• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.243-264
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• 2008

This paper details a testing facility ("NATURAL FIRE FACILITY") that allows closely-controlled experimental testing on full-scale sub-frames while reproducing the spatially transient temperature conditions measured in real fires. Using this test facility, an experimental investigation of six steel sub-frames under a natural fire was carried out at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Coimbra. The main objective of these tests was to provide insight into the influence of these connection types on the behaviour of steel sub-structures under fire. The experimental layout is defined by two thermally insulated HEA300 columns and an unprotected IPE300 beam with 5.7 m span, supporting a composite concrete slab. Beam-to-column connections are representative of the most common joint type used on buildings: welded joints and extended, flush and partial depth plate. Finally, the available results are presented and discussed: evolution of the steel temperature; development of displacements and local deformations and failure modes on the joints zone.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.225-246
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• 2017

Excessive dynamic-tension variations on the top-tensioned risers (TTRs) deteriorate the structural integrity and cause potential safety hazards. This phenomenon has become more remarkable in the development of deep-water fields with harsher environmental loads. The conventional prediction method of tension variations in hydro-pneumatic tensioner (HPT) has the disadvantage to underestimate the magnitude of cyclic loads. The actual excessive dynamic tension variations are larger when considering the viscous frictional fluid effects. In this paper, a suppression method of tension variations in HPT is modeled by incorporating the magneto-rheological (MR) damper and linear-force actuator. The mathematical models of the combined HPT and MR damper are developed and a force-control scheme is introduced to compensate the excessive tension variations on the riser tensioner ring. Numerical simulations and analyses are conducted to evaluate the suppression of tension variations in HPT under both regular- and irregular-wave conditions for a drilling riser of a tensioned-leg platform (TLP). The results show that significant reduction of tension variations can be achieved by introducing the proposed system. This research has provided a theoretical foundation for the HPT tension control and related structural protection.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.30-35
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• 2013

This paper describes the assessment method of deterioration condition for a power transformer using SFRA. Frequency Response Analysis(FRA) is a method to evaluate the mechanical and geometrical integrity of the core and windings within a power transformer by measuring the electrical transfer functions over a wide frequency range. SFRA is sweep frequency response analyzer for power transformer winding diagnosis. The FRA is a comparative method, that evaluates the transformer condition by comparing the obtained set of FRA results to reference results on the same, or a similar, unit. FRA techniques were widely used and much more sensitive than the traditional and internationally accepted method of impedance measurements, but that work was required on standardization and interpretation. In order to analyze the deterioration condition for power transformer, overvoltage test and mechanical distortion test were carried out. The deterioration condition for power transformer was evaluated by SFRA. It is intended to present the elemental technology of assessment method for power transformer using SFRA.

• 한국초전도학회:학술대회논문집
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• v.9
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• pp.310-314
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• 1999

A prototype of Flywheel Energy Storage System with high Tc superconducting bearings was fabricated and tested to verify its applicability for the energy industry. The moment of inertia of assembled wheel with rotor magnets is about 1.072${\times}$10$^{-1}$ Kg-m$^2$. The wheel was designed to withstand its integrity up to the rotation speed of 20,000 rpm. YBCO bulk superconductors prepared by seed growth method were used as bearing to levitate and stabilize the rotating wheel. High speed rotation of the flywheel without mechanical contact was achieved by using specially designed Halbach type motor. The flywheel system showed very high stability during test operation performed up to the speed of about 10,000rpm. The energy loss measured by free decay test performed between 9,300 rpm and 7,000 rpm was calculated as about 45 W.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.298-306
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• 2001

As fuel burnup proceeds, thermal gradients, differential swelling, and inter-assembly loading may induce assembly duct bowing. Since duct bowing affects the reactivity, such as long or short term power-reactivity-decrement variations, handling problem, caused by top end deflection of the bowed assembly duct, and the integrity of the assembly duct itself. Assembly duct bowing were first observed at EBR-ll in 1965, and then several designs of assembly ducts and core restraint system were used to accommodate this problem. In this study, NUBOW-2D KMOD was used to analyze the bowing behavior of the assembly duct under the KALIMER(Korea Advanced Liquid MEtal Reactor) core restraint system conditions. The mechanical behavior of assembly ducts related to several design parameters are evaluated. ACLP(Above Core Load Pad) positions, the gap distance between the ducts, and the gap distance between the duct and restraint ring were selected as the sensitivity parameter for the evaluation of duct deflection.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.802-810
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• 2020

Three-dimensional finite element simulations are implemented for the in-pile thermo-mechanical behavior in U-Mo/Al monolithic fuel plates with different thermal creep rates of cladding involved. The numerical results indicate that the thickness increment of fuel foil rises with the thermal creep coefficient of cladding. The maximum Mises stress of cladding is reduced by ~85% from 344 MPa on the 98.0^th day when the creep coefficient of cladding increases from 0.01 to 10.0, due to its equivalent thermal creep strain enlarged by 3.5 times. When the thermal creep coefficient of Aluminum cladding increases from 0 to 1.0, the maximum mesoscale stress of fuel foil varies slightly. At the same time, the peak mesoscale normal stress of fuel foil can reach 51 MPa on the 98.0^th day for the thermal creep coefficient of 10, which increases by 60.3% of that with the thermal creep un-occurred in the cladding. The maximum through-thickness creep strain components of fuel foil differ slightly for different thermal creep coefficients of cladding. The dangerous region of fuel foil becomes much closer to the heavily irradiated side when the creep coefficient of cladding becomes 10.0. The creep performance of Aluminum cladding should be optimized for the integrity of monolithic fuel plates.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.393-406
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• 1993

In resistance spot welding process, size of molten nuggest have been utilized to assess the integrity of the weld quality. However real-time monitoring of the nugget size is an extremely difficult problem. This paper describes the design of an artificial neural networks(ANN) estimator to predict the nugget size for on-line use of weld quality monitoring. The main task of the ANN estimator is to realize the mapping characteristics from the sampled dynamic resistance signal to the actual negget size through training. The structure of the ANN estimator including the number of hidden layers and nodes in a layer is determined by an estimation error analysis. A series of welding experiments are performed to assess the performance of the ANN estimator. The results are quite promissing in that real-time estimation of the invisible nugget size can be achieved by analyzing the dynamic resistance signal without any conventional destructive testing of welds.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.5 s.248
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• pp.533-542
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• 2006

In order to assess the integrity of pipes with local thinning area, the plastic strain as well as the elastic strain at the root of thinned region are required particularly when fluctuating load is applied to the pipe. For estimating elastic-plastic strain at local wall thinning area in a straight pipe under tensile load, an estimation model with idealized fully circumferential constant depth wall thinning area is proposed. Based on the compatibility and equilibrium equations a nonlinear estimation equation, from which local elastic-plastic strain can be determined as a function of pipe/defect geometry, material and the applied strain was derived. Estimation results are compared with those from detailed elastic-plastic finite element analysis, which shows good agreements. Noting that practical wall thinning in nuclear piping has not only a circular shape but also a finite circumferential length, the proposed solution for the ideal geometry is extended based on two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical analysis of pipes with circular wall thinning.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.5 s.248
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• pp.568-575
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• 2006

The present paper provides plastic limit load solutions of axial and circumferential through-wall cracked pipes based on detailed three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) limit analysis using elastic-perfectly-plastic behavior. As a loading condition, axial tension, global bending moment, internal pressure, combined tension and bending and combined internal pressure and bending are considered for circumferential through-wall cracked pipes, while only internal pressure is considered for axial through-wall cracked pipes. Especially, more emphasis is given for through-wall cracked pipes subject to combined loading. Comparisons with existing solutions show a large discrepancy in short through-wall crack (both axial and circumferential) for internal pressure. In the case of combined loading, the FE limit analyses results show thickness effect on limit load solutions. Furthermore, the plastic limit load solution for circumferential through-wall cracked pipes under bending is applied to derive plastic $\eta\;and\;{\gamma}$-factor of testing circumferential through-wall cracked pipes to estimate fracture toughness. Being based on detailed 3-D FE limit analysis, the present solutions are believed to be meaningful fur structural integrity assessment of through-wall cracked pipes.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.416-423
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• 2003

During the last ten years, the need has been increased for reducing maintenance cost for aged equipments and ensuring safety, efficiency and profitability of petrochemical and refinery plants. RBI (Risk Based Inspection) methodology is one of the most promising technologies satisfying the need in the field of integrity management. In this study, a user-friendly software, realRBl for RBI based on the API 581 code was developed. This software has modules for evaluating qualitative and semi-quantitative risk level, analyzing quantitative risks using the potential consequences of a failure of the pressure boundary, and assessing the likelihood of failure. A quantitative analysis was performed for 16 columns in a domestic NCC (Naphtha Cracking Center) plant whose operating time reaches about 12 years. Each column was considered as two equipment parts by dividing into top and bottom. Generic column failure frequencies were adjusted based on likelihood data. After determining release rate, release duration and release mass for each failure scenario, flammable/explosive and toxic consequences were assessed. Current risks for 32 equipment parts were evaluated and risk based prioritization were determined as a final result.