• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.289-303
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• 2015

This study presents a strategy so-called Subspace Search Mechanism (SSM) for reducing the computational time for convergence of population based metaheusristic algorithms. The selected metaheuristic for this study is the Cuckoo Search algorithm (CS) dealing with size optimization of trusses. The complexity of structural optimization problems can be partially due to the presence of high-dimensional design variables. SSM approach aims to reduce dimension of the problem. Design variables are categorized to predefined groups (subspaces). SSM focuses on the multiple use of the metaheuristic at hand for each subspace. Optimizer updates the design variables for each subspace independently. Updating rules require candidate designs evaluation. Each candidate design is the assemblage of responsible set of design variables that define the subspace of interest. SSM is incorporated to the Cuckoo Search algorithm for size optimizing of three small, moderate and large space trusses. Optimization results indicate that SSM enables the CS to work with less number of population (42%), as a result reducing the time of convergence, in exchange for some accuracy (1.5%). It is shown that the loss of accuracy can be lessened with increasing the order of complexity. This suggests its applicability to other algorithms and other complex finite element-based engineering design problems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제82권5호
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• pp.667-678
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• 2022

Moment-resisting frames (MRFs) are among the most conventional steel structures for mid-rise buildings in many earthquake-prone cities. Here, a simplified performance-based methodology is proposed for the seismic collapse capacity assessment of these buildings. This method employs a novel multi-mode pushover analysis to determine the engineering demand parameters (EDPs) of the regular steel MRFs up to the collapse prevention (CP) performance level. The modal combination coefficients used in the proposed pushover analysis, are obtained from two metaheuristic optimization algorithms and a fitting procedure. The design variables for the optimization process are the inter-story drift ratio profiles resulting from the multi-mode pushover analyses, and the objective values are the outcomes of the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). Here, the collapse capacity of the structures is assessed in three to five steps, using a modified IDA procedure. A series of regular mid-rise steel MRFs are selected and analyzed to calculate the modal combination coefficients and to validate the proposed approach. The new methodology is verified against the current existing approaches. This comparison shows that the suggested method more accurately evaluates the EDPs and the collapse capacity of the regular MRFs in a robust and easy to implement way.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.813-833
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• 2015

Spherical reticulated shells are widely applied in structural engineering due to their good bearing capability and attractive appearance. Parametric modeling of spherical reticulated shells is the basis of internal analysis and optimization design. In the present study, generation methods of nodes and the corresponding connection methods of rod elements are proposed. Modeling programs are compiled by adopting the ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL). A shape optimization method based on the two-stage algorithm is presented, and the corresponding optimization program is compiled in FORTRAN environment. Shape optimization is carried out based on the objective function of the minimum total steel consumption and the restriction condition of strength, stiffness, slenderness ratio, stability. The shape optimization of four typical Schwedler spherical reticulated shells is calculated with the span of 30 m~80 m and rise to span ratio of 1/7~1/2. Compared with the shape optimization results, the variation rules of total steel consumption along with the span and rise to span ratio are discussed. The results show that: (1) The left and right rod-Schwedler spherical reticulated shell is the most optimized and should be preferentially adopted in structural engineering. (2) The left diagonal rod-Schwedler spherical reticulated shell is second only to left and right rod regarding the mechanical behavior and optimized results. It can be applied to medium and small-span structures. (3) Double slash rod-Schwedler spherical reticulated shell is advantageous in mechanical behavior but with the largest total weight. Thus, this type can be used in large-span structures as far as possible. (4) The mechanical performance of no latitudinal rod-Schwedler spherical reticulated shell is the worst and with the second largest weight. Thus, this spherical reticulated shell should not be adopted generally in engineering.

• 한국전산구조공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국전산구조공학회 1995년도 봄 학술발표회 논문집
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• pp.35-41
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• 1995

Fracture Mechanics does work for concrete, provided that a finite nonlinear zone at fracture front is being considered. The development of model for fracture process zone is most important to describe fracture phenomena in concrete. The fracture process zone is a region ahead of a traction-free crack, in which two major mechanisms, microcracking and bridging, play important rules. The toughness due to bridging is dominant compared to toughness induced by microcracking, so that the bridging is dominant mechanism governing the fracture process of concrete. In this paper the bridging zone, which is a part of extended macrocrack with stresses transmitted by aggregates in concrete, is model led by a Dugdale-Barenblatt type model with linear tension-softening curve. Two finite element techniques are shown for the model of fracture process zone in concrete.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.683-693
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• 2005

This paper presents a new transmembrane Protein topology prediction method which is an attempt to model the topological rules governing the topogenesis of transmembrane proteins. Context-dependent structural regions of the transmembrane protein are used as basic modeling units in order to effectively represent their topogenic roles during transmembrane protein assembly. These modeling units are modeled by means of a tied-state hidden Markov model, which can express the position-specific effect of amino acids during ransmembrane protein assembly. The performance of prediction improves with these modeling approaches. In particular, marked improvement of orientation prediction shows the validity of the proposed modeling. The proposed method is available at http://bioroutine.com/TRAPTOP.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.307-329
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• 2013

The bending problem of Euler-Bernoulli discontinuous beams is dealt with, in which the discontinuities are due to the loads and eventually to essential constrains applied along the beam axis. In particular, the loads are modelled as random delta-correlated processes acting along the beam axis, while the ulterior eventual discontinuities are produced by the presence of external rollers applied along the beam axis. This kind of structural model can be considered in the static study of bridge beams. In the present work the exact expression of the response quantities are given in terms of means and variances, thanks to the use of the stochastic analysis rules and to the use of the generalized functions. The knowledge of the means and the variances of the internal forces implies the possibility of applying the reliability ${\beta}$-method for verifying the beam.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.345-365
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• 2003

The adoption of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) rebars (whose behaviour is elastic-brittle) in reinforced concrete (RC) cross sections requires the assessment of the influence of time-dependent behaviour of concrete on the load-carrying capacity of these sections. This paper presents a method of computing the load-carrying capacity of sections that are at first submitted to a constant long-term service load and then overloaded up to ultimate load. The method solves first a non-linear visco-elastic problem, and then a non-linear instantaneous analysis up to ultimate load that takes into account the self-equilibrated stress distribution previously computed. This method is then adopted to perform a parametric analysis that shows that creep and shrinkage of concrete increase the load-carrying capacity of the cross section reinforced with FRP and allows for the suggestion of simple design rules.

• 한국정밀공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국정밀공학회 1997년도 추계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.531-534
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• 1997

A design system of dies for hot extrusion of structural shapes such as Z' s, L' s, T' s, U' s and H' s from aluminum alloys was developed in this study. The developed design system of dies is based of established die design rule system. The design rules for die design are obtained from the handbooks, plasticity theories and relevant references. The environment of the system is AutoCAD and AutoLISP, the graphic programming language was used for the configuration of the system. This system includes five major modules such as section shape design module, die opening number module. die opening layout module, die correction module and die bearing design module that are used to determine design variables. This system would be used to design of dies for hot extrusion from aluminum alloys and widely used in manufacturing course..

• 한국구조물진단유지관리공학회 논문집
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.185-192
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• 2002

Prototyping for field inspection safety assessment expert system of bridge structures is presented in this paper. Knowledgebase with production rules is constructed using the semiautomatic method on the basis of bridge inspection manuals and working reports of the related agency. Backward inference method is taken with the aids of external shells as a inference engine of knowledge-based systems. Implementation of the developed prototype system on MS Windows98 will shows inspiring aspects useful to guide and standardize the field works. In the case to be reinforced with abundant knowledge bases, this will be expected to be educate the practicing engineers.

• Advances in Computational Design
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.175-194
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• 2016

Nature has provided inspiration for most of the man-made technologies. Scientists believe that dolphins are the second to humans in smartness and intelligence. Echolocation is the biological sonar used by dolphins for navigation and hunting in various environments. This ability of dolphins is mimicked in this paper to develop a new optimization method. Dolphin Echolocation Optimization (DEO) is an optimization method based on dolphin's approach for hunting food and exploration of environment. DEO has already been developed for discrete optimization search space and here it is extended to continuous search space. DEO has simple rules and is adjustable for predetermined computational cost. DEO provides the optimum results and leads to alternative optimality curves suitable for the problem. This algorithm has a few parameters and it is applicable to a wide range of problems like other metaheuristic algorithms. In the present work, the efficiency of this approach is demonstrated using standard benchmark problems.