• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.362-367
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• 2008

In the present work, we address electric fatigue behavior in bending piezoelectric actuators using an acoustic emission technique. Electric cyclic fatigue tests have been performed up to ten million cycles on the fabricated specimens. To confirm the fatigue damage onset and its pathway, the source location and distributions of the AE behavior in terms of count rate are analyzed over the fatigue range. It is concluded that electric cyclic loading leads to fatigue damages such as transgranular damages and intergranular cracking in the surface of the PZT ceramic layer, and intergranular cracking even develops into the PZT inner layer, thereby degrading the displacement performance. The electric-induced fatigue behavior seems to show not a continuous process but a step-by-step process because of the brittleness of PZT ceramic. Nevertheless, this fatigue damage and cracking do not cause the final failure of the bending piezoelectric actuator loaded up to 107 cycles. Investigations of the AE behavior and the linear AE source location reveal that the onset time of the fatigue damage varies considerably depending on the existence of a glass-epoxy protecting layer.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.319-341
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• 2009

A new formulation based on lumped plasticity and inelastic hinges is presented in this paper for nonlinear analysis of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame structures. Inelastic hinge behaviour is described using the principles of Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM). Member formulation contains provisions to model stiffness degradation due to cracking of concrete and yielding of reinforcing steel. Depending on its nature, cracking is classified as concentrated or distributed. Concentrated cracking is accounted through a damage variable and its growth is defined based on strain energy principles. Presence of distributed flexural cracks in a member is taken care of by modelling it as non-prismatic. Plasticity theory supported by effective stress concept of CDM is applied to describe the post-yield response. Nonlinear quasi-static analysis is carried out on a RC column and a wide two-storey RC frame to verify the formulation. The column is subjected to constant axial load and monotonic lateral load while the frame is subjected to only lateral load. Computed results are compared with those due to experiments or other numerical methods to validate the performance of the formulation and also to highlight the contribution of distributed cracking on global response.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.349-365
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• 2018

The strain and acoustic emission (AE) signals of Pocheon granite were measured during uniaxial compression tests to investigate microcrack formation and damage. Crack closure, initiation, and damage stresses of each sample were determined through an analysis of the crack volumetric strain and stiffness. The samples experienced four damage stages according to stress levels: stage 1 = crack closure stage; stage 2 = elastic stage; stage 3 = crack initiation stage; stage 4 = crack damage stage. At least 75% of all AE signals occurred in stages 3 and 4, and different AE parameters were detected in the four stress stages. Rise time, count, energy, and duration clearly showed a tendency to gradually increase with the damage stress stage. In particular, the rise time, energy, and duration increased by at least 95% in stage 4 as compared with stage 1. However, the maximum amplitude showed a smaller increase, and the average frequency decreased slightly at higher stages. These results indicate that as the degree of rock damage increases, the crack size grows larger. The crack types corresponding to the AE signals were determined using the relationship between RA (Rise time / Amplitude) values and average frequencies. Tension cracking was dominant in all stress stages. Shear cracking was rare in stages 1 and 2, but increased in stages 3 and 4. These results are consistent with previous studies that reported cracking begins after samples have already been damaged. Our study shows that the state of rock damage can be investigated solely through an analysis of AE parameters when rocks are under compressive stress. As such, this methodology is suitable for understanding and monitoring the stress state of bedrock.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.225-236
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• 2017

The purpose of this work is to predict ductile fracture of structural steel under extremely low cyclic loading experienced in earthquake. A cumulative damage model is proposed on the basis of an existing damage model originally aiming to predict fracture under monotonic loading. The cumulative damage model assumes that damage does not grow when stress triaxiality is below a threshold and fracture occurs when accumulated damage reach unit. The model was implemented in ABAQUS software. The cumulative damage model parameters for steel base metal, weld metal and heat affected zone were calibrated, respectively, through testing and finite element analyses of notched coupon specimens. The damage evolution law in the notched coupon specimens under different loads was compared. Finally, in order to examine the engineering applicability of the proposed model, the fracture performance of beam-column welded joints reported by previous researches was analyzed based on the cumulative damage model. The analysis results show that the cumulative damage model is able to successfully predict the cracking location, fracture process, the crack initiation life, and the total fatigue life of the joints.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1994.10a
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• pp.200-204
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• 1994

Low temperature associated damage mechanism is not well known for asphalt concrete. Many studies have related the thermal cracking of pavement in the roadway in cold region with overall shrinkage of the pavement surface under assumption of homogeneous material. This study, however, was intiated based on the assumption that thermal incompatibility of materials (heterogeneous) in asphalt concrete mixture would be the primary cause of the damages. Acoustic emission technique and microscopic obsevation were employed to evaluate damage mechanism of asphalt concrete due to low temperature. The first method showed the sufficient evidence that asphalt concrete could be damaged by lowered temperature only. The second method showed that the damage by temperature resulted in micro-cracks at the interface between asphalt matrix and aggregate particle. It was concluded that these damage mechanisms were the primary cause of major thermal cracking of asphalt pavement in cold region.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.534-541
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• 2004

The modeling of crack initiation and propagation is very important for the failure analysis of concrete. The cracking process in concrete is quite different from that of other materials, such as metal and glass, in that it is not a sudden onset of new free surface but a continuous forming and connecting of microcracks. The failure process of concrete by cracking causes irreversible deformations and stiffness degradation. Those phenomenon can be modeled using plasticity and damage theory in macroscopic aspect. In this study, a plastic-damage model based on homogenized crack model considering velocity discontinuity and damage variable which is a function of plastic strain is proposed for fracture analysis of concrete. Finally, the plastic-damage model is verified with experimental data.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.211-216
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• 2001

It is well known that composite laminates are easily damaged by low velocity impact. Low velocity impact damage characteristics and residual compressive strength of composite laminates used in light rail transit are investigated. The damage of composite laminates subjected to impact loading are occurred matrix cracking, delamination, and fiber breakage. The damage of matrix cracking and delamination are reduced suddenly the compressive strength after impact. The objectives of this study is to evaluate impact characteristics and the relationship between impact force and inside damage of composite laminates by low velocity impact loading. UT C-scan is used to determine impact damage areas by impact loading.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.280-287
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• 2008

In case of low pressure steam turbine used in power plant, it was operated in wet steam and high stress condition. Therefore, it is possible that the corrosion damage of low pressure was induced by this condition. According to previous study, about 30% of total blade failure correspond to corrosion fatigue or SCC(stress corrosion cracking) in low pressure turbine. Especially, LSB(last stage bucket) of low pressure turbine has a higher hardness to prevent erosion damage due to water droplet however, generally this is more dangerous for SCC damage. Therefore, to improve reliability of turbine blade. various methods for SCC evaluation has been developed. In this study, the crack found in LSB during in-service inspection was evaluated using microstructure analysis and stress analysis. From the stress analysis, the optimum size of fillet to remove the crack was proposed. And also, the reliability was evaluated for modified LSB using GOODMAN diagram.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.688-706
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• 2024

Austenitic stainless steels (ASS) are extensively employed in various sectors such as nuclear, power, petrochemical, oil and gas because of their excellent structural strength and resistance to corrosion. SS304 and SS316 are the predominant choices for piping, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, nuclear reactor core components and support structures, but they are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in chloride-rich environments. Over the course of several decades, extensive research efforts have been directed towards evaluating SCC using diverse methodologies and models, albeit some uncertainties persist regarding the precise progression of cracks. This review paper focuses on the application of Acoustic Emission Technique (AET) for assessing SCC damage mechanism by monitoring the dynamic acoustic emissions or inelastic stress waves generated during the initiation and propagation of cracks. AET serves as a valuable non-destructive technique (NDT) for in-service evaluation of the structural integrity within operational conditions and early detection of critical flaws. By leveraging the time domain and time-frequency domain techniques, various Acoustic Emission (AE) parameters can be characterized and correlated with the multi-stage crack damage phenomena. Further theories of the SCC mechanisms are elucidated, with a focus on both the dissolution-based and cleavage-based damage models. Through the comprehensive insights provided here, this review stands to contribute to an enhanced understanding of SCC damage in stainless steels and the potential AET application in nuclear industry.

• Journal of Ship and Ocean Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.57-72
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• 1997

The larger trends related to cracking in ocean going vessels (primarily tankers and bulk carriers) are reviewed on the basis of available data. The typical interrelated causes of such cracking are: high local stresses, extensive use of higher strength steels, inadequate treatment of dynamic loads, adverse operational factors (harsh weather, improper vessel handling), and controllable structural degradation (corrosion, wear, stevedore damage). Three consequences of cracking are then discussed: structural failure, pollution, and increased maintenance. The first two, while rare, are potentially of high consequence including loss of life. The types of solutions that can be employed to improve the durability of ships in the face of fatigue cracking are then presented. For existing vessels, these solutions range from repairs based on structural analysis or service experience, control of corrosion, and enhanced surveys. For new vessels, the use of advanced design procedures that specifically address dynamic loads and fatigue cracking is necessary. As the preferred solution to the problem of cracking in ships, this paper advocates prevention by explicit design by first principles.