• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.239-260
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• 2014

Non-stationary random vibration of linear structures with uncertain parameters is investigated in this paper. A time-domain explicit formulation method is first presented for dynamic response analysis of deterministic structures subjected to non-stationary random excitations. The method is then employed to predict the random responses of a structure with given values of structural parameters, which are used to fit the conditional expectations of responses with relation to the structural random parameters by the response surface technique. Based on the total expectation theorem, the known conditional expectations are averaged to yield the random responses of stochastic structures as the total expectations. A numerical example involving a frame structure is investigated to illustrate the effectiveness of the present approach by comparison with the power spectrum method and the Monte Carlo simulation method. The proposed method is also applied to non-stationary random seismic analysis of a practical arch bridge with structural uncertainties, indicating the feasibility of the present approach for analysis of complex structures.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.293-308
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• 2014

Unlike the traditional displacement type vessels, the high speed planing crafts are supported by the lift forces which are highly non-linear. This non-linear phenomenon causes their motions in an irregular seaway to be non-Gaussian. In general, it may not be possible to express the probability distribution of such processes by an analytical formula. Also the process might not be stationary or ergodic in which case the statistical behavior of the motion to be constantly changing with time. Therefore the extreme values of such a process can no longer be calculated using the analytical formulae applicable to Gaussian processes. Since closed form analytical solutions do not exist, recourse is taken to fitting a distribution to the data and estimating the statistical properties of the process from this fitted probability distribution. The peaks over threshold analysis and fitting of the Generalized Pareto Distribution are explored in this paper as an alternative to Weibull, Generalized Gamma and Rayleigh distributions in predicting the short term extreme value of a random process.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.859-867
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• 1998

An oil lubricated Herringbone aroove jounal bearing(HGJB) with eight-circular-profile grooves on the non-rotating bearing surface is analyzed numerically and experimentally. The load carrying capacity, attitude angle, stiffness and damping coefficients are obtained numerically for the various bearing configurations. The onset speed of instability is also examined for the various eccentricity ratios. The configuration parameters of HGJB, such as groove depth ratio, groove width ratio, and groove angle, are dependent on each other because the grooves are generated by using eight small balls rolling over the inner surface of the sleeve with press fit. Therefore, it is not allowed to suggest a set of optimal design parameters such as the one for the rectangular profile HGJB. The overall results from numerical and experimental analysis prove that the circular profile HGJB has an excellent stability characteristics and the higher load carrying capacity than the plain journal bearing.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.211-218
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• 2015

Traffic noise estimation models are useful in evaluation of the noise pollution in current circumstances. They are helpful tools for design and planning new roads and highways. Measurement of average traffic noise level is possible when traffic speed and volume are known. The objective of this study was to devise a model for prediction of highway traffic noise levels based on current traffic variables in Iran. The design of this model was to take the impact of traffic congestion into consideration and to be field tested. This study is a library research augmented by field study conducted on Saeedi Highway located south west of Tehran. The period for the field study lasted 5 days from 7-12 February, 2013. This study examined liner and non-liner methods in formulation of its model. Liner method without a fixed coefficient was the best fit for the intended model. The proposed model can serve as a decision making tool to estimate the impact of key influential factors on sound pressure levels in urban areas in Iran.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.1181-1212
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• 2016

Fragility and loss functions are developed to predict damage and economic losses due to earthquake loading in Reinforced Concrete (RC) structural components with smooth rebars. The attention is focused on external/internal beam-column joints and ductile/brittle weak columns, designed for gravity loads only, using low-strength concrete and plain steel reinforcing bars. First, a number of damage states are proposed and linked deterministically with commonly employed methods of repair and related activities. Results from previous experimental studies are used to develop empirical relationships between damage states and engineering demand parameters, such as interstory and column drift ratios. Probability distributions are fit to the empirical data and the associated statistical parameters are evaluated using statistical methods. Repair costs for damaged RC components are then estimated based on detailed quantity survey of a number of pre-70 RC buildings, using Italian costing manuals. Finally, loss functions are derived to predict the level of monetary losses to individual RC components as a function of the experienced response demand.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.129-145
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• 2014

In order to investigate the characteristics of torsional wind loads on rectangular tall buildings, five models with different rectangular cross-sections were tested in a boundary wind tunnel. Based on the test results, the RMS force coefficients, power spectrum densities as well as vertical correlation functions of torsional wind loads were analyzed. Formulas that took the side ratio as parameters were proposed to fit the test results above. Comparisons between the results calculated by the formulas and the wind tunnel measurements were made to verify the reliability of the proposed formulas. An simplified expression to evaluate the dynamic torsional wind loads on rectangular tall buildings in urban terrain is presented on basis of the above formulas and has been proved by a practical project. The simplified expressions as well as the proposed formulas can be applied to estimate wind-induce torsional response on rectangular tall buildings in the frequency domain.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.279-290
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• 2008

The modeling and parameter estimation of a damped one-degree-of-freedom mass-spring system is examined. This paper presents a method for estimating the system parameters (damping coefficients and natural frequency) from measured free-vibration motion of a system that is modeled to include both subcritical viscous damping and kinetic Coulomb friction. The method applies a commercially available least-squares curve-fitting software function to fit the known solution of the equations of motion to the measured response. The method was tested through numerical simulation, and it was applied to experimental data collected from a laboratory mass-spring apparatus. The mass of this apparatus translates on linear bearings, which are the primary source of light inherent damping. Results indicate that the curve-fitting method is effective and accurate for both perfect and noisy measurements from a lightly damped mass-spring system.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.331-345
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• 2007

Uncertainties enter a complex analysis from a variety of sources: variability, lack of data, human errors, model simplification and lack of understanding of the underlying physics. However, for many important engineering applications insufficient data are available to justify the choice of a particular probability density function (PDF). Sometimes the only data available are in the form of interval estimates which represent, often conflicting, expert opinion. In this paper we demonstrate that Bayesian estimation techniques can successfully be used in applications where only vague interval measurements are available. The proposed approach is intended to fit within a probabilistic framework, which is established and widely accepted. To circumvent the problem of selecting a specific PDF when only little or vague data are available, a hierarchical model of a continuous family of PDF's is used. The classical Bayesian estimation methods are expanded to make use of imprecise interval data. Each of the expert opinions (interval data) are interpreted as random interval samples of a parent PDF. Consequently, a partial conflict between experts is automatically accounted for through the likelihood function.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.585-599
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• 2006

This paper describes a series of laboratory tests carried out to evaluate the influence of bed joint orientation on interlocking grouted stabilised mud-flyash brick masonry under uniaxial cyclic compressive loading. Five cases of loading at $0^{\circ}$, $22.5^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $67.5^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ with the bed joints were considered. The brick units and masonry system developed by Prof. S.N. Sinha were used in present investigation. Eighteen specimens of size $500mm{\times}100mm{\times}700mm$ and twenty seven specimens of size $500mm{\times}100mm{\times}500mm$ were tested. The envelope stress-strain curve, common point curve and stability point curve were established for all five cases of loading with respect to bed joints. A general analytical expression is proposed for these curves which fit reasonably well with the experimental data. Also, the stability point curve has been used to define the permissible stress level in the brick masonry.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2012

Nitrate removal from aqueous solution was investigated using $ZnCl_2$ and phosphoric acid activated carbon developed from pomegranate peel with particle size 0.4 mm. Potassium nitrate solution was used in batch adsorption experiments for nitrate removal from water. The effects of activated carbon dosage, time of contact, and pH were studied. The equilibrium time was fond to be 45 min. Two theoretical adsorption isotherms namely Langmuir and Freundlich were used to describe the experimental results. The Langmuir fit the isotherm with the theoretical adsorption capacity ($q_t$) was fond 78.125 mg g-1. Adsorption kinetics data were modeled using the pseudo-first, pseudo-second order, and intraparticle diffusion models. The results indicate that the second-order model best describes adsorption kinetic data. Results show activated carbon produced from pomegranate is effective for removal of nitrate from aqueous solution.