• Computers and Concrete
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.119-134
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• 2007

External bonding of steel or FRP plates to reinforced concrete (RC) structures has been a popular method for strengthening RC structures; however, unexpected premature failure often occurs due to debonding between the concrete and the epoxy. We proposed a Coulomb criterion with a constant failure surface as the debonding failure criterion for the concrete-epoxy interface. Diagonal shear bonding tests were conducted to determine the debonding properties that were related to the failure criterion, such as the angle of internal friction and the coefficient of cohesion. In addition, an interface element that utilized the Coulomb criterion was implemented in a nonlinear finite element analysis program to simulate debonding failure behavior. Experimental studies and numerical analysies on RC beams strengthened by an externally bonded steel or FRP plate were used to determine the range of the coefficient of cohesion. The results that were presented prove that premature failure loads of strengthened RC beams can be predicted with using the bonding properties and the finite element program with including the proposed Coulomb criterion.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.41-57
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• 2013

This paper analyzed the implementation process of experts managing the case of grandparent and grandchildren families in the case management process, as the useful approach to strengthen the function of grandparent and grandchildren family. The methodology were the analysis on 6 management cases by step and the analysis on the interview with 3 experts implementing the case management on grandparent and grandchildren families. As a result, major complaints from grandparent and grandchildren families were basic livelihood and economy area, physical and mental health area, child care and education area and culture area. The service goals were set by such classification and support service was provided using the internal and external resources. The case management process was effective for improving the satisfaction on life by positively changing the grandchildren and promoting the psychological and emotional stability. 6 cases were under the post management after the analysis was completed and linked to the program 'Reinforcement of Family Ability of Grandparent and Grandchildren Family.' In accordance with the interview with the experts in case management, the grandparent and grandchildren family case management was characterized by high dependency and difficulty in expressing the desires. They required the long-term approach as well as the approach to restore the relationship with the original family.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.483-491
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• 2002

This paper summarizes the results of experimental studies concerning the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete beams by the external bonding of the new reinforcement material, which is composite panel with an advanced fiber sheet bonded on light concrete precast panel. The structural behaviors of strengthened beams are compared with codes in terms of yield load and ultimate load, deflection, flexural stiffness, ductility. Thirty nine large-scale beams were tested experimentally to evaluate the strength enhancement provided by the composite panel. According to the results, it is shown that beams strengthened with composite panel are structurally efficient and that the strength of the strengthened beams are improved comparing with beams strengthened with fiber sheet.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.105-120
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• 2011

The strengthening and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures with externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates has shown excellent performance and, as a result, this technology is rapidly replacing steel plate bonding techniques. This paper addresses this issue, and presents results deals with the influence of external bonded CFRP-reinforcement on the time-dependent behavior of reinforced concrete beams. A total of eight reinforced concrete beams with cracked and un-cracked section, with and without externally bonded CFRP laminates, were investigated for their creep and shrinkage behavior. All the beams considered in this paper were simply supported and subjected to a uniform sustained loading for the period of six months. The main parameters of this study are two types of sustained load and different degrees of strengthening scheme for both cracked and un-cracked sections of beams. Both analytical and experimental work has been carried out on strengthened beams to investigate the cracking and deflection performance. The applied sustained load was 56% and 38% of the ultimate static capacities of the un-strengthened beams for cracked and un-cracked section respectively. The analytical values based on effective modulus method (EMM) are compared to the experimental results and it is found that the analytical values are in general give conservative estimates of the experimental results. It was concluded that the attachment of CFRP composite laminates has a positive influence on the long term performance of strengthened beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.207-221
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• 2011

This paper aims to study the behavior of short reinforced concrete columns confined with external glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) sheets under eccentric loads. The experimental part of the study was achieved by testing 9 specimens under eccentric compression. Three eccentricity ratios corresponding to e/t = 0, 0.10, 0.50 in one direction of the column were used. Specimens were divided into three groups. The first group was the control one without confinement. The second group was fully wrapped with GFRP laminates before loading. The third group was wrapped under loading after reaching 75% of failure loads of the control specimens. The third group was investigated in order to represent the practical case of strengthening a loaded column with FRP laminates. All specimens were loaded until failure. The results show that GFRP laminates enhances both failure load and ductility response of eccentrically loaded column. Moreover, the study also illustrates the effect of confinement on the first crack load, lateral deformation, strain in reinforcement and failure pattern. Based on the analysis of the experimental results, a simple model has been proposed to predict the improvement of load carrying capacity under different eccentricity ratios. The predicted equation takes into consideration the eccentricity to cross section depth ratio, the ultimate strength of GFRP, the thickness of wrapping laminate, and the time of wrapping (before loading and under loading). A good correlation was obtained between experimental and analytical results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.453-469
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• 2021

The cracking at the transverse diaphragm cutout is one of the most severe fatigue failures threatening orthotropic steel decks (OSDs), whose mechanisms and crack treatment techniques have not been fully studied. In this paper, full-scale experiments were first performed to investigate the fatigue performance of polished cutouts involving the effect of an artificial geometrical defect. Following this, comparative experimental testing for defective cutouts strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) was carried out. Numerical finite element analysis was also performed to verify and explain the experimental observations. Results show that the combinative effect of the wheel load and thermal residual stress constitutes the external driving force for the fatigue cracking of the cutout. Initial geometrical defects are confirmed as a critical factor affecting the fatigue cracking. The principal stress 6 mm away from the free edge of the cutout can be adopted as the nominal stress of the cutout during fatigue evaluation, and the fatigue resistance of polished cutouts is higher than Grade A in AASHTO specification. The bonded CFRP system is highly effective in extending the fatigue life of the defective cutouts. The present study provides some new insights into the fatigue evaluation and repair of OSDs.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.355-372
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• 2022

The study is part of an experimental program on full-scale Un-Reinforced Masonry (URM) wall panels strengthened with Textile reinforced mortars (TRM). Eight brick walls (two with and five without central opening), were tested under the diagonal tension (shear) test method in order to investigate the strengthening system effectiveness on the in-plane behaviour of the walls. All the URM panels consist of the innovative components, named "Orthoblock K300 bricks" with vertical holes and a thin layer mortar. Both of them have great capacity and easy application and can be constructed much more rapidly than the traditional bricks and mortars, increasing productivity, as well as the compressive strength of the masonry walls. Several parameters pertaining to the in-plane shear behaviour of the retrofitted panels were investigated, including shear capacity, failure modes, the number of layers of the external TRM jacket, and the existence of the central opening of the wall. For both the control and retrofitted panels, the experimental shear capacity and failure mode were compared with the predictions of existing prediction models (ACI 2013, TA 2000, Triantafillou 1998, Triantafillou 2016, CNR 2018, CNR 2013, Eurocode 6, Eurocode 8, Thomoglou et al. 2020). The experimental work allowed an evaluation of the shear performance in the case of the bidirectional textile (TRM) system applied on the URM walls. The results have shown that some analytical models present a better accuracy in predicting the shear resistance of all the strengthened masonry walls with TRM systems which can be used in design guidelines for reliable predictions.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.63-78
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• 2022

Purpose - This study's purpose is to analyze which factors are more important to strengthening the competitiveness of global innovative companies by firstly sampling global 40 enterprises, secondly investigating of study models empirically, thirdly finding out significant implications through research, and finally using this result to help improve global companies' competitive edges. Design/methodology - Developing three research models of hypothesis and using 5 variables such as technology innovation, knowledge management, human resource development, sustainable management, and corporate life, this study was empirically carried out by reliability and validity testing, correlation analysis of variables, and multiple regression analysis of three research models. Findings - Through proceeding empirical analysis study, we found out that technology innovation and sustainable management had a significant impact on strengthening competitiveness through the hypothesis test. Those two factors had positive results and a synergy effect through correlation analysis along with process change and human resource development, which are also important areas in global innovative companies. Originality/value - In line with the fourth industrial revolution era's acceleration and COVID-19's large impact on all industries, global companies are newly developing their business models to cope with external environment change. This study's results would be meaningful for global enterprises and domestic companies to improve their overall competitive edge by reinforcing their innovation strategy, preparing next growth engines, diversifying business portfolios, and setting business milestones.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.591-603
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• 2022

The flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete beams by external bonding of composite materials has proved to be an efficient and practical technique. This paper presents a study on the flexural performance of reinforced concrete continuous beams with three spans (one span and two cantilevered) strengthened by bonding carbon fiber fabric (CFRP). The model is based on equilibrium and deformations compatibility requirements in and all parts of the strengthened continuous beam, i.e., the continuous concrete beam, the FRP plate and the adhesive layer. The adherend shear deformations have been included in the present theoretical analyses by assuming a linear shear stress through the thickness of the adherends. Remarkable effect of shear deformations of adherends has been noted in the results. The theoretical predictions are compared with other existing solutions that shows good agreement, and It shows the effectiveness of CFRP strips in enhancing shear capacity of continuous beam. It is shown that both the normal and shear stresses at the interface are influenced by the material and geometry parameters of the composite beam.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.617-624
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• 2015

This paper describes the development of a wearable robot to assist the elbow muscle for use by elderly workers in aging societies. Various previously developed wearable robots have drawbacks in terms of their price, portability, and slow recognition of the wearer's intention. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the following features to minimize these drawbacks. The first feature is that an actuator is attached only at the elbow joint that withstands the highest moment during arm motion to reduce the weight, volume, and price of the robot and increase its practicality. The second is that operation of the wearable robot is divided into two modes, a tracking mode and a muscle strengthening mode, and the robot can automatically switch between these modes by analyzing the wearer's intention through the brachial muscle strength measuring device developed in this study. The assistive performance of the developed wearable robot is experimentally verified by motion tracking experiments without an external load and muscle strengthening experiments with an external load. During the muscle strengthening experiments, the power of the muscle of the upper arm is measured by a commercial electromyography (EMG) sensor. Motion tracking performance at a speed of $120^{\circ}/s$ and muscle assistance of over 60 % were obtained using our robot.