• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.92-101
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• 2010

This study evaluated the structure and quality of osteoporotic vertebral bone. To induce osteoporosis, eight rats were ovariectomized (OVX). All rats were divided into two groups (Normal group: 4, OVX group: 4). Total lumbar vertebrae for each rat were scanned by in-vivo ${\mu}CT$ at 0, 4 and 8 weeks. Morphological characteristics (BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N, Tb.Sp and SMI) were calculated by in-vivo ${\mu}CT$ image analyzer. Three dimensional finite element models were analyzed to investigate bone strength of OVX and Normal groups. Moreover, the elastic modulus was quantitatively analyzed to evaluate the quality changes of osteoporotic bone. In the OVX group, BV/TV, Tb.Th and Tb.N were significantly decreased at all the lumbar over time (p<0.05). We also investigated a contrary tendency in Tb.Sp and SMI, compared to the above results in each group. A degree of alteration of mechanical characteristics in OVX group was decreased over measuring time (p<0.05). Bone quality presented by distribution of elastic modulus was improved in the Normal group more than OVX group. The findings of the present study indicated that both bone structure and quality of whole lumbar could be tracked and detected by analyzing the morphological and biomechanical characteristics of bones, based on a nondestructive method.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2000

The multi-region model, to describe preferential flow, is an equation representing solute transport in soils by dividing soil into numerous pore groups and using the hydraulic properties of the soil. As the model partial differential equation (PDE) is solved numerically with finite difference methods. a modified equivalent partial differential equation(MEPDE) of the partial differential equation of the multi-region model is derived to analyze the accuracy and consistency of the solution of the model PDE and the Von Neumann method is used to analyze the stability of the finite difference scheme. The evaluation obtained from the MEPDE indicated that the finite difference scheme was found to be consistent with the model PDE and had the second order accuracy The stability analysis is performed to analyze the model PDE with the amplification ratio and the phase lag using the Von Neumann method. The amplification ratio of the finite difference scheme gave non-dissipative results with various Peclet numbers and yielded the most high values as the Peclet number was one. The phase lag showed that the frequency component of the finite difference scheme lagged the true solution. From the result of the stability analysis for the model PDE, it is analyzed that the model domain should be discretized in the range of Pe < 1.0 and Cr < 2.0 to obtain the more accurate solution.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.387-404
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• 2016

In this paper, the response and failure of sharp-notched 6061-T6 aluminum alloy circular tubes with five different notch depths of 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 mm subjected to cyclic bending were experimentally and theoretically investigated. The experimental moment-curvature relationship exhibits an almost steady loop from the beginning of the first cycle. And, the notch depth has almost no influence on its relationship. However, the ovalization-curvature relationship exhibits a symmetrical, increasing, and ratcheting behavior as the number of cycles increases. In addition, a higher notch depth of a tube leads to a more severe unsymmetrical trend of the ovalization-curvature relationship. Focusing on the aforementioned relationships, the finite element software ANSYS was used to continue the related theoretical simulation. Furthermore, the five groups of tubes tested have different notch depths, from which five unparallel straight lines can be observed from the relationship between the controlled curvature and the number of cycles required to produce failure in the log-log scale. Finally, a failure model was proposed to simulate the aforementioned relationship. Through comparison with the experimental data, the proposed model can properly simulate the experimental data.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.399-411
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• 2003

A model predictive control method is applied to design an automatic controller for thermal power control in a reactor core. The basic concept of the model predictive control is to solve an optimization problem for a finite future at current time and to implement as the current control input only the first optimal control input among the solutions of the finite time steps. At the next time step, the second optimal control input is not implemented and the procedure to solve the optimization problem is then repeated. The objectives of the proposed model predictive controller are to minimize the difference between the output and the desired output and the variation of the control rod position. The nonlinear PWR plant model (a nonlinear point kinetics equation with six delayed neutron groups and the lumped thermal-hydraulic balance equations) is used to verify the proposed controller of reactor power. And a controller design model used for designing the model predictive controller is obtained by applying a parameter estimation algorithm at an initial stage. From results of numerical simulation to check the controllability of the proposed controller at the $5\%/min$ ramp increase or decrease of a desired load and its $10\%$ step increase or decrease which are design requirements, the performances of this controller are proved to be excellent.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.71-96
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• 2011

Existing reinforced concrete (RC) beams can be strengthened with externally bolted steel plates to the sides of beams. The effectiveness of this type of bolted side-plate (BSP) beam can however be affected by partial interaction between the steel plates and RC beams due to the mechanical slip of bolts. To avoid over-estimation of the flexural strength and ensure accurate prediction of the load-deformation response of the beams, the effect of partial interaction has to be properly considered. In this paper, a special non-linear macro-finite-element model that takes into account the effects of partial interaction is proposed. The RC beam and the steel plates are modelled as two different elements, interacting through discrete groups of bolts. A layered method is adopted for the formulation of the RC beam and steel plate elements, while a special non-linear model based on a kinematic hardening assumption for the bolts is used to simulate the bolt group effect. The computer program SiBAN was developed based on the proposed approach. Comparison with the available experimental results shows that SiBAN can accurately predict the partial interaction behaviour of the BSP beams. Further numerical simulations show that the interaction between the RC beam and the steel plates is greatly reduced by the formation of plastic hinges and should be considered in analyses of the strengthened beams.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.433-445
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• 2020

A new code, called PRaFULL (Piled Raft Foundation Under Lateral Load), was developed for the analysis of laterally loaded Combined Pile Raft Foundation (CPRF). The proposed code considers the contribution offered by the raft-soil contact and the interactions between all the CPRF system components. The nonlinear behaviour of the reinforced concrete pile and the soil are accounted. As shallower soil layers are of great relevance in the lateral response of a pile foundation, PRaFULL includes the possibility to consider layered soil profiles with appropriate properties. The shadowing effect on the ultimate soil pressure is accounted, when dealing with pile groups, as proposed by the Strain Wedge Model. PRaFULL BEM code obviously requires less computational resources compared to FEM (Finite Element Method) or FDM (Finite Difference Method) codes. The proposed code was validated in the linear elastic range by comparisons with the code APRAF (Analysis of Piled Raft Foundations). The reliability of the procedure to predict piled raft performance was then verified in nonlinear range by comparisons with both centrifuge tests and computer code PRAB.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2021

This paper present a three-dimensional unit cell finite element analysis to predict the pull-out behavior of a single stitch in a composite laminate. The stitching process used for this study correspond to the I-fiber stitching method that has been studied by the Composite Structures Lab (CSL) as a new through-thickness reinforced method. A total of six cases were analyzed, which were divided in two groups by the stitching yarn used, 6k and 12k. Each group of cases have three different thickness according to the amount of plies; 16 plies, 32 plies and 64 plies. The finite element analysis used the cohesive zone method to characterize the single stitch reinforcement in the interface. Due to the complexity of the load vs displacement curves taken from the experimental results, a bilinear and trilinear bridging laws were implemented in the models. The cohesive parameters used for each case showed a good agreement with the experimental data and can be used for future studies.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.227-242
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• 2023

Polyester composites play a vital role in civil engineering applications, especially in bridge and car park structures. Therefore, the addition of waste silica-based fillers will both improve the mechanical and durability performance of composites and produce an environmentally friendly material. In this study, the mechanical performance of polyester composites was investigated experimentally and numerically by adding micro and nano-sized silica-based fillers, marble powder, silica fume and nano-silica. 24 cubes for the compression test and 18 prisms for the flexural test were produced in six different groups containing 30% marble powder, 5% silica fume and 1% nano-silica by weight. SEM/EDS testing was used to investigate the distribution of filler particles in the matrix. Experimentally collected results were used to validate tests in the Abaqus software. Additionally, the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was used to estimate the fracture process for the flexural test. The results show that the added silica fume, marble powder and nano silica improves the compressive strength of polyester composites by 32-38% and the flexural tensile strength by 10-60% compared to pure polyester composite. The numerically obtained results matched well with the experimental data, demonstrating the accuracy and feasibility of the calibrated finite element model.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.3
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• pp.239-252
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• 2024

Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are classified as lateral load-resisting systems. The feasibility of openings in the steel plate is a characteristic of SPSWs. The use of openings in SPSWs can lower the load capacity, stiffness, and energy dissipation. This study proposes a novel form of SPSWs that provides convenient access through openings by combining steel plates and eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). The proposed system also avoids a substantial reduction in the strength and stiffness. Hence, various geometric forms were analyzed through two different structural approaches. Groups 1, 2, and 3 included a steel EBF with a steel plate between the column and EBF in order to improve system performance. In Group 4, the proposed system was evaluated within an SPSW with openings and an EBF on the opening edge. To evaluate the performance of the proposed systems, the nonlinear finite element method (NL-FEM) was employed under cyclic loading. The hysteresis (load-drift) curve, stress contour, stiffness, and damping were evaluated as the structural outputs. The numerical models indicated that local buckling within the middle plate-EBF connection prevented a diagonal tension field. Moreover, in group 4, the EBF and stiffeners on the opening edge enhanced the structural response by approximately 7.5% in comparison with the base SPSW system.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.189-198
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze stress distributions in the roots, periodontal ligaments (PDLs), and bones around cylindrical and tapered miniscrews inserted at different angles using a finite element analysis. Methods: We created a three-dimensional (3D) maxilla model of a dentition with extracted first premolars and used 2 types of miniscrews (tapered and cylindrical) with 1.45-mm diameters and 8-mm lengths. The miniscrews were inserted at $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ angles with respect to the bone surface. A simulated horizontal orthodontic force of 2 N was applied to the miniscrew heads. Then, the stress distributions, magnitudes during miniscrew placement, and force applications were analyzed with a 3D finite element analysis. Results: Stresses were primarily absorbed by cortical bone. Moreover, very little stress was transmitted to the roots, PDLs, and cancellous bone. During cylindrical miniscrew insertion, the maximum von Mises stress increased as insertion angle decreased. Tapered miniscrews exhibited greater maximum von Mises stress than cylindrical miniscrews. During force application, maximum von Mises stresses increased in both groups as insertion angles decreased. Conclusions: For both cylindrical and tapered miniscrew designs, placement as perpendicular to the bone surface as possible is recommended to reduce stress in the surrounding bone.