• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.569-577
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• 2020

Based on laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, the scale effect of Internal Solitary Wave (ISW) loads on spar platforms is investigated. First, the waveforms, loads, and torques on the spar model at a laboratory obtained by the experiments and simulations agree well with each other. Then, a prototype spar platform is simulated numerically to elucidate the scale effect. The scale effect for the horizontal forces is significant owing to the viscosity effect, whereas it is insignificant and can be neglected for the vertical forces. From the similarity point of view, the Froude number was the same for the scaled model and its prototype, while the Reynolds number increased significantly. The results show that the Morison equation with the same set of drag and inertia coefficients is not applicable to estimate the ISW loads for both the prototype and laboratory scale model. The coefficients should be modified to account for the scale effect. In conclusion, the dimensionless vertical forces on experimental models can be applied to the prototype, but the dimensionless horizontal forces of the experimental model are larger than those of the prototype, which will lead to overestimation of the horizontal force of the prototype if direct conversion is implemented.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.247-259
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• 2008

The potential use of Cu-based shape memory alloys (SMA) in retrofitting historical monuments is investigated in this paper. This study is part of the ongoing work conducted in Tunisia within the framework of the FP6 European Union project (WIND-CHIME) on the use of appropriate modern seismic protective systems in the conservation of Mediterranean historical buildings in earthquake-prone areas. The present investigation consists of a finite element simulation, as a preliminary to an experimental study where a cantilever masonry wall, representing a part of a historical monument, is subjected to monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loadings around a horizontal axis at the base level. The wall was retrofitted with an array of copper SMA wires with different cross-sectional areas. A new model is proposed for heat-treated copper SMAs and is validated based on published experimental results. A series of nonlinear finite element analyses are then performed on the wall for the purpose of assessing the SMA device retrofitting capabilities. Simulation results show an improvement of the wall response for the case of monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loadings.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2022

Soils are natural granular materials whose mechanical properties differ according to the size and composition of the particles, so soils exhibit an obvious scale effect. Traditional soil mechanics is based on continuum mechanics, which can not reflect the impact of particle size on soil mechanics. On that basis, a matrix-reinforcing-particle cell model is established in which the reinforcing particles are larger-diameter sand particles and the matrix comprises smaller-diameter bentonite particles. Since these two types of particles deform differently under shear stress, a new shear-strength theory under direct shear that considers the stress concentration and bypass phenomena of the matrix is established. In order to verify the rationality of this theory, a series of direct shear tests with different reinforcing particle diameter and volume fraction ratio are carried out. Theoretical analysis and experimental results showed that the interaction among particles of differing size and composition is the basic reason for the size effect of soils. Furthermore, the stress concentration and bypass phenomena of the matrix enhance the shear strength of a soil, and the volume ratio of reinforcing particles has an obvious impact on the shear strength. In addition, the newly proposed shear-strength theory agrees well with experimental values.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2011.09a
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• pp.3-21
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• 2011

Laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using Particle Flow Code (PFC2D) were performed to study the effects of joint separation and joint overlapping on the full failure behavior of rock bridges under direct shear loading. Through numerical direct shear tests, the failure process is visually observed and the failure patterns are achieved with reasonable conformity with the experimental results. The simulation results clearly showed that cracks developed during the test were predominantly tension cracks. It was deduced that the failure pattern was mostly influenced by both of the joint separation and joint overlapping while the shear strength is closely related to the failure pattern and its failure mechanism. The studies revealed that shear strength of rock bridges are increased with increasing in the joint separation. Also, it was observed that for a fixed cross sectional area of rock bridges, shear strength of overlapped joints are less than the shear strength of non-overlapped joints.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.99-117
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• 2008

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of macroscopic material parameters for natural stone and quarry masonry. To that end, a reliable non-linear material model on a meso-scale is developed to cover the random arrangement of stone blocks and quasi-brittle behaviour of both basic components, as well as the impaired cohesion and tensile strength on the interface between the blocks and mortar joints. The paper thus interrelates the following three problems: (i) definition of a suitable periodic unit cell (PUC) representing a particular masonry structure; (ii) derivation of material parameters of individual constituents either experimentally or running a mixed numerical-experimental problem; (iii) assessment of the macroscopic material parameters including the tensile and compressive strengths and fracture energy.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.475-514
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• 2016

Various models have been proposed by several researchers for predicting the exterior RC beam-column joint shear strength. Most of these models were calibrated and verified with some limited experimental database. From the models it has been identified that the joint shear strength majorly depends on ten governing parameters. In the present paper, detailed investigation of twelve analytical models for predicting shear strength of exterior beam-column joint has been carried out. The study shows the effect of each governing parameter on joint shear strength predicted by various models. It has been observed that the consensus on effect of few of the governing parameters amongst the considered analytical models has not been attained. Moreover, the predicted joint strength by different models varies significantly. Further, the prediction of joint shear strength by these analytical models has also been compared with a set of 200 experimental results from the literature. It has been observed that none of the twelve models are capable of predicting joint shear strength with sufficient accuracy for the complete range of experimental results. The research community has to reconsider the effect of each parameters based on larger set of test results and new improved analytical models should be proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.547-559
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• 2020

Buckling restrained braces (BRBs) were developed as an enhanced alternative to conventional braces by restraining their global buckling, thus allowing development of a stable quasi-symmetric hysteretic response. A wider adoption of buckling restrained braced frames is precluded due to proprietary character of most BRBs and the code requirement for experimental qualification. To overcome these problems, BRBs with capacities corresponding to typical steel multi-storey buildings in Romania were developed and experimentally tested in view of prequalification. The first part of this paper presents the results of the experimental program which included sub-assemblage tests on ten full-scale BRBs and uniaxial tests on components materials (steel and concrete). Two different solutions of the core were investigated: milled from a plate and fabricated from a square steel profile. The strength of the buckling restraining mechanism was also investigated. The influence of gravity loading on the unsymmetrical deformations in the two plastic segments of the core was assessed, and the response of the bolted connections was evaluated. The cyclic response of BRBs was evaluated with respect to a set of performance parameters, and recommendations for design were given.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2023

Steel fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) has good workability such as high flowability and good cohesiveness. The workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and anti-penetration characteristics of three kinds of SFRSCC were investigated in this paper. The fraction of steel fibers of the SFRSCC is 0.5%, 1.5% and 2.0% respectively. The results of the static tests show that the splitting tensile strength increases with the increase of fraction of steel fibers, while the compressive strength of 1.5% SFRSCC is lowest. It is demonstrated that the anti-penetration ability of 1.5% SFRSCC subjected to a velocity projectile (200-500 m/s) is better than 0.5% and 2.0% SFRSCC according to the experimental results. Considering the steel fiber effects, the existing formula is revised to predict penetration depth, and it is revealed that the revised predicted depth of penetration is in good agreement with the experimental results. The conclusion of this paper is helpful to the experimental investigations and engineering application.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 1995.04b
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• pp.69-74
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• 1995

A theoretical analysis is presented on the mechanics of diamond blade sawing. Experimental results are also presented, which show the effects of cutting variables such as cutting speed, feed speed, cutting area, and concentration of deamond blade on the cutting forces. The analytical results aggreed well with experimental ones.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.84-90
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• 1996

A theoretical analysis is presented on the mechanics of diamond blade sawing. The normal and tangential components of cutting force are calculated. Experimental results are also presented, which show the effects of cutting variables such as cutting speed, feed speed, cutting area, and concentration of diamond blade on the cutting forces. The experimental results are found to be in good agreement with those predicted by the analytical calculation.