• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.435-442
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• 2014

This paper describes an improved design model that can be used to configure a non-contact pneumatic device to turn a large sheet at the in-line system. For rotational moving in the conveyor system, the conventional method is to turn the system itself. The improved non-contact pick-up system mainly uses 8 pairs of L-shaped latches and 12 swirl type heads. It is positioned above the upward air flow table. This system performs the non-contact gripping and side-edge contact support in the vertical and rotational directions to hold the self-weight of a large flat sheet. A non-contact air head can exert a sufficient gripping ability at 4N lower than the standard working pressure. The side latches support 60% of the lifting force required. Through structural and flow analysis, the working conditions were simultaneously considered in accordance with the deflection and flatness of the glass.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.587-595
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• 2019

Deformation measurement of large scale structures, such as the ground beds of high-rise buildings, tunnels, bridge, and railways, are important for insuring service quality and safety. The pose-relay videometrics method and displacement-relay videometrics method have already presented to measure the pose of non-intervisible objects and vertical subsidence of unstable areas, respectively. Both methods combine the cameras and cooperative markers to form the camera series networks. Based on these two networks, we propose two novel videometrics methods with closed-loop camera series network for deformation measurement of large scale structures. The closed-loop camera series network offers "closed-loop constraints" for the camera series network: the deformation of the reference points observed by different measurement stations is identical. The closed-loop constraints improve the measurement accuracy using camera series network. Furthermore, multiple closed-loops and the flexible combination of camera series network are introduced to facilitate more complex deformation measurement tasks. Simulated results show that the closed-loop constraints can enhance the measurement accuracy of camera series network effectively.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.561-577
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• 2013

Rational Functions are used to express the self-excited aerodynamic forces acting on a flexible structure for use in time-domain flutter analysis. The Rational Function Approximation (RFA) approach involves obtaining of these Rational Functions from the frequency-dependent flutter derivatives by using an approximation. In the past, an algorithm was developed to directly extract these Rational Functions from wind tunnel section model tests in free vibration. In this paper, an algorithm is presented for direct extraction of these Rational Functions from section model tests in forced vibration. The motivation for using forced-vibration method came from the potential use of these Rational Functions to predict aerodynamic loads and response of flexible structures at high wind speeds and in turbulent wind environment. Numerical tests were performed to verify the robustness and performance of the algorithm under different noise levels that are expected in wind tunnel data. Wind tunnel tests in one degree-of-freedom (vertical/torsional) forced vibration were performed on a streamlined bridge deck section model whose Rational Functions were compared with those obtained by free vibration for the same model.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2021

A two dimensional model of linearly elastic soil spring used for the settlement analysis of the flexible mat foundation is suggested in this study. The spring constants of the soils underneath the foundation were modeled assuming uniformly vertical load applied onto the foundation. The soil spring constants were back calculated using the three-dimensional finite element analysis with Midas GTS NX program. Variation of the soil spring constants was modeled as a two-dimensional polynomial function in terms of the normalized spatial distances between the center of foundation and the analytical points. The Lysmer's analog spring for soils underneath the rigid foundation was adopted and calibrated for the flexible foundation. For validations, the newly proposed soil spring model was incorporated into a two dimensional finite difference analysis for a square mat foundation at the surface of an elastic half-space consisting of soft clays. Comparative study was made for elastic soils where the shear wave velocity is 120~180 m/s and the Poisson's ratio varies at 0.3~0.5. The resulting foundation settlements from the two dimensional finite difference analysis with the proposed soil springs were found in good agreement with those obtained directly from three dimensional finite element analyses. Details of the applications and limitations of the modified Lysmer's analog springs were discussed in this study.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.1033-1042
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• 1994

Dynamic behavior of flexible rectangular liquid containers is analyzed by a two-dimensional coupled boundary element-finite element method. The irrotational motion of inviscid and incompressible ideal fluid is modeled by boundary elements and the motion of structure by finite elements. A singularity free integral formulation is employed for the implementation of boundary element method. Coupling is performed by using compatibility and equilibrium conditions along the interface between the fluid and structure. The fluid-structure interaction effects are reflected into the coupled equation of motion as added fluid mass matrix and sloshing stiffness matrix. By solving the eigen-problem for the coupled equation of motion, natural frequencies and mode shapes of coupled system are obtained. The free surface sloshing motion and hydrodynamic pressure developed in a flexible rectangular container due to horizontal and vertical ground motions are computed in time domain.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.3-11
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• 2003

Researches on the induced trench method using compressible materials such as clay, mud, straw, or EPS block have been performed to reduce the load acting on buried conduits under a high fill. The induced trench method has the problems that the arching area due to the compressible arching material is one dimensional or localized in a narrow zone. The main purpose of this study is to solve the problems of the induced trench method mentioned above. The various types of laboratory model tests are conducted to find the effects of the variations of EPS block width, multilayer application, soil density, and diameter of the flexible steel pipe. A series of model tests was conducted to evaluate the reduction of earth pressure on conduits using EPS block. Based on modeling test it is found that the magnitude of vertical earth pressure on conduits was reduced about 60% compared with conventional flexible conduit systems.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.103-109
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• 2014

Highly efficient hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin-film solar cells were prepared on flexible stainless steel substrates using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. To enhance the performance of solar cells, material properties of back reflectors, n-doped seed layers and wide bandgap nc-SiC:H window layers were optimized. The light scattering efficiency of Ag back reflectors was improved by increasing the surface roughness of the films deposited at elevated substrate temperatures. Using the n-doped seed layers with high crystallinity, the initial crystal growth of intrinsic nc-Si:H absorber layers was improved, resulting in the elimination of the defect-dense amorphous regions at the n/i interfaces. The nc-SiC:H window layers with high bandgap over 2.2 eV were deposited under high hydrogen dilution conditions. The vertical current flow of the films was enhanced by the formation of Si nanocrystallites in the amorphous SiC:H matrix. Under optimized conditions, a high conversion efficiency of 9.13% ($V_{oc}=0.52$, $J_{sc}=25.45mA/cm^2$, FF = 0.69) was achieved for the flexible nc-Si:H thin-film solar cells.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 1988

The stresses on the buried steel pipe under embankment are analysed by the elasto-plastic theory using FEM to study the influences of the geometry of soil-conduit pipe system and the elastic modulus of the fill on the pipe responses . The geometry of the system considered in this study includes the height of embankment, the thickness of the pipe, and the width and the depth of the trench . By comparing the stresses computed by Marston-Spangler's pipe theory with those obtained from the elasto-plastic theory, Marston-Spangler's theory was discussed and analysed . It is found that the stress distribution around the pipe by elasto- plastic analysis is similar to that by Spangler's flexible pipe theory when the geometrical ratio (diameter/thickness) of the steel pipe is 400. And Spangler's flexible pipe theory does not seem to be suitable to analyse the buried steel pipe of which the geometrical ratio is lower than 200. The vertical loads by the rigid pipe theory are always larger than those by the flexible pipe theory regardness of the variations in the geometry of soil-conduit pipe system considered above and the elastic modulus of the fill.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.659-667
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• 2011

The study of bipedal robot is towards similar shape and function with human. In this paper, we propose a human-like walking pattern compatible to the flexible foot with toe and heel structure. The new walking pattern for a bipedal robot consists of ZMP, center of mass (CoM), and ankle trajectory and is drawn by considering human kinesiology. First, the ZMP trajectory moves forward without stopping at a point even in the single support phase. The corresponding CoM trajectory to the ZMP one is derived by solving differential equations. As well, a CoM trajectory for the vertical axis is added by following the idea of human motion. The ankle trajectory closely mimics the rotational motion of human ankles during taking off and landing on the ground. The advantages of the proposed walking pattern are demonstrated by showing improved stability, decreased ankle torque, and the longer step length capability. Specifically, it is interesting to know that the vertical CoM motion is able to compensate for the initial transient response.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.423-448
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• 2019

Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) are one among the solution to pursue an environmentally friendly and sustainable technology in birthing land from the sea. VLFS are extra-large in size and mostly extra-long in span. VLFS may be classified into two broad categories, namely the pontoon type and semi-submersible type. The pontoon-type VLFS is a flat box structure floating on the sea surface and suitable in regions with lower sea state. The semi-submersible VLFS has a deck raised above the sea level and supported by columns which are connected to submerged pontoons and are subjected to less wave forces. These structures are very flexible compared to other kinds of offshore structures, and its elastic deformations are more important than their rigid body motions. This paper presents hydroelastic analysis carried out on an innovative VLFS called truss pontoon Mobile Offshore Base (MOB) platform concept proposed by Srinivasan and Sundaravadivelu (2013). The truss pontoon MOB is modelled and hydroelastic analysis is carried out using HYDRAN-XR^* for regular 0° waves heading angle. Results are presented for variation of added mass and damping coefficients, diffraction and wave excitation forces, RAOs for translational, rotation and deformational modes and vertical displacement at salient sections with respect to wave periods.