• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2292-2306
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• 2024

This study addresses cracks and fracture problems in engineering structures that may cause significant challenges and safety concerns, with a focus on pressure vessels in nuclear power plants. Comprehensive parametric three-dimensional mixed mode fracture analyses for inclined and deflected nozzle corner cracks with various crack shape aspect ratios and depth ratios in nuclear reactor pressure vessels are carried out. Stress intensity factor (SIF) solutions are obtained using FRAC3D, which is part of Fracture and Crack Propagation Analysis System (FCPAS), employing enriched finite elements along the crack front. Also, improved empirical equations are developed to allow the determination of mixed mode SIFs, K_I, K_II, and K_III, for any values of the parameters considered in the study. This study provides practical solutions to assess the remaining life and fail-safe conditions of nuclear reactors by providing accurate SIF determination.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.387-392
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• 2002

In many years, post-tensioning method has been used for structural reinforcement of RC structures due to easy installation and good quality control. This study presents practical application results for the effectiveness of structural post-tensioning reinforcement of the FCM bridge girders, cement silos and building girders. For the FCM bridges deflected excessively at the end of girders, for cement silos cracked vertically at silo surface and for building girders deflected due to heavy load from roof, the external post-tensioning method was used for uplifting deflected girders and closing cracks with increasing resisting capacity of the structures. It was demonstrated that all the items were rehabilitated nearly to the initial construction status according to the field test results.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.6 s.177
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• pp.1584-1592
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• 2000

Reversed plane bending fatigue tests were conducted on SiC whisker reinforced aluminum composite which were consolidated by squeeze casting process. Initiation and growth of small surface fatigue c racks were investigated by means of a plastic replica technique. The fatigue crack initiated in the vicinity of SiC whisker/matrix interface. It was found that a fatigue crack deflected along SiC whisker and grew in a zig-zag manner microscopically, although the crack propagated along the direction normal to the loading axis macroscopically. The coalescence of micro-cracks was observed in the tests conducted at high stress levels, but were not evident in tests in which lower levels of stress were applied. Due to the coalescence, a higher crack growth rate of small cracks rather than those of long cracks was recognized in da/dn -ΔK realtionship.