• Title/Summary/Keyword: Soft engineering

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Characteristics of failure surfaces induced by embankments on soft ground

  • Hong, Eun-Soo;Song, Ki-Il;Yoon, Yeo-Won;Hu, Jong-Wan
    • Geomechanics and Engineering
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.17-31
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    • 2014
  • This paper investigates the development of failure surfaces induced by an embankment on soft marine clay deposits and the characteristics of such surfaces through numerical simulations and its comparative study with monitoring results. It is well known that the factor of safety of embankment slopes is closely related to the vertical loading, including the height of the embankment. That is, an increase in the embankment height reduces the factor of safety. However, few studies have examined the relationship between the lateral movement of soft soil beneath the embankment and the factor of safety. In addition, no study has investigated the distribution of the pore pressure coefficient B value along the failure surface. This paper conducts a continuum analysis using finite difference methods to characterize the development of failure surfaces during embankment construction on soft marine clay deposits. The results of the continuum analysis for failure surfaces, stress, displacement, and the factor of safety can be used for the management of embankment construction. In failure mechanism, it has been validated that a large shear displacement causes change of stress and pore pressure along the failure surface. In addition, the pore pressure coefficient B value decreases along the failure surface as the embankment height increases. This means that the rate of change in stress is higher than that in pore pressure.

Analytical solution for bending analysis of soft-core composite sandwich plates using improved high-order theory

  • Kheirikhah, M.M.;Khalili, S.M.R.;Fard, K. Malekzadeh
    • Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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    • v.44 no.1
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    • pp.15-34
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    • 2012
  • In the present paper, an improved high-order theory is used for bending analysis of soft-core sandwich plates. Third-order plate assumptions are used for face sheets and quadratic and cubic functions are assumed for transverse and in-plane displacements of the orthotropic soft core. Continuity conditions for transverse shear stresses at the interfaces as well as the conditions of zero transverse shear stresses on the upper and lower surfaces of the plate are satisfied. Also, transverse flexibility and transverse normal strain and stress of the orthotropic core are considered. The equations of motion and boundary conditions are derived by principle of minimum potential energy. Analytical solution for bending analysis of simply supported sandwich plates under various transverse loads are presented using Navier's solution. Comparison of the present results with those of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity and some plate theories in the literature confirms the accuracy of the proposed theory.

Limit states of RC structures with first floor irregularities

  • Favvata, Maria J.;Naoum, Maria C.;Karayannis, Chris G.
    • Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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    • v.47 no.6
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    • pp.791-818
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    • 2013
  • The seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures with irregularities leading to soft first floor is studied using capacity assessment procedures. The soft first story effect is investigated for the cases: (i) slab-column connections without beams at the first floor, (ii) tall first story height and (iii) pilotis type building (open ground story). The effects of the first floor irregularity on the RC frame structure performance stages at global and local level (limit states) are investigated. Assessment based on the Capacity Spectrum Method (ATC-40) and on the Coefficient Method (FEMA 356) is also examined. Results in terms of failure modes, capacity curves, interstory drifts, ductility requirements and infills behaviour are presented. From the results it can be deduced that the global capacity of the structures is decreased due to the considered first floor morphology irregularities in comparison to the capacities of the regular structure. An increase of the demands for interstory drift is observed at the first floor level due to the considered irregularities while the open ground floor structure (pilotis type) led to even higher values of interstory drift demands at the first story. In the cases of tall first story and slab-column connections without beams soft-story mechanisms have also been observed at the first floor. Rotational criteria (EC8-part3) showed that the structure with slab-column connections without beams exhibited the most critical response.

Continuous Conduction Mode Soft-Switching Boost Converter and its Application in Power Factor Correction

  • Cheng, Miao-miao;Liu, Zhiguo;Bao, Yueyue;Zhang, Zhongjie
    • Journal of Power Electronics
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.1689-1697
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    • 2016
  • Continuous conduction mode (CCM) boost converters are commonly used in home appliances and various industries because of their simple topology and low input current ripples. However, these converters suffer from several disadvantages, such as hard switching of the active switch and reverse recovery problems of the output diode. These disadvantages increase voltage stresses across the switch and output diode and thus contribute to switching losses and electromagnetic interference. A new topology is presented in this work to improve the switching characteristics of CCM boost converters. Zero-current turn-on and zero-voltage turn-off are achieved for the active switches. The reverse-recovery current is reduced by soft turning-off the output diode. In addition, an input current sensorless control is applied to the proposed topology by pre-calculating the duty cycles of the active switches. Power factor correction is thus achieved with less effort than that required in the traditional method. Simulation and experimental results verify the soft-switching characteristics of the proposed topology and the effectiveness of the proposed input current sensorless control.

Load-Settlement Characteristics of Concrete TOP-BASE Foundation on Soft Ground (팽이기초공법(Top-Base Method)의 하중-침하량 분석)

  • Kim, Jae-Young;Jeong, Sang-Seom;Lee, Jae-Hwan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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    • 2009.03a
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    • pp.210-221
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    • 2009
  • A new foundation type which is called Top-Base method has been used frequently in engineering practices in Korea. In this study, the settlement behavior of concrete Top-Base foundation on soft ground is investigated since the consolidation settlement of the embedding depth and the effect of footing dimensions are not included in current Korean criterion (2007). To obtain detailed information, the model tests of the Top-Base foundation are performed using the PLAXIS 3D finite element analysis. It is shown that in-situ measurements and finite element analysis of the behavior of foundations indicate that consolidation settlement is reduced up and bearing capacity of the foundation increases up to 50%~100%, compared to the primary non-treated ground. Based on this study, it is found that the Top-Base foundation prevents the lateral deformation of soft ground and reduces its negative dilatancy to the surface settlement, and that the foundation creates rather uniform stress distribution under it to increase its bearing capacity. It is also found that the total settlement of Top-Base foundation was highly dependent on the consolidation settlement and footing configurations.

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A structural damage detection approach using train-bridge interaction analysis and soft computing methods

  • He, Xingwen;Kawatani, Mitsuo;Hayashikawa, Toshiro;Kim, Chul-Woo;Catbas, F. Necati;Furuta, Hitoshi
    • Smart Structures and Systems
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    • v.13 no.5
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    • pp.869-890
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    • 2014
  • In this study, a damage detection approach using train-induced vibration response of the bridge is proposed, utilizing only direct structural analysis by means of introducing soft computing methods. In this approach, the possible damage patterns of the bridge are assumed according to theoretical and empirical considerations at first. Then, the running train-induced dynamic response of the bridge under a certain damage pattern is calculated employing a developed train-bridge interaction analysis program. When the calculated result is most identical to the recorded response, this damage pattern will be the solution. However, owing to the huge number of possible damage patterns, it is extremely time-consuming to calculate the bridge responses of all the cases and thus difficult to identify the exact solution quickly. Therefore, the soft computing methods are introduced to quickly solve the problem in this approach. The basic concept and process of the proposed approach are presented in this paper, and its feasibility is numerically investigated using two different train models and a simple girder bridge model.

A comparison of the effect of SSI on base isolation systems and fixed-base structures for soft soil

  • Karabork, T.;Deneme, I.O.;Bilgehan, R.P.
    • Geomechanics and Engineering
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.87-103
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    • 2014
  • This study investigated the effect of soil-structure interaction (SSI) on the response of base-isolated buildings. Seismic isolation can significantly reduce the induced seismic loads on a relatively stiff building by introducing flexibility at its base and avoiding resonance with the predominant frequencies of common earthquakes. To provide a better understanding of the movement behavior of multi-story structures during earthquakes, this study analyzed the dynamic behavior of multi-story structures with high damping rubber bearing (HDRB) behavior base isolation systems that were built on soft soil. Various models were developed, both with and without consideration of SSI. Both the superstructure and soil were modeled linearly, but HDRB was modeled non-linearly. The behavior of the specified models under dynamic loads was analyzed using SAP2000 computer software. Erzincan, Marmara and Duzce Earthquakes were chosen as the ground motions. Following the analysis, the displacements, base shear forces, top story accelerations, base level accelerations, periods and maximum internal forces were compared in isolated and fixed-base structures with and without SSI. The results indicate that soil-structure interaction is an important factor (in terms of earthquakes) to consider in the selection of an appropriate isolator for base-isolated structures on soft soils.

An Example-Based Natural Language Dialogue System for EPG Information Access (EPG 정보 검색을 위한 예제 기반 자연어 대화 시스템)

  • Kim, Seok-Hwan;Lee, Cheong-Jae;Jung, Sang-Keun;Lee, Gary Geun-Bae
    • Annual Conference on Human and Language Technology
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    • 2006.10e
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    • pp.65-70
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    • 2006
  • 본 논문에서는 EPG 정보 검색을 위한 자연어 대화 시스템에 대해 논한다. 자연어 대화 시스템 구축을 위한, 대화 예제를 이용한 상황 기반 대화 관리 방법론은, 효율적이고 실용적인 대화 시스템 구축을 가능하게 한다. 대화 시스템은 사용자 발화에 대해 적합한 시스템응답 발화를 출력하는 과정으로 진행되며, 이를 위해, 사용자 발화 의미 분석, 대화 관리, 시스템 응답 발화 생성의 과정을 거친다. 정확하고 신속한 정보의 전달이 중요한 EPG 정보 검색 도메인의 특성상 EPG 데이터베이스의 관리 및 갱신이 중요한 요소로 작용한다. 이를 위해 웹마이닝 기반의 EPG 데이터베이스 관리자를 구현함으로써 데이터베이스 구축에 필요한 비용을 최소화하고, 신속하고 정확한 정보를 제공할 수 있었다.

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Utility-Interactive Four-Switch Three-Phase Soft-Switching Inverter with Single Resonant DC-Link Snubber and Boost Chopper

  • Ahmed, Tarek;Nagai, Shinichiro;Nakaoka, Mutsuo;Tanaka, Toshihiko
    • Journal of Power Electronics
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.109-117
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    • 2007
  • In this paper, a novel proposal for a utility-interactive three-phase soft commutation sinewave PWM power conditioner with an auxiliary active resonant DC-link snubber is developed for fuel cell and solar power generation systems. The prototype of this power conditioner consists of a PWM boost chopper cascaded three-phase power conditioner, a single two-switch auxiliary resonant DC-link snubber with two electrolytic capacitors incorporated into one leg of a three-phase V-connection inverter and a three-phase AC power source. The proposed cost-effective utility-interactive power conditioner implements a unique design and control system with a high-frequency soft switching sinewave PWM scheme for all system switches. The operating performance of the 10 kW experimental setup including waveform quality, EMI/RFI noises and actual efficiency characteristics of the proposed power conditioner are demonstrated on the basis of the measured data.

A Study on Ground Heave Characteristics of Soft Ground with DCM (DCM으로 개량된 연약점토지반의 지반융기에 관한 고찰)

  • You, Seung-Kyong;Hong, Gigwon
    • Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.75-84
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    • 2020
  • This paper described the analysis result on heaving of soft ground with DCM column type, based on the results of laboratory model tests on the soft ground with DCM column. The heave characteristics of the soft ground were evaluated according to the application of DCM column in soft ground. The results showed that the heaving of soft ground without DCM column occurred rapidly when the lateral deformation of soft ground increased significantly under the 4th load step condition. In addition, the heaving of soft ground in final load step caused tensile failure of the ground surface. The maximum heaving of the soft ground with the DCM column occurred in the final load step, and the heaving quantity decreased in the order of pile, wall, and grid type. Especially, the soft ground with DCM of grid type effectively resisted ground heaving, even if it was extremely failure in the bottom ground of embankment. The results of the maximum heaving according to the measurement point showed that the heaving of the soft ground with DCM of grid type was 3.1% and 1.6% compared to that of the pile and wall type at the location of LVDT-1, and the heaving of the LVDT-2 position was 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively.