• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.39-46
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• 2008

The end plates of fuel cell assemblies are used to fasten the inner stacks, reduce the contact pressure, and provide a seal between Membrane-Electrode Assemblies (MEAs). They therefore require sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the tightening pressure, light weight to obtain high energy densities, and stable chemical/electrochemical properties, as well as provide electrical insulation. The design criteria for end plates can be divided into three parts: the material, connecting method, and shape. In the past, end plates were made from metals such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel alloys, but due to corrosion problems, thermal losses, and their excessive weight, alternative materials such as plastics have been considered. Composite materials consisting of combinations of two or more materials have also been proposed for end plates to enhance their mechanical strength. Tie-rods have been traditionally used to connect end plates, but since the number of connecting parts has increased, resulting in assembly difficulties, new types of connectors have been contemplated. Ideas such as adding reinforcement or flat plates, or using bands or boxes to replace tie-rods have been proposed. Typical end plates are rectangular or cylindrical solid plates. To minimize the weight and provide a uniform pressure distribution, new concepts such as ribbed-, bomb-, or bow-shaped plates have been considered. Even though end plates were not an issue in fuel cell system designs in the past, they now provide a great challenge for designers. Changes in the materials, connecting methods, and shapes of an end plate allow us to achieve lighter, stronger end plates, resulting in more efficient fuel cell systems.

• 한국자동차공학회논문집
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.34-40
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• 2015

A stack in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) consists of bipolar plates, a membrane electrode assembly, a gas diffusion layer, a collector and end plates. High current density is usually obtainable partially from uniform temperature distribution in the fuel cell. A size optimization method considering the thermal expansion effect of stacked plates was developed on the basis of finite element analyses. The thermal stresses in end, bipolar, and cooling plates were calculated based on temperature distribution obtained from thermal analyses. Finally, the optimization method was applied and optimum thicknesses of the three plates were calculated considering both fastening bolt tension and thermal expansion of each unit cell (72 cells, 5kW). The optimum design considering both thermal and mechanical loads increases the thickness of an end plate by 0.64-0.83% the case considering only mechanical load. The effect can be enlarged if the number of stack increases as in an automotive application to 200-300 stacks.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.19-33
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• 1999

The critical buckling loads of unsymmetrically laminated rectangular plates with a given material system and subjected to combined lateral and inplane loads are maximized with respect to fiber orientations by using a sequential linear programming method together with a simple move-limit strategy. Significant influence of plate aspect ratios, central circular cutouts, lateral loads and end conditions on the optimal fiber orientations and the associated optimal buckling loads of unsymmetrically laminated plates has been shown through this investigation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제89권2호
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• pp.155-170
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• 2024

Several types of column-beam connections are used in the design of steel structures. This situation causes different cross-section effects and, therefore, different displacements and deformations. In other words, connection elements such as welds, bolts, continuity plates, end plates, and stiffness plates used in steel column-beam connections directly affect the section effects. This matter reveals the necessity of knowing the steel column-beam connection behaviours. In this article, behaviours of bolted column-beam connection with end plate widely used in steel structures are investigated comparatively the effects of the stiffness plates added to the beam body, the change in the end plate thickness and bolt diameter. The results obtained reveal that the moment and force carrying capacity of the said connection increases with the increase in the end plate thickness and bolt diameter. In contrast, it causes the other elements to deform and lose their capacity. This matter shows that optimum dimensions are very important in steel column-beam connections. In addition, it has been seen that adding a stiffness plate to the beam body part positively contributes to the connection's moment-carrying capacity.

• 대한조선학회논문집
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.18-28
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• 2008

Fins are widely used for roll stabilization of passenger ferries and high performance naval ships, among others. In the present study, numerical simulations are performed to investigate the influence of end-plates upon the cavitation characteristics of a stabilizer fin for various angles of attack and speeds and the results are verified through a series of model experiments. It is found that a considerable retardation in tip vortex cavitation can be achieved with attachment of end-plates at the tip of the stabilizer fin. The results can be utilized for the design of stabilizer fins as well as the development of high performance control devices for ships.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.339-351
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• 2022

A mortar-filled rectangular hollow structural section (RHS) can increase a structural section property as well as a compressive buckling capacity of a RHS member. In this study, the tensile performance of newly developed mortar-filled RHS members was experimentally evaluated with various connection details. The major test parameters were the type of end connections, the thickness of cap plates and shear plates, the use of stud bolts, and penetrating bars. The test results showed that the welded T-end connection experienced a brittle weld fracture at the welded connection, whereas the tensile performance of the T-end connection was improved by additional stud bolts inserted into the mortar within the RHS tube. For the end connection using shear plates and penetrating stud bolts, ductile behavior of the RHS tube was achieved after yielding. The penetrating bars increased load carrying capacity of the RHS. Based on the analysis of the load transfer mechanism, the current design code and test results were compared to evaluate the tensile capacity of the RHS tube according to the connection details. Design considerations for the connections of the mortar-filled RHS tubes were also recommended.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.23-35
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• 2017

Current form of Corrugated-strip connectors are not popular due to the fact that the two ends of this form need to be welded to steel face plates. To overcome this difficulty, a new system is proposed in this work. In this system, bi-directional corrugated-strip connectors are used in pairs, and only one of their ends is welded to the steel face plates on each side. The other end is embedded in the concrete core. To assemble the system, common welding devices are required, and welding process can be performed in the construction sites. By performing the Push-out test under static loading, the authors experimentally assess the effects of geometric parameters on ductility, failure modes and the ultimate shear strength of the aforesaid connectors. For this purpose, sixteen experimental samples are prepared and investigated. For fifteen of these samples, one end of the shear connectors is welded to steel face plates, and the other end is embedded in the concrete. Another experimental sample is prepared in which both ends are welded to the steel face plates. According to the achieved results, several relations are proposed for predicting the ultimate shear strength and load vs. interlayer slip (load-slip) behavior of corrugated-strip connectors. Moreover, these formulas are compared with those of the well-known codes and standards. Accordingly, it is concluded that the authors' relations are more reliable.

• 한국구조물진단유지관리공학회 논문집
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.167-174
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• 2006

본 논문의 목적은 CFRP판을 여러 가지 방법으로 보강한 RC보의 휨 거동을 실험적으로 비교, 분석하는 것이다. 휨 보강방법은 표면부착만 한 경우, CFRP판을 부착 후 단부정착한 경우 및 프리스트레스를 가한 후 단부정착한 경우의 3가지로 대별하였다. 실험결과는 단부정착한 RC보가 표면부착만 한 경우와 비교하여 연성이 증대되고 극한하중과 처짐 등의 휨성능이 개선되어 단부정착 방법이 효율적임을 보여주었으며, 특히 CFRP판에 프리스트레스를 가한 후 단부정착한 경우가 극한하중 및 연성이 현저히 증가함을 보였다.

• 한국강구조학회 논문집
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.181-192
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• 2017

최근 경사단부강판과 고장력 볼트를 이용한 보 이음(Inclined end-plate beam splice) 공법이 개발되었다. 단부강판은 브래킷 단부에 용접되고 연결보는 고장력 볼트를 통해 이음시킨다. 기둥면에는 브래킷이 용접되고, 브래킷과 연결보 단부에 각각 경사단부강판과 고장력 볼트를 이용하여 이음 시킨다. 이 연구에서는 총 6개의 외부 보-기둥 모멘트접합부의 반복가력실험을 수행하였다. 실험변수는 단부강판 상세와 볼트 배열 상세이다. 모든 실험체는 AISC Design Guide 4에 따라 단부강판 및 볼트에 의한 모멘트 저항성능이 보 이음부 요구모멘트보다 크도록 설계되었다. 실험결과, 확장된 단부강판(Extended end-plate)을 사용한 보이음부의 경우 이음부 단부강판의 지레작용 및 볼트의 취성 파단 없이 중앙 보 모멘트가 단부 브래킷으로 효과적으로 전달되었다. 하지만, 보-기둥 접합부의 변형능력은 기둥면 보 플랜지 용접부의 취성파단으로 제한적이었다. 실험결과를 바탕으로, 기울어진 단부강판 이음부를 갖는 보-기둥 모멘트접합부의 내진설계를 위한 개선사항을 제안하였다.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.25-43
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• 2016

This paper presents the results of an experimental study investigating the effects of anchorage systems used in externally bonded steel plates on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete structures. In the literature, diagonal steel plates bonded to frames were designed to be more flexible than the connections to eliminate the possible effect of the connection flexibility. However, to better evaluate the performance of the strengthened structures, the strength and behavior of connections should also be considered. The purpose of this study was to experimentally investigate the effects of different connection types of steel plates bonded to the frame using anchors on the strengthened RC structures. For this purpose, eleven specimens were designed to simulate the interior and exterior connection behavior. Two of these were used as the control beams and remaining nine for the investigation of the functionality of the end steel plates. Experimental results show that the load carrying capacity of the strengthened beams is directly related to the connection types of the steel plates. For the interior connections, L-shaped end plates that were strengthened using steel anchors must have adequate stiffness to prevent its shape. While, for the exterior connections, the connection with three anchors carried more load than the other exterior connections.