• Computers and Concrete
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.615-623
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• 2023

Crack detection is an essential method to ensure the safety of dam concrete structures. Low-quality crack images of dam concrete structures limit the application of neural network methods in crack detection. This research proposes a modified attentional mechanism model to reduce the disturbance caused by uneven light, shadow, and water spots in crack images. Also, the focal loss function solves the small ratio of crack information. The dataset collects from the network, laboratory and actual inspection dataset of dam concrete structures. This research proposes a novel method for crack detection of dam concrete structures based on the U-Net neural network, namely AF-UNet. A mutual comparison of OTSU, Canny, region growing, DeepLab V3+, SegFormer, U-Net, and AF-UNet (proposed) verified the detection accuracy. A binocular camera detects cracks in the experimental scene. The smallest measurement width of the system is 0.27 mm. The potential goal is to achieve real-time detection and localization of cracks in dam concrete structures.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.583-586
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• 2000

In this paper, the embedded crack approach that crack is modeled by discontinuous line inside finite element is applied for localized progressive fracture analyses. The algorithm for progressive fracture analyses of concrete structure are enhanced by introducing nonlinear softening curve and unloading algorithm of tension-softening curve which can simulate localized fracture of concrete. The failure analysis results ar compared with existing test results for varification.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2012

This paper presents an experimental study on the detection and location of nonlinear scattering source due to the presence of fatigue crack in a laboratory specimen. The proposed technique is based on a combination of nonlinear elastic wave spectroscopy(NEWS) and time reversal(TR) focusing approach. In order to focus on the nonlinear scattering position due to the fatigue crack, we employed only one transmitting transducer and one receiving transducer, taking advantage of long duration of reception signal that includes multiple linear scattering such as mode conversion and boundary reflections. NEWS technique was then used as a pre-treatment of TR for spatial focusing of reemitted second harmonic signal. The robustness of this approach was demonstrated on a cracked specimen and the nonlinear TR focusing behavior is observed on the crack interface from which the second harmonic signal was originated.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.387-402
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• 2010

From typical stress-axial strain curve and stress-volume strain curve of a concrete under uniaxial compression, the initiation and localization of microcracks within the interior of the specimen can be identified. The occurrence of random microcrack indicates the end of the linear elasticity, and the localization of microcrack implies formation of major crack, which triggers the onset of unstable crack propagation. The interval between initiation and localization of microcracks is characterized by a stable microcrack growth. Based on fracture behavior observed from a uniaxial compressive test of a concrete cylinder, a model has been developed to extract fundamental fracture properties of a concrete, i.e. the equivalent fracture toughness and the size of fracture process zone. The introduction of cracking Poisson's ratio accounts for tensile failure characteristics of concrete even under uniaxal compression. To justify the validity of the model proposed, tests on three-point bending have been performed to obtain the fracture toughness in accordance with two parameter fracture model and double-K fracture model. Surprisingly, it yields favorably comparable results and provides an encouraging alternative approach to determine fracture properties for concretes.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.60-72
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• 2016

This study proposes a multi-robot system, using multiple autonomous robots, to explore concrete structures and assist in their maintenance by sealing any cracks present in the structure. The proposed system employed a new self-localization method that is essential for autonomous robots, along with a visualization system to recognize the external environment and to detect and explore cracks efficiently. Moreover, more efficient crack search in an unknown environment became possible by arranging the robots into search areas divided depending on the surrounding situations. Operations with increased efficiency were also realized by overcoming the disadvantages of the infeasible logical behavioral model design with only six basic behavioral strategies based on distributed control-one of the methods to control swarm robots. Finally, this study investigated the efficiency of the proposed multi-robot system via basic sensor testing and simulation.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.18 no.3E
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• pp.213-219
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• 2006

Modified singular fracture process zone(S-FPZ) model is proposed in this paper to determine a fracture criterion for continuous crack propagation in concrete. The investigated fracture properties of the proposed fracture model are strain energy release rate at a micro-crack tip and the relationship between crack closure stress(CCS) and crack opening displacement(COD) in the FPZ. The proposed model can simulate the actual fracture energy of experimental results fairly well. The results of the experimental data analysis show that specimen geometry and loading condition did not affect the CCS-COD relation. However, the strain energy release rate is a function of not only specimen geometry but also crack extension. The strain energy release rate remained constantly at the minimum value up to the crack extension of 25 mm, and then it increased linearly to the maximum value. The maximum fracture criterion occurred at the peak load for specimens of large size. The fracture criterion remained at the maximum value after the peak load. The variation of the fracture criterion is caused by micro-cracking and micro-crack localization. The fracture criterion of strain energy release rate can simply be the size effect of concrete fracture, and it can be used to quantify the micro-cracking and micro-crack localizing behavior of concrete.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.462-465
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• 2004

Since quasi-brittle materials like concrete show strain localization behavior accompanied by strain softening, a numerical drawback such as mesh sensitivity is appeared in the finite element analysis. In this paper, the so-called homogenized crack model which was introduced for three dimensional finite element analysis of fracture in concrete is studied for the mesh size dependence problem in fracture analysis. A homogenized crack element having a velocity discontinuity. is averaged to remove the mesh sensitivity in finite element analysis of concrete fracture. Numerical examples show that softening behavior of concrete fracture is successfully predicted without mesh sensitivity using the homogenized crack model.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.4 s.82
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• pp.511-520
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• 2004

The fracture energy evaluated from the previous experimental results can be simulated by using the modified singular fracture process zone (S-FPZ) model. The fracture model has two fracture properties of strain energy release rate for crack extension and crack close stress versus crack width relationship $f_{ccs}$ ( w ) for fracture process zone (FPZ) development. The $f_{ccs}$( w ) relationship is not sensitive to specimen geometry and crack velocity. The fracture energy rate in the FPZ increases linearly with crack extension until the FPZ is fully developed. The fracture criterion of the strain energy release rate depends on specimen geometry and crack velocity as a function of crack extension. The variation of strain energy release rate with crack extension can explain theoretically the micro-cracking, micro-crack localization and full development of the FPZ in concrete.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.585-612
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• 2013

The paper presents quasi-static numerical simulations of the behaviour of short reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement under mixed shear-tension failure using the FEM and four various constitutive continuum models for concrete. First, an isotropic elasto-plastic model with a Drucker-Prager criterion defined in compression and with a Rankine criterion defined in tension was used. Next, an anisotropic smeared crack and isotropic damage model were applied. Finally, an elasto-plastic-damage model was used. To ensure mesh-independent FE results, to describe strain localization in concrete and to capture a deterministic size effect, all models were enhanced in a softening regime by a characteristic length of micro-structure by means of a non-local theory. Bond-slip between concrete and reinforcement was considered. The numerical results were directly compared with the corresponding laboratory tests performed by Walraven and Lehwalter (1994). The advantages and disadvantages of enhanced models to model the reinforced concrete behaviour were outlined.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.343-361
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• 2010

The Discrete Element Method adopting particles for the domain discretization has recently been adopted in fracture studies of non-homogeneous continuous media such as concrete and rock. A model is proposed in which the reinforcement is modelled by 1D rigid-spring discrete elements. The rigid bars interact with the rigid circular particles that simulate the concrete through contact interfaces. The DEM enhanced model with reinforcement capabilities is evaluated using three point bending and four point bending tests on reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. Under three point bending, the model is shown to reproduce the expected final crack pattern, the crack propagation and the load displacement diagram. Under four point bending, the model is shown to match the experimental ultimate load, the size effect and the crack propagation and localization.