• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.61 no.2
• /
• pp.283-293
• /
• 2017

The main contribution of the present paper is to propose an intelligent fuzzy inference system approach for modeling the debonding strength of masonry elements retrofitted with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP). To achieve this, the hybrid of meta-heuristic optimization methods and adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is implemented. In this study, particle swarm optimization with passive congregation (PSOPC) and real coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) are used to determine the best parameters of ANFIS from which better bond strength models in terms of modeling accuracy can be generated. To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed PSOPC-ANFIS and RCGA-ANFIS approaches, the numerical results are compared based on a database from laboratory testing results of 109 sub-assemblages. The statistical evaluation results demonstrate that PSOPC-ANFIS in comparison with ANFIS-RCGA considerably enhances the accuracy of the ANFIS approach. Furthermore, the comparison between the proposed approaches and other soft computing methods indicate that the approaches can effectively predict the debonding strength and that their modeling results outperform those based on the other methods.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.69 no.3
• /
• pp.317-326
• /
• 2019

This research aims to assess the tight seismic risk curve of the intake tower at Geumgwang reservoir by considering the recorded historical earthquake data in the Korean Peninsula. The seismic fragility, a significant part of risk assessment, is updated by using Bayesian inference to consider the uncertainties and computational efficiency. The reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs in Korea for the supply of agricultural water. The intake tower controls the release of water from the reservoir. The seismic risk assessment of the intake tower plays an important role in the risk management of the reservoir. Site-specific seismic hazard is computed based on the four different seismic source maps of Korea. Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) method is used to estimate the annual exceedance rate of hazard for corresponding Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA). Hazard deaggregation is shown at two customary hazard levels. Multiple dynamic analyses and a nonlinear static pushover analysis are performed for deriving fragility parameters. Thereafter, Bayesian inference with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is used to update the fragility parameters by integrating the results of the analyses. This study proves to reduce the uncertainties associated with fragility and risk curve, and to increase significant statistical and computational efficiency. The range of seismic risk curve of the intake tower is extracted for the reservoir site by considering four different source models and updated fragility function, which can be effectively used for the risk management and mitigation of reservoir.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.277-292
• /
• 2023

Much of our experiments are designed to uncover the cause(s) and effect(s) behind a phenomenon (i.e., data generating mechanism) we happen to be interested in. Uncovering such relationships allows us to identify the true workings of a phenomenon and, most importantly, to realize and articulate a model to explore the phenomenon on hand and/or allow us to predict it accurately. Fundamentally, such models are likely to be derived via a causal approach (as opposed to an observational or empirical mean). In this approach, causal discovery is required to create a causal model, which can then be applied to infer the influence of interventions, and answer any hypothetical questions (i.e., in the form of What ifs? Etc.) that commonly used prediction- and statistical-based models may not be able to address. From this lens, this paper builds a case for causal discovery and causal inference and contrasts that against common machine learning approaches - all from a civil and structural engineering perspective. More specifically, this paper outlines the key principles of causality and the most commonly used algorithms and packages for causal discovery and causal inference. Finally, this paper also presents a series of examples and case studies of how causal concepts can be adopted for our domain.

• Smart Media Journal
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2012

In this paper, the characteristics of tensor voting, which are used extensively in image processing and computer vision, have been surveyed. In general, tensor voting can infer the structural features like junctions, curves, regions and surfaces from n-dimensional data given as points, curve elements or surface patch elements. Currently various perceptual grouping methods based on such structural inference are studied and are used for diverse applications on images or scenes. Tensor voting provides robustness to noises and demonstrates itself efficient in many applications.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1989.10a
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 1989

This paper presents an expert system approach to solve preliminary bridge design problems. The system employs a forward chaining inference strategy to 1) choose the appropriate superstructure types and construction methods and 2) use the solutions chosen in 1) to determine a list of ranked alternatives. The basic information used in the selection is collected from various sources. Due to the uncertainties presented in the information collected, Fuzzy sets are used to handle these uncertainties in the system. Finally to approve this system some applications are made to select superstructure types and construction methods of them.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.6 no.6
• /
• pp.853-866
• /
• 2011

We propose a multi-objective space search algorithm (MSSA) and introduce the identification of fuzzy inference systems based on the MSSA and information granulation (IG). The MSSA is a multi-objective optimization algorithm whose search method is associated with the analysis of the solution space. The multi-objective mechanism of MSSA is realized using a non-dominated sorting-based multi-objective strategy. In the identification of the fuzzy inference system, the MSSA is exploited to carry out parametric optimization of the fuzzy model and to achieve its structural optimization. The granulation of information is attained using the C-Means clustering algorithm. The overall optimization of fuzzy inference systems comes in the form of two identification mechanisms: structure identification (such as the number of input variables to be used, a specific subset of input variables, the number of membership functions, and the polynomial type) and parameter identification (viz. the apexes of membership function). The structure identification is developed by the MSSA and C-Means, whereas the parameter identification is realized via the MSSA and least squares method. The evaluation of the performance of the proposed model was conducted using three representative numerical examples such as gas furnace, NOx emission process data, and Mackey-Glass time series. The proposed model was also compared with the quality of some "conventional" fuzzy models encountered in the literature.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.575-594
• /
• 2010

In this study, we propose a space search algorithm (SSA) and then introduce a hybrid optimization of fuzzy inference systems based on SSA and information granulation (IG). In comparison with "conventional" evolutionary algorithms (such as PSO), SSA leads no.t only to better search performance to find global optimization but is also more computationally effective when dealing with the optimization of the fuzzy models. In the hybrid optimization of fuzzy inference system, SSA is exploited to carry out the parametric optimization of the fuzzy model as well as to realize its structural optimization. IG realized with the aid of C-Means clustering helps determine the initial values of the apex parameters of the membership function of fuzzy model. The overall hybrid identification of fuzzy inference systems comes in the form of two optimization mechanisms: structure identification (such as the number of input variables to be used, a specific subset of input variables, the number of membership functions, and polyno.mial type) and parameter identification (viz. the apexes of membership function). The structure identification is developed by SSA and C-Means while the parameter estimation is realized via SSA and a standard least square method. The evaluation of the performance of the proposed model was carried out by using four representative numerical examples such as No.n-linear function, gas furnace, NO.x emission process data, and Mackey-Glass time series. A comparative study of SSA and PSO demonstrates that SSA leads to improved performance both in terms of the quality of the model and the computing time required. The proposed model is also contrasted with the quality of some "conventional" fuzzy models already encountered in the literature.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.139-152
• /
• 2009

Globally, civil infrastructures are deteriorating at an alarming rate caused by overuse, overloading, aging, damage or failure due to natural or man-made hazards. With such a vast network of deteriorating infrastructure, there is a growing interest in continuous monitoring technologies. In order to provide a true distributed sensor and control system for civil structures, we are developing a Structural Nervous System that mimics key attributes of a human nervous system. This nervous system is made up of building blocks that are designed based on mechanoreceptors as a fundamentally new approach for the development of a structural health monitoring and diagnostic system that utilizes the recently developed piezo-fibers capable of sensing and actuation. In particular, our research has been focused on producing a sensory nervous system for civil structures by using piezo-fibers as sensory receptors, nerve fibers, neuronal pools, and spinocervical tract to the nodal and central processing units. This paper presents up to date results of our research, including the design and analysis of the structural nervous system.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2004.11c
• /
• pp.346-348
• /
• 2004

In this rarer, we introduce a new Fuzzy Polynomial Neural Networks (FPNNs)-like structure whose neuron is based on the Fuzzy Set-based Fuzzy Inference System (FS-FIS) and is different from that of FPNNs based on the Fuzzy relation-based Fuzzy Inference System (FR-FIS) and discuss the ability of the new FPNNs-like structurenamed Fuzzy Set-based Polynomial Neural Networks (FSPNN). The premise parts of their fuzzy rules are not identical, while the consequent parts of the both Networks (such as FPNN and FSPNN) are identical. This difference results from the angle of a viewpoint of partition of input space of system. In other word, from a point of view of FS-FIS, the input variables are mutually independent under input space of system, while from a viewpoint of FR-FIS they are related each other. In considering the structures of FPNN-like networks such as FPNN and FSPNN, they are almost similar. Therefore they have the same shortcomings as well as the same virtues on structural side. The proposed design procedure for networks' architecture involves the selection of appropriate nodes with specific local characteristics such as the number of input variables, the order of the polynomial that is constant, linear, quadratic, or modified quadratic functions being viewed as the consequent part of fuzzy rules, and a collection of the specific subset of input variables. On the parameter optimization phase, we adopt Information Granulation (IG) based on HCM clustering algorithm and a standard least square method-based learning. Through the consecutive process of such structural and parametric optimization, an optimized and flexible fuzzy neural network is generated in a dynamic fashion. To evaluate the performance of the genetically optimized FSPNN (gFSPNN), the model is experimented with using gas furnace process dataset.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.25 no.12
• /
• pp.2062-2069
• /
• 2001

It has been established that a crack has an important effect on the dynamic behavior of a structure. This effect depends mainly on the location and depth of the crack. To identify the location and depth of a crack in a structure, a method is presented in this paper which uses synthetic artificial intelligent technique, that is, Adaptive-Network-based Fuzzy Inference System(ANFIS) solved via hybrid learning algorithm(the back-propagation gradient descent and the least-squares method) are used to learn the input(the location and depth of a crack)-output(the structural eigenfrequencies) relation of the structural system. With this ANFIS and a continuous evolutionary algorithm(CEA), it is possible to formulate the inverse problem. CEAs based on genetic algorithms work efficiently for continuous search space optimization problems like a parameter identification problem. With this ANFIS, CEAs are used to identify the crack location and depth minimizing the difference from the measured frequencies. We have tried this new idea on a simple beam structure and the results are promising.