• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.3450-3462
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• 2024

This paper presents a computational framework for drop time assessment of a control element assembly (CEA) under fuel assembly (FA) deformations. The proposed framework consists of three key components: 1) finite element modeling of CEA, 2) fluid-structure interaction to compute drag force, and 3) modeling of frictional contact between CEA and FA. Specially, to accommodate the large motion of CEA, beam elements based on absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) are adopted. The continuity equation is utilized to calculate the drag force, considering flow changes in the cross-sectional area during the CEA drop. Lastly, beam-inside-beam frictional contact model is employed to capture practical contact conditions between CEA and FA. The proposed framework is validated through experiments under two scenarios: free falls of CEA within FA, encompassing undeformed and deformed scenarios. The experimental validation of the framework demonstrated that the drop time of CEA can be accurately predicted under the complex coupling effects of fluid and frictional contact. The drop times of the S-shaped deformation case is longer than those of the C-shaped deformation case, affirming the time delay due to frictional force. The validation confirms the potential applicability to access the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants under extreme conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.619-620
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• 2009

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.31-37
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• 2011

Construction automation is yet to be improved since construction site still faces a lot of high risks and difficulties. This research focuses on applying robotic beam assembly system in place of construction workers. This system consists of CF (Construction Factory) structure to provide adequate working environment to robot automation. The CF structure not only gives automation environment for a robot but also houses the equipments to protect from outside effects. The robotic beam assembly system also consists of robotic bolting system and robot transport mechanism. It utilizes various tools to insert and join the bolts and nuts. Visual servoing helps precise robot motion by sensing bolt hole and tail of the bolt. ITA system helps non skilled workers to easily perform the assembly work with the robot system. The robot transport mechanism includes sliding rail and cross-wired lift. It carries the robot to a desired position for assembly work.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.441-448
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• 2007

The beam-column assembly in a ductile reinforced concrete (RC) frames subjected to seismic loading are generally controlled by shear and bond mechanisms, both of which exhibit poor hysteretic properties. Hence the response of joints is restricted essentially to the elastic domain. The usual earthquake resistant design philosophy of ductile frame buildings allows the beams to form plastic hinges adjacent to beam-column assembly. Increased strain in these plastic hinge regions affect on joint strain to be increased. Thus bond and shear joint strength are decreased. The research reported in this paper presents the test results of five RC beam-column assembly after developing plastic hinges in beams. Main parameter of the test Joints was the amount of the longitudinal tensile reinforcement of the beams. Test results indicted that the ductile capacity of joints increased as the longitudinal tensile reinforcement of the beams decreased. In addition, both the tensile strain of the longitudinal reinforcement bars in the joint and the ductile ratio of the beam-column assemblages increased due to the yielding of steel bars in the plastic hinge regions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.276-276
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• 2003

This paper dealt with an experimental study on the free vibration of circular-tube-beam submerged in water. A circular-tube-beam is commonly founded on the nuclear fuel assembly system in nuclear reactor. The nuclear fuel assembly susceptible to flow-induced vibration in nuclear reactor. So, the nuclear fuel assembly be designed to avoid any resonance due to the vibration during the reactor operation. In the experiment, applied boundary condition is clamped-free and the effect of water height to natural frequency and damping is studied. The experiment in air and in water has been performed. Used experimental method is impact exciting method. The natural frequencies and damping ratio according to water height is presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.523-524
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• 2008

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.551-565
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• 2017

In this paper, an analytical approach is proposed for determining vibration characteristics of cracked non-uniform continuous Timoshenko beam carrying an arbitrary number of spring-mass systems. This method is based on the Timoshenko beam theory, transfer matrix method and numerical assembly method to obtain natural frequencies and mode shapes. Firstly, the beam is considered to be divided into several segments by spring-mass systems and support points, and four undetermined coefficients of vibration modal function are contained in each sub-segment. The undetermined coefficient matrices at spring-mass systems and pinned supports are obtained by using equilibrium and continuity conditions. Then, the overall matrix of undetermined coefficients for the whole vibration system is obtained by the numerical assembly technique. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of a cracked non-uniform continuous Timoshenko beam carrying an arbitrary number of spring-mass systems are obtained from the overall matrix combined with half-interval method and Runge-Kutta method. Finally, two numerical examples are used to verify the validity and reliability of this method, and the effects of cracks on the transverse vibration mode shapes and the rotational mode shapes are compared. The influences of the crack location, depth, position of spring-mass system and other parameters on natural frequencies of non-uniform continuous Timoshenko beam are discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.351-367
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• 2005

Multi-span beams carrying multiple point masses are widely used in engineering applications, but the literature for free vibration analysis of such structural systems is much less than that of single-span beams. The complexity of analytical expressions should be one of the main reasons for the last phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to utilize the numerical assembly method (NAM) to determine the exact natural frequencies and mode shapes of a multi-span uniform beam carrying multiple point masses. First, the coefficient matrices for an intermediate pinned support, an intermediate point mass, left-end support and right-end support of a uniform beam are derived. Next, the overall coefficient matrix for the whole structural system is obtained using the numerical assembly technique of the finite element method. Finally, the natural frequencies and the associated mode shapes of the vibrating system are determined by equating the determinant of the last overall coefficient matrix to zero and substituting the corresponding values of integration constants into the related eigenfunctions respectively. The effects of in-span pinned supports and point masses on the free vibration characteristics of the beam are also studied.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2021.05a
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• pp.12-13
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• 2021

Methods for the manufacture, erection, and assembly of heavy frame modules were proposed. Interferences among precast members were prevented by using bolted metal plates for dry precast beam-to-column joints during assembly with a clearance for tolerance implementing grouted concrete filler plates instead of metal filler plates. Clearances for tolerances were provided to avoid conflictions among components during erection phases. These gaps were, then, grouted by high-strength mortar. The constructability of new connections of a beam-to-column joint using bolted metal plates for precast structures was examined using a full-scale assembly test in which practical observations indicated that members could be aligned and placed accurately in both horizontal and vertical directions, leading to a fast and convenient assembling. Bolt holes of the endplate were properly aligned using couplers with 30 mm fastened length embedded in the columns. The assembly test demonstrated the erection safety and structural stability of the proposed joints that were without filler plates when they were subjected to heavy loads at the time of their erection. The facile and rapid assembly of precast beam-to-column connections with a 30 mm tolerance was observed. The proposed assembly method is rapid, sustainable, and resilient, replacing the conventional methods of concrete frame construction, offering a connection that can be used in constructing infrastructure, such as buildings and pipe-rack frames.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.663-679
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• 2021

To elucidate the differences in the collapse behavior between a single-story beam-column assembly and multi-story frame, two 1/3-scale two-bay composite frames, including a single-story composite beam-column assembly and a three-story composite sub-frame, were designed and quasi-statically tested. The load-displacement responses, failure modes, and internal force development of the two frames were analyzed and compared in detail. Furthermore, the resistance mechanisms of the two specimens were explored, and the respective contributions of different load-resisting mechanisms to the total resistances were quantitatively separated to gain deeper insights. The experimental tests indicated that Vierendeel action was present in the two-dimensional multi-story frames, which led to an uneven internal force distribution among the three stories. The collapse resistance of TSDWA-3S in the flexural stage was not significantly increased by the structural redundancy provided by the additional story, as compared to that of TSDWA-1S. Although the development of the load response was similar in the two specimens at flexural stage, the collapse mechanisms of the multi-story composite frame were much more complicated than those of the single-story beam-column assembly, and the combined action between stories was critical in determining the internal force redistribution and rebalancing of the remaining structure.