• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.3
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• pp.309-321
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• 2024

In this paper, the effect of semi-rigid connections on the stability bearing capacity of cross-bracings in steel tubular transmission towers is investigated. Herein, a prediction method based on the hybrid model which is a combination of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed to accurately predict the stability bearing capacity of cross-bracings with semi-rigid connections and to efficiently conduct its probabilistic assessment. Firstly, the establishment of the finite element (FE) model of cross-bracings with semi-rigid connections is developed on the basis of the development of the mechanical model. Then, a dataset of 7425 samples generated by the FE model is used to train and test the PSO-BPNN model, and the accuracy of the proposed method is evaluated. Finally, the probabilistic assessment for the stability bearing capacity of cross-bracings with semi-rigid connections is conducted based on the proposed method and the Monte Carlo simulation, in which the geometric and material properties including the outer diameter and thickness of cross-sections and the yield strength of steel are considered as random variables. The results indicate that the proposed method based on the PSO-BPNN model has high accuracy in predicting the stability bearing capacity of cross-bracings with semi-rigid connections. Meanwhile, the semi-rigid connections could enhance the stability bearing capacity of cross-bracings and the reliability of cross-bracings would significantly increase after considering semi-rigid connections.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1093-1100
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• 2014

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a weight-reduction design method for the hybrid carbody of a high-speed maglev train that uses aluminum extrusion profiles and sandwich composites. A sandwich composite was used on the roof as a secondary member to minimize the weight. In order to assemble the sandwich composite roof and aluminum extrusion side frame of the carbody using welding, a guide aluminum frame located at the four sides of the sandwich composite roof was introduced in this study. The clamping force of this guide aluminum frame was verified by three-point bending test. The structural integrity and crashworthiness of the hybrid carbody of a high-speed maglev train were evaluated and verified according to the Korean Railway Safety Law using a commercial finite element analysis program. The results showed that the hybrid carbody composed of aluminum extrusion frames and a sandwich composite roof was lighter in weight than a carbody made only of aluminum extrusion profiles and had better structural performance.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.487-499
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• 2020

This paper proposes a novel approach to model updating for a large-scale cable-stayed bridge based on ambient vibration tests coupled with a hybrid metaheuristic search algorithm. Vibration measurements are carried out under excitation sources of passing vehicles and wind. Based on the measured structural dynamic characteristics, a finite element (FE) model is updated. For long-span bridges, ambient vibration test (AVT) is the most effective vibration testing technique because ambient excitation is freely available, whereas a forced vibration test (FVT) requires considerable efforts to install actuators such as shakers to produce measurable responses. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a famous metaheuristic algorithm applied successfully in numerous fields over the last decades. However, PSO has big drawbacks that may decrease its efficiency in tackling the optimization problems. A possible drawback of PSO is premature convergence leading to low convergence level, particularly in complicated multi-peak search issues. On the other hand, PSO not only depends crucially on the quality of initial populations, but also it is impossible to improve the quality of new generations. If the positions of initial particles are far from the global best, it may be difficult to seek the best solution. To overcome the drawbacks of PSO, we propose a hybrid algorithm combining GA with an improved PSO (HGAIPSO). Two striking characteristics of HGAIPSO are briefly described as follows: (1) because of possessing crossover and mutation operators, GA is applied to generate the initial elite populations and (2) those populations are then employed to seek the best solution based on the global search capacity of IPSO that can tackle the problem of premature convergence of PSO. The results show that HGAIPSO not only identifies uncertain parameters of the considered bridge accurately, but also outperforms than PSO, improved PSO (IPSO), and a combination of GA and PSO (HGAPSO) in terms of convergence level and accuracy.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2011

To replace a steel box bridge for constructions of medium span bridges in Korea, the Hybrid Truss Bridge (HTB) is being considered as an alternative bridge type. The core technology of HTB is the connection joint that links the concrete slabs and steel truss pipes. Various construction companies in Japan have developed unique connection systems and applied to the real bridge constructions after verifying their performances through the experimental evaluation. In this study, the fatigue test of a hybrid truss girder has been performed in order to verify the newly proposed hinge type connection joint`s static and fatigue capacities. Through this fatigue test results, it is founded that the structural detail to improve the fatigue capacity should be developed. The hinge connection system with circular ribs has been proposed by means of structural finite element analyses. And then the fatigue test for this connection joint has been performed and it is proved that this connection joint has enough fatigue capacity. Finally, it is expected that the hinge connection system with circular ribs developed by in this study can be easily applied to the real bridge.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1101-1111
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• 2018

This study aims to present accurate soil modeling and validation of a single roadside guardrail post as well as a single concrete pile installed near cut slopes or compacted sloping embankment. The conventional Winkler's elastic spring model and p-y curve approach for horizontal ground cannot directly be applied to sloping ground where ultimate soil resistance is significantly dependent on ground inclination. In this study, both grid-based 3-D FE model and particle-based SPH (smoothed particle hydrodynamics) model available in LS-DYNA have been adopted to predict the static behavior of a laterally loaded guardrail post. The SPH model has potential to eliminate any artificial soil stiffness due to the deterioration of the node-connected Lagrangian soil mesh. For this purpose, this study comprises two parts. Firstly, only 3-D FE modeling has been tested to show the numerical validity for a single concrete pile in sloping ground using Mohr-Coulomb material. However, this material option cannot be implemented for SPH elements. Nevertheless, Mohr-Coulomb model has been used since this material model requires six input soil data that can be obtained from the comparative papers in literatures. Secondly, this work is extended to compute the lateral resistance of a guardrail post located near the slope using the hybrid approach that combines Lagrange FE elements and SPH elements by the suitable node-merging option provided by LS-DYNA. For this analysis, the FHWA soil material developed for application to road-base soils has been used and also allows the application of SPH element.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

The ultimate flexural strength of HSB I-girders, considering the effect of local bucking, was investigated through a series of nonlinear finite element analysis. The girders were selected such that the inelastic local flange buckling or the plastic yielding of compression flanges governs the flexural strength. Both homogeneous sections fabricated from HSB600 or HSB800 steel and hybrid sections with HSB800 flanges and SM570-TMC web were considered. In the FE analysis, the flanges and web were modeled using thin shell elements and initial imperfections and residual stresses were imposed on the FE model. An elasto-plastic strain hardening material was used for steels. After establishing the validity of present FE analysis by comparing FE results with test results published in the literature, the effects of initial imperfection and residual stress on the inelastic flange local buckling behavior were assessed. The ultimate flexural strengths of 60 I-girders with various compression flange slenderness were obtained by FE analysis and compared with those calculated from the KHBDC, AASHTO LRFD and Eurocode 3 provisions. Based on the comparison, the applicability of design equations in these specifications for the flexural strength of I-girder considering flange local buckling was evaluated.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.138-149
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• 2000

Various modeling techniques for ultrasonic wave propagation and scattering problems in finite solid media are presented. Elastodynamic boundary value problems in inhomogeneous multi-layered plate-like structures are set up for modal analysis of guided wave propagation and numerically solved to obtain dispersion curves which show propagation characteristics of guided waves. As a powerful modeling tool to overcome such numerical difficulties in wave scattering problems as the geometrical complexity and mode conversion, the Boundary Element Method(BEM) is introduced and is combined with the normal mode expansion technique to develop the hybrid BEM, an efficient technique for modeling multi mode conversion of guided wave scattering problems. Time dependent wave forms are obtained through the inverse Fourier transformation of the numerical solutions in the frequency domain. 3D BEM program development is underway to model more practical ultrasonic wave signals. Some encouraging numerical results have recently been obtained in comparison with the analytical solutions for wave propagation in a bar subjected to time harmonic longitudinal excitation. It is expected that the presented modeling techniques for elastic wave propagation and scattering can be applied to establish quantitative nondestructive evaluation techniques in various ways.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.276-282
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• 2015

Recently, during the multi-level fusion with pedicle screws, interspinous spacer are sometimes substituted for the most superior level of the fusion in an attempt to reduce the number of fusion level and likelihood of degeneration process at the adjacent level. In this study, a finite element (FE) study was performed to assess biomechanical efficacies of the interspinous spacer combined with posterior lumbar fusion with a previously-validated 3-dimensional FE model of the intact lumbar spine (L1-S1). The post-operative models were made by modifying the intact model to simulate the implantation of interspinous spacer and pedicle screws at the L3-4 and L4-5. Four different configurations of the post-op model were considered: (1) a normal spinal model; (2) Type 1, one-level fusion using posterior pedicle screws at the L4-5; (3) Type 2, two-level (L3-5) fusion; (4) Type 3, Type 1 plus Coflex$^{TM}$ at the L3-4. hybrid protocol (intact: 10 Nm) with a compressive follower load of 400N were used to flex, extend, axially rotate and laterally bend the FE model. As compared to the intact model, Type 2 showed the greatest increase in Range of motion (ROM) at the adjacent level (L2-3), followed Type 3, and Type 1 depending on the loading type. At L3-4, ROM of Type 2 was reduced by 34~56% regardless of loading mode, as compared to decrease of 55% in Type 3 only in extension. In case of normal bone strength model (Type 3_Normal), PVMS at the process and the pedicle remained less than 20% of their yield strengths regardless of loading, except in extension (about 35%). However, for the osteoporotic model (Type 3_Osteoporotic), it reached up to 56% in extension indicating increased susceptibility to fracture. This study suggested that substitution of the superior level fusion with the interspinous spacer in multi-level fusion may be able to offer similar biomechanical outcome and stability while reducing likelihood of adjacent level degeneration.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.194-202
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• 2016

This study aims to review a topology optimization based on finite element analysis (FEA) for conceptual design of platform in the 10MW class floating type wave-wind hybrid power generation system (WHPGS). Two topology optimization theories, density method (DM) and homogenization design method (HDM) were used to check which one is more effective for a simplified structural design problem prior to the topology optimization of platform of WHPGS. From the results of the simplified design problem, the HDM was applied to the topology optimization of platform of WHPGS. For the conceptual platform design of WHPGS, FEA model was created and then the structural analysis was performed considering offshore environmental loads at installation site. Hydrodynamics analysis was carried out to calculate pressure on platform and tension forces in mooring lines induced from the offshore environmental loads such as design wave and current. Loading conditions for the structural analysis included the analysis results from the hydrodynamic analysis and the weights of WHPGS. Boundary condition was realized using inertia relief method. The topology optimization of WHPGS platform was performed using the HDM, and then the conceptual arrangement of main structural members was suggested. From the results, it was confirmed that the topology optimization might be a useful tool to design the conceptual arrangement of main structural members for a newly developed offshore structure such as the floating type WHPGS.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.246-257
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of various occlusal loading sites and directions on the stress distribution of the cervical composite resin restorations of maxillary second premolar, using 3 dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis. Extracted maxillary second premolar was scanned serially with Micro-CT (SkyScan1072; SkyScan, Aartselaar, Belgium). The 3D images were processed by 3D-DOCTOR (Able Software Co., Lexington, MA, USA). HyperMesh (Altair Engineering. Inc., Troy, USA) and ANSYS (Swanson Analysis Systems. Inc., Houston, USA) was used to mesh and analyze 3D FE model. Notch shaped cavity was filled with hybrid (Z100, 3M Dental Products, St. Paul, MN, USA) or flowable resin (Tetric Flow, Viva dent Ets., FL-9494-Schaan, Liechtenstein) and each restoration was simulated with adhesive layer thickness ($40{\mu}m$). A static load of 200 N was applied on the three points of the buccal incline of the palatal cusp and oriented in $20^{\circ}$ increments, from vertical (long axis of the tooth) to oblique $40^{\circ}$ direction towards the buccal. The maximum principal stresses in the occlusal and cervical cavosurface margin and vertical section of buccal surfaces of notch-shaped class V cavity were analyzed using ANSYS. As the angle of loading direction increased, tensile stress increased. Loading site had little effect on it. Under same loading condition. Tetric Flow showed relatively lower stress than Z100 overall, except both point angles. Loading direction and the elastic modulus of restorative material seem to be important factor on the cervical restoration.