• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.495-511
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• 2023

In this research, the impact of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on the fracture energy of self-compacting concrete was thoroughly examined. Enhancing the fracture energy is very important to increase the crack propagation resistance. The study focused on evaluating the self-compacting properties of the concrete through various tests, including J-ring, V-funnel, slump flow, and T50 tests. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the concrete, such as compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and fracture parameters were investigated on hardened specimens after 28 days. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of micro-silica and nano-silica not only decreased the rheological aspects of self-compacting concrete but also significantly enhanced its mechanical properties, particularly the compressive strength. On the other hand, the inclusion of polypropylene fibers had a positive impact on fracture parameters, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the specimens. Utilizing the response surface method, the relationship between micro-silica, nano-silica, and fibers was established. The optimal combination for achieving the highest compressive strength was found to be 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.1% fibers. Furthermore, for obtaining the best mixture with superior tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and fracture energy, the ideal proportion was determined as 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.15% fibers. Compared to the control mixture, the aforementioned parameters showed significant improvements of 26.3%, 30.3%, 34.3%, and 34.3%, respectively. In order to accurately model the tensile cracking of concrete, the authors used softening curves derived from an inverse algorithm proposed by them. This method allowed for a precise and detailed analysis of the concrete under tensile stress. This study explores the effects of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on self-compacting concrete and shows their influences on the fracture energy and various mechanical properties of the concrete. The results offer valuable insights for optimizing the concrete mix to achieve desired strength and performance characteristics.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.697-708
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• 2014

The intentional buckling design of micro-films has various potential applications in engineering. The buckling amplitude and critical strain of micro-films are the crucial parameters for the buckling design. In the reported studies, the film parameters were regarded as deterministic. However, the geometrical and physical parameters uncertainty of micro-films due to manufacturing becomes prominent and needs to be considered. In the present paper, the probabilistic nonlinear buckling analysis of micro-films with uncertain parameters is proposed for design accuracy and reliability. The nonlinear differential equation and its asymptotic solution for the buckling micro-film with nominal parameters are firstly established. The mean values, standard deviations and variation coefficients of the buckling amplitude and critical strain are calculated by using the probability densities of uncertain parameters such as the film span length, thickness, elastic modulus and compressive force, to reveal the effects of the film parameter uncertainty on the buckling deformation. The results obtained illustrate the probabilistic relation between buckling deformation and uncertain parameters, and are useful for accurate and reliable buckling design in terms of probability.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2007

Purpose : Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture are important determinants for bone strength. Recently micro-CT have provided possibilities for measuring a variety of structural indices to characterize bone microarchitecture. The objective of this study was to compare the BMD and micro-CT parameters with Young's modulus calculated by finite element analysis (FEA) for the evaluation of bone strength. Materials and Methods Bone specimens were obtained from the 18 female rabbits aged 16 weeks. Of those, 36 samples (right and left femur) were selected for 3D micro-CT analysis $(ANT^{TM},\;SKYSCAN,\;Belgium)$ and BMD by PIXlmus 2 (GE Lunar Co. USA). Five microstructural parameters of micro-CT, such as trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), bone specific surface (BS/BV), percent bone volume (BV/TV), structure model index (SMI) and degree of anisotropy (DOA) were studied. Young's modulus was obtained by software program (ANSYS 9.0, ANSYS Inc, Canonsburg, PA) based on micro-CT three dimensional images. Results : Young's modulus assessed by FEA correlated significantly with Tb.Th, BV/TV, BS/BV and SMI respectively. Young's modulus showed higher correlation with these rnicrostructural parameters of micro-CT than BMD. Microstructural parameters except DOA showed significant correlations within the examined group. Conclusion The microarchitectural parameters o( micro-CT and BMD represented some informations in the evaluation of bone strength assessed by FEA.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 2020

The time-consuming and less objectivity are the main problems of conventional micromechanical parameters calibration method of Particle Flow Code simulations. Thus this study aims to address these two limitation of the conventional "trial-and-error" method. A new calibration method for the linear parallel bond model (CM-LPBM) is proposed. First, numerical simulations are conducted based on the results of the uniaxial compression tests on limestone. The macroscopic response of the numerical model agrees well with the results of the uniaxial compression tests. To reduce the number of the independent micromechanical parameters, numerical simulations are then carried out. Based on the results of the orthogonal experiments and the multi-factor variance analysis, main micromechanical parameters affecting the macro parameters of rocks are proposed. The macro-micro parameter functions are ultimately established using multiple linear regression, and the iteration correction formulas of the micromechanical parameters are obtained. To further verify the validity of the proposed method, a case study is carried out. The error between the macro mechanical response and the numerical results is less than 5%. Hence the calibration method, i.e., the CM-LPBM, is reliable for obtaining the micromechanical parameters quickly and accurately, providing reference for the calibration of micromechanical parameters.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.369-387
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• 2016

In this work, random homogenization analysis for the effective thermal properties of a three-dimensional composite material with unidirectional fibers is presented by combining the equivalent inclusion method with Random Factor Method (RFM). The randomness of the micro-structural morphology and constituent material properties as well as the correlation among these random parameters are completely accounted for, and stochastic effective thermal properties as thermal expansion coefficients as well as their correlation are then sought. Results from the RFM and the Monte-Carlo Method (MCM) are compared. The impact of randomness and correlation of the micro-structural parameters on the random homogenized results is revealed by two methods simultaneously, and some important conclusions are obtained.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.93-109
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• 2019

In the present study, vibration analysis of double bonded micro sandwich cylindrical shells with saturated porous core and carbon/boron nitride nanotubes (CNT/BNNT) reinforced composite face sheets under multi-physical loadings based on Cooper-Naghdi theory is investigated. The material properties of the micro structure are assumed to be temperature dependent, and each of the micro-tubes is placed on the Pasternak elastic foundations, and mechanical, moisture, thermal, electrical, and magnetic forces are effective on the structural behavior. The distributions of porous materials in three distributions such as non-linear non-symmetric, nonlinear-symmetric, and uniform are considered. The relationship including electro-magneto-hydro-thermo-mechanical loadings based on modified couple stress theory is obtained and moreover the governing equations of motion using the energy method and the Hamilton's principle are derived. Also, Navier's type solution is also used to solve the governing equations of motion. The effects of various parameters such as material length scale parameter, temperature change, various distributions of nanotube, volume fraction of nanotubes, porosity and Skempton coefficients, and geometric parameters on the natural frequency of double bonded micro sandwich cylindrical shells are investigated. Increasing the porosity and the Skempton coefficients of the core in micro sandwich cylindrical shell lead to increase the natural frequency of the structure. Cylindrical shells and porous materials in the industry of filters and separators, heat exchangers and coolers are widely used and are generally accepted today.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2017

Purpose: The microstructural characteristics of trabecular bone were identified using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), in order to develop a potential strategy for implant surface improvement to facilitate osseointegration. Methods: Alveolar bone specimens from the cadavers of 30 humans were scanned by high-resolution micro-CT and reconstructed. Volumes of interest chosen within the jaw were classified according to Hounsfield units into 4 bone quality categories. Several structural parameters were measured and statistically analyzed. Results: Alveolar bone specimens with D1 bone quality had significantly higher values for all structural parameters than the other bone quality categories, except for trabecular thickness (Tb.Th). The percentage of bone volume, trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and trabecular number (Tb.N) varied significantly among bone quality categories. Tb.Sp varied markedly across the bone quality categories (D1: $0.59{\pm}0.22mm$, D4: $1.20{\pm}0.48mm$), whereas Tb.Th had similar values (D1: $0.30{\pm}0.08mm$, D4: $0.22{\pm}0.05mm$). Conclusions: Bone quality depended on Tb.Sp and number-that is, endosteal space architecture-rather than bone surface and Tb.Th. Regardless of bone quality, Tb.Th showed little variation. These factors should be taken into account when developing individualized implant surface topographies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.293-315
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• 2015

While most of researches on system identification of building structures are aimed at finding modal parameters first and identifying the corresponding physical parameters by using the transformation in terms of transfer functions and cross spectra, etc., direct physical parameter system identification methods have been proposed recently. Due to the problem of signal/noise (SN) ratios, the previous methods are restricted mostly to earthquake records or forced vibration data. In this paper, a theoretical investigation is performed on the influence of wind disturbances on stiffness identification of building structures using micro-tremor at limited floors. It is concluded that the influence of wind disturbances on stiffness identification of building structures using micro-tremor at limited floors is restricted in case of using time-series data for low-rise buildings and does not cause serious problems.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.253-267
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• 2016

The stability of surrounding rock will be poor when the tunnel is excavated through nearly horizontal stratum. In this paper, the instability mechanism of local nearly horizontal stratum in super-large section and deep buried tunnel is revealed by the analysis of the macro failure and micro fracture. A structural model is proposed to explain the mechanics of surrounding rock collapse under the action of stress redistribution and shed light on the macroscopic analytical approach of the stability of surrounding rock. Then, some highly effective formulas applied in the tunnel engineering are developed according to the theory of mixed-mode micro fracture. And well-documented field case is made to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed analytical methods of mixed-mode fracture. Meanwhile, in order to make the more accurate judgment about yield failure of rock mass, a series of comprehensive failure criteria are formed. In addition, the relationship between the nonlinear failure criterion and $K_I$ and $K_{II}$ of micro fracture is established to make the surrounding rock failure criterion more comprehensive and accurate. Further, the influence of the parameters related to the tension-shear mixed-mode fracture and compression-shear mixed-mode fracture on the propagation of rock crack is analyzed. Results show that ${\sigma}_3$ changes linearly with the change of ${\sigma}_1$. And the change rate is related to ${\beta}$, angle between the cracks and ${\sigma}_1$. The proposed simple analytical approach is economical and efficient, and suitable for the analysis of local nearly horizontal stratum in super-large section and deep buried tunnel.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.543-568
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• 2013

This study explores the floor micro-vibrations induced by the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in liquid-crystal-display (LCD) factories. The relationships between moving loads and both the vehicle weights and speeds were constructed by a modified Kanai-Tajimi (MKT) power spectral density (PSD) function whose best-fitting parameters were obtained through a regression analysis by using experimental acceleration responses of a small-scale three-span continuous beam model obtained in the laboratory. The AGV induced floor micro-vibrations under various AGV weights and speeds were then assessed by the proposed regressional MKT model. Simulation results indicate that the maximum floor micro-vibrations of the target LCD factory fall within the VC-B and VC-C levels when AGV moves at a lower speed of 1.0 m/s, while they may exceed the acceptable VC-B level when AGV moves at a higher speed of 1.5 m/s. The simulated floor micro-vibration levels are comparable to those of typical LCD factories induced by AGVs moving normally at a speed between 1.0 m/s and 2.0 m/s. Therefore, the numerical algorithm that integrates a simplified sub-structural multi-span continuous beam model and a proposed regressional MKT moving force model can provide a satisfactory prediction of AGV-induced floor micro-vibrations in LCD factories, if proper parameters of the MKT moving force model are adopted.