• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.813-831
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• 2011

This paper presents an efficient version of Hilbert-Huang transform for nonlinear non-stationary systems analyses. An ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) is introduced to alleviate the problem of mode mixing between intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) decomposed by EMD. Yet the problem has not been fully resolved when a signal of a similar scale resides in different IMF components. Instead of using a trial and error method to select the "best" outcome generated by EEMD, a hybrid algorithm based on EEMD and EMD is proposed for multi-mode signal processing. The developed approach comprises the steps from a bandpass filter design for regrouping modes of the IMFs obtained from EEMD, to the mode extraction using EMD, and to the assessment of each mode in the marginal spectrum. A simulated two-mode signal is tested to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the approach, showing average relative errors all equal to 1.46% for various noise levels added to the signal. The developed approach is also applied to a real bridge structure, showing more reliable results than the pure EMD. Discussions on the mode determination are offered to explain the connection between modegrouping form on the one hand, and mode-grouping performance on the other.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2005

The use of geogrid for SRW systems and bridge abutment has increased rapidly over the past 10 years in Korea. The concept of segmental retaining walls and reinforced soil is very old and for example The Ziggurats of Babylonia(i.e. Tower of Babel) were built some 2,500 to 3,000 years ago using soil reinforcing methods very similar to those described in current design. Modern SRW(Semental Retaining Wall) units were introduced in 1960's as concrete crib retaining wall systems. In this paper, the friction properties between segmental concrete units and geogrid are investigated by performing various tests.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.261-269
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• 2007

The structure and dynamics of a 37-residue antimicrobial peptide gaegurin 4 (GGN4) isolated from the skin of the native Korean frog, Rana rugosa, was determined in SDS micelles by NMR spectroscopy. The solution structure of the peptide in SDS micelles was determined from 352 NOE-derived distance constraints and 22 backbone torsion angle constraints. Dynamic properties for the amide backbone were characterized by $^1H-^{15}N $heteronuclear NOE experiments. The structural study revealed two amphipathic helices spanning residues 2-10 and 16-32 and that the helices were connected by a flexible loop. An intraresidue disulfide bridge was formed between residues Cys31 and Cys37 near the C-terminus. The loop region (11-15) connecting the two helices are were slightly more flexible than these helices themselves. From the fact that since there is no contact NOEs between two helices, it is implied that the GGN4 peptide shows an independent motion of both helices which has an angle of about $ 60^{\circ}-120^{\circ}$ from each other.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2014

Chloride ion ingress is one of the major problems that affect the durability of concrete structures such as bridge decks, concrete pavements, and other structures exposed to harsh saline environments. Therefore, durability based design of concrete structures in severe condition has gained great significance in recent decades and various mathematical models for estimating the service life of rein-forced concrete have been proposed. In spite of comprehensive researches on the corrosion of rein-forced concrete, there are still various controversial concepts in quantitation of durability parameters such as chloride diffusion coefficient and surface chloride content. Effect of environment conditions on the durability of concrete structures is one of the most important issues. Hence, regional investigations are necessary for durability based design and evaluation of the models. Persian Gulf is one of the most aggressive regions of the world because of elevated temperature and humidity as well as high content of chloride ions in seawater. The aim of this study is evaluation of some parameters of durability of RC structures in marine environment from viewpoint of corrosion initiation. For this purpose, some experiments were carried out on the real RC structures and in laboratory. The result showed that various uncertainties in parameters of durability were existed.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.273-295
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• 2018

In this study, an investigation of a damage detection methodology for global condition assessment is presented. A particular emphasis is put on the utilization of wireless sensors for more practical, less time consuming, less expensive and safer monitoring and eventually maintenance purposes. Wireless sensors are deployed with a sensor roving technique to maintain a dense sensor field yet requiring fewer sensors. The time series analysis method called ARX models (Auto-Regressive models with eXogeneous input) for different sensor clusters is implemented for the exploration of artificially induced damage and their locations. The performance of the technique is verified by making use of the data sets acquired from a 4-span bridge-type steel structure in a controlled laboratory environment. In that, the free response vibration data of the structure for a specific sensor cluster is measured by both wired and wireless sensors and the acceleration output of each sensor is used as an input to ARX model to estimate the response of the reference channel of that cluster. Using both data types, the ARX based time series analysis method is shown to be effective for damage detection and localization along with the interpretations and conclusions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2007

Additional cutouts in the floorbeam webs of orthotropic plated bridge decks relieve the highly stressed lower flange of the ribs passing through these floorbeam webs from possible fatigue damage. Conversely, the floorbeam webs themselves suffer from high stress concentrations, especially along the free edges of the additional cutouts. These stresses result from a combination of direct introduction of vertical traffic loads in the weakened web and from the truss action of the floorbeam. The latter differs from a simple beam action due to the presence of the openings and corresponds more to the behaviour of a Vierendeel truss. Close assessment of the appearing stresses, highly relevant for fatigue resistance, requires the use of elaborate finite element modelling. However, a full finite element analysis merely provides the results of total stresses, leaving the researcher or designer the difficult task of finding the origin of these stress components. This paper presents a calculation method for cutout stresses based on a combination of a framework analysis and a two dimensional finite element analysis of much smaller parts of the floorbeam. This method provides more insight in the origin of the stress components, as well as it simplifies any comparison of different additional cutout geometries, independent of the floorbeam topology.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.1778-1784
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• 2010

This study investigates the criteria for assessing the vibration serviceability of highway bridges using advanced driving simulator. Reiher-Meister Curves were firstly reviewed for extended application to serviceability of highway bridges. Modified Reiher-Meister Curves were provided in this paper based on field test results and numerical analyses results. The Modified Reiher-Meister Curves were evaluated using advanced driving simulator. The new curve consisted of 4 level, A(Disturbing), B(Strongly perceptible), C(Allowable), and D(Comfortable). The new criteria will be extensively applied to design and maintain highway bridges with respect to driver condition.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.399-418
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• 2015

Automated damage detection through Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques has become an active area of research in the bridge engineering community but widespread implementation on in-service infrastructure still presents some challenges. In the meantime, visual inspection remains as the most common method for condition assessment even though collected information is highly subjective and certain types of damage can be overlooked by the inspector. In this article, a Frequency Response Functions-based model updating algorithm is evaluated using experimentally collected data from the University of Central Florida (UCF)-Benchmark Structure. A protocol for measurement selection and a regularization technique are presented in this work in order to provide the most well-conditioned model updating scenario for the target structure. The proposed technique is composed of two main stages. First, the initial finite element model (FEM) is calibrated through model updating so that it captures the dynamic signature of the UCF Benchmark Structure in its healthy condition. Second, based upon collected data from the damaged condition, the updating process is repeated on the baseline (healthy) FEM. The difference between the updated parameters from subsequent stages revealed both location and extent of damage in a "blind" scenario, without any previous information about type and location of damage.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.593-608
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• 2015

In many of the industrialized countries an increasing amount of infrastructure is ageing. This has become specifically critical to bridges which are a major asset with respect to keeping an economy alive. Life of this infrastructure is scattering but often little quantifiable information is known with respect to its damage condition. This article describes how a damage tolerance approach used in aviation today may even be applied to civil infrastructure in the sense that operational life can be applied in the context of modern life cycle management. This can be applied for steel structures as a complete process where much of the damage accumulation behavior is known and may even be adopted to concrete structures in principle, where much of the missing knowledge in damage accumulation has to be substituted by enhanced inspection. This enhanced and continuous inspection can be achieved through robotic systems in a first approach as well as built in sensors in the sense of structural health monitoring (SHM).

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2017

One of the most challenging issues in the oil and gas industry is corrosion assessment and management in subsea structures or equipment. At present, almost all steel pipelines are sensitive to corrosion in harsh working environments, particularly in salty water and sulphur ingress media. Nowadays, the most commonly practiced solution for a damaged steel pipe is to entirely remove the pipe, to remove only a localized damaged section and then replace it with a new one, or to cover it with a steel patch through welding, respectively. Numerous literatures have shown that fiber-reinforced polymer-based composites can be effectively used for steel pipe repairs. Considerable research has also been carried out on the repair of corroded and gouged pipes incorporated with hybrid natural fiber-reinforced composite wraps. Currently, further research in the field should focus on enhanced use of the lesser and highly explored hybrid-biocomposite material for the development in corrosion prevention. A hybrid-biocomposite material from renewable resource based derivatives is cost-effective, abundantly available, biodegradable, and an environmentally benign alternative for corrosion prevention. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review and to bridge the gap by developing a new hybrid-biocomposite with superhydrophobic surfaces.