• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.379-402
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• 2021

Traditional approaches for structural health monitoring (SHM) seldom take ambient uncertainty (temperature, humidity, ambient vibration) into consideration, while their impacts on structural responses are substantial, leading to a possibility of raising false alarms. A few predictors model-based approaches deal with these uncertainties through complex numerical models running online, rendering the SHM approach to be compute-intensive, slow, and sometimes not practical. Also, with model-based approaches, the imperative need for a precise understanding of the structure often poses a problem for not so well understood complex systems. The present study employs a data-based approach coupled with Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to correlate recorded response time histories under varying temperature conditions to corresponding damage scenarios. EMD decomposes the response signal into a finite set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). A two-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (2DCNN) is further trained to associate these IMFs to the respective damage cases. The use of IMFs in place of raw signals helps to reduce the impact of sensor noise while preserving the essential spatio-temporal information less-sensitive to thermal effects and thereby stands as a better damage-sensitive feature than the raw signal itself. The proposed algorithm is numerically tested on a single span bridge under varying temperature conditions for different damage severities. The dynamic strain is recorded as the response since they are frame-invariant and cheaper to install. The proposed algorithm has been observed to be damage sensitive as well as sufficiently robust against measurement noise.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.35-54
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• 2022

A comparative study of aeroelastic vibrations of spring-mass cylinder and chimneys, with the help of a few wake oscillator models available in the literature, is presented. The models include those proposed by Facchinetti, Farshidian and Dolatabadi method-I, Farshidian and Dolatabadi method-II, de Langre, Skop and Griffin. Besides, the linear model proposed by Simiu and Scanlan is also incorporated in the study. For chimneys, the first mode oscillation is considered, and the top displacements of the chimneys are evaluated using the considered models. The results of the analytical model are compared with those obtained from the numerical solution of the wake-oscillator coupled equations. The response behavior of the cylinder and three chimneys of different heights are studied and compared with respect to critical parametric variations. The results of the study indicate that the numerical analysis is essential to capture the effect of non-linear aeroelastic phenomena in the solutions, especially for small damping. Further, except for the models proposed by Farshidian and Dolatabadi, other models predict nearly the same responses. The non-linear model predicts a much higher response as compared to the linear model.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.371-388
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• 2022

The present study tackles the problem of forced vibration of imperfect axially functionally graded shell structure with truncated conical geometry. The linear and nonlinear large-deflection of the structure are considered in the mathematical formulation using von-Kármán models. Modified coupled stress method and principle of minimum virtual work are employed in the modeling to obtain the final governing equations. In addition, formulations of classical elasticity theory are also presented. Different functions, including the linear, convex, and exponential cross-section shapes, are considered in the grading material modeling along the thickness direction. The grading properties of the material are a direct result of the porosity change in the thickness direction. Vibration responses of the structure are calculated using the semi-analytical method of a couple of homotopy perturbation methods (HPM) and the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM). Contradicting effects of small-scale, porosity, and volume fraction parameters on the nonlinear amplitude, frequency ratio, dynamic deflection, resonance frequency, and natural frequency are observed for shell structure under various boundary conditions.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.365-389
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• 2023

Dynamic analysis of a typical concrete gravity dam-reservoir system is formulated by FE-(FE-TE) approach (i.e., Finite Element-(Finite Element-Truncation Element)). In this technique, dam and reservoir are discretized by plane solid and fluid finite elements. Moreover, the H-W (i.e., Hagstrom-Warburton) high-order condition imposed at the reservoir truncation boundary. This task is formulated by employing a truncation element at that boundary. It is emphasized that reservoir far-field is excluded from the discretized model. The formulation is initially reviewed which was originally proposed in a previous study. Thereafter, the response of Pine Flat dam-reservoir system is studied due to horizontal and vertical ground motions for two types of reservoir bottom conditions of full reflective and absorptive. It should be emphasized that study is carried out under high order of H-W condition applied on the truncation boundary. The initial part of study is focused on the time harmonic analysis. In this part, it is possible to compare the transfer functions against corresponding responses obtained by FE-(FE-HE) approach (referred to as exact method). Subsequently, the transient analysis is carried out. In that part, it is only possible to compare the results for low and high normalized reservoir length cases. Therefore, the sensitivity of results is controlled due to normalized reservoir length values.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2022

The dynamic responses of a pier-pile-soil system subjected to a barge/flotilla collision are analyzed. A coupled high-speed train and bridge system with a damaged pier after barge/flotilla collision is established by taking the additional unevenness of the track induced by the damaged pier as the self-excitation of the system. The whole process of a CRH2 high-speed train running on the 6×32 m simply-supported PC (prestressed concrete) box-girder bridge with a damaged pier is simulated as a case study. The results show that the lateral displacements and accelerations of the bridge with a damaged pier are much greater than the ones before the collision. The running safety indices of the train increase with the train speed as well as with the number of barges in the flotilla. In flotilla collision, the lateral wheel/rail forces of the train exceed the allowable values at a certain speed, which influences the running safety of the trains.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.529-545
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• 2023

The coupled soil-pile-structure seismic response is recently in the spotlight of researchers because of its extensive applications in the different fields of engineering such as bridges, offshore platforms, wind turbines, and buildings. In this paper, a simple analytical model is developed to evaluate the dynamic performance of seismically isolated bridges considering triple interactions of soil, piles, and bridges simultaneously. Novel expressions are proposed to present the dynamic behavior of pile groups in inhomogeneous soils with various shear modulus along with depth. Both cohesive and cohesionless soil deposits can be simulated by this analytical model with a generalized function of varied shear modulus along the soil depth belonging to an inhomogeneous stratum. The methodology is discussed in detail and validated by rigorous dynamic solution of 3D continuum modeling, and time history analysis of centrifuge tests. The proposed analytical model accuracy is guaranteed by the acceptable agreement between the experimental/numerical and analytical results. A comparison of the proposed linear model results with nonlinear centrifuge tests showed that during moderate (frequent) earthquakes the relative differences in responses of the superstructure and the pile cap can be ignored. However, during strong excitations, the response calculated in the linear time history analysis is always lower than the real conditions with the nonlinear behavior of the soil-pile-bridge system. The current simple and efficient method provides the accuracy and the least computational costs in comparison to the full three-dimensional analyses.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.515-522
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• 2023

Objectives: The pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has exerted an unprecedented impact on the health of populations worldwide. However, the adverse health consequences of the pandemic in terms of infection and mortality rates have varied across countries. In this study, we investigate whether COVID-19 mortality rates across a group of developed nations are associated with characteristics of their healthcare systems, beyond the differential policy responses in those countries. Methods: To achieve the study objective, we distinguished healthcare systems based on the extent of healthcare decommodification. Using available daily data from 2020, 2021, and 2022, we applied quantile regression with non-additive fixed effects to estimate mortality rates across quantiles. Our analysis began prior to vaccine development (in 2020) and continued after the vaccines were introduced (throughout 2021 and part of 2022). Results: The findings indicate that higher testing rates, coupled with more stringent containment and public health measures, had a significant negative impact on the death rate in both pre-vaccination and post-vaccination models. The data from the post-vaccination model demonstrate that higher vaccination rates were associated with significant decreases in fatalities. Additionally, our research indicates that countries with healthcare systems characterized by high and medium levels of decommodification experienced lower mortality rates than those with healthcare systems involving low decommodification. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that stronger public health infrastructure and more inclusive social protections have mitigated the severity of the pandemic's adverse health impacts, more so than emergency containment measures and social restrictions.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2007

Speech intelligibility of the eavesdropping sound is investigated on a acoustic cavity - glass window coupled system. Using MLS (Maximum Length Sequency) signal as a sound source, acceleration and velocity responses of the glass window are measured by accelerometer and laser doppler vibrometer. MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) is used to identify tile speech transmission characteristics of the cavity and window system. STI (Speech Transmission Index) based upon MTF is calculated and speech intelligibility of the vibration sound of the glass window is estimated. Speech intelligibilities by the acceleration signal and the velocity signal are compared. Finally, intelligibility of the conversation sound is confirmed by the subjective test.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2024

Dental sedation plays a pivotal role in alleviating patient anxiety during various procedures. Remimazolam, a benzodiazepine derivative, stands out for its distinctive attributes, particularly its rapid onset of sedation coupled with a brief duration, making it an invaluable option for dental applications. The patient was admitted for the extraction of impacted third molars via patient-controlled sedation and not only demonstrated stable vital signs but also expressed a high level of satisfaction with the procedure. An in-depth analysis of plasma remimazolam concentrations and changes in the Patient State Index revealed negative correlation patterns, highlighting the inherent potential of remimazolam in achieving effective sedation. This expanded research scope aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the pharmacological responses to remimazolam in dental sedation scenarios. This case report offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of dental sedation methodologies and paves the way for a more informed and evidence-based approach to the use of remimazolam in patient-controlled sedation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.3512-3527
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• 2024

Seismic quantification of nonstructural components like electrical cabinets is essential to ensure the uninterrupted operation of nuclear facilities during earthquake events. This process requires experimental tests, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and limited by safety concerns and precision. As an alternative to that, numerical simulations should be done in such a way that they are capable of capturing the global dynamic behavior with minimum computational efforts. However, in the case of complex interconnected cabinets, the simplification of numerical models often poses difficulties in illustrating the real-time behavior of combined cabinet systems. On the other hand, detailed three-dimensional (3D) numerical models require lengthy time and sophisticated computational setup, indicating their expensive computational efforts. To resolve this issue, a simplified and efficient 3D modeling approach has been proposed in this study. The accuracy of the results from the new model showed an excellent match with that obtained from the responses of the experimental test. After the validation and observation of the numerical efficiency, a practical application is implemented by considering the impacts of earthquake frequency contents on the behavior of cabinet systems. From the outcomes, it is evident that this proposed modeling methodology has the potential to replace the complex combined nuclear cabinet models for earthquake evaluation.