• Computers and Concrete
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.443-449
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• 2017

Taking high geothermal tunnels as background, the deformation of concrete for shotcrete use was studied by simulating hot-humid and hot-dry environments in a laboratory. The research is made up by two parts, one is the influence of two kinds of high geothermal environments on the deformation of shotcrete, and the other is the shrinkage inhibited effect of fiber materials (steel fibers, polypropylene fibers, and the mixture of both) on the concrete in hot-dry environments. The research results show that: (1) in hot and humid environments, wet expansion and thermal expansion happened on concrete, but the deformation is smooth throughout the whole curing age. (2) In hot and dry environments, the concrete suffers from shrinkage. The deformation obeys linear relationship with the natural logarithm of curing age in the first 28 days, and it becomes stable after the $28^{th}$ day. (3) The shrinkage of concrete in a hot and dry environment can be inhibited by adding fiber materials especially steel fibers, and it also obeys linear relationship with the natural logarithm of curing age before it becomes stable. However, compared with no-fiber condition, it takes 14 days, half of 28 days, to make the shrinkage become stable, and the shrinkage ratio of concrete at 180-day age decreases by 63.2% as well. (4) According to submicroscopic and microscopic analysis, there is great bond strength at the interface between steel fiber and concrete. The fiber meshes are formed in concrete by disorderly distributed fibers, which not only can effectively restrain the shrinkage, but also prevent the micro and macro cracks from extending.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.85-92
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• 2007

This paper presents a design optimization of a new Advanced Active Blade Twist (AATR-II) blade incorporating single crystal Macro Fiber Composites (MFC) and conducts vibratory loads reduction analysis using an obtained optimal blade configuration. Due to the high actuation performance of the single crystal MFC, the AATR blade may reduce the helicopter vibration more efficiently even with a lower input-voltage as compared with the previous ATR blades. The design optimization provides the optimal cross-sectional configuration to maximize the tip twist actuation when a certain input-voltage is given. In order to maintain the properties of the original ATR blade, various constraints and bounds are considered for the design variables selected. After the design optimization is completed successfully, vibratory load reduction analysis of the optimized AATR-II blade in forward flight condition is conducted. The numerical result shows that the hub vibratory loads are reduced significantly although 20% input-voltage of the original ATR blade is used.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.501-515
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• 2014

This paper presents a linear computational homogenization framework to evaluate the effective (or generalized) electromechanical coupling coefficient (EMCC) of adaptive structures with piezoelectric structural fiber (PSF) composite elements. The PSF consists of a silicon carbide (SiC) or carbon core fiber as reinforcement to a fragile piezo-ceramic shell. For the micro-scale analysis, a micromechanics model based on the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH) is used to evaluate the overall electromechanical properties of the PSF composites. At the macro-scale, a finite element (FE) analysis with the commercial FE code ABAQUS is performed to evaluate the effective EMCC for structures with the PSF composite patches. The EMCC is postprocessed from free-vibrations analysis under short-circuit (SC) and open-circuit (OC) electrodes of the patches. This linear two-scale computational framework may be useful for the optimal design of active structure multi-functional composites which can be used for multi-functional applications such as structural health monitoring, power harvest, vibration sensing and control, damping, and shape control through anisotropic actuation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.385-398
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• 2024

As concrete dominates the construction industry, alternatives to traditionally used steel reinforcement are being sought. This study explored the suitability of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) as a substitute within rigid frames, focusing on its impact on section ductility and overall structural durability against seismic events. However, current design guidelines address quasi-static loads, leaving a gap for dynamic or extreme circumstances. Our approach included multiscale simulations, parametric study, and energy dissipation analyses, drawing upon a unique adaptation of modified compression field theory. In our efforts to optimize macro and microparameters to improve yield strength, manage brittleness, and govern failure modes, we also recognized the potential of CFRP's high corrosion resistance. This characteristic of CFRP could significantly reduce the frequency of required repairs, thereby contributing to enhanced durability of the structures. The research reveals that CFRP's durability and seismic resistance are attributed to plastic joints within compressed fibers. Notably, CFRP can impart ductility to structural designs, effectively balancing its inherent brittleness, particularly when integrated with quasi-brittle materials. This research challenges the notion that designing bendable components with carbon fiber reinforcement is impractical. It shows that creating ductile bending components with CFRP in concrete is feasible despite the material's brittleness. This funding overturns conventional assumptions and opens new avenues for using CFRP in structural applications where ductility and resilience are crucial.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.31-39
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• 2021

In this study, the fiber blending ratio and strain rate effect on the tensile properties synergy effect of hybrid fiber reinforced cement composite was evaluated. Hooked steel fiber(HSF) and smooth steel fiber(SSF) were used for reinforcing fiber. The fiber blending ratio of HSF+SSF were 1.5+0.5, 1.0+1.0 and 0.5+1.5vol.%. As a results, in the cement composite(HSF2.0) reinforced with HSF, as the strain rate increases, the tensile stress sharply decreased after the peak stress because of the decrease in the number of straightened pull-out fibers by increase of micro cracks in the matrix around HSF. When 0.5 vol.% of SSF was mixed, the micro cracks was effectively controlled at the static rate, but it was not effective in controlling micro cracks and improving the pull-out resistance of HSF at the high rate. On the other hand, the specimen(HSF1.0SSF1.0) in which 1.0vol.% HSF and 1.0vol.% SSF were mixed, each fibers controls against micro and macro cracks, and SSF improves the pull-out resistance of HSF effectively. Thus, the fiber blending effect of the strain capacity and energy absorption capacity was significantly increased at the high rate, and it showed the highest dynamic increase factor of the tensile strength, strain capacity and peak toughness. On the other hand, the incorporation of 1.5 vol.% SSF increases the number of fibers in the matrix and improves the pull-out resistance of HSF, resulting in the highest fiber blending effect of tensile strength and softening toughness. But as a low volume fraction of HSF which controlling macro crack, it was not effective for synergy of strain capacity and peak toughness.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2013

Cement concrete pavement offers long-term service life and excellent applicability for heavy traffic. It is easier to purchase and more durable and economical than the asphalt pavement. However, it is difficult to repair and rehabilitate compared to the asphalt pavement when it comes to the maintenance problem. Since the crack is the main reason of the damage of concrete pavement, it is necessary to control the early and long-term crack in the concrete pavement. In this experimental study, the basic performance tests have been carried out to investigate the effect of hybrid fibers which were composed of micro fibers with small diameter and high aspect ratio and macro fibers with large diameter and low aspect ratio on the concrete pavement, in which lower water ratio and larger aggregates were used compared to the general concrete mixture. The test results showed that the flexural strength and toughness of concrete pavement mixture have been increased with the use of hybrid fibers in the concrete pavement mixture, even though they were less effective compared to the normal concrete mixture. It was found that the hybrid fibers were effective to control the early shrinkage of the concrete pavement which is one of the main reasons of the damage in the concrete pavement.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.305-315
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• 2018

Interaction of lateral loading, combined with axial force needs to be determined with care in reinforced concrete (RC) one-dimensional structural members (1D SMs) such as beam-columns (BCs) and columns. RC 1D SMs under heavy axial loading are known to fail by brittle mode and small lateral displacements. In this paper, a macro element-based algorithm is proposed to analyze the RC 1D SMs under monotonic or cyclic combined loading. The 1D SMs are discretized into macro-elements (MEs) located between the critical sections and the inflection points. The critical sections are discretized into fixed rectangular finite elements (FRFE). The nonlinear behavior of confined and unconfined concretes and steel elements are considered in the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm has been validated by the results of experimental tests carried out on full-scale RC structural members. The evolution of ultimate strain at extreme compression fiber of a rectangular RC section for different orientations of lateral loading shows that the ultimate strain decreases with increasing the axial force. In the examined cases, this ultimate strain ranges from 0.0024 to 0.0038. Therefore, the 0.003 value given by ACI-318 code for ultimate strain, is not conservative and valid for the combined load cases with significant values of axial force (i.e. for the axial forces heavier than 70% of the ultimate axial force).

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2005

We investigated the effects of diet manipulation on pro- and macro-glycogen accumulation and mobilization during exercise in different kinds of muscle fiber and tissue. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups representing one of two dietary conditions: high fat (HF, n=16) or standard chow (CHOW, n=16). Each dietary group was fm1her divided into control (REST, n=8) and exercise (EXE, n=8). After an eight-week dietary intervention period, the animals in EXE swam for 3 hours while the animals in REST remained at rest Skeletal muscle (soleus, red gastrocnemius and white gastrocnemius) and liver samples were then dissected out and used for analyses. 1here was no statistical difference in body weight between the animals in the HF and mow groups (p>.05). Three hours of exercise significantly increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration in the animals in the CHOW group but not in the animals in the HF group. Both citrate. synthase (CS) and $\beta$-hydroxyacyl dehydrogenase ($\beta$-HAD) activities in skeletal muscles were higher in the HF group than in the mow group. CS and $\beta$-HAD activities were also the highest in red gastrocnemius and the lowest in white gastrocnemius. At both time points (i.e., rest and immediately after exercise) intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) and liver TG concentrations were significantly higher in the HF compared to the CHOW. IMTG and liver TG changed selectively in the CHOW. Except in white gastrocnemius muscle, there was no significant difference in total glycogen content between HF and mow at rest. Although exercise significantly lowered total glycogen content in all groups and tissues (p<.05), the degree of reduction was markedly greater in the mow than in the HF. Whereas changes in proglycogen concentration showed a trend similar to those of total glycogen, alterations in macroglycogen concentrations clearly differed from those of total glycogen. Specifically, the degree of reduction of macroglycogen following three hours of exercise was substantially greater in the CHOW than in the HF. These results suggest that metabolic alterations induced by a long-term high fat diet may be caused by macro-glycogen rather than pro-glycogen.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate which FRC-posts were more distinguishable from core. Materials and Methods: Nine extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars with similar lengths (${\pm}0.5 mm$) and widths (${\pm}0.5 mm$) were endodontically treated and obturated. One specimen which the three roots were embedded in a cold mounting resin was made. 3 specimens were made by this method. Post spaces were prepared for the following post system: FRC $Postec^{(R)}$ Plus, MACRO-$LOCK^{TM}$ POST $ILLUSION^{TM}$ $XRO^{(R)}$, $Snowpost^{(R)}$. After three different posts were placed in the roots of a specimen, each three specimens received a direct core build-up: $Luxacore^{(R)}$ Dual A3, $Luxacore^{(R)}$ Dual blue, $Filtek^{TM}$ Z350 A1E. Digital images were taken of the post and core with and without air-blowing. We asked to fifty dentists and fifty dental college students which post was more clearly discriminated from the core. Results: In surveys, when core was $Luxacore^{(R)}$ Dual blue, among three types of posts people more easily discriminated the $Snowpost^{(R)}$ from core. When core was $Luxacore^{(R)}$ Dual A3, among three types of posts people similarly more easily discriminated $Snowpost^{(R)}$ from core. When core was $Filtek^{TM}$ Z350 A1E, among three types of posts people more easily discriminated distinguished MACRO-$LOCK^{TM}$ POST $ILLUSION^{TM}$ $XRO^{(R)}$ post from core. People more easily distinguished MACRO-$LOCK^{TM}$ POST $ILLUSION^{TM}$ $XRO^{(R)}$ post from core when temperature was lowered by air-blowing. Conclusion: Ability to discriminate between FRC-post and core is different according to color contrast. MACRO-$LOCK^{TM}$ POST $ILLUSION^{TM}$ $XRO^{(R)}$ posts are more discriminable when temperature is lowered by air-blowing.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2019

This paper presents a computational rational model to predict the ultimate and optimized load capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened by a combination of longitudinal and transverse fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite plates/sheets (flexure and shear strengthening system). Several experimental and analytical studies on the confinement effect and failure mechanisms of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wrapped columns have been conducted over recent years. Although typical axial members are large-scale square/rectangular reinforced concrete (RC) columns in practice, the majority of such studies have concentrated on the behavior of small-scale circular concrete specimens. A high performance concrete, known as polymer concrete, made up of natural aggregates and an orthophthalic polyester binder, reinforced with non-metallic bars (glass reinforced polymer) has been studied. The material is described at micro and macro level, presenting the key physical and mechanical properties using different experimental techniques. Furthermore, a full description of non-metallic bars is presented to evaluate its structural expectancies, embedded in the polymer concrete matrix. In this paper, the mechanism of mechanical interaction of smooth and lugged FRP rods with concrete is presented. A general modeling and application of various elements are demonstrated. The contact parameters are defined and the procedures of calculation and evaluation of contact parameters are introduced. The method of calibration of the calculated parameters is presented. Finally, the numerical results are obtained for different bond parameters which show a good agreement with experimental results reported in literature.