• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.855-866
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• 2021

Objective: Performance and physiological responses of dairy calves may change by using extruded soybean meal (ESBM) instead of common soybean meal (SBM) in starter feed. The aims of the current study were i) to determine the effect of extrusion processing of SBM on protein electrophoretic size, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) structures and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) protein subfractions and ii) to determine the effect of substitution of SBM with ESBM in starter feed of Holstein heifer calves during pre and post-weaning on performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites. Methods: The SBM was substituted with ESBM at the level of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (dry matter [DM] basis). Fifty heifer calves (initial body weight 40.3±0.63 kg) were used for the study. After birth, animals were fed colostrum for 3 days and then they were fed whole milk until weaning. Animals had free access to starter feed and water during the study. Results: Extrusion of SBM decreased electrophoretic protein size and increased rapidly degradable true protein fraction, changed FTIR protein and amide II region. With increasing level of ESBM in the diet, starter intake increased quadratically during the pre-weaning period (p<0.05) and body weight, DM intake and average daily gain increased linearly during the post-weaning and the whole study period (p<0.05). Tbe DM and crude protein digestibilities at week 14 and blood glucose and beta hydroxybutyric acid increased linearly in calves as the level of ESBM increased in the diet (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dairy calves performance and physiological responses were sensitive to SBM protein characteristics including electrophoretic size, FTIR structures and CNCPS protein fractions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.86 no.5
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• pp.589-605
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• 2023

This paper investigates the ductility demands of steel frames equipped with self-centring fuses under near-fault earthquake motions considering multiple yielding stages. The study is commenced by verifying a trilinear self-centring hysteretic model accounting for multiple yielding stages of steel frames equipped with self-centring fuses. Then, the seismic response of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems following the validated trilinear self-centring hysteretic law is examined by a parametric study using a near-fault earthquake ground motion database composed of 200 earthquake records as input excitations. Based on a statistical investigation of more than fifty-two (52) million inelastic spectral analyses, the effect of the post-yield stiffness ratios, energy dissipation coefficient and yielding displacement ratio on the mean ductility demand of the system is examined in detail. The analysis results indicate that the increase of post-yield stiffness ratios, energy dissipation coefficient and yielding displacement ratio reduces the ductility demands of the self-centring oscillators responding in multiple yielding stages. A set of empirical expressions for quantifying the ductility demands of trilinear self-centring hysteretic oscillators are developed using nonlinear regression analysis of the analysis result database. The proposed regression model may offer a practical tool for designers to estimate the ductility demand of a low-to-medium rise self-centring steel frame equipped with self-centring fuses progressing in the ultimate stage under near-fault earthquake motions in design and evaluation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2024

Objectives: Rural housewives are integral to household management and family care, yet their sedentary lifestyles present significant health risks. This study used the transtheoretical model (TTM) to investigate strategies that encourage and maintain regular exercise habits among rural housewives. Methods: A semi-experimental study was conducted in 2021 with 114 housewives aged 30 to 59 who attended rural health centers in Gorgan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Data collection involved a validated questionnaire that gathered demographic information and constructs of the TTM. The intervention group participated in a comprehensive educational program, which included four 60-minute sessions. Data were collected again 6 months post-intervention and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 21. Results: The study encompassed women with an average age of 39.75±6.05 years, the majority of whom had educational levels below a diploma, and over 90% were married. We observed strong correlations between the processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. At the outset, there were no significant differences in demographics or model structures between the 2 groups. However, 6 months post-intervention, the intervention group exhibited statistically significant differences in the mean scores of model structures, stages of change, and body mass index (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of physical activity training for rural housewives. The findings suggest that the educational intervention, which utilized the TTM, significantly impacted the participants' model structures and their stages of change.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.359-374
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• 2017

The seismic events in Northern Italy, May 2012, have revealed the seismic vulnerability of typical Italian precast industrial buildings. The aim of this paper is to present a seismic fragility model for Italian RC precast buildings, to be used in earthquake loss estimation and seismic risk assessment by comparing two building typologies and three different codes: D.M. 3-03-1975, D.M. 16-01-1996 and current Italian building code that has been released in 2008. Based on geometric characteristics and design procedure applied, ten different building classes were identified. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed for each building class in order to generate the building stock used for the development of fragility curves trough analytical method. The probabilistic distributions of geometry were mainly obtained from data collected from 650 field surveys, while the material properties were deduced from the code in place at the time of construction or from expert opinion. The structures were modelled in 2D frameworks; since the past seismic events have identified the beam-column connection as the weakest element of precast buildings, two different modelling solutions were adopted to develop fragility curves: a simple model with post processing required to detect connection collapse and an innovative modelling solution able to reproduce the real behaviour of the connection during the analysis. Fragility curves were derived using both nonlinear static and dynamic analysis.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.259-275
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• 2018

In mechanical analysis of spacecraft structures situations appear where static and dynamic loads must be considered simultaneously. This could be necessary either by load definition or preloaded structures. The superposition of these environments has an impact on the load and stress distribution of the analysed structures. However, this superposition cannot be done by adding both load contributions directly. As an example, to compute equivalent Von Mises stresses, the phase information must be taken into account in the stress tensor superposition. Finite Element based frequency response solvers do not allow the calculation of superposed static and dynamic responses. A manual combination of loads in a post-processing task is required. In this paper, procedures for static and harmonic loads superposition are presented and supported by analytical and finite element-based examples. The aim of the paper is to provide evidence of the risks of using different superposition techniques. Real application examples such as preloaded mechanism structures and propulsion system tubing assemblies are provided. This study has been performed by the Structural Engineering department of Airbus Defence and Space GmbH Friedrichshafen.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.497-507
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• 2017

During recent earthquakes, a significant number of concrete structures suffered extensive damage. Conventional reinforced concrete structures are designed for life-time safety that may see permanent inelastic deformation after severe earthquakes. Hence, there is a need to utilize adequate materials that have the ability to tolerate large deformation and get back to their original shape. Super-elastic shape memory alloy (SMA) is a smart material with unique properties, such as the ability to regain undeformed shape by unloading or heating. In this research, four different stories (three, five, seven and nine) of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings have been studied and subjected to near-field ground motions. For each building, two different types of reinforcement detailing are considered, including (1) conventional steel reinforcement (RC frame) and (2) steel-SMA reinforcement (SMA RC frame), with SMA bars being used at plastic zones of beams and steel bars in other regions. Nonlinear time history analyses have been performed by "SeismoStruct" finite element software. The results indicate that the application of SMA materials in plastic hinge regions of the beams lead to reduction of the residual displacement and consequently post-earthquake repairs. In general, it can be said that shape memory alloy materials reduce structural damage and retrofit costs.

• Composites Research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.43-52
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• 1999

This paper explains the development of a concurrent engineering system for the rlesign of composite structures. The concurrent engineering system is developed to meet the demand for the better quality products with lower production cost and time. In this study, to compose the architecture of concurrent engineering system, the commercial and noncommercial programs related to design and analysis of composite structures are surveyed and classified. The concurrent engineering system is including various design modules such as design/analysis of composite structures using CLPT and FEM, buckling and post bucking analysis, thermo-elastic analysis of carbon-carbon composite, and optimum design using expert system and genetic algorithm. For the integration and management of softwares, the concurrent engineering system is realized by Microsoft visual $C++{^\circledR}$ that provide multi-tasking and graphic user interface environment.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.247-261
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• 2003

The technique of posttensioning has been used successfully to improve the performance of existing concrete structures. However, very few applications of this technique can be found in steel structures. Posttensioning by means of high strength cable or bar can be used to effectively increase the working load capacity of Truss Bridges. The benefits of posttensioning trusses can be achieved in strengthening of existing structures as well as in the design of new structures. In this paper, the elastic behavior of posttensioned trusses with straight and draped tendon profiles is examined. For the analysis of posttensioned trusses in the elastic range of behavior, two methods are presented, namely, the flexibility method and the mixed-method, i.e., a combination of the stiffness and flexibility methods. Using the presented methods, the effects of design variables such as the tendon profile, truss type, prestress force, and tendon eccentricity on the working load and deflection of trusses are studied. The results show that the allowable load of truss increases proportionally with increase in prestress force and eccentricity. Posttesioning enlarges the elastic range, increases redundancy, and reduces deflection and member stresses. Thus, the remaining life of a truss bridge can be increased relatively inexpensively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.553-561
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• 2009

Risk analysis of highway sign supporting structures and sound barriers was done. Stochastic wind load was modeled by using extreme value distribution from site measurement and the variability of structural parameters was considered. Limit state functions were defined to assess structural stability by wind and risk of highway facilities was analyzed by combining wind hazard. According to the numerical analysis results, sound barrier post shows significantly higher risk than highway sign supporting structures. This is caused by the fact that the design codes of the structures are different. To distribute wind induced risk in highway structures, unification and improvement of design codes are required based on risk assessment.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2017

The objective of this study is to analysis the mechanical characteristics and nonlinear behaviors on the geometric nonlinear behavior of a cable spoke wheel roof system for long span lightweight roof structures. The weight of a cable spoke wheel roof dramatically can reduce and the cable roof system can easily make the required rigidity and shape by the sag ratio and pretension forces. Determining the pretension and initial sag of cable roof system is essential in a design process and the shape of roof is changed by pretension. The nonlinear behavior of flexible cable system has greatly an affect on the sag and pretension. This paper will be carried out analyzing and comparing the tensile forces and deflection of a cable spoke wheel system for the large span retractable roof, and analyzed to deflections and tensile forces by the post height of center hub. The double arrangement of a spoke wheel system with reverse curvature works more effectively as a load bearing system, the pretension can easily increase the structural stiffness. The cable truss system can carry vertical load in up and downward direction, and act effectively as load bearing elements.