• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.799-809
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• 2002

In order to utilize a parallel mechanism as a machine tool component, it is important to estimate the errors of its end-effector due to the uncertainties in parts. This study proposes an error analysis for a new parallel device, a cubic parallel mechanism. For the parallel device, we consider two kinds of errors. One is a static error due to link stiffness and the other is a dynamic error due to clearances in the parts. In this study, we propose a stiffness model for the cubic parallel mechanism under the assumption that the link stiffness is a linear function of the link length. Also, from the fact that the errors of u-joints and spherical joints are changed with the direction of force acting on the link, they are regarded as a part of link errors, and then the error model is derived using forward kinematics. Lastly, both the error models are integrated into the total error, which is analyzed with a test example that the platform moves along a circular path. This analysis can be used in predicting the accuracy of other parallel devices.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined exercise on injury risk factors of lower extremity during landing. Ten sports talented athletes participated in this study. Sports talented athletes participated in a combined exercise (sports talented exercise, coordination) for 16 weeks. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed using eight infrared cameras (sampling rate of 100 Hz), one force plate, and electromyography system (sampling rate of 1000 Hz) during landing. Kinetic, and kinematics analysis including average impulsive force, angle of lower extremity, vertical stiffness, onset of muscle activation were calculated by Matlab2009a software. Paired t-test was performed at alpha=.05. The average impulsive force in landing phase was not statistically significant (t=-.748, p=.474). The hip joint angle was more decreased in post test compared to pre test (E1: t=2.682, p=.025, E2: t=5.609, p=.000, E3: t=2.538, p=.032). The knee joint (E1: t=-.343, p=.739, E2: t=1.319, p=.220, E3: t=.589, p=.570) and ankle joint (E1: t=.081, p=.937, E2: t=.784, p=.453, E3: t=.392, p=.704) angle were tended to decrease after combined exercise. The vertical stiffness was tended to decrease after combined exercise (t=1.972, p=.080). Onset of quadriceps femoris (t=.698, p=.503) and medial gastocnemius (t=1.858, p=.096) were tended to be faster than biceps femoris (t=-.333, p=.747) after combined exercise. Although thses findings were not statistically significant except on a hip joint angle, risk factors of lower extremity such as joint angle, vertical stiffness and onset of quadriceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius were positively changed after the combined exercise but an additional training for improved onset of biceps femoris would be required in the future.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2007

The shield tunneling method has been increasingly employed to minimize environmental damages and civil complaints in the populated and developed area. A lining segment, which is a main structure of the shield tunnel, consists of joints. Conventional foreign and domestic design data have been commonly used for design practices without a specific verification of structural analysis models, design load, and the effect of soil characteristics on the performance of lining segment. In this study, the suitability of existing analytic models used for the design of shield tunnel lining segment has been evaluated through a comparison between analytical and numerical solutions. Based on the evaluation of their suitability performed in the study, a full-circumferential beam jointed spring model (1R-S0) is proposed for design practices by considering user's convenience, the applicability of field conditions and the accuracy of analysis result. By using the proposed model, the parameter analysis was performed to investigate the effects of joint stiffness, ground rigidity, joint distribution and the number of joints on the behavior of lining segment. Parameters considered in the investigation have been appeared to affect the behavior of lining segment. Among those parameters, joint stiffness has been appeared to have the most significant effect on the bending moment and displacement of lining segment.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.96-111
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• 1995

A bellows is a component installed in the automobile exhaust system to reduce the impact from an engine. It's stiffness has a great influence on the natural frequency of the system. Therefore, it must be designed to keep the specified stiffness that requires in the system. This study present the finite element analysis of U-typed bellows using a curved conical frustum element and the shape optimal design with specified stiffness. The finite element analysis is verified by comparing with the experimental results. In the shape optimal design, the weight is considered as the cost function. The specified stiffness from the system design is transformed to equality constraints. The formulation has inequality constraints imposed on the fatigue limit, the natural frequencies, the buckling load and the manufacturing conditions. A procedure for shape optimization adopts a thickness, a corrugation radius, and a length of annular plate as optimal design variables. The external loading conditions include the axial and lateral loads with a boundary condition fixed at an end of the bellows. The recursive quadratic programming algorithm is selected to solve the problem. The result are compared with the existing bellows, and the characteristics of the bellows is investigated through the optimal design process. The optimized shape of the bellows are expected to give quite a good guideline to the practical design.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.31-48
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• 2024

In order to get a better understanding of seismic performance of exterior beam-column joint, reciprocating loading tests with variable loading speeds or axial forces were carried out. The main findings indicate that only few cracks exist on the surface of the joint core area, while the plastic hinge region at the beam end is seriously damaged. The damage of the specimen is more serious with the increase of the upper limit of variable axial force. The deflection ductility coefficient of specimen decreases to various degrees after the upper limit of variable axial force increases. In addition, the higher the loading speed is, the lower the deflection ductility coefficient of the specimen is. The stiffness of the specimen decreases as the upper limit of variable axial force or the loading speed increase. Compared to the influence of variable axial force, the influence of the loading speed on the stiffness degradation of the specimen is more obvious. The cumulative energy dissipation and the equivalent viscous damping coefficient of specimen decrease with the increase of loading speed. The influence of variable axial force on the energy dissipation of specimen varies under different loading speeds. Based on the truss model, the biaxial stress criterion, the Rankine criterion, the Kent-Scott-Park model, the equivalent theorem of shearing stress, the softened strut-and-tie model, the controlled slip theory and the proposed equations, a calculation method for the shear capacity is proposed with satisfactory prediction results.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.627-639
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• 2019

Passive control may not provide enough damping for a stay cable since the control devices are often restricted to a low location level. In order to enhance control performance of conventional passive dampers, a new type of damper integrated with a rotary electromagnetic damper providing variable damping force and a flywheel serving as an inertial mass, called the rotary electromagnetic inertial mass damper (REIMD), is presented for suppressing the cable vibrations in this paper. The mechanical model of the REIMD is theoretically derived according to generation mechanisms of the damping force and the inertial force, and further validated by performance tests. General dynamic characteristics of an idealized taut cable with a REIMD installed close to the cable end are theoretically investigated, and parametric analysis are then conducted to investigate the effects of inertial mass and damping coefficient on vibration control performance. Finally, vibration control tests on a scaled cable model with a REIMD are performed to further verify mitigation performance through the first two modal additional damping ratios of the cable. Both the theoretical and experimental results show that control performance of the cable with the REIMD are much better than those of conventional passive viscous dampers, which mainly attributes to the increment of the damper displacement due to the inertial mass induced negative stiffness effects of the REIMD. Moreover, it is concluded that both inertial mass and damping coefficient of an optimum REIMD will decrease with the increase of the mode order of the cable, and oversize inertial mass may lead to negative effect on the control performance.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.195-205
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors that influence health-related quality of life in older adults with osteoarthritis. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with secondary analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011. A total of 362 participants aged 65 years and older who had osteoarthritis were selected. Health-related quality of life using EQ-5D, perceived health status, body mass index, numbers of chronic illness, smoking and alcohol use, exercise, activity limitation, joint pain and stiffness, depression, and perceived stress were measured. Descriptive statistics, $x^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression were conducted with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: The mean score of EQ-5D was 0.77 in older adults with osteoarthritis. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that age, income, subjective health status, restriction of activity, knee joint stiffness, depressive mood, and perceived stress significantly predicted health-related quality of life in older adults with osteoarthritis, explaining 42% of the variance. Conclusion: Older adults with osteoarthritis have low health-related quality of life. In oder to improve health-related quality of life in older adults with osteoarthritis, it is important not only to enhance physical function but also to provide emotional support.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Korean medicine based arthritis management program for community dwelling elderly women with osteoarthritis. Methods : A Nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for this study. Elderly people who agreed to participated in the study were assigned to a experimental group(n = 29) or a control group (n = 30). The Korean medicine based arthritis management program conducted for 12 weeks, 2 times a week. Study outcomes were measured by structured questionnaires from April, 2016 to July. For data analysis, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and ANCOVA were performed using SPSS version 21.0. Results : Pain, stiffness, balance, strength of lower extremity, and self care activity were significant difference between the two groups in pretest and posttest(F = 8.23, p = 006), (F = 9.13, p = .004), (F = 5.74, p = .020), (F = 4.98, p = .030), (F = 8.47, p = .005). Conclusions : The Korean medicine based arthritis management program was effective on decreasing joint pain, stiffness, and increasing balance, strength of lower extremity and self care activity of community dwelling elderly women with osteoarthritis. This program was found to be useful in alleviating and managing joint symptoms of elderly women with osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2011

In this study, the structural details of steel girder-abutment joints with shear connectors and tie bars were suggested to improve the rigid behavior and crack-resisting capacity of the joints in integral bridges. Experimental loading tests of steel girder-abutment joint specimens with the proposed and empirically constructed structural details were carried out, and the capacities and behavioral characteristics of the joints were evaluated through loading tests. Based on the results of the loading tests, it was estimated that all types of tested joints can be applied to the steel girder-abutment joints because they have sufficient stiffness and crack-resisting capacity under the required design and yield loads. According to the initial stiffness, crack propagations, and load-strain relationships, however, the joints with shear connectors and tie bars showed better structural behaviors compared to the empirically constructed joint.