• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.64-68
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• 2017

The interactions between corrosion pits on stainless steel under loading conditions are studied by using a cellular automata model coupled with finite element method at a mesoscopic scale. The cellular automata model focuses on a metal/film/electrolyte system, including anodic dissolution, passivation, diffusion of hydrogen ions and salt film hydrolysis. The Chopard block algorithm is used to improve the diffusion simulation efficiency. The finite element method is used to calculate the stress concentration on the pit surface during pit growth, and the effect of local stress and strain on anodic current is obtained by using the Gutman model, which is used as the boundary conditions of the cellular automata model. The transient current characteristics of the interactions between corrosion pits under different simulation factors including the breakdown of the passive film at the pit mouth and the diffusion of hydrogen ions are analyzed. The analysis of the pit stability product shows that the simulation results are close to the experimental conclusions.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.305-319
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• 2015

On mesoscopic level, concrete can be treated as a three-phase composite material consisting of mortar, aggregates and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between mortar and aggregate. A lot of research has confirmed that ITZ plays a crucial role in the mechanical fracture process of concrete. The aim of the present study is to propose a numerical method on mesoscale to analyze the failure mechanism of reinforced concrete (RC) structures under mechanical loading, and then it will help precisely predict the damage or the cracking initiation and propagation of concrete. Concrete is meshed by means of the Rigid Body Spring Model (RBSM) concept, while the reinforcing steel bars are modeled as beam-type elements. Two kinds of RC members, i.e. subjected to uniaxial tension and beams under bending, the fracture process of concrete and the distribution of cracks, as well as the load-deflection relationships are investigated and compared with the available test results. It is found that the numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental observations, indicating that the model can successfully simulate the failure process of the RC members.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.231-257
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• 2015

This paper discusses the spatial variability of the carbonation depth caused by the mesoscopic structure of the concrete and the influence of the spatial variability on the thickness of the concrete cover. To conduct the research, a method to generate the random aggregate structure (RAS) based on polygonal particles and a simplified numerical model of the concrete carbonation at meso-scale are firstly developed. Based on the method and model, the effect of the aggregate properties including shape, content and gradation on the spatial variability of the carbonation depth is comprehensively studied. The results show that a larger degree of the spatial variability will be obtained by using (1) the aggregates with a larger aspect ratio; (2) a larger aggregate content; (3) the gradation which has more large particles. The proper sample size and model size used in the analysis are also studied. Finally, a case study is conducted to demonstrate the influence of the spatial variability of the carbonation depth on the proper thickness of the concrete cover. The research in this paper not only provides suggestions on how to decrease the spatial variability, but also proposes the method to consider the effect of the spatial variability in designing the thickness of the concrete cover.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.99-117
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• 2008

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of macroscopic material parameters for natural stone and quarry masonry. To that end, a reliable non-linear material model on a meso-scale is developed to cover the random arrangement of stone blocks and quasi-brittle behaviour of both basic components, as well as the impaired cohesion and tensile strength on the interface between the blocks and mortar joints. The paper thus interrelates the following three problems: (i) definition of a suitable periodic unit cell (PUC) representing a particular masonry structure; (ii) derivation of material parameters of individual constituents either experimentally or running a mixed numerical-experimental problem; (iii) assessment of the macroscopic material parameters including the tensile and compressive strengths and fracture energy.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2002

We theoretically consider blends of two monodisperse one-end-functionalized homopolymers (denoted by A and B) capable of forming clusters between functional groups (stickers) using weak segregation theory. In this model system resulting molecular architectures via clustering resemble star copolymers having many A- and B-arms. Minimizing the total free energy with respect the cluster distribution, the equilibrium distribution of clusters is obtained and used for RPA (Random Phase Approximation) equations as input. For the case that polymers are functionalized by only one kind of sticker, the phase diagrams show that the associations promote the macrophase separation. When there is strong affinity between stickers belonging to the different polymer species, on the other hand, the phase diagram show a suppression of the macrophase separation at the range of high temperature regime, as well as the phase coexistence between a disordered and a mesoscopic phase at the relatively lower temperatures.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.264-265
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• 2006

The directions of further developments in the modeling of sintering are pointed out, including multi-scale modeling of sintering, on-line sintering damage criteria, particle agglomeration, sintering with phase transformations. A true multi-scale approach is applied for the development of a new meso-macro methodology for modeling of sintering. The developed macroscopic level computational framework envelopes the mesoscopic simulators. No closed forms of constitutive relationships are assumed for the parameters of the material. The model framework is able to predict the final dimensions of the sintered specimen on a global scale and identify the granular structure in any localized area for prediction of the material properties.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.62-69
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• 2012

Traffic simulation models have been used for assessing various transportation strategies. Through comparing results from a simulation model and real field data, researchers try to show how close the model can reproduce the real world traffic. This model verification step is one of the most essential tasks in modeling procedure. Traffic counts and speeds have been frequently used for the verification or validation. Authors modeled severe PM peak bottleneck situation on the I-40 corridor in Raleigh, North Carolina using DYNASMART-P, a mesoscopic traffic simulation tool and verified the model. NCDOT has Traffic Information Management System which has archive capability for the traffic speeds on the I-40 corridor. However, the authors selected travel time as the field measure for model verification and collected the data using a GPS equipment because the speed data from NCDOT speed detectors are spot speeds which are not appropriate for comparison with link average speed from the simulation model. This paper describes the GPS field data collection procedure, the model verification method, and the results.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-142
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• 2011

In the present paper, a numerical simulation method based on mesoscopic composite structure of concrete, the truss network model, is developed to evaluate the diffusivity of concrete in order to account for the microstructure of concrete, the binding effect of chloride ions and the chloride concentration dependence. In the model, concrete is described as a three-phase composite, consisting of mortar, coarse aggregates and the interfacial transition zones (ITZs) between them. The advantage of the current model is that it can easily represent the movement of mass (e.g. water or chloride ions) through ITZs or the potential cracks within concrete. An analytical method to estimate the chloride diffusivity of mortar and ITZ, which are both treated as homogenious materials in the model, is introduced in terms of water-to-cement ratio (w/c) and sand volume fraction. Using the newly developed approaches, the effect of cracking of concrete on chloride diffusion is reflected by means of the similar process as that in the test. The results of calculation give close match with experimental observations. Furthermore, with consideration of the binding capacity of chloride ions to cement paste and the concentration dependence for diffusivity, the one-dimensional nonlinear diffusion equation is established, as well as its finite difference form in terms of the truss network model. A series of numerical analysises performed on the model find that the chloride diffusion is substantially influenced by the binding capacity and concentration dependence, which is same as that revealed in some experimental investigations. This indicates the necessity to take into account the binding capacity and chloride concentration dependence in the durability analysis and service life prediction of concrete structures.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.371-377
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• 2020

In In this study, we compared the results of a ball bearing life prediction model based on rolling element loads with the results of fatigue life prediction of ball bearings when a stress-based contact fatigue life prediction technique is applied to the ball bearing. We calculate the load acting on each rolling element by the external load of the bearing and apply the result to the Lundberg-Palmgren (LP) theory to calculate ball bearing life based on the rolling element. We also calculate stress-based ball bearing life through contact and fatigue analyses based on contact modeling of the ball and raceway while considering the fatigue test results of AISI 52100 steel. In stress-based life prediction, we use three high-cycle fatigue-determination equations that can predict the fatigue life when multi-axis proportional loads such as rolling-slide contact conditions are applied. These equations are derived from the stress invariant and critical plane methods and the mesoscopic approach. Life expectancy results are compared with those of the LP model. Results of the analysis indicated that the fatigue life was predicted to be lower in the order of the Crossland, Dang Van, and Matake models. Of the three, the Dang Van fatigue model was found to be the closest to the LP life.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.69-81
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• 2015

A new magnetite-silica core/shell nanocomposite ($Fe_3O4@nSiO_2@mSiO_2$) was synthesized and functionalized with trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). The prepared nanocomposite was used for the removal of diesel oil from aqueous media. The characterization of magnetite-silica nanocomposite was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), surface area measurement, and vibrating sample magnetization (VSM). Results have shown that the desired structure was obtained and surface modification was successfully carried out. FTIR analysis has confirmed the presence of TMCS on the surface of magnetite silica nanocomposites. The low- angle XRD pattern of nanocomposites indicated the mesoscopic structure of silica shell. Furthermore, TEM results have shown the core/shell structure with porous silica shell. Adsorption kinetic studies indicated that the nanocomposite was able to remove 80% of the oil contaminant during 2 h and fit well with the pseudo-second order model. Equilibrium studies at room temperature showed that the experimental data fitted well with Freundlich isotherm. The magnetic property of nanocomposite facilitated the separation of solid phase from aqueous solution.