• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제10권3호
• /
• pp.277-294
• /
• 2012

The aim of the study is to determine the modal parameters of a prototype damaged arch dam by operational modal analysis (OMA) method for some damage scenarios. For this purpose, a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation model is constructed under laboratory conditions. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam model are performed to identify the modal parameters such as natural frequency, mode shape and damping ratio. The tests are conducted for four test-case scenarios: an undamaged dam with empty reservoir, two different damaged dams with empty reservoirs, and a damaged dam with full reservoir. Loading simulating random impact effects is applied on the dam to crack. Cracks and fractures occurred at the middle of the upper part of the dams and distributed through the abutments. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed on the dams' crests to collect signals for measurements. Operational modal analysis software processes the signals collected from the ambient vibration tests, and enhanced frequency domain decomposition and stochastic subspace identification techniques are used to estimate modal parameters of the dams. The modal parameters are obtained to establish a basis for comparison of the results of two techniques for each damage case. Results show that approximately 35-40% difference exists between the natural frequencies obtained from Case 1 and Case 4. The natural frequencies of the dam considerably decrease with increasing cracks. However, observation shows that the filled reservoir slightly affected modal parameters of the dam after severe cracking. The mode shapes obtained are symmetrical and anti-symmetrical. Apparently, mode shapes in Case 1 represent the probable responses of arch dams more accurately. Also, damping ratio show an increase when cracking increases.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제7권2호
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2016

Background: Work-related fatigue has a strong impact on performance and safety but so far, no agreed upon method exists to detect and quantify it. It has been suggested that work-related fatigue cannot be quantified with just one test alone, possibly because fatigue is not a uniform construct. The purpose of this study is therefore to measure work-related fatigue with multiple tests and then to determine the underlying factorial structure. Methods: Twenty-eight employees (mean: 36.11; standard deviation 13.17) participated in five common fatigue tests, namely, posturography, heart rate variability, distributed attention, simple reaction time, and subjective fatigue before and after work. To evaluate changes from morning to afternoon, t tests were conducted. For further data analysis, the differences between afternoon and morning scores for each outcome measure and participant (${\Delta}$ scores) were submitted to factor analysis with varimax rotation and each factor with the highest-loading outcome measure was selected. The ${\Delta}$ scores from tests with single and multiple outcome measures were submitted for a further factor analysis with varimax rotation. Results: The statistical analysis of the multiple tests determine a factorial structure with three factors: The first factor is best represented by center of pressure (COP) path length, COP confidence area, and simple reaction time. The second factor is associated with root mean square of successive difference and useful field of view (UFOV). The third factor is represented by the single ${\Delta}$ score of subjective fatigue. Conclusion: Work-related fatigue is a multidimensional phenomenon that should be assessed by multiple tests. Based on data structure and practicability, we recommend carrying out further studies to assess work-related fatigue with manual reaction time and UFOV Subtest 2.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• 제43권1호
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2019

Background: Piton du Milieu (PdM) impounding reservoir is suspected to be eutrophic based on the elevated level of orthophosphate and nitrate. Water supplies from three adjacent rivers are primarily thought to contribute to the nutrient enrichment of the reservoir. It is also suspected that there is leaching of orthophosphate, nitrate and organic matter into the rivers during rainfall events and also as a result of anthropogenic activities within the catchment area. The aim of this study was to ascertain the impact of nutrient loading on the water quality of PdM water and on the population of freshwater microalgae in the reservoir. The enumeration and identification of algae from PdM were performed by differential interference contrast microscopy. Dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were determined by electrometric methods, whereas nutrient levels, silica and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined by instrumentation techniques. Results: Annual mean orthophosphate, nitrate and total organic carbon input from the three feeders within the catchment area of PdM reached levels as high as 0.09 mg/L, 0.4 mg/L and 2.62 ppm respectively. Over a 12-month period, mean TOC concentration in the reservoir was 2.32 ppm while the mean algal cell count was 4601 cells/mL. The dominant algal species identified were Oscillatoria, Cyclotella, Navicula and Cosmarium. Conclusion: This study highlights the trophic state of the reservoir water and clearly points to the need for constant monitoring in order to avoid the occurrence of an impending harmful algal bloom.

• 대한토목학회논문집
• /
• 제39권1호
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2019

본 논문에서는 지반굴착 가시설 일부 현장에서 발생하고 있는 고강도 강관 버팀 보의 휨변형 또는 좌굴변형과 같은 이상 거동을 정의하고 강관 버팀보 구조의 연결부 변화에 따른 실물 휨 성능시험을 수행하였다. 또한, 수치적으로 분석 가능한 유발 인자들에 대한 이상 재현 시나리오 구성 후, 구조 해석 및 단면검토를 통하여 5개 하중조합 Case에 대한 변수 해석을 실시하였다. 5가지 이상거동 유발인자는 과굴착 심도, 충격하중, 추가 상재하중, 버팀 보 지간장 등으로 설정하여 3차원 구조해석을 수행하였으며, 2차원해석과 비교하였다. 수치해석 예제는 이상거동 변수를 고려하여 고강도 강관 버팀 보 가시설 시스템의 구조성능에 미치는 영향 및 이상거동 방지방안을 중심으로 상세 규명하였다.

• 대한조선학회논문집
• /
• 제56권4호
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 2019

The objective of this study is to analyze the mechanical properties of plywood used as a thermal insulating material for LNG CCS (Liquefied Natural Gas, Cargo Containment System). It is created by bonding an odd number of parallel and perpendicular direction for preventing contraction and expansion of wood. Also plywood is widely used as LNG CCS insulating material because of its durability, light weight and high stiffness. Since LNG CCS is loaded with liquid cargo, the impact load by sloshing during operation and the wide temperature range (room temperature, low temperature, cryogenic temperature) exposed during loading, unloading should be considered. The thickness of the plywood which is used for the membrane type MARKIII was selected as the thickness of the test specimen. In this present study, plywood is analyzed by the fracture behavior and mechanical properties of plywood by temperature and grain direction. In addition, it is necessary to analyze the fracture shape and predict the fracture strain by using regression model because the critical load may cause cracks inside the tank, which may affect the leakage of cryogenic liquid.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.297-306
• /
• 2019

The extension of existing RC buildings is a challenging process, which requires efficient connection between existing and new materials to guarantee load transferring between the lap-spliced longitudinal columns' reinforcement. Therefore, the length of the columns' starter bars is a crucial factor, which decisively affects the seismic response of the new columns. In particular, when the length of the starter bars is short, then the length of the lap splices of reinforcement is inadequate to ensure load transfer between steel bars and concrete, with an indisputable detrimental impact on the seismic behaviour of the columns. Moreover, in most of the existing RC buildings the column starter bars are of particularly short length, while they have probably been bent, cut or corroded. In the present study, the effectiveness of both welded rebar and mechanical splices of reinforcement in ensuring load transferring between the starter bars and the longitudinal reinforcement of the new column was experimentally evaluated. Four cantilever column subassemblages were constructed and subjected to earthquake-type loading. Three of the specimens were used to examine different types of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), while in the fourth subassemblage mechanical splices were tested. The hysteretic response of the columns was evaluated and compared to the behaviour of a fifth specimen with continuous reinforcement, tested by Kalogeropoulos and Tsonos (2019). Test results clearly demonstrated that the examined types of SMAW were equally satisfactory in ensuring the ductile seismic performance of the columns, while the mechanical splices found to be more susceptible to exhibit slipping of the bars.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제62권9호
• /
• pp.344-352
• /
• 2019

Background: Ventilator dependency constitutes a major problem in the intensive care setting. Malnutrition is considered a major determinant of extubation failure, however, attention has been attracted to modulating carbon dioxide production through decreasing carbohydrate loading and increasing the percent of fat in enteral feeds. The detected interrelation between substrate oxidation and ventilation outcome became the base of several research to determine the appropriate composition of the nonprotein calories of diet in ventilated patients. Purpose: We aimed to assess the effect of high-fat dietary modification and nutritional status on ventilatory and final outcomes of pediatric intensive care. Methods: Fifty-one ventilated children (1 month to 12 years of age) with pulmonary disease who could be enterally fed, in the Cairo University Pediatric intensive care unit, were divided into 2 groups: group A included 25 patients who received isocaloric high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet; group B included 26 patients who received standard isocaloric diet. Comprehensive nutritional assessment was done for all patients. Results: Group A had a significant reduction in carbon dioxide tension, but no similar reduction in the duration or level of ventilatory support. Assisted minute ventilation was predicted by weight-for-age and caloric intake rather than the type of diet. Poor nutritional status was associated with higher mortality and lower extubation rates. Mild hypertriglyceridemia and some gastrointestinal intolerance were significant in group A, with no impact on the adequacy of energy or protein delivery. Conclusion: The high-fat enteral feeding protocol may contribute to reducing carbon dioxide tension, with mild hypertriglyceridemia and negligible gastrointestinal intolerance as potential adverse effects. Optimization of nutritional status rather than dietary modification may improve ventilatory and survival outcomes in critically ill-ventilated children.

• 한국안전학회지
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.40-47
• /
• 2019

The Half-depth precast deck is a structural system that utilizes pre-cast panels pre-built at the factory as formwork at the construction stage and as a major structural member at the same time after completion. These systems have joints between segments, and the detail and performance of the joints are factors that have a very large impact on the quality, such as the constructability and durability of the bridge decks. In this study, strength performance evaluation was performed for improved joints using connecting rebar by experimental method. Static loading tests were conducted on the test specimen with improved joint, those with existing joint and those without joint. The test results of the specimens were compared to each other, and the flexural strength required by the design was compared. The flexural strength required in the design was presented by finite element analysis. It has been shown that the flexural strength of the specimens with joints were more than twice that required by the design. But the flexural strength of the specimen with existing joint was about 84% of that without joint. The flexural strength of the specimen with improved joints was a nearly similar degree of that compared to the specimen without joint. And a comparison of the moment-deflection relationship curves of the two specimens also shows a very similar flexural behavior. It is confirmed that improved joint has sufficient flexural strength. In addition to strength, the bridge decks require serviceability, such as deflection and cracking, and in particular, fatigue resistance due to repetitive live loads is an important performance factor. Therefore, further verification studies are required.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.47-56
• /
• 2019

Crossing (X-type) flaws are commonly encountered in rock mass. However, the crack coalescence and failure mechanisms of rock mass with X-type flaws remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the compressive failure process of rock-like specimens containing two X-type flaws aligned in the loading direction. For comparison purposes, compressive failure behavior of specimens containing two aligned single flaws is also studied. By examining the crack coalescence behavior, two characteristics for the aligned X-type flaws under uniaxial compression are revealed. The flaws tend to coalesce by cracks emanating from flaw tips along a potential path that is parallel to the maximum compressive stress direction. The flaws are more likely to coalesce along the coalescence path linked by flaw tips with greater maximum circumferential stress if there are several potential coalescence paths almost parallel to the maximum compressive stress direction. In addition, we find that some of the specimens containing two aligned X-type flaws exhibit higher strengths than that of the specimens containing two single parallel flaws. The two underlying reasons that may influence the strengths of specimens containing two aligned X-type flaws are the values of flaw tips maximum circumferential stresses and maximum shear stresses, as well as the shear crack propagation tendencies of some secondary flaws. The research reported here provides increased understanding of the fundamental nature of rock/rock-like material failure in uniaxial compression.

• 대한건축학회논문집:구조계
• /
• 제34권6호
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2018

This paper described the shear strengthening effect by deviator location in pre-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with externally post-tensioning steel rods. Three reinforced concrete beams as control beam and eight post-tensioned beams using external steel rods were tested to fail in shear. The externally post-tensioning material was a steel rod of 22 mm diameter, and it had a 655 MPa yield strength and an 805 MPa tensile strength. Specimens depend on multiple variables, such as the number of deviators, location of deviator, and load pattern. The pre-damaged loads up to about 2/3 of ultimate shear capacities were applied to specimens using displacement control and the diagonal shear crack just occurred at these loading levels. And then, the post-tensioning up to when a strain of steel rod reaches about $2000{\mu}{\varepsilon}$ was continuously applied to beam. A displacement control was changed to a load control during post-tensioning. The post-tensioning resulted in increase of load-carrying capacity and restoration of existing deflection. Also, it prevented the existing diagonal cracks from excessively growing. Two deviators effectively improved the load capacity when compared with in case of test which one deviator at mid-span installed. When deviators were located near region which the diagonal crack occurred on, the strengthening impact by post-tensioning was greater.