• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제10권5호
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• pp.1143-1179
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• 2016

Offshore wind turbines are considered as a fundamental part to develop substantial, alternative energy sources. In this highly flexible structures, monopiles are usually used as support foundations. Since the monopiles are large diameter (3.5 to 7 m) deep foundations, they result in extremely stiff short monopiles where the slenderness (length to diameter) may range between 5 and 10. Consequently, their elastic deformation patterns under lateral loading differ from those of small diameter monopiles usually employed for supporting structures in offshore oil and gas industry. For this reason, design recommendations (API and DNV) are not appropriate for designing foundations for offshore wind turbine structures as they have been established on the basis of full-scale load tests on long, slender and flexible piles. Furthermore, as these facilities are very sensitive to rotations and dynamic changes in the soil-pile system, the accurate prediction of monopile head displacement and rotation constitutes a design criterion of paramount importance. In this paper, the Fourier Series Aided Finite Element Method (FSAFEM) is employed for the determination of static impedance functions of monopiles for OWT subjected to horizontal force and/or to an overturning moment, where a non-homogeneous soil profile has been considered. On the basis of an extensive parametric study, and in order to address the problem of head stiffness of short monopiles, approximate analytical formulae are obtained for lateral stiffness $K_L$, rotational stiffness $K_R$ and cross coupling stiffness $K_{LR}$ for both rough and smooth interfaces. Theses expressions which depend only on the values of the monopile slenderness $L/D_p$ rather than the relative soil/monopile rigidity $E_p/E_s$ usually found in the offshore platforms designing codes (DNV code for example) have been incorporated in the expressions of the OWT natural frequency of four wind farm sites. Excellent agreement has been found between the computed and the measured natural frequencies.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.346-353
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• 2011

In this study, the structural performance tests, i.e., static tests and dynamic tests of the composite wind turbine blade, were carried out by using the embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The composite wind turbine blade used in the test is the 1/23 scale of the 750 kW composite blade. In static tests, the deflections along the blade were evaluated. Evaluations were carried out with simple beam theory and quadratic fitting method by using the embedded FBG sensors to predict the structural behavior with respect to the load. The deflections were compared to those obtained from the laser displacement sensor and electric strain gauges. They showed good agreement. Modal tests were performed to investigate the dynamic characteristics using the embedded FBG sensors. The natural frequencies obtained from the FBG sensors corresponding to the nine mode shapes of the blade were compared to those from the laser Doppler vibrometer. They were found to be consistent with each other. Therefore, it is concluded that the embedded FBG sensors have a great capability for measuring the structural performances of the composite wind turbine blade when structural performance tests are carried out.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.287-306
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• 2002

The assessment of structural performance of transfer structures under potential seismic actions is presented. Various seismic assessment methodologies are used, with particular emphasis on the accurate modelling of the higher mode effects and the potential development of a soft storey effect in the mega-columns below the transfer plate (TP) level. Those methods include response spectrum analysis (RSA), manual calculation, pushover analysis (POA) and equivalent static load analysis (ESA). The capabilities and limitations of each method are highlighted. The paper aims, firstly, to determine the appropriate seismic assessment methodology for transfer structures using these different approaches, all of which can be undertaken with the resources generally available in a design office. Secondly, the paper highlights and discusses factors influencing the response behaviour of transfer structures, and finally provides a general indication of their seismic vulnerability. The representative Hong Kong building considered in this paper utilises a structural system with coupled shear walls and moment resisting portal-frames, above and below the TP, respectively. By adopting the wind load profile stipulated in the Code of Practice on Wind Effects: Hong Kong-1983, all the structural members are sized and detailed according to the British Standards BS8110 and the current local practices. The seismic displacement demand for the structure, when built on either rock or deep soil sites, was determined in a companion paper. The lateral load-displacement characteristic of the building, determined herein from manual calculation, has indicated that the poor ductility (brittle nature) of the mega-columns, due mainly to the high level of axial pre-compression as found from the analysis, cannot be effectively alleviated solely by increasing the quantity of confinement stirrups. The interstorey drift demands at lower and upper zones caused by seismic actions are found to be substantially higher than those arising from wind loads. The mega-columns supporting the TP and the coupling beams at higher zones are identified to be the most vulnerable components under seismic actions.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.29-37
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• 2003

Using a wind tunnel testing, the aerodynamic load characteristics of an elliptic airfoil was described. The experimental data was obtained for angles of attack $-20^{\circ}$ to $+20^{\circ}$ with $2^{\circ}$ increments at a chord Reynolds number of $0.99{\times}105$ and $2.48{\times}105$. For each test case, chordwise suction pressure distributions and wake surveys were obtained. Static pressure measurements were made over a 10 sec averaging time at a 10 Hz sampling rate. For each case, wake survey was conducted with a pilot-static probe at 1.0c downstream from the trailing edge at very fine spacing to resolve the wake velocity deficit profile. As can be expected, suction pressure coefficient was increased with angle of attack. The normal force, CNmax, appeared peak value at the incidence angle of $12^{\circ}~14^{\circ}$, and the significant increase in profile drag at this range of angles of attack.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 2006

The design practice of the lateral resisting system has been traditionally dependent on the experience and know-how of a structural engineer. And the method to reflect the evaluation results of building's capacity on design process doesn't exist. The proposal of a rational design of the lateral load resisting system is based on the available full capacity $(R_{ac})$ of a building and the minimum required capacity $(R_{code})$ suggested in the code. This study suggests thai nonlinear static analysis, which is the estimation of the lateral capacity with the pushover analysis, be included in the existing design procedure of the structure. After finishing the basic structural design, the lateral resisting capacity ol a building is estimated. At the phase of nonlinear static analysis, pushover analysis is peformed to define the fully yielded baseshear $(V_Y)$. When the design wind baseshear $(V_{wind})$ is bigger than the design seismic baseshear $(V_D)$, the value is checked to determine whether or not it is smaller than the $V_Y$. After confirming that it is smaller, the $R_{ac}$ of the structure is computed. If the $V_D$ is bigger at first, only the $R_{ac}$ is computed. When the value of the estimation shows remarkable differences with the $R_{code}$, repetition of the design modification is needed for those approximate to the $R_{code}$. Application of the proposed design procedure to 2-D steel braced RC buildings has proven to be efficient.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.327-347
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• 2015

This paper investigates the effects of Reynolds number (Re) on the aerodynamic characteristics of a twin-deck bridge. A 1:36 scale sectional model of a twin girder bridge was tested using the Wall of Wind (WOW) open jet wind tunnel facility at Florida International University (FIU). Static tests were performed on the model, instrumented with pressure taps and load cells, at high wind speeds with Re ranging from $1.3{\times}10^6$ to $6.1{\times}10^6$ based on the section width. Results show that the section was almost insensitive to Re when pitched to negative angles of attack. However, mean and fluctuating pressure distributions changed noticeably for zero and positive wind angles of attack while testing at different Re regimes. The pressure results suggested that with the Re increase, a larger separation bubble formed on the bottom surface of the upstream girder accompanied with a narrower wake region. As a result, drag coefficient decreased mildly and negative lift coefficient increased. Flow modification due to the Re increase also helped in distributing forces more equally between the two girders. The bare deck section was found to be prone to vortex shedding with limited dependence on the Re. Based on the observations, vortex mitigation devices attached to the bottom surface were effective in inhibiting vortex shedding, particularly at lower Re regime.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.313-350
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• 2016

Taipei 101 Tower, which has 101 stories with height of 508 m, is located in Taipei where typhoons and earthquakes commonly occur. It is currently the second tallest building in the world. Therefore, the dynamic performance of the super-tall building under strong wind actions requires particular attentions. In this study, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) integrated with a new inflow turbulence generator and a new sub-grid scale (SGS) model was conducted to simulate the wind loads on the super-tall building. Three-dimensional finite element model of Taipei 101 Tower was established and used to evaluate the wind-induced responses of the high-rise structure based on the simulated wind forces. The numerical results were found to be consistent with those measured from a vibration monitoring system installed in the building. Furthermore, the equivalent static wind loads on the building, which were computed by the time-domain and frequency-domain analysis, respectively, were in satisfactory agreement with available wind tunnel testing results. It has been demonstrated through the validation studies that the numerical framework presented in this paper, including the recommended SGS model, the inflow turbulence generation technique and associated numerical treatments, is a useful tool for evaluation of the wind loads and wind-induced responses of tall buildings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.567-579
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• 2008

To gain understanding of the applicability of CFRP cables in super long-span cable-stayed bridges, by taking a 1400 m cable-stayed bridge as example, mechanics performance including the static behavior under service load, dynamic behavior, wind stability and seismic behavior of the bridge using either steel or CFRP cables are investigated numerically and compared. The results show that viewed from the aspect of mechanics performance, the use of CFRP cables in super long-span cable-stayed bridges is feasible, and the cross-sectional areas of CFRP cables should be determined by the principle of equivalent axial stiffness.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.2737-2743
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• 2015

The wind power plant must be able to produce reactive power at the POI bus of a wind farm connected to power system to keep or control the voltage of POI bus. But, the reactive power capability of wind turbines may not be sufficient to control the voltage of POI bus due to the reactive power losses in connection lines between wind farm and POI bus. The solution of this problem is to install an external STATCOM. The proposed cooperative control method of STATCOM and conventional reactive power compensators such as Switched-shunt and tap changing transformer can control the voltage of POI bus more efficiently. The simulation results are shown that the voltage drop of POI Bus of Test System with the arbitrary load change rate to initial loads is improved more than 60% and the voltage of load bus is maintained more than 95% of rated voltage.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2003

In this study, the various load cases by specified by the IEC61400-1 international specification and GL Regulations for the wind energy conversion system were considered, and a specific composite structure configuration which can effectively endure various loads was proposed. In order to evaluate the structure, the structural analysis for the composite wind turbine blade was performed using the finite element method(FEM). In the structural design, the acceptable configuration of blade structure was determined through the parametric studies, and the most dominant design parameters were confirmed. In the stress analysis using the FEM, it was confirmed that the blade structure was safe and stable for all the considerd load cases. Moreover the safety of the blade root joint with insert bolts, newly devised in this study, was checked against the design loads and also the fatigue loads. The fatigue life for operating more than 20 years was estimated by using the well-known S-N linear damage rule, the load spectrum and Spera's empirical equations. The full-scale static test was performed under the simulated aerodynamic loads. from the experimental results, it was found that the designed blade had the structural integrity. Furthermore the measured results were agreed with the analytical results such as deflections, strains, the mass and the radial center of gravity. The studied blade was successfully certified by an international institute, GL, of Germany.