness of flat plate slabs was proposed satisfying the serviceability requirement for deflection. The proposed minimum slab thickness was compared with current design code provisions and numerical analysis results, and it agreed well with the numerical analysis results.

• 대한건축학회논문집:구조계
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.3-13
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• 2018

Load bearing capacity of dowel type fasteners loaded perpendicular to the shear plane is determined based on Johansen's yield theory (Johansen, 1949). In case of inclined screws whose axis is no longer perpendicular, the ultimate load of connection increases because of additional axial withdrawal capacity. To calculate load bearing capacity for inclined screws, KBC2016 and Eurocode5 provide design equations using the combination of two effects; axial and bending strength. Although their equations have been validated for a long time, there is still minimal information how to apply them for concrete-CLT joints. Since there are not many test data available, engineers have to make certain assumptions and thus results may look inconsistent in practice. In this paper, authors would like to describe the current approach and assumptions indicated by KBC2016 and Eurocode 5 and how they match the experimental results in terms of shear strength of CLT-concrete connections. To fulfill the objective, several push-out tests were performed on nine different test specimens. Each specimen has different penetration angles and depths. By analyzing load-displacement curves, the maximum shear strength, stiffness, and ductility were obtained. Shear strength values were compared with the current design codes and theoretical equations proposed in this paper. Observations on stiffness and ductility were briefly discussed.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.175-189
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• 2023

The under-evaluation structure includes a functionally graded porous (FGP) core which is confined by two piezoelectric carbon nanotubes reinforced composite (CNTRC) layers. The whole structure rests on the Pasternak foundation. Using quasi-3D hyperbolic shear deformation theory, governing equations of a sandwich plate are driven. Moreover, face sheets are subjected to the electric field and the whole model is under thermal loading. The properties of all layers alter continuously along with thickness direction due to the CNTs and pores distributions. By conducting the current study, the results emerged in detail to assess the effects of different parameters on buckling of structure. As instance, it is revealed that highest and lowest critical buckling load and consequently stiffness, is due to the V-A and A-V CNTs dispersion type, respectively. Furthermore, it is revealed that by porosity coefficient enhancement, critical buckling load and consequently, stiffness reduces dramatically. Current paper results can be used in various high-tech industries as aerospace factories.

• 한국소음진동공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국소음진동공학회 1995년도 추계학술대회논문집; 한국종합전시장, 24 Nov. 1995
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• pp.142-147
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• 1995

Dynamic characteristics of current collection system is one of the major factors which decide the performance of high speed train. To find good design parameters of the current collection system design guide is prepared through the engineering analysis in this study. The analysis starts from the statics of catenary system which results in the sinusoidal variation of stiffness, which is inherently nonlinear Mathieu equation. Simple physical models of rigid trolley wire and Mathieu equation are considered. To simulate the dynamic response of current collection system, numerical integration based on central difference method and modal analysis are presented. The calculated results of central difference method show superior to those of Euler based algorithm.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.379-399
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• 2015

Existing building structures can easily present material mechanical properties which can largely vary even within a single structure. The current European Technical Code, Eurocode 8, does not provide specific instructions to account for high variability in mechanical properties. As a consequence of the high strength variability, at the occurrence of seismic events, the structure may evidence unexpected phenomena, like torsional effects, with larger experienced deformations and, in turn, with reduced seismic performance. This work is focused on the torsional effects related to the irregular stiffness and strength distribution due to the concrete strength variability. The analysis has been performed on a case-study, i.e., a 3D RC framed 4 storey building. A Normal distribution, compatible to a large available database, has been taken to represent the concrete strength domain. Different plan layouts, representative of realistic stiffness distributions, have been considered, and a statistical analysis has been performed on the induced torsional effects. The obtained results have been compared to the standard analysis as provided by Eurocode 8 for existing buildings, showing that the Eurocode 8 provisions, despite not allowing explicitly for material strength variability, are conservative as regards the estimation of structural demand.