• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.601-615
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• 2019

In cold-formed steel (CFS) structures, such as trusses, wall frames and columns, the use of back-to-back built-up CFS angle sections are becoming increasingly popular. In such an arrangement, intermediate fasteners are required at discrete points along the length, preventing the angle-sections from buckling independently. Limited research is available in the literature on the axial strength of back-to-back built-up CFS angle sections. The issue is addressed herein. This paper presents the results of 16 experimental tests, conducted on back-to-back built-up CFS screw fastened angle sections under axial compression. A nonlinear finite element model is then described, which includes material non-linearity, geometric imperfections and explicit modelling of the intermediate fasteners. The finite element model was validated against the experimental test results. The validated finite element model was then used for the purpose of a parametric study comprising 66 models. The effect of fastener spacing on axial strength was investigated. Four different cross-sections and two different thicknesses were analyzed in the parametric study, varying the slenderness ratio of the built-up columns from 20 to 120. Axial strengths obtained from the experimental tests and finite element analysis were used to assess the performance of the current design guidelines as per the Direct Strength Method (DSM); obtained comparison showed that the DSM is over-conservative by 13% on average. This paper has therefore proposed improved design rules for the DSM and verified their accuracy against the finite element and test results of back-to-back built-up CFS angle sections under axial compression.

• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2019

In this paper, we constructed a molecular dynamics (MD) polymer model of PMMA with 95% of conversion by using dynamic polymerization algorithm of a thermoplastic polymer based on free radical polymerization. In this algorithm, we introduced a united-atom level coarse-grained force field that combines the non-bonded terms from the TraPPE-UA force field and the bonded terms from the PCFF force field to alleviate the computation efforts. The molecular weight distribution and the average molecular weight of the polymer were calculated by investigating each chain generated from the free radical polymerization simulation. The molecular weight of the polymer was controlled by the number of initiator radicals presented in the initial state and molecular weight effect to the density, the glass transition temperature, and the mechanical properties were studied.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.159-172
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• 2019

This paper presents an investigation into the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams retrofitted by ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) layers. The experimental study has been conducted in two parts. In the first part, four methods of retrofitting with UHPFRC layers in both the up and down sides of the beams have been proposed and their efficiency in the bonding of the normal concrete and ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete has been discussed. The results showed that using the grooving method and the pre-casted UHPFRC layers in comparison with the sandblasting method and the cast-in-place UHPFRC layers leads to increase the load carrying capacity and the energy absorption capacity and causes high bond strength between two concretes. In the second part of the experimental study, the tests have been conducted on the beams with single UHPFRC layer in the down side and in the up side, using the effective retrofitting method chosen from the first part. The results are compared with those of non-retrofitted beam and the results of the first part of experimental study. The results showed that the retrofitted beam with two UHPFRC layers in the up and down sides has the highest energy absorption and load carrying capacity. A finite element analysis was applied to prediction the flexural behavior of the composite beams. A good agreement was achieved between the finite element and experimental results. Finally, a parametric study was carried out on full-scale retrofitted beams. The results indicated that in all retrofitted beams with UHPFRC in single and two sides, increasing of the UHPFRC layer thickness causes the load carrying capacity to be increased. Also, increases of the normal concrete compressive strength improved the cracking load of the beams.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2019

Esterase produced by Acinetobacter sp. B1 (strain B1) was optimized by means of one-variable-at-a-time and response surface methodologies. Results of the one-variable-at-a-time experiment showed that Tween 80 significantly increased esterase production of strain B1. The addition of Tween 80 to the culture medium increased the biomass and esterase activity of strain B1, stimulated content of total extracellular protein, and enhanced the oleic acid (C18:1) composition in the cell membrane of strain B1. The influence of eight culture variables on esterase production was evaluated by Plackett-Burman design. Results showed that Tween 80, pH, and $K_2HPO_4$ significantly affected the esterase production of strain B1. Tween 80, pH, and $K_2HPO_4$ were further optimized by central composite design. Under the optimized conditions (w/v, soluble starch 2.5%, tryptone 1.5%, Tween 80 0.8%, $K_2HPO_4$ 0.5%, NaCl 0.5%, pH 8.0, inoculum size 1%, and inoculum age 24 h), the maximum esterase activity of strain B1 was 152.13 U/ml, which was 10-fold higher than that of non-optimization after 36 h cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2010

Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy, which is commonly used as a biomaterial, is associated with a high elastic modulus and poor biocompatibility. This alloy presents a variety of problems on several areas. Therefore, the development of good non-toxic biocompatible biomaterials with a low elastic modulus is necessary. Particularly, hydroxyapatite (HA) is an attractive material for human tissue implantation. This material is widely used as artificial bone due to its good biocompatibility and similar composition to human bone. Many scientists have studied the fabrication of HA as a biomaterial. However, applications of bulk HA compact are hindered by the low strength of HA when it is sintered. Therefore, HA has been coated on Ti or Ti alloy to facilitate good bonding between tissue and the HA surface. However, there are many problems when doing this, such as the low bonding strength between HA and Ti due to the different thermal expansion coefficients and mechanical properties. In this study, a Ti-HA composite with a porous surface was successfully fabricated by pulse current activated sintering (PCAS) and a subsequent leaching process.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.711-731
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• 2020

This paper deals with free vibration of FG sandwich annular sector plates on Pasternak elastic foundation with different boundary conditions, based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. The plates with simply supported radial edges and arbitrary boundary conditions on their circular edges are considered. The influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) waviness, aspect ratio, internal pores and graphene platelets (GPLs) on the vibrational behavior of functionally graded nanocomposite sandwich plates is investigated in this research work. The distributions of CNTs are considered functionally graded (FG) or uniform along the thickness of upper and bottom layers of the sandwich sectorial plates and their mechanical properties are estimated by an extended rule of mixture. In this study, the classical theory concerning the mechanical efficiency of a matrix embedding finite length fibers has been modified by introducing the tube-to-tube random contact, which explicitly accounts for the progressive reduction of the tubes' effective aspect ratio as the filler content increases. The core of structure is porous and the internal pores and graphene platelets (GPLs) are distributed in the matrix of core either uniformly or non-uniformly according to three different patterns. The elastic properties of the nanocomposite are obtained by employing Halpin-Tsai micromechanics model. A semi-analytic approach composed of 2D-Generalized Differential Quadrature Method (2D-GDQM) and series solution is adopted to solve the equations of motion. The fast rate of convergence and accuracy of the method are investigated through the different solved examples. Some new results for the natural frequencies of the plate are prepared, which include the effects of elastic coefficients of foundation, boundary conditions, material and geometrical parameters. The new results can be used as benchmark solutions for future researches.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.465-470
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• 2020

Complex materials are widely used in aviation industries where lightweighting is essential because they have lighter properties than metals. However, composite materials can cause defects such as internal void formation, poor adhesive mixing, and non-adhesive parts during the production process, and there is a risk of micro-cracking and interlayer separation due to low energy impact. Therefore, a structural damage test is essential. As a result, structural integrity monitoring using FBG is drawing attention. Compared to conventional electrical sensors, FBG has the advantage of being more corrosion-resistant and multiplexed without being affected by electrical noise. However, interloggers measuring FBG are expensive and have a large disadvantage because they are made on the premise of measuring large structures. In this paper, low-cost interloggers were designed for use in unmanned or small aircraft using optical switche, WDM filter, and LTFs, and compared to conventional high-priced interrogator.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.21-37
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• 2022

The present study was carried out to evaluate the chemical properties of soil in relation to forest structure and composition at different altitudes (900-2,600 m asl) in a part of Western Himalaya. The composite soil samples were taken from three (viz. upper, middle and lower) depths. The soils of the whole study area were acidic in nature (pH=4.90-5.51). Contents of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Carbon (C) and soil organic matter (SOM) showed much fluctuation during different seasons of year. Nitrogen content showed significant positive correlations with altitude (r=0.924, p<0.05) and different community parameters like species diversity (r=0.892, p<0.01) and species richness (r=0.941, p<0.05). Phosphorus exhibited direct correlations with carbon (r=0.637) while weak negative correlations with different community parameters like species richness & diversity, total basal cover (TBC), density and canopy cover. Carbon content and hence SOM showed direct correlations with Nitrogen (r=0.821, p<0.01); Phosphorus (r=0.637, ns) and Potassium (r=0.540, ns). But no significant relationship was observed between K content and species richness (p=0.30, r=-0.504); between K content and species diversity (p=0.14, r=-0.672); between P content and species diversity (p=0.29, r=-0.513) and species richness (p=0.23, r=-0.575). Among the different soil nutrients, only N showed a significant positive correlation with altitude while all others exhibited negative (but non-significant) correlation with it. The study revealed that the chemical properties affect and are reciprocally affected by forest structure and composition and that N rich soils of higher altitudes are best for the growth and development of forests.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effect on balance during core and ankle muscle strengthening exercises using the Thera-Band. Methods: 21 healthy college students were recruited. The participants were divided into a core strengthening group (CSG), an ankle strengthening group (ASG), and a non-exercise group (NEG). CSG and ASG were performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks, and static and dynamic balance were measured before and after the intervention. The static balance were measured as stability index and weight distribution index using Tetrax^®. The dynamic balance was measured in each direction by the Y balance test. The Thera-Band intensity was increased after 2 weeks of exercise, and the exercise was subsequently performed. Results: Participants showed static balance with Tetrax^®, a significant difference was noted between normal eye closes and pillow with eye closes in ASG (p<0.05). In the case of dynamic balance with the Y balance test, a significant difference was observed in posterolateral direction (PL) and composite score (CS) between each group for the pre- and post-intervention differences (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed between PL and CS in CSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that the progressive Thera-Band exercise had a positive effect on balance abilities. It was confirmed that core strengthening was effective for dynamic balance, and ankle strengthening was effective for static balance.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.469-476
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• 2022

In this paper, the microwave absorbing characteristics after the impact of the radar-absorbing structure (RAS) consisting of periodic pattern sheet (PPS) and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) were experimentally investigated. The fabricated RAS effectively absorbed the microwave in the X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz). In order to induce the damage to the RAS, a low-velocity impact test with various impact energy of 15, 40, and 60 J was conducted. Afterward, the impact damage was observed by using visual inspection, non-destructive test, and image processing method. Moreover, the absorbing performance of intact and damaged RAS was measured by the free-space measurement system. The experiment results revealed that the delamination damage from the impact energy of 15 J did not considerably affect the microwave absorbing performance of the RAS. However, fiber breakage and penetration damage with a relatively large damaged area were occuured when the impact energy was increased up to 40 J and 60 J, and these failures significantly degraded the microwave absorbing characteristics of the RAS.