• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.419-444
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• 2014

Within this paper a new approach for early damage detection in rotor blades of wind energy converters is presented, which is shown to have a more sensitive reaction to damage than eigenfrequency-based methods. The new approach is based on the extension of Gasch's proportionality method, according to which maximum oscillation velocity and maximum stress are proportional by a factor, which describes the dynamic behavior of the structure. A change in the proportionality factor can be used as damage indicator. In addition, a novel deflection sensor was developed, which was specifically designed for use in wind turbine rotor blades. This deflection sensor was used during the experimental tests conducted for the measurement of the blade deflection. The method was applied on numerical models for different damage cases and damage extents. Additionally, the method and the sensing concept were applied on a real 50.8 m blade during a fatigue test in the edgewise direction. During the test, a damage of 1.5 m length was induced on the upper trailing edge bondline. Both the initial damage and the increase of its length were successfully detected by the decrease of the proportionality factor. This decrease coincided significantly with the decrease of the factor calculated from the numerical analyses.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.335-346
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• 2005

The T-stress of cracks in elastic sheets is solved by using the fractal finite element method (FFEM). The FFEM, which had been developed to determine the stress intensity factors of cracks, is re-applied to evaluate the T-stress which is one of the important fracture parameters. The FFEM combines an exterior finite element model with a localized inner model near the crack tip. The mesh geometry of the latter is self-similar in radial layers around the tip. The higher order Williams series is used to condense the large numbers of nodal displacements at the inner model near the crack tip to a small set of unknown coefficients. Numerical examples revealed that the present approach is simple and accurate for calculating the T-stresses and the stress intensity factors. Some errors of the T-stress solutions shown in the previous literature are identified and the new solutions for the T-stress calculations are presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.101-122
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• 2016

Elasticity solutions for bi-directional functionally graded beams subjected to arbitrary lateral loads are conducted, with emphasis on the end effects. The material is considered macroscopically isotropic, with Young's modulus varying exponentially in both axial and thickness directions, while Poisson's ratio remaining constant. In order to obtain an exact analysis of stress and displacement fields, the symplectic analysis based on Hamiltonian state space approach is employed. The capability of the symplectic framework for exact analysis of bi-directional functionally graded beams has been validated by comparing numerical results with corresponding ones in open literature. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the influences of the material gradations on localized stress distributions. Thus, the material properties of the bi-directional functionally graded beam can be tailored for the potential practical purpose by choosing suitable graded indices.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among concepts of the salutogenic model - sense of coherence, occupational stress, and health status in clinical nurses. Methods: Participants were recruited from a hospital in Seoul using a stratified random sampling. A total of 349 nurses participated in the study and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The structural equation model was used to assess the relationships among the variables. Results: The results of the study showed that occupational stress and health behavior were significant factors, directly explaining the health status of nurses. Factors explaining occupational stress were: sense of coherence, and social support. Sense of coherence showed higher effects on occupational stress than those of social support. Sense of coherence and the work conditions (work experience and shift work) of nurses had a significant and direct effect on health behavior. Sense of coherence and social support had a significant and indirect effect on health status through occupational stress and health behavior. Conclusion: Strategies to enhance sense of coherence and social support are necessary for successful health promotion programs for nurses.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.517-530
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• 2022

In re-assessing the Jacket-type fixed steel structures, the current standards often allow the simplicity of corrosion sections using local buckling or equivalent section approach to applying empirical formulae of frame stress and resistance analyses. However, those approaches can lead to significant errors for non-uniform corroded frames in a specific area, including force distribution, stress, and allowable strength of the tubular section, compared to the actual cases. This paper investigates a suitable approach to determine the actual stress on non-uniform corroded tubular frames under compression through the non-linear ABAQUS model by considering the effect of large deformation on the frame axis and the frame section. There are 3 scenarios of interest. In the 1st and 2nd scenarios with simple corrosion cases, the stress ratios using the numerical model and theoretical formulae correspond to the calculation of allowable strength reduction ratios in standards. However, scenario 3, which describes non-uniform corroded sections based on survey data, provides considerable differences in results. Therefore, it proves the reliable and effective results when using this method to analyze the resistance of the actual corroded section in the Jacket platforms.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.649-663
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• 2018

The scaled boundary finite element method is extended to evaluate the dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress with a numerical procedure based on the improved continued-fraction. The improved continued-fraction approach for the dynamic stiffness matrix is introduced to represent the inertial effect at high frequencies, which leads to numerically better conditioned matrices. After separating the singular stress term from other high order terms, the internal displacements can be obtained by numerical integration and no mesh refinement is needed around the crack tip. The condition numbers of coefficient matrix of the improved method are much smaller than that of the original method, which shows that the improved algorithm can obtain well-conditioned coefficient matrices, and the efficiency of the solution process and its stability can be significantly improved. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the increased robustness and efficiency of the proposed method in both homogeneous and bimaterial crack problems.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2024

This paper presents two-dimensional boundary value problems of the stress-based gradient elasticity within the smoothed finite element method (S-FEM) framework. Gradient elasticity is introduced to address the limitations of classical elasticity, particularly its struggle to capture size-dependent mechanical behavior at the micro/nano scale. The Ru-Aifantis theorem is employed to overcome the challenges of high-order differential equations in gradient elasticity. This theorem effectively splits the original equation into two solvable second-order differential equations, enabling its incorporation into the S-FEM framework. The present method utilizes a staggered scheme to solve the boundary value problems. This approach efficiently separates the calculation of the local displacement field (obtained over each smoothing domain) from the non-local stress field (computed element-wise). A series of numerical tests are conducted to investigate the influence of the internal length scale, a key parameter in gradient elasticity. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in smoothing stress concentrations typically observed at crack tips and dislocation lines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2004

This study presents a optimization of structure, in which constraints contain the conditions of stress and serviceability, while the sequential linear programming method (SLP) is used as a rational approach. The optimum design results contained on the limit state constraints are compared with those obtained by the only stress and ministry of construction enacted standard plans. A simple slab bridge is analysed numerically for illustration of the structural optimization. It may be asserted that serviceability constraints is very important to a structure design.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.127-132
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• 2002

Recent deepwater offshore structures in Gulf of Mexico utilize butt welded tubular joints. Application of welded tubular joint includes tendons, production risers, and steel catenary risers. Fatigue life assessment of these joints becomes more critical because the structures to which they are attached are allowed to undergo cyclic and sometimes large displacements around an anchored position. Estimating the fatigue behavior of these tubular members in the design stage is generally conducted by using S-N curves specified in the codes and standards. Applying the stress concentration factor of the welded structure to S-N approach often results in very conservative assessment because the stress field acting on the tubular has a non-uniform distribution through the thickness. Fracture mechanics and fitness for service (FFS) technology have been applied in the design of the catenary risers. This technology enables the engineer to establish proper requirements on weld quality and inspection acceptance criteria to assure satisfactory structural integrity during its design life. It also provides guidance on proper design curves to be used and a methodology for accounting for the effects of non-uniform stress distribution through the wall thickness. An attempt was made to develop set of S-N curves based on fracture mechanics approach by considering non-uniform stress distribution and a threshold stress intensity factor. Series of S-N curves generated from this approach were compared to the existing S-N curves. For flat plate butt joint, the S-N curve generated from fracture mechanics matches with the IIW class 100 curve when initial crack depth was 0.5 mm (0.02"). Similar comparison with API X′ was made for tubular joint.. These initial crack depths are larger than the limits of inspection by current Non-destructive examination (NDE) means, such as Automatic Ultrasonic Inspection (AUT). Thus a safe approach can be taken by specifying acceptance criteria that are close to limits of sizing capability of the selected NDE method. The comparison illustrates conservatism built into the S-N design curve.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.1021-1033
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• 2017

In this study, an optimum process to improve structural integrity was established by investigating effect of the process variables on fatigue lifetime of steel-sleeve repair welds in buried gas pipeline. Residual stresses in the repair welds were derived through sequentially-coupled temperature-stress analysis using ABAQUS, which is a commercial finite element analysis program. In addition, variations of operating stresses were derived by finite element linear elastic stress analysis. Fatigue lifetimes of the steel-sleeve repair welds were evaluated by substituting the derived weld residual stresses and operating stress variations into the structural stress/fracture mechanics approach as input. Parametric study using finite element analysis and fatigue assessment for various repair welding process variables were carried out to investigate the effects of the process variables on the fatigue lifetime. Finally, based on the effects of the process variables on the fatigue lifetime, an optimal process to minimize the welding time and economic costs and to improve the fatigue lifetimes was derived.