• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.273-289
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• 2020

Due to the unique construction method of modular steel buildings (MSBs) with units prefabricated fully off the site and assembled quickly on the site, the inter-module connection for easy operation and overall performance of the system were key issues. However, it was a lack of relevant research on the system-level performance of MSBs. This study investigated the seismic performance of two-storey modular steel structure with a proposed vertical rotary inter-module connection. Three full-scale quasi-static tests, with and without corrugated steel plate and its combination, were carried out to evaluate and compare their seismic behaviour. The hysteretic performance, skeleton curves, ductile performance, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, and deformation pattern were clarified. The results showed that good ductility and plastic deformation ability of such modular steel structures. Two lateral-force resistance mechanisms with different layout combinations were also discussed in detail. The corrugated steel plate could significantly improve the lateral stiffness and bearing capacity of the modular steel structure. The cooperative working mechanism of modules and inter-module connections was further analyzed. When the lateral stiffness of upper and lower modular structures was close, limited bending moment transfer may be considered for the inter-module connection. While a large lateral stiffness difference existed initially between the upper and lower structures, an obvious gap occurred at the inter-module connection, and this gap may significantly influence the bending moments transferred by the inter-module connections. Meanwhile, several design recommendations of inter-module connections were also given for the application of MSBs.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.45-57
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• 2020

This paper presents the experimental application of a new method for seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings recently introduced in literature, the SMAV (Seismic Model Ambient Vibration) methodology with reference to their operational limit state. The importance of this kind of evaluation arises from the civil protection necessity that some buildings, considered strategic for seismic emergency management, should retain their functionality also after a destructive earthquake. They do not suffer such damage as to compromise the operation within a framework of assessment of the overall capacity of the urban system. To this end, for the characterization of their operational vulnerability, a Structural Operational Index (IOPS) has been considered. In particular, the dynamic environmental vibrations of the two considered strategic buildings, the fire station and the town hall building of a small town in the South of Italy, have been monitored by positioning accelerometers in well-defined points. These measurements were processed through modern Operational Modal Analysis techniques (OMA) in order to identify natural frequencies and modal shapes. Once these parameters have been determined, the structural operational efficiency index of the buildings has been determined evaluating the seismic vulnerability of the strategic structures analyzed. his study aimed to develop a model to accurately predict the acceleration of structural systems during an earthquake.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.385-396
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• 2017

The recent advancements in sensing technologies allow us to record measurements from target structures at multiple locations and with relatively high spatial resolution. Such measurements can be used to develop data-driven methodologies for condition assessment, control, and health monitoring of target structures. One of the state-of-the-art technologies, Fiber Optic Strain Sensors (FOSS), is developed at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, and is based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. These strain sensors are accurate, lightweight, and can provide almost continuous strain-field measurements along the length of the fiber. The strain measurements can then be used for real-time shape-sensing and operational load-estimation of complex structural systems. While several works have demonstrated the successful implementation of FOSS on large-scale real-life aerospace structures (i.e., airplane wings), there is paucity of studies in the literature that have investigated the potential of extending the application of FOSS into civil structures (e.g., tall buildings, bridges, etc.). This work assesses the feasibility of using FOSS to predict operational loads (e.g., wind loads) on chain-like structures. A thorough investigation is performed using analytical, computational, and experimental models of a 4-story steel building test specimen, developed at the University of Southern California. This study provides guidelines on the implementation of the FOSS technology on building-like structures, addresses the associated technical challenges, and suggests potential modifications to a load-estimation algorithm, to achieve a robust methodology for predicting operational loads using strain-field measurements.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.463-471
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• 2018

The present paper deals with the liquid-liquid extraction and flat sheet supported liquid membrane studies of Pd(II) separation from nitric acid medium using a novel synthesized ligand, namely, N,N,N',N'-tetraethyl-2,2-thiodiethanthiodiglycolamide (TETEDGA). The effect of various diluents and stripping reagents on the extraction of Pd(II) was studied. The liquid-liquid extraction studies showed complete extraction of Pd(II) in ~ 5 min. The influence of nitric acid and TETEDGA concentration on the distribution of Pd(II) has been investigated. The increase in nitric acid concentration resulted in increase in extraction of Pd(II). Stoichiometry of the extracted species was found to be $Pd(NO_3)_2{\cdot}TETEDGA$ by slope analysis method. Extraction studies with SSCD solution showed negligible uptake of Pt, Cr, Ni, and Fe, thus showing very high selectivity and extractability of TETEDGA for Pd(II). The flat sheet supported liquid membrane studies showed quantitative transport of Pd(II), ~99%, from the feed ($3M\;HNO_3$) to the strippant (0.02 M thiourea diluted in $0.4M\;HNO_3$) using 0.01 M TETEDGA as a carrier diluted in n-dodecane. Extraction time was ~160 min. Parameters such as feed acidity, TETEDGA concentration in membrane phase, membrane porosity etc. were optimized to achieve maximum transport rate. Permeability coefficient value of $2.66{\times}10^{-3}cm/s$ was observed using TETEDGA (0.01 M) as carrier, at 3 M, $HNO_3$ feed acidity across $0.2{\mu}m$ PTFE as membrane. The membrane was found to be stable over five runs of the operation.

• 한국자동차공학회논문집
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.45-49
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• 2010

The automotive industry has shown a growing interest in tube hydroforming during the past years. The advantages of hydroforming (less thinning, a more efficient manufacturing process, etc.) can, for instance, be combined with the high strength of extra high strength steels, which are usually less formable, to produce structural automotive components which exhibit lower weight and improved service performance. Design and production of tubular components require knowledge about tube material and forming behavior during hydroforming and how the hydroforming operation itself should be controlled. These issues are studied analytically in the present paper. In this study, the whole process of rear sub-frame parts development by tube hydroforming using AA6061 material is presented. At the part design stage, it requires feasibility study and process design aided by CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) to confirm hydroformability in details. Effects of parameters such as internal pressure, axial feeding and geometry shape in automotive rear sub-frame by hydroforming process were carefully investigated. Overall possibility of hydroformable rear sub-frame parts could be examined by cross sectional analyses. Moreover, it is essential to ensure the formability of tube material on every forming step such as pre-bending and hydroforming. In addition, all the components of prototyping tool are designed and interference with press is examined from the point of geometry and thinning.

• 한국정밀공학회지
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.26-36
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• 1990

This paper describes the Computer Aided Design (CAD) of dies for direct hot extrusion of structural shapes such as Z's and U's from aluminum alloys. A simple analysis of the direct extrusion process is developed and used to formulate a disign procedure for determining the optimal shape of the extrusion dies. A computer software system has been developed to design flat-faced dies for non-lubricated hot extrusion process. This software is a system of computer programs which are written to logical design procedure. Computer programs are based on empirical and analytical relationships, as well as on established knowledge based system. In the interactive mode of operation, the reaults at various tages of the design process are plotted on a screen. At any stage, the designer can interact with the computer to change or modify the design, based on his experience. The output from the program is (a) the design of the flat-faced die, (b) information on extrusion load, reduction ratio, and other process variables, etc. The implementation of this CAD system is expected to (a) provide scientific basis and rationalize the die design procedure, (b) optimize extrusion variables to maximize yield and production rate, (c) improve utilization of existing press capacity, etc.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.313-325
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• 2016

South Africa recognises piped water as the main source of safe drinking water supply. Remote areas do not have access to this resource and they rely solely on surface water for survival, which exposes them to waterborne diseases. Interim point of use solutions are not practiced due to their laboriousness and alteration of the taste. Bio-ultra low pressure driven membrane system has been noted to be able to produce stable fluxes after one week of operation; however, there is limited literature on South African waters. This study was conducted on three rivers namely; Umgeni, Umbilo and Tugela. Three laboratory systems were setup to evaluate the performance of the technology in terms of producing stable fluxes and water that is compliant with the WHO 2008 drinking water guideline with regards to turbidity, total coliforms and E.coli. The obtained flux rate trends were similar to those noted in literature where they are referred to as stable fluxes. However, when further comparing the obtained fluxes to the normal dead-end filtration curve, it was noted that both the Umbilo and Tugela Rivers responded similarly to a normal dead-end filtration curve. The Umgeni River was noted to produce flux rates which were higher than those obtainable under normal dead-end. It can be concluded that there was no stabilisation of flux noted. However, feed water with low E.coli and turbidity concentrations enhances the flux rates. The technology was noted to produce water of less than 1 NTU and 100% removal efficiency for E.coli and total coliforms.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.67-78
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• 2018

The stability of cutting slope influences the safety of railway operation, and how to identify the stability of the slope quickly and determine the rational monitoring plan is a pressing problem at present. In this study, the attribute recognition model of risk assessment for high cutting slope stability in the heavy haul railway is established based on attribute mathematics theory, followed by the consequent monitoring scheme design. Firstly, based on comprehensive analysis on the risk factors of heavy haul railway loess slope, collapsibility, tectonic feature, slope shape, rainfall, vegetation conditions, train speed are selected as the indexes of the risk assessment, and the grading criteria of each index is established. Meanwhile, the weights of the assessment indexes are determined by AHP judgment matrix. Secondly, The attribute measurement functions are given to compute attribute measurement of single index and synthetic attribute, and the attribute recognition model was used to assess the risk of a typical heavy haul railway loess slope, Finally, according to the risk assessment results, the monitoring content and method of this loess slope were determined to avoid geological disasters and ensure the security of the railway infrastructure. This attribute identification- risk assessment- monitoring design mode could provide an effective way for the risk assessment and control of heavy haul railway in the loess plateau.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.141-149
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• 2020

Prechlorination could increase the removal efficiency of Synedra, but there was no significant effect of increasing the amount of chlorine added. However, a removal efficiency of greater than 80% was noted when ozone was injected at concentrations greater than 2 mg/L. Also, it was found that on addition of polyamine, a removal efficiency of 80% or more could be achieved. As a result of the analysis of field operation data from the water treatment plants G and B, it was found that at water treatment plant G, the filter run time decreased to 10 hours or less when only coagulant was injected, but the filter run time increased to around 40 hours when polyamine (3 mg/L) was also injected. The Synedra population in the raw water subsequently increased to 2,340 cells/mL, and the filter continued running for more than 20 hours. At water treatment plant B, the average Synedra removal efficiency was 56% when only coagulant was injected, and the filter run time decreased drastically with the increasing population of Synedra in the raw water. However, the removal efficiency of Synedra reached 79% when polyamine was injected together with the coagulant, 90% when ozone was also injected, and 95% when polyamine and ozone were injected together and the filter continued running for over 50 hours. The filter run time was maintained at 60 hours when a Synedra population of 6,890 cells/mL flowed into the Paldang water source, but the filter run time with Synedra at 1,960 cells/mL decreased rapidly from 65 hours to 35 hours when the ratio of the size of the individual Synedra reaching 250 ㎛ or more, increased from 38% to 94%. Therefore, the size of the Synedra is considered to be a factor that significantly influences filter clogging, as well as the size of the Synedra population.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제75권4호
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• pp.435-444
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• 2020

Ultrasonic guided wave testing is a very promising non-destructive testing method for rails, which is of great significance for ensuring the safe operation of railways. On the basis of the semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) method, a analytical model of 59R2 grooved rail was proposed, which is commonly used in the ballastless track of modern tram. The dispersion curves of ultrasonic guided waves in free rail and supported rail were obtained. Sensitivity analysis was then undertaken to evaluate the effect of rail elastic modulus on the phase velocity and group velocity dispersion curves of ultrasonic guided waves. The optimal guided wave mode, optimal excitation point and excitation direction suitable for detecting rail integrity were identified by analyzing the frequency, number of modes, and mode shapes. A sinusoidal signal modulated by a Hanning window with a center frequency of 25 kHz was used as the excitation source, and the propagation characteristics of high-frequency ultrasonic guided waves in the rail were obtained. The results show that the rail pad has a relatively little influence on the dispersion curves of ultrasonic guided waves in the high frequency band, and has a relatively large influence on the dispersion curves of ultrasonic guided waves in the low frequency band below 4 kHz. The rail elastic modulus has significant influence on the phase velocity in the high frequency band, while the group velocity is greatly affected by the rail elastic modulus in the low frequency band.