• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.296-296
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• 2015

The aim of this paper is to numerically explore the feasibility of designing a Mini-Hydro turbine. The interest for this kind of horizontal axis turbine relies on its versatility. For instance, in the field of renewable energy, this kind of turbine may be considered for different applications, such as: tidal power, run-of-the-river hydroelectricity, wave energy conversion. It is fundamental to improve the turbine performance and to decrease the equipment costs for achievement of "environmental friendly" solutions and maximization of the "cost-advantage". In the present work, the commercial CFD code ANSYS is used to perform 3D simulations, solving the incompressible Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (U-RANS) equations discretized by means of a finite volume approach. The implicit segregated version of the solver is employed. The pressure-velocity coupling is achieved by means of the SIMPLE algorithm. The convective terms are discretized using a second order accurate upwind scheme, and pressure and viscous terms are discretized by a second-order-accurate centered scheme. A second order implicit time formulation is also used. Turbulence closure is provided by the realizable k - turbulence model. In this study, a mini hydro turbine (3kW) has been considered for utilization of horizontal axis impeller. The turbine performance and flow behavior have been evaluated by means of numerical simulations. Moreover, the performance of the impeller varied in the pressure distribution, torque, rotational speed and power generated by the different number of blades and angles. The model has been validated, comparing numerical results with available experimental data.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.613-632
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• 2009

The present paper is concerned with the design of a proper patch actuator network in order to track a desired displacement of the sidewalls of a one-storey frame structure; both, for the static and the dynamic case. Weights for each patch of the actuator network found in our previous work were based on beam theory; in the present paper a refinement of these weights by modeling the sidewalls of the frame structure as thin plates is presented. For the sake of calculating the refined weights approximate solutions of the plate equations are calculated by an extended Galerkin method. The solutions based on the analytical plate model are compared with three-dimensional Finite Element results computed in the commercially available code ANSYS. The patch actuator network is put into practice by means of four piezoelectric patches attached to each of the two sidewalls of the frame structures, to which electric voltages proportional to the analytically refined patch weights are applied. Analytical and numerical results coincide very well over a broad frequency range.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.349-365
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• 2014

The dynamic response of structures under extremely short duration dynamic loads is of great concern nowadays. This paper investigates structures' response as well as the associated structural damage to explosive loads considering and ignoring the supporting soil flexibility effect. In the analysis, buildings are modeled by two alternate approaches namely, (1) building with fixed supports, (2) building with supports accounting for soil-flexibility. A lumped parameter model with spring-dashpot elements is incorporated at the base of the building model to simulate the horizontal and rotational movements of supporting soil. The soil flexibility for various shear wave velocities has been considered in the investigation. In addition, the influence of variation of lateral natural periods of building models on the obtained response and peak response time-histories besides damage indices has also been investigated under blast loads with different peak over static pressures. The Dynamic response is obtained by solving the governing equations of motion of the considered building model using a developed Matlab code based on the finite element toolbox CALFEM. The predicted results expressed in time-domain by the building model incorporating SSI effect are compared with the corresponding model results ignoring soil flexibility effect. The results show that the effect of surrounding soil medium leads to significant changes in the obtained dynamic response of the considered systems and hence cannot be simply ignored in damage assessment and response time-histories of structures where it increases response and amplifies damage of structures subjected to blast loads. Moreover, the numerical results provide an understanding of level of damage of structure through the computed damage indices.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.595-609
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• 2015

The wake characteristics of Contra-Rotating Propeller (CRP) were investigated using numerical simulation and flow measurement. The numerical simulation was carried out with a commercial CFD code based on a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations solver, and the flow measurement was performed with Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) system. The simulation results were validated through the comparison with the experiment results measured around the leading edge of rudder to investigate the effect of propeller operation under the conditions without propeller, with forward propeller alone, and with both forward and aft propellers. The evolution of CRP wake was analyzed through velocity and vorticity contours on three transverse planes and one longitudinal plane based on CFD results. The trajectories of propeller tip vortex core in the cases with and without aft propeller were also compared, and larger wake contraction with CRP was confirmed.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

Wing-in-Ground vehicles and aerodynamically assisted boats take advantage of increased lift and reduced drag of wing sections in the ground proximity. At relatively low speeds or heavy payloads of these craft, a flap at the wing trailing-edge can be applied to boost the aerodynamic lift. The influence of a flap on the two-dimensional NACA 4412 airfoil in viscous ground-effect flow is numerically investigated in this study. The computational method consists of a steady-state, incompressible, finite volume method utilizing the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. Grid generation and solution of the Navier-Stokes equations are completed using computer program Fluent. The code is validated against published experimental and numerical results of unbounded flow with a flap, as well as ground-effect motion without a flap. Aerodynamic forces are calculated, and the effects of angle of attack, Reynolds number, ground height, and flap deflection are presented for a split and plain flap. Changes in the flow introduced with the flap addition are also discussed. Overall, the use of a flap on wings with small attack angles is found to be beneficial for small flap deflections up to 5% of the chord, where the contribution of lift augmentation exceeds the drag increase, yielding an augmented lift-to-drag ratio.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2015

Reliability based limit state design method is replacing traditional deterministic designs such as allowable stress design and/or ultimate strength design methods in world trends. European design code(Eurocode) has adopted limit state design, and Korea road bridge design standard has also recently been transferred to limit state design method. In this trend, Korea railroad design standard is also preparing for adopting the same design concept. While safety factors are determined empirically in traditional design, load combinations as well as load factors are determined by solving limit state equations. General partial safety factors are evaluated by using AFORM(Advanced First Order Reliability Method) in the reliability based limit state design method. In this study sensitivity analysis is carried out for a dead load factor and a live load factor. Relative precisions of the dead load and the live load factors are discussed prior to the AFORM analysis. Furthermore the sectional forces of design and the material quantities required by two different design methods are compared for a PSC box girder railway bridge.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.460-467
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• 2010

In this study, the parameters of the feedwater control system (FWCS) of the OPR1000 type nuclear power plant (NPP) are optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) in order to acquire better level control performance from the FWCS. The objective of the optimization is to minimize the steam generator (SG) water level deviation from the reference level during transients. The objective functions for this optimization are relationships between the SG level deviation and the parameters of the FWCS. However, in this case of FWCS parameter optimization, the objective functions are not available in the form of analytic equations and the responses (the SG level at plant transients) to inputs (FWCS parameters) can be evaluated by computer simulations only. Classical optimization methods cannot be used because the objective function value cannot be calculated directely. Therefore, the simulation optimization methodology is used and the RSM is adopted as the simulation optimization algorithm. Objective functions are evaluated with several typical transients in NPPs using a system simulation computer code that has been utilized for the system performance analysis of actual NPPs. The results show that the optimized parameters have better SG level control performance. The degree of the SG level deviation from the reference level during transients is minimized and consequently the control performance of the FWCS is remarkably improved.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.6
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• pp.721-733
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• 2018

The modal frequency responses of functionally graded (FG) sandwich doubly curved shell panels are investigated using a higher-order finite element formulation. The system of equations of the panel structure derived using Hamilton's principle for the evaluation of natural frequencies. The present shell panel model is discretised using the isoparametric Lagrangian element (nine nodes and nine degrees of freedom per node). An in-house MATLAB code is prepared using higher-order kinematics in association with the finite element scheme for the calculation of modal values. The stability of the opted numerical vibration frequency solutions for the various shell geometries i.e., single and doubly curved FG sandwich structure are proven via the convergence test. Further, close conformance of the finite element frequency solutions for the FG sandwich structures is found when compared with the published theoretical predictions (numerical, analytical and 3D elasticity solutions). Subsequently, appropriate numerical examples are solved pertaining to various design factors (curvature ratio, core-face thickness ratio, aspect ratio, support conditions, power-law index and sandwich symmetry type) those have the significant influence on the free vibration modal data of the FG sandwich curved structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2019

This paper investigates the probability of failure of reinforced concrete beams for limit state of collapse for flexure and shear. The influence of randomness of the variables on the failure probability is also examined. The Indian standard code for plain and reinforced concrete IS456:2000 is used for the design of beams. Probabilistic models are developed for flexure and shear according to IS456:2000. The loads considered acting on the beam are live load and dead load only. Random variables associated with the limit state equation such as grade of concrete, grade of steel, live load and dead load are identified. Probability of failure is evaluated based on the limit state equation using First Order Reliability Method (FORM). Importance of the random variables on the limit state equations are observed and the variables are accordingly reduced. The effect of the reduced parameters is checked on the probability of failure. The results show the role of each parameter on the design of beam. Thus, the Indian standard guidelines for plain and reinforced concrete IS456:2000 is investigated with the probabilistic and risk-based analysis and design for a simple beam. The results obtained are also compared with the literature and accordingly some suggestions are made.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.5
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• pp.469-483
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• 2019

In this paper, an improved mathematical model is presented for the bending analysis of doubly curved functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich rhombic conoids. The mathematical model includes expansion of Taylor's series up to the third degree in thickness coordinate and normal curvatures in in-plane displacement fields. The condition of zero-transverse shear strain at upper and lower surface of rhombic conoids is implemented in the present model. The newly introduced feature in the present mathematical model is the simultaneous inclusion of normal curvatures in deformation field and twist curvature in strain-displacement equations. This unique introduction permits the new 2D mathematical model to solve problems of moderately thick and deep doubly curved FGM sandwich rhombic conoids. The distinguishing feature of present shell from the other shells is that maximum transverse deflection does not occur at its center. The proposed new mathematical model is implemented in finite element code written in FORTRAN. The obtained numerical results are compared with the results available in the literature. Once validated, the current model was employed to solve numerous bending problems by varying different parameters like volume fraction indices, skew angles, boundary conditions, thickness scheme, and several geometric parameters.