• Computers and Concrete
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.503-529
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• 2015

Traditionally, multi-story buildings are designed to provide stiffer structural support to withstand lateral earthquake loading. Introducing flexible elements at the base of a structure and providing sufficient damping is an alternative way to mitigate seismic hazards. These features can be achieved with a device known as an isolator. This paper covers the design of base isolators for multi-story buildings in medium-risk seismicity regions and evaluates the structural responses of such isolators. The well-known tower building for police personnel built in Dhaka, Bangladesh by the Public Works Department (PWD) has been used as a case study to justify the viability of incorporating base isolators. The objective of this research was to establish a simplified model of the building that can be effectively used for dynamic analysis, to evaluate the structural status, and to suggest an alternative option to handle the lateral seismic load. A finite element model was incorporated to understand the structural responses. Rubber-steel bearing (RSB) isolators such as Lead rubber bearing (LRB) and high damping rubber bearing (HDRB) were used in the model to insert an isolator link element in the structural base. The nonlinearities of rubber-steel bearings were considered in detail. Linear static, linear dynamic, and nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed for both fixed-based (FB) and base isolated (BI) buildings considering the earthquake accelerograms, histories, and response spectra of the geological sites. Both the time-domain and frequency-domain approaches were used for dynamic solutions. The results indicated that for existing multi-story buildings, RSB diminishes the muscular amount of structural response compared to conventional non-isolated structures. The device also allows for higher horizontal displacement and greater structural flexibility. The suggested isolation technique is able to mitigate the structural hazard under even strong earthquake vulnerability.

• 대한전기학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한전기학회 1990년도 추계학술대회 논문집 학회본부
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• pp.272-277
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• 1990

A soft switched matrix converter is proposed by adopting the zero voltage switching technique being used in some resonant pole inverters. High operating frequency with safe and efficient switching improves dynamic and spectral performances and simplifies protection logics and snubber networks. Further, it can be implemented using simple analog circuits, having similar transfer characteristics to those of the modern pulse width modulated matrix converters such as, maximum voltage transfer ratio and unity input displacement factor. Analyses, design and simulation results are presented to verify the operating principle.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제82권3호
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• pp.385-400
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• 2022

Sky-bridges between adjacent buildings can enhance lateral stiffness and limit the impact of lateral forces. This study analysed the structural capabilities and dynamic performances of sky-bridge-coupled buildings under various sets of ground motions. Finite Element (FE) analyses were carried out with the link being iteratively repositioned along the full height of the structures. Incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) and probabilistic damage distribution were also applied. The results indicated that the establishment of sky-bridges caused a slight change in the natural frequency and mode shapes. The sky-bridge system was shown to be efficient in controlling displacement and Inter-Storey Drift Ratio (%ISDR) and reducing the probability of damage in the higher floors. The most efficient location of the sky-bridge, for improving its rigidity, was found to be at 88% of the building height. Finally, the effects of two types of materials (steel and concrete) and end conditions (hinged and fixed) were studied. The outcomes showed that coupled buildings with a sky-bridge made of steel with hinged connection could withstand ground motions longer than those made of concrete with fixed connection.

• 한국재난정보학회 논문집
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

본 연구에서는 곡선형 보의 선형탄성 3D Solid 유한요소 모델을 구축하고 외력이 작용하였을 때 유한요소 해석을 수행하였다. 유한요소 해석결과와 이론해 결과의 오차는 대부분의 위치에서 1% 내외로 발생하는 것으로 보아 이론해와 잘 부합한다고 판단된다. 검증된 유한요소 모델을 이용하여 시간이력해석을 수행하였으며 시간이력해석결과 경주 지진파 적용 시 가장 작은 결과가 나타났으며 이는 경주 지진파의 특성이 고주파 성분의 영역의 특성을 보이기 때문이다. 또한 곡선형 보의 곡률중심을 $45^{\circ}$로 감소시켜 동적 해석을 수행하였을 때 Lomaprieta 지진파의 Von-Mises 결과가 647.824MPa로 가장 큰 것으로 나타났다.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.169-184
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• 2019

This research work presents a study that aims to assess the dynamic structural behaviour and also investigate the human comfort levels of a reinforced concrete building, when subjected to nondeterministic wind dynamic loadings, considering the effect of masonry infills on the global stiffness of the structural model. In general, the masonry fills most of the empty areas within the structural frames of the buildings. Although these masonry infills present structural stiffness, the common practice of engineers is to adopt them as static loads, disregarding the effect of the masonry infills on the global stiffness of the structural system. This way, in this study a numerical model based on sixteen-storey reinforced concrete building with 48 m high and dimensions of $14.20m{\times}15m$ was analysed. This way, static, modal and dynamic analyses were carried out in order to simulate the structural model based on two different strategies: no masonry infills and masonry infills simulated by shell finite elements. In this investigation, the wind action is considered as a nondeterministic process with unstable properties and also random characteristics. The fluctuating parcel of the wind is decomposed into a finite number of harmonic functions proportional to the structure resonant frequency with phase angles randomly determined. The nondeterministic dynamic analysis clearly demonstrates the relevance of a more realistic numerical modelling of the masonry infills, due to the modifications on the global structural stiffness of the building. The maximum displacements and peak accelerations values were reduced when the effect of the masonry infills (structural stiffness) were considered in the dynamic analysis. Finally, it can be concluded that the human comfort evaluation of the sixteen-storey reinforced concrete building can be altered in a favourable way to design.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.209-220
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• 2008

A methodology for the seismic vulnerability assessment of historical monuments is presented in this paper. The ongoing work has been conducted in Tunisia within the framework of the FP6 European Union project (WIND-CHIME) on the use of appropriate modern seismic protective systems in the conservation of Mediterranean historical buildings in earthquake-prone areas. The case study is the five-century-old Zaouia of Sidi Kassem Djilizi, located downtown Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Ambient vibration tests were conducted on the case study using a number of force-balance accelerometers placed at selected locations. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD) technique was applied to extract the dynamic characteristics of the monument. A 3-D finite element model was developed and updated to obtain reasonable correlation between experimental and numerical modal properties. The set of parameters selected for the updating consists of the modulus of elasticity in each wall element of the finite element model. Seismic vulnerability assessment of the case study was carried out via three-dimensional time-history dynamic analyses of the structure. Dynamic stresses were computed and damage was evaluated according to a masonry specific plane failure criterion. Statistics on the occurrence, location and type of failure provide a general view for the probable damage level and mode. Results indicate a high vulnerability that confirms the need for intervention and retrofit.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.17-42
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• 2021

Articulated loading platforms (ALPs) belongs to a class of offshore structures known as compliant. ALP motions have time periods falling in the wind excitation frequency range due to their compliant behaviour. This paper deals with the dynamic behavior of a double hinged ALP subjected to low-frequency wind forces with random waves. Nonlinear effects due to variable submergence, fluctuating buoyancy, variable added mass, and hydrodynamic forces are considered in the analysis. The random sea state is characterized by the Pierson-Moskowitz (P-M) spectrum. The wave forces on the submerged elements of the platform's shaft are calculated using Morison's Equation with Airy's linear wave theory ignoring diffraction effects. The fluctuating wind load has been estimated using Ochi and Shin wind velocity spectrum for offshore structures. The nonlinear dynamic equation of motion is solved in the time domain by the Wilson-θ method. The wind-structure interactions, along with the effect of various other parameters on the platform response, are investigated. The effect of offset of aerodynamic center (A.C.) with the center of gravity (C.G.) of platform superstructure has also been investigated. The outcome of the analyses indicates that low-frequency wind forces affect the response of ALP to a large extent, which otherwise is not enhanced in the presence of only waves. The mean wind modifies the mean position of the platform surge response to the positive side, causing an offset. Various power spectral densities (PSDs) under high and moderate sea states show that apart from the significant peak occurring at the two natural frequencies, other prominent peaks also appear at very low frequencies showing the influence of wind on the response.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.897-919
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• 2015

In this study, the effects of ground shocks due to explosive loads on the dynamic response of historical masonry bridges are investigated by using the multi-point shock response spectrum method. With this purpose, different charge weights and distances from the charge center are considered for the analyses of a masonry bridge and depending on these parameters frequency-varying shock spectra are determined and applied to each support of the two-span masonry bridge. The net blast induced ground motion consists of air-induced and direct-induced ground motions. Acceleration time histories of blast induced ground motions are obtained depending on a deterministic shape function and a stationary process. Shock response spectrums determined from the ground shock time histories are simulated using BlastGM software. The results obtained from uniform and multi-point response spectrum analyses cases show that significant differences take place between the uniform and multi-point blast-induced ground motions.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Transmission tower-line system is one of most critical lifeline systems to cities. However, it is found that the transmission tower-line system is prone to be damaged by earthquakes in past decades. To mitigate seismic demands, this study introduces a tuned-mass damper (TMD) using superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) spring for the system. In addition, considering the dynamic characteristics of both tower-line system and SMA are affected by temperature change. Particular attention is paid on the effect of temperature variation on seismic behavior. In doing so, the SMA-TMD is installed into the system, and its properties are optimized through parametric analyses. The considered temperature range is from -40 to $40^{\circ}C$. The seismic control effect of using SMA-TMD is investigated under the considered temperatures. Interested seismic performance indices include peak displacement and peak acceleration at the tower top and the height-wise deformation. Parametric analyses on seismic intensity and frequency ratio were carried out as well. This study indicates that the nonlinear behavior of SMA-TMD is critical to the control effect, and proper tuning before application is advisable. Seismic demand mitigation is always achieved in this wide temperature range, and the control effect is increased at high temperatures.

• 한국소음진동공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국소음진동공학회 2008년도 추계학술대회논문집
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• pp.641-645
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• 2008

In this paper, vibration sources of the BLOC motor are identified and the motor vibrations are reduced by structural modification. For vibration characteristic identification, vibration signals measured by an accelerometer when the BLOC motor is moving. These signals are presented in a waterfall plot in order to find the dependency of frequency components on the motor speed. It is found that main vibration source is BLOC motor test rig. From finite element analyses and some experiments, it is also found that resonances occur because the natural frequencies of the test rig exist in usual driving speed rang. To shift the natural frequencies outside the driving rang, the test rig is modified increase stiffness. It is verified that considerable amount of vibration are reduced by the structural modification.