• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.523-537
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• 2023

This paper proposed a new self-centering brace (SCB), which consists of four post-tensioned (PT) high strength steel strands and energy absorbing steel plate (EASP) clusters. First, analytical equations were derived to describe the working principle of the SCB. Then, to investigate the hysteretic performance of the SCB, four full-size specimens were manufactured and subjected to the same cyclic loading protocol. One additional specimen using only EASP clusters was also tested to highlight the contribution of PT strands. The test parameters varied in the testing process included the thickness of the EASP and the number of EASP in each cluster. Testing results shown that the SCB exhibited nearly flag-shape hysteresis up to expectation, including excellent recentering capability and satisfactory energy dissipating capacity. For all the specimens, the ratio of the recovered deformation is in the range of 89.6% to 92.1%, and the ratio of the height of the hysteresis loop to the yielding force is in the range of 0.47 to 0.77. Finally, in order to further understand the mechanism of the SCB and provide additional information to the testing results, the high-fidelity finite element (FE) models were established and the numerical results were compared against the experimental data. Good agreement between the experimental, numerical, and analytical results was observed, and the maximum difference is less than 12%. Parametric analysis was also carried out based on the validated FE model to evaluate the effect of some key parameters on the cyclic behavior of the SCB.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2023

An accurate and highly efficient inverse element labelled iPCB is developed based on the inverse finite element method (iFEM) for real-time shape estimation of plane-curved structures (such as arch bridges) utilizing onboard strain data. This inverse problem, named shape sensing, is vital for the design of smart structures and structural health monitoring (SHM) procedures. The iPCB formulation is defined based on a least-squares variational principle that employs curved Timoshenko beam theory as its baseline. The accurate strain-displacement relationship considering tension-bending coupling is used to establish theoretical and measured section strains. The displacement fields of the isoparametric element iPCB are interpolated utilizing nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) basis functions, enabling exact geometric modelling even with a very coarse mesh density. The present formulation is completely free from membrane and shear locking. Numerical validation examples for different curved structures subjected to different loading conditions have been performed and have demonstrated the excellent prediction capability of iPCBs. The present formulation has also been shown to be practical and robust since relatively accurate predictions can be obtained even omitting the shear deformation contributions and considering polluted strain measures. The current element offers a promising tool for real-time shape estimation of plane-curved structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2024

This paper presents an experimental and analytical study on a steel slit damper designed as an energy dissipative device for earthquake protection of structures considering soil-structure interaction. The steel slit damper is made of a steel plate with a number of slits cut out of it. The slit damper has an advantage as a seismic energy dissipation device in that the stiffness and the yield force of the damper can be easily controlled by changing the number and size of the vertical strips. Cyclic loading tests of the slit damper are carried out to verify its energy dissipation capability, and an analytical model is developed validated based on the test results. The seismic performance of a case study building is then assessed using nonlinear dynamic analysis with and without soil-structure interaction. The soil-structure system turns out to show larger seismic responses and thus seismic retrofit is required to satisfy a predefined performance limit state. The developed slit dampers are employed as a seismic energy dissipation device for retrofitting the case study structure taking into account the soil-structure interaction. The seismic performance evaluation of the model structure shows that the device works stably and dissipates significant amount of seismic energy during earthquake excitations, and is effective in lowering the seismic response of structures standing on soft soil.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.37-46
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• 2009

This research will focus on the public agencies, designers, supervisors, building cooperation, and contractor who involved in urban development plan. By understanding the complexity and the priorities in urban development process, all problems of the urban development projects can be solved or improved. These priorities are specified using AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). A questionnaire survey is employed to identify the problems of urban development process and the methods of revitalizing urban in this research. Through the survey, 35 issues are drawn out. Factor analysis technique is applied to extract the underlying interrelationships possibly existing. Using latent root criterion and varimax rotation method, 9 factors are extracted(by using 34 issues after deleting 1 issue less than 0.4 of factor loading) These 9 factors named as PIF (Problem Improvement Factor) consist of integration estimation (PIF1), cooperation operation capability (PIF2), contractor corporation capability (PIF3), capital for infrastructure investment (PIF4), misunderstanding of effective land use (PIF5), financial capability (PIF6), obscure goal of project (PIF7), shortage of cooperation expertise (PIFS), administrative procedures (PIF9). PIF 6 is the most important factor and PIF 1 is the most widely effective factor to succeed urban land development projects. It is recognized that administrative office is most responsible for PIF1 cooperation is most responsible for PIF2, 7, 8 and 9; contractors is most responsible for PIF3 and PIF6; administrative agencies is most responsible for PIF4; cooperation and consultants are responsible for PIF5. From findings in this study, some suggestions are proposed for the revitalization methods of urban development projects through the land readjustment method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.783-792
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• 2007

To investigate the effects of alkalinity on the nitrification capability of the nonwoven fabric filter bioreactor(NFBR), an experiment was performed for 641 days at a hydraulic retention time of approximately 11 hours by changing the influent concentration of $NH_3-N$ from 54 mg/L to 1,400 mg/L and alkalinity from 43 mg/L to 10,480 mg/L. The MLSS concentration reduced from an initial value of 2,650 mg/L down to 830 mg/L, then increased up to 8,340 mg/L. Though the volumetric loading rate varied in a range of $0.120\sim3.130$ kg $NH_3-N/m^3-day$, the F/M ratio showed a narrow range of $0.067\sim0.414$ kg $NH_3-N/kg$ MLSS-day. The average nitrification efficiency at each experimental stage resulted in the range of $35.2\sim100%$, and the maximum nitrification rate was 2.970 kg $N/m^3-day$ or 0.489 g N/g MLVSS-day. The nitrifiers' fraction of the MLVSS increased up to 100% from an initial value of 7.1% and the biofilm formed on the nonwoven fabric filter showed a very low nitrifiers' fraction of mere 2.2%. The growth yield of the MLSS and the alkalinity consumption rate were computed to be 0.117 g VSS/g N removed and 7.08 g alkalinity/g $NO_x^--N$ produced, respectively. Results of the research suggest that NFBR could be an adequate process for nitrification of wastewaters with high ammonia concentrations.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.155-163
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• 2019

Mixture electrodes of a graphite having a good cycle performance and a silicon monoxide (SiO) having a high capacity are fabricated and their cycle performances are evaluated as negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. The electrode prepared by mixing the natural graphite and carbon-coated SiO in a mass ratio of 9:1 shows a reversible capacity of $480mAh\;g^{-1}$, 33% higher than that of graphite. However, the capacity deteriorates continuously upon cycling due to the volume change of silicon monoxide. In this study, the factors that can improve the cycle performance have been discussed through the change in the configurations of the electrode and the electrolyte. The electrode using the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder shows the best cycle performance compared to the conventional binders. The electrode sing the CMC and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binder not only has almost the similar cycle characteristics with the electrode using the CMC binder but also has the better rate capability. When the fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is used as an electrolyte additive, the cycle life is improved. However, the electrolyte with 5 wt% of FEC is appropriate because the rate capability decreases when the content of FEC is increased to 10 wt%. In addition, when the mass loading of the electrode is lowered, the cycle performance is greatly improved. Also, enhanced cycle performance is achieved using the roughened Cu current collector polished by abrasive paper.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2013

The concrete-filled tube column has the excellent structural performance. But it is difficult to connect with column and beam because of closed section. It suggests that pipe should be produced by welding two sides together where two shapes are joined after a channel is pre-welded onto the three sides in order to form an internal diaphragm. The upper diaphragm of the connection used the horizontal plate and the lower diaphragm used the Vertical plate. This research performed 6 monotonic tension experiments describing the connection upside and downside in order to evaluate the structural capability of the offered connection. And the cyclic loading experiment was performed about 2 T-Type column to beam connections. As to the experimental result edge cutting geometry, there was no big effect. An increase in the number of holes of the plate ultimate strength was increased by 5% and The thickness of the plate increases, the maximum strength was increased by 4%. T-Type connections until it reaches the plastic moment showed a stable behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.603-610
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• 2009

This research was performed to improve removal efficiency of toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) using Candida tropicalis, one of the yeast species. An airlift loop bioreactor (ALB) was employed to enhance the capability of mass transfer for toluene and MEK from the gas phase to the liquid, microbial phase. Polymer gel media made from PAC, alginate and PEG was applied for the effective immobilization of the yeast strain on the polymer gel media. The experimental results indicated that the mass transfer coefficient of toluene without polymer gel media was 1.29 $min^{-1}$ at a gas retention time of 15 sec, whereas the KLa value for toluene was increased to 4.07 $min^{-1}$ by adding the media, confirming the enhanced mass transfer of volatile organic compounds between the gas and liquid phases. The removal efficiency of toluene and MEK by using yeast-immobilized polymer gel media in the ALB was greater than 80% at different pollutant loading rates (5, 10, 19 and 37 g/$m^3$/hr for toluene, 4.5, 8.9, 17.8 and 35.1 g/$m^3$/hr for MEK). In addition, an elimination capacity test conducted by changing inlet loading rates stepwise demonstrated that maximum elimination capacities for toluene and MEK were 70.4 and 56.4 g/$m^3$/hr, respectively.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2014

Background: Hydrogels are a class of polymers that can absorb water or biological fluids and swell to several times their dry volume, dependent on changes in the external environment. In recent years, hydrogels and hydrogel nanocomposites have found a variety of biomedical applications, including drug delivery and cancer treatment. The incorporation of nanoparticulates into a hydrogel matrix can result in unique material characteristics such as enhanced mechanical properties, swelling response, and capability of remote controlled actuation. Materials and Methods: In this work, synthesis of hydrogel nanocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles are studied. At first, magnetic nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) with an average size 10 nm were prepared. At second approach, thermo and pH-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide -co-methacrylic acid-co-vinyl pyrrolidone) (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) were prepared. Swelling behavior of co-polymer was studied in buffer solutions with different pH values (pH=5.8, pH=7.4) at $37^{\circ}C$. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) and doxorubicin were incorporated into copolymer and drug loading was studied. The release of drug, carried out at different pH and temperatures. Finally, chemical composition, magnetic properties and morphology of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites were analyzed by FT- IR, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The results indicated that drug loading efficiency was increased by increasing the drug ratio to polymer. Doxorubicin was released more at $40^{\circ}C$ and in acidic pH compared to that $37^{\circ}C$ and basic pH. Conclusions: This study suggested that the poly (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite could be an effective carrier for targeting drug delivery systems of anti-cancer drugs due to its temperature sensitive properties.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.69-89
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• 2009

Reinforced and prestressed concrete (RC and PC) thin walls are crucial to the safety and serviceability of structures subjected to shear. The shear strengths of elements in walls depend strongly on the softening of concrete struts in the principal compression direction due to the principal tension in the perpendicular direction. The past three decades have seen a rapid development of knowledge in shear of reinforced concrete structures. Various rational models have been proposed that are based on the smeared-crack concept and can satisfy Navier's three principles of mechanics of materials (i.e., stress equilibrium, strain compatibility and constitutive laws). The Cyclic Softened Membrane Model (CSMM) is one such rational model developed at the University of Houston, which is being efficiently used to predict the behavior of RC/PC structures critical in shear. CSMM for RC has already been implemented into finite element framework of OpenSees (Fenves 2005) to come up with a finite element program called Simulation of Reinforced Concrete Structures (SRCS) (Zhong 2005, Mo et al. 2008). CSMM for PC is being currently implemented into SRCS to make the program applicable to reinforced as well as prestressed concrete. The generalized program is called Simulation of Concrete Structures (SCS). In this paper, the CSMM for RC/PC in material scale is first introduced. Basically, the constitutive relationships of the materials, including uniaxial constitutive relationship of concrete, uniaxial constitutive relationships of reinforcements embedded in concrete and constitutive relationship of concrete in shear, are determined by testing RC/PC full-scale panels in a Universal Panel Tester available at the University of Houston. The formulation in element scale is then derived, including equilibrium and compatibility equations, relationship between biaxial strains and uniaxial strains, material stiffness matrix and RC plane stress element. Finally the formulated results with RC/PC plane stress elements are implemented in structure scale into a finite element program based on the framework of OpenSees to predict the structural behavior of RC/PC thin-walled structures subjected to earthquake-type loading. The accuracy of the multiscale modeling technique is validated by comparing the simulated responses of RC shear walls subjected to reversed cyclic loading and shake table excitations with test data. The response of a post tensioned precast column under reversed cyclic loads has also been simulated to check the accuracy of SCS which is currently under development. This multiscale modeling technique greatly improves the simulation capability of RC thin-walled structures available to researchers and engineers.