• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.309-316
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• 2024

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.20 provides guidance on the comprehensive vibration assessment program (CVAP) to be performed on reactor internals during preoperational and startup tests. The purpose of the program is to identify loads that could cause vibration in the reactor internals and to ensure that these vibrations do not affect their structural integrity. The structural vibrational analysis program involves creating finite element analysis models of the reactor internals and calculating their structural responses when subjected to vibration loads. The appropriateness of the structural analysis methodology must be demonstrated through benchmarks or any other reasonable means. Although existing structural analysis methodologies have been proven to be appropriate and are widely used, this paper presents the development of an improved new structural analysis methodology for APR1400 reactor internals using scaled model tests.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.425-436
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• 2023

An effective tool for researching actual problems in geotechnical and mining engineering is to conduct physical modeling tests using similar materials. A reliable geometric scaled model test requires selecting similar materials and conducting tests to determine physical properties such as the mixing ratio of the mixed materials. In this paper, a method is proposed to determine similar materials that can reproduce target properties using a polynomial model based on experimental results on modeling materials using a gypsum-sand mixture (GSM) to simulate rocks. To that end, a database is prepared using the unconfined compressive strength, elastic modulus, and density of 459 GSM samples as output parameters and the weight ratio of the mixing materials as input parameters. Further, a model that can predict the physical properties of the GSM using this database and a polynomial approach is proposed. The performance of the developed method is evaluated by comparing the predicted and observed values; the results demonstrate that the proposed polynomial model can predict the physical properties of the GSM with high accuracy. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that the gypsum-water ratio significantly affects the prediction of the physical properties of the GSM. The proposed polynomial model is used as a powerful tool to simplify the process of determining similar materials for rocks and conduct highly reliable experiments in a physical modeling test.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.381-390
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• 2004

In this study, scaled model tests were performed to investigate the deformation behaviors around twin tunnels. Eleven types of test models which had respectively different pillar widths, rock types and loading conditions were mode, where the modelling materials were the mixture of sand, plaster and water. The models with shallower pillar width were cracked under lower pressure than the models with thicker pillar width, and they showed the more tunnel convergences and the clear spatting failures. The models of hard rock were cracked under 50% higher pressure than the models of soft rock and they showed the less tunnel convergences. The failure and deformation behaviors of twin tunnels were also dependent on the loading conditions of models. Futhermore, the results of FLAC analysis were qualitatively coincident with the test results.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.803-818
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• 2013

In this study, analytical and experimental modal analyses of a scaled bridge model are carried out to extract the dynamic characteristics such as natural frequency, mode shapes and damping ratios. For this purpose, a scaled bridge model is constructed in laboratory conditions. Three dimensional finite element model of the bridge is constituted and dynamic characteristics are determined, analytically. To identify the dynamic characteristics experimentally; Experimental Modal Analyses (ambient and forced vibration tests) are conducted to the bridge model. In the ambient vibration tests, natural excitations are provided and the response of the bridge model is measured. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed to collect signals from the measurements. The signals collected from the tests are processed by Operational Modal Analysis; and the dynamic characteristics of the bridge model are estimated using Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods. In the forced vibration tests, excitation of the bridge model is induced by an impact hammer and the frequency response functions are obtained. From the finite element analyses, a total of 8 natural frequencies are attained between 28.33 and 313.5 Hz. Considering the first eight mode shapes, these modes can be classified into longitudinal, transverse and vertical modes. It is seen that the dynamic characteristics obtained from the ambient and forced vibration tests are close to each other. It can be stated that the both of Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods are very useful to identify the dynamic characteristics of the bridge model. The first eight natural frequencies are obtained from experimental measurements between 25.00-299.5 Hz. In addition, the dynamic characteristics obtained from the finite element analyses have a good correlation with experimental frequencies and mode shapes. The MAC values obtained between 90-100% and 80-100% using experimental results and experimental-analytical results, respectively.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2016

PURPOSES : The applicability of the mechanics-based similarity concept (suggested by Feng et al.) for determining scaled variables, including length and load, via laboratory-scale tests and discrete element analysis, was evaluated. METHODS: Several studies on the similarity concept were reviewed. The exact scaling approach, a similarity concept described by Feng, was applied in order to determine an analytical solution of a free-falling ball. This solution can be considered one of the simplest conditions for discrete element analysis. RESULTS : The results revealed that 1) the exact scaling approach can be used to determine the scale of variables in laboratory tests and numerical analysis, 2) applying only a scale factor, via the exact scaling approach, is inadequate for the error-free replacement of small particles by large ones during discrete element analysis, 3) the level of continuity of flowable materials such as SCC and cement mortar seems to be an important criterion for evaluating the applicability of the similarity concept, and 4) additional conditions, such as the kinetics of particle, contact model, and geometry, must be taken into consideration to achieve the maximum radius of replacement particles during discrete element analysis. CONCLUSIONS : The concept of similarity is a convenient tool to evaluate the correspondence of scaled laboratory test or numerical analysis to physical condition. However, to achieve excellent correspondence, additional factors, such as the kinetics of particles, contact model, and geometry, must be taken into consideration.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.300-311
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• 2008

In this study, scaled model tests were performed to investigate the stability of three parallel tunnels. Seven types of test models which had respectively different pillar widths, tunnel sectional shapes, support conditions and ground conditions were experimented, where crack initiating pressures and deformation behaviors around tunnels were investigated. In order to evaluate the effect of pillar widths on stability, various models were experimented. As results, the models with shallower pillar widths proved to be unstable because of lower crack initiating pressures and more tunnel convergences than the models with thicker pillar widths. In order to find the effect of tunnel sectional shape on stability, the models with arched, semi-arched and rectangular tunnels were experimented. Among them rectangular tunnel model was the most unstable, where the arched tunnel model with small radius of roof curvature was more stable than semi-arched one. The model with rockbolt showed higher crack initiating pressure and less roof lowering than the unsupported model. The deformation behaviors of tunnels in the anisotropic ground model were quite different from those in the isotropic ground model. Futhermore, the results of FLAC analysis were qualitatively coincident with the experimental results.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 2016

This paper is focused on the determination of friction parameter which is a predominant factor in the design of inflatable structure system. This inflatable structure system is very valuably used to protect passively and rapidly the possibilities of tunnel damages by flooding threats and unusual leakage to be occurred during and after underground infrastructure construction. In particular, this system should be necessary in subsea tunnel. This study presents the experimental results obtained from the relative friction characteristics tests of the fabric materials that constitute the inflatable structure. In order to evaluate the relative friction behaviour of the inflatable structure system, friction tests and scaled model tunnel friction tests are carried out. The friction tests are carried out to determine the friction coefficient for different surface conditions between tunnel and inflatable structure. These friction coefficients are then evaluated and compared with the result obtained from the model tunnel friction tests. Interaction behaviours between tunnel and system are also reviewed and described in this study. The results clearly show that the friction coefficients derived from scaled model slippage tests are about 12% lower than values obtained from the friction tests. In addition, this study will be necessary to verify the real friction behaviour with prototype tests before applying in practice.

• Proceedings of the Korea Committee for Ocean Resources and Engineering Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.97-102
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• 2001

This paper describes an investigation how to carry out model tests of deepwater moorings exceeding the basin depth range. A hybrid mooring model, a combination of mooring lines scaled model and a couple of linear springs, is taken into account as an equivalent substitute of a full depth mooring system. Such an idea is applied to the model test of an OTEC mooring system to be installed in 1000m deep ocean. A 1/25 scaled model test of surface vessel and the upper part of mooring system is performed at ocean engineering basin. Possibility and limitation of the hybrid mooring modeling is discussed.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2004

In this study, scaled-model tests were performed to investigate the effect of underground openings on the stability of surface structure around the abandoned coal mine areas. Four types of test models which had respectively different depths of openings and different ground reinforcement conditions were introduced, where the modelling materials were the mixture of sand, plaster and water. The model with deep openings were turned out more stable to the structure than the model with shallow ones, because the crack-initiating pressure of the former was 2.5 times as much as that of the latter. The models with ground reinforcement were also fumed out more stable than the model without reinforcement, because the crack-initiating pressure of the former was 2.4 times as much as that of the latter. Subsidence profiles were analysed to find the characteristics of slope and curvature, and the model with large reinforcement were turned out the most stable.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.16 no.2 s.107
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• pp.163-168
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• 2006

The PWR Nuclear Fuel assembly consists of more than 250 fuel rods that are supported by leaf springs in the cells of more than 10 Spacer Grids (SG) along the rod length. Since it is not easy to conduct mechanical tests on a full-scale model basis, the small-scaled rod bundle $(5\times5)$ which is called partial fuel assembly is generally used for various performance tests during the development stage. As one of the small-scaled tests, a flow test should be carried out in order to verify the performance of the spacer grid to obtain the Flow-Induced Vibration (FIV) characteristics of the scaled fuel assembly over the specified flow range. A vibration test should be also performed to obtain the modal parameters of the assembly prior to the flow test. In this study, we want to develop the estimation procedure of the damping ratio for the scaled test assembly. For the damping factor of the partial fuel assembly and the grid cage at the first vibration mode, as one of the vibration tests, a so-called pluck testing has been performed in air as a preliminary test prior to in-flow damping measurement test. Logarithmic decrement method is used for calculation of the damping ratio. Estimated damping ratio of the partial fuel assembly is about $0.7\%$ with reasonable error of $2\%$ for the previous results. Nonlinear behavior of the partial fuel assembly might be stem mainly from the rod-grid support configuration.