• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-79
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• 2010

The effect of soil-structure interaction on a single-storey, two-bay space frame resting on a pile group embedded in the cohesive soil (clay) with flexible cap is examined in this paper. For this purpose, a more rational approach is resorted to using the finite element analysis with realistic assumptions. Initially, a 3-D FEA is carried out independently for the frame on the premise of fixed column bases in which members of the superstructure are discretized using the 20-node isoparametric continuum elements. Later, a model is worked out separately for the pile foundation, by using the beam elements, plate elements and spring elements to model the pile, pile cap and soil, respectively. The stiffness obtained for the foundation is used in the interaction analysis of the frame to quantify the effect of soil-structure interaction on the response of the superstructure. In the parametric study using the substructure approach (uncoupled analysis), the effects of pile spacing, pile configuration, and pile diameter of the pile group on the response of superstructure are evaluated. The responses of the superstructure considered include the displacement at top of the frame and moments in the columns. The effect of soil-structure interaction is found to be quite significant for the type of foundation considered in the study. Fair agreement is observed between the results obtained herein using the simplified models for the pile foundation and those existing in the literature based on a complete three dimensional analysis of the building frame - pile foundation - soil system.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.393-399
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• 2013

In this paper, a novel approach to estimate cohesive laws for the mode I fracture of the graphene is presented by combining molecular dynamic simulations and an inverse algorithm based on field projection method and finite element method. The determination of crack-tip cohesive laws of the graphene based on continuum mechanics is a non-trivial inverse problem of finding unknown tractions and separations from atomic simulations. The displacements of molecular dynamic simulations in a region far away from the crack tip are transferred to finite element nodes by using moving least square approximation. Inverse analyses for extracting unknown cohesive tractions and separation behind the crack tip can be carried out by using conservation nature of the interaction J- and M-integrals with numerical auxiliary fields which are generated by systematically imposing uniform surface tractions element-by-element along the crack surfaces in finite element models. The preset method can be a very successful approach to extract crack-tip cohesive laws from molecular dynamic simulations as a scale bridging method.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.293-304
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• 2022

In this work, a novel reliability approach for combined high and low cycle fatigue (CCF) estimation is developed by combining active learning strategy with least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) (named as ALS-SVM) surrogate model to address the multi-resources uncertainties, including working loads, material properties and model itself. Initially, a new active learner function combining LS-SVM approach with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) is presented to improve computational efficiency with fewer calls to the performance function. To consider the uncertainty of surrogate model at candidate sample points, the learning function employs k-fold cross validation method and introduces the predicted variance to sequentially select sampling. Following that, low cycle fatigue (LCF) loads and high cycle fatigue (HCF) loads are firstly estimated based on the training samples extracted from finite element (FE) simulations, and their simulated responses together with the sample points of model parameters in Coffin-Manson formula are selected as the MC samples to establish ALS-SVM model. In this analysis, the MC samples are substituted to predict the CCF reliability of turbine blades by using the built ALS-SVM model. Through the comparison of the two approaches, it is indicated that the reliability model by linear cumulative damage rule provides a non-conservative result compared with that by the proposed one. In addition, the results demonstrate that ALS-SVM is an effective analysis method holding high computational efficiency with small training samples to gain accurate fatigue reliability.

• Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.82-103
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• 2023

The Zimbabwean healthcare sector faces huge challenges due to increased demands for improved services for a growing number of patients with fewer resources. The use of information and communications technologies, prevalent in many industries, but lacking in Zimbabwean healthcare, could increase productivity and innovation. The adoption of health management information systems (HMISs) can lead to improved patient safety and high-level patient care. These technologies can change delivery methods to be more patient focused by utilising integrated models and allowing for a continuum of care across healthcare providers. However, implementation of these technologies in the health care sector remains low. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the advantages to be attained by using HMISs in healthcare delivery and to ascertain the factors that influence the uptake of such systems in the public healthcare sector. A conceptual model, extending the technology, organization, and environment framework by means of other adoption models, underpins the study of adoption behavior. A mixed method methodology was used to conduct the study. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were used to allow for regression analysis. For the qualitative approach, thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. The results showed that the critical success factors (namely, relative advantage, availability, complexity, compatibility, trialability, observability, management support, information and communication technology expertise, communication processes, government regulation, infrastructure support, organizational readiness, industry and competitive support, external support, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention to use) influenced adoption of HMISs in public hospitals in Zimbabwe.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.23-32
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• 2008

This paper presents the global stability of geosynthetic reinforced segmental retaining walls in tiered configuration. Four design cases of walls with different geometries and offset distances were analyzed based on the FHWA and NCMA design guidelines and the discrepancies between the different guidelines were identified. A series of global slope stability analyses were conducted using the limit-equilibrium analysis and the continuum mechanics based shear strength reduction method with the aim of identifying failure patterns and the associated factors of safety. The results indicated among other things that the FHWA design approach yields conservative results both in the external and internal stability calculations, i.e., lower factors of safety, than the NCMA design approach. It was also found that required reinforcement lengths are usually governed by the global slope stability requirement rather than the external stability calculations. Also shown is that the required reinforcement lengths for the upper tiers are much longer than those based on the current design guidelines.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-50
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• 2006

Excavation by explosives blasting necessarily involves noise and vibration, which is highly prone to face claims on the environmental and structural aspects from the neighbors. When the blasting carried out in the vicinity of a structure, the effect of blasting vibration on the stability of the structure should be carefully evaluated. In the conventional method of evaluation, an equation for blast vibration is obtained from test blasting which is later used to determine the amount of charge. This method, however, has limitations in use since it does not consider topography and change in ground conditions. In order to overcome the limitations, dynamic numerical analysis is recently used in continuum or discontinuous models, where the topography and the ground conditions can be exactly implemented. In the numerical analysis for tunnels and rock slopes, it is very uncommon to simulate multi-hole blasting. A single-hole blasting pressure is estimated and the equivalent overall pressure at the excavation face is used. This approach based on an ideal case usually does not consider the ground conditions. And this consequently results in errors in calculation. In this presentation of a case study, a new approach of using blast waves obtained in the test blast is proposed. The approach was carried out in order to improve the accuracy in calculating blasting pressure. The stability of a structure in the vicinity of a slope blasting was examined using the newly proposed method.

• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.229-265
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• 2012

Hygroexpansion of wood is a known and undesired characteristic in civil engineering. When wood is exposed to changing environmental humidity, it adsorbs or desorbs moisture and warps. The resulting distortions or - at restrained conditions - cracks are a major concern in timber engineering. We herein present a multiscale model for prediction of the macroscopic hygroexpansion behavior of individual pieces of softwood from their microstructure, demonstrated for spruce. By applying poromicromechanics, we establish a link between the swelling pressure, driving the hygroexpansion of wood at the nanoscale, and the resulting macroscopic dimensional changes. The model comprises six homogenization steps, which are performed by means of continuum micromechanics, the unit cell method and laminate theory, all formulated in a poromechanical framework. Model predictions for elastic properties of wood as functions of the moisture content closely approach corresponding experimental data. As for the hygroexpansion behavior, the swelling pressure has to be back-calculated from macroscopic hygroexpansion data. The good reproduction of the anisotropy of wood hygroexpansion, based on only a single scalar calibration parameter, underlines the suitability of the model. The multiscale model constitutes a valuable tool for studying the effect of microstructural features on the macroscopic behavior and for assessing the hygroexpansion behavior at smaller length scales, which are inaccessible to experiments. The model predictions deliver input parameters for the analysis of timber at the structural scale, therewith enabling to optimize the use of timber and to prevent moisture-induced damage or failure.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.111-131
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• 2012

Mass Customization combines the advantages of mass production and customization. Mass customization has been praised as an innovative approach that would result in changes in business paradigm. However, there is no consensus on the concept of mass customization, but only a generally accepted framework exists to explain successful practices. Prior cases in mass customization are those of the small-medium sized or Internet-based companies. We in this paper explore the mass customization cases of market-leading manufacturers. Although those traditional organizations may be not for swift change, the cases of those companies are important because they target mass markets. Lampel and Mintzberg[35] proposed a continuum of strategies ranging from pure standardization to pure customization. This study investigates mass customization strategies of three companies. In this paper, the cases of cosmetics and sports shoe can be described as tailored customization, and the household appliances case can be classified as customized standardization. These three cases are compared with each other from the customers' decoupling point. Findings and implications of this research are discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.223-233
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• 2011

A ceramic monolithic catalyst is a honeycomb structure that consists of two layers. The honeycomb structure is regarded as a continuum in structure and heat-flow analysis. The equivalent mechanical properties of the honeycomb structure were determined by performing finite element analysis (FEA) for a test specimen. Bending strength experiments and FEA of the test specimen used in ASTM C1674-08 standard test were performed individually. The bonding coefficient between the cordierite ceramic layer and the washcoat layer was almost zero. The FEA test specimen was modeled on the basis of the bonding coefficient. The elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and the thermal properties of the ceramic monolithic substrate were determined by performing the FEA of the test specimen.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.303-312
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• 2008

In this paper, the seismic behavior of shear wal-frame systems is analyzed. The governing equations of the wall-frame systems with outrigger truss are formulated through the continuum approach and the whole structure is idealized as a shear-flexural cantileverwith rotational spring. The effect of shear deformation and flexural deformation of the wall-frame and outrigger trusses are considered and incorporated in the formulation of the wall-frame structures with and without outriggers are compared by using finite element analysis incorporated with the Newmark-${\beta}$ method. Numerical results are obtained and compared with the finite element package MIDAS. The proposed method is found to be simple and efficient, and provides reason ably accurate results in the early design stage of tall building structures.