• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.161-171
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• 2015

A series of tests was conducted for full-scale single-pylon asymmetric cable-stayed bridges using a system of multiple shaking tables. The 2-span bridge length was 28 m, and the pylon height was 10.2 m. 4 different base conditions were considered: the fixed condition, RB (rubber bearings), LRB (lead rubber bearings), and HDRB (high damping rubber bearings). Based on investigation of the seismic response, the accelerations and displacements in the axial direction of the isolated bridge were increased compared to non-isolated case. However, the strain of the pylon was decreased, because the major mode of the structure was changed to translation for the axial direction due to the dynamic mass. The response of the cable bridge could differ from the desired response according to the locations and characteristics of the seismic isolator. Therefore, caution is required in the design and prediction in regard to the location and behavior of the seismic isolator.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.239-251
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• 1999

The elimination process of cloud-contaminated pixels is one of important steps before obtaining the accurate parameters of land and ocean surface from AVHRR imagery. We developed a 6step threshold method to detect the cloud-contaminated pixels from NOAA-14/AVHRR datime imagery over land using different combination of channels. This algorithm has two phases : the first is to make a cloud-free characteristic data of land surface using compositing techniques from channel 1 and 5 imagery and a dynamic threshold of brightness temperature, and the second is to identify the each pixel as a cloud-free or cloudy one through 4-step threshold tests. The merits of this method are its simplicity in input data and automation in determining threshold values. The threshold of infrared data is calculated through the combination of brightness temperature of land surface obtained from AVHRR imagery, spatial variance of them and temporal variance of observed land surface temperature. The method detected the could-comtaminated pixels successfully embedded inthe NOAA-14/AVHRR daytime imagery for the August 1 to November 30, 1996 and March 1 to July 30, 1997. This method was evaluated through the comparison with ground-based cloud observations and with the enhanced visible and infrared imagery.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.211-229
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• 2004

The main purpose of this paper is the numerical analysis of the non-linear seismic response of a RC building mock-up. The mock-up is subjected to different synthetic horizontal seismic excitations. The numerical approach is based on a 3D-model involving multilayered shell elements. These elements are composed of several single-layer membranes with various eccentricities. Bending effects are included through these eccentricities. Basic equations are first written for a single membrane element with its own eccentricity and then generalised to the multilayered shell element by superposition. The multilayered shell is considered as a classical shell element : all information about non-linear constitutive relations are investigated at the local scale of each layer, whereas balance and kinematics are checked afterwards at global scale. The non-linear dynamic response of the building is computed with Newmark algorithm. The numerical dynamic results (blind simulations) are considered in the linear and non linear cases and compared with experimental results from shaking table tests. Multilayered shell elements are found to be a promising tool for predictive computations of RC structures behaviour under 3D seismic loadings. This study was part of the CAMUS International Benchmark.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.539-562
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• 2016

The seismic behavior of a ${\frac{1}{2}}$ scaled, three-story three-bay RC frame with masonry infill walls was studied experimentally and numerically. Pseudo-dynamic test results showed that despite following the column design provisions of modern seismic codes and neglecting the presence of infill walls, shear induced damage is unavoidable in the boundary columns. A finite element model was validated by using the results of available one-story one-bay frame tests in the literature. Simulations of the examined test frame demonstrated that boundary columns are subjected to shear demands in excess of their shear capacity. Seismic assessment of the test frame was conducted by using ASCE/SEI 41-06 (2006) guidelines and the obtained results were compared with the damage observed during experiment. ASCE/SEI 41-06 method for the assessment of boundary columns was found unsatisfactory in estimating the observed damage. Damage estimations were improved when the strain limits were used within the plastic hinge zone instead of column full height.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.663-679
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• 2009

The use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometers in geotechnical instrumentation is relatively new but on the rise. This paper describes a new MEMS-based system for in situ deformation and vibration monitoring. The system has been developed in an effort to combine recent advances in the miniaturization of sensors and electronics with an established wireless infrastructure for on-line geotechnical monitoring. The concept is based on triaxial MEMS accelerometer measurements of static acceleration (angles relative to gravity) and dynamic accelerations. The dynamic acceleration sensitivity range provides signals proportional to vibration during earthquakes or construction activities. This MEMS-based in-place inclinometer system utilizes the measurements to obtain three-dimensional (3D) ground acceleration and permanent deformation profiles up to a depth of one hundred meters. Each sensor array or group of arrays can be connected to a wireless earth station to enable real-time monitoring as well as remote sensor configuration. This paper provides a technical assessment of MEMS-based in-place inclinometer systems for geotechnical instrumentation applications by reviewing the sensor characteristics and providing small- and full-scale laboratory calibration tests. A description and validation of recorded field data from an instrumented unstable slope in California is also presented.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.391-422
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• 2014

The high frequency force balance (HFFB) technique provides convenient measurements of integrated forces on rigid building models in terms of base bending moments and torque and/or base shear forces. These base moments or forces are then used to approximately estimate the generalized forces of building fundamental modes with mode shape corrections. This paper presents an analysis framework for coupled dynamic response of tall buildings with HFFB technique. The empirical mode shape corrections for generalized forces with coupled mode shapes are validated using measurements of synchronous pressures on a square building surface from a wind tunnel. An alternative approach for estimating the mean and background response components directly using HFFB measurements without mode shape corrections is introduced with a discussion on higher mode contributions. The uncertainty in the mode shape corrections and its influence on predicted responses of buildings with both uncoupled and coupled modal shapes are examined. Furthermore, this paper presents a comparison of aerodynamic base moment spectra with available data sets for various tall building configurations. Finally, e-technology aspects in conjunction with HFFB technique such as web-based on-line analysis framework for buildings with uncoupled mode shapes used in NALD (NatHaz Aerodynamic Loads Database) is discussed, which facilitates the use of HFFB data for preliminary design stages of tall buildings subject to wind loads.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.344-357
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• 2002

The present paper reports spontaneous steam explosions observed in fuel coolant interaction experiments using prototypic reactor materials. Pure ZrO$_2$ and a mixture of UO$_2$ and ZrO$_2$ are used. A high temperature molten material in the form of a jet is poured into a subcooled water pool located in a pressure vessel. An induction skull melting technique is used for the melting of the reactor material. In both tests using pure ZrO$_2$ and a mixture of UO$_2$ and ZrO$_2$, either a quenching or a spontaneous steam explosion was observed. The morphology of debris and pressure profile clearly indicate the differences between the qunching cases and explosion cases. The dynamic pressure. dynamic impulse, water temperature, melt temperature, and static pressure Inside the containment chamber were measured . As the spontaneous steam explosion for the reactor material is firstly observed in the present experiments, the results of present experiments could be a siginificant step forward the understanding the explosion of the reactor material.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.305-312
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the effect of fatigue crack propagation of the beams which have a vital importance in engineering applications, on the natural frequency of the system. Beams which have a wide range of applications, are used as fundamental structural elements in engineering structures. Therefore, early detection of any damages in these structures is of vital importance for the prevention of possible destructive damages. One of the widely used methods of early detection of damages is the vibration analysis of the structure. Hence, it is of vital importance to detect and monitor any changes in the natural frequencies of the structure. From this standpoint, in this study we experimentally investigated the effect of fatigue crack propagation on beams produced from 4140 steel, of the natural frequency of the beam. A crack was opened on the $8{\times}16{\times}500mm$ beam using a 3 mm long and 0.25 mm wide wire erosion. The beam, then, underwent 3 point bending tests at 10 Hz with a dynamic fatigue device and its natural frequencies were measured in scheduled intervals and any changes taking place on the natural frequencies of the beam were measured. This data allowed us to identify and measure the crack occurring on the beam subjected to dynamic loading, during the propagation phase. This method produced experimental data. The experimental data showed that the natural frequency of the beam decreased with the propagation of the fatigue crack on the beam.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2019

The emergence of high voltage conversion applications has resulted in a trend of using semiconductor device series associations. Series associations allow for operation at blocking voltages, which are higher than the nominal voltage for each of the semiconductor devices. The main challenge with these topologies is finding a way to guarantee the voltage balance between devices in both blocking and switching transients. Most of the methods that have been proposed to mitigate static and dynamic voltage unbalances result in increased losses within the device. This paper introduces a new series stack topology, where the voltage unbalances are reduced. This in turn, mitigates the switching losses. The proposed topology consists of a circuit that ensures the soft switching of each device, and one auxiliary circuit that allows for switching energy recovery. The principle for the topology operation is presented and experimental tests are performed for two modules. The topology performs excellently for switching transients on each of the devices. The voltage static unbalances were limited to 10%, while the activation/deactivation delay introduced by the lower module IGBT driver takes place in the dynamic unbalances. Thus, the switching losses are reduced by 40%, when compared to hard switching configurations.

• Geosystem Engineering
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.326-334
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• 2018

Underground water-sealed gas storage caverns have become the primary method for strategic storage of LPG. Previous studies of excavation blasting effects on large-scale underground water-sealed gas storage caverns are rare at home and abroad. In this paper, the blasting excavation for underground water-sealed propane storage caverns in Yantai was introduced and field tests of blasting vibration were carried out. Field test data showed that the horizontal radial velocity had a major controlling effect in the blasting vibration and frequencies would not cause the vibration velocity concentration effects. In terms of the influence of blasting vibration on adjacent caverns, the dynamic finite element model in LS-DYNA soft was established, whose reliability was verified by field test data. The numerical results indicated the near-blasting side was primary zone for the structural failure and tensile failure tended to occur in the middle of the curved wall on the near-blasting side. Meanwhile, the safety criterions for adjacent caverns based on stress wave theory and according to statistic relationship between peak effective tensile stress and peak particle velocities were obtained, respectively. Finally, with Safety Regulations for Blasting in China (GB6722-2014) taken into account, a final safety criterion was proposed.