• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.268-278
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to assess the whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure among large blast hole drill machine operators with regard to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recommended threshold values and its association with machine- and rock-related factors and workers' individual characteristics. Methods: The study population included 28 drill machine operators who had worked in four opencast iron ore mines in eastern India. The study protocol comprised the following: measurements of WBV exposure [frequency weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration ($m/s^2$)], machine-related data (manufacturer of machine, age of machine, seat height, thickness, and rest height) collected from mine management offices, measurements of rock hardness, uniaxial compressive strength and density, and workers' characteristics via face-to-face interviews. Results: More than 90% of the operators were exposed to a higher level WBV than the ISO upper limit and only 3.6% between the lower and upper limits, mainly in the vertical axis. Bivariate correlations revealed that potential predictors of total WBV exposure were: machine manufacturer (r = 0.453, p = 0.015), age of drill (r = 0.533, p = 0.003), and hardness of rock (r = 0.561, p = 0.002). The stepwise multiple regression model revealed that the potential predictors are age of operator (regression coefficient ${\beta}=-0.052$, standard error SE = 0.023), manufacturer (${\beta}=1.093$, SE = 0.227), rock hardness (${\beta}=0.045$, SE = 0.018), uniaxial compressive strength (${\beta}=0.027$, SE = 0.009), and density (${\beta}=-1.135$, SE = 0.235). Conclusion: Prevention should include using appropriate machines to handle rock hardness, rock uniaxial compressive strength and density, and seat improvement using ergonomic approaches such as including a suspension system.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.10-18
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• 2016

A front-end loader (FEL) mounted on an agricultural tractor is one of the most commonly used implements to mechanize routine agricultural tasks. When the FEL is used with a loaded bucket, careful operation is required to maintain safety and avoid spillage when the tractor passes a bump because a change in the gravity center of the tractor due to varied loadings can affect the stability of the tractor. Use of a boom suspension system consisting of accumulators and orifice dampers can be instrumental in reducing pitching vibrations while increasing the handling performance of the FEL-mounted tractor. The objective of this research was to reduce bump shocks by adding an orifice and a flow control valve to the original hydraulic circuit composed solely of accumulators. A simulation study was performed using the SimulationX program to investigate the effects of an accumulator and an orifice-throttle damper on bump shocks. Results showed that the peak pressure on a boom cylinder and the vertical acceleration of a bucket were significantly affected by use of both an accumulator and an orifice damper. In a field test conducted with a 75-kW tractor, the peak pressure of the boom cylinder, and the root mean square (RMS) vertical acceleration of the bucket and seat were reduced by on average, 23.0, 42.2, and 44.9% respectively, as compared to those measured with the original accumulator system, showing that an improved design for the accumulator hydraulic circuit can reduce bump shocks. Further studies are needed to design a tractor suspension system that includes the effects of cabin suspension and tires as well as dynamic analysis.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1158-1165
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• 1998

Low frequency interior noise in cars is mainly due to structure-borne excitations which are related with road excitation and component vibrations such as suspension and engine mounts. In order to analyze the annoying interior noise. a technique (Transfer Path Analysis) is introduced to find a noise source and the path of that noise. In this study, TPA is reviewed theoretically and applied to investigate the case when the low frequency interior noise at front seat due to road excitations needs to be optimized. The subjective and objective appraisal was performed under the conditions that a testing vehicle traveled on asphalt at 30 km/h. so that the low frequency to be eliminated was detected. The related vibration and noise data for TPA were measured on running and static vehicle. The results reveal that the noise contribution along the z-direction of trailing arm is prominent to low frequency interior noise.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.226-232
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• 2000

This paper develops a finite element model for studying the crashworthiness analysis of a mid-size truck. A simulation for a truck frontal crash to a rigid barrier using the model is performed with PAM-CRASH installed in super computer SP2. Full vehicle model is composed of 86467 shell elements, 165 beam elements and 98 bar elements, and 86769 nodes. The model uses four material model such as elastic, elastic-plastic(steel), rigid and elastic-plastic(rubber) material model which are in PAM-CRASH. Frame and suspension system are modeled with 28774 shell elements and 31412 nodes. Cab is modeled with 34680 shell elements and 57 beam elements, and 36254 nodes. Bumper is modeled with 2262 shell elements, and 2508 nodes. Axle, steering shaft, etc are modeled using beam or bar elements. Mounting parts are modeled using rigid bodies. Bodies are interconnected using nodal constrains or joint options. To verify the developed model, frontal crash test with 30mph velocity to a rigid barrier is carried out. In the crash test, vehicle pulse at lower part of b-pillar is measured, and deformed shapes of frame and driver seat area are photographed. Those measured vehicle pulse and photographed pictures are compared those from the simulation to verify the developed finite element model.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.15 no.2 s.95
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• pp.135-147
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• 2005

As automobile technology advances, a smoother ride with less noise is desired. In order to achieve these purposes, a study on the vibration and noise produced by a moving automobile was carried out and a model for tire vibration characteristics which influence the ride performance was developed. The model was verified through simulations and experiments. The developed model was then applied to a half car model and automobile vibrations were analyzed. The effects of tire design parameters on the automobile vibration energy were investigated. The results from laboratory and field tests confirm the validity of the analytical model. The 17-DOF half-car model was built to analyze automobile vibration. The characteristics of the nonlinear model for a shock absorber were applied to this model. The results from the present 17-DOF half car model incorporating the analytical tire model with tire design parameters, were compared with the 5-DOF half car model where the tire was modeled with linear springs. The results of the 17-DOF model are close to the experimental results. Using the 17-DOF model, the influence of tire design parameter were considered. According to the analysis results, the vibrations at seat/body/wheel were predicted by simulation and experiment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.76-85
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• 1998

Recently, Genetic Algorithm(GA) is widely adopted into a search procedure for structural optimization, which is a stochastic direct search strategy that mimics the process of genetic evolution. This methods consist of three genetics operations maned selection, crossover and mutation. Contrast to traditional optimal design techniques which use design sensitivity analysis results, GA, being zero-order method, is very simple. So, they can be easily applicable to wide area of design optimization problems. Also, owing to multi-point search procedure, they have higher probability of converge to global optimum compared to traditional techniques which take one-point search method. In this study, a method of finding the optimum values of suspension parameters is proposed by using the GA. And vehicle is modelled as planar vehicle having 5 degree-of-freedom. The generalized coordinates are vertical motion of passenger seat, sprung mass and front and rear unsprung mass and rotate(pitch) motion of sprung mass. For rapid converge and precluding local optimum, share function which distribute chromosomes over design bound is introduced. Elitist survival model, remainder stochastic sampling without replacement method, multi-point crossover method are adopted. In the sight of the improvement of ride comfort, good result can be obtained in 5-D.O.F. vehicle model by using GA.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.16-29
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• 1995

In this study a tracked vehicle is idealized as a 2-dimensional 9-degrees-of-freedom model which takes into account the effects of HSU units, torsion bars, and track. For the model equations of motion are derived using Kane's method. By using the equations of motion, a numerical example is solved and results are compared to those obtained by using a general purpose multi body dynamic analysis program. The comparison study shows the reasonable coherence between the two results. which confirms the effectiveness of the model. With the model, dynamic response optimization is carried out. The objective function is the peak value of the vertical acceleration of the vehicle at the driver's seat, and the constraints are the wheel travel limits, the ground clearance. and the limits of other design variables. Three different sets of design variables are chosen and used for the optimization. The results show the attenuation of the acceleration peak value. Thus the procedure presented in this study can be utilized for the design improvement of the real system.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.743-755
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• 2019

In this paper, a new system of seismic isolation for buildings - called suspended columns - is introduced. In this method, the building columns are placed on the hinged cradle seats instead of direct connection to the foundation. In this system, each of the columns is put on a seat hung from its surrounding area by a number of cables, for which cavities are created inside the foundation around the columns. Inside these cavities, the tensile cables are hung. Because of the flexibility of the cables, the suspended seats vibrate during an earthquake and as a result, there is less acceleration in the structure than the foundation. A Matlab code was written to analyze and investigate the response of the system against the earthquake excitations. The findings showed that if this system is used in a building, it results in a significant reduction in the acceleration applied to the structure. A shear key system was used to control the structure for service and lateral weak loads. Moreover, the effect of vertical acceleration on the seismic behavior of the system was also investigated. Effect of the earthquake characteristic period on the system performance was studied and the optimum length of the suspension cables for a variety of the period ranges was suggested. In addition, measures have been taken for long-term functioning of the system and some practical feasibility features were also discussed. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the system were discussed and compared with the other common methods of seismic isolation.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.3-17
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• 2015

For many years commentators have requested more active regulation of attorney ethics in international arbitration. Gradual deterioration of ethical standards in international arbitration will bring disrepute and, once its reputation is lost, it could take decades to rebuild confidence. The first reason for increasing unethical behavior is that there is no ethical code generally applied to all lawyers participating in international arbitration. A second reason might be that nobody is actively regulating attorneys in international arbitration. The first step to solve this problem is that major arbitration institutions should cooperate to enact a uniform code of conduct to be generally applied to all attorneys representing parties in international arbitration. Recently, IBA and LCIA prepared guidelines on party representation in international arbitration, and the guidelines will help attorneys follow uniform standardsof ethics. However, this will not be sufficient. There should be a regulating body to monitor attorney ethics and take sanctions against unethical attorneys accordingly. Arbitrators, who can see unethical behavior by attorneys from the closest distance, are the most appropriate regulating force rather than courts of arbitration seat or an attorney's licensing country. Of course, arbitrators don't have powers to withdraw or suspend an attorney's license, but they have powers to control attorneys'behavior within arbitration proceedings such as an allocation of fees and costs, barring the assertion of claims or defenses, drawing adverse inferences, or precluding the submission of evidence or testimony. Furthermore, arbitrators should be provided with such obligation as active control of attorney ethics. Even arbitration institutions should participate by imposing on an attorney who is a repeat offender a suspension from appearing in future arbitrations. Unethical behavior will decrease through concerted actions among arbitrational institutions to introduce a uniform code of conduct and to empower arbitrators for more efficient regulation of attorney ethics.