• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.195-206
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• 2022

Crack detection is essential for inspection of existing structures and crack segmentation based on deep learning is a significant solution. However, datasets are usually one of the key issues. When building a new dataset for deep learning, laborious and time-consuming annotation of a large number of crack images is an obstacle. The aim of this study is to develop an approach that can automatically select a small portion of the most informative crack images from a large pool in order to annotate them, not to label all crack images. An active learning method with difficulty learning mechanism for crack segmentation tasks is proposed. Experiments are carried out on a crack image dataset of a steel box girder, which contains 500 images of 320×320 size for training, 100 for validation, and 190 for testing. In active learning experiments, the 500 images for training are acted as unlabeled image. The acquisition function in our method is compared with traditional acquisition functions, i.e., Query-By-Committee (QBC), Entropy, and Core-set. Further, comparisons are made on four common segmentation networks: U-Net, DeepLabV3, Feature Pyramid Network (FPN), and PSPNet. The results show that when training occurs with 200 (40%) of the most informative crack images that are selected by our method, the four segmentation networks can achieve 92%-95% of the obtained performance when training takes place with 500 (100%) crack images. The acquisition function in our method shows more accurate measurements of informativeness for unlabeled crack images compared to the four traditional acquisition functions at most active learning stages. Our method can select the most informative images for annotation from many unlabeled crack images automatically and accurately. Additionally, the dataset built after selecting 40% of all crack images can support crack segmentation networks that perform more than 92% when all the images are used.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.147-165
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• 2023

The paper contrasts conventional seismic design with a design that incorporates buckling-restrained bracing in three-dimensional reinforced concrete buildings (BRBs). The suboptimal structures may be found using the multi-objective chimp optimization algorithm (MEN-ChOA). Given the constraints and dimensions, ChOA suffers from a slow convergence rate and tends to become stuck in local minima. Therefore, the ChOA is improved by niching and evolutionary operators to overcome the aforementioned problems. In addition, a new technique is presented to compute seismic and dead loads that include all of a structure's parts in an algorithm for three-dimensional frame design rather than only using structural elements. The performance of the constructed multi-objective model is evaluated using 12 standard multi-objective benchmarks proposed in IEEE congress on evolutionary computation. Second, MEN-ChOA is employed in constructing several reinforced concrete structures by the Mexico City building code. The variety of Pareto optimum fronts of these criteria enables a thorough performance examination of the MEN-ChOA. The results also reveal that BRB frames with comparable structural performance to conventional moment-resistant reinforced concrete framed buildings are more cost-effective when reinforced concrete building height rises. Structural performance and building cost may improve by using a nature-inspired strategy based on MEN-ChOA in structural design work.

• Journal of Urban Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.25-30
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• 2022

Resin Transfer Molding FRP (RTM FRP) is a fiber reinforced polymeric plastic which is manufactured by applying pressure to fibers, injecting resin into a mold, and then impregnating it. RTM FRP is a new construction material suitable for producing non-continuum structural elements such as sole plate because it has excellent strength and can produce many members in a short time. In this study, experiments were conducted to estimate the capacity of the bolted connection of RTM FRP. First, a tensile test was conducted to confirm the mechanical properties such as the tensile strength of the RTM FRP to be used for the bolted connection experiments. In addition, experiments were conducted on the bolted connection with the thickness of the RTM FRP and the edge distance of the bolt as variables. In the first experiment, F4.8 bolts were used, and shear failure of the bolt occurred before the RTM FRPs were failed. The F4.8 bolt is a general structural bolts used for the sole plate of a bridge bearing, and it was confirmed that the RTM FRP has a higher bold bearing strength than the shear strength of a F4.8 bolt. In the second experiment, G12.9 bolts were used, and shear failure of the bolt and bearing failure of the RTM FRP occurred simultaneously. In addition, as the thickness of the RTM FRP and the edge length of the bolt increased, the strength of the joint increased. When analogized with the bearing fracture equation of steel plate, the bolted connection of RTM FRP showed a bearing strength coefficient of 0.420 to 0.549 compared to the tensile strength, and it is considered that further research is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.23-36
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• 2006

This study presents the development of a new closed-form analytical solution for the ultimate bearing capacity of an embedded wall in a granular mass. The closed-form analytical solution consists of upper and lower bound solutions (UB and LB). The calculated values from these bound solutions were compared with the author's two-dimensional laboratory wall model loading test and finite element analysis in the plastic region. The comparison showed that ultimate bearing loads from both the model test and finite element analysis are located between UB and LB. In particular, the ultimate bearing load from LB showed good agreement with the ultimate bearing load values from both the model test and finite element analysis. However, the calculated value from the conventional empirical form subjected to plane-strain conditions was shown to be much smaller than the LB.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.43-51
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• 2007

Frost action may cause extensive damage to building, structures, roads, railways and utility lines in seasonal frost. The research about frost heave of natural ground has been considerably performed. In late years various structures have become complicated with the development of social infrastructure maintenance. Therefore countermeasure to frost heave becomes a matter of great importance from a new viewpoint. This study was aimed at catching natural ground frost heaving force quantitatively. Frost heaving forces on circular steel plates which were set on ground surface were measured in field test. The frost heaving forces arise at freezing front propagates to the structures through frozen soil layer. Besides, a full scale model of multi-anchored retaining wall was installed in field, and the freezing lines, frost heave pressure to act on a wall block, and so on were measured. Finally, the position and shape of frost line were estimated by using numerical simulation and a method to determine replacement range was suggested with soil properties and weather data.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.349-358
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• 2023

This paper describes an in-depth analysis on flexural strength of a girder-deck system experiencing a strand debonding damage with various strengthening systems, based on finite element software ABAQUS. A detailed finite element analysis (FEA) model was developed and verified against the relevant experimental data performed by other researchers. The proposed analytical model showed a good agreement with experimental data. Based on the verified FE model, over a hundred girder-deck systems were investigated with the consideration of following variables: 1) debonding level, 2) span-to-depth ratio (L/d), 3) strengthening type, 4) strengthening material thickness. Based on the data above, a new detailed analytical model was developed and proposed for estimating residual flexural strength of the strand-debonding damaged girder-deck system with strengthening systems. It was demonstrated that both finite element model and analysis model could be used to predict flexural behaviors for debonding damaged prestressed girder-deck systems. Since the strands are debonding from surrounding concrete over a certain zone over the length of the beam, the increase of strain in strands can be linked with a ratio ψ, which is L_p/c. The analytical model was proposed and developed regarding the ratio ψ. By conducting procedure of calculating ψ, the ψ value varies from 9.3 to 70.1. Multiple nonlinear regression analysis was performed in Software IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0.1 to derive equation of ψ. ψ equation was curved to be an exponential function, and the independent variable (X) is a linear function in terms of three variables of debonding level (λ), span length (L), and amount of strengthening material (A_s). The coefficient of determinate (R²) for curve fitting in nonlinear regression analysis is 0.8768. The developed analytical model was compared to the ultimate capacities computed by FEA model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.743-757
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• 2023

In this paper, the dynamic response of a simply-supported composite sandwich plate with a viscoelastic core based on the Golla-Hughes-McTavish (GHM) viscoelastic model is investigated analytically. The formulation is developed using the three-layered sandwich panel theory. Hamilton's principle has been employed to derive the equations of motion. Since classical models, like kelvin-voigt and Maxwell models, cannot express a comprehensive description of the dynamic behavior of viscoelastic material, the GHM method is used to model the viscoelastic core of the plate in this research. The main advantage of the GHM model in comparison with classical models is the consideration of the frequency-dependent characteristic of viscoelastic material. Identification of the material parameters of GHM mini-oscillator terms is an essential procedure in applying the GHM model. In this study, the focus of viscoelastic modeling is on the development of GHM parameters identification. For this purpose, a new method is proposed to find these constants which express frequency-dependent behavior characterization of viscoelastic material. Natural frequencies and loss factors of the sandwich panel based on ESL and three-layered theories in different geometrics are described at 30℃ and 90℃; also, the comparisons show that obtained natural frequencies are grossly overestimated by ESL theory. The argumentations of differences in natural frequencies are also illustrated in detail. The obtained results show that the GHM model presents a more accurate description of the plate's dynamic response by considering the frequency dependency behavior of the viscoelastic core.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2C
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• pp.81-90
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• 2009

In this study the behavior of a steel pipe structure used as an auxiliary method was evaluated by the convergence-confinement method and load-transfer approach, and the result was compared with that of numerical approach and in-situ measured data. As calculated partially increased displacement of the installed pipe to obtain the tunnel displacement. A numerical analysis simulate well the general behavior of measured displacement of tunnel crown. Through this study, it was found that the proposed procedure produces conservative result so that it can be applied in preliminary design of the auxiliary method of tunnel face.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.113-130
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• 2023

The present manuscript aims to investigate the deviation between the middle surface (MS) and neutral surface (NS) formulations on the static response of bi-directionally functionally graded (BDFG) porous plate. The higher order shear deformation plate theory with a four variable is exploited to define the displacement field of BDFG plate. The displacement field variables based on both NS and on MS are presented in detail. These relations tend to get and derive a new set of boundary conditions (BCs). The porosity distribution is portrayed by cosine function including three different configurations, center, bottom, and top distributions. The elastic foundation including shear and normal stiffnesses by Winkler-Pasternak model is included. The equilibrium equations based on MS and NS are derived by using Hamilton's principles and expressed by variable coefficient partial differential equations. The numerical differential quadrature method (DQM) is adopted to solve the derived partial differential equations with variable coefficient. Rigidities coefficients and stress resultants for both MS and NS formulations are derived. The mathematical formulation is proved with previous published work. Additional numerical and parametric results are developed to present the influences of modified boundary conditions, NS and MS formulations, gradation parameters, elastic foundations coefficients, porosity type and porosity coefficient on the static response of BDFG porous plate. The following model can be used in design and analysis of BDFG structure used in aerospace, vehicle, dental, bio-structure, civil and nuclear structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.839-856
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• 2023

This work presents a simple four-unknown refined integral plate theory for mechanical and thermal buckling behaviors of functionally graded (FG) plates resting on Visco-Pasternak foundations. The proposed refined high order shear deformation theory has a new displacement field which includes indeterminate integral variables and contains only four unknowns in which any shear correction factor not used, with even less than the conventional theory of first shear strain (FSDT). Governing equations are deduced from the principle of minimum total potential energy and a Navier type analytical solution is adopted for simply supported FG plates. The Visco-Pasternak foundations is considered by adding the impact of damping to the usual foundation model which characterized by the linear Winkler's modulus and Pasternak's foundation modulus. The accuracy of the present model is demonstrated by comparing the computed results with those available in the literature. Some numerical results are presented to show the impact of material index, elastic foundation type, and damping coefficient of the foundation, on the mechanical and thermal buckling behaviors of FG plates.