• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.73 no.5
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• pp.585-598
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• 2020

We develop design model within which nucleation and propagation of crack in a fibrous composite is described. It is assumed that under loading, crack initiation and fracture of material happens in the composite. The problem of equilibrium of a composite with embryonic crack is reduced to the solution of the system of nonlinear singular integral equations with the Cauchy type kernel. Normal and tangential forces in the crack nucleation zone are determined from the solution of this system of equations. The crack appearance conditions in the composite are formed with regard to criterion of ultimate stretching of the material's bonds. We study the case when near the fiber, the binder has several arbitrary arranged rectilinear prefracture zones and a crack with interfacial bonds. The proposed computational model allows one to obtain the size and location of the zones of damages (prefracture zones) depending on geometric and mechanical characteristics of the fibrous composite and applied external load. Based on the suggested design model that takes into account the existence of damages (the zones of weakened interparticle bonds of the material) and cracks with end zones in the composite, we worked out a method for calculating the parameters of the composite, at which crack nucleation and crack growth occurs.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.69-87
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• 2014

A new output only modal analysis method is developed in this paper. This method uses continuous wavelet transform to modify a popular blind source separation algorithm, second order blind identification (SOBI). The wavelet modified SOBI (WMSOBI) method replaces original time domain signal with selected time-frequency domain wavelet coefficients, which overcomes the shortcomings of SOBI. Both numerical and experimental studies on bridge models are carried out when there are limited number of sensors. Identified modal properties from WMSOBI are analyzed and compared with fast Fourier transform (FFT), SOBI and eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA). The comparison shows WMSOBI can identify as many results as FFT and ERA. Further case study of structural health monitoring (SHM) on an arch bridge verifies the capability to detect damages by combining WMSOBI with incomplete flexibility difference method.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-149
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• 2007

In the automobile industry, structural health monitoring of fiber reinforced polymer composite parts is a widespread need for maintenance before breakdown of the functional elements or a complete vehicle. High performance sensors are generally used in many of the structural health monitoring operations. Within this study, a carbon fiber sewing thread has been used as a low cost laminate failure sensing element. The experimentation plan was set up according to the electrical conductance and flexibility of carbon fiber threads, advantages of preforming operations, and sewing mechanisms. The influence of the single thread damages by changing the electrical resistance and monitoring the impact location by using carbon thread sensors has been performed. Innovative utilization of relatively cost-effective carbon threads for monitoring the delamination of metallic inserts from the basic composite laminate structure is a highlighting feature of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.510-514
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• 2018

This study discusses and demonstrates the structural stability of highly ordered Pt patterns formed on a transparent and flexible substrate through the process of nanotransfer printing (nTP). Bending tests comprising approximately 1,000 cycles were conducted for observing Pt line patterns with a width of $1{\mu}m$ formed along the direction of the horizontal (x-axis) and vertical (y-axis) axes ($15mm{\times}15mm$); and adhesion tests were performed with an ultrasonicator for a period greater than ten minutes, to analyze the Pt crossbar patterns. The durability of both types of patterns was systematically analyzed by employing various microscopes. The results show that the Pt line and Pt crossbar patterns obtained through nTP are structurally stable and do not exhibit any cracks, breaks, or damages. These results corroborate that nTP is a promising nanotechnology that can be applied to flexible electronic devices. Furthermore, the multiple patterns obtained through nTP can improve the working performance of flexible devices by providing excellent structural stability.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1075-1095
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• 2015

The use of acoustic emission (AE) technique for detecting and monitoring damages and the progress on damages in different structures is widely used and has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and well-established technique in non-destructive testing (NDT). Acoustic Emission is a very efficient and effective technology used for fracture behavior and fatigue detection in metals, fiberglass, wood, composites, ceramics, concrete and plastics. It can also be used for detecting faults and pressure leaks in vessels, tanks, pipes, as well as for monitoring the progression of corrosion in welding. This paper reviews major research developments over the past few years in application of acoustic emission in numerous engineering fields, including manufacturing, civil, aerospace and material engineering.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.645-667
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• 2016

The 750 m long "De Bosset" bridge in the Cephalonia Island of Western Greece, being the area with the highest seismicity in Europe, was constructed in 1830 by successive stone arches and stiff block-type piers. The bridge suffered extensive damages during past earthquakes, such as the strong M7.2 earthquake of 1953, followed by poorly-designed reconstruction schemes with reinforced concrete. In 2005, a multidisciplinary project for the seismic assessment and restoration of the "De Bosset" bridge was undertaken under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The proposed retrofitting scheme combining soil improvement, structural strengthening and reconstruction of the deteriorated masonry sections was recently applied on site. Design of the rehabilitation measures and assessment of the pre- and post-interventions seismic response of the bridge were based on detailed in-situ and laboratory tests, providing foundation soil and structural material properties. In-situ inspection of the rehabilitated bridge following the strong M6.1 and M6.0 Cephalonia earthquakes of January 26th and February 3rd 2014, respectively, revealed no damages or visible defects. The efficiency of the bridge retrofitting is also proved by a preliminary performance analysis of the bridge under the recorded ground motion induced by the above earthquakes.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.141-161
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• 2016

In seismic fragility and risk analysis, the definition of structural limit state (LS) capacities is of crucial importance. Traditionally, LS capacities are defined according to design code provisions or using deterministic pushover analysis without considering the inherent randomness of structural parameters. To assess the effects of structural randomness on LS capacities, ten structural parameters that include material strengths and gravity loads are considered as random variables, and a probabilistic pushover method based on a correlation-controlled Latin hypercube sampling technique is used to estimate the uncertainties in LS capacities for four typical reinforced concrete frame buildings. A series of ten LSs are identified from the pushover curves based on the design-code-given thresholds and the available damage-controlled criteria. The obtained LS capacities are further represented by a lognormal model with the median $m_C$ and the dispersion ${\beta}_C$. The results show that structural uncertainties have limited influence on $m_C$ for the LSs other than that near collapse. The commonly used assumption of ${\beta}_C$ between 0.25 and 0.30 overestimates the uncertainties in LS capacities for each individual building, but they are suitable for a building group with moderate damages. A low uncertainty as ${\beta}_C=0.1{\sim}0.15$ is adequate for the LSs associated with slight damages of structures, while a large uncertainty as ${\beta}_C=0.40{\sim}0.45$ is suggested for the LSs near collapse.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.41-48
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• 2015

Quantitative analysis of termites damage is important in terms of conservation and maintenance of wooden cultural heritage buildings, because termites makes cavities and decreases the section area of wooden structural members. The purpose of this study is to forecast the range and spread of termites damage in the wooden structural members by using ultrasonic pulse velocity method. Ultrasonic pulse velocity has been used as one of non-destructive test to analysis the internal defect by using difference velocity between medium material and cavity. This method would be effective to analysis termites damages. From the result of the ultrasonic velocity test, the loss rate of area effected by termites damage had a strong correlation with ultrasonic velocity. And it is possible to predict the loss rate of area from by termites damage by using regression equation in the case of structural member of fine tree.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.437-444
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• 2006

Recently, as large structures become lighter and more flexible, the necessity of structural control for reducing excessive displacement and acceleration due to seismic excitation is increased. As a means to minimize seismic damages, various base isolation systems are adopted or considered for adoption. In this study, a base isolation system using Magneto-Sensitive(MS) rubbers is proposed and shown to effectively protect structures against earthquakes. The MS Rubber is a class of smart controllable materials whose mechanical properties change instantly by the application of a magnetic field To demonstrate the advantages of this approach, the MS Rubber isolation system is compared to Lead-Rubber Bearing(LRB) isolation systems and judged based on computed responses to several historical earthquakes. The MS Rubber isolation system is shown to achieve notable decreases in base drifts over comparable passive systems with no accompanying increase in base shears or in accelerations imparted to the superstructure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.121-142
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• 2016

The national standard being used in Turkey for suspended ceiling systems (SCS) regulates material and dimensional properties but does not contain regulations regarding installation instructions which cause substandard applications of SCSs in practice. The lack of installation instructions would potentially affect the dynamic performance of these systems. Also, the vast majority of these systems are manufactured using substandard low-quality materials, and this will inevitably increase SCS related damages during earthquakes. The experimental work presented here focuses on the issue of dynamic performance of SCSs with different types of carrier systems (lay-on and clip-in systems), different weight conditions, and material-workmanship qualities. Moreover, the effects of auxiliary fastening elements, so called seismic perimeter clips, in improving the dynamic performance of SCSs were experimentally investigated. Results show that clip-in ceiling system performs better than lay-on system regardless of material and workmanship qualities. On the other hand, the quality aspect becomes the most important parameter in affecting the dynamic performance of lay-on type systems as opposed to tile weights and usage of perimeter clips. When high quality system is used, tile weight does not change the performance of lay-on system, however in poor quality system, tile weight becomes an important factor where heavier tiles considerably decrease the performance level. Perimeter clips marginally increase the dynamic performance of lay-on ceiling system, but it has no effect on the clip-in ceiling system under the shaking levels considered.