• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.187-201
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• 2008

Earthquake induced hysteretic energy demand for a structure can be used as a limiting value of a certain performance level in seismic design of structures. In cases where it is larger than the hysteretic energy dissipation capacity of the structure, failure will occur. To be able to select the limiting value of hysteretic energy for a particular earthquake hazard level, it is required to define the variation of hysteretic energy in terms of probabilistic terms. This study focuses on the probabilistic evaluation of earthquake induced worst failure probability and approximate confidence intervals for inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems with a typical steel moment connection based on hysteretic energy. For this purpose, hysteretic energy demand is predicted for a set of SDOF systems subject to an ensemble of moderate and severe EQGMs, while the hysteretic energy dissipation capacity is evaluated through the previously published cyclic test data on full-scale steel beam-to-column connections. The failure probability corresponding to the worst possible case is determined based on the hysteretic energy demand and dissipation capacity. The results show that as the capacity to demand ratio increases, the failure probability decreases dramatically. If this ratio is too small, then the failure is inevitable.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.343-361
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• 2007

This article presents a numerical tool for dimensioning two-threaded fasteners connecting prismatic parts subjected to fatigue tension loads that are coplanar with the screw axis. A simplified numerical model is developed from unidirectional finite elements, modeling the connected parts and screws with bent elements and the elastic contact layer between the parts with springs. An algorithm updating the contact stiffness matrix, calculating forces and displacements at each node of the structure and thus normal stresses in the screws in both static and fatigue is further developed using C language. An experimental study is also conducted in parallel with the numerical approach to validate the developed model assumptions, the numerical model and the 3D finite element results. Since stiffness values for the compressive zones in the parts are analytically difficult to determine, a statistical software method is used, from which a tuning factor is derived for identifying these stiffness values. The method is also applied to set out the influence of each parameter on the fatigue behaviour of each screw. Finally, the developed model will be used to establish a new, sophisticated, fast and accurate tool for dimensioning bolted mechanical structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.139-149
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• 2018

Many practical engineering problems are associated with nonlinear systems subjected to nonstationary random excitations. Equivalent linearization methods are commonly used to seek for approximate solutions to this kind of problems. Compared to various approaches developed in the frequency and mixed time-frequency domains, though directly solving the system equation of motion in the time domain would improve computation efficiency, only limited studies are available. Considering the fact that the orthogonal functions have been widely used to effectively improve the accuracy of the approximated responses and reduce the computational cost in various engineering applications, an orthogonal-function-based equivalent linearization method in the time domain has been proposed in the current paper for nonlinear systems subjected to nonstationary random excitations. In the numerical examples, the proposed approach is applied to a SDOF system with a set-up spring and a SDOF Duffing oscillator subjected to stationary and nonstationary excitations. In addition, its applicability to nonlinear MDOF systems is examined by a 3DOF Duffing system subjected to nonstationary excitation. Results show that the proposed method can accurately predict the nonlinear system response and the formulation of the proposed approach allows it to be capable of handling any general type of nonstationary random excitations, such as the seismic load.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.443-453
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• 2017

The performance of bolted side-plated (BSP) beams is affected by the degree of transverse partial interaction, which is a result of the interfacial slip caused by transverse shear transfer between the bolted steel plates and the reinforced concrete beams. However, explicit formulae for the transverse shear transfer profile have yet to be derived. In this paper, a simplified piecewise linear shear transfer model was proposed based on force superposition principle and simplification of shear transfer profiles derived from a previous numerical study. The magnitude of shear transfer was determined by force equilibrium and displacement compatibility condition. A set of design formulae for BSP beams under several basic load cases was also derived. Then the model was verified by test results. A worked example was also provided to illustrate the application of the proposed design formulae. This paper sheds some light on the shear force transfer mechanism of anchor bolts in BSP beams, and offers a practical method to evaluate the influence of transverse partial interaction in strengthening design.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1829-1833
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• 2012

Titania spheres were synthesized using binary ionic liquids to examine the electrocatalytic activity in acid solution. The morphology of $TiO_2$ particles was significantly different with the composition of ionic liquids. Among the binary ionic liquids, four set of mixtures led to the formation of $TiO_2$ sphere with various sizes. The morphology and structure of $TiO_2$ particles were characterized by XRD, $N_2$ physisoption and SEM analysis. All samples possessed an anatase phase after calcinations at $500^{\circ}C$. The structural properties of the samples were varied significantly with the morphology. In cyclic voltammograms, the morphology of $TiO_2$ spheres affected the electrocatalytic activity in water electrolysis. Among the samples, [Omim][$BF_4$]+[Hmim][$BF_4$] was the most effective ionic liquid to synthesize $TiO_2$ sphere with optimum morphology showing the highest electocatalytic performance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2004

Numerical solution to linear bending analysis of circular plates is obtained by the method of harmonic differential quadrature (HDQ). In the method of differential quadrature (DQ), partial space derivatives of a function appearing in a differential equation are approximated by means of a polynomial expressed as the weighted linear sum of the function values at a preselected grid of discrete points. The method of HDQ that was used in the paper proposes a very simple algebraic formula to determine the weighting coefficients required by differential quadrature approximation without restricting the choice of mesh grids. Applying this concept to the governing differential equation of circular plate gives a set of linear simultaneous equations. Bending moments, stresses values in radial and tangential directions and vertical deflections are found for two different types of load. In the present study, the axisymmetric bending behavior is considered. Both the clamped and the simply supported edges are considered as boundary conditions. The obtained results are compared with existing solutions available from analytical and other numerical results such as finite elements and finite differences methods. A comparison between the HDQ results and the finite difference solutions for one example plate problem is also made. The method presented gives accurate results and is computationally efficient.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1217-1244
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• 2015

In this research a theoretical and numerical study on a bridge damage detection procedure is presented based on vibration measurements collected from a set of accelerometers. This method, referred to as "Adjoint Variable Method", is a sensitivity-based finite element model updating method. The approach relies on minimizing a penalty function, which usually consists of the errors between the measured quantities and the corresponding predictions attained from the model. Moving mass is an interactive model and includes inertia effects between the model and mass. This interactive model is a time varying system and the proposed method is capable of detecting damage in this variable system. Robustness of the proposed method is illustrated by correct detection of the location and extension of predetermined single, multiple and random damages in all ranges of speed and mass ratio of moving vehicle. A comparative study on common sensitivity and the proposed method confirms its efficiency and performance improvement in sensitivity-based damage detection methods. In addition various possible sources of error, including the effects of measurement noise and initial assumption error in stability of method are also discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.655-663
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• 2011

Asbestos-cement is a material with valuable strength and durability. It was extensively used for water distribution pipes across the world from the 1950s until the early 1980s. The network of pipes in this case study dates from the 1970s, and after more than 30 to 40 years of service, some pipes have been found to break under common service pressure with no apparent reason. A set of mechanical tests was performed including bending, compression, pressure and crushing tests. Microscopy analysis was also used to understand the material behaviour. Tests showed that there was a clear loss of strength in the pipes and that the safety factor was under the established threshold in most of the specimens. Microscopy results showed morphological damage to the pipes. The loss of strength was attributed to a leaching effect. Leaching damages the cement matrix and reduces the frictional interfacial shear stress.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.91-111
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• 2008

This paper outlines the development of a computational model in order to analyze the dynamic behaviour of coupled fluid-structure systems such as a) liquid containers, b) a set of parallel or radial plates. In this work a hybrid fluid-solid element is developed, capable of simulating both membrane and bending effects of the plate. The structural mass and stiffness matrices are determined using exact integration of governing equations which are derived using a combination of classical plate theory and a finite element approach. The Bernoulli equation and velocity potential function are used to describe the liquid pressure applied on the solid-fluid element. An impermeability condition assures a permanent contact at the fluid-structure interface. Applications of this model are presented for both parallel and radial plates as well as fluid-filled rectangular reservoir. The effect of physical parameters on the dynamic behaviour of a coupled fluid-structure system is investigated. The results obtained using the presented approach for dynamic characteristics such as natural frequency are in agreement to those calculated using other theories and experiments.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.64-72
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• 2010

CuSnZn electroplating was investigated as alternative to Ni plating. Evaluation of electrolyte and plating process was performed to control physical characteristics of the film, and to collect practical data for application. Hull-cell test was conducted for basic comparison of two commercialized products and developed product. Based on hull-cell test results, long term test of three electrolytes was performed. Various analysis on long term tested electrolyte and samples have been done. Reliable and practical data was collected using FE-SEM (FEI, Sirion), EDX (ThermoNoran SIX-200E), ICP Spectrometer (GBC Scientifi c, Integra XL), FIB (FEI, Nova600) for anlysis. Physical analysis and reliability test of the long term tested film were also carried out. Through this investigation plating time, plating speed, electrolyte composition, electrolyte metal consumption, hardness and corrosion resistance has been compared. This set of data is used to predict and control the chemical composition of the film and modify the physical characteristics of the CuSnZn alloy.