• Hip & pelvis
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2023

Purpose: Cephalomedullary (CM) nailing is widely performed in treatment of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures. However, in cases of fixation failure, re-operation is usually necessary, thus determining factors that may contribute to fixation failure is important. In this study, we examined factors affecting the occurrence of fixation failure, such as age or fracture stability, after CM nailing in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively using registered data. From April 2011 to December 2018, CM nailing was performed in 378 cases diagnosed with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, and 201 cases were finally registered. Cases involving patients who were bed-ridden before injury, who died from causes unrelated to surgery, and those with a follow-up period less than six months were excluded. Results: Fixation failure occurred in eight cases. Comparison of the surgical success and fixation failure group showed that the mean age was significantly higher in the fixation failure group compared with the control group (81.3±6.4 vs. 86.4±6.8; P=0.034). A significantly high proportion of unstable fractures was also observed (139/54 vs. 3/5; P=0.040), with a significantly high ratio of intramedullary reduction (176/17 vs. 5/3; P=0.034). A significantly higher ratio of unstable fractures compared with that of stable fractures was observed in the intramedullary reduction group (132/49 vs. 10/10; P=0.033). Conclusion: Fixation failure of CM nailing is likely to occur in patients who are elderly or have unstable fracture patterns. Thus, care should be taken in order to avoid intramedullary reduction.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.387-402
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• 2010

From typical stress-axial strain curve and stress-volume strain curve of a concrete under uniaxial compression, the initiation and localization of microcracks within the interior of the specimen can be identified. The occurrence of random microcrack indicates the end of the linear elasticity, and the localization of microcrack implies formation of major crack, which triggers the onset of unstable crack propagation. The interval between initiation and localization of microcracks is characterized by a stable microcrack growth. Based on fracture behavior observed from a uniaxial compressive test of a concrete cylinder, a model has been developed to extract fundamental fracture properties of a concrete, i.e. the equivalent fracture toughness and the size of fracture process zone. The introduction of cracking Poisson's ratio accounts for tensile failure characteristics of concrete even under uniaxal compression. To justify the validity of the model proposed, tests on three-point bending have been performed to obtain the fracture toughness in accordance with two parameter fracture model and double-K fracture model. Surprisingly, it yields favorably comparable results and provides an encouraging alternative approach to determine fracture properties for concretes.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2008

In this work we simulate explicitly the dynamic fracture propagation in reinforced concrete beams. In particular, adopting cohesive theories of fracture with the direct simulation of fracture and fragmentation, we represent the concrete matrix, the steel re-bars and the interface between the two materials explicitly. Therefore the crack nucleation within the concrete matrix, through and along the re-bars, the deterioration of the concrete-steel interface are modeled explicitly. The numerical simulations are validated against experiments of three-point-bend beams loaded dynamically under various strain rates. By extracting the crack-tip positions and the crack mouth opening displacement history, a two-stage crack propagation, marked by the attainment of the peak load, is observed. The first stage corresponds to the stable crack advance, the second one, the unstable collapse of the beam.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.155-160
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• 2001

This paper describes a probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) analysis based on Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. In the analysis of CANDU pressure tube, it is necessary to perform the PFM analyses based on statistical consideration of flaw generation time. A depth and an aspect ratio of initial semi-elliptical surface crack, a fracture toughness value, delayed hydride cracking (DHC) velocity, and flaw generation time are assumed to be probabilistic variables. In all the analyses, degradation of fracture toughness due to neutron irradiation is considered. Also, the failure criteria considered are plastic collapse, unstable fracture and crack penetration. For the crack growth by DHC, the failure probability was evaluated in due consideration of flaw generation time.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2014

Background: For Neer type IIB fracture of distal clavicle with coracoclavicular ligament injury, various surgical treatments have been used in literatures. However, there was no consensus on the optimal treatment. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and radiological results of open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fracture and suture augmentation of disrupted coracoclavicular ligament. Methods: A prospective study was performed in 23 patients with Neer type IIB distal clavicle fracture in Seoul Medical Center, Eulji Hospital, and National Medical Center. Firstly, suture anchors are inserted in the base of coracoid process and preliminary reduction was achieved by tie-off of three suture limbs around the clavicle. Then, the final fixation was completed with anatomical locking plate. Bony union and the distance between coracoclavicular ligaments were evaluated. Clinical results and complications including stiffness and secondary procedures were evaluated. Results: Bony union was achieved in all cases except one (22 of 23). At mean 14.9 months, no significant difference in the mean coracoclavicular distance was observed compared to uninjured shoulder ($8.2{\pm}7.9mm$ versus $7.3{\pm}3.4mm$, p=0.14). Pain visual analogue scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant score, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 0.5, 83.4, 78.5, and 6.2, respectively. Revision surgery was performed in one case of nonunion. Four patients who complained of skin irritation underwent implant removal. Conclusions: In cases of an unstable distal clavicle fracture with coracoclavicular ligament disruption, satisfactory clinical results were obtained by locking plate fixation and coracoclavicular ligament suture augmentation concurrently.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.229-247
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• 2014

A numerical study of the influence of shear-span/depth ratio on the cohesive crack fracture parameters and double - K fracture parameters of concrete is carried out in this paper. For the study the standard bending specimen geometry loaded with four point bending test is used. For four point loading, the shear - span/depth ratio is varied as 0.4, 1 and 1.75 and the ao/D ratio is varied from 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 for laboratory specimens having size range from 100 - 500 mm. The input parameters for determining the double - K fracture parameters are taken from the developed fictitious crack model. It is found that the cohesive crack fracture parameters are independent of shear-span/depth ratio. Further, the unstable fracture toughness of double-K fracture model is independent of shear-span/depth ratio whereas, the initial cracking toughness of the material is dependent on the shear-span/depth ratio.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.81-97
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• 2012

This paper presents development of double-K fracture model for the split-tension cube specimen for determining the unstable fracture toughness and initial cracking toughness of concrete. There are some advantages of using of split-tension cube test like compactness and lightness over the existing specimen geometries in practice such as three-point bend test, wedge splitting test and compact tension specimen. The cohesive toughness of the material is determined using weight function having four terms for the split-tension cube specimen. Some empirical relations are also suggested for determining geometrical factors in order to calculate stress intensity factor and crack mouth opening displacement for the same specimen. The results of double-K fracture parameters of split-tension cube specimen are compared with those obtained for compact tension specimen. Finally, the influence of the width of the load-distribution of split-tension cube specimen on the double-K fracture parameters for laboratory size specimens is investigated. The input data required for determining double-K fracture parameters for both the specimen geometries are obtained using well known version of the Fictitious Crack Model.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2018

This paper investigates the mechanisms of tunnel spalling and massive tunnel failures using fracture mechanics principles. The study starts with examining the fracture propagation due to tensile and shear failure mechanisms. It was found that, fundamentally, in rock masses with high compressive stresses, tensile fracture propagation is often a stable process which leads to a gradual failure. Shear fracture propagation tends to be an unstable process. Several real case observations of spalling failures and massive shear failures in boreholes, tunnels and underground roadways are shown in the paper. A number of numerical models were used to investigate the fracture mechanisms and extents in the roof/wall of a deep tunnel and in an underground coal mine roadway. The modelling was done using a unique fracture mechanics code FRACOD which simulates explicitly the fracture initiation and propagation process. The study has demonstrated that both tensile and shear fracturing may occur in the vicinity of an underground opening. Shallow spalling in the tunnel wall is believed to be caused by tensile fracturing from extensional strain although no tensile stress exists there. Massive large scale failure however is most likely to be caused by shear fracturing under high compressive stresses. The observation that tunnel spalling often starts when the hoop stress reaches $0.4^*UCS$ has been explained in this paper by using the extension strain criterion. At this uniaxial compressive stress level, the lateral extensional strain is equivalent to the critical strain under uniaxial tension. Scale effect on UCS commonly believed by many is unlikely the dominant factor in this phenomenon.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.147-162
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• 2001

This paper presents an analytical method which takes into account the non-linearity of individual members, and discusses some case study results. It also discusses the relationship between member non-elastic behavior and excitation duration, and the relationship between member fracture and overall structure behavior. It is clearly demonstrated that the frame already shows almost unstable behavior due to long-columnization just before the occurrence of a column fracture. Then, a column fracture immediately induces a structural collapse mechanism.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

The fracture resistance and tensile properties of $Y_2O_3$ oxide dispersion strengthened steel containing 9 wt% Cr(9Cr-ODS) were measured at various temperatures up to $700^{\circ}C$. The fracture characteristics were compared with those of commercial E911 ferritic/martensitic steel. The strength of 9Cr-ODS was at least 30% higher than that of E911 steel at the test temperatures below $500^{\circ}C$. The strength difference between the two materials was almost diminished at $700^{\circ}C$. 9Cr-ODS showed cleavage fracture behavior at room temperature and unstable crack growth behaviors at $300^{\circ}C$ and $500^{\circ}C$. The J-R fracture resistance of 9Cr-ODS was much lower than that of E911 steel at all temperatures. It was deduced that the coarse $Cr_2O_3$ particles that were formed during the alloying process provided the crack initiation sites of cleavage fracture in 9Cr-ODS.