• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.93-102
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• 2016

This article presents an experimental study on the effect of temperature and solid volume fraction of nanoparticles on the dynamic viscosity for the CuO/EG-water nanofluid. Nanoparticles with diameter of 40 nm are used in the present study to prepare nanofluid by two-step method. A "Brookfield viscometer" has been used to measure the dynamic viscosity of nanofluid with solid volume fraction up to 2% at the temperature range between 20 to $60^{\circ}C$. The findings have shown that dynamic viscosity of nanofluid increases with increasing particle volume fraction and decreasing temperature. Nine different correlations are developed on experimental data point to predict the relative dynamic viscosity of nanofluid at different temperatures. To make sure of accuracy of the proposed correlations, margin of deviation is presented at the end of this study. The results show excellent agreement between experimental data and those obtained through the correlations.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.249-265
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• 2014

The mechanical characteristics of materials are very essential in structural analysis for the accuracy of structural calculations. The estimation modulus of elasticity of concrete ($E_c$), one of the most important mechanical characteristics, is a very complex area in terms of analytical models. Many attempts have been made to model the modulus of elasticity through the use of experimental data. In this study, the neuro-fuzzy (NF) technique was investigated in estimating modulus of elasticity of concrete and a new simple NF model by implementing a different NF system approach was proposed. A large experimental database was used during the development stage. Then, NF model results were compared with various experimental data and results from several models available in related research literature. Several statistic measuring parameters were used to evaluate the performance of the NF model comparing to other models. Consequently, it has been observed that NF technique can be successfully used in estimating modulus of elasticity of concrete. It was also discovered that NF model results correlated strongly with experimental data and indicated more reliable outcomes in comparison to the other models.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제27권8호
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• pp.1273-1280
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• 2003

In this paper, transparent dynamic photoelastic experimental hybrid method for propagating cracks in orthotropic material was developed. Using transparent dynamic photoelastic experimental hybrid method, we can obtain stress intensity factor and separate the stress components from only isochromatic fringe patterns without using isoclinics. When crack is propagated with constant velocity, the contours of stress components in the vicinity of crack tip in orthotropic material are similar to those of isotropic material or orthotropic material with stationary crack under the static load. Dynamic stress intensity factors are decreased as crack growths. It was certified that the dynamic photoelastic experimental hybrid method was very useful for the analysis of the dynamic fracture mechanics.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.1067-1081
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• 2015

This study investigates structural and mechanical behaviors of RC (Reinforced concrete) beams strengthened with tapered CFRP (Carbon fiber reinforced polymer) sheets having various configurations. Toward this goal, experiments are performed on RC beams strengthened with four layers of CFRP sheets and each layer of the CFRP is prepared to have different length. Experimental results show that tapered CFRPs have better strengthening effect than non-tapered CFRP sheets and maximum loads of the beams with tapered CFRPs are governed by the length of first CFRP layer rather than total length of CFRP layers. In addition, analyses are performed using FE (Finite Element) models including cohesive elements to predict debonding behaviors between FRP and concrete elements. The predicted results from the FE models show good agreement with the experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.721-747
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• 2005

The strong need of verifying theories formulated for semi-active control through applications to real structures is due to the fact that theoretical research on semi-active control systems is not matched by a corresponding satisfactory experimental activity. This paper shows how a smart system including magnetorheological devices as damping elements can be implemented in a large-scale structural model, by describing in detail the kind of electronics (dedicated hardware and software) adopted during the experimental campaign. It also describes the most interesting results in terms of reduction of the seismic response (either experimental or numerical) of the semi-actively controlled structure compared to a passive operating control system, and in terms of the evaluation criteria proposed in the benchmark for seismically excited controlled buildings. The paper also explains how to derive from the classical theory of optimal control the adopted control logic, based on a clear physical approach, and provides an exhaustive picture of the time delays characterizing the control sequence.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.937-953
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• 2015

This paper investigates the load model for single footfall trace of human walking. A large amount of single person walking load tests were conducted using the three-dimensional gait analysis system. Based on the experimental data, Fourier series functions were adopted to model single footfall trace in three directions, i.e. along walking direction, direction perpendicular to the walking path and vertical direction. Function parameters such as trace duration time, number of Fourier series orders, dynamic load factors (DLFs) and phase angles were determined from the experimental records. Stochastic models were then suggested by treating walking rates, duration time and DLFs as independent random variables, whose probability density functions were obtained from experimental data. Simulation procedures using the stochastic models are presented with examples. The simulated single footfall traces are similar to the experimental records.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제63권5호
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• pp.629-637
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• 2017

Continuous concrete beams are commonly used as structural members in the reinforced concrete constructions. The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars provide attractive solutions for these structures particularly for gaining corrosion resistance. This paper presents experimental results of eight two-span continuous concrete beams; two of them reinforced with pure glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and six of them reinforced with combinations of GFRP and steel bars. The continuous beams were tested under monotonically applied loading condition. The experimental load-deflection behavior and failure mode of the continuous beams were examined. In addition, the continuous beams were analyzed with a numerical method to predict the load-deflection curves and to compare them with the experimental results. Results show that there is a good agreement between the experimental and the theoretical load-deflection curves of continuous beams reinforced with pure GFRP bars and combinations of GFRP and steel bars.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제76권6호
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• pp.725-736
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• 2020

In this work the mixed mode I/III fracture of sandstone has been studied experimentally and numerically. The experimental work used three-point bending specimens containing pre-existing cracks, machined at various inclination angles so as to achieve varying proportions of mode I to mode III loading. Dimensionless stress intensity factors were calculated using the extended finite element method (XFEM) for and compared with existing results from literature calculated using conventional finite element method. A total of 28 samples were used to conduct the fracture test with 4 specimens for each of 7 different inclination angles. The fracture load and the geometry of the fracture surface were obtained for different mode mixities. Prediction of the fracture loads and the geometry of the fracture surface were made using XFEM coupled with a cohesive zone model (CZM) and showed a good comparison with the experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.269-289
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• 2012

Free vibration and dynamic responses of piles semi-rigidly connected with the superstructures are investigated. Timoshenko beam theory is employed to characterize the pile partially embedded in a two-parameter elastic foundation. The formulations for the method of reverberation-ray matrix (MRRM) are then derived to investigate the dynamics of the pile with surface cracks, which are modeled as massless rotational springs. Comparison with existent numerical and experimental results indicates the proposed method is very effective and accurate for dynamic analysis, especially in the high frequency range. Finally, the effects of some physical parameters on the natural frequencies, frequency responses and transient responses of the piles are studied.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.43-54
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• 2017

In this study, the failure behavior of composite material in the biaxial and off-axis loading is studied based on a computational micromechanical model. The model is developed so that the combination of mechanical and thermal loading conditions can be considered in the analysis. The modified generalized plane strain assumption of the theory of elasticity is used for formulation of the micromechanical modeling of the problem. A truly meshless method is employed to solve the governing equation and predict the distribution of micro-stresses in the selected RVE of composite. The fiber matrix interface is assumed to be perfect until the interface failure occurs. The biaxial and off-axis loading of the SiC/Ti and Kevlar/Epoxy composite is studied. The failure envelopes of SiC/Ti and Kevlar/Epoxy composite in off-axis loading, biaxial transverse-transverse and axial-transverse loading are predicted based on the micromechanical approach. Various failure criteria are considered for fiber, matrix and fiber-matrix interface. Comparison of results with the available results in the litreture shows excellent agreement with experimental studies.