• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.809-823
• /
• 2017

This paper describes lab test results of artificial rock-like material samples having a plane joint. Cyclic shear tests were performed under different normal loads and different shear displacement amplitudes. For this purpose, multi-stage normal loading tests (30 kN, 60 kN, 90 kN, 180 kN, 360 kN and 480 kN) with cyclic excitation at frequency of 1.0 Hz and different shear displacement amplitudes (0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, and 8.0 mm) were conducted using the big shear box device GS-1000. Experimental results show, that shear forces increase with the increase of normal forces and quasi-static friction coefficient is larger than dynamic one. With the increase of normal loads, approaching the peak value of shear forces needs larger shear displacements. During each cycle the normal displacements increase and decrease (rotational behavior in every cycle). Peak angle of inclination increases with the increase of normal load. A phase shift between maximum shear displacement and maximum shear force is observed. The corresponding time shift decreases with increasing normal load and increases with increasing shear displacement amplitudes.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.723-737
• /
• 2016

In this paper an approach was described for determination of direction of sliding block in rock slopes containing planar non-persistent open joints. For this study, several gypsum blocks containing planar non-persistent open joints with dimensions of $15{\times}15{\times}15cm$ were build. The rock bridges occupy 45, 90 and $135cm^2$ of total shear surface ($225cm^2$), and their configuration in shear plane were different. From each model, two similar blocks were prepared and were subjected to shearing under normal stresses of 3.33 and $7.77kg/cm^{-2}$. Based on the change in the configuration of rock-bridges, a factor called the Effective Joint Coefficient (EJC) was formulated, that is the ratio of the effective joint surface that is in front of the rock-bridge and the total shear surface. In general, the failure pattern is influenced by the EJC while shear strength is closely related to the failure pattern. It is observed that the propagation of wing tensile cracks or shear cracks depends on the EJC and the coalescence of wing cracks or shear cracks dominates the eventual failure pattern and determines the peak shear load of the rock specimens. So the EJC is a key factor to determine the sliding direction in rock slopes containing planar non-persistent open joints.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.12 no.12
• /
• pp.5614-5633
• /
• 2018

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) are both recognized as promising techniques, one is for solving the resource insufficient of mobile devices and the other is for powering the mobile device. Naturally, by integrating the two techniques, task will be capable of being executed by the harvested energy which makes it possible that less intrinsic energy consumption for task execution. However, this innovative integration is facing several challenges inevitably. In this paper, we aim at prolonging the battery life of mobile device for which we need to maximize the harvested energy and minimize the consumed energy simultaneously, which is formulated as residual energy maximization (REM) problem where the offloading ratio, energy harvesting time, CPU frequency and transmission power of mobile device are all considered as key factors. To this end, we jointly optimize the offloading ratio, energy harvesting time, CPU frequency and transmission power of mobile device to solve the REM problem. Furthermore, we propose an efficient convex optimization and sequential unconstrained minimization technique based combining method to solve the formulated multi-constrained nonlinear optimization problem. The result shows that our joint optimization outperforms the single optimization on REM problem. Besides, the proposed algorithm is more efficiency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.161-172
• /
• 2022

In this paper, four specimens of CFST column joints with endplates and long bolts are tested in the scenario of progressive collapse. Flush endplate and extended endplate are both adopted in this study. The experimental results show that increasing the thickness of the endplate could improve the behavior of the joint, but delay the mobilization of catenary action. The thickness of the endplate should not be relatively thick in comparison to the diameter of the bolts, otherwise catenary action would not be mobilized or work effectively. Effective bending deformation of the endplate could help the formation and development of catenary action in the joints. The performance of flexural action in the joint would affect the formation of catenary action in the joint. Extra middle-row bolts set at the endplates and structural components set below the bottom beam flange should be used to enhance the robustness of joints. A special weld access hole between beam and endplate should be adopted to mitigate the chain damage potential of welds. It is suggested that the structural components of joints should be independent of each other to enhance the robustness of joints. Based on the component method, a formula calculating the stiffness coefficient of preloaded long bolts was proposed whose results matched well with the experimental results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.791-804
• /
• 2022

As a type of semi-rigid connection, the top and seat angle connections are popular in current structures owing to their good cyclic performance and simple erection. However, their stiffness and load bearing capacity are relatively insufficient. This study proposes two strengthening methods to further increase the stiffness and strength of bolted-angle joints while maintaining satisfactory energy dissipation capacity (EDC) and ductility. Cyclic loading tests were conducted on six joint specimens with different strengthened angle components. Based on the test results, the influence of the following important factors on the cyclic behavior of steel joint specimens was investigated: the position of the rib stiffeners (edge rib stiffeners and middle rib stiffener), steel strength grade of rib stiffeners (Q345 and Q690), and additional stiffeners or not. In addition, the finite element models of these specimens were built and validated through a comparison of experimental and numerical results. The stiffness and bearing capacity of the bolted-angle joints could be improved significantly by utilizing the novel strengthened joints proposed in this study. Moreover, this can be achieved with almost no increase in the amount of steel required, and the EDC of this joint could also satisfy the requirements of seismic codes from various countries.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.34-44
• /
• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of increasing running speed on human stability by comparing the Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) methods, with the goal of identifying key variables and uncovering new insights. Method: Fourteen adult males (age: 24.7 ± 6.4 yrs, height: 176.9 ± 4.6 cm, weight: 74.7 ± 10.9 kg) participated in this study. Results: In the CV method, significant differences were observed in ankle (flexion-inversion/eversion; p < .05) and hip joint (internal-external rotation; p < .05) movements, while the center of mass (COM) variable in the coronal axis movements showed a significant difference at the p < .001 level. In the LyE method, statistical differences were observed at the p < .05 level in knee (flexion-extension), hip joint (internal-external rotation) movements, and COM across all three directions (sagittal, coronal, and transverse axis). Conclusion: Our results revealed that the stability of the human body is affected at faster running speeds. The movement of the COM and ankle joint were identified as the most critical factors influencing stability. This suggests that LyE, a nonlinear time series analysis, should be actively introduced to better understand human stabilization strategies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.86 no.3
• /
• pp.417-430
• /
• 2023

As the key part in the reinforced concrete column-steel beam (RCS) frame, the beam-column joints are usually subjected the axial force, shear force and bending moment under seismic actions. With the aim to study the seismic behavior of RCS joints with and without RC slab, the quasi-static cyclic tests results, including hysteretic curves, slab crack development, failure mode, strain distributions, etc. were discussed in detail. It is shown that the composite action between steel beam and RC slab can significantly enhance the initial stiffness and loading capacity, but lead to a changing of the failure mode from beam flexural failure to the joint shear failure. Based on the analysis of shear failure mechanism, the calculation formula accounting for the influence of RC slab was proposed to estimate shear strength of RCS joint. In addition, the finite element model (FEM) was developed by ABAQUS and a series of parametric analysis model with RC slab was conducted to investigate the influence of the face plates thickness, slab reinforcement diameter, beam web strength and inner concrete strength on the shear strength of joints. Finally, the proposed formula in this paper is verified by the experiment and FEM parametric analysis results.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.339-349
• /
• 2023

Fast-built construction is a key feature for successful applications of precast concrete (PC) moment frame system in recent construction practices. To this end, by introducing some unique splicing details in precast connections, especially between PC columns including panel zones, use of temporary supports and bracings can be minimized based on their self-sustaining nature. In addition, precast wide beams are commonly adopted for better economic feasibility. In this study, three self-sustaining precast concrete (PC) wide beam-column connection specimens were fabricated and tested under reversed cyclic loadings, and their seismic performances were quantitatively evaluated in terms of strength, ductility, failure modes, energy dissipation and stiffness degradation. Test results were compared with ASCE 41-17 nonlinear modeling curves and its corresponding acceptance criteria. On this basis, an improved macro modeling method was explored for a more accurate simulation. It appeared that all the test specimens fully satisfy the acceptance criteria, but the implicit joint model recommended in ASCE 41-17 tends to underestimate the joint shear stiffness of PC wide beam-column connection. While, the explicit joint model along with concentrated plastic hinge modeling technique is able to present better accuracy in simulating the cyclic responses of PC wide beam-column connections.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.353-364
• /
• 2022

This study presents a hybrid algorithm for classifying the rock joints, where the improved artificial bee colony (IABC) and the fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering algorithms are incorporated to take advantage of the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm by tuning the FCM clustering algorithm to obtain the more reasonable and stable result. A coefficient is proposed to reduce the amount of blind random searches and speed up convergence, thus achieving the goals of optimizing and improving the ABC algorithm. The results from the IABC algorithm are used as initial parameters in FCM to avoid falling to the local optimum in the local search, thus obtaining stable classifying results. Two validity indices are adopted to verify the rationality and practicability of the IABC-FCM algorithm in classifying the rock joints, and the optimal amount of joint sets is obtained based on the two validity indices. Two illustrative examples, i.e., the simulated rock joints data and the field-survey rock joints data, are used in the verification to check the feasibility and practicability in rock engineering for the proposed algorithm. The results show that the IABC-FCM algorithm could be applicable in classifying the rock joint sets.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2014

Znf45l, containing classical $C_2H_2$ domains, is a novel member of Zinc finger proteins in zebrafish. In vertebrates, TGF-${\beta}$ signaling plays a critical role in hematopoiesis. Here, we showed that Znf45l is expressed both maternally and zygotically throughout early development. Znf45l-depleted Zebrafish embryos display shorter tails and necrosis with reduced expression of hematopoietic maker genes. Furthermore, we revealed that znf45l locates downstream of TGF-${\beta}$ ligands and maintains normal level of TGF-${\beta}$ receptor type II phosphorylation. In brief, our results indicate that znf45l affects initial hematopoietic development through regulation of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling.