• Journal of Applied Reliability
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.181-191
• /
• 2015

Change in labor time is affecting occupational safety and health. Recently reduction in labor time brought innovational operation method, investment in plant and equipment, and flexible labor time in some companies, thereby affecting working conditions for labourers. However, working conditions for some vulnerable social groups have deteriorated. As a result, they are becoming more exposed to risk factors such as injury and emotional stress. In this study we use 2014 KWCS data in order to find the social and demographic characteristics in Korean working conditions. To this end, we use exploratory data analysis approach to find the relationship between some of the important variables in the KWCS data. We also use Press-State-Response model to find which group of people are vulnerable to Press and State. We find that women, people over age 50 and business owners are more vulnerable to Press and State than men, people below age 50 and wage workers.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.157-172
• /
• 2011

A new method for both local damage(s) identification and input excitation force identification of beam structures is presented using the dynamic response sensitivity-based finite element model updating method. The state-space approach is used to calculate both the structural dynamic responses and the responses sensitivities with respect to structural physical parameters such as elemental flexural rigidity and with respect to the force parameters as well. The sensitivities of displacement and acceleration responses with respect to structural physical parameters are calculated in time domain and compared to those by using Newmark method in the forward analysis. In the inverse analysis, both the input excitation force and the local damage are identified from only several acceleration measurements. Local damages and the input excitation force are identified in a gradient-based model updating method based on dynamic response sensitivity. Both computation simulations and the laboratory work illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.275-290
• /
• 2006

In this paper, the performance of a tuned liquid damper (TLD) in suppressing the seismic response of buildings is investigated with shake table testing of a four-story steel frame model that rests on pile foundation. The model tests were performed in three phases with the steel frame structure alone, the soil and pile foundation system, and the soil-foundation-structure system, respectively. The test results from different phases were compared to study the effect of soil-structure interaction on the efficiency of a TLD in reducing the peak response of the structure. The influence of a TLD on the dynamic response of the pile foundation was investigated as well. Three types of earthquake excitations were considered with different frequency characteristics. Test results indicated that TLD can suppress the peak response of the structure up to 20% regardless of the presence of soils. TLD is also effective in reducing the dynamic responses of pile foundation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.449-474
• /
• 2010

A smart hollow cylinder consisting of a host functionally graded elastic core layer and two surface homogeneous piezoelectric layers is presented in this paper. The bonding between the layers can be perfect or imperfect, depending on the parameters taken in the general linear spring-layer interface model. The effect of such weak interfaces on free vibration and steady-state response is then investigated. Piezoelectric layers at inner and outer surfaces are polarized axially or radially and act as a sensor and an actuator respectively. For a simply supported condition, the state equations with non-constant coefficients are obtained directly from the formulations of elasticity/piezoelasticity. An approximate laminated model is then introduced for the sake of solving the state equations conveniently. It is further assumed that the hollow cylinder is embedded in an elastic medium and is simultaneously filled with compressible fluid. The interaction between the structure and its surrounding media is taken into account. Numerical examples are finally given with discussions on the effect of some related parameters.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.129-141
• /
• 2016

Due to the structural complexity, the response of a flexible riser under axisymmetric loads is quite difficult to determine. Based on equilibrium conditions, geometrical relations and constitutive equations, an analytical model that can accurately predict the axisymmetric behavior of flexible risers is deduced in this paper. Since the mutual exclusion between the contact pressure and interlayer gap is considered in this model, the influence of the load direction on the structural behavior can be analyzed. Meanwhile, a detailed finite element analysis for unbonded flexible risers is conducted. Based on the analytical and numerical models, the structural response of a typical flexible riser under tension, torsion, internal and outer pressure has been studied in detail. The results are compared with experimental data obtained from the literature, and good agreement is found. Studies have shown that the proposed analytical and numerical models can provide an insightful reference for analysis and design of flexible risers.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.361-379
• /
• 2017

In view of the importance of the wind-structure interaction for tall and slender structures, an aeroelastic model test of the 610m-high TV tower with a complex and unique structural configuration and appearance carried out successfully. The assembled aeroelastic model of the TV tower with complex shape and structure was designed and made to ensure the similarities of the major natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes. The simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer with higher turbulent intensity is presented. Since the displacement and acceleration responses at several measurement sections were directly measured in the wind tunnel test, a multi-mode approach was presented to indirectly estimate the displacement and acceleration responses at arbitrary structural floors based on the measured ones. It can be seen that it is remarkable for the displacement and acceleration responses of the TV tower in the two horizontal directions under wind loads and is small for the dynamic response of the torsional displacement and acceleration.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.319-328
• /
• 2022

Ensuring the integrity of a country's infrastructure is necessary to protect surrounding communities in case of disaster. Embankment dam systems across the US are an essential component of infrastructure, referred to as lifeline structures. Embankment dams are crucial to the survival of life and if these structures were to fail, it is imperative that states be prepared. Southern California is particularly concerned with the stability of embankment dams due to the frequent seismic activity that occurs in the state. The purpose of this study was to create a numerical model of an existing embankment dam simulated under seismic loads using previously recorded data. The embankment dam that was studied in Los Angeles, California was outfitted with accelerometers provided by the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program that have recorded strong motion data for decades and was processed by the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data to be used in future engineering applications. The accelerometer data was then used to verify the numerical model that was created using finite element modeling software RS2. The results from this study showed Puddingstone Dam's simulated response was consistent with that experienced during previous earthquakes and therefore validated the predicted behavior from the numerical model. The study also identified areas of weakness and instability on the dam that posed the greatest risk for its failure. Following this study, the numerical model can now be used to predict the dam's response to future earthquakes, develop plans for its remediation, and for emergency response in case of disaster.

• Wind and Structures
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.505-518
• /
• 2001

Shantou Bay Bridge is the first long-span suspension bridge in China. Because of its location near the Shantou Seaport and its exposure to high typhoon winds, wind-resistant studies are necessary to be made. In this paper, critical flutter wind speeds and buffeting responses of this bridge at its operation and main construction stages are investigated. The Buffeting Response Spectrum method is first briefly presented. Then the sectional model test is carried out to directly obtain the critical flutter wind speed and to identify the flutter derivatives, which are adopted for the later analysis of the buffeting responses using the Buffeting Response Spectrum method. Finally the aeroelastic full bridge model is tested to further investigate the dynamic effects of the bridge. The results from the tests and the computations indicate that the flutter and buffeting behaviors of the Shantou Bay Bridge are satisfied.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.221-237
• /
• 1997

This paper presents a new uniaxial material model for rate-sensitive analysis addressing both the transient and steady-state responses. The new model adopts visco-plastic theory for the rate-sensitive response, and employs a three-parameter representation of the overstress as a function of the strain-rate. The third parameter is introduced in the new model to control its transient response characteristics, and to provide flexibility in fitting test data on the variation of overstress with strain-rate. Since the governing visco-plastic differential equation cannot be integrated analytically due to its inherent nonlinearity, a new single-step numerical integration procedure is proposed, which leads to high levels of accuracy almost independent of the size of the integration time-step. The new model is implemented within the nonlinear analysis program ADAPTIC, which is used to provide several verification examples and comparison with other experimental and numerical results. The companion paper extends the three-parameter model to trilinear static stress-strain relationships for steel and concrete, and presents application examples of the proposed models.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.197-208
• /
• 2023

Rate-dependent mechanical response of sand, subjected to loading of medium to high strain rate range, is of interest for several civilian and military applications. Such rate-dependent response can vary significantly based on the initial density state of the sand, applied confining pressure, considered strain rate range, drainage condition and sand morphology. A numerical study has been carried out employing a recently proposed visco-plastic constitutive model to explore the rate-dependent mechanical behaviour of Toyoura sand under drained triaxial loading condition. The model parameters have been calibrated using the experimental data on Toyoura sand available in published literature. Under strain rates higher than a reference strain rate, the simulation results are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed characteristic shearing behaviour of sand, which includes increased shear strength, pronounced post-peak softening and suppressed compression. The rate-dependent response, subjected to intermediate strain rate range, has further been assessed in terms of enhancement of peak shear strength and peak friction angle over varying initial density and confining pressure. The simulation results indicate that the rate-induced strength increase is highest for the dense state and such strength enhancements remain nearly independent of the applied confinement level.