• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.77 no.4
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• pp.509-521
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• 2021

The neighbouring gaps at the mortise-tenon joint in traditional timber structure, which leads to the complexity of the joint, are considered to impair the mechanical performance of the joint. In this paper, numerical simulation of loose joint was conducted to examine the deformation states, stress distributions, and bearing capacities, which was verified by full-scale test. On the basis of the experimental and numerical results, a simplified mechanics model with gaps has been proposed to present the bending capacity of the loose joint. Besides, the gap effects and parameter studies on the influences of tenon height, friction coefficient, elastic modulus and axial load were also investigated. As a result, the estimated relationship between moment and rotation angle of loose joint showed the agreement with the numerical results, demonstrating validity of the proposed model; The bending bearing capacity and rotational stiffness of loose joint had a certain drop with the increasing of gaps; and the tenon height may be the most important factor affecting the mechanical behaviors of the joint when it is subjected to repeated load; Research results can provide important references on the condition assessments of the existing mortise-tenon joint.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a physical exercise program using elastic bands in rural area women. Method: This study adopted a pre-post test design. The subjects were 89 rural area women who were selected from four community health care centers. The physical exercise program was executed 30 times for 10 weeks (3 times a week) from August 23 to October 31, 2003. Results: There was a significant difference in the attitude of physical exercise (t=-5.517, p=.000). In the degree of joint pain, there were significant differences in the flextion and extension of the shoulder joint (t=2.557, p=.020; t=5.625, p=.000), and there was a significant difference in the flextion of the knee joint (t=4.747, 0=.000) but there was no significant difference in the extension of the knee joint (t=1.795, p=.083). Conclusion: Physical exercise programs need to be implemented and spread continuously.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.337-352
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• 2021

The study presented experimental and numerical investigation on the seismic performance of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) L-shaped column- reinforced concrete (RC) beam joints. Various parameters described as steel configuration form, axial compressive ratio, loading angle, and the existence of slab were examined through 4 planar joints and 7 spatial joints. The characteristics of the load-displacement response included the bearing capacity, ductility, story drift ratio, energy-dissipating capacity, and stiffness degradation were analyzed. The results showed that shear failure and flexural failure in the beam tip were observed for planar joints and spatial joint, respectively. And RC joint with slab failed with the plastic hinge in the slab and bottom of the beam. The results indicated that hysteretic curves of spatial joints with solid-web steel were plumper than those with hollow-web specimens. The capacity of planar joints was higher than that of space joints, while the opposite was true for energy-dissipation capacity and ductility. The high compression ratio contributed to the increase in capacity and initial stiffness of the joint. The elastic and elastic-plastic story deformation capacity of L-shaped column frame joints satisfied the code requirement. A design formula of joint shear resistance based on the superposition theory and equilibrium plasticity truss model was proposed for engineering application.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

This paper presents an under-actuated robotic hand inspired by the ligamentous structure of the human hand for a prosthetic application. The joint mechanisms are based on the concept of a tensegrity structure formed by elastic strings. These rigid bodies and elastic strings in the mechanism emulate the phalanx bones and primary ligaments found in human finger joints. As a result, the proposed hand inherently possesses compliant characteristics, ensuring robust adaptability during grasping and when interacting with physical environments. For the practical implementation of the tensegrity-based joint mechanism, we detail the installation of the strings and the routing of the driving tendon, which are related to extension and flexion, respectively. Additionally, we have designed the palm structure of the proposed hand to facilitate opposition and tripod grips between the fingers and thumb, taking into account the transverse arch of the human palm. In conclusion, we tested a prototype of the proposed hand to evaluate its motion and grasping capabilities.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2077-2089
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• 2020

Background: Chronic ankle instability is a common injury that decreases balance and negatively affects functional movements, such as jumping and landing. Objectives: To analyze the effect of taping types and jump heights on balance with eyes open and closed during jump landings in chronic ankle instability. Design: Within-subject design. Methods: The study involved 22 patients with chronic ankle instability. They performed both double-leg and single-leg drop jump landings using three conditions (elastic taping, non-elastic taping, and barefoot) on three different jump platforms (30, 38, and 46 cm). Balance was measured using the Romberg's test with eyes open and closed. Results: Interaction effect was not statistically significant. Balance with eyes open and closed was significantly improved in both the elastic taping and non-elastic taping conditions compared to the barefoot condition. There was no significant difference according to the jump height. Conclusion: Individuals with chronic ankle instability demonstrated increased balance ability with eyes open and closed when jump landing. Elastic taping and non-elastic taping on the ankle joint can positively affect balance during landing in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in gait and mobility according to the types of assistive device for ankle joint including ankle foot orthosis (AFO), non-elastic tape, elastic tape, and high ankle shoes in chronic hemiplegic stroke survivors. Design: A cross-over design. Methods: Twelve hemiplegic stroke survivors participated in this study, and they walked under 5 different conditions including bare feet, wearing a AFO, wearing a non-elastic tape, wearing a elastic tape, and wearing a high ankle shoes. During the participants walked, the spatio-temporal gait analysis and mobility examinations were performed. For the spatio-temporal gait analysis (gait velocity and cadence, step length, stride length, and single and double leg support time) and mobility examinations, the gait mat, TUG and TUDS were used. Results: As s results, on the AFO, non-elastic tape, elastic tape, and high ankle shoes, there were significantly differences in the all spatio-temporal gait parameters, TUG, and TUDS compared to barefoot (p<0.05). In particular, all spatio-temporal gait parameters, TUG, TUDS were significantly improved with AFO compared to barefoot. TUG was significantly improved with AFO compared to non-elastic tape, TUG and TUDS were significantly improved with AFO compared to elastic tape, gait velocity was significantly improved with non-elastic tape compared to high ankle shoes, gait velocity and TUG were significantly improved with elastic tape compared to high ankle shoes, and TUDS was significantly improved with non-elastic tape compared to elastic tape. Conclusion: The AFO, non-elastic tape, elastic tape, and high ankle shoes showed a positive effect on gait and mobility compared to barefoot, and among them, wearing AFO was most effective for improving gait and mobility of chronic hemiplegic stroke survivors.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.237-244
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• 2019

This paper suggests novel types of joint mechanisms composed of elastic strings and rigid bodies. All of the human hinge joints have the articular capsule and a pair of collateral ligaments. These fibrous tissues make the joint compliant and stable. The proposed mechanism closely imitates the human hinge joint structure by using the concept of tensegrity. The resultant mechanism has several characteristics shown commonly from both the tensegrity structure and the human joint such as compliance, stability, lightweight, and non-contact between rigid bodies. In addition, the role and feature of the human hinge joints vary according to the origins of a pair of collateral ligaments. Likewise, the locations of two strings corresponding to a pair of collateral ligaments produce different function and motion of the proposed mechanism. It would be one of the advantages obtained from the proposed mechanism. How to make a joint mechanism with different features is also suggested in this paper.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.151-156
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• 2007

Topology optimization has been widely used in many research areas due to its ability in providing intial designs for the problems with complex boundary conditions. This also has been useful in compliant mechanisms, but resulting layouts may not be immediately manufacturable because they usually consist of members with varying widths and shapes. Also, there occurs some numerical difficulties such as checkerboards or hinge patterns which result from 1-node connection, and intermediate values which make the manufacturing of the designed structure difficult. Though there are many remedies given to avoid this problems, they cannot be prevented. One may avoid this difficulty by employing uniform ground beams and explicit hinge joints. The proposed method is to connect uniform ground beams with elastic short-beam hinge joints. By choosing the widths of short beams as design variables, dominant deformations can occur mainly by flexible joints having intermediate widths. Unlike the conventional methods used for compliance minimization, intermediate widths must appear in compliant mechanism design problems. Also, the present approach does not encounter the problem of one-point hinges.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.411-424
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• 2019

In this study, a numerical model of a shield tunnel with an assembled segmental lining was built. The seismic response of the segmental lining of the section of the shield tunnel in Line 1 of the Chengdu Metro is analyzed as it passes through the interface of sand-cobble and mudstone layers. To do so, the node-stress seismic-motion input method was used to input the seismic motion measured during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, and the joint openings and dislocations associated with the earthquake action were obtained. With reference to the Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (EPDM) sealing gaskets used in the shield tunnels in the Chengdu Metro, numerical simulation was applied to analyze the contact pressure along the seepage paths and the waterproof property under different joint openings and dislocations. A laboratory test on the elastic sealing gasket was also conducted to study its waterproof property. The test results accord well with the numerical results and the occurrence of water seepage in the section of the shield tunnel in Line 1 of the Chengdu Metro during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake was verified. These research results demonstrate the deformation of segmental joint under earthquake, also demonstrate the relationship between segmental joint deformation and waterproof property.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.89-93
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• 2015

This study analyzes the transplanting parts used as the graft of artificial knee joint. The low elastic titanium alloy is applied to clear up the stress shield effect. The simulation analysis is carried about the stress distribution of the transplanting parts. The correlation with frame is inferred and investigated through the equivalent stress distribution of titanium alloy due to elastic modulus. The stress of the transplanting parts decreases as the elastic modulus decreases at the first time. It decreases greatly near the stress of 46 GPa and increases again. Because the stress happened at the transplanting parts decreases, more stress is applied on the frame. This phenomenon is the stress shield effect. The result of this study can be thought to be necessary to develop the safe design of composite material.