• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.171-185
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• 2001

The design of tall buildings has recently provided many challenges to structural engineers. One such challenge is to minimise the cross-sectional dimensions of columns to ensure greater floor space in a building is attainable. This has both an economic and aesthetics benefit in buildings, which require structural engineering solutions. The use of high strength steel in tall buildings has the ability to achieve these benefits as the material provides a higher strength to cross-section ratio. However as the strength of the steel is increased the buckling characteristics become more dominant with slenderness limits for both local and global buckling becoming more significant. To arrest the problems associated with buckling of high strength steel, concrete filling and encasement can be utilised as it has the affect of changing the buckling mode, which increases the strength and stiffness of the member. This paper describes an experimental program undertaken for both encased and concrete filled composite columns, which were designed to be stocky in nature and thus fail by strength alone. The columns were designed to consider the strength in axial compression and were fabricated from high strength steel plate. In addition to the encased and concrete filled columns, unencased columns and hollow columns were also fabricated and tested to act as calibration specimens. A model for the axial strength was suggested and this is shown to compare well with the test results. Finally aspects of further research are addressed in this paper which include considering the effects of slender columns which may fail by global instabilities.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.135-148
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• 2007

A new finite shear wall element model and a method for calculation of 3D multi-storied only shear walled or shear walled - framed structures using finite shear wall elements assumed ideal elasto - plastic material are developed. The collapse load of the system subjected to factored constant gravity loads and proportionally increasing lateral loads is calculated with a method of load increments. The shape functions over the element are determined as a cubic variation along the story height and a linear variation in horizontal direction because of the rigid behavior of the floor slab. In case shear walls are chosen as only one element in every floor, correct solutions are obtained by using this developed element. Because of the rigid behavior of the floor slabs, the number of unknowns are reduced substantially. While in framed structures, classical plastic hinge hypothesis is used, in nodes of shear wall elements when vertical deformation parameter is exceeded ${\varepsilon}_e$, this node is accepted as a plastic node. While the system is calculated with matrix displacement method, for determination of collapse safety, plastic displacements and plastic deformations are taken as additional unknowns. Rows and columns are added to the system stiffness matrix for additional unknowns.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 2019

The limited availability of raw materials and increasing service demands for pavements pose a unique challenge in terms of pavement design and concrete material selection. The self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC) can be used in pavement design. The SCRC pavement slab has advantages of excellent toughness, anti-fatigue and convenient construction. On the premise of satisfying the strength, the SCRC can increase the ductility of pavement slab. The aim of this investigation is proposing a new method to predict the crack growth and flexural capacity of large-scale SCRC slabs. The mechanical properties of SCRC are obtained from experiments on small-scale SCRC specimens. With the increasing of the specimen depth, the bearing capacity of SCRC beams decreases at the same initial crack-depth ratio. By constructing extended finite element method (XFEM) models, crack growth and flexural capacity of large-scale SCRC slabs with different fracture types and force conditions can be predicted. Considering the diversity of fracture types and force conditions of the concrete pavement slab, the corresponding test was used to verify the reliability of the prediction model. The crack growth and flexural capacity of SCRC slabs can be obtained from XFEM models. It is convenient to conduct the experiment and can save cost.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.121-128
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• 2019

There is a big move to build zero-energy buildings in the form of passive houses that reduce energy waste worldwide. Korea has set a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 37% by 2030 through the activation of green buildings, such as strengthening the energy levels of new buildings and improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. The use of insulation with high insulation performance is one of the key technologies to realize this, and vacuum insulation is the next generation insulation that blocks the energy flow of the building. In this study, we measured the bonding structure of dry and wet processing glass fiber core materials and compared the insulation performance of vacuum insulation panel. In addition, the insulation performance of vacuum insulation panel was measured according to the thickness of the laminated core. It can be confirmed that the lamination structure of the core and the lamination thickness are important factors for the heat insulating performance of the vacuum insulating panel.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.515-526
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• 2020

Cold-mixed asphalt mixture is a widely recommended asphalt pavement materials with potentially economic and environmental benefits. Due to the reduction of natural non-renewable mineral resources, powder minerals with similar properties are considered as new mineral fillers in asphalt mixtures. This study explored the feasibility of using cement to replace natural limestone powder (LP) in emulsified asphalt concrete modified by styrene-butadiene styrene copolymer. The experimental tests, including compressive strength, Marshall stability as well as moisture susceptibility test, were used to investigate the mechanical properties, the Marshall stability, flow value, as well as the moisture damage. In addition, the influence of material composition on the performance of asphalt concrete is explained by the microstructure evolution of the pore structure, the interface transition zone (ITZ), and the micromorphology. Due to mineralogical reactivity of cement, its replacement part of LP improved the mechanical properties, Marshall stability, but it will reduce the moisture susceptibility and flow value. This is because with the increase of the cement substitution rate, the pore structure of the asphalt concrete is refined, the width of ITZ becomes smaller, and the microstructure is more compact. In addition, asphalt concrete with a larger nominal particle size (AC-16) has relatively better performance.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1741-1753
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• 2018

Metallic dampers are sacrificial devices (fuses) that dissipate significant energy during earthquakes while protecting other parts of structures from possible damage. In addition to numerous implementation opportunities of other base isolation systems, U-shaped dampers (UD) are one of the widely investigated and used devices in practice especially in Japan. The present study focuses on enhancing seismic performance of these types of dampers by changing their geometric properties. UDs with perforated (i.e. with holes) and/or nonparallel arms are developed for this purpose. For a better comparison, the criterion of equal material volume (or mass) has been utilized. Three dimensional finite element models of the new type of UDs are formed and investigated numerically under selected displacement histories. Based on the obtained hysteretic curves; dissipated energy intensities, effective stiffness ratios, reaction forces, effective damping ratios are evaluated in this parametric study. It is found that both damper types have merits in use of seismic applications and that the selection of the damper configuration is dependent on the design specific issues.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.1036-1044
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• 2023

The combination of MCNP6 and the FISPACT codes was used to predict inventories of radioisotopes produced by neutron exposure of a sample in a research reactor. The detailed MCNP6 model of the Budapest Research Reactor and the specific irradiation geometry of the NAA channel was established, while realistic material cards were specified based on concentrations measured by PGAA and NAA, considering the precursor elements of all significant radioisotopes. The energy- and spatial distributions of the neutron field calculated by MCNP6 were transferred to FISPACT, and the resulting activities were validated against those measured using neutron-irradiated small and bulky targets. This approach is general enough to handle different target materials, shapes, and irradiation conditions. A general agreement within 10% has been achieved. Moreover, the method can also be made applicable to predict the activation properties of the near-vessel concrete of existing nuclear installations or assist in the optimal construction of new nuclear power plant units.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2022

Dynamic study of concrete plates under impact load is presented in this article. The main objective of this work is presenting a mathematical model for the concrete plates under the impact load. The concrete plate is reinforced by carbon nanoparticles which the effective material proprieties are obtained by mixture's rule. Impacts are assumed to occur normally over the top layer of the plate and the interaction between the impactor and the structure is simulated using a new equivalent three-degree-of-freedom (TDOF) spring-mass-damper (SMD) model. The structure is assumed viscoelastic based on Kelvin-Voigt model. Based on the classical plate theory (CPT), energy method and Hamilton's principle, the motion equations are derived. Applying DQM, the dynamic deflection and contact force of the structure are calculated numerically so that the effects of mass, velocity and height of the impactor, volume percent of nanoparticles, structural damping and geometrical parameters of structure are shown on the dynamic deflection and contact force. Results show that considering structural damping leads to lower dynamic deflection and contact force. In addition, increasing the volume percent of nanoparticles yields to decreases in the deflection.

• 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 Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2024

Nowadays, the trend in lunar exploration missions is shifting from prospecting lunar surface to utilizing in-situ resources and establishing sustainable bridgehead. In the past, experiments were mainly focused on rover maneuvers and equipment operations. But the current shift in trend requires more complex experiments that includes preparations for resource extraction, space construction and even space agriculture. To achieve that, the experiment requires a sophisticated simulation of the lunar environment, but we are not yet prepared for this. Particularly, in the case of lunar regolith simulants, precise physical and chemical composition with a rapid development speed rate that allows different terrains to be simulated is required. However, existing lunar regolith simulants, designed for 20th-century exploration paradigms, are not sufficient to meet the requirements of modern space exploration. In order to prepare for the latest trends in space exploration, it is necessary to innovate the methodology for producing simulants. In this study, the basic framework for lunar regolith simulant development was established to realize this goal. The framework not only has a sample database and a database of potential simulation target compositions, but also has a built-in function to automatically calculate the optimal material mixing ratio through the particle swarm optimization algorithm to reproduce the target simulation, enabling fast and accurate simulant development. Using this framework, we anticipate a more agile response to the evolving needs toward simulants for space exploration.