• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.107-127
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• 2008

Wind turbine blades are increasing in magnitude without a proportional increase of stiffness for which reason geometrical and inertial nonlinearities become increasingly important. Often these effects are analysed using a nonlinear truncated expansion in undamped fixed base mode shapes of a blade, modelling geometrical and inertial nonlinear couplings in the fundamental flap and edge direction. The purpose of this article is to examine the applicability of such a reduced-degree-of-freedom model in predicting the nonlinear response and stability of a blade by comparison to a full model based on a nonlinear co-rotating FE formulation. By use of the reduced-degree-of-freedom model it is shown that under strong resonance excitation of the fundamental flap or edge modes, significant energy is transferred to higher modes due to parametric or nonlinear coupling terms, which influence the response and stability conditions. It is demonstrated that the response predicted by such models in some cases becomes instable or chaotic. However, as a consequence of the energy flow the stability is increased and the tendency of chaotic vibrations is reduced as the number of modes are increased. The FE model representing the case of infinitely many included modes, is shown to predict stable and ordered response for all considered parameters. Further, the analysis shows that the reduced-degree-of-freedom model of relatively low order overestimates the response near resonance peaks, which is a consequence of the small number of included modes. The qualitative erratic response and stability prediction of the reduced order models take place at frequencies slightly above normal operation. However, for normal operation of the wind turbine without resonance excitation 4 modes in the reduced-degree-of-freedom model perform acceptable.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.399-413
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• 2018

This paper addresses the issue of field measurement of excavation damage zone (EDZ) and its numerical simulation method considering both excavation unloading and blasting load effects. Firstly, a 2000 m-deep rock cavern in China is focused. A detailed analysis is conducted on the field measurement data regarding the mechanical response of rock masses subjected to excavation and blasting operation. The extent of EDZ is revealed 3.6 m-4.0 m, accounting for 28.6% of the cavern span, so it is significantly larger than rock caverns at conventional overburden depth. The rock mass mechanical response subjected to excavation and blasting is time-independent. Afterwards, based on findings of the field measurement data, a numerical evaluation method for EDZ determination considering both excavation unloading and blasting load effects is presented. The basic idea and general procedures are illustrated. It features a calibration operation of damage constant, which is defined in an elasto-plastic damage constitutive model, and a regression process of blasting load using field blasting vibration monitoring data. The numerical simulation results are basically consistent with the field measurement results. Further, some issues regarding the blasting loads, applicability of proposed numerical method, and some other factors are discussed. In conclusion, the field measurement data collected from the 2000 m-deep rock cavern and the corresponding findings will broaden the understanding of tunnel behavior subjected to excavation and blasting at great depth. Meanwhile, the presented numerical simulation method for EDZ determination considering both excavation unloading and blasting load effects can be used to evaluate rock caverns with similar characteristics.

• 유기물자원화
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.5-13
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• 2017

기존 국내 여과판의 재질은 주로 polypropylene 소재의 여과판을 사용하였으며 그 이유는 성형성이 좋고, 가격이 저렴하며 매우 보편적으로 보급된 소재이기 때문이다. 그러나 고압에 의해 한번 뒤틀려진 polypropylene 소재 여과판은 재사용이 어려우며 가압형 고액분리모듈의 연속 운전에 문제를 야기할 수 있다. 따라서 기존 polypropylene 소재보다 성능이 뛰어난 TPU(Thermoplastic Poly Urethane) 소재개발을 위해 새로운 소재에 대해 설계된 여과판의 구조적 안정성을 해석적 기법을 통해 예측하였다. 20 bar의 압력하중 하에서 TPU를 적용한 여과판은 최대 변형량이 27.85 MPa로 나타났으며 이 값은 TPU 응력-변형률(Stress-Strain) 한계치 이하 값으로 여과판 재질에 대한 구조적 안정성을 확보하였다.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2017

Grouting is an operation often carried out to consolidate and seal the rock mass in dam sites and tunnels. One of the important parameters in this operation is grouting pressure. In this paper, analytical models used to estimate pressure are investigated. To validate these models, grouting data obtained from Seymareh and Aghbolagh dams were used. Calculations showed that P-3 model from Groundy and P-25 model obtained from the results of grouting in Iran yield the most accurate predictions of the pressure and measurement errors compared to the real values in P-25 model in this dams are 12 and 14.33 Percent and in p-3 model are 12.25 and 16.66 respectively. Also, SPSS software was applied to define the optimum relation for pressure estimation. The results showed a high correlation between the pressure with the depth of the section, the amount of water take, rock quality degree and grout volume, so that the square of the multiple correlation coefficient among the parameters in this dams were 0.932 and 0.864, respectively. This indicates that regression results can be used to predict the amount of pressure. Eventually, the relationship between the parameters was obtained with the correlation coefficient equal to 0.916 based on the data from both dams generally and shows that there is a desirable correlation between the parameters. The outputs of the program led to the multiple linear regression equation of P=0.403 Depth+0.013 RQD+0.011 LU-0.109 V+0.31 that can be used in estimating the pressure.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.249-271
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• 2014

This paper presents a unique study of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for the maintenance decision making about a real life movable bridge. The mechanical components of movable bridges are maintained on a scheduled basis. However, it is desired to have a condition-based maintenance by taking advantage of SHM. The main objective is to track the operation of a gearbox and a rack-pinion/open gear assembly, which are critical parts of bascule type movable bridges. Maintenance needs that may lead to major damage to these components needs to be identified and diagnosed timely since an early detection of faults may help avoid unexpected bridge closures or costly repairs. The fault prediction of the gearbox and rack-pinion/open gear is carried out using two types of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs): 1) Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Networks (MLP-NNs) and 2) Fuzzy Neural Networks (FNNs). Monitoring data is collected during regular opening and closing of the bridge as well as during artificially induced reversible damage conditions. Several statistical parameters are extracted from the time-domain vibration signals as characteristic features to be fed to the ANNs for constructing the MLP-NNs and FNNs independently. The required training and testing sets are obtained by processing the acceleration data for both damaged and undamaged condition of the aforementioned mechanical components. The performances of the developed ANNs are first evaluated using unseen test sets. Second, the selected networks are used for long-term condition evaluation of the rack-pinion/open gear of the movable bridge. It is shown that the vibration monitoring data with selected statistical parameters and particular network architectures give successful results to predict the undamaged and damaged condition of the bridge. It is also observed that the MLP-NNs performed better than the FNNs in the presented case. The successful results indicate that ANNs are promising tools for maintenance monitoring of movable bridge components and it is also shown that the ANN results can be employed in simple approach for day-to-day operation and maintenance of movable bridges.

• Computers and Concrete
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.103-126
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• 2015

Thermal effects are significant loads for assessing concrete dam behaviour during operation. A new methodology to estimate thermal loads on concrete dams taking into account processes which were previously unconsidered, such as: the evaporative cooling, the night radiating cooling or the shades, has been recently reported. The application of this novel approach in combination with a three-dimensional finite element method to solve the heat diffusion equation led to a precise characterization of the thermal field inside the dam. However, that approach may be computationally expensive. This paper proposes the use of a new one-dimensional model based on an explicit finite difference scheme which is improved by means of the reported methodology for computing the heat fluxes through the dam faces. The improved model has been applied to a case study where observations from 21 concrete thermometers and data of climatic variables were available. The results are compared with those from: (a) the original one-dimensional finite difference model, (b) the Stucky-Derron classical one-dimensional analytical solution, and (c) a three-dimensional finite element method. The results of the improved model match well with the observed temperatures, in addition they are similar to those obtained with (c) except in the vicinity of the abutments, although this later is a considerably more complex methodology. The improved model have a better performance than the models (a) and (b), whose results present larger error and bias when compared with the recorded data.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.99-111
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• 2012

The performance of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of 1000 and 3500 Da in clarifying sugar cane juice was investigated, as well as the performance of a nanofiltration (NF) membrane with MWCO of 200 Da and a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in concentrating sugar cane juice. For both cases the sugar cane juice had been limed and partially clarified. The UF membranes were found to be effective at clarifying the sugar cane juice in terms of purity rise and reduction in turbidity, colour, starch and protein. A purity rise of approximately 6 was achieved by both UF membranes at trans-membrane pressures (TMP) from 15 to 25 bar. However, Brix reduction in the permeate was between 14.5 and 41.85% and 12.11 and 26.52% for 1000 Da and 3500 Da membranes respectively. For the 200 Da and RO membranes the Brix in the concentrate was increased from 7.65 to 12.3 after 3 hours of operation for the 200 Da membrane at a TMP of 10 bar, whilst the Brix in the concentrate was increased from 15.65 to 27.6 after 3 hours of operation for the RO membrane at a TMP of 35 bar. Overall, UF membranes were found to be unsuitable for clarification of sugar cane juice since significant amount of Brix is reduced in the permeate, whilst RO membranes were found to be effective for concentration of sugar cane juice.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.271-281
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• 2022

This study discusses challenges of running expandable profile liners (EPLs) to isolate trouble zones in directional section of a deep well, and summary the expandable profile liner technology (EPLT) field trial experience. Technically, the trial result reveals that it is feasible to apply the EPLT solving lost-circulation control problem and wellbore instability in the deep directional section. Propose schemes for optimizing the EPLT operation procedure to break through the existing bottleneck of EPLT in the deep directional section. Better-performing transition joints are developed to improve EPL string reliability in high borehole curvature section. High-performing and reliable expanders reduce the number of trips, offer excellent mechanical shaping efficiency, simplify the EPLT operation procedure. Application of the expansion and repair integrated tool could minimize the risk of insufficient expansion and increase the operational length of the EPL string. The new welding process and integrated automatic welding equipment improve the welding quality and EPL string structural integrity. These optimization schemes and recent new advancements in EPLT can bring significant economic benefits and promote the application of EPLT to meet future challenges.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.489-502
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• 2022

In this study, a Gaussian process regression (GPR) model as well as six GPR-based metaheuristic optimization models, including GPR-PSO, GPR-GWO, GPR-MVO, GPR-MFO, GPR-SCA, and GPR-SSO, were developed to predict fly-rock distance in the blasting operation of open pit mines. These models included GPR-SCA, GPR-SSO, GPR-MVO, and GPR. In the models that were obtained from the Soungun copper mine in Iran, a total of 300 datasets were used. These datasets included six input parameters and one output parameter (fly-rock). In order to conduct the assessment of the prediction outcomes, many statistical evaluation indices were used. In the end, it was determined that the performance prediction of the ML models to predict the fly-rock from high to low is GPR-PSO, GPR-GWO, GPR-MVO, GPR-MFO, GPR-SCA, GPR-SSO, and GPR with ranking scores of 66, 60, 54, 46, 43, 38, and 30 (for 5-fold method), respectively. These scores correspond in conclusion, the GPR-PSO model generated the most accurate findings, hence it was suggested that this model be used to forecast the fly-rock. In addition, the mutual information test, also known as MIT, was used in order to investigate the influence that each input parameter had on the fly-rock. In the end, it was determined that the stemming (T) parameter was the most effective of all the parameters on the fly-rock.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.653-660
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• 2022

Gravel scattering that is generated during operation of high-speed railway vehicle is cause to damage of vehicle such as windows, axle protector and so on. Especially, those are frequently occurred in winter season when snow ice is generated easily. Above all, damage of vehicle windows has not only caused maintenance cost but also increased psychological anxiety of passengers. Various methods such as heating system using copper wire, heating jacket and heating air are applied to remove snow ice generated on the under-body of vehicle. However, the methods require much run-time and man power which can be low effectiveness of work. Therefore, this paper shows that large-area heating system was developed based on heating coat in order to fundamentally prevent snow ice damage on high-speed railway vehicle in the winter season. This system gives users high convenience because that can remotely control the heating system using IoT-based wireless communication. For evaluating the applicability to railroad sites, a field test on an actual high-speed railroad operation was conducted by applying these techniques to the brake cylinder of a high-speed railroad vehicle. From the results, it evaluated how input voltage and electric power per unit area of the heating specimen influences exothermic performance to draw the permit power condition for icing. In the future, if the system developed in the study is applied at the railroad site, it may be used as a technique for preventing all types of damages occurring due to snow ice in winter.