• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

In this paper, a simple and accurate finite element model coupled to quasi-brittle damage law able to describe the multiple cracks initiation and their progressive propagation is developed in order to predict the complete force-displacement curve and the fracture pattern of human proximal femur under quasi-static load. The motivation of this work was to propose a simple and practical FE model with a good compromise between complexity and accuracy of the simulation considering a limited number of model parameters that can predict proximal femur fracture more accurately and physically than the fracture criteria based models. Different damage laws for cortical and trabecular bone are proposed based on experimental results to describe the inelastic damage accumulation under the excessive load. When the damage parameter reaches its critical value inside an element of the mesh, its stiffness matrix is set to zero leading to the redistribution of the stress state in the vicinity of the fractured zone (crack initiation). Once a crack is initiated, the propagation direction is simulated by the propagation of the broken elements of the mesh. To illustrate the potential of the proposed approach, the left femur of a male (age 61) previously investigated by Keyak and Falkinstein, 2003 (Model B: male, age 61) was simulated till complete fracture under one-legged stance quasi-static load. The proposed finite element model leads to more realistic and precise results concerning the shape of the force-displacement curve (yielding and fracturing) and the profile of the fractured edge.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.439-450
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• 2003

Flat plate system has been adopted in many buildings constructed recently because of the advantage of reduced floor heights to meet the economical and architectural demands. Structural engineers commonly use the effective beam width model(EBWM) in practical engineering for the analysis of flat plate structures. However, in many cases, when it is difficult to use the EBWM, it is necessary to use a refined finite element model for an accurate analysis. But it would take significant amount of computational time and memory if the entire building structure was subdivided with finer meshes. An efficient analytical method is proposed in this study to obtain accurate results in significantly reduced computational time. The proposed method employs super elements developed using the matrix condensation technique and fictitious beams are used in the development of super elements to enforce the compatibility at the interfaces of super elements. The stiffness degradation of flat plate system considered in the EBWM was taken into account by reducing the elastic modulus of floor slabs in this study. Static and dynamic analyses of example structures were performed and the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method were verified by comparing the results with those of the refined finite element model and the EBWM.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.675-689
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• 2006

In structural analysis of tall buildings the traditional primary loading analysis approach that assumes all the loads are simultaneously applied to the fully built structure has been shown to be unsuitable by many researches. The construction sequential analysis that reflects the fact of the level-by-level construction of tall buildings can provide more reliable results and has been used more and more. However, too much computational cost has prevented the construction sequential analysis from its application in CAD/CAE software for building structures, since such an approach needs to deal with systematic changing of resultant stiffness matrices following level-by-level construction. This paper firstly analyzes the characteristics of assembling and triangular factorization of the stiffness matrix in the finite element model of the construction sequential analysis, then presents a fast construction sequential analysis strategy and a corresponding step-by-step active column solver by means of improving the existing skyline solver. The new strategy avoids considerably repeated calculation by only working on the latest appended and modified part of resultant stiffness matrices in each construction level. Without any simplification, the strategy guarantees accuracy while efficiency is greatly enhanced. The numerical tests show that the proposed strategy can be implemented with high efficiency in practical engineering design.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.181-188
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• 2000

This paper deals with an analysis of the compliance characteristic for effective peg-in-hole task using robot hand without inter-finger coupling. We first observe the fact that some of coupling stiffness elements cannot be planned arbitrary. next we classify the task of inserting a peg-in-a-hole into two contact styles between the peg and the hole. Then we analyze the conditions of the specified stiffness matrix in the operational space to successfully and more effectively achieve the give peg-in-hole task for each case. It is concluded that the location of compliance center on the peg and the coupling stiffness element existing between the translational and the rotational direction play important roles for successful peg-in-hole task. Simulation results are included to verify the feasibility of the analytic results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.343-361
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• 2007

This article presents a numerical tool for dimensioning two-threaded fasteners connecting prismatic parts subjected to fatigue tension loads that are coplanar with the screw axis. A simplified numerical model is developed from unidirectional finite elements, modeling the connected parts and screws with bent elements and the elastic contact layer between the parts with springs. An algorithm updating the contact stiffness matrix, calculating forces and displacements at each node of the structure and thus normal stresses in the screws in both static and fatigue is further developed using C language. An experimental study is also conducted in parallel with the numerical approach to validate the developed model assumptions, the numerical model and the 3D finite element results. Since stiffness values for the compressive zones in the parts are analytically difficult to determine, a statistical software method is used, from which a tuning factor is derived for identifying these stiffness values. The method is also applied to set out the influence of each parameter on the fatigue behaviour of each screw. Finally, the developed model will be used to establish a new, sophisticated, fast and accurate tool for dimensioning bolted mechanical structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.887-898
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• 2021

This paper presents a simplified model to capture the nonlinear behavior of steel frames depending on the spread of plasticity method. New interaction formulae were derived to evaluate the plastic strength for I-shaped steel sections under uniaxial bending moment and axial compression load. Also, new empirical formulae were derived to evaluate the tangent stiffness modulus of steel I-shaped cross-sections considering the effect of the residual stresses suggested by the specifications in European Convention for Construction Steelworks (ECCS). The secant stiffness which depends on the tangent modulus is used to evaluate the internal forces. Based on stiffness matrix method, a finite element analysis program was developed for the nonlinear analysis of space steel frames using the derived formulae. Comparison between the proposed model results with those given by the fiber model shows very good agreement. Numerical examples were introduced to verify, check the accuracy, and evaluate the efficiency of the proposed model. The analysis results show that the new proposed model is accurate and able to minimize the solution time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.6 s.73
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• pp.833-846
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• 2004

This study presents a non-prismatic beam element for modeling the elastic behavior of steel beams, which have the post-Northridge connections in steel moment frames. The elastic stiffness matrix, including the shear effects for non-prismatic members with reduced beam section (RBS) connection, is in closed form. A simplified approach is also suggested, which uses a prismatic beam element to model beams with the RBS connection. This method can estimate quiteexactly the maximum story drift ratios of frames with the RBS connection. The effects of reduced beam section connection on the elastic stiffness of steel moment frames were investigated. The selection of a proper model to account for deformations at the joint might have a more important role in estimating the maximum story drift ratios of frames with better accuracy than the RBS cutouts.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.529-537
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• 2013

The aim of the current study is to develop a nonlinear isoparametric layered frame finite element (FE) analysis of FRP strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beam or column members by a force-based FE formulation. In sections, concrete is modeled in the triaxial stress-strain relationship state and the FRP sheet is modeled as layered composite materials in two-dimension. The element stiffness matrix derived by the force-based FE has the force-interpolation functions without assuming the displacement shape functions. A lateral load test of RC column strengthened by GFRP sheets was analyzed by the developed force-based FE model. From comparative studies of the experimental and analysis results, it was shown to compare with the stiffness FE method that the force-based FE analysis could give more accurate predictions in the overall lateral load-deflection response as well as in nonlinear deformations and damages in the column plastic hinge region.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.1 s.91
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• pp.37-46
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• 2006

The principal objective of this study is to assess the hierarchical effects of defects on the elastic stiffness properties at different levels of observation. In particular, quantitative damage measures which characterize the fundamental mode of degradation in the form of elastic damage provide quite insightful meanings at the level of constitutive relations and at the level of structures. For illustration, a total of three model problems of increasing complexity, a 1-D bar structure, a 2-D stress concentration problem, and a heterogeneous composite material made of a matrix with particle inclusions. Considering a damage scenario for the particle inclusions the material system degrades from a composite with very stiff inclusions to a porous material with an intact matrix skeleton. In other damage scenario for the matrix, the material system degrades from a composite made of a very stiff skeleton to a disconnected assembly of particles because of progressive matrix erosion. The trace-back and forth of tight bounds in terms of the reduction of the lowest eigenvalues are extensively discussed at different levels of observation.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2011

The latest study for formulation of finite element method and computation techniques has progressed widely. The classical method in the formulation of frame elements for geometrically nonlinear analysis derives the geometric stiffness directly from the governing differential equation for bending with axial force. From the computational viewpoint of this paper, the most common approach is the finite element method. Commonly, the formulation of frame elements for geometrically nonlinear structures is based on appropriate interpolation functions for the transverse and axial displacements of the member. The formulation of flexibility-based elements, on the other hand, is based on interpolation functions for the internal forces. In this paper, a new method is used to suppose that interpolation functions for the displacements from the curvatures is Lagrangian interpolation. This paper derives flexibility matrix from that displacement functions and is considered the application of it. Using the flexibility matrix, this paper apply the program considered geometrically nonlinear analysis to common problems.