• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.197-213
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• 2011

Concrete is a heterogeneous material exhibiting quasi-brittle behaviour. While homogenization of concrete is commonly accepted in general engineering applications, a detailed description of the material heterogeneity using a mesoscale model becomes desirable and even necessary for problems where drastic spatial and time variation of the stress and strain is involved, for example in the analysis of local damages under impact, shock or blast load. A mesoscale model can also assist in an investigation into the underlying mechanisms affecting the bulk material behaviour under various stress conditions. Extending from existing mesoscale model studies, where use is often made of specialized codes with limited capability in the material description and numerical solutions, this paper presents a mesoscale computational model developed under a general-purpose finite element environment. The aim is to facilitate the utilization of sophisticated material descriptions (e.g., pressure and rate dependency) and advanced numerical solvers to suit a broad range of applications, including high impulsive dynamic analysis. The whole procedure encompasses a module for the generation of concrete mesoscale structure; a process for the generation of the FE mesh, considering two alternative schemes for the interface transition zone (ITZ); and the nonlinear analysis of the mesoscale FE model with an explicit time integration approach. The development of the model and various associated computational considerations are discussed in this paper (Part 1). Further numerical studies using the mesoscale model for both quasi-static and dynamic loadings will be presented in the companion paper (Part 2).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.244-247
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• 2005

Although several artificial disc designs have been developed for the treatment of discogenic low back pain and used clinically, biomechanical change with its implantation seldom studied. To evaluate the effect of artificial disc implantation on the biomechanics of lumbar spinal unit, nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model of L1-L5, S1 was developed and strain and stress of vertebral body and surrounding spinal ligaments were predicted. Intact osteoligamentous L1-L5, S1 model was created with 1-mm CT scan of a volunteer and known material property of each element were applied. This model also includes the effect of local muscles which was modeled with pre-strained spring elements. The intact model was validated with reported biomechanical data. Two models implanted with artificial discs, SB Charite or Prodisc, at L4/5 via anterior approach were also developed. The implanted model predictions were compared with that of intact model. Angular motion of vertebral body, force on spinal ligaments, facet joint contact force with $2\sim12$ Nm flexion-extension moment.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.405-426
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• 2000

Two approximate methods based on mechanism analysis suitable for seismic assessment/design of structural concrete are reviewed. The methods involve use of equal energy concept or equal displacement concept along with appropriate patterns of inelastic deformations to relate structure's maximum lateral displacement to member and plastic deformations. One of these methods (Clough's method), defined here as a ductility-based approach, is examined in detail and a modification for its improvement is suggested. The modification is based on estimation of maximum inelastic displacement using inelastic design response spectra (IDRS) as an alternative to using equal energy concept. The IDRS for demand displacement ductilities are developed for a single degree of freedom model subjected to several accelerograms as functions of response modification factor (R), damping ratios, and strain hardening. The suggested revised methodology involves estimation of R as the ratio of elastic strength demand to code level demand, and determination of design base shear using $R_{design}{\leq}R$ and maximum displacement, determination of plastic displacement using IDRS and subsequent local plastic deformations. The methodology is demonstrated for the case of a 10-story precast wall panel building.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.8 no.4 s.30
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• pp.115-124
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• 2006

The objectives of this paper are to develop the structural condition evaluation technique using Falling Weight Deflectometer deflections and propose the structural condition criteria for asphalt pavements. To figure out correlation between surface deflections and critical pavement responses, the synthetic database has been established using the finite element pavement structural analysis program. A regression approach was adopted to develop the pavement response model that can be used to compute the stresses and strains within pavement structure using the FWD deflections. Based on the pavement response model, the procedure for assessing the structural condition of pavement layers was proposed in this study. To validate the condition evaluation procedure for asphalt pavements, the FWD test, dynamic cone penetrometer test, and repeated triaxial compression test were conducted on 11 sections of national highway and 8 sections of local road. Test results indicate that the tensile strain at the bottom of AC layer and AC elastic modulus were good indicators for estimating the stiffness characteristics of AC layer. For subbase layer, the BDI value and compressive strain on top of the subbase layer were appropriate to predict the structural capacity of subbase layer. The BCI value and compressive strain on top of the subgrade were found to be good indicators for evaluating the structural condition of the subgrade. The evaluation criteria for structural condition in asphalt pavements was also proposed in this paper.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.161-205
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• 2013

We study seismically induced, anti-plane strain wave motion in a non-homogeneous geological region containing tunnels. Two different scenarios are considered: (a) The first models two tunnels in a finite geological region embedded within a laterally inhomogeneous, layered geological profile containing a seismic source. For this case, labelled as the first boundary-value problem (BVP 1), an efficient hybrid technique comprising the finite difference method (FDM) and the boundary element method (BEM) is developed and applied. Since the later method is based on the frequency-dependent fundamental solution of elastodynamics, the hybrid technique is defined in the frequency domain. Then, an inverse fast Fourier transformation (FFT) is used to recover time histories; (b) The second models a finite region with two tunnels, is embedded in a homogeneous half-plane, and is subjected to incident, time-harmonic SH-waves. This case, labelled as the second boundary-value problem (BVP 2), considers complex soil properties such as anisotropy, continuous inhomogeneity and poroelasticity. The computational approach is now the BEM alone, since solution of the surrounding half plane by the FDM is unnecessary. In sum, the hybrid FDM-BEM technique is able to quantify dependence of the signals that develop at the free surface to the following key parameters: seismic source properties and heterogeneous structure of the wave path (the FDM component) and near-surface geological deposits containing discontinuities in the form of tunnels (the BEM component). Finally, the hybrid technique is used for evaluating the seismic wave field that develops within a key geological cross-section of the Metro construction project in Thessaloniki, Greece, which includes the important Roman-era historical monument of Rotunda dating from the 3rd century A.D.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2010

This paper studies causes of the L-1 blade damage of a low pressure turbine, which was found during the scheduled maintenance, in 500 MW fossil power plants. Many failures of turbine blades are caused by the coupling of aerodynamic forcing with bladed-disk vibration characteristics. In this study the coupled vibration characteristics of the L-1 turbine bladed-disk in a fossil power plant is shown for the purpose of identifying the root cause of the damage and confirming equipment integrity. First, analytic and experimental modal analysis for the bladed-disk at zero rpm as well as a single blade were performed and analyzed in order to verify the finite element model, and then steady stresses, natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes, dynamic stresses were calculated for the bladed-disk under operation. Centrifugal force and steady steam force were considered in calculation of steady and dynamic stress. The proximity of modes to sources of excitation was assessed by means of an interference diagram to examine resonances. In addition, fatigue analysis was done for the dangerous modes of operation by a local strain approach. It is expected that these dynamic characteristics will be used effectively to identify the root causes of blade failures and to perform prompt maintenance.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.727-734
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• 2014

This paper describes multi-scale based ductile fracture simulation using finite element (FE) damage analysis. The maximum and crack initiation loads of cracked components were predicted using proposed virtual testing method. To apply the local approach criteria for ductile fracture, stress-modified fracture strain model was adopted as the damage criteria with modified calibration technique that only requires tensile and fracture toughness test data. Element-size-dependent critical damage model is also introduced to apply the proposed ductile fracture simulation to large-scale components. The results of the simulation were compared with those of the tests on SA333 Gr. 6 full-scale pipes at $288^{\circ}C$, performed by the Battelle Memorial Institute.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2009

The present paper briefly describes the space frame element and the fundamental strategies in computational elastic bifurcation theory of geometrically nonlinear, single load parameter conservative elastic spatial structures. A method for large deformation(rotation) analysis of space frame is based on an eulerian formulation, which takes into consideration the effects of large joint translations and rotations with finite deformation(rotation). The local member force-deformation relationships are based on the beam-column approach, and the change in member chord lengths caused by axial strain and flexural bowing are taken into account. and the derived geometric stiffness matrix is unsymmetric because of the fact that finite rotations are not commutative under addition. To detect the singular point such as bifurcation point, an iterative pin-pointing algorithm is proposed. And the path switching mode for bifurcation path is based on the non-negative eigen-value and it's corresponding eigen-vector. Some numerical examples for bifurcation analysis are carried out for a plane frame, plane circular arch and space dome structures are described.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.103-110
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• 2021

A shake table test is conducted for the three-story reinforced concrete building structure using 0.28 g, 0.5 g, 0.75 g, and 1.0 g of seismic input motions based on the Gyeongju earthquake. Computational efforts are made in parallel to explore the mechanical details in the structure. For engineering practice, the elastic modulus of concrete and rebar in the dynamic analysis is reduced to 38% and 50%, respectively, to calibrate the structure's natural frequencies. The engineering approach to the reduced modulus of elasticity is believed to be due to the inability to specify the flexibility of the actual boundary conditions. This aspect may lead to disadvantages of nonlinear dynamic analysis that can distort local stress and strain relationships. The initial elastic modulus can be applied directly without the so-called engineering adjustment with infinite element models with spring and spring-dashpot boundary conditions. This has the advantage of imposing the system flexibility of the structure on the sub-boundary conditions of springs and damping devices to control its sensitivity in a serial arrangement. This can reflect the flexibility of realistic boundary conditions and the effects of system damping (such as the gap between a concrete footing and shake table, loosening of steel anchors, etc.) in scalar quantities. However, these spring and dashpot coefficients can only be coordinated based on experimental results, making it challenging to select the coefficients in-prior to perform an experimental test.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2023

Background: Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, often requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and eventually tracheostomy. Both procedures occur in isolation units where personal protective equipment is needed. Additionally, the high bleeding risk in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) places a great strain on surgeons. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) supported by ECMO, and compared the outcomes of patients with and without ECMO. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, observational study included patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent elective PDT (n=29) from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021. The patients were divided into ECMO and non-ECMO groups. Data were collected from electronic medical records at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon, Korea. Results: Twenty-nine COVID-19 patients underwent PDT (24 men [82.8%] and 5 women [17.2%]; median age, 61 years; range, 26-87 years; interquartile range, 54-71 years). The mean procedure time was 17±10.07 minutes. No clinically or statistically significant difference in procedure time was noted between the ECMO and non-ECMO groups (16.35±7.34 vs. 18.25±13.32, p=0.661). Overall, 12 patients (41.4%) had minor complications; 10 had mild subdermal bleeding from the skin incision, which was resolved with local gauze packing, and 2 (6.9%) had dislodgement. No healthcare provider infection was reported. Conclusion: Our PDT approach is safe for patients and healthcare providers. With bronchoscopy assistance, PDT can be performed quickly and easily even in isolation units and with acceptable risk, regardless of the hypo-coagulable condition of patients on ECMO.