• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.1045-1053
• /
• 2009

Precision stages for 6-DOF positioning, actuated by PZT stacks, which are fed back by gap sensors and guided by flexure hinges, have enlarged their application territory in micro/nano manufacturing and measurement area. The precision stages inherently have such limitations as the nonlinearity between input and output in piezoelectric stacks, feedback signal noise in precision capacitive gap sensors and low material damping in precision kinematic linkages of mechanical flexures. To surmount these limitations, the precision stage is modeled with physics-based variables, which are identified by transient response correspondence, and a gain margin calculation algorithm using the Prandtl-Ishlinskii model and describing function is newly developed to assess system performance more precisely than linear controller design schemes. Based on such analyses, a precision positioning controller is designed. Excellent positioning accuracy with rapid settlement accomplished by the controller is shown in step responses of the closed-loop system.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.315-329
• /
• 2013

The construction of an experimental nonlinear structural model with little cost and unlimited repeatability for vibration control study represents a challenging task, especially for material nonlinearity. This paper reports the design, analysis and vibration control of a nonlinear structural experiment platform with adjustable hinges. In our approach, magnetorheological rotary brakes are substituted for the joints of a frame structure to simulate the nonlinear material behaviors of plastic hinges. For vibration control, a separate magnetorheological damper was employed to provide semi-active damping force to the nonlinear structure. A dynamic neural network was designed as a state observer to enable the feedback based semi-active vibration control. Based on the dynamic neural network observer, an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode based output control was developed for the magnetorheological damper to suppress the vibrations of the structure. The performance of the intelligent control algorithm was studied by subjecting the structure to shake table experiments. Experimental results show that the magnetorheological rotary brake can simulate the nonlinearity of the structural model with good repeatability. Moreover, different nonlinear behaviors can be achieved by controlling the input voltage of magnetorheological rotary damper. Different levels of nonlinearity in the vibration response of the structure can be achieved with the above adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control algorithm using a dynamic neural network observer.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.197-207
• /
• 2002

Energy dissipation capacity and earthquake responses of steel structures installed with unbonded braces(UB) were investigated. Parametric studies were performed for a single-degree-of-freedom structure under harmonic loads, and optimum yield strength of unbonded braces were derived. Nonlinear dynamic time history analyses were carried out to investigate the seismic response of multi-story model structures with UB having various size and strength. Various techniques were applied to determine proper story-wise distribution of UB in multi-story structures. The analysis results show that the maximum displacements of structures generally decrease as the stiffness of UB increases. However for some natural frequencies and seismic loads the maximum displacement and accumulated damage increases as the stiffness of UB increases.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2012

The spatial variation of ground motion in Kolkata Metropolitan District (KMD) has been estimated by generating synthetic ground motion considering the point source model coupled with site response analysis. The most vulnerable source was identified from regional seismotectonic map for an area of about 350 km radius around Kolkata. The rock level acceleration time histories at 121 borehole locations in Kolkata for the vulnerable source, Eocene Hinge Zone, due to maximum credible earthquake (MCE) moment magnitude 6.2 were generated by synthetic ground motion model. Soil investigation data of 121 boreholes were collected from the report of Soil Data Bank Project, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Surface level ground motion parameters were determined using SHAKE2000 software. The results are presented in the form of peak ground acceleration (PGA) at rock level and ground surface, amplification factor, and the response spectra at the ground surface for frequency 1.5 Hz, 3 Hz, 5 Hz and 10 Hz and 5% damping ratio. Site response study shows higher PGA in comparison with rock level acceleration. Maximum amplification in some portion in KMD area is found to be as high as 3.0 times compared to rock level.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.16 no.2 s.80
• /
• pp.249-260
• /
• 2004

The longitudinal steel connection of reinforced concrete bridge column is sometimes practically unavoidable, however the current Korean bridge design specifications have no special provisions about lap-splices of longitudinal steel. This paper reports experimental results of a research program investigating the seismic performance of circular RC bridge columns with respect to longitudinal steel connection detailing. Twenty-one circular column specimens were tested under quasi-static test. The columns with the entire longitudinal steel lap-spliced within plastic hinge region show relatively sudden strength degradation and low ductility than the columns with continuous longitudinal steel and the columns with half of longitudinal steel lap-spliced. However, the seismic performance of the column with mechanically connected longitudinal steel is similar to that of the column with continuous longitudinal steel. The final objectives of this study are to suggest appropriate longitudinal reinforcement connection details for the limited ductility design concept and to provide quantitative reference data and tendency for performance or damage assessment based on the performance levels such as cracking, yielding, collapse, etc. Ultimate displacement/drift ratio, displacement ductility, response modification factor, equivalent viscous damping ratio, residual deformation index, and effective stiffness are investigated and discussed in this paper.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2020

Precast concrete elements in accelerated bridge construction (ABC) extends from superstructure to substructure, precast pile foundation has proven a benefit for regions with fragile ecological environment and adverse geological condition. There is still a lack of knowledge of the seismic behavior and performance of the precast pile foundation. In this study, a 1/8 scaled model of precast pile foundation with elevated cap is fabricated for quasi-static test. The failure mechanism and responses of the precast pile-soil interaction system are analyzed. It is shown that damage occurs primarily in precast pile-soil interaction system and the bridge pier keeps elastic state because of its relatively large cross-section designed for railways. The vulnerable part of the precast pile with elevated cap is located at the embedded section, but no plastic hinge forms along the pile depth under cyclic loading. Hysteretic curves show no significant strength degradation but obvious stiffness degradation throughout the loading process. The energy dissipation capacity of the precast pile-soil interaction system is discussed by using index of the equivalent viscous damping ratio. It can be found that the energy dissipation capacity decreases with the increase of loading displacement due to the unyielding pile reinforcements and potential pile uplift. It is expected to promote the use of precast pile foundation in accelerated bridge construction (ABC) of railways designed in seismic regions.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.88-97
• /
• 2012

The objective of this research is to investigate the seismic performance and flexure-shear behavior of square reinforced concrete bridge piers with solid and hollow cross section. Test specimens were nonseismically designed with the aspect ratio 4.5 Two reinforced concrete columns were tested under constant axial load while subjected to lateral load reversals with increasing drift levels. Longitudinal steel ratio was 2.217 percent. The transverse reinforcement ratio As/($s{\cdot}h$), corresponding to 58 percent of the minimum lateral reinforcement required by Korean Bridge Design Specifications for seismic detailing, which represent existing columns not designed by the current seismic design specifications or designed by limited ductility concept. This study are to provide quantitative reference data for the limited ductility design concept and tendency for performance or damage assessment based on the performance levels such as cracking, yielding, collapse, etc. Failure behavior, ultimate displacement/drift ratio, displacement ductility, response modification factor, equivalent viscous damping ratio, residual deformation, effective stiffness, plastic hinge length, strain of reinforcements and nonlinear analysis are investigated and discussed in this paper.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.75-92
• /
• 2016

The design of a semi-active (SA) control system addressed to mitigate wind induced structural demand to high wind turbine towers is discussed herein. Actually, the remarkable growth in height of wind turbines in the last decades, for a higher production of electricity, makes this issue pressing than ever. The main objective is limiting bending moment demand by relaxing the base restraint, without increasing the top displacement, so reducing the incidence of harmful "p-delta" effects. A variable restraint at the base, able to modify in real time its mechanical properties according to the instantaneous response of the tower, is proposed. It is made of a smooth hinge with additional elastic stiffness and variable damping respectively given by springs and SA magnetorheological (MR) dampers installed in parallel. The idea has been physically realized at the Denmark Technical University where a 1/20 scale model of a real, one hundred meters tall wind turbine has been assumed as case study for shaking table tests. A special control algorithm has been purposely designed to drive MR dampers. Starting from the results of preliminary laboratory tests, a finite element model of such structure has been calibrated so as to develop several numerical simulations addressed to calibrate the controller, i.e., to achieve as much as possible different, even conflicting, structural goals. The results are definitely encouraging, since the best configuration of the controller leaded to about 80% of reduction of base stress, as well as to about 30% of reduction of top displacement in respect to the fixed base case.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2015

Transverse steel bars are used in the plastic hinge zone of columns to insure adequate confinement, prevention of longitudinal bar buckling and ductile behavior. Fabrication and placement of rectangular hoops and cross-ties in columns are difficult to construct. Details of reinforcement for rectangular section require a lot of rectangular hoops and cross-ties. In this paper, to solve these problems, the new lateral confinement method using oblong hoop is proposed for the transverse confinement of the flared column. It can be the alternative for oblong cross-section and flared column with improved workability and cost-efficiency. The final objectives of this study are to suggest appropriate oblong hoop details and to provide quantitative reference data and tendency for seismic performance or damage assessment based on the drift levels such as residual deformation, elastic strain energy. This paper describes factors of seismic performance such as ultimate displacement/drift ratio, displacement ductility, response modification factor, equivalent viscous damping ratio and effective stiffness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.63 no.5
• /
• pp.617-628
• /
• 2017

In order to study the failure mode and seismic behavior of the interior-joint in steel traditional-style buildings, a single beam-column joint and a double beam-column joint were produced according to the relevant building criterion of ancient architectural buildings and the engineering instances, and the dynamic horizontal loading test was conducted by controlling the displacement of the column top and the peak acceleration of the actuator. The failure process of the specimens was observed, the bearing capacity, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, strength and stiffness degradation of the specimens were analyzed by the load-displacement hysteresis curve and backbone curve. The results show that the beam end plastic hinge area deformed obviously during the loading process, and tearing fracture of the base metal at top and bottom flange of beam occurred. The hysteresis curves of the specimens are both spindle-shaped and plump. The ultimate loads of the single beam-column joint and double beam-column joint are 48.65 kN and 70.60 kN respectively, and the equivalent viscous damping coefficients are more than 0.2 when destroyed, which shows the two specimens have great energy dissipation capacity. In addition, the stiffness, bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the double beam-column joint are significantly better than that of the single beam-column joint. The ductility coefficients of the single beam-column joint and double beam-column joint are 1.81 and 1.92, respectively. The cracks grow fast when subjected to dynamic loading, and the strength and stiffness degradation is also degenerated quickly.