• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.147-162
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• 2024

This study presents a random-aggregate mesoscale model integrating the random distribution of the coarse aggerates and the damage mechanics of the mortar and interfacial transition zone (ITZ). This mesoscale model can generate the random distribution of the coarse aggregates according to the prescribed particle size distribution which enables the automation of the current methodology with different coarse aggregates' distribution. The main innovation of this work is to propose the "correction factor" to eliminate the dimensionally dependent mesh sensitivity of the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model. After implementing the correction factor through the user-defined subroutine in the randomly meshed mesoscale model, the predicted fracture resistance is in good agreement with the average experimental results of a series of geometrically similar single-edge-notched beams (SENB) concrete specimens. The simulated cracking pattern is also more realistic than the conventional concrete material models. The proposed random-aggregate mesoscale model hence demonstrates its validity in the application of concrete fracture failure and statistical size effect analysis.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.281-290
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• 2024

This work investigates the mechanical energy harvesting from smart and adaptive devices using magnetic interactions. The energy harvester is built from an elastic beam connected to an electric circuit by a magnetostrictive material that promotes energy transduction. Besides, magnetic interactions define the system stability characterizing multistable configurations. The adaptiveness is provided by magnets that can change their position with respect to the beam, changing the system configuration. A mathematical model is proposed considering a novel model to describe magnetic interactions based on the single-point magnet dipole method, but employing multiple points to represent the magnetic dipole, which is more effective to match experimental data. The adaptive behavior allows one to alter the system stability and therefore, its dynamical response. A nonlinear dynamics analysis is performed showing the possibilities to enhance energy harvesting capacity from the magnet position change. The strategy is to perform a system dynamical characterization and afterward, alter the energetic barrier according to the environmental energy sources. Results show interesting conditions where energy harvesting capacity is dramatically increased by changing the system characteristics.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.83-101
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• 2005

This paper summarizes the application of a rational methodology for the structural assessment of older reinforced concrete Tunisian bridges. This methodology is based on ambient vibration measurement of the bridge, identification of the structure's modal signature and finite element model updating. The selected case study is the Boujnah bridge of the Tunis-Msaken Highway. This bridge is made of a continuous four-span simply supported reinforced concrete slab without girders resting on elastomeric bearings at each support. Ambient vibration tests were conducted on the bridge using a data acquisition system with nine force-balance accelerometers placed at selected locations of the bridge. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique was applied to extract the dynamic characteristics of the bridge. The finite element model was updated in order to obtain a reasonable correlation between experimental and numerical modal properties. For the model updating part of the study, the parameters selected for the updating process include the concrete modulus of elasticity, the elastic bearing stiffness and the foundation spring stiffnesses. The primary objective of the paper is to demonstrate the use of the Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique combined with model updating to provide data that could be used to assess the structural condition of the selected bridge. The application of the proposed methodology led to a relatively faithful linear elastic model of the bridge in its present condition.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.727-736
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• 2017

The application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in steel structures primarily includes two categories, i.e., the bond-critical application and the contact-critical application. Debonding failure and buckling failure are the main failure modes for these two applications. Conventional electrometric techniques may not provide precise results because of the limitations associated with single-point contact measurements. A nondestructive full-field measurement technique is a valuable alternative to conventional methods. In this study, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was adopted to investigate the bond behavior and buckling behavior of CFRP-steel composite members. The CFRP-to-steel bonded joint and the CFRP-strengthened square hollow section (SHS) steel column were tested to verify the suitability of the DIC technique. The stereo-DIC technique was utilized to measure continuous deformation. The bond-slip relationship of the CFRP-to-steel interface was derived using the DIC data. Additionally, a multi-camera DIC system consisting of four stereo-DIC subsystems was proposed and applied to the compressive test of CFRP-strengthened SHS steel column. The precise buckling location and CFRP delamination of the CFRP-strengthened SHS steel column were identified. The experimental results confirm that the stereo-DIC technique can provide effective measurements for investigating the behaviors of CFRP-steel composite members.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.1138-1147
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• 2018

Delayed hydride cracking (DHC) is an important failure mechanism for Zircaloy tubes in the demanding environment of nuclear reactors. The threshold stress intensity factor, $K_{IH}$, and critical hydride length, $l_C$, are important parameters to evaluate DHC. Theoretical models of them are developed for Zircaloy tubes undergoing non-homogenous temperature loading, with new stress distributions ahead of the crack tip and thermal stresses involved. A new stress distribution in the plastic zone ahead of the crack tip is proposed according to the fracture mechanics theory of second-order estimate of plastic zone size. The developed models with fewer fitting parameters are validated with the experimental results for $K_{IH}$ and $l_C$. The research results for radial cracking cases indicate that a better agreement for $K_{IH}$ can be achieved; the negative axial thermal stresses can lessen $K_{IH}$ and enlarge the critical hydride length, so its effect should be considered in the safety evaluation and constraint design for fuel rods; the critical hydride length $l_C$ changes slightly in a certain range of stress intensity factors, which interprets the phenomenon that the DHC velocity varies slowly in the steady crack growth stage. Besides, the sensitivity analysis of model parameters demonstrates that an increase in yield strength of zircaloy will result in a decrease in the critical hydride length $l_C$, and $K_{IH}$ will firstly decrease and then have a trend to increase with the yield strength of Zircaloy; higher fracture strength of hydrided zircaloy will lead to very high values of threshold stress intensity factor and critical hydride length at higher temperatures, which might be the main mechanism of crack arrest for some Zircaloy materials.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• v.73 no.12
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• pp.1821-1826
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• 2018

Uniformity is a key feature of state-of-the-art infrared focal planed array (IRFPA) and infrared imaging system. Unlike traditional infrared telescope facility, a ground-based infrared radiant characteristics measurement system with an IRFPA not only provides a series of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) infrared image but also ensures the validity of radiant measurement data. Normally, a long integration time tends to produce a high SNR infrared image for infrared radiant characteristics radiometry system. In view of the variability of and uncertainty in the measured target's energy, the operation of switching the integration time and attenuators usually guarantees the guality of the infrared radiation measurement data obtainted during the infrared radiant characteristics radiometry process. Non-uniformity correction (NUC) coefficients in a given integration time are often applied to a specified integration time. If the integration time is switched, the SNR for the infrared imaging will degenerate rapidly. Considering the effect of the SNR for the infrared image and the infrared radiant characteristics radiometry above, we propose a-wide-dynamic-range NUC algorithm. In addition, this essasy derives and establishes the mathematical modal of the algorithm in detail. Then, we conduct verification experiments by using a ground-based MWIR(Mid-wave Infared) radiant characteristics radiometry system with an Ø400 mm aperture. The experimental results obtained using the proposed algorithm and the traditional algorithm for different integration time are compared. The statistical data shows that the average non-uniformity for the proposed algorithm decreased from 0.77% to 0.21% at 2.5 ms and from 1.33% to 0.26% at 5.5 ms. The testing results demonstrate that the usage of suggested algorithm can improve infrared imaging quality and radiation measurement accuracy.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.17-33
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• 2022

An experimental study is carried out to investigate the performance of the cutting tool regarding the insert wear, surface roughness, cutting forces, cutting power and material removal rate of three coated carbides GC2015 (TiCN-Al₂O₃-TiN), GC4215 (Al₂O₃-Ti(C,N)) and GC1015 (TiN) during the dry turning of AISI4140 steel. For this purpose, a Taguchi design (L₉) was adopted for the planning of the experiments, the effects of cutting parameters on the surface roughness (R_a), tangential cutting force (F_z), the cutting power (P_c) and the material removal rate (MRR) were studied using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the response surface methodology (RSM) was used for mathematical modeling, with which linear mathematical models were developed for forecasting of R_a, F_z, P_c and MRR as a function of cutting parameters (V_c, f, and a_p). Then, Multi-Objective Ant Lion Optimizer (MOALO) has been implemented for multi-objective optimization which allows manufacturers to enhance the production performances of the machined parts. Furthermore, in order to characterize and quantify the flank wear of the tested tools, some machining experiments were performed for 5 minutes of turning under a depth of 0.5 mm, a feed rate of 0.08 mm/rev, and a cutting speed of 350 m/min. The wear results led to a ratio (V_B-GC4215/V_B-GC2015) of 2.03 and (V_B-GC1015/V_B-GC2015) of 4.43, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the cutting insert GC2015. Moreover, SEM analysis shows the main wear mechanisms represented by abrasion, adhesion and chipping.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.77-83
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• 2021

With the progress in virtual reality technology, various virtual objects can be displayed using head-mounted displays (HMD). However, force feedback sensations such as pushing against a virtual object are not possible with an HMD only. Focusing on force feedback, desktop-type devices are generally used, but the user cannot move in a virtual space because such devices are fixed on a desk. With a wearable force feedback device, users can move around while experiencing force feedback. Therefore, the authors have developed a wearable force feedback device using a magnetorheological fluid clutch and pneumatic rubber artificial muscle, aiming at presenting the elasticity, friction, and viscosity of an object. To date, we have developed a wearable four-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) force feedback device and have quantitatively evaluated that it can present commanded elastic, frictional, and viscous forces to the end effector. However, sensory evaluation with a human has not been performed. In this paper, therefore, we conduct a sensory evaluation of the proposed method. In the experiment, frictional and viscous forces are rendered in a virtual space using a 4-DOF force feedback device. Subjects are asked to answer questions on a 1- to 7-point scale, from 1 (not at all) to 4 (neither) to 7 (strongly). The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for all data, and answer 4 (neither) was used as compared standard data. The experimental results confirmed that the user could feel the presence or absence of viscous and frictional forces. However, the magnitude of those forces was not sensed correctly.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.505-511
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• 2018

Recently, a new foundation model called "Dynamic foundation model" was proposed for the dynamic analysis of structures on the foundation. This model includes a linear elastic spring, shear layer, viscous damping and the special effects of mass density parameter of foundation during vibration. However, the relationship of foundation property parameters with the experimental parameter of the influence of foundation mass also has not been established in previous research. Hence, the purpose of the paper presents a simple experimental model in order to establish relationships between foundation properties such as stiffness, depth of foundation and experimental parameter of the influence of foundation mass. The simple experimental model is described by a steel plate connected with solid rubber layer as a single degree of freedom system including an elastic spring connected with lumped mass. Based on natural circular frequencies of the experimental models determined from FFT analysis plots of the time history of acceleration data, the experimental parameter of the influence of foundation mass is obtained and the above relationships are also discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.409-420
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• 2019

The paper presents the results of an experimental and numerical programme to characterize the behaviour of steel beams reinforcement by composite plates. Important failure mode of such plated beams is the debonding of the composite plates from the steel beam due to high level of stress concentration in the adhesive at the ends of the composite plate. In this new research, an experimental and numerical finite element study is presented to calculate the stresses in the sika carbodur and sika wrap reinforced steel beam under mechanical loading. The main objective of the experimental program was the evaluation of the force transfer mechanism, the increase of the load capacity of the steel beam and the flexural stiffness. It also validated different analytical and numerical models for the analysis of sika carbodur and sika wrap reinforced steel beams. In particular, a finite element model validated with respect to the experimental data and in relation to the analytical approach is presented. Experimental and numerical results from the present analysis are presented in order to show the advantages of the present solution over existing ones and to reconcile debonding stresses with strengthening quality.