• International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.254-263
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• 2015

The failure of hydraulic turbine runners is a rare event. So in order to assess the reliability of these components one cannot rely solely on the number of observed failures in a given population. However, as there is a limited number of degradation mechanisms involved, it is possible to use physically-based reliability models. Such models are often more complicated but are able to account for physical parameters in the degradation process. They can therefore help provide solutions to improve reliability. With such models, the effect of materials properties on runner reliability can be highlighted. This paper presents a brief review of the Kitagawa-Takahashi diagram which links the damage tolerance approach, based on fracture mechanics, to the stress or strain-life approaches. Using simplified response spectra based on runner stress measurements, we will show how fatigue reliability is sensitive to materials fatigue properties, namely fatigue crack propagation behaviour and fatigue limit obtained on S-N curves. Furthermore, we will review the influence of the main microstructural features observed in 13%Cr-4%Ni stainless steels commonly used for runner manufacturing. The goal is ultimately to identify the most influential microstructural features and to quantify their effect on fatigue reliability of runners.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.541-557
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• 2016

Prefabricated bridge substructures provide new possibility for designers in terms of efficiency of creativity, fast construction, geometry control and cost. Even though prefabricated bridge columns are widely adopted as a substructure system in the bridge construction project recently, lack of deeper understanding of the seismic behavior of prefabricated bridge substructures cause much concern on their performance in high seismic zones. In this paper, experimental research works are presented to verify enhanced design concepts of prefabricated bridge piers. Integration of precast segments was done with continuity of axial prestressing tendons and mild reinforcing bars throughout the construction joints. Cyclic tests were conducted to investigate the effects of the design parameters on seismic performance. An analytical method for moment-curvature analysis of prefabricated bridge columns is conducted in this study. The method is validated through comparison with experimental results and the fiber model analysis. A parametric study is conducted to observe the seismic behavior of prefabricated bridge columns using the analytical study based on strain compatibility method. The effects of continuity of axial steel and tendon, and initial prestressing level on the load-displacement response characteristics, i.e., the strain of axial mild steels and posttensioned tendon at fracture and concrete crushing strain at the extreme compression fiber are investigated. The analytical study shows the layout of axial mild steels and posttensioned tendons in this experiment is the optimized arrangement for seismic performance.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.82-87
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• 1999

The basic remote sleeve repair-welding technology by the pulsed Nd:YAG laser for increasing the lifetime of the steam generator tube in a nuclear power plant has been developed. The relationship between the connection width and welding parameters have been investigated for the fundamental research to apply the sleeve-repair-welding technique to the nuclear industry. The Inconel 600 tube and Inconel 690 sleeve used for high temperature and high pressure service were welded as round lap welding by Nd:YAG laser. It was observed that the tensile shear strength, 340MPa of the welded specimen is equivalent to about 60% of that of the base metal (Inconel 600), 550MPa. The difference between the hardness of the base metal and that of the laser welds was about 10%. Ductile fracture was partly occurred in the weld but the cracking has not been observed. In spite of absence of the crack, the strength of welds was not sufficient in terms of the tensile shear strength.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.529-540
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• 2014

In this research, a drop impact analysis of a fuel assembly in a research reactor is carried out to determine whether the fuel plate integrity is maintained in a drop accident. A fuel assembly drop accident is classified based on where the accident occurs, i.e., inside or outside the reactor, since each occasion results in a different impact load on the fuel assembly. An analysis procedure suitable for each drop situation is systematically established. For an accident occurring outside the reactor, the direct impact of a fuel assembly on the pool bottom is analyzed using implicit and explicit approaches. The effects of the key parameters, such as the impact velocity and structural damping ratios, are also studied. For an accident occurring inside the reactor, the falling fuel assembly may first hit the fixing bar at the upper part of the standing fuel assembly. To confirm the fuel plate integrity, a fracture of the fixing bar should be investigated, since the fixing bar plays a role in protecting the fuel plate from the external impact force. Through such an analysis, the suitability of an impact analysis procedure associated with the drop situation in the research reactor is shown.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.207-212
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• 2009

In order to optimize the press formability of incremental sheet forming for complex shape (e.g human face), a combination of both CAM and FEM simulation, is implemented and evaluated from the histories of stress and strain value by means of finite element analysis. Here, the results, using ABAQUS/Explicit finite element code, are compared with fracture limit curve (FLC) in order to predict and optimize the press formability by changing parameters of tool radius and tool down-step according to the orthogonal array of Taguchi's method. Firstly, The CAM simulation is used to create cutter location data (CL data). This data are then calculated, modified and exported to the input file format required by ABAQUS through using MATLAB programming. The FEM results are implemented for negative incremental sheet forming and then investigate by experiment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2003

Based on detailed FE limit analyses, the present paper provides tractable approximations fer plastic limit pressure solutions fur axially through-wall-cracked pipe; axially (inner) surface-cracked pipe; circumferentially through-wall-cracked pipe; and circumferentially (inner) surface-cracked pipe. In particular, for surface crack problems, the effect of the crack shape, the semi-elliptical shape or the rectangular shape, on the limit pressure is quantified. Comparisons with existing analytical and empirical solutions show a large discrepancy in circumferential short through-wall cracks and in surface cracks (both axial and circumferential). Being based on detailed 3-D FE limit analysis, the present solutions are believed to be the most accurate, and thus to be valuable information not only for plastic collapse analysis of pressurised piping but also for estimating non-linear fracture mechanics parameters based on the reference stress approach.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.17 no.3 s.52
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• pp.46-51
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• 2003

Acoustic emission (AE) signals, emanated during local failure of aluminum alloys, have been the subject of numerous investigations. It is well known that the characteristics of AE are strongly influenced by the previous thermal and mechanical treatment of the sample. Possible sources of AE during deformation have been suggested as the avalanche motion of dislocations, fracture of brittle particles, and debonding of these particles from the alloy matrix. The goal of the present study is to determine if AE occurring as the result of fatigue crack propagation could be evaluated by the joint time-frequency analysis method, short time Fourier transform (STFT), and Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD). The time-frequency analysis methods can be used to analyze non-stationary AE more effectively than conventional techniques. STFT is more effective than WVD in analyzing AE signals. Noise and frequency characteristics of crack openings and closures could be separated using STFT. The influence of various fatigue parameters on the frequency characteristics of AE signals was investigated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1275-1303
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• 2016

Steel plates and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates or plates bonded to concrete substrates have been widely used for concrete strengthening. However, this technique cause plate debonding, which makes the strengthening system inefficient. The main objective of this study is to enhance the bond strength of externally bonded steel plates and CFRP laminates to the concrete surface by proposing new embedded adhesive and steel connectors. The effects of these new embedded connectors were investigated through the tests on 36 prism specimens. Parameters such as interfacial shear stress, fracture energy and the maximum strains in plates were also determined in this study and compared with the maximum value of debonding stresses using a relevant failure criterion by means of pullout test. The study indicates that the interfacial bond strength between the externally bonded plates and concrete can be increased remarkably by using these connectors. The investigation verifies that steel connectors increase the shear bond strength by 48% compared to 38% for the adhesive connectors. Thus, steel connectors are more effective than adhesive connectors in increasing shear bond strength. Results also show that the use of double connectors significantly increases interfacial shear stress and decrease debonding failure. Finally, a new proposed formula is modified to predict the maximum bond strength of steel plates and CFRP laminates adhesively glued to concrete in the presence of the embedded connectors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.263-276
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• 2007

Steel frame structures have been widely used in multi-storey and high-rise buildings and the connections in these structures are critical. In the Northridge and Kobe Earthquake, beam-column connections suffered damage due to brittle fracture. According to seismic design codes, ductility of the beam to column connection is also necessary. A study on the behavior of a beam to column connection with the aim of improving ductility as well as preventing brittle failure was carried out. In order to control the position of a plastic hinge on the beam, a connection with a hole in the beam web was developed. Five specimens with different parameters under cyclic load were assessed. The results are presented in terms of the stress distribution of the beam, hysteretic behavior, and ultimate capacity. Furthermore, the finite element method was also used to analyze the model, and the results were compared with those obtained from the experiment. It is shown from the analysis and experimental results that this type of connection is effective in terms of improving ductility for a beam to column connection in low-rise buildings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.229-242
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• 2018

High strength steel is widely used in industrial applications to improve the load-bearing capacity and reduce the overall weight and cost. To take advantage of the benefits of this type of steel in construction, an innovative hybrid fabricated member consisting of high strength steel tubes welded to mild steel plates has recently been developed. Component-scale uniaxial and multiaxial cyclic experiments have been conducted with simultaneous constant or varying axial compression loads using a multi-axial substructure testing facility. The structural interaction of high strength steel tubes with mild steel plates is investigated in terms of member capacity, strength and stiffness deterioration and the development of plastic hinges. The deterioration parameters of hybrid specimens are calibrated and compared against those of conventional steel specimens. Effect of varying axial force and loading direction on the hysteretic deterioration model, failure modes and axial shortening is also studied. Plate and tube elements in hybrid members interact such that the high strength steel is kept within its ultimate strain range to prevent sudden fracture due to its low ultimate to yield strain ratio while the ductile performance of plate governs the global failure mechanism. High strength material also significantly reduces the axial shortening in columns which prevents undesirable frame deformations.