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

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.55-71
• /
• 2013

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital for detecting the onset of damage and for preventing catastrophic failure of civil infrastructure systems. In particular, piezoelectric transducers have the ability to excite and actively interrogate structures (e.g., using surface waves) while measuring their response for sensing and damage detection. In fact, piezoelectric transducers such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been used for various laboratory/field tests and possess significant advantages as compared to visual inspection and vibration-based methods, to name a few. However, PZTs are inherently brittle, and PVDF films do not possess high piezoelectricity, thereby limiting each of these devices to certain specific applications. The objective of this study is to design, characterize, and validate piezoelectric nanocomposites consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles assembled in a PVDF copolymer matrix for sensing and SHM applications. These films provide greater mechanical flexibility as compared to PZTs, yet possess enhanced piezoelectricity as compared to pristine PVDF copolymers. This study started with spin coating dispersed ZnO- and PVDF-TrFE-based solutions to fabricate the piezoelectric nanocomposites. The concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was varied from 0 to 20 wt.% (in 5 % increments) to determine their influence on bulk film piezoelectricity. Second, their electric polarization responses were obtained for quantifying thin film remnant polarization, which is directly correlated to piezoelectricity. Based on these results, the films were poled (at 50 $MV-m^{-1}$) to permanently align their electrical domains and to enhance their bulk film piezoelectricity. Then, a series of hammer impact tests were conducted, and the voltage generated by poled ZnO-based thin films was compared to commercially poled PVDF copolymer thin films. The hammer impact tests showed comparable results between the prototype and commercial samples, and increasing ZnO content provided enhanced piezoelectric performance. Lastly, the films were further validated for sensing using different energy levels of hammer impact, different distances between the impact locations and the film electrodes, and cantilever free vibration testing for dynamic strain sensing.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.89-100
• /
• 2023

This paper conducts a parametric study of a new tuned mass damper with pre-strained superelastic SMA helical springs (SMAS-TMD) on the vibration reduction effect. First, a force-displacement relation model of superelastic SMA helical spring is presented based on the multilinear constitutive model of SMA material, and the tension tests of the six SMA springs fabricated are implemented to validate the mechanical model. Then, a dynamic model of a single floor steel frame with the SMAS-TMD damper is set up to simulate the seismic responses of the frame, which are testified by the shaking table tests. The wire diameter, initial coil diameter, number of coils and pre-strain length of SMA springs are extracted to investigate their influences on the seismic response reduction of the frame. The numerical and experimental results show that, under different earthquakes, when the wire diameter, initial coil diameter and number of coils are set to the appropriate values so that the initial elastic stiffness of the SMA spring is between 0.37 and 0.58 times of classic TMD stiffness, the maximum reduction ratios of the proposed damper can reach 40% as the mass ratio is 2.34%. Meanwhile, when the pre-strain length of SMA spring is in a suitable range, the SMAS-TMD damper can also achieve very good vibration reduction performance. The vibration reduction performance of the SMAS-TMD damper is generally equal to or better than that of the classic optimal TMD, and the proposed damper effectively suppresses the detuning phenomena that often occurs in the classic TMD.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.1157-1169
• /
• 2008

This paper presents spectral element formulation which approximates Lamb wave propagation by PZT transducers bonded on a thin plate. A two layer beam model under 2-D plane strain condition is introduced to simulate high-frequency dynamic responses induced by a piezoelectric (PZT) layer rigidly bonded on a base plate. Mindlin-Herrmann and Timoshenko beam theories are employed to represent the first symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb wave modes on a base plate, respectively. The Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and 1-D linear piezoelectricity are used to model the electro-mechanical behavior of a PZT layer. The equations of motions of a two layer beam model are derived through Hamilton's principle. The necessary boundary conditions associated with the electro-mechanical properties of a PZT layer are formulated in the context of dual functions of a PZT layer as an actuator and a sensor. General spectral shape functions of response field and the associated boundary conditions are obtained through equations of motions converted into frequency domain. Detailed spectrum element formulation for composing the dynamic stiffness matrix of a two layer beam model is presented as well. The validity of the proposed spectral element is demonstrated through numerical examples.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.323-335
• /
• 2020

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE), a smart material, is an innovative material for base isolation system. It has magnetorheological (MR) effect that can control the stiffness in real-time. In this paper, a new hybrid base isolation system combining two electromagnetic closed circuits and the roller bearing is proposed. In the proposed system, the roller part can support the vertical load. Thus, the MRE part is free from the vertical load and can exhibit the maximum MR effect. The MRE magnetic loop is constructed in the free space of the roller bearing and forms a strong magnetic field. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed hybrid base isolation system, dynamic characteristic tests and performance evaluation were carried out. Dynamic characteristic tests were performed under the extensive range of strain of the MRE and the change of the applied current. Performance evaluation was carried out using the hybrid simulation under five earthquakes (i.e., El Centro, Kobe, Hachinohe, Northridge, and Loma Prieta). Especially, semi-active fuzzy control algorithm was applied and compared with passive type. From the performance evaluation, the comparison shows that the new hybrid base isolation system using fuzzy control algorithm is superior to passive type in reducing the acceleration and displacement responses of a target structure.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.385-392
• /
• 2013

The finite element method has become the most widely used method of structural analysis and recently, the method has often been applied to complex dynamic and nonlinear structural analyses problems. Even for these complex problems, where the responses are hard to predict, finite element analyses yield reliable results if appropriate element types and meshes are used. However, the dynamic and nonlinear behaviors of a structure often include large deformations in various portions of the structure and if the same mesh is used throughout the analysis, some elements may deform to shapes beyond the reliable limits; thus dynamically adapting finite element meshes are needed in order for the finite element analyses to be accurate. In addition, to satisfy the users requirement of quick real run time of finite element programs, the algorithms must be computationally efficient. This paper presents an adaptive finite element mesh generation scheme for dynamic analyses of structures that may adapt at each time step. Representative strain values are used for error estimates and combinations of the h-method(node movement) and the r-method(element division) are used for mesh refinements. A coefficient that depends on the shape of an element is used to limit overly distorted elements. A simple frame example shows the accuracy and computational efficiency of the scheme. The aim of the study is to outline the adaptive scheme and to demonstrate the potential use in general finite element analyses of dynamic and nonlinear structural problems commonly encountered.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2024

An automated dynamic structural analysis module stands as a crucial element within a structural integrated mitigation system. This module must deliver prompt real-time responses to enable timely actions, such as evacuation or warnings, in response to the severity posed by the structural system. The finite element method, a widely adopted approximate structural analysis approach globally, owes its popularity in part to its user-friendly nature. However, the computational efficiency and accuracy of results depend on the user-provided finite element mesh, with the number of elements and their quality playing pivotal roles. This paper introduces a computationally efficient adaptive mesh generation scheme that optimally combines the h-method of node movement and the r-method of element division for mesh refinement. Adaptive mesh generation schemes automatically create finite element meshes, and in this case, representative strain values for a given mesh are employed for error estimates. When applied to dynamic problems analyzed in the time domain, meshes need to be modified at each time step, considering a few hundred or thousand steps. The algorithm's specifics are demonstrated through a standard cantilever beam example subjected to a concentrated load at the free end. Additionally, a portal frame example showcases the generation of various robust meshes. These examples illustrate the adaptive algorithm's capability to produce robust meshes, ensuring reasonable accuracy and efficient computing time. Moreover, the study highlights the potential for the scheme's effective application in complex structural dynamic problems, such as those subjected to seismic or erratic wind loads. It also emphasizes its suitability for general nonlinear analysis problems, establishing the versatility and reliability of the proposed adaptive mesh generation scheme.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.8 no.4 s.30
• /
• pp.115-124
• /
• 2006

The objectives of this paper are to develop the structural condition evaluation technique using Falling Weight Deflectometer deflections and propose the structural condition criteria for asphalt pavements. To figure out correlation between surface deflections and critical pavement responses, the synthetic database has been established using the finite element pavement structural analysis program. A regression approach was adopted to develop the pavement response model that can be used to compute the stresses and strains within pavement structure using the FWD deflections. Based on the pavement response model, the procedure for assessing the structural condition of pavement layers was proposed in this study. To validate the condition evaluation procedure for asphalt pavements, the FWD test, dynamic cone penetrometer test, and repeated triaxial compression test were conducted on 11 sections of national highway and 8 sections of local road. Test results indicate that the tensile strain at the bottom of AC layer and AC elastic modulus were good indicators for estimating the stiffness characteristics of AC layer. For subbase layer, the BDI value and compressive strain on top of the subbase layer were appropriate to predict the structural capacity of subbase layer. The BCI value and compressive strain on top of the subgrade were found to be good indicators for evaluating the structural condition of the subgrade. The evaluation criteria for structural condition in asphalt pavements was also proposed in this paper.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.68 no.6
• /
• pp.747-760
• /
• 2018

In the present study, a methodology for developing fragilities of arch concrete dams to assess their performance against seismic hazards is introduced. Firstly, the probability risk and fragility curves are presented, followed by implementation and representation of the way this method is used. Amirkabir arch concrete dam was subjected to non-linear dynamic analyses. A modified three dimensional rotating smeared crack model was used to take the nonlinear behavior of mass concrete into account. The proposed model considers major characteristics of mass concrete. These characteristics are pre-softening behavior, softening initiation criteria, fracture energy conservation, suitable damping mechanism and strain rate effect. In the present analysis, complete fluid-structure interaction is included to account for appropriate fluid compressibility and absorptive reservoir boundary conditions. In this study, the Amirkabir arch concrete dam is subjected to a set of 8 three-component earthquakes each scaled to 10 increasing intensity levels. Using proposed nonlinear smeared crack model, nonlinear analysis is performed where the structure is subjected to a large set of scaled and un-scaled ground motions and the maximum responses are extracted for each one and plotted. Based on the results, fragility curves were plotted according to various and possible damages indexes. Discrete damage probabilities were calculated using statistical methods for each considered performance level and incremental nonlinear analysis. Then, fragility curves were constructed based on the lognormal distribution assumption. Two damage indexes were introduced and compared to one another. The results indicate that the dam has a proper stability under earthquake conditions at MCE level. Moreover, displacement damages index is more conservative and impractical in the fragility analysis than tensional damage index.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.3-8
• /
• 2009

The traction system has been mainly used for rehabilitation and correction of patients with spine or gait diseases in orthopedics or at home. Some problems could occur in human body when patients forced their training using the traction system. So it needs to measure a traction force and control the training time. However, most of products on market have no sensor measuring traction force. Thus we designed and made a sensor detecting traction force using strain gauge, amplifier for transition to output signal and experiment devices for performance test. We carried out experiment of a sensor detecting a traction force and measured electric responses of it with respect to traction loads. Maximum error was within about 1% for experiments in static condition and the average error was about 0.7% for experiments in dynamic condition. We concluded that it is possible to use the developed sensor for measurement of traction force since the maximum output variation of a sensor detecting a traction force was about 0.3% in $0^{\circ}C-60^{\circ}C$ temperature condition.