• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.269-281
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• 1997

The overall buckling mode in a composite steel-concrete beam over an internal support is necessarily lateral-distortional, in which the bottom compressive range displaces laterally and twists, since the top flange is restrained by the nearly rigid concrete slab. An efficient finite element method is used to study elastic lateral-distortional buckling in composite beams whose steel portion is tapered. The simplified model for a continuous beam that is presented herein is a fixed ended cantilever whose steel portion is tapered, and is subjected to moment gradient. This is intended to give an insight into distortion in a continuous beam that occurs in the negative bending region, and the differences between the cantilever representation and the continuous beam are highlighted. An eigenproblem is established, and the buckling modes and loads are determined in the elastic range of structural response. It is found from the finite element study that the buckling moment may be enhanced significantly by using a vertical stiffener in the region where the lateral movement of the bottom range is greatest. This enhancement is quantified in the paper.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.239-257
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• 2009

This paper develops and discusses a method by which it is possible to evaluate the Equivalent Static Force (ESF) of wind in the case of long-span bridges. Attention is focused on the alongwind direction. The study herein carried out deals with the classical problems of determining the maximum effects due to the alongwind action and the corresponding ESFs. The mean value of the maximum alongwind displacement of the deck is firstly obtained both by the spectral analysis and the Gust Response Factor (GRF) technique. Successively, in order to derive the other wind-induced effects acting on the deck, the Gust Effect Factor (GEF) technique is extended to long-span bridges. By adopting the GRF technique, it is possible to define the ESF that applied on the structure produces the maximum alongwind displacement. Nevertheless the application of the ESF so obtained does not furnish the correct maximum values of other wind-induced effects acting on the deck such as bending moments or shears. Based on this observation, a new technique is proposed which allows to define an ESF able to simultaneously reproduce the maximum alongwind effects of the bridge deck. The proposed technique is based on the GEF and the POD techniques and represents a valid instrument of research for the understanding of the wind excitation mechanism.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.5
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• pp.671-678
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• 2020

In this work, the dynamic properties of a high performance concrete containing glass powder (GP) was studied. The GP is a new cementitious material obtained by recycling waste glass presenting pozzolanic activity. This eco-friendly material was incorporated in concrete mixes by replacing 20 and 30% of cement. The mechanical properties of building materials highly affect the response of the structure under dynamic actions. First, the resonant vibration frequencies were measured on concrete plate with free boundary conditions after 14, 28 and 90 curing days by using an alternative vibration monitoring technique. This technique measures the average frequencies of several excitations done at different points of the plate. This approach takes into account the heterogeneity of a material like concrete. So, the results should be more precise and reliable. For measuring the bending and torsion resonant frequencies, as well as the damping ratio. The dynamic properties of material such as dynamic elastic modulus and dynamic shear modulus were determined by modelling the plate on the finite element software ANSYS. Also, the instantaneous aroused frequency method and ultrasound method were used to determine the dynamic elastic modulus for comparison purpose, with the results obtained from vibration monitoring technique.

• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.186-189
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• 2013

We report a highly sensitive $NO_2$ gas sensor based on multi-layer graphene (MLG) films synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition method on a microheater-embedded flexible substrate. The MLG could detect low-concentration $NO_2$ even at sub-ppm (<200 ppb) levels. It also exhibited a high resistance change of ~6% when it was exposed to 1 ppm $NO_2$ gas at room temperature for 1 min. The exceptionally high sensitivity could be attributed to the large number of $NO_2$ molecule adsorption sites on the MLG due to its a large surface area and various defect-sites, and to the high mobility of carriers transferred between the MLG films and the adsorbed gas molecules. Although desorption of the $NO_2$ molecules was slow, it could be enhanced by an additional annealing process using an embedded Au microheater. The outstanding mechanical flexibility of the graphene film ensures the stable sensing response of the device under extreme bending stress. Our large-scale and easily reproducible MLG films can provide a proof-of-concept for future flexible $NO_2$ gas sensor devices.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2017

In this paper, mode I fracture toughness of rock was determined by direct and indirect methods using Particle Flow Code simulation. Direct methods are compaction tension (CT) test and hollow centre cracked quadratic sample (HCCQS). Indirect methods are notched Brazilian disk (NBD) specimen, the semi-circular bend (SCB) specimen, hollow centre cracked disc (HCCD), the single edge-notched round bar in bending (SENRBB) specimen and edge notched disk (END). It was determined that which one of indirect fracture toughness values is close to direct one. For this purpose, initially calibration of PFC was undertaken with respect to data obtained from Brazilian laboratory tests to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. Furthermore, the simulated models in five introduced indirect tests were cross checked with the results from direct tests. By using numerical testing, the failure process was visually observed. Discrete element simulations demonstrated that the macro fractures in models are caused by microscopic tensile breakages on large numbers of bonded discs. Mode I fracture toughness of rock in direct test was less than other tests results. Fracture toughness resulted from semi-circular bend specimen test was close to direct test results. Therefore semi-circular bend specimen can be a proper test for determination of Mode I fracture toughness of rock in absence of direct test.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.313-327
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• 2018

Meeting the touchdown point (TDP) target box is one of the challenges during catenary riser installation, especially for deep water or ultra-deep water riser systems. TDP location mismatch compared to the design can result in variation of riser configuration, additional hang-off misalignment, and extra bending loads going into the hang-off porch. A good understanding of the key installation parameters can help to minimize this mismatch, and ensure that the riser global response meets the design criteria. This paper focuses on investigating the potential factors that may affect the touchdown point location, and addressing the challenges both in the design stage and during installation campaign. Conventionally, the vessel offset and current are the most critical factors which may affect the TDP movement during installation. With the offshore exploration going deeper and deeper in the sea (up to 10,000ft), other sources such as the seabed slope and seabed soil stiffness are playing an important role as well. The impacts of potential sources are quantified through case studies for steel catenary riser (SCR) and lazy wave steel catenary riser (LWSCR) in deep water application. Investigations through both theoretical study and numerical validation are carried out. Furthermore, design recommendations are provided during execution phase for the TDP mismatch condition to ensure the integrity of the riser system.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.451-465
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• 2020

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) with four types of steel fibers; micro steel (MS), crimped (C), round crimped (RC) and hooked-end (H), in two fiber contents of 1% and 2% (by volume) and two lengths of 13 and 30 mm. Compression, direct tension, and four-point bending tests were carried out on four types of specimens (prism, cube, dog-bone and cylinder), to study tensile and flexural strength, fracture energy and modulus of elasticity. Results were compared with UHPC specimens without fibers, as well as with available equations for the modulus of elasticity. Specimens with MS fibers had the best performance for all mechanical properties. Among macro fibers, RC had better overall performance than H and C fibers. Increased fibers improved all mechanical properties of UHPFRC, except for modulus of elasticity, which saw a negligible effect (mostly less than 10%). Moreover, nonlinear finite element simulations successfully captured flexural response of UHPFRC prisms. Finally, nonlinear regression models provided reasonably well predictions of flexural load-deflection behavior of tested specimens (coefficient of correlation, R² over 0.90).

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.250-254
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• 2006

Hetero-junction sheet actuator composed of carbon nanotubes and $V_{2}O_5$ nanowires were demonstrated in a bimetal configuration. The successive filtration of $V_{2}O_5$ nanowire solution followed by carbon nanotube dispersed water solution in the same way produced a dark-gray colored sheet. A significant actuation was observed in sodium chloride electrolyte solution with a bending direction to the carbon nanotube side at the positive bias voltage against the copper counter-electrode. As the frequency of the applied voltage increased, the amplitudes decreased, indicating a rather slow response of the hetero-film actuator in the electrolyte solution. The hybrid structure enabled an easy fabrication of the film actuator with the enhanced efficiencies.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.282-289
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• 2020

Flexible roll forming is an advanced sheet-metal-forming process that allows the production of parts with various cross-sections. During the flexible process, material is subjected to three-dimensional deformation such as transverse bending, inhomogeneous elongations, or contraction. Because of the effects of process variables on the quality of the roll-formed products, the approaches used to investigate the roll-forming process have been largely dependent on experience and trial- and-error methods. Web-warping is one of the major shape defects encountered in flexible roll forming. In this study, an SVR model was developed to predict the web-warping during the flexible roll forming process. In the development of the SVR model, three process parameters, namely the forming-roll speed condition, leveling-roll height, and bend angle were considered as the model inputs, and the web-warping height was used as the response variable for three blank shapes; rectangular, concave, and convex shape. MATLAB software was used to train the SVR model and optimize three hyperparameters (λ, ε, and γ). To evaluate the SVR model performance, the statistical analysis was carried out based on the three indicators: the root-mean-square error, mean absolute error, and relative root-mean-square error.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.562-567
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• 2016

Morphing wing which has a configuration optimized to flight speed and condition is faced to a lot of barriers to be overcome such as actuator technique, structural mechanization technique, flexible skin material, control law, and so on. As the first step for developing a morphing wing with rapid response, we designed and fabricated the morphing airfoil using a SMA(shape memory alloy) wire actuator and torsional bias springs. The design concept of the morphing airfoil was verified through operation test. The measured results show that the flap deflects smoothly and fast.