• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.4
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• pp.421-436
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• 2024

This research addresses experimentally the relationship between the excitation frequency and both hoop and axial wall stresses in a water storage tank. A low-density polyethylene tank with six different aspect ratios (water level to tank radius) was tested using a shake table. A laminar box with sand represents a soil site to simulate Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI). Sine excitations with eight frequencies that cover the first free vibration frequency of the tank-water system were applied. Additionally, Ricker wavelet excitations of two different dominant frequencies were considered. The maximum stresses are compared with those using a nonlinear elastic spring-mass model. The results reveal that the coincidence between the excitation frequency and the free-vibration frequency of the soil-tank-water system increases the sloshing intensity and the rigid-like body motion of the system, amplifying the stress development considerably. The relationship between the excitation frequency and wall stresses is nonlinear and depends simultaneously on both sloshing and uplift. In most cases, the maximum stresses using the nonlinear elastic spring-mass model agree with those from the experiments.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.207-230
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• 2012

Full-scale shake table seismic experiments and low-amplitude vibration tests on a masonry building are carried out to assess its seismic performance as well as study the effectiveness of a new multifunctional textile material for retrofitting masonry structures against earthquakes. The un-reinforced and the retrofitted with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) strips masonry building was subjected to a series of earthquake excitations of increasing magnitude in order to progressively induce various small, moderate and severe levels of damage to the masonry walls. The performance of the original and retrofitted building states is evaluated. Changes in the dynamic characteristics (lowest four modal frequencies and damping ratios) of the building are used to assess and quantify the damage states of the masonry walls. For this, the dynamic modal characteristics of the structure states after each earthquake event were estimated by performing low-amplitude impulse hammer and sine-sweep forced vibration tests. Comparisons between the modal results calculated using traditional accelerometers and those using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors embedded in the reinforcing textile were carried on to investigate the reliability and accuracy of FBG sensors in tracking the dynamic behaviour of the building. The retrofitting actions restored the stiffness characteristics of the reinforced masonry structure to the levels of the original undamaged un-reinforced structure. The results show that despite a similar dynamic behavior identified, corresponding to reduction of the modal frequencies, the un-reinforced masonry building was severely damaged, while the reinforced masonry building was able to withstand, without visual damage, the induced strong seismic excitations. The applied GFRP reinforcement architecture for one storey buildings was experimentally proven reliable for the most severe earthquake accelerations. It was easily placed in a short time and it is a cost effective solution (covering only 20% of the external wall surfaces) when compared to the cost for full wall coverage by GFRPs.

• Carbon letters
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• v.24
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• pp.62-72
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• 2017

The aim of this work was to evaluate the dielectric properties of impregnated and activated palm kernel shells (PKSs) samples using two activating agents, potassium carbonate ($K_2CO_3$) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), at three impregnation ratios. The materials were characterized by moisture content, carbon content, ash content, thermal profile and functional groups. The dielectric properties were examined using an open-ended coaxial probe method at various microwave frequencies (1-6 GHz) and temperatures (25, 35, and $45^{\circ}C$). The results show that the dielectric properties varied with frequency, temperature, moisture content, carbon content and mass ratio of the ionic solids. PKSK1.75 (PKS impregnated with $K_2CO_3$ at a mass ratio of 1.75) and PKSN1.5 (PKS impregnated with NaOH at a mass ratio of 1.5) exhibited a high loss tangent ($tan{\delta}$) indicating the effectiveness of these materials to be heated by microwaves. $K_2CO_3$ and NaOH can act as a microwave absorber to enhance the efficiency of microwave heating for low loss PKSs. Materials with a high moisture content exhibit a high loss tangent but low penetration depth. The interplay of multiple operating frequencies is suggested to promote better microwave heating by considering the changes in the materials characteristics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1737-1742
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• 2015

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been shown to be associated with cancer. This study explored whether mtDNA mutations enhance cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development in individuals. Materials and Methods: The whole mitochondrial genome sequences of 25 CCA patient tissues were determined and compared to those of white blood cells from the corresponding individuals and 12 healthy controls. The mitochondrial genome was amplified using primers from Mitoseq and compared with the Cambridge Reference Sequence. Results: A total of 161 mutations were identified in CCA tissues and the corresponding white blood cells, indicating germline origins. Sixty-five (40%) were new. Nine mutations, representing those most frequently observed in CCA were tested on the larger cohort of 60 CCA patients and 55 controls. Similar occurrence frequencies were observed in both groups. Conclusions: While the correspondence between the cancer and mitochondrial genome mutation was low, it is of interest to explore the functions of the missense mutations in a larger cohort, given the possibility of targeting mitochondria for cancer markers and therapy in the future.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.410-415
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• 2001

This paper describes an experimental analysis for improving the stability of blade failure due to the vibration resonance, which happens in the low-pressure steam turbine. Some cracks due to high cycle fatigue were found in the blades of a low-pressure turbine after long time operation. Impact test showed that such failure was mainly caused by the resonance. In other words, since one of the natural frequencies of the grouped blade is very close to the excitation frequency of the nozzle, the resonant vibration leads to a large amplitude of displacement and results in a large amount of stress that may cause fatigue failures in the blades. It is interesting that the blade failures occur only at blades neighboring with the nodal points of the natural vibration mode whose natural frequency is close to the nozzle passing frequency. The effective methods for increasing the reliability against the blade vibration are a heightening the fatigue limit of the blade using an advanced material and a removing the resonance away from the operating speed. It is well known that the removal of theresonance could be obtained by the installation of different types of shrouds, wires, and links between the blades as well as by the chance of the number of nozzles. In the present work, two kinds of modification for avoiding the resonance haute been considered; 1) slot-type finger, 2) long span cover. Full-scale mockup tests have been performed in order to confirm the verification for modification in the shop. Test results show that the use of long span cover is very useful to change the natural frequencies of the grouped blade and to avoid the resonance effectively.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.335-339
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• 2009

The very low density apolipoprotein-II (apoVLDL-II) gene is closely related with the constitution of the lipoprotein in various tissues. The apoVLDL-II gene have main functions for reducing fat elements from tissues and muscles. Previous results indicated that the polymorphisms in apoVLDL-II gene were positively related with growth and body composition traits in chicken. In this study, we analyzed previously identified apoVLDL-II gene polymorphisms using the PCR-RFLP method and investigated allele and genotype frequencies in three chicken breeds. Data indicated that Korean native chicken and Korean Oge chicken have similar B and F gene frequencies, indicating that this marker can be used for the improvement of growth and body composition traits in those breeds and can be used as marker assisted selection with further verifications.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.348-354
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• 2008

Egg grading is determined by exterior and interior quality. Among the evaluation methods for the egg quality, a candling method is common to identify eggs with cracked shells and interior defects. But this method is time-consuming and laborious. In addition, practically, it is challenging to detect hairline and micro cracks. In this study, an on-line inspection system based on acoustic resonance frequency analysis was developed to detect hairline cracks on eggshells. A roller conveyor was used to transfer eggs along one lane to the impact position where each of eggs rotated by the roller was excited with an impact device at four different locations on the eggshell equator. The impact device was consisted of a plastic hammer and a rotary solenoid. The acoustic response of the egg to the impact was measured with a small condenser microphone at the same position as the impact device was installed. Two acoustic parameters, correlation coefficient for normalized power spectra and standard deviation of peak resonant frequencies, were used to detect cracked eggs. Intact eggs showed relatively high correlations among the four normalized power spectra and low standard deviations of the four peak resonant frequencies. On the other hand, cracked eggs showed low correlations and high standard deviations as compared to the intact. This method allowed a crack detection rate of 97.6%.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.184-190
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• 2005

We have attempted to give some physical into the factors that control the response of subsurface target to plane wave excitation at VLF (very low frequency) frequencies. Although the VLF technique has some serious disadvantages, such as a lack of penetration depth and limited frequencies, its advantages are also extremely important to have made it by far the most popular electromagnetic technique in current use. In the magnetic-field measurement mode these lightweight, relatively low-priced tools allow us to survey large areas rapidly and inexpensively, to locate and roughly define subsurface electrical conductors. When used in the electric-field mode the technique is, in simple environments, capable of quantitative interpretation and once again the speed and relative cheapness of these devices makes them a natural 'first electromagnetic tool ' to use in reconnaissance mapping.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.235-238
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• 2017

In this study, the design of a tri-axis micromachined gyroscope is proposed and the vibration characteristic of the structure is analyzed. Tri-axis vibratory gyroscopes that utilize Coriolis effect are the most commonly used micromachined inertial sensors because of their advantages, such as low cost, small packaging size, and low power consumption. The proposed design is a single structure with four proof masses, which are coupled to their adjacent ones. The coupling springs of the proof masses orthogonally transfer the driving vibrational motion. The resonant frequencies of the gyroscope are analyzed by finite element method (FEM) simulation. The suspension beam spring design of proof masses limits the resonance frequencies of four modes, viz., drive mode, pitch, roll and yaw sensing mode in the range of 110 Hz near 21 kHz, 21173 Hz, 21239 Hz, 21244 Hz, and 21280 Hz, respectively. The unwanted modes are separated from the drive and sense modes by more than 700 Hz. Thereafter the drive and the sense mode vibrations are calculated and simulated to confirm the driving feasibility and estimate the sensitivity of the gyroscope. The cross-axis sensitivities caused by driving motion are 1.5 deg/s for both x- and y-axis, and 0.2 deg/s for z-axis.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.79-82
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• 2012

While there exists a relatively large body of technical information for the engineered design of wood-frame buildings to resist seismic ground motions, the quantitative assessment of seismic resistance of conventional houses built by prescriptive requirements is less well understood. Forintek Canada Corp., in collaboration with other research and industry partners, has embarked on a research project to address this topic. This paper will report on the seismic shake table tests of a full-scale wood-frame building. The two-story specimen, $6m{\times}6m$ in plan, was built on the seismic shake table at Tongji University in Shanghai, China, according to Part 9 of the 1995 National Building Code of Canada and shaken uni-directionally in each of the two principal directions. Three different seismic table motions were applied at increasing peak ground motion amplitudes up to 0.40 and 0.50 g. The specimen was repaired after the above sets of seismic table motions, and successive runs were conducted for increased door openings. Measurements included specimen accelerations, displacements and anchorage forces. Static stiffness of the specimen was measured at low force levels, and natural frequencies were measured after each seismic loading stage by applying low-level random excitation. The results presented consist of the capacity spectra of the shake table tests, changes in specimen stiffness and natural frequencies with increasing seismic loading. These results and those from other recent shake table tests elsewhere will be compared with simplified engineering calculations based on codified values of strength, and on that basis preliminary conclusions will be drawn on the adequacy of the current code provisions and design guides in Canada and the USA for conventional wood-frame construction.