• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.655-667
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• 2018

To evaluate the stability of a rock slope with one pre-exiting vertical crack, this paper performs corresponding probabilistic stability analysis. The existence of cracks is generally ignored in traditional deterministic stability analysis. However, they are widely found in either cohesive soil or rock slopes. The influence of one pre-exiting vertical crack on a rock slope is considered in this study. The safety factor, which is usually adopted to quantity the stability of slopes, is derived through the deterministic computation based on the strength reduction technique. The generalized Hoek-Brown (HB) failure criterion is adopted to characterize the failure of rock masses. Considering high nonlinearity of the limit state function as using nonlinear HB criterion, the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) is used to accurately approximate the implicit limit state function of a rock slope. Then the MARS is integrated with Monte Carlo simulation to implement reliability analysis, and the influences of distribution types, level of uncertainty, and constants on the probability density functions and failure probability are discussed. It is found that distribution types of random variables have little influence on reliability results. The reliability results are affected by a combination of the uncertainty level and the constants. Finally, a reliability-based design figure is provided to evaluate the safety factor of a slope required for a target failure probability.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.303-318
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• 1999

Cracking of reinforced concrete flexural members is a highly random phenomenon. In this paper reliability models are presented to determine the probabilities of failure of flexural members against the limit states of first crack and maximum crackwidth. The models proposed take into account the mechanism of cracking. Based on the reliability models discussed, Eqs. (8) and (9) useful in the reliability-based design of flexural members are presented.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.237-250
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• 2022

Structural health monitoring (SHM) plays an important role in ensuring the safety and functionality of critical civil infrastructure. In recent years, numerous researchers have conducted studies to develop computer vision and machine learning techniques for SHM purposes, offering the potential to reduce the laborious nature and improve the effectiveness of field inspections. However, high-quality vision data from various types of damaged structures is relatively difficult to obtain, because of the rare occurrence of damaged structures. The lack of data is particularly acute for fatigue crack in steel bridge girder. As a result, the lack of data for training purposes is one of the main issues that hinders wider application of these powerful techniques for SHM. To address this problem, the use of synthetic data is proposed in this article to augment real-world datasets used for training neural networks that can identify fatigue cracks in steel structures. First, random textures representing the surface of steel structures with fatigue cracks are created and mapped onto a 3D graphics model. Subsequently, this model is used to generate synthetic images for various lighting conditions and camera angles. A fully convolutional network is then trained for two cases: (1) using only real-word data, and (2) using both synthetic and real-word data. By employing synthetic data augmentation in the training process, the crack identification performance of the neural network for the test dataset is seen to improve from 35% to 40% and 49% to 62% for intersection over union (IoU) and precision, respectively, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed approach.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.271-281
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• 2018

A jointed rock slope stability evaluation was simulated by a discontinuous deformation analysis numerical method to investigate the process and safety factors for different crack distributions and different overloading situations. An optimized method using Discontinuous Deformation Analysis for Rock Failure (DDARF) is presented to perform numerical investigations on the jointed rock slope stability evaluation of the Dagangshan hydropower station. During the pre-processing of establishing the numerical model, an integrated software system including AutoCAD, Screen Capture, and Excel is adopted to facilitate the implementation of the numerical model with random joint network. These optimizations during the pre-processing stage of DDARF can remarkably improve the simulation efficiency, making it possible for complex model calculation. In the numerical investigations on the jointed rock slope stability evaluations using the optimized DDARF, three calculation schemes have been taken into account in the numerical model: (I) no joint; (II) two sets of regular parallel joints; and (III) multiple sets of random joints. This model is capable of replicating the entire processes including crack initiation, propagation, formation of shear zones, and local failures, and thus is able to provide constructive suggestions to supporting schemes for the slope. Meanwhile, the overloading numerical simulations under the same three schemes have also been performed. Overloading safety factors of the three schemes are 5.68, 2.42 and 1.39, respectively, which are obtained by analyzing the displacement evolutions of key monitoring points during overloading.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.101-110
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• 2007

Joint Spacing of Jointed Concrete Pavement has been uniformly designed and constructed as six-meter in Korea. However, engineering backgrounds to show the appropriateness of six-meter Joint Spacing has not been provided. In the on-going reseach of the development of Korea Pavement Reseach Program(KPRP), the optimum Joint Spacing is suggested as 6 to 8 meters according to the regional climatic conditions based on the mechanical-empirical analysis of short-term and long-term pavement distress. This study is a part of the investigation on the adequateness of Joint Spacing design specification suggested in KPRP. Joint Spacing was design and constructed as seven-meter Joint Spacing suggested as design specification in Korea Reseach Program(KPRP) and monitored the Load Transfer Efficiency(LTE), Random crack and compared with those of adjacent $6{\sim}7$ meter Joint Spacing concrete section.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.57-72
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• 1999

Traditional theories of the tensile failure of paper have assumed that uniform strain progresses throughout the sheet until an imperfection within the structure causes a catastrophic break. The resistance to tensile elongation is assumed to be elastic , at first, throughout the structure, followed by an overall plastic yield. However, linear image strain analysis (LISA) has demonstrated that the yield in tensile loading of paper is quite non-uniform throughout the structure, Traditional theories have failed to define the flaws that trigger catastrophic failure. It was assumed that a shive or perhaps a low basis weight area filled that role. Studies of the fracture mechanics of paper have typically utilized a well-defined flaw around which yield and failure could be examined . The flaw was a simple razor cut normal to the direction of tensile loading. Such testing is labeled mode I analysis. The included fla in the paper was always normal to the tensile loading direction, never at another orientation . However, shives or low basis weight zones are likely to be at random angular orientations in the sheet. The effects of angular flaws within the tensile test were examined. The strain energy density theory and experimental work demonstrate the change in crack propagation from mode I to mode IIas the initial flaw angle of crack propagation as a function of the initial flaw angle is predicted and experimentally demonstrated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.443-457
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• 2011

The loss of strength in a structure as a result of cyclic loads over a period of life time is an important phenomenon for the life-cycle analysis. Service loads are accentuated at the areas of stress concentration, mainly at the connection of components. Structural components unavoidably are affected by defects such as surface scratches, surface roughness and weld defects of random sizes, which usually occur during the manufacturing and handling process. These defects are shown to have an important effect on the fatigue life of the structural components by promoting crack initiation sites. The value of equivalent initial flaw size (EIFS) is calculated by using the back extrapolation technique and the Paris law of fatigue crack growth from results of fatigue tests. We try to analyze the effect of EIFS distribution in a multiple site damage (MSD) specimen by using the extended finite element method (XFEM). For the analysis, fatigue tests were conducted on the centrally-cracked specimens and MSD specimens.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.387-402
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• 2010

From typical stress-axial strain curve and stress-volume strain curve of a concrete under uniaxial compression, the initiation and localization of microcracks within the interior of the specimen can be identified. The occurrence of random microcrack indicates the end of the linear elasticity, and the localization of microcrack implies formation of major crack, which triggers the onset of unstable crack propagation. The interval between initiation and localization of microcracks is characterized by a stable microcrack growth. Based on fracture behavior observed from a uniaxial compressive test of a concrete cylinder, a model has been developed to extract fundamental fracture properties of a concrete, i.e. the equivalent fracture toughness and the size of fracture process zone. The introduction of cracking Poisson's ratio accounts for tensile failure characteristics of concrete even under uniaxal compression. To justify the validity of the model proposed, tests on three-point bending have been performed to obtain the fracture toughness in accordance with two parameter fracture model and double-K fracture model. Surprisingly, it yields favorably comparable results and provides an encouraging alternative approach to determine fracture properties for concretes.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.19
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• pp.245-251
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• 1999

The joint in the concrete pavement provides a control against transverse or longitudinal cracking at slab, which may be caused by temperature or moisture variation during or after hydration. Without control of cracking, random crack may cause more serious distresses and result in structural or functional failure of pavement system. Sometimes, joint itself, purposed to control crack, may cause a distresses in joint due to its inherent weakness in structural integrity. Thus, the load transfer capacity in joint is very important for serviceability and durability. The purpose of this dissertation was to develop an evaluation system at joints of jointed concrete pavement using finite element analysis was performed using ILLI-SLAB program with a selected variables which might affect fairly to on the performance of transverse joints. The most significant variables were selected from precise analysis. It was concluded that the variables which most significantly affect to pavement deflections are the modulus of subgrade reaction(K) and the modulus of dowel/concrete interaction(G), and limiting criteria on the performance of joints at JCP at 300pci, 500,000 lb/in. respectively.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 1988

Two kinds of 16bit-personal computer-based fatigue testing automation and monitoring system were constructed; one is Single-System utilizing a personal computer, the other si Dual-System consisting of two personal computers. The system developed in this study permits to perform multi-step programmed loading and pseudo-random loading fatigue tests, three parameters such as load, total displacement and subtracted displacement can be measured simultaneously. For improvements in measurements of fatigue behavior, two kinds of signal noise reduction software was developed. In addition, a software was also designed to automatically measure the crack opening point and crack length using the unloading elastic compliance technique.