• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2016

PURPOSES : The applicability of the mechanics-based similarity concept (suggested by Feng et al.) for determining scaled variables, including length and load, via laboratory-scale tests and discrete element analysis, was evaluated. METHODS: Several studies on the similarity concept were reviewed. The exact scaling approach, a similarity concept described by Feng, was applied in order to determine an analytical solution of a free-falling ball. This solution can be considered one of the simplest conditions for discrete element analysis. RESULTS : The results revealed that 1) the exact scaling approach can be used to determine the scale of variables in laboratory tests and numerical analysis, 2) applying only a scale factor, via the exact scaling approach, is inadequate for the error-free replacement of small particles by large ones during discrete element analysis, 3) the level of continuity of flowable materials such as SCC and cement mortar seems to be an important criterion for evaluating the applicability of the similarity concept, and 4) additional conditions, such as the kinetics of particle, contact model, and geometry, must be taken into consideration to achieve the maximum radius of replacement particles during discrete element analysis. CONCLUSIONS : The concept of similarity is a convenient tool to evaluate the correspondence of scaled laboratory test or numerical analysis to physical condition. However, to achieve excellent correspondence, additional factors, such as the kinetics of particles, contact model, and geometry, must be taken into consideration.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.223-236
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• 2017

Seismic assessment and rehabilitation of Monumental Buildings constitute an important issue in many regions around the world to preserve cultural heritage. On the contrary, many recent earthquakes have demonstrated the high vulnerability of this type of structures. The high nonlinear masonry behaviour requires ad hoc refined finite element numerical models, whose complexity and computational costs are generally unsuitable for practical applications. For these reasons, several authors proposed simplified numerical strategies to be used in engineering practice. However, most of these alternative methods are oversimplified being based on the assumption of in-plane behaviour of masonry walls. Moreover, they cannot be used for modelling the monumental structures for which the interaction between plane and out-plane behaviour governs the structural response. Recently, an innovative discrete-modelling approach for the simulation of both in-plane and out of-plane response of masonry structures was proposed and applied to study several typologies of historic structures. In this paper the latter model is applied with reference to a real case study, and numerically compared with an advanced finite element modelling. The method is applied to the St.Venerio church in Reggiolo (Italy), damaged during the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake and numerically investigated in the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.1033-1046
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• 1999

This paper is devoted to the point wise error estimate up to boundary for the standard finite element solution of Poisson equation with Dirichlet boundary condition. Our new approach used the discrete maximum principle for the discrete harmonic solution. once the mesh in our domain satisfies the $\beta$-condition defined by us, the discrete harmonic solution with dirichlet boundary condition has the discrete maximum principle and the pointwise error should be bounded by L-errors newly obtained.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.217-232
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• 2006

A crack model for the fracture in concrete based on meshless method is proposed in this paper. The cracks in concrete are classified into micro-cracks or macro-cracks respectively according to their widths, and different numerical approaches are adopted for them. The micro-cracks are represented with smeared crack approach whilst the macro-cracks are represented with discrete cracks that are made up with additional nodes and boundaries. The widely used meshless method, Element-free Galerkin method, is adopted instead of finite element method to model the concrete, so that the discrete crack approach is easier to be implemented with the convenience of arranging node distribution in the meshless method. Rotating-Crack-Model is proved to be preferred over Fixed-Crack-Model for the smeared cracks of this composite crack model due to its better performance on mesh bias. Numerical examples show that this composite crack model can take advantage of the positive characteristics in the smeared and discrete approaches, and overcome some of their disadvantages.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.343-358
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• 2008

This article focuses on concrete structures submitted to impact loading and is aimed at predicting local damage in the vicinity of an impact zone as well as the global response of the structure. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) seems particularly well suited in this context for modeling fractures. An identification process of DEM material parameters from macroscopic data (Young's modulus, compressive and tensile strength, fracture energy, etc.) will first be presented for the purpose of enhancing reproducibility and reliability of the simulation results with DE samples of various sizes. The modeling of a large structure by means of DEM may lead to prohibitive computation times. A refined discretization becomes required in the vicinity of the impact, while the structure may be modeled using a coarse FE mesh further from the impact area, where the material behaves elastically. A coupled discrete-finite element approach is thus proposed: the impact zone is modeled by means of DE and elastic FE are used on the rest of the structure. The proposed approach is then applied to a rock impact on a concrete slab in order to validate the coupled method and compare computation times.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.146-153
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• 2004

This paper presents a discrete analysis approach to investigate the performance of dual mass flywheel (DMF). In the discrete analysis, arcspring installed between the flywheels is modeled as N- discrete elements. Each element consists of mass, spring and nonlinear friction element. LuGre friction model is used to describe nonlinear friction characteristic. Based on the dynamic models of the DMF, clutch, engine, manual transmission and vehicle, a DMF performance simulator is developed using MATLAB Simulink. Simulation results of the engine speed, driveshaft torque and vehicle velocity are compared with test results. It is found that the discrete DMF model describes the vehicle behavior closely, especially during the clutch actuation period.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.181-192
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• 1999

The progressive failure following strain localization in concrete can be analyzed effectively using finite element modeling of fracture process zone of concrete with a finite element embedded discontinuity. In this study, a finite element with embedded discontinuous line is utilized for the analysis of progressive failure in concrete. The finite element with embedded discontinuity is a kind of discrete crack element, but the difficulties in discrete crack approach such as remeshing or adding new nodes along with crack growth can be avoided. Using a discontinuous shape function for this element, the displacement discontinuity is embedded within an element and its constitutive equation is modeled from the modeling of fracture process zone. The element stiffness matrix is derived and its dual mapping technique for numerical integration is employed. Then, a finite element analysis program with employed algorithms is developed and failure analysis results using developed finite element program are verified through the comparison with experimental data and other analysis results.

• Kyungpook Mathematical Journal
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.529-548
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• 2007

The purpose of this article is to find a relation between the finite difference method and the boundary element method, and propose a new approach deriving a discrete approximation formula as like that of the finite difference method for harmonic functions. We develop a discrete approximation formula on a uniform grid based on the boundary integral formulations. We consider three different boundary integral formulations and derive one discrete approximation formula on the uniform grid for the harmonic function. We show that the proposed discrete approximation formula has the same computational molecules with that of the finite difference formula for the Laplace operator ${\nabla}^2$.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect of in-situ rock stresses on the deformability and permeability of fractured rocks. Geological data were taken from the site investigation at Forsmark, Sweden, conducted by Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Man-agement Company (SKB). A set of numerical experiments was conducted to determine the equivalent mechanical properties (essentially, elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio) and permeability, using a Discrete Fracture Network-Discrete Element Method (DFN-DEM) approach. The results show that both mechanical properties and permeability are highly dependent on stress because of the hyperbolic nature of the stiffness of fractures, different closure behavior of fractures, and change of fluid pathways caused by deformation. This study shows that proper characterization and consideration of in-situ stress are important not only for boundary conditions of a selected site but also for the understanding of the mechanical and hydraulic behavior of fractured rocks.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1999.04a
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• pp.233-238
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• 1999

Localized failure analysis of concrete structures can be carried out effectively by modeling fracture process zone of concrete during crack initiation and propagation. But, the analysis techniques are still insufficient for crack modeling because of difficulties in numerical analysis procedure which describe progressive crack. In this paper, a finite element with embedded displacement discontinuity is introduced to remove the difficulties of remeshing for crack propagation in discrete crack model during progressive failure analysis of concrete structures. The performance of this so-called embedded crack approach for concrete failure analysis is verified by several analysis examples. The analysis results show that the embedded crack approach retains mesh size objectivity and can simulate localized failure under mixed mode loading. It can be concluded that the embedded crack approach cab be an effective alternate to the smeared and discrete crack approaches.