• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.2918-2927
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• 2020

This paper proposes a simplified elastic-plastic analysis procedure using the penalty factors presented in the Code Case N-779 for strain-based fatigue assessment of nuclear safety class 1 components under severe seismic loads such as safety shutdown earthquake and beyond design-basis earthquake. First, a simplified elastic-plastic analysis procedure for strain-based fatigue assessment of nuclear safety class 1 components under the severe seismic loads was proposed based on the analysis result for the simplified elastic-plastic analysis procedure in the Code Case N-779 and the stress categories corresponding to normal operation and seismic loads. Second, total strain amplitude was calculated directly by performing finite element cyclic elastic-plastic seismic analysis for a hot leg nozzle in pressurizer surge line subject to combined loading including deadweight, pressure, seismic inertia load, and seismic anchor motion, as well as was derived indirectly by applying the proposed analysis procedure to the finite element elastic stress analysis result for each load. Third, strain-based fatigue assessment was implemented by applying the strain-based fatigue acceptance criteria in the ASME B&PV Code, Sec. III, Subsec. NB, Article NB-3200 and by using the total strain amplitude values calculated. Last, the total strain amplitude and the fatigue assessment result corresponding to the simplified elastic-plastic analysis were compared with those using the finite element elastic-plastic seismic analysis results. As a result of the comparison, it was identified that the proposed analysis procedure can derive reasonable and conservative results.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 2017

The structural strain plays a significant role in structural condition assessment of in-service bridges in terms of structural bearing capacity, structural reliability level and entire safety redundancy. Therefore, it has been one of the most important parameters concerned by researchers and engineers engaged in structural health monitoring (SHM) practices. In this paper, an SHM system instrumented on the Jiubao Bridge located in Hangzhou, China is firstly introduced. This system involves nine subsystems and has been continuously operated for five years since 2012. As part of the SHM system, a total of 166 fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors are installed on the bridge to measure the dynamic strain responses of key structural components. Based on the strain monitoring data acquired in recent two years, the strain-based structural condition assessment of the Jiubao Bridge is carried out. The wavelet multi-resolution algorithm is applied to separate the temperature effect from the raw strain data. The obtained strain data under the normal traffic and wind condition and under the typhoon condition are examined for structural safety evaluation. The structural condition rating of the bridge in accordance with the AASHTO specification for condition evaluation and load and resistance factor rating of highway bridges is performed by use of the processed strain data in combination with finite element analysis. The analysis framework presented in this study can be used as a reference for facilitating the assessment, inspection and maintenance activities of in-service bridges instrumented with long-term SHM system.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2017

This work aims to investigate on the low cycle fatigue life assessment, which is adopted on the strain-life relationship, or better known as the Coffin-Manson relationship, and also the strain energy density-based model. The low cycle fatigue test results of Alloy 617 weldments under $900^{\circ}C$ have been statistically estimated through the Coffin-Manson relationship according to the provided strain profile. In addition, the strain energy density-based model is proposed to represent the energy dissipated per cycle as fatigue damage parameter. Based on the results, Alloy 617 weldments followed the Coffin-Manson relationship and strain energy density-based model well, and they were compatible with the experimental data. The predicted lives based on these two proposed models were examined with the experimental data to select a proper life prediction parameter.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.199-219
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• 2015

This paper presents the non-destructive evaluation of a high-speed railway bridge using train-induced strain responses. Based on the train-track-bridge interaction analysis, the strain responses of a high-speed railway bridge under moving trains with different operation status could be calculated. The train induced strain responses could be divided into two parts: the force vibration stage and the free vibration stage. The strain-displacement relationship is analysed and used for deriving critical displacements from theoretical stain measurements at a forced vibration stage. The derived displacements would be suitable for the condition assessment of the bridge through design specifications defined indexes and would show certain limits to the practical application. Thus, the damage identification of high-speed railways, such as the stiffness degradation location, needs to be done by comparing the measured strain response under moving trains in different states because the vehicle types of high-speed railway are relatively clear and definite. The monitored strain responses at the free vibration stage, after trains pass through the bridge, would be used for identifying the strain modes. The relationship between and the degradation degree and the strain mode shapes shows certain rules for the widely used simply supported beam bridges. The numerical simulation proves simple and effective for the proposed method to locate and quantify the stiffness degradation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.187-206
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• 2011

This paper uses dynamic computer simulation techniques to develop and apply a multi-criteria procedure using non-destructive vibration-based parameters for damage assessment in truss bridges. In addition to changes in natural frequencies, this procedure incorporates two parameters, namely the modal flexibility and the modal strain energy. Using the numerically simulated modal data obtained through finite element analysis of the healthy and damaged bridge models, algorithms based on modal flexibility and modal strain energy changes before and after damage are obtained and used as the indices for the assessment of structural health state. The application of the two proposed parameters to truss-type structures is limited in the literature. The proposed multi-criteria based damage assessment procedure is therefore developed and applied to truss bridges. The application of the approach is demonstrated through numerical simulation studies of a single-span simply supported truss bridge with eight damage scenarios corresponding to different types of deck and truss damage. Results show that the proposed multi-criteria method is effective in damage assessment in this type of bridge superstructure.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1616-1629
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• 2023

To quantify the conservatism of existing ASME strain-based evaluation methods for seismic loading, this paper presents very low cycle fatigue test data of elbows under various cyclic loading conditions and comparison of evaluation results with experimental failure cycles. For strain-based evaluation methods, the method presented in ASME BPVC CC N-900 and Sec. VIII are used. Predicted failure cycles are compared with experimental failure cycle to quantify the conservatism of evaluation methods. All methods give very conservative failure cycles. The CC N-900 method is the most conservative and prediction results are only ~0.5% of experimental data. For Sec. VIII method, the use of the option using code tensile properties gives ~3% of experimental data, and the use of the material-specific reduction of area can reduce conservatism but still gives ~15% of experimental data.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.256-263
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• 2012

A strain of bacterium producing antifungal antibiotic was isolated and identification of the strain was attempted. We could identify the bacterium as being a Bacillus sp., based on morphological observation, physiological characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, thus leading us to designate the strain as Bacillus sp. AH-E-1. The strain showed potent antibiotic activity against phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungi by inducing mycelial distortion and swelling and inhibiting spore germination. The antibiotic metabolite produced by the strain demonstrated excellent thermal and pH (2-11) stability, but was labile to autoclaving. From these results, we could find a broader antifungal activity of Bacillus genus. Isolation and characterization of the active agent produced by the strain are under progress.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.159-166
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• 2006

Although the strain distribution along the length of a beam in buildings or infrastructures is non-uniform, most fiber optic sensors are point sensors that can measure the strain only at a local point of a beam. Long gage fiber optic sensors that measure integrated strain over a relatively long length can consider strain variation. This type of sensor was found to be efficient and useful for monitoring large-scale structures. On the other hand, the maximum strain or stress in a beam can not be measured with long gage optic sensors. However, for the assessment of the safety of multi-span steel beams subjected to various vertical loads, the maximum strain or stress measured during monitoring is required for comparison with the allowable stress of the beam calculated by a design code. Therefore, in this paper, mathematical models are presented for determination of the maximum values of strains in more three-span steel beams based on the average strains measured by long gage optic sensors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.371-384
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• 2017

Ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) has recently been applied as an alternative to conventional concrete in construction due to its extremely high compressive and tensile strength, and enhanced durability. However, up to date, there has been insufficient information regarding the confinement behavior of UHPC columns. Therefore, this study aims to perform an assessment of axial stress-strain model for UHPC confined by circular steel tube stub columns. The equations for calculating the confined peak stress and its corresponding strain of confined concrete in existing models suggested by Johansson (2002), Sakino et al. (2004), Han et al. (2005), Hatzigeorgiou (2008) were modified based on the regression analysis of test results in Schneider (2006) in order to increase the prediction accuracy for the case of confined UHPC. Furthermore, a new axial stress-strain model for confined UHPC was developed. To examine the suitability of the modified models and the proposed model for confined UHPC, axial stress-strain curves derived from the proposed models were compared with those obtained from previous test results. After validating the proposed model, an extensive parametric study was undertaken to investigate the effects of diameter-to-thickness ratio, steel yield strength and concrete compressive strength on the complete axial stress-strain curves, the strength and strain enhancement of UHPC confined by circular steel tube stub columns.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1098-1108
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• 2022

The effect of the material hardening model of the canister on a finite element vertical cask drop simulation is investigated for the strain-based acceptance evaluation. Three different hardening models are considered in this paper: the isotropic hardening model, the strain rate-dependent Johnson-Cook (J-C) hardening model, and the modified J-C model which are believed to be the most accurate. By comparing the results using the modified J-C model, it is found that the use of the J-C model provides similar or larger stresses and strains depending on the magnitudes of the strain and strain rate. The use of the isotropic hardening model always yields larger stresses and strains. For the strain-based acceptance evaluation, the use of the isotropic hardening model can produce highly conservative assessment results. The use of the J-C model, however, produces satisfactory results.