• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.435-449
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• 2022

In this paper, unreinforced and geogrid-reinforced soil foundations were modeled by discrete element method and this performed under surface strip footing loads. The effects of horizontal position of geogrid, vertical position, thickness, number, confining pressure have been investigated on the footing settlement and propagation of tensile force along the geogrids. Also, interaction between rectangular tunnel and strip footing with and without presence of geogrid layer has been analyzed. Experimental results of the literature were used to validation of relationships between the numerically achieved footing pressure-settlement for foundations of reinforced and unreinforced soil. Models and micro input parameters which used in the numerical modelling of reinforced and unreinforced soil tunnel were similar to parameters which were used in soil foundations. Model dimension was 1000 mm* 600 mm. Normal and shear stiffness of soils were 5*10⁵ and 2.5 *10⁵ N/m, respectively. Normal and shear stiffness of geogrid were 1*10⁹ and 1*10⁹ N/m, respectively. Loading rate was 0.001 mm/sec. Micro input parameters used in numerical simulation gain by try and error. In addition of the quantitative tensile force propagation along the geogrids, the footing settlements were visualized. Due to collaboration of three layers of geogrid reinforcements the bearing capacity of the reinforced soil tunnel was greatly improved. In such practical reinforced soil formations, the qualitative displacement propagations of soil particles in the soil tunnel and the quantitative vertical displacement propagations along the soil layers/geogrids represented the geogrid reinforcing impacts too.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2008

In construction facilities such as bridges, the fluid boundary layer(or water film) is formed at the structure-soil interface by the inflow into the system due to rainfall or/and rising ground-water. As a result, the structure-soil interaction(SSI) state changes into the structure-fluid-soil interaction(SFSI) state. In general, construction facilities may be endangered by the inflow of water into the soil foundation. Thus, it is important to predict the dynamic SFSI responses accurately so that the facilities may be properly designed against such dangers. It is desired to have the robust tools of attaining such a purpose. However, there has not been any report of a method for the SFSI analyses. The objective of this study is to propose an efficient method of finite element modelling using the new interface element named hybrid interface element capable of giving reasonable predictions of the dynamic SFSI response. This element enables the simulation of the limited normal tensile resistance and the tangential hydro-plane behaviour, which has not been preceded in the previous studies. The hybrid interface element was tested numerically for its validity and employed in the analysis of SFSI responses of the continuous bridge subjected to seismic load under rainfall or/and rising ground-water condition. It showed that dynamic responses of the continuous bridge resting on direct foundation may be amplified under rainfall condition and consequently lead to significant variation of stresses.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.443-453
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• 2008

The Bric-a-brac, Tramtrack, Broad-complex (BTB) domain is a protein-protein interaction domain that is found in many zinc finger transcription factors. BTB containing proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions including regulation of transcription, regulation of the cytoskeleton, protein ubiquitination, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a novel human gene, KLHL31, from a human embryonic heart cDNA library. The cDNA of KLHL31 is 5743 bp long, encoding a protein product of 634 amino acids containing a BTB domain. The protein is highly conserved across different species. Western blot analysis indicates that the KLHL31 protein is abundantly expressed in both embryonic skeletal and heart tissue. In COS-7 cells, KLHL31 proteins are localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In primary cultures of nascent mouse cardiomyocytes, the majority of endogenous KLHL31 proteins are localized to the cytoplasm. KLHL31 acts as a transcription repressor when fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain and deletion analysis indicates that the BTB domain is the main region responsible for this repression. Overexpression of KLHL31 in COS-7 cells inhibits the transcriptional activities of both the TPA-response element (TRE) and serum response element (SRE). KLHL31 also significantly reduces JNK activation leading to decreased phosphorylation and protein levels of the JNK target c-Jun in both COS-7 and Hela cells. These results suggest that KLHL31 protein may act as a new transcriptional repressor in MAPK/JNK signaling pathway to regulate cellular functions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.713-730
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• 2003

This paper contains the results of the study on the development of fracture and crack propagation in quasi-brittle materials, such as concrete or rocks, using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). A new discrete element numerical model is proposed as the basis for analyzing the inelastic evolution and growth of cracks up to the point of gross material failure. The model is expected to predict the fracture behavior for the quasi-brittle material structure using the elementary aggregate level, the interaction between aggregate materials, and bond cementation. The algorithms generate normal and shear forces between two interfacing blocks and contains two kinds of contact logic, one for connected blocks and the other one for blocks that are not directly connected. The Mohr-Coulomb theory has been used for the fracture limit. In this algorithm the particles are moving based on the connected block logic until the forces increase up to the fracture limit. After passing the limit, the particles are governed by the discrete block logic. In setting up a discrete polygon element model, two dimensional polygons are used to investigate the response of an assembly of different shapes, sizes, and orientations with blocks subjected to simple applied loads. Several examples involving assemblies of particles are presented to show the behavior of the fracture and the failure process.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.187-206
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• 2007

A rational three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model is described and implemented for evaluating the behavior of high strength concrete slabs under transverse load. The concrete was idealized by using twenty-nodded isoparametric brick elements with embedded reinforcements. The concrete material modeling allows for normal (NSC) and high strength concrete (HSC), which was calibrated based on experimental data. The behavior of concrete in compression is simulated by an elastoplastic work-hardening model, and in tension a suitable post-cracking model based on tension stiffening and shear retention models are employed. The nonlinear equations have been solved using the incremental iterative technique based on the modified Newton-Raphson method. The FE formulation and material modeling is implemented into a finite element code in order to carry out the numerical study and to predict the behavior up to ultimate conditions of various slabs under transverse loads. The validity of the theoretical formulations and the program used was verified through comparison with available experimental data, and the agreement has proven to be very good. A parametric study has been also carried out to investigate the influence of different material and geometric properties on the behavior of HSC slabs. Influencing factors, such as concrete strength, steel ratio, aspect ratio, and support conditions on the load-deflection characteristics, concrete and steel stresses and strains were investigated.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2016

Purpose: Long-life housing causes unavoidable cost increase while providing higher durability, flexibility, and repair easiness compare to those of normal apartment. The effectiveness should be evaluated considering the level of passing mandatory Long-life housing Certification System when supplying specific size of apartment complex. Thus, it is essential to identify the estimated costs and the obtainable grade by applying the optional element technologies selectively during the design phase. This study aimed to suggest the technology influence matrix(TIM) to support decision-making of element technologies in planning stage of long-life housing. Method: The technology influence matrix was established based on the property information about applicable element technologies for long-life housing such as construction methods, interface types, cost data, and certification-related characteristics. The usefulness of TIM was verified through case study, in which TIM was applied to the exclusive housing unit and the influences from four areas of quantity, cost, certification, and schedule were identified and calculated. Result: TIMs covering four areas representing the essential planning factors were developed, and are expected to contribute to sound decision-making in planning long-life housing.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.478-482
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• 2010

A series of molecular dynamic (MD), finite element (FE) and ab initio simulations are carried out to establish suitable modeling schemes for the continuum-based analysis of aluminum matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). From a comparison of the MD with FE models and inferences based on bond structures and electron distributions, we propose that the effective thickness of a CNT wall for its continuum representation should be related to the graphitic inter-planar spacing of 3.4${\AA}$. We also show that shell element representation of a CNT structure in the FE models properly simulated the carbon-carbon covalent bonding and long-range interactions in terms of the load-displacement behaviors. Estimation of the effective interfacial elastic properties by ab initio simulations showed that the in-plane interfacial bond strength is negligibly weaker than the normal counterpart due to the nature of the weak secondary bonding at the CNT-Al interface. Therefore, we suggest that a third-phase solid element representation of the CNT-Al interface in nanocomposites is not physically meaningful and that spring or bar element representation of the weak interfacial bonding would be more appropriate as in the cases of polymer matrix counterparts. The possibility of treating the interface as a simply contacted phase boundary is also discussed.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers B
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.364-369
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• 2002

In this paper, 3-D magnetostatic finite element simulation of a rotux type Low-Tc superconducing (LTS) superconducting power supply, finite element method, cryogenic system, superconducting foil by generated magnetic flux from the rotating pole. The magnetic flux density on the superconducting foil caused by two exciters is therefore sufficiently greater than its critical magnetic flux density and it is an essential point in LTS power supply design. To establish the sufficient flux path of this machine, ferromagnetic materials is used in this power supply. When ferromagnetic materials is used at extremely low temperature, its characteristic of magnetization differs to that at room temperature. For this reason, special consideration is needed in the magnetic analysis of cryogenic systems. When the excitation current is 10A, the normal spot appears on superconducting foil. The results of this analysis are calculated and compared with the experimental results. The linkage flux due to the excitation current of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50A are respectively $1.30{\times}10-4$, $2.67{\times}10-4$, $5.08{\times}10-4$ and $6.15{\times}10-4Wb$.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.10 s.181
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• pp.2654-2663
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• 2000

Steam turbine rotors are the most critical and highly stressed components of a steam power plant; therefore, the life expectancy of the turbine rotor is an important consideration for the safety of a steam power plant. The objective of this paper is to develop a life estimation program for turbine rotors for all possible operating conditions. For this purpose, finite element analysis was carried out for four normal operating modes (cold, warm, hot and very hot starts) using ABAQUS codes. The results are made into databases to evaluate the life expenditure for an actual operating condition. For any other possible abnormal operating condition, the operating data are transmitted to the server (workstation) through a network to carry out finite element analysis. Damage estimation is carried out by transmitting the finite element analysis results to the personal computer, and then the life expectancy is calculated.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.413-429
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• 2013

The primary aim of this study is to develop a three dimensional finite element (FE) model to predict the axial stress-strain relationship and ultimate strength of the FRP-wrapped UHPC columns by comparing experimental results. The reliability of four selected confinement models and three design codes such as ACI-440, CSA-S806-02, and ISIS CANADA is also evaluated in terms of agreement with the experimental results. Totally 6 unconfined and 36 different types of the FRP-wrapped UHPC columns are tested under monotonic axial compression. The values of ultimate strengths of FRP-wrapped UHPC columns obtained from the experimental results are compared and verified with finite element (FE) analysis results and the design codes mentioned above. The concrete damage plasticity model (CDPM) in Abaqus is utilized to represent the confined behavior of the UHPC. The results indicate that agreement between the test results and the non-linear FE analysis results is highly satisfactory. The CSA-S806-02 design code is considered more reliable than the ACI-440 and the ISIS CANADA design codes to calculate the ultimate strength of the FRP-wrapped UHPC columns. None of the selected confinement models that are developed for FRP-wrapped low and normal strength concrete columns can safely predict the ultimate strength of FRP-wrapped UHPC columns.