• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-36
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• 2013

In the finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures, discrete representation of the steel reinforcing bars is considered advantageous over smeared representation because of the more realistic modelling of their bond-slip behaviour. However, there is up to now limited research on how to simulate the dowel action of discrete reinforcing bars, which is an important component of shear transfer in cracked concrete structures. Herein, a numerical model for the dowel action of discrete reinforcing bars is developed. It features derivation of the dowel stiffness based on the beam-on-elastic-foundation theory and direct assemblage of the dowel stiffness matrix into the stiffness matrices of adjoining concrete elements. The dowel action model is incorporated in a nonlinear finite element program based on secant stiffness formulation and application to deep beams tested by others demonstrates that the incorporation of dowel action can improve the accuracy of the finite element analysis.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 1988

This paper describes a neural network modelling of a vertebrate retina using a discrete-time and discrete-space approach based on neuro-anatomical data, and the computer simulations of the model which approximate the frog/amphibian negro-physiological data. It then compares them and describes how such a model can be beneficially used for confirming the hypothesis of a given neural system and further predict yet unknown experimental data.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.195-220
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• 2017

Nowadays, railway system plays a significant role in transportation, conveying cargo, passengers, minerals, grains, and so forth. Railway ballasted track is a conventional railway track as can be seen all over the world. Ballast, located underneath the sleepers, is the most important elements on ballasted track, which has many functions and requires routine maintenance. Ballast needs to be maintained frequently to prevent rail buckling, settlement, misalignment so that ballast has to be modelled accurately. Continuum model was introduced to model granular material and was extended in ballast. However, ballast is a heterogeneous material with highly nonlinear behaviour. Hence, ballast could not be modelled accurately in continuum model due to the discontinuities nature and material degradation of ballast. Discrete element modelling (DEM) is proposed as an alternative approach that provides insight into constitutive model, realistic particle, and contact algorithm between each particle. DEM has been studied in many recent decades. However, there are limitations due to the high computational time and memory consumption, which cause the lack of using in high range. This paper presents a review of recent ballast modelling with benefits and drawbacks. Ballast particles are illustrated either circular, circular crump, spherical, spherical crump, super-quadric, polygonal and polyhedral. Moreover, the gaps and limitations of previous studies are also summarized. The outcome of this study will help the understanding into different ballast modelling and particle. The insight information can be used to improve ballast modelling and monitoring for condition-based track maintenance.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.223-236
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• 2017

Seismic assessment and rehabilitation of Monumental Buildings constitute an important issue in many regions around the world to preserve cultural heritage. On the contrary, many recent earthquakes have demonstrated the high vulnerability of this type of structures. The high nonlinear masonry behaviour requires ad hoc refined finite element numerical models, whose complexity and computational costs are generally unsuitable for practical applications. For these reasons, several authors proposed simplified numerical strategies to be used in engineering practice. However, most of these alternative methods are oversimplified being based on the assumption of in-plane behaviour of masonry walls. Moreover, they cannot be used for modelling the monumental structures for which the interaction between plane and out-plane behaviour governs the structural response. Recently, an innovative discrete-modelling approach for the simulation of both in-plane and out of-plane response of masonry structures was proposed and applied to study several typologies of historic structures. In this paper the latter model is applied with reference to a real case study, and numerically compared with an advanced finite element modelling. The method is applied to the St.Venerio church in Reggiolo (Italy), damaged during the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake and numerically investigated in the literature.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.405-418
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• 2018

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) are tools widely used in the context of the construction industry. While BIM is used to represent the physical and functional characteristics of a facility, DES models are used to represent its construction process. Integrating both is beneficial to those interested in the field of construction management since it has many potential applications. Game engines provide a human navigable 3D virtual environment in which the integrated BIM and DES models can be visualised and interacted with. This paper reports the experience obtained while developing a simulator prototype which integrates a BIM and a DES model of a single construction activity within a commercial game engine. The simulator prototype allows the user to visualise how the duration of the construction activity is affected by different input parameters interactively. It provides an environment to conduct DES studies using the user's own BIM models. This approach could increase the use of DES technologies in the context of construction management and engineering outside the research community. The presented work is the first step towards the development of a serious game for construction management education and was carried out to determine the suitable IT tools for its development.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-31
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• 2008

The present paper presents multiscale modelling via coupling of the discrete and finite element methods. Theoretical formulation of the discrete element method using spherical or cylindrical particles has been briefly reviewed. Basic equations of the finite element method using the explicit time integration have been given. The micr-macro transition for the discrete element method has been discussed. Theoretical formulations for macroscopic stress and strain tensors have been given. Determination of macroscopic constitutive properties using dimensionless micro-macro relationships has been proposed. The formulation of the multiscale DEM/FEM model employing the DEM and FEM in different subdomains of the same body has been presented. The coupling allows the use of partially overlapping DEM and FEM subdomains. The overlap zone in the two coupling algorithms is introduced in order to provide a smooth transition from one discretization method to the other. Coupling between the DEM and FEM subdomains is provided by additional kinematic constraints imposed by means of either the Lagrange multipliers or penalty function method. The coupled DEM/FEM formulation has been implemented in the authors' own numerical program. Good performance of the numerical algorithms has been demonstrated in a number of examples.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.248-257
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• 2011

It was reported recently that railpads can be included as a continuous elastic support of the rail and the model was justified from experiments. In general, however, railpads are installed discretely on sleepers with a regular span. The effect of the discrete railpad was not clearly examined so far in such a high frequency range. In this paper, the effect of the railpads in track modelling for high frequencies is investigated by means of the finite element analysis. To do that, the railpads are regarded as 'a continuous elastic support' and 'a discrete elastic support' in this paper. The dispersion relations and decaying features are predicted and compared between the two models up to 80 kHz.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1993.10a
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• pp.348-352
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• 1993

A hybrid system contains both continuous variables and discrete event components. This paper presents the new control architecture for hybrid systems, which consists of a conventional controller for the continuous-time variable of the system, a supervisor for discrete event components of the system, and an interface for link between the controller and the plant. The presented controller is suitable for the system operating at the different operating conditions or for system being changing the plant model by enabling and disabling discrete events. This paper shows that the presented controller is better than the conventional controller.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.30-34
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• 1997

This paper Describe a modelling method for SCR(selective Catalytic reduction) system in refuse incineration plant. We consider the SCR system as a single input single output system. For modelling the SCR system, an auto regressive exogeneous(ARX) modelling method is used. In this case, we should design the white noise input for modelling and put it on the system as an input (.NH/sap2/.), and taken an outlet NOx as an output. From these two relations, we design the ARX model with 45 second delay time and transform to discrete system with 0.5 sampling time. Using the obtained SCR model, we simulate the SCR system to reduce the outlet NOx content by a conventional PID control method.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.447-462
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• 2022

The viscosity of a shear-thickening fluid damper (STFD) can increase dramatically when the STFD undergoes high-rate of excitation. Therefore, accurate numerical modelling of the STFD has been considered difficult due to this distinct feature. This study aims to develop a numerical model to accurately simulate the response of the STFD. First, a STFD is designed, fabricated, and installed in the laboratory. Then, performance tests are conducted in which sine waves with nine frequencies at three amplitude levels are adopted as the displacement excitations to the STFD. A novel numerical model which contains two parameter sets of the discrete Bouc-Wen model as well as two parameters for transiting the two parameter sets. Therefore, a total number of eighteen parameters need to be identified in the damper model. The symbiotic organisms search is applied to optimize the parameters. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed STFD model with transit parameter sets outperforms the conventional discrete Bouc-Wen model. The proposed STFD model can be applied to analyses of structures in which STFDs are installed in the future.