• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.571-582
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• 1998

Testing of steel roof purlins is usually performed on full scale models in large vacuum test rigs. To undertake a comparison between web cleat connected purlins and flange bolted purlins a series of tests were performed on a 1:4 small scale model vacuum test rig. Various modelling issues need to be addressed to ensure reasonable comparison with actual constructed roof framing methods but still be suitable for an economical comparison between the connection methods. Model test results were supported by, and found to be in reasonable agreement with, deflection predictions from computer models based on finite element methods. This paper discusses the testing methods adopted and the value of small scale model testing programs as a means of obtaining comparisons between framing options.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.151-177
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• 2009

The International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) at Florida International University (FIU) is pursuing research to better understand hurricane-induced effects on residential buildings and other structures through full-scale aerodynamic and destructive testing. The full-scale 6-fan Wall of Wind (WoW) testing apparatus, measuring 4.9 m tall by 7.3 m wide, is capable of generating hurricane-force winds. To achieve windstorm simulation capabilities it is necessary to reproduce mean and turbulence characteristics of hurricane wind flows. Without devices and methods developed to achieve target wind flows, the full-scale WoW simulations were found to be unsatisfactory. To develop such devices and methods efficiently, a small-scale (1:8) model of the WoW was built, for which simulation devices were easier and faster to install and change, and running costs were greatly reduced. The application of such devices, and the use of quasiperiodic fluctuating waveforms to run the WoW fan engines, were found to greatly influence and improve the turbulence characteristics of the 1:8 scale WoW flow. Reasonable reproductions of wind flows with specified characteristics were then achieved by applying to the full-scale WoW the devices and methods found to be effective for the 1:8 scale WoW model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.835-836
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• 2007

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1319-1327
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• 2001

The results of stand and field testing of a combustion chamber for a heavy-duty 150 MW gas turbine are discussed. The model represented one of 14 identical segments of a tubular multican combustor constructed 1:1 scale. The model experiments were executed at a lower pressure than that in a real gas turbine. Combustion efficiency, pressure loss factor, pattern factor, liner wall temperature, flame radiation, fluctuating pressure and NOx emission were measured at partial and full loads for both model and on-site testing. The comparison of these items in the stand and field test results led to has the development of a method of calculation and the improvement of gas turbine combustors.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2010

A new full scale testing apparatus generically named the Wall of Wind (WoW) has been built by the researchers at the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) at Florida International University (FIU). WoW is capable of testing single story building models subjected up to category 3 hurricane wind speeds. Depending on the relative model and WoW wind field sizes, testing may entail blockage issues. In addition, the proximity of the test building to the wind simulator may also affect the aerodynamic data. This study focuses on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assessment of the effects on the quality of the aerodynamic data of (i) blockage due to model buildings of various sizes and (ii) wind simulator proximity for various distances between the wind simulator and the test building. The test buildings were assumed to have simple parallelepiped shapes. The computer simulations were performed under both finite WoW wind-field conditions and in an extended Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) wind flow. Mean pressure coefficients for the roof and the windward and leeward walls served as measures of the blockage and wind simulator proximity effects. The study uses the commercial software FLUENT with Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations and a Renormalization Group (RNG) k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model. The results indicated that for larger size test specimens (i.e. for cases where the height of test specimen is larger than one third of the wind field height) blockage correction may become necessary. The test specimen should also be placed at a distance greater than twice the height of the test specimen from the fans to reduce proximity effect.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-52
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• 2007

The cold formed light-gauge profiled steel sheeting can offer considerable shear resistance acting in the steel building frame. This paper conducted the full-scale test on the shear behavior of stressed skin diaphragm using profiled sheeting connected by the self-tapping screws. A three-dimensional finite element model that simulates the stressed skin diaphragm was developed. The sheet was modeled using thin element model while the supporting members were simulated using beam elements. Fasteners were represented in the numerical model as equivalent springs. A joint test program was conducted to characterize the properties of these springs and results were reported in this study. Finite element model of the full-scale test was analyzed by use of the ANSYS package, considering nonlinearity caused by the large deflection and slip of fasteners. The experimental data was compared with the results acquired by the EUR formulas and finite element analysis.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.667-684
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• 2008

Numerous devices exist for reducing or eliminating seismic damage to structures. These include passive dampers, semi-active dampers, and active control devices. The performance of structural systems with these devices has often been evaluated using numerical simulations. Experiments on structural systems with these devices, particularly at large-scale, are lacking. This paper describes a real-time hybrid testing facility that has been developed at the Lehigh University NEES Equipment Site. The facility enables real-time large-scale experiments to be performed on structural systems with rate-dependent devices, thereby permitting a more complete evaluation of the seismic performance of the devices and their effectiveness in seismic hazard reduction. The hardware and integrated control architecture for hybrid testing developed at the facility are presented. An application involving the use of passive elastomeric dampers in a three story moment resisting frame subjected to earthquake ground motions is presented. The experiment focused on a test structure consisting of the damper and diagonal bracing, which was coupled to a nonlinear analytical model of the remaining part of the structure (i.e., the moment resisting frame). A tracking indictor is used to track the actuator ability to achieve the command displacement during a test, enabling the quality of the test results to be assessed. An extension of the testbed to the real-time hybrid testing of smart structures with semi-active dampers is described.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2013

For shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) tunnel lining, the segment joint is the most critical component for determining the mechanical response of the complete lining ring. To investigate the mechanical behavior of the segment joint in a water conveyance tunnel, which is different from the vehicle tunnel because of the external loads and the high internal water pressure during the tunnel's service life, full-scale joint tests were conducted. The main advantage of the joint tests over previous ones was the definiteness of the loads applied to the joints using a unique testing facility and the acquisition of the mechanical behavior of actual joints. Furthermore, based on the test results and the theoretical analysis, a mechanical model of segment joints has been proposed, which consists of all important influencing factors, including the elastic-plastic behavior of concrete, the pre-tightening force of the bolts and the deformations of all joint components, i.e., concrete blocks, bolts and cast iron panels. Finally, the proposed mechanical model of segment joints has been verified by the aforementioned full-scale joint tests.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.621-634
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• 2008

This paper addresses the problem of testing whether the means in several inverse Gaussian populations with heterogeneity are equal. The analysis of reciprocals for the equality of inverse Gaussian means needs the assumption of equal scale parameters. We propose Bayesian model selection procedures for testing equality of the inverse Gaussian means under the noninformative prior without the assumption of equal scale parameters. The noninformative prior is usually improper which yields a calibration problem that makes the Bayes factor to be defined up to a multiplicative constant. So we propose the objective Bayesian model selection procedures based on the fractional Bayes factor and the intrinsic Bayes factor under the reference prior. Simulation study and real data analysis are provided.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.809-828
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• 2008

Real-time hybrid testing is an attractive method to evaluate the response of structures under earthquake loads. The method is a variation of the pseudodynamic testing technique in which the experiment is executed in real time, thus allowing investigation of structural systems with time-dependent components. Real-time hybrid testing is challenging because it requires performance of all calculations, application of displacements, and acquisition of measured forces, within a very small increment of time. Furthermore, unless appropriate compensation for time delays and actuator time lag is implemented, stability problems are likely to occur during the experiment. This paper presents an approach for real-time hybrid testing in which time delay/lag compensation is implemented using model-based response prediction. The efficacy of the proposed strategy is verified by conducting substructure real-time hybrid testing of a steel frame under earthquake loads. For the initial set of experiments, a specimen with linear-elastic behavior is used. Experimental results agree well with the analytical solution and show that the proposed approach and testing system are capable of achieving a time-scale expansion factor of one (i.e., real time). Additionally, the proposed method allows accurate testing of structures with larger frequencies than when using conventional time delay compensation methods, thus extending the capabilities of the real-time hybrid testing technique. The method is then used to test a structure with a rate-dependent energy dissipation device, a magnetorheological damper. Results show good agreement with the predicted responses, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method to test rate-dependent components.