• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.2 no.5
• /
• pp.389-409
• /
• 2005

The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is evidently a powerful tool for the analysis of structural concrete having nonlinearity and brittle failure properties. However, the result of FEA of structural concrete is sensitive to two modeling factors: the shear transfer coefficient (STC) for an open concrete crack and force convergence tolerance value (CONVTOL). Very limited work has been done to find the optimal FE Modeling (FEM) methodologies for structural concrete members strengthened with externally bonded FRP sheets. A total of 22 experimental deep beams with or without FRP flexure or/and shear strengthening systems are analyzed by nonlinear FEA using ANAYS program. For each experimental beams, an FE model with a total of 16 cases of modeling factor combinations are developed and analyzed to find the optimal FEM methodology. Two elements the SHELL63 and SOLID46 representing the material properties of FRP laminate are investigated and compared. The results of this research suggest that the optimal combination of modeling factor is STC of 0.25 and CONVTOL of 0.2. A SOLID 46 element representing the FRP strengthening system leads to better results than a SHELL 63 element does.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.793-813
• /
• 2015

Characterization of discontinuous media is an endeavor that poses great challenge to engineers in practice. Since the inherent defects in cracked domains can substantially influence material resistance and govern its behavior, a lot of work is dedicated to efficiently model such effects. In order to overcome difficulties of material instability problems, one needs to comprehensively represent the geometry of cracks along with their impact on the mechanical properties of the intact material. In the present study, stress-strain results from laboratory experiments on Inada granite was used to derive crack tensor as a tool for the evaluation of fractured domain stability. It was found that the formulations proposed earlier could satisfactorily be employed to attain crack tensor via the invariants of which judgment on cracks population and induced anisotropy is possible. The earlier criteria based on crack tensor analyses were reviewed and compared to the results of the current study. It is concluded that the geometrical parameters calculated using mechanical properties could confidently be used to judge the anisotropy as well as strength of the cracked domain.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.661-668
• /
• 2019

Seismic vulnerability assessment is a useful tool for rational safety analysis and planning of large and complex structural systems; it can deal with the effects of uncertainties on the performance of significant structural systems. In this study, an efficient dynamic reliability approach, probability density evolution methodology (PDEM), is proposed for seismic vulnerability analysis of earth dams. The PDEM provides the failure probability of different limit states for various levels of ground motion intensity as well as the mean value, standard deviation and probability density function of the performance metric of the earth dam. Combining the seismic reliability with three different performance levels related to the displacement of the earth dam, the seismic fragility curves are constructed without them being limited to a specific functional form. Furthermore, considering the seismic fragility analysis is a significant procedure in the seismic probabilistic risk assessment of structures, the seismic vulnerability results obtained by the dynamic reliability approach are combined with the results of probabilistic seismic hazard and seismic loss analysis to present and address the PDEM-based seismic probabilistic risk assessment framework by a simulated case study of an earth dam.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.195-207
• /
• 2019

This paper presents an overview of wind turbine research techniques including the recent application of hybrid testing. Wind turbines are complex structures as they are large, slender, and dynamic with many different operational states, which limits applicable research techniques. Traditionally, numerical simulation is widely used to study turbines while experimental tests are rarer and often face cost and equipment restrictions. Hybrid testing is a relatively new simulation method that combines numerical and experimental techniques to accurately capture unknown or complex behaviour by modelling portions of the structure experimentally while numerically simulating the remainder. This can allow for increased detail, scope, and feasibility in wind turbine tests. Hybrid testing appears to be an effective tool for future wind turbine research, and the few studies that have applied it have shown promising results. This paper presents a literature review of experimental and numerical wind turbine testing, hybrid testing in structural engineering, and hybrid testing of wind turbines. Finally, several applications of hybrid testing for future wind turbine studies are proposed including multi-hazard loading, damped turbines, and turbine failure.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.93-115
• /
• 2021

Various policy declarations and institutional experiments involving artificial intelligence are being made in most countries. Depending on how the artificial intelligence policy changes, the role of the government, the scope of the policy, and the policy means used may vary, which can lead to the success or failure of the policy. This study proposed a perspective on AI(Artificial Intelligence) in policy research, investigated the theory of path change, and derived the characteristics of path change in AI policy. Since AI policy is related to a wide range of policy areas and the policy making is at the start points, this study is based on the neo-institutional path theory about the types of institutional changes. As a result of this study, AI policy showed the characteristics of path creation, and in detail presented the conflict relationship between institutional design elements, the scalability of policy areas, policy stratification and policy mix, the top policy characteristics transcending the law, and the experiment for regulatory innovation. Since AI can also be used as a key tool for policy innovation in the future, research on the path and characteristics of AI policy will provide a new direction and approach to government policy or institutional innovation seeking digital transformation.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.2-12
• /
• 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanovesicles that carry bioactive cargoes of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and miRNAs between living cells. Their role in cellular communication has gained the attention of several research reports globally in the last decade. EVs are critically involved in sperm functions, oocyte functions, fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy. The review summarizes the state-of-the-art of EVs research in the diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) potentials of the EVs during the pregnancy that might provide a solution for gestational disturbances such as implantation failure, maternal health problems, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. EVs can be found in all biological fluids of the fetus and the mother and would provide a non-invasive and excellent tool for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, we provide the current efforts in manufacturing and designing targeted therapeutics using synthetic and semi-synthetic nanovesicles mimicking the natural EVs for efficient drug delivery during pregnancy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.1085-1097
• /
• 2022

A printed circuit steam generator (PCSG) is being considered as the component for pressurized water reactor (PWR) type small modular reactor (SMR) that can further reduce the physical size of the system. Since a steam generator in many PWR-type SMR generates superheated steam, it is expected that dryout front oscillation can potentially cause thermal fatigue failure due to cyclic thermal stresses induced by the transition in boiling regimes between convective evaporation and film boiling. To investigate the fatigue issue of a PCSG, a reference PCSG is designed in this study first using an in-house PCSG design tool. For the stress analysis, a finite element method analysis model is developed to obtain the temperature and stress fields of the designed PCSG. Fatigue estimation is performed based on ASME Boiler and pressure vessel code to identify the major parameters influencing the fatigue life time originating from the dryout front oscillation. As a result of this study, the limit on the temperature difference between the hot side and cold side fluids is obtained. Moreover, it is found that the heat transfer coefficient of convective evaporation and film boiling regimes play an essential role in the fatigue life cycle as well as the temperature difference.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.463-475
• /
• 2022

In the mine exploitation stage; one of the critical issues is the stability assessment of post-pillars. The instability of post-pillars leads to serious safety hazards in mining operations. The focus of this study is to assess the stability of post-pillars in the 130# stope in the central ore body at Trepça hard rock mine by employing both conventional (i.e., critical span curve) and numerical methods (i.e., FLAC3D). Moreover, a new numerical based index (i.e., Pillar Yield Ratio-PYR) was proposed. The aim of PYR index is to determine a border line between stable, potentially unstable, and failure state of post-pillars at a specific mine site. The critical value of pillar width to height ratio is 2.5 for deep production stopes (e.g., > 800 m). Results showed that pillar size, mining height and mining depth significantly have affected the post-pillar stability. The reliability of numerical based index (i.e., PYR) is verified based on empirical underground pillar stability graph developed by Lunder, 1994. The proposed pillar yield ratio index and pillar stability graph can be used as a design tool in new mining areas at Trepça hard rock mine and for other situations with similar geotechnical conditions.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
• /
• 2013.01a
• /
• pp.608-615
• /
• 2013

The major countries including Korea extend the national investment on R&D and implement the business performance diffusion policy as the knowledge based competition age arrives recently. The necessity for risk management and systematic management system for R&D achievement have been appeared to prevent the failure as the R&D scale becomes larger as it was said. For this matter, the organization such as NASA and DoD in USA defines the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) as a quantitative accomplishment management index and utilize the Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) system as a criterion. Such tool is evaluated as very effective in the R&D project purposed the practicalization. It is expected that the disadvantage of evaluation system which is oriented to the academic accomplishment in its contents of current research and to contribute greatly to the practicalization of outcomes when such technology readiness level concept is applied to Korean national construction and transportation R&D project. Accordingly, this study analyzed the concept of TRL·TRA, the characteristics and current evaluation management system of Korean national construction and transportation R&D project and suggested the construction and transportation R&D project TRL·TRA performance model to accomplish the practicalization purpose.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.28.1-28.13
• /
• 2023

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the onset and evolution of cognitive impairments, often considered a transitional stage to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The genetic traits of MCI patients who experience a rapid progression to AD can enhance early diagnosis capabilities and facilitate drug discovery for AD. While a genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a standard tool for identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to a disease, it fails to detect SNPs with small effect sizes due to stringent control for multiple testing. Additionally, the method does not consider the group structures of SNPs, such as genes or linkage disequilibrium blocks, which can provide valuable insights into the genetic architecture. To address the limitations, we propose a Bayesian bi-level variable selection method that detects SNPs associated with time of conversion from MCI to AD. Our approach integrates group inclusion indicators into an accelerated failure time model to identify important SNP groups. Additionally, we employ data augmentation techniques to impute censored time values using a predictive posterior. We adapt Dirichlet-Laplace shrinkage priors to incorporate the group structure for SNP-level variable selection. In the simulation study, our method outperformed other competing methods regarding variable selection. The analysis of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data revealed several genes directly or indirectly related to AD, whereas a classical GWAS did not identify any significant SNPs.