• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.549-555
• /
• 2003

The objective of かis study is to investigate the feasibility of piezoelectric transducers as a damage detection system for civil infrastructures. There have been considerable amount of efforts by the modal analysis community to localize damage and evaluate its severity without looking at a reliable way to excite the structure. The detection of damages by modal analysis and similar vibration techniques depends upon the knowledge and estimation of various modal parameters. In addition to the associated difficulties, such low-frequency dynamic response based techniques fail to detect incipient damages. Smart piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) transducers which act as both actuators and sensors in a self-analyzing manner are emerging to be effective in non-parametric health monitoring of structural systems. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental study for the detection of damages using smart PZT transducers on the steel plate. The method of extracting the impedance characteristics of the PZT transducer, which is electro-mechanically coupled to the host structure, is adopted for damage detection. Two damages are simulated and assessed by the bonded PZT transducers for characterization. The experimental results verified the efficacy of the proposed approach and provided a demonstration of good robustness at the realistic steel structures, emphasizing the great potential for developing an automated in situ structural health monitoring system for application to large civil infrastructures without the need to blow the modal parameters.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.849-866
• /
• 2012

Single span historic bridges often contain non-prismatic members identified with a varying depth along their span lengths. Commonly, the symmetric parabolic height variations having the constant haunch length ratio of 0.5 have been selected to lower the stresses at the high bending moment points and to maintain the deflections within the acceptable limits. Due to their non-prismatic geometrical configuration, their assessment, particularly the computation of fixed-end horizontal forces (FEFs) and fixed-end moments (FEMs) becomes a complex problem. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the behavior of non-prismatic beams with symmetrical parabolic haunches (NBSPH) having the constant haunch length ratio of 0.5 using finite element analyses (FEA). FEFs and FEMs due to vertical loadings as well as the stiffness coefficients and the carry-over factors were computed through a comprehensive parametric study using FEA. It was demonstrated that the conventional methods using frame elements can lead to significant errors, and the deviations can reach to unacceptable levels for these types of structures. Despite the robustness of FEA, the generation of FEFs and FEMs using the nodal outputs of the detailed finite element mesh still remains an intricate task. Therefore, this study advances to propose effective formulas and dimensionless estimation coefficients to predict the FEFs, FEMs, stiffness coefficients and carry-over factors with reasonable accuracy for the analysis and re-evaluation of the NBSPH. Using the proposed approach, the fixed-end reactions due to vertical loads, and also the stiffness coefficients and the carry-over factors of the NBSPH can be determined without necessitating the detailed FEA.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2020

The traditional formulations for estimation of bearing capacity in rock mechanics assume a homogeneous and isotropic rock mass. However, it is common that the rock mass consists of different layers of different rock properties or of the same rock matrix with distinct geotechnical quality levels. The bearing capacity of a heterogeneous rock is estimated traditionally through the weighted average. In this paper, the solution of the weighted average is compared to the finite difference method applied to a bilayer rock mass. The influence of different parameters such as the thickness of the layers, the rock type, the uniaxial compressive strength and the overall geotechnical quality of the rock mass on the bearing capacity of a bilayer rock mass is analyzed. A parametric study by finite difference method is carried out to develop a bearing capacity factor in function of the layer thickness and the rock mass quality expressed in terms of the geological strength index, which is presented in a form of a chart. Therefore, this correlation factor allows estimating the bearing capacity of a rock mass that is formed by two layers with distinct GSI, depending on the bearing capacity of the rock mass formed only by the upper layer and considered by that way as homogenous and isotropic rock mass.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2004.04a
• /
• pp.120-125
• /
• 2004

Fatigue life of welded joints are governed by the propagation of multiple collinear surface cracks distributed randomly along weld bead. These cracks propagate in mutual interaction and coalescence of them. To estimate the fatigue life, the influences of above two mechanisms on the fatigue life should be taken into account. These two mechanisms appear through the stress intensity factors disturbed mutually. However, it is difficult to calculate the stress intensity factors of multiple surface cracks located in vicinity of weld toe. The stress intensity factors are calculated normally by using the Mk-factors, but such Mk-factors are very rare in literature. In this study, the Mk-factors were obtained from a parametric study on crack length and depth, in which a finite element method is used. A fatigue test for a cruciform welded joint was conducted. The fatigue life of the tested specimen was estimated through present method with the informations obtained from the test, e.g. the number, size and locations of the cracks. The estimated and measured fatigue life showed a good agreement.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.174-188
• /
• 2020

Atmospheric corrosion is a natural surface degradation process of metal due to changes in environmental parameters in the surrounding atmosphere. It is very sensitive to environmental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, sulphur dioxide, and chloride, making it a major global economic challenge. Existing forecasting empirical corrosion models including the ISO standard are based on statistical analysis of experimental studies without considering the behavior of atmospheric parameters. The present study proposes a reliable global empirical model for estimating short and long-term atmospheric corrosion rates based on environmental parameters and corrosion mechanisms obtained from a parametric study. Repercussion of atmospheric corrosion rate due to individual and combined influences of environmental parameters specifies their importance in the estimation. New global empirical coefficients obtained for environmental parameters are statistically established (R² =0.998) with 95% confidence limit. They are validated using experimental datasets of existing studies observed at 88 different continental locations. The current proposed model can predict atmospheric corrosion by means of corrosion formation mechanisms influenced by combined effects of environmental parameters, further abating applicability limitations of location and time.

• Coupled systems mechanics
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.147-170
• /
• 2014

In the recent times, dimensions of heavy load carrying vehicle have changed significantly incorporating structural flexibility in vehicle body. The present paper outlines a procedure for the estimation of bridge response statistics considering structural bending modes of the vehicle. Bridge deck roughness has been considered to be non homogeneous random process in space. Influence of pre cambering of bridge surface and settlement of approach slab on the dynamic behavior of the bridge has been studied. A parametric study considering vehicle axle spacing, mass, speed, vehicle flexibility, deck unevenness and eccentricity of vehicle path have been conducted. Dynamic amplification factor (DAF) of the bridge response has been obtained for several of combination of bridge-vehicle parameters. The present study reveals that flexible modes of vehicle can reduce dynamic response of the bridge to the extent of 30-37% of that caused by rigid vehicle model. However, sudden change in the bridge surface profile leads to significant amount of increment in the bridge dynamic response even if flexible bending modes remain active. The eccentricity of vehicle path and flexural/torsional rigidity ratios plays a significant role in dynamic amplification of bridge response.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 1993

For the safety assessment of the demonstration-scale incineration plant for treating the combustible radioactive wastes, radiation doses of a worker and a residential individual were estimated. The demonstration plant showed a good performance of trial-burn tests using non-radioactive tracers with resulting In high mass reduction of around 40 times and very low emmission of dusts through a stack, which promised a high decontamination factor in an order of 10$^{7}$ . Based on the result s obtained from the trial-burns in the process, the estimation of radiation dose for workers and general publics near the plant was made using dose pathway calculation theories. The parametric values for calculation were selected from design and operational results of the process and from more conservative conditions In reference data. The estimated annual doses for workers and residential indivisuals were 3.07 $\times$ 10$^{-4}$ and 4.35 X 10$^{-8}$ $\mu$Sv/y, respectively, which were high enough to operate the process when comparing with the allowable dose limit in the regulation. The dose calculation models were quite applicable with showing an excellent safety for the process.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.625-642
• /
• 2015

Prestressed concrete bridges with corrugated steel webs have emerged as one of the promising bridge forms. This structural form provides excellent structural efficiency with the concrete flanges primarily taking bending and the corrugated steel webs primarily taking shear. In the design of this type of bridges, the flexural ductility and deformability as well as strength need to be carefully examined. Evaluation of these safety-related attributes requires the estimation of full-range behaviour. In this study, the full-range behaviour of beam sections with corrugated steel webs is evaluated by means of a nonlinear analytical method which uses the actual stress-strain curves of the materials and considers the path-dependence of materials. In view of the different behaviour of components and the large shear deformation of corrugated steel webs with negligible longitudinal stiffness, the assumption that plane sections remain plane may no longer be valid. The interaction between shear deformation and local bending of flanges may cause additional stress in flanges, which is considered in this study. The numerical results obtained are compared with experimental results for verification. A parametric study is undertaken to clarify the effects of various parameters on ductility, deformability and strength.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.9
• /
• pp.177-187
• /
• 2021

The purpose of the research to evaluate the efficiency and productivity growth rate of some Vietnamese commercial banks in the period 2008-2020. Using input and output selection theory, the author selected 2 models, estimating the efficiency for model 1 and estimating the yield change for both the models. We have built a model to estimate the efficiency and calculate as well as decompose the productivity growth of Vietnamese commercial banks during the period of active mergers and acquisitions activities in the banking system. Based on the results of the efficiency estimation, TFP shows during mergers and acquisitions, efficiency fluctuates but in an inverted U-shape (increasing from 2008-2011 but decreasing from 2013 to 2020). The estimated results of the impact assessment model show that FDI reduces the efficiency of banks. Productivity analysis shows that 6 out of 23 banks in the study period had positive TFP growth (tfpch > 1) due to technical progress and management efficiency. The findings of this study suggest that Vietnam's commercial banking system has many opportunities to improve operational efficiency in many aspects. In which, there are opportunities to increase credit, improve governance as well as improve the technology level of each bank. In addition, along with traditional products such as deposits and loans, diversification with a wide range of products and services is an important factor to enhance customer experience and demand in commercial banks.

• Advances in Computational Design
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.307-326
• /
• 2019

A low computational cost semi-analytical method is developed, based on eigenfunction expansion, to study the vibration of rectangular plates subjected to a series of moving sprung masses, representing a bridge deck under multiple vehicle or train moving loads. The dynamic effects of the suspension system are taken into account by using flexible connections between the moving masses and the base structure. The accuracy of the proposed method in predicting the dynamic response of a rectangular plate subjected to a series of moving sprung masses is demonstrated compared to the conventional rigid moving mass models. It is shown that the proposed method can considerably improve the computational efficiency of the conventional methods by eliminating a large number of time-varying components in the coupled Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) matrices. The dynamic behaviour of the system is then investigated by performing a comprehensive parametric study on the Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) of the moving loads using different design parameters. The results indicate that ignoring the flexibility of the suspension system in both moving force and moving mass models may lead to substantially underestimated DAF predictions and therefore unsafe design solutions. This highlights the significance of taking into account the stiffness of the suspension system for accurate estimation of the plate maximum dynamic response in practical applications.