• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제5권5호
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• pp.565-585
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• 2009

Superelastic Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are gaining acceptance for use as reinforcing bars in concrete structures. The seismic behaviour of concrete frames reinforced with SMAs is being assessed in this study. Two eight-storey concrete frames, one of which is reinforced with regular steel and the other with SMAs at the plastic hinge regions of beams and regular steel elsewhere, are designed and analyzed using 10 different ground motion records. Both frames are located in the highly seismic region of Western Canada and are designed and detailed according to current seismic design standards. The validation of a finite element (FE) program that was conducted previously at the element level is extended to the structure level in this paper using the results of a shake table test of a three-storey moment resisting steel RC frame. The ten accelerograms that are chosen for analyzing the designed RC frames are scaled based on the spectral ordinate at the fundamental periods of the frames. The behaviour of both frames under scaled seismic excitations is compared in terms of maximum inter-storey drift, top-storey drift, inter-storey residual drift, and residual top-storey drift. The results show that SMA-RC frames are able to recover most of its post-yield deformation, even after a strong earthquake.

• 천문학회보
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.88.1-88.1
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• 2017

We report a novel design of the "linear astigmatism-free" three mirror system (LAF-TMS). In general, the linear astigmatism is one of the most dominant aberration degrading image qualities in common off-axis systems. The proposed LAF-TMS is based on a confocal off-axis three mirror system, where higher order aberrations are minimized via our numerical optimization. The system comprises three pieces of aluminum-alloy freeform mirrors that are feasible to be fabricated with current single-point diamond turning (SPDT) machining technology. The surface figures, dimensions, and positions of mirrors are carefully optimized for a LAF performance. For higher precision-positioning mechanism, we also included alignment parts: shims (for tilting) and L-brackets (for decentering). Any possible mechanical deformation due to assembly process as well as 1-G gravity, and its influence on optical performances of the system are investigated via the finite element (FE) analysis. The LAF-TMS has low f-number and a wide field of view, which is promising for sky monitoring programs such as supernova surveys.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.663-682
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• 2016

Continuum manipulators as a kind of mechanical arms are useful tools in special robotic applications. In medical applications, like colonoscopy, a maneuverable thin and flexible manipulator is required. This research is focused on developing a basic module for such an application using shape memory alloys (SMA). In the structure of the module three wires of SMA are uniformly distributed and attached to the circumference of a flexible tube. By activating wires, individually or together, different rotation regimes are provided. SMA model is used based on Brinson work. The SMA model is combined to model of flexible tube to provide a composite model of the module. Simulating the model in Matlab provided a platform to be used to develop controller. Complex and nonlinear behavior of SMA make the control problem hard especially when a few SMA actuators are active simultaneously. In this paper, position control of the two degree of freedom module is under focus. An experimental control strategy is developed to regulate a desired position in the module. The simulation results present a reasonable performance of the controller. Moreover, the results are verified through experiments and show that the continuum module of this paper would be used in real modular manipulators.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.247-259
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• 2008

The potential use of Cu-based shape memory alloys (SMA) in retrofitting historical monuments is investigated in this paper. This study is part of the ongoing work conducted in Tunisia within the framework of the FP6 European Union project (WIND-CHIME) on the use of appropriate modern seismic protective systems in the conservation of Mediterranean historical buildings in earthquake-prone areas. The present investigation consists of a finite element simulation, as a preliminary to an experimental study where a cantilever masonry wall, representing a part of a historical monument, is subjected to monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loadings around a horizontal axis at the base level. The wall was retrofitted with an array of copper SMA wires with different cross-sectional areas. A new model is proposed for heat-treated copper SMAs and is validated based on published experimental results. A series of nonlinear finite element analyses are then performed on the wall for the purpose of assessing the SMA device retrofitting capabilities. Simulation results show an improvement of the wall response for the case of monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loadings.

• 천문학회보
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.56.4-57
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• 2017

The Schwarzschild-Chang off-axis telescope is a "linear astigmatism-free" confocal system. The telescope comprises two pieces of aluminum-alloy freeform mirrors that are fabricated with diamond turning machine (DTM) process. We designed optomechanical structures where optical components in the telescope system can be adjustable on a linear stage. Optomechanical deformation caused by the weight of system itself and its temperature variation is analyzed by the finite element analysis (FEA). The results show that the deformation is estimated in the tolerance range. For the optic-axis alignment of telescope system, three-point alignment (TPA) method is chosen. The TPA method uses three parallel lasers and a plane mirror. Point source images were taken from collimated light and field observation. The performance of optical system was tested by point spread function and aberration measurement of the point sources.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제12권12호
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• pp.955-961
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• 2002

2.7vol%TiNi/6061 Al composites with TiNi shape memory alloy as reinforcement were fabricated by vacuum hot press. It was investigated by OM, SEM, EPMA and XRD analysis for the behavior of diffusion layer formation on various heat treatment condition. Thickness of diffusion layer was increased proportionally according to heat treatment time. The layer was formed by the mutual diffusion of TiNi and Al. The diffusion rate from TiNi fiber to Al matrix was faster than that of reverse diffusion path. The more diffused layer was formed in Al matrix. The diffusion at interface layer was consisted of $A1_3$Ti, $Al_3$Ni analyzed by EPMA, XRD results.

• 한국지진공학회논문집
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

The researches related to active control systems utilizing superelastic shape memory alloys (SMA) have been recently conducted to reduce critical damage due to lateral deformation after severe earthquakes. Although Superelastic SMAs undergo considerable inelastic deformation, they can return to original conditions without heat treatment only after stress removal. We can expect the mitigation of residual deformation owing to inherent recentering characteristics when these smart materials are installed at the part where large deformation is likely to occur. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research is to develop concentrically braced frames (CBFs) with superelastic SMA bracing systems and to evaluate the seismic performance of such frame structures. In order to investigate the inter-story drift response of CBF structures, 3- and 6-story buildings were design according to current design specifications, and then nonlinear time-history analyses were performed on numerical 2D frame models. Based on the numerical analysis results, it can be comparatively verified that the CBFs with superelastic SMA bracing systems have more structural advantages in terms of energy dissipation and recentering behavior than those with conventional steel bracing systems.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.501-515
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• 2012

We design and test a shape memory alloy (SMA)-based actuation system that can be used to propel a fish robot. The actuator in the system is composed of a 0.1 mm diameter SMA wire, a 0.5 mm-thick glass/epoxy composite strip, and a fixture frame. The SMA wire is installed in a pre-bent composite strip that provides initial tension to the SMA wire. The actuator can produce a blocking force of about 200 gram force (gf) and displacement of 3.5 mm at the center of the glass/epoxy strip for an 8 V application. The bending motion of the actuator is converted into the tail-beat motion of a fish robot through a linkage system. The fish robot is evaluated by measuring the tail-beat angle, swimming speed, and thrust produced by the tail-beat motion. The tail-beat angle is about $20^{\circ}$, the maximum swimming speed is about 1.6 cm/s, and the measured average thrust is about 0.4 gf when the fish robot is operated at 0.9 Hz.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.311-322
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• 2020

This paper studies the influence of parameters of a novel SMA helical spring energy dissipation brace on the seismic resistance of a frame structure. The force-displacement relationship of the SMA springs is established mathematically based on a multilinear constitutive model of the SMA material. Four SMA helical springs are fabricated, and the force-displacement relationship curves of the SMA springs are obtained via tension tests. A numerical dynamic model of a two-floor frame with spring energy dissipation braces is constructed and evaluated via vibration table tests. Then, two spring parameters, namely, the ratio of the helical spring diameter to the wire diameter and the pre-stretch length, are selected to investigate their influences on the seismic responses of the frame structure. The simulation results demonstrate that the optimal ratio of the helical spring diameter to the wire diameter can be found to minimize the absolute acceleration and the relative displacement of the frame structure. Meanwhile, if the pre-stretch length is assigned a suitable value, excellent vibration reduction performance can be realized. Compared with the frame structure without braces, the frames with spring braces exhibit highly satisfactory seismic resistance performance under various earthquake waves. However, it is necessary to select an SMA spring with optimal parameters for realizing optimal vibration reduction performance.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.32-37
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• 2012

Lead frame which has a high thermal conductivity and high mechanical strength is one of core technology for ultra-thin electronics such as LED lead frames, memory devices of semiconductors, smart phone, PDA, tablet PC, notebook PC etc. In this paper, we fabricated a Cu/STS/Cu 3-layered clad metal for lead frame packaging materials and characterized the mechanical properties and thermal conductive properties of the clad metal lead frame material. The clad metal lead frame material has a comparable thermal conductivity to typical copper alloy lead frame materials and has a reinforced mechanical tensile strength by 1.6 times to typical pure copper lead frame materials. The thermal conductivity and mechanical tensile strength of the Cu/STS/Cu clad metal are 284.35 W/m K and $52.78kg/mm^2$, respectively.