• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.511-524
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• 2005

Thermalhydraulic reactor simulation of tomorrow will require a new generation of codes combining at least three scales, the CFD scale in open medium, the component scale and the system scale. DNS will be used as a support for modelling more macroscopic models. NEPTUNE is such a new generation multi-scale platform developed jointly by CEA-DEN and EDF-R&D and also supported by IRSN and FRAMATOME-ANP. The major steps towards the next generation lie in new physical models and improved numerical methods. This paper presents the advances obtained so far in physical modelling for each scale. Macroscopic models of system and component scales include multi-field modelling, transport of interfacial area, and turbulence modelling. Two-phase CFD or CMFD was first applied to boiling bubbly flow for departure from nucleate boiling investigations and to stratified flow for pressurised thermal shock investigations. The main challenges of the project are presented, some selected results are shown for each scale, and the perspectives for future are also drawn. Direct Numerical Simulation tools with Interface Tracking Techniques are also developed for even smaller scale investigations leading to a better understanding of basic physical processes and allowing the development of closure relations for macroscopic and CFD models.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2009

The safe and reliable performance of fusion and fission plants depends on the choice of suitable materials and an assessment of long-term materials degradation. These materials are degraded by their exposure to extreme conditions; it is necessary, therefore, to address the issue of long-term damage evolution of materials under service exposure in advanced plants. The empirical approach to the study of structural materials and fuels is reaching its limit when used to define and extrapolate new materials, new environments, or new operating conditions due to a lack of knowledge of the basic principles and mechanisms present. Materials designed for future Gen IV systems require significant innovation for the new environments that the materials will be exposed to. Thus, it is a challenge to understand the materials more precisely and to go far beyond the current empirical design methodology. Breakthrough technology is being achieved with the incorporation in design codes of a fundamental understanding of the properties of materials. This paper discusses the multi-scale, multi-code computations and multi-dimensional modelling undertaken to understand the mechanical properties of these materials. Such an approach is envisaged to probe beyond currently possible approaches to become a predictive tool in estimating the mechanical properties and lifetimes of materials.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.371-394
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• 2012

Accurate finite element (FE) models are needed in many applications of Civil Engineering such as health monitoring, damage detection, structural control, structural evaluation and assessment. Model accuracy depends on both the model structure (the form of the equations) and the model parameters (the coefficients of the equations), and can be generally improved through that process of experimental reconciliation known as model updating. However, modelling errors, including (i) errors in the model structure and (ii) errors in parameters excluded from adjustment, may bias the solution, leading to an updated model which replicates measurements but lacks physical meaning. In this paper, an application of ambient-vibration-based model updating to a large-scale benchmark prototype of a building structure is reported in which both types of error are met. The error in the model structure, originating from unmodelled secondary structural elements unexpectedly working as resonant appendages, is faced through a reduction of the experimental modal model. The error in the model parameters, due to the inevitable constraints imposed on parameters to avoid ill-conditioning and under-determinacy, is faced through a multi-model parameterization approach consisting in the generation and solution of a multitude of models, each characterized by a different set of updating parameters. Results show that modelling errors may significantly impair updating even in the case of seemingly simple systems and that multi-model reasoning, supported by physical insight, may effectively improve the accuracy and robustness of calibration.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.106-112
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• 2008

Rolling-sliding, cyclic contact of wheel and rail progressively alters the microstructure of the contacting steels, eventually leading to micro-scale crack initiation, wear and macro-scale crack growth in the railhead. Relating the microstructural changes to subsequent wear and cracking is being accomplished through modelling at three spatial scales: (i) bulk material (ii) multi-grain and (iii) sub-grain. The models incorporate detailed information from metallurgical examinations of used rails and tested rail material. The initial 2-dimensional models representing the rail material are being further developed into 3-dimensional models. Modelling is taking account of thermal effects, and traffic patterns to which the rails are exposed.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2004

The effect of grain refinement on the plastic deformation behaviour of nanocrystalline metallic materials is investigated. A phase mixture model in which a single phase material is considered as an effectively two-phase one is discussed. A distinctive feature of the model is that grain boundaries are treated as a separate phase deforming by a diffusion mechanism. For the grain interior phase two concurrent mechanisms are considered: dislocation glide and mass transfer by diffusion. The proposed constitutive model was implemented into a finite element code (DEFORM) using a semicoupled approach. The finite element method was applied to simulating room temperature tensile deformation of Cu down to the nanoscale grain size in order to investigate the pre- and post-necking behaviour.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.633-642
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• 2004

This study tries to generalize the stream network by constructing rule-based modelling. A study on the map generalization tends to be concentrated on development of algorithms for modification of linear features and evaluations to the limited cartographic elements. Rule-based modelling can help to improve previous algorithms by application of generalization process with the results that analyzing mapping principles and spatial distribution patterns of geographical phenomena. Rule-based modelling can be applied to generalize various cartographic elements, and make an effective on multi-scaling mapping in the digital environments. In this research, nile-based modelling for stream network is composed of generalization rule, algorithm for centerline extraction and linear features. Before generalization, drainage pattern was analyzed by the connectivity with lake to minimize logical errors. As a result, 17 streams with centerline are extracted from 108 double-lined streams. Total length of stream networks is reduced as 17% in 1:25,000 scale, and as 29% in 1:50,000. Simoo algorithm, which is developed to generalize linear features, is compared to Douglas-Peucker(D-P) algorithm. D-P made linear features rough due to the increase of data point distance and widening of external angle. But in Simoo, linear features are smoothed with the decrease of scale.

• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-40
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• 2014

This paper examines the blood chamber of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) under static loading conditions and standard operating temperatures. The LVAD's walls are made of a temperature-sensitive polymer (ChronoFlex C 55D) and are covered with a titanium nitride (TiN) nano-coating (deposited by laser ablation) to improve their haemocompatibility. A loss of cohesion may be observed near the coating-substrate boundary. Therefore, a micro-scale stress-strain analysis of the multilayered blood chamber was conducted with FE (finite element) code. The multi-scale model included a macro-model of the LVAD's blood chamber and a micro-model of the TiN coating. The theories of non-linear elasticity and elasto-plasticity were applied. The formulated problems were solved with a finite element method. The micro-scale problem was solved for a representative volume element (RVE). This micro-model accounted for the residual stress, a material model of the TiN coating, the stress results under loading pressures, the thickness of the TiN coating and the wave parameters of the TiN surface. The numerical results (displacements and strains) were experimentally validated using digital image correlation (DIC) during static blood pressure deformations. The maximum strain and stress were determined at static pressure steps in a macro-scale FE simulation. The strain and stress were also computed at the same loading conditions in a micro-scale FE simulation.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.351-368
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• 2022

Recently, promising structural technologies like multi-function, ultra-load bearing capacity and tailored structures have been put up for discussions. Finite Element (FE) modelling is probably the best-known option capable of treating these superior properties and multi-domain behavior structures. However, advanced materials such as Functionally Graded Material (FGM) and nanocomposites suffer from problems resulting from variable material properties, reinforcement aggregation and mesh generation. Motivated by these factors, this research proposes a unified shape function for FGM, nanocomposites, graded nanocomposites, in addition to traditional isotropic and orthotropic structural materials. It depends not only on element length but also on the beam's material properties and geometric characteristics. The systematic mathematical theory and FE formulations are based on the Timoshenko beam theory for beam structure. Furthermore, the introduced element achieves C1 degree of continuity. The model is proved to be convergent and free-off shear locking. Moreover, numerical results for static and free vibration analysis support the model accuracy and capabilities by validation with different references. The proposed technique overcomes the issue of continuous properties modelling of these promising materials without discarding older ones. Therefore, introduced benchmark improvements on the FE old concept could be extended to help the development of new software features to confront the rapid progress of structural materials.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.3182-3195
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• 2021

The implementation and validation of multi-dimensional (multi-D) features in thermal-hydraulic system codes aims to extend the application of these codes towards multi-scale simulations. The main goal is the simulation of large-scale three-dimensional effects inside large volumes such as piping or vessel. This novel approach becomes especially relevant during the simulation of accidents with strongly asymmetric flow conditions entailing density gradients. Under such conditions, coolant mixing is a key phenomenon on the eventual variation of the coolant temperature and/or boron concentration at the core inlet and on the extent of a local re-criticality based on the reactivity feedback effects. This approach presents several advantages compared to CFD calculations, mainly concerning the model size and computational efforts. However, the range of applicability and accuracy of the newly implemented physical models at this point is still limited and needs to be further extended. This paper aims at contributing to the validation of the multi-D features of the system code ATHLET based on the simulation of the Tests 1.1 and 2.1, conducted at the test facility ROCOM. Overall, the multi-D features of ATHLET predict reasonably well the evolution from both experiments, despite an observed overprediction of coolant mixing at the vessel during both experiments.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.733-740
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• 2014

With the development and spread of 3D display, users can easily experience an augmented reality with 3D features. Therefore, the demand for content of an augmented reality is exponentially growing in various fields. A traditional augmented reality environment was generally created by CG(Computer Graphics) modelling production tools. However, this method takes too much time and efforts to create an augmented environment. To create an augmented environment similar to the real world, everything in the real world should be measured, gone through modeling, and located in an augmented environment. But the time and efforts spent in the creation don't produce the same environment as the real world, making it hard for users to feel the sense of reality. In this study, multi-scale 3D panorama content augmented system is suggested by using a depth-map. By finding matching features from images to add 3D features to an augmented environment, a depth-map is derived and embodied as panorama, producing high-quality augmented content system with a sense of reality. With this study, limits of 2D panorama technologies will be overcome and a sense of reality and immersion will be provided to users with a natural navigation.