• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2019

In deep mixed rock strata, a double shield TBM (DS-TBM) is easy to be entrapped by a large force during tunneling. In order to reduce the probability of the entrapment, we need to investigate a favorable driving direction, either driving with or against dip, which mainly associates with the angle between the tunneling axis and strike, ${\theta}$, as well as the dip angle of rock strata, ${\alpha}$. We, therefore, establish a 3DEC model to show the changes of displacements and contact forces in mixed rock strata through LDP (longitudinal displacement profile) and LFP (longitudinal contact force profile) curves at four characteristic points on the surrounding rock. This is followed by a series of numerical models to investigate the favorable driving direction. The computational results indicate driving with dip is the favorable tunneling direction to reduce the probability of DS-TBM entrapment, irrespective of ${\theta}$ and ${\alpha}$, which is not in full agreement with the guidelines proposed in RMR. From the favorable driving direction (i.e., driving with dip), the smallest contact force is found when ${\theta}$ is equal to $90^{\circ}$. The present study is therefore beneficial for route selection and construction design in TBM tunneling.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.5978-5999
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• 2018

Pedestrian detection is a challenging area in the intelligent vehicles domain. During the last years, many works have been proposed to efficiently detect motion in images. However, the problem becomes more complex when it comes to detecting moving areas while the vehicle is also moving. This paper presents a variational optical flow-based method for motion estimation in vehicular traffic scenarios. We introduce a framework for detecting motion areas with small and large displacements by computing optical flow using a multilevel architecture. The flow field is estimated at the shortest level and then successively computed until the largest level. We include a filtering parameter and a warping process using bicubic interpolation to combine the intermediate flow fields computed at each level during optimization to gain better performance. Furthermore, we find that by including a penalization function, our system is able to effectively reduce the presence of outliers and deal with all expected circumstances in real scenes. Experimental results are performed on various image sequences from Daimler Pedestrian Dataset that includes urban traffic scenarios. Our evaluation demonstrates that despite the complexity of the evaluated scenes, the motion areas with both moving and static camera can be effectively identified.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.539-562
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• 2020

In this paper the linear elastic coupling between a 2 degree of freedom shear-type frame system and a rigid block is analytically and experimentally investigated. As demonstrated by some of the authors in previous papers, it is possible to choose a coupling system able to guarantee advantages, whatever the mechanical characteristics of the frame. The main purpose of the investigation is to validate the analytical model. The nonlinear equations of motion of the coupled system are obtained by a Lagrangian approach and successively numerically integrated under harmonic and seismic excitation. The results, in terms of gain graphs, maps and spectra, represent the ratio between the maximum displacements or drifts of the coupled and uncoupled systems as a function of the system's parameters. Numerical investigations show the effectiveness of the nonlinear coupling for a large set of parameters. Thus experimental tests are carried out to verify the analytical results. An electro-dynamic long-stroke shaker sinusoidally and seismically forces a shear-type 2 d.o.f frame coupled with a rigid aluminium block. The experimental investigations confirm the effectiveness of the coupling as predicted by the analytical model.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.525-538
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• 2022

High-rise wooden pagodas generate large displacement responses under wind action. It is necessary and wise to reduce the wind loads and wind-induced responses on the architectural heritage using artificial plants, which do not damage ancient architecture and increase greenery. This study calculates and analyzes the wind loads and wind-induced responses on the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, in China, using artificial plants via the finite element analysis (FEA). A three-dimensional wind-loading field was simulated using a wind tunnel test. Wind loads and wind-induced responses, including the displacement and acceleration of the pagoda with and without artificial plants, were analyzed. In addition, three types of tree arrangements were discussed and analyzed using the score method. The results revealed that artificial plants can effectively control wind loads and wind-induced displacements, but the wind-induced accelerations are enlarged to some extent during the process. The height of the tree significantly affected the shelter effects of the structure. The distance of trees from the pagoda and arrangement width of the tree had less influence on shelter effects. This study extends the understanding of the nondestructive method based on artificial plants, for controlling the wind base loads and structural responses of wooden pagodas and preserving architectural heritage via FEA.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.439-452
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• 2021

The concept of Performance objective assessment is extended to wind engineering. This approach applies using the Database-Assisted Design technique, relying on the aerodynamic database provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A structural model of a low-rise building is analyzed to obtain influence coefficients for internal forces and displacements. Combining these coefficients with time histories of pressure coefficients on the envelope produces time histories of load effects on the structure, for example knee and ridge bending moments, and eave lateral drift. The peak values of such effects are represented by an extreme-value Type I Distribution, which allows the estimation of the gust wind speed leading to the mean hourly extreme loading that cause specific performance objective compromises. Firstly a fully correlated wind field over large tributary areas is assumed and then relaxed to utilize the denser pressure tap data available but with considerably more computational effort. The performance objectives are determined in accordance with the limit state load combinations given in the ASCE 7-16 provisions, particularly the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method. The procedure is then repeated for several wind directions and different dominant opening scenarios to determine the cases that produce performance objective criteria. Comparisons with two approaches in ASCE 7 are made.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.313-323
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• 2022

Steel laminated elastomeric bearings are commonly used in bridge structures to control displacements and rotations and transfer forces from the superstructure to the substructure. Proper knowledge of design, fabrication and erection procedures is important to ensure stability and adequate structural performance during the lifetime of the bridge. Difference in elevations sometimes leads to large size gaps between the bearing and the girder which makes the grout thickness that is commonly used for leveling deviate beyond standards. This paper investigates the structural response of High Strength Fiber Reinforced Cementitious (HSFRC) thin plinths that are used to close gaps between bearing pads and precast girders. An experimental program was developed for this purpose where HSFRC plinths of different size were cast and tested under vertical loads that simulate bridge loading in service. The structural performance of the plinths was closely monitored during testing, mainly crack propagation, vertical reaction and displacement. Analytically, the HSFRC plinth was analyzed using the beam on elastic foundation theory as the supporting elastomeric bearing pads are highly compressible. Closed form solutions were derived for induced displacement and forces and comparisons were made between analytical and experimental results. Finally, recommendations were made to facilitate the practical use of HSFRC plinths in bridge construction based on its enhanced load carrying capacity in shear and flexure.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.223-232
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• 2003

In this study, a constitutive model called the disturbed state concept (DSC) was modified to be applied to the interface shear stress-displacement relationship between geosynthetics. The DSC model is comprised of two reference states, namely the relative intact (RI) and the fully adjusted (FA) state, and one function, namely the disturbance function. This model is a unified approach and can allow for various models as an RI state such as elastic-perfectly plastic model, hierarchical model, and so on. In addition, by using this model, the elastic and plastic displacements can be considered simultaneously. Comparisons between the measured data and predicted results through the parameters determined from four sets of large direct shear tests showed good agreements with each other, especially for the smooth geomembrane-involved interface. Although there are slight differences at peak shear strength for textured geomembrane-involved interface, this model can still be useful to predict the position of displacement at peak strength and the large displacement (or residual) shear strength.

• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2002

In this paper, the method calculating hydroelastic responses of very large floating structure close to a breakwater in waves is presented. The source-dipole distribution method is used to calculate the generalized radiation problem considering breakwater effects and the diffraction problem is analyzed by using the source-dipole distribution andvelocity potential continuation method. The response of a VLFS is approximated by anexpansion in terms of a free-free beam. Calculated model is a VLFS with 1000m in length in a sea with a straight breakwater. The vertical displacements and bonding moments around a VLFS are calculated by variations for distance between a VLFS and a breakwater and incident wave angle to know the effect of a breakwater.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

Digital Image Correlation is a well-established method for displacements, strains and shape measurements of engineering objects. Stereo-camera 3D Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) systems have been developed to match the specific requirements for measurements posed by material and mechanical industries. Although DIC method provides the capabilities of scaling a field-of-view(FOV), dimensions of Geotechnical structure objects in many cases are too big to be measured with DIC based on a single camera pair. It can be the most important issue with applying 3D DIC to the measurement of Geotechnical structures. In this paper, We were present stereo vision conditions in a 3D DIC system that can be measured for large FOV(30×20m) and high precisions(z-displacement 0.5mm) of the ground objects with Stereo-camera DIC systems.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2017

This paper focuses on the seismic performance of pallet-type steel storage rack structures in their down aisle direction. As evidenced by experimental research, the seismic response of storage racks in the down-aisle direction is strongly affected by the nonlinear moment-rotation response of the beam-to-column connections. In their down-aisle direction, rack structures are designed to resist lateral seismic loads with typical moment frames utilizing proprietary beam-to-column moment-resisting connections. These connections are mostly boltless hooked type connections and they exhibit significantly large rotations resulting in large lateral frame displacements when subjected to strong ground motions. In this paper, typical hooked boltless beam-to-column connections are studied experimentally to obtain their non-linear reversed cyclic moment-rotation response. Additionally, a compound type connection involving the standard hooks and additional bolts were also tested under similar conditions. The simple introduction of the additional bolts within the hooked connection is considered to be a practical way of structural upgrade in the connection. The experimentally evaluated characteristics of the connections are compared in terms of some important performance indicators such as maximum moment and rotation capacity, change in stiffness and accumulated energy levels within the cyclic loading protocol. Finally, the obtained characteristics were used to carry out seismic performance assessment of rack frames incorporating the tested beam-to-column connections. The assessment involves a displacement based approach that utilizes a simple analytical model that captures the seismic behavior of racks in their down-aisle direction. The results of the study indicate that the proposed method of upgrading appears to be a very practical and effective way of increasing the seismic performance of hooked connections and hence the rack frames in their down-aisle direction.