• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.329-348
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• 2011

Large-scale earthquakes pose serious threats to infrastructure causing substantial damage and large residual deformations. Superelastic (SE) Shape-Memory-Alloys (SMAs) are unique alloys with the ability to undergo large deformations, but can recover its original shape upon stress removal. The purpose of this research is to exploit this characteristic of SMAs such that concrete Beam-Column Joints (BCJs) reinforced with SMA bars at the plastic hinge region experience reduced residual deformation at the end of earthquakes. Another objective is to evaluate the seismic performance of SMA Reinforced Concrete BCJs repaired with flowable Structural-Repair-Concrete (SRC). A $\frac{3}{4}$-scale BCJ reinforced with SMA rebars in the plastic-hinge zone was tested under reversed cyclic loading, and subsequently repaired and retested. The joint was selected from an RC building located in the seismic region of western Canada. It was designed and detailed according to the NBCC 2005 and CSA A23.3-04 recommendations. The behaviour under reversed cyclic loading of the original and repaired joints, their load-storey drift, and energy dissipation ability were compared. The results demonstrate that SMA-RC BCJs are able to recover nearly all of their post-yield deformation, requiring a minimum amount of repair, even after a large earthquake, proving to be smart structural elements. It was also shown that the use of SRC to repair damaged BCJs can restore its full capacity.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.669-679
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• 2018

In this paper the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column connections under cyclic loading was analyzed. The specimens, manufactured in a reduced-scale were made of (a) recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) by replacing 30% of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) with recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and (b) RAC incorporating Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber i.e., PET fiber-reinforced concrete (PFRC) at the joint region. PET fiber (aspect ratio=25) of 0.5% by weight of concrete used in the PFRC mix was obtained by hand cutting of post-consumer PET bottles. A reference specimen was also prepared using 100% of NCA and subjected to similar loading sequence. Comparing the results the structural behavior under cyclic loading of RAC specimens are quite similar to the reference specimens. Damage tolerance, load resisting capacity, stiffness degradation, ductility, and energy dissipation of the RAC specimens enhanced due to addition of PET fibers at the joint region. PFRC specimens also presented a lower damage indices and higher principal tensile stresses as compared to the RAC specimens. The results obtained gave experimental evidence on the feasibility of RAC for structural use. Using PET fibers as a discrete reinforcement is recommended for improving the seismic performance of RAC specimens.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.735-748
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• 2018

In this paper, the cyclic behavior of steel beam-concrete encased steel (CES) column joints was investigated experimentally and numerically. Three frame middle joint samples with varying concrete slab widths were constructed. Anti-symmetrical low-frequency cyclic load was applied at two beam ends to simulate the earthquake action. The failure modes, hysteretic behavior, ultimate load, stiffness degradation, load carrying capacity degradation, displacement ductility and strain response were investigated in details. The three composite joints exhibited excellent seismic performance in experimental tests, showing high load-carrying capacity, good ductility and superior energy dissipation ability. All three joint samples reached their ultimate loads due to shear failure. Numerical results from ABAQUS modelling agreed well with the test results. Finally, the effect of the concrete slab on ultimate load was analyzed through a parametric study on concrete strength, slab thickness, as well as slab width. Numerical simulation showed that slab width and thickness played an important role in the load-carrying capacity of such joints. As a comparison, the influence of concrete grade was not significant.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.791-804
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• 2022

As a type of semi-rigid connection, the top and seat angle connections are popular in current structures owing to their good cyclic performance and simple erection. However, their stiffness and load bearing capacity are relatively insufficient. This study proposes two strengthening methods to further increase the stiffness and strength of bolted-angle joints while maintaining satisfactory energy dissipation capacity (EDC) and ductility. Cyclic loading tests were conducted on six joint specimens with different strengthened angle components. Based on the test results, the influence of the following important factors on the cyclic behavior of steel joint specimens was investigated: the position of the rib stiffeners (edge rib stiffeners and middle rib stiffener), steel strength grade of rib stiffeners (Q345 and Q690), and additional stiffeners or not. In addition, the finite element models of these specimens were built and validated through a comparison of experimental and numerical results. The stiffness and bearing capacity of the bolted-angle joints could be improved significantly by utilizing the novel strengthened joints proposed in this study. Moreover, this can be achieved with almost no increase in the amount of steel required, and the EDC of this joint could also satisfy the requirements of seismic codes from various countries.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.241-247
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• 2022

Ad hoc network is self-organized network powered by battery. The reliability of virtual user identification and channel security are reduced when SNR is low due to limited user energy. In order to solve this problem, a joint virtual user identification and channel security en/decoding method is proposed in this paper. Transmitter-receiver-based virtual user identification code is generated by executing XOR operation between orthogonal address code of transmitter and pseudo random address code of receiver and encrypted by channel security code to acquire orthogonal random security sequence so as to improve channel security. In order to spread spectrum as well as improve transmission efficiency, data packet is divided into 6-bit symbols, each symbol is mapped with an orthogonal random security sequence. Subspace-based method is adopted by receiver to process received signal firstly, and then a judgment model is established to identify virtual users according to the previous processing results. Simulation results indicate that the proposed method obtains 1.6dB E_b/N₀ gains compared with reference methods when miss alarm rate reaches 10^-3.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.339-349
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• 2023

Fast-built construction is a key feature for successful applications of precast concrete (PC) moment frame system in recent construction practices. To this end, by introducing some unique splicing details in precast connections, especially between PC columns including panel zones, use of temporary supports and bracings can be minimized based on their self-sustaining nature. In addition, precast wide beams are commonly adopted for better economic feasibility. In this study, three self-sustaining precast concrete (PC) wide beam-column connection specimens were fabricated and tested under reversed cyclic loadings, and their seismic performances were quantitatively evaluated in terms of strength, ductility, failure modes, energy dissipation and stiffness degradation. Test results were compared with ASCE 41-17 nonlinear modeling curves and its corresponding acceptance criteria. On this basis, an improved macro modeling method was explored for a more accurate simulation. It appeared that all the test specimens fully satisfy the acceptance criteria, but the implicit joint model recommended in ASCE 41-17 tends to underestimate the joint shear stiffness of PC wide beam-column connection. While, the explicit joint model along with concentrated plastic hinge modeling technique is able to present better accuracy in simulating the cyclic responses of PC wide beam-column connections.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.14-35
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• 2024

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most unique joints in the human body that orchestrates complex movements across different orthogonal planes and multiple axes of rotation. Comprising the articular eminence of the temporal bone and the condylar process of the mandible, the TMJ integrates five major ligaments, retrodiscal tissues, nerves, and blood and lymph systems to facilitate its function. Cooperation between the contralateral TMJ and masticatory muscles is essential for coordinated serial dynamic functions. During mouth opening, the TMJ exhibits a hinge movement, followed by gliding. The health of the masticatory system, which is intricately linked to chewing, energy intake, and communication, has become increasingly crucial with advancing age, exerting an impact on oral and systemic health and overall quality of life. For individuals to lead a healthy and pain-free life, a comprehensive understanding of the basic anatomy and functional aspects of the TMJ and masticatory muscles is imperative. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) encompass a spectrum of diseases and disorders associated with changes in the structure, function, or physiology of the TMJ and masticatory system. Functional and pathological alterations in the TMJ and masticatory muscles can be visualized using various imaging modalities, such as cone-beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scans. An exploration of potential pathophysiological mechanisms related to the TMJ anatomy contributes to a comprehensive understanding of TMD and informs targeted treatment strategies. Hence, this narrative review presents insights into the fundamental functional anatomy of the TMJ and pathological changes that evolve with TMD progression.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 1998

Energy consumption statistics have been surveyed for 50 large commercial buildings with high energy consumption records in Seoul City. The buildings were classified into three different groups for data analysis: hospitals, hotels, and department stores/office buildings. The analysis was focused on identifying installed boiler and refrigerator data, energy consumption rates, and energy load distribution throughout the year. Refrigerating electricity was confirmed again to affect most on the formation of the summer electricity load peak as expected. Replacing the refrigerator electricity peak in the summer with co-generation in large commercial buildings. However, overall heat load distribution in a single building is still considered not large enough for economically feasible co-generation and thus joint co-generation for multiple neighboring buildings are preferred and the Electric Power Law and LNG pricing policy should be revised favorably for co-generation in advance.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.394-398
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• 2019

In this paper, the joining characteristics of GDC-LSM ceramics with Crofer 22 APU metal alloys was investigated at different brazing temperatures and holding times by reactive air brazing. Brazing was performed using Ag-10 wt% CuO filler, at three different temperatures (1000, 1050, and 1100℃ for 30 minutes) as well as for three different holding times (10, 30, and 60 minutes at 1050℃). The interfacial microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy and the joining strengths were assessed by measuring shear strengths at room temperature. The results show that with increasing brazing temperature and holding time, joint microstructure changed obviously and shear strength was decreased. Shear strength varied from a maximum of 100±6 MPa to a minimum of 18±5 MPa, depending on the brazing conditions. These changes were attributed to an increase in the thickness of the oxide layer at the filler/metal alloy interface.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1029-1036
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• 2011

An energy-efficient reference walking trajectory generation algorithm is suggested utilizing allowable ZMP (Zero-Moment-Point) region, which maxmizes the energy efficiency for cyclic gaits, based on three-dimensional LIPM (Linear Inverted Pendulum Model) for biped robots. As observed in natural human walking, variable ZMP manipulation is suggested, in which ZMP moves within the allowable region to reduce the joint stress (i.e., rapid acceleration and deceleration of body), and hence to reduce the consumed energy. In addition, opimization of footstep planning is conducted to decide the optimal step-length and body height for a given forward mean velocity to minimize a suitable energy performance - amount of energy required to carry a unit weight a unit distance. In this planning, in order to ensure physically realizable walking trajectory, we also considered geometrical constraints, ZMP stability condition, friction constraint, and yawing moment constraint. Simulations are performed with a 12-DOF 3D biped robot model to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.