• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Transmission tower-line system is one of most critical lifeline systems to cities. However, it is found that the transmission tower-line system is prone to be damaged by earthquakes in past decades. To mitigate seismic demands, this study introduces a tuned-mass damper (TMD) using superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) spring for the system. In addition, considering the dynamic characteristics of both tower-line system and SMA are affected by temperature change. Particular attention is paid on the effect of temperature variation on seismic behavior. In doing so, the SMA-TMD is installed into the system, and its properties are optimized through parametric analyses. The considered temperature range is from -40 to $40^{\circ}C$. The seismic control effect of using SMA-TMD is investigated under the considered temperatures. Interested seismic performance indices include peak displacement and peak acceleration at the tower top and the height-wise deformation. Parametric analyses on seismic intensity and frequency ratio were carried out as well. This study indicates that the nonlinear behavior of SMA-TMD is critical to the control effect, and proper tuning before application is advisable. Seismic demand mitigation is always achieved in this wide temperature range, and the control effect is increased at high temperatures.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.411-424
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• 2021

Inference following two-stage adaptive designs (also known as two-stage randomization designs) with survival endpoints usually focuses on estimating and comparing survival distributions for the different treatment strategies. The aim is to identify the treatment strategy(ies) that leads to better survival of the patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the performance three commonly cited methods for estimating survival distributions in two-stage randomization designs. We review three non-parametric methods for estimating survival distributions in two-stage adaptive designs and compare their performance using simulation studies. The simulation studies show that the method based on the marginal mean model is badly affected by high censoring rates and response rate. The other two methods which are natural extensions of the Nelson-Aalen estimator and the Kaplan-Meier estimator have similar performance. These two methods yield survival estimates which have less bias and more precise than the marginal mean model even in cases of small sample sizes. The weighted versions of the Nelson-Aalen and the Kaplan-Meier estimators are less affected by high censoring rates and low response rates. The bias of the method based on the marginal mean model increases rapidly with increase in censoring rate compared to the other two methods. We apply the three methods to a leukemia clinical trial dataset and also compare the results.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.1134-1145
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• 2021

A design parameter study is presented for the closed-loop type passive containment cooling system (PCCS) which is equipped with two heat exchangers: one installed at the inside of the containment and the other submerged in the water pool at the outside of the containment. A GOTHIC code model for PCCS performance analyses was set up and the design parameters such as the heat exchanger sizes, locations, and water pool tank volumes were analyzed to investigate the feasibility of installing this type of PCCS in PWRs like OPR-1000 being operated in Korea. We identified the size of the circulation loop and heat exchangers as major design parameters affecting the performance of PCCS. The analyses showed that the heat exchangers in the inside of the containment would be more influential on the heat removal capability of PCCS than that installed in the water pool at the outside of the containment. Hence, it was recommended to down-size the heat exchangers in the water pool to optimize PCCS without compromising its performance. Based on the parametric study, it was demonstrated that a closed-loop type PCCS could be designed sufficiently compact for installation in the available space within the containment of PWRs like OPR-1000.

• 근관절건강학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.102-110
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effects of a community-based fall prevention exercise program for older adults on lower extremity muscle strength, balance ability, and fall efficacy. Methods: This study recruited 30 participants, and the program was conducted for 10 weeks. The program included sessions on strength and balance exercises, conducted for 50 minutes a day and at least three times a week. The collected data were analyzed using non-parametric (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, generalized estimated equation) and parametric statistics (paired t-test, rmANOVA). Results: After 12 weeks of exercise program, lower extremity muscle strength and static-dynamic balance ability significantly increased. The fall efficacy increased from an average score of 2.48 points before the test to an average score of 2.91 points after the test. Regarding general characteristics, there were no significant differences in effect before and after the program, except for fall efficacy. Conclusion: The above results showed that the intervention of a community-based fall prevention exercise program for older adults was effective. Therefore, it is suggested that this exercise program be organized regularly within the center to provide periodic and long-term services.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.478-492
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• 2021

In this study, hull dimensions of an FPSO were optimized to maximize its operability at Brazil field. In contrast with the previous works which have used simplified models to evaluate some indicators related to stability and hydrodynamic performances of FPSOs for its own optimal design, we developed a generic hull and compartment modeler and sophisticated stability and hydrodynamic calculation modules. With the aid of the developed tools, the hull optimization was performed with initial dimensions of an FPSO originally designed for west Africa field. The optimization results indicated the relative importance of hydrodynamic performances compared with stability performances for the FPSO hull dimensioning by showing that there were 3 active constraints related to them, which were the natural periods of heave and roll and the maximum pitch angle under 1-year return period waves at full load condition. To the author's knowledge, this study is the first attempt to combine altogether the hull and compartment modeling and full set of stability and hydrodynamic calculations precisely to optimize an FPSO's hull dimensions within 30 min. Also, it is worthwhile to mention that the developed methods are generic enough to be applied to all types of ship-shaped offshore platforms.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.2297-2310
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• 2022

A condensation heat transfer model is essential to accurately predict the performance of the passive containment cooling system (PCCS) during an accident in an advanced light water reactor. However, most of existing models tend to predict condensation heat transfer very well for a specific range of thermal-hydraulic conditions. In this study, a new correlation for condensation heat transfer coefficient (HTC) is presented using machine learning technique. To secure sufficient training data, a large number of pseudo data were produced by using ten existing condensation models. Then, a neural network model was developed, consisting of a fully connected layer and a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm, DenseNet. Based on the hold-out cross-validation, the neural network was trained and validated against the pseudo data. Thereafter, it was evaluated using the experimental data, which were not used for training. The machine learning model predicted better results than the existing models. It was also confirmed through a parametric study that the machine learning model presents continuous and physical HTCs for various thermal-hydraulic conditions. By reflecting the effects of individual variables obtained from the parametric analysis, a new correlation was proposed. It yielded better results for almost all experimental conditions than the ten existing models.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.565-579
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• 2022

This study investigated the yielding capacity and performance of seismic dampers constructed with steel ring plates using numerical and analytical approaches. This study aims to provide an analytical relationship for estimating the yielding capacity and initial stiffness of steel ring dampers. Using plastic analysis and considering the mechanism of plastic hinge formation, a relation has been obtained for estimating the yielding capacity of steel ring dampers. Extensive parametric studies have been carried out using a nonlinear finite element method to examine the accuracy of the obtained analytical relationships. The parametric studies include investigating the influence of the length, thickness, and diameter of the ring of steel ring dampers. To this end, comprehensive verification studies are performed by comparing the numerical predictions with several reported experimental results to demonstrate the numerical method's reliability and accuracy. Comparison is made between the hysteresis curves, and failure modes predicted numerically or obtained/observed experimentally. Good agreement is observed between the numerical simulations and the analytical predictions for the yielding force and initial stiffness. The difference between the numerical models' ultimate tensile and compressive capacities was observed that average of about 22%, which stems from the performance of the ring-dampers in the tensile and compression zones. The results show that the steel ring-dampers are exhibited high energy dissipation capacity and ductility. The ductility parameters for steel ring-damper between values were 7.5 to 4.1.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.895-905
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• 2022

Composite flooring systems consisting of cold-formed steel joists and reinforced concrete slabs offer an efficient, lightweight solution. However, utilisation of composite action to achieve enhanced strength and economical design has been limited. In this study, finite element modelling was utilised to create a three-dimensional model which was then validated against experimental results for a composite flooring system consisting of cold-formed steel joists, reinforced concrete slab and steel bolt shear connectors. This validated numerical model was then utilised to perform parametric studies on the performance of the structural system. The results from the parametric study demonstrate that increased thickness of the concrete slab and increased thickness of the cold formed steel beam resulted in higher moment capacity and stiffness of the composite flooring system. In addition, reducing the spacing of bolts and spacing of the cold formed steel beams both resulted in enhanced load capacity of the composite system. Increasing the concrete grade was also found to increase the moment capacity of the composite flooring system. Overall, the results show that an efficient, lightweight composite flooring system can be achieved and optimised by selecting suitable concrete slab thickness, cold formed beam thickness, bolt spacing, cold formed beam spacing and concrete grade.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제81권4호
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• pp.493-502
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• 2022

Shear lag phenomenon has long been considered in numerous structural codes; however, the AISC provisions have now no longer proposed any unique equation to calculate the shear lag ratio in bolted connections for angles in general. It is noticeable that, however, codes used in this case are largely conservative and need to be amended. A parametric study consisting of 27 angle sections with equal legs and different with bolted connections was performed to investigate the effects of shear lag on the ultimate tensile capacity of angle members. The main parameters were: steel grade, connection length and eccentricity from the center of the plate, as well as the number of rows of bolts parallel to the applied force. The test results were compared with the predictions of the classical 1-x/l law proposed by Mons and Chesen to investigate its application to quantify the effect of shear lag. A parametric study was performed using valid FE models that cover a wide range of parameters. Finally, based on the numerical results, design considerations were proposed to quantify the effect of shear lag on the ultimate tensile capacity of the tensile members.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.497-506
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• 2021

Steel-concrete composite structures and precast concrete elements have a common prefabrication process and allow fast construction. The use of hollow-core slabs associated with composite floors can be advantageous. However, there are few studies on the subject, impeding the application of such systems. In this paper, a numerical model representing the considered system using the FE (finite element)-based software DIANA is developed. The results of an experimental test were also presented in Souza (2016) and were used to validate the model. Comparisons between the numerical and test results were performed in terms of the load versus displacement, load versus slip, and load versus strain curves, showing satisfactory agreement. In addition, a wide parametric study was performed, evaluating the influence of several parameters on the behaviour of the composite system: The strength of the steel beam, thickness of the web, thickness and width of the bottom flange of the steel beam and concrete cover thickness on top of the beam. The results indicated a great influence of the steel strength and the thickness of the bottom flange of the steel beam on the capacity of the composite floor. The remaining parameters had limited influences on the results.