• Computers and Concrete
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1083-1096
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• 2016

Beam-column joints are recognized as the weak points of reinforcement concrete frames. The ductility of reinforced concrete (RC) frames during severe earthquakes can be measured through the dissipation of large energy in beam-column joint. Retrofitting and rehabilitating structures through proper methods, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), are required to prevent casualties that result from the collapse of earthquake-damaged structures. The main challenge of this issue is identifying the effect of CFRP on the occurrence of failure in the joint of a cross section with normal ductility. The present study evaluates the retrofitting method for a normal ductile beam-column joint using CFRP under monotonic and cyclic loads. Thus, the finite element model of a cross section with normal ductility and made of RC is developed, and CFRP is used to retrofit the joints. This study considers three beam-column joints: one with partial CFRP wrapping, one with full CFRP wrapping, and one with normal ductility. The two cases with partial and full CFRP wrapping in the beam-column joints are used to determine the effect of retrofitting with CFRP wrapping sheets on the behavior of the beam-column joint confined by such sheets. All the models are subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading. The final capacity and hysteretic results of the dynamic analysis are investigated. A comparison of the dissipation energy graphs of the three connections shows significant enhancement in the models with partial and full CFRP wrapping. An analysis of the load-displacement curves indicates that the stiffness of the specimens is enhanced by CFRP sheets. However, the models with both partial and full CFRP wrapping exhibited no considerable improvement in terms of energy dissipation and stiffness.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1113-1118
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• 2011

In order to evaluate the characteristics of solid-solid contact interfaces, reflection or transmission techniques involving normal-incidence longitudinal waves are generally used. However, these normal-incidence techniques are of limited use in field applications such as in the inspection of welded parts. The oblique-incidence ultrasonic technique may be an alternative for overcoming these problems. However, in this technique, the mode conversion at the contact interfaces should be taken into account along with the normal and tangential interface stiffness. In this study, we have suggested a theoretical model for obliqueincidence ultrasonic waves at the contact interfaces and analyzed their reflection and transmission characteristics. Experimental results showed that the measured reflection coefficient and second harmonic wave agreed well with the suggested theoretical model. Consequently, the oblique-incidence technique can be a promising method for evaluating the characteristics of the contact interfaces.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.13-21
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• 2018

Background: After a stroke, the patient may have abnormal muscle tone due to abnormal alignment. Physical therapists have used stretching, neural mobilization other methods to treat patients after stroke. In addition, joint mobilization is also used to stimulation in pathway of cervical segmental region and to normal cervical spine alignment. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Maitland cervical spine mobilization has an immediate effect on muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into a experimental group ($n_1=10$), a placebo group ($n_2=10$), and a control group ($n_3=10$). The Maitland cervical spine mobilization was applied in the supine position. Immediately after the intervention, muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii, brachioradialis, deltoid, and pectoralis major were measured using Myoton(R)PRO. In the placebo group, sham mobilization was applied to the fifth and sixth cervical vertebra, and the control group was instructed to control breathing. Results: In the experimental group, significant differences were found in muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii and brachioradialis in comparison with the affected side and the non-affected side before the intervention (p<.05), whereas there was no significant difference after the intervention (p>.05). Muscle tone of biceps brachii on the non-affected side and pectoralis major on the affected side was significantly decreased before and after the intervention (p<.05). The placebo and control group showed no changes on the non-affected and affected side, and no significant differences were detected before and after the intervention. All the groups revealed no significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity before and after the intervention. Conclusion: This study suggests that the application of Maitland cervical spine mobilization enhanced muscle tone of upper extremity on the involved side symmetrically, and influenced a decrease in muscle tone.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2008

To evaluate aortic wall stiffness without influence of different background blood pressure, a new technique was developed and verified. At eight swine descending aortae, volume-pressure measurement was performed using custom-made system. Based on averaged pressure-volume curve, aortic distensibility index was formulated to evaluate aortic wall stiffness regardless of variable blood pressure and aortic size. The variability of aortic distensibility index by pressure change was compared with other parameters for wall stiffness evaluation. Subsequently, the aortic distensibility index was calculated at 100 contrast-enhanced EBCT data sets of normal volunteers in regular health screening program. The measured aortic distensibility index was compared with age, coronary calcium score, and aortic calcium score. Between 50 and 360 mmHg of blood pressure, the coefficient of variance of aortic distensibility index was 22.00% as comparing with 88.99% of classical compliance. Based on age, aortic distensibility index showed correlation coefficient of 0.55, whereas classical compliance showed 0.26. The correlation coefficient with modified aortic calcification was 0.43. Linear regression study revealed statistical significance of correlation coefficients. The aortic distensibility index, the method to evaluate aortic wall stiffness free from variable blood pressure and aortic size, was developed and verified with significant practical feasibility.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.129-135
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of the head posture with the tone and stiffness of the cervical extensor muscles. Eighty adults in their twenties were chosen as subjects, and the tone and stiffness of the cervical extensor muscles were measured, with their usual head posture in the sagittal plane. For the measured head posture, the craniovertebral angle (CVA), craniorotation angle (CRA), and forward shoulder angle (FSA) were analyzed using Image J. It was observed that the tone and stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle increased significantly with a decrease in the CVA as well as with an increase in the CRA (p < 0.05). As a result of further classification into the normal and forward head postures based on the CVA of the subjects, the forward head posture was characterized by a significant increase in the tone and stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle (p<.05). The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for the evaluation of the forward head posture and posture education in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.262-270
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• 2011

Track support stiffness which affected track maintenance and riding comfort had a big effect on the track and train. Also, track support stiffness of the track design which was based on theory differs from track support stiffness of the track generated on the field. Track support stiffness was generated by several factors such as dynamic wheel loads, vertical displacement of track, and stress at rail bottom on the field test. With the results of the field test was compared with theoretical value. This paper analyzed that track support stiffness of ballast depended on condition of ballast, and support stiffness of concrete track also depended on the characteristic of track structures such as, normal elastic fastening system, rail floating system and sleeper floating system. However, on the ballast and concrete track, the designed track support stiffness was underestimated less than the measured track support stiffness. When the track condition was estimated on service line, it would not consider the track condition on the field. Therefore, this study proposed the various track type and the range of track support stiffness based on the experimental test.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.1529-1531
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• 2008

Since the discovery over a decade ago, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been attracting considerable attentions both from scientists and engineers. Because of the excellent field emission properties, such as high aspect ratio, extremely small diameter, and high emission current, CNTs become a potential candidate as field emitter for field emission display (FED) and lighting (FEL) as backlight for LCD. Due to the exceptional physical properties, such as superior thermal and electrical conductivities, as well as high stiffness and strength, the CNT-based composites can be as light-weight heat-sink or thermal spreader materials used for power electronic devices, such as power LED for general illumination. The CNTs for above applications will be reviewed, and related materials and devices will be demonstrated in this paper.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.35-48
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• 1996

Reinforced soil structures may experience large local movements between soil and reinforcement. The failure modes of a reinforced structure depend on several factors which are governed by deformation and slipping of the reinforcement. In some cases, pulling out of the reinforcement may occur instead of rupturing, The growing use of geosynthetic liner system for storage of solid and liquid wastes has led to a number of slope instability problems where the synthetic liner may undergo a large amount of stretching and slipping as a result of the loading. The conventional finite element model for the soil-reinforcement interface uses a zero thickness joint element with normal and shear stiffnesses and can only accommodate a small amount of deformation. When a large slippage occurs, the model provides an i ncorrect mechanism for deformation. This paper presents a new interface finite element model which is able to simulate a large amount of slippage between soil and reinforcement. The formulation of the model is presented and the capability of the model is demonstrated using illustrative examples.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.579-584
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• 2001

The reinforced concrete(RC) beam is developed cracks because the compression strength of concrete is strong but the tensile strength is weak. The structural strength and stiffness is decreased by reduction of tension resistance capacity of concrete due to the developed cracks. Using the fiber reinforced concrete that is increased the flexural strength and tensile strength at tensile part can enhance the strength and stiffness of concrete structure and decrease the tensile flexural cracks and deflection. Therefore, The reinforced concrete used the fiber reinforced concrete at tensile part ensure the safety and serviceability of the concrete structures. In this study, analytical model of a dual concrete beam that is composed of the normal strength concrete at compression part and the high tensile strength concrete at tensile part is developed by using the equilibrium condition of forces and compatibility condition of strains and is parted into elastic analytical model and ultimate analytical model. Three group of test beam that is formed of one reinforced concrete beam and two dual concrete beams for each steel reinforcement ratio is tested to examine the flexural behavior of dual concrete beams. The comparative study of total nine test beams is shown that the ultimate load of a dual concrete beams relative to the reinforced concrete beams have an increase in approximately 30%. In addition, the initial flexural rigidity, as used here, refer to the slope of load-deflection curves in elastic state is increased and the deflection is decreased.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2004.03b
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• pp.407-414
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• 2004

Interfacial properties between rock mass and shotcrete play a significant role in the transmission of loads from the ground to shotcrete. These properties have a major effect on the behaviours of rock mass and shotcrete. They, however, have merely been assumed in most of numerical analyses, and little care has been taken in identifying them. This paper aimed to identify interfacial properties including cohesion, tension, friction angle, shear stiffness, and normal stiffness, through direct shear tests as well as interface normal compression tests for shotcrete/rock cores obtained from a tunnel sidewall. Mechanical properties such as compression strength and elastic modulus were also measured to compare them with the time-dependent variation of interfacial properties. Based on experiments, interfacial properties between rock and shotcrete showed a significant time-dependent variation similar to those of its mechanical properties. In addition, the time-dependent behaviours of interfacial properties can be well regressed through exponential and logarithmic functions of time.