• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.822-826
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• 2008

A linkage mechanism is a device to convert an input motion into a desired output motion. Traditional linkage mechanism designs are based on trial and error approaches so that size or shape changes of an original mechanism often result in improper results. In order to resolve these problems, an improved automatic mechanism synthesis method that determines the linkage type and dimensions by using an optimization method during the synthesis process has been proposed. For the synthesis, a planar linkage is modeled as a set of rigid blocks connected by zero-length translational springs with variable stiffness. In this study, the sizes of rigid blocks were also treated as design variables for more general linkage synthesis. The values of spring stiffness and the size of rigid block yielding a desired output motion at the end-effecter are found by using an optimization method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.25-37
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• 2018

For the first time, the parametric instability characteristics of tow-steered variable stiffness composite laminated (VSCL) cylindrical panels is investigated using B-spline finite strip method (FSM). The panel is considered containing geometrical defects including cutout and delamination. The material properties are assumed to vary along the panel axial length of any lamina according to a linear fiber-orientation variation. A uniformly distributed inplane longitudinal loading varies harmoni-cally with time is considered. The instability load frequency regions corresponding to the assumed in-plane parametric load-ing is derived using the Bolotin's first order approximation through an energy approach. In order to demonstrate the capabili-ties of the developed formulation in predicting stability behavior of the thin-walled VSCL structures, some representative results are obtained and compared with those in the literature wherever available. It is shown that the B-spline FSM is a proper tool for extracting the stability boundaries of perforated delaminated VSCL panels.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 2018

This paper describes an experimental study on the seismic performance of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) T-shaped columns. The lateral loads were applied along the web of the column with different loading histories, such as monotonic loading, mixed loading of variable amplitude cyclic loading and monotonic loading, constant amplitude cyclic loading and variable amplitude cyclic loading. The failure modes, load-displacement curves, characteristic loads and displacements, ductility, strength and stiffness degradations and energy dissipation capacity of the column were analyzed. The effects of loading history on the seismic performance were focused on. The test results show that the specimens behaved differently in the aspects of the failure mode subject to different loading history, although all the failure modes can be summarized as flexural failure. The hysteretic loops of specimens are plump, and minimum values of the failure drift angles and ductility coefficients are 1/24 and 4.64, respectively, which reflect good seismic performance of SRC T-shaped column. With the increasing numbers of loading cycles, the column reveals lower bearing capacity and ductility. The strength and stiffness of the column with variable amplitude cyclic loading degrades more rapidly than that with constant amplitude cyclic loading, and the total cumulative dissipated energy of the former is less.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.153-177
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• 2013

Pendulums can be used as passive vibration control devices in several structures and machines. In the present work, the nonlinear behavior of a pendulum-tower system is studied. The tower is modeled as a bar with variable cross-section with concentrated masses. First, the vibration modes and frequencies of the tower are obtained analytically. The primary structure and absorber together constitute a coupled system which is discretized as a two degrees of freedom nonlinear system, using the normalized eigenfunctions and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The analysis shows the influence of the geometric nonlinearity of the pendulum absorber on the response of the tower. A parametric analysis also shows that, with an appropriate choice of the absorber parameters, a pendulum can decrease the vibration amplitudes of the tower in the main resonance region. The results also show that the pendulum nonlinearity cannot be neglected in this type of problem, leading to multiplicity of solutions, dynamic jumps and instability. In order to improve the effectiveness of the control during the transient response, a hybrid control system is suggested. The added control force is implemented as a non-linear variable stiffness device based on position and velocity feedback. The obtained results show that this strategy of nonlinear control is attractive, has a good potential and can be used to minimize the response of slender structures under various types of excitation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.111-120
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• 2018

This paper presents a new and simple solution for determining the natural frequencies of framed tube combined with shear-walls and tube-in-tube systems. The novelty of the presented approach is based on the bending moment function approximation instead of the mode shape function approximation. This novelty makes the presented solution very simpler and very shorter in the mathematical calculations process. The shear stiffness, flexural stiffness and mass per unit length of the structure are variable along the height. The effect of the structure weight on its natural frequencies is considered using a variable axial force. The effects of shear lag phenomena has been investigated on the natural frequencies of the structure. The whole structure is modeled by an equivalent non-prismatic shear-flexural cantilever beam under variable axial forces. The governing differential equation of motion is converted into a system of linear algebraic equations and the natural frequencies are calculated by determining a non-trivial solution for the system of equations. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified through several numerical examples and the results are compared with the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.113-122
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• 2003

Topology optimization is begun with layout optimization that is attributed to Rozvany and Prager of the 1960's. They claimed that structure was transformed into truss connecting all the nodes of finite element and optimized by control of its sectional modulus. But, this method is partial topology optimization. General layout optimal design appliable to continum structure was proposed by Bendsoe and Kikuchi in 1988. Topology optimization expresses material stiffness of structure into function of arbitrary variable. If this variable is 1, material exists but if this variable is 0, material doesn't exist. Therefore, topology optimization searches the distribution function of material stiffness for structure. There are a few researchs for simple engineering problem such as topology optimization of square plane structure or truss structure. So, This study applied to topology optimization of table liner for vertical roller mill that is the largest scale in the world. After table liner decreased by 20% of original weight, the structure analysis for first optimized model was performed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.715-728
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• 2012

This paper deals with determining the fundamental frequency of tall buildings that consist of framed tube, shear core, belt truss and outrigger systems in which the framed tube and shear core vary in size along the height of the structure. The effect of belt truss and outrigger system is modeled as a concentrated rotational linear spring at the belt truss and outrigger system location. Many cantilevered tall structures can be treated as cantilevered beams with variable cross-section in free vibration analysis. In this paper, the continuous approach, in which a tall building is replaced by an idealized cantilever continuum representing the structural characteristics, is employed and by using energy method and Hamilton's variational principle, the governing equation for free vibration of tall building with variable distributed mass and stiffness is obtained. The general solution of governing equation is obtained by making appropriate selection for mass and stiffness distribution functions. By applying the separation of variables method for time and space, the governing partial differential equation of motion is reduced to an ordinary differential equation with variable coefficients with the assumption that the transverse displacement is harmonic. A power-series solution representing the mode shape function of tall building is used. Applying boundary conditions yields the boundary value problem; the frequency equation is established and solved through a numerical process to determine the natural frequencies. Computer program has been developed in Matlab (R2009b, Version 7.9.0.529, Mathworks Inc., California, USA). A numerical example has been solved to demonstrate the reliability of this method. The results of the proposed mathematical model give a good understanding of the structure's dynamic characteristics; it is easy to use, yet reasonably accurate and suitable for quick evaluations during the preliminary design stages.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.1371-1375
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• 2005

The paper has analyzed the influence of tire design variable on the tire Force and Moment (F&M) characteristics, especially by the belt angle, the Plysteer Residual Aligning Torque (PRAT) which is considered as one of the causing factors for the vehicle pull. To validate the tire FE model, the tire stiffness and the PRAT which can be derived from the simulation data have been compared with the experimental data of test machine. In addition to PRAT characteristic, the tire stiffness and cornering characteristics due to the belt angle have been investigated. The effects of drum's curvature on the PRAT have been also investigated using the tire FE model and the usefulness of the current drum type F&M test machine can be confirmed.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.619-627
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• 2012

This study was experimentally investigated on the effects of spring stiffness applied to linear compressor chambers. The springs prevented piston head from colliding with engine cover, stored the kinetic energy and regenerated the kinetic energy. The linear engine has two combustion chambers and four compressor chamber. The combustion chamber bore size was 30 mm, maximum stroke was 31 mm and effective stroke volume was 25.45 cc respectively. The spring stiffness was varied such as 0, 0.5, 1.00, 2.9 and 14.7 N/mm. The linear engine was fueled with premixed LPG (propane 99%) and air by pre-mixture device. As an experimental result, The stroke, piston velocity and the piston frequency were increased by high spring stiffness. Also, thermal efficiency was grown. because the increased stroke made the higher compression ratio. In conclusion, electric power and efficiency were improved.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 1993

Precast/Prestressed concrete segmental bridges with moderate range of span length normally have a constant section height for economic segment manufacturing. Inside sectional dimension is often controlled for design of non-prismatic section between supports when variable stiffness is required. It is usual, in the preliminary design stage, to adopt trial bridge sections by past experience or by approximately estimated member forces. Three bridge models of different member stiffness have been selected to investigate flexural stiffness effects on member forces for preliminary design stage. The selected bridge stiffness has been determined by the flexibility index from review of the practically usable sections.