• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.251-262
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• 2023

There are many examples of steel structures subjected to severe environmental conditions with bolted connections directly exposed to extreme climatic agents such as freeze-thaw cycles or low temperatures. Some examples are: steel bridges, mining transfer towers, wind towers... These service conditions neither are included in Eurocode 3 or EN1090-2, nor there are references in other international standards. In this experimental research, 46 specimens of non-slip joints with HV M20 bolts and four different types of contact surfaces have been studied. Half of the specimens were subjected to fourteen twelve-hours freeze-thaw cycles, with periodic immersion in water and temperature oscillation. Subsequently, half of the connections were subjected to a slip test under monotonic load at temperature of -20 ± 0.5 ℃ and the other half at room temperature. The results were compared with others equal joints not subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and kept at room temperature for the same time. This finally resulted in 4 sets of joints by combining the freeze-thaw degradation or not with the low-temperature conditions or not in the slip testing. Therefore, a total of 16 different conditions were studied by also considering 4 different contact surfaces between the joined plates in each set. The results obtained show influence of environmental conditions on the slip resistant capacity of these joints.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.355-366
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• 2023

Although machine learning (ML) techniques have been widely used in various fields of engineering practice, their applications in the field of wind engineering are still at the initial stage. In order to evaluate the feasibility of machine learning algorithms for prediction of wind loads on high-rise buildings, this study took the exposure category type, wind direction and the height of local wind force as the input features and adopted four different machine learning algorithms including k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting regression tree (GBRT) and extreme gradient (XG) boosting to predict wind force coefficients of CAARC standard tall building model. All the hyper-parameters of four ML algorithms are optimized by tree-structured Parzen estimator (TPE). The result shows that mean drag force coefficients and RMS lift force coefficients can be well predicted by the GBRT algorithm model while the RMS drag force coefficients can be forecasted preferably by the XG boosting algorithm model. The proposed machine learning based algorithms for wind loads prediction can be an alternative of traditional wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamic simulations.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.692-704
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• 2023

This study analyzed 214 sports knee braces found on Chinese websites between October 2022 and November 2022 to assess product type (impact protection material, fastening method, and protection method), material composition, size, weight, and main characteristics. The product type was further categorized according to (1) use of hard guard and soft guard protection method; (2) cover type, strap type, and slip-on type fastening method; and (3) pressure type and support type protection method. It also noted the physical shock protection materials used, including foam (EVA or polyurethane) attached to joints as a buffer material and plastic (TPU or PP) that protects the user's knee from external impacts. The study found that the materials that primarily comprise sports knee braces are a combination of nylon, polyester, and neoprene. Additionally, it found that most sports knee braces available on the market are available in three sizes based on knee circumference: M (35-38cm), L (38-41cm), and XL (41-44cm), while some products are available in one size only. Furthermore, the majority of the 214 products studied weighed 200g, followed by 1,000g. Finally, in terms of product characteristics, many sports knee braces utilize ring-shaped silicone pads to distribute the load pressure on the knees or incorporate sturdy adhesive velcro to improve knee stability.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-113
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• 2024

In this paper, we will analyse the thermo-elastic behavior of the plate element of a structure arranged in a climatically aggressive environment (extreme temperature), we use a refined four-variable thick plate theory to take the shear effect into consideration, the proposed theory less computationally expensive and more accurate so that it incorporates the shear effect into the formulation. The plate is assumed to be simply supported on its four edges, so exact (closed-form) solutions are found according to the Navier expansion, and the governing stability equations and associated boundary conditions of the problem are obtained via the virtual works principle. The plate studied ismade of laminated composite materials, so a parametric study is needed to see the effect of different types of parameters and coupling on the critical temperature value causing thermo-elastic instability of the plate and also on the natural frequency of free vibration, as well as for other parameters such as anisotropy, slenderness and aspect ratio of the plate and finally the lamination angle. Numerical results are obtained for specially orthotropic and antisymmetrical plates and are compared with those obtained by othertheoriesin the literature to validate the analysis approach used.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.1
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• pp.103-121
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• 2024

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is a numerical technique used in dynamic analysis to simulate the fluid-like behavior of materials under extreme conditions, such as those encountered in explosions or high velocity impacts. In SPH, fluid or solid materials are discretized into particles. These particles interact with each other based on certain smoothing kernels, allowing the simulation of fluid flows and predict the response of solid materials to shock waves, like deformation, cracking or failure. One of the main advantages of SPH is its ability to simulate these phenomena without a fixed grid, making it particularly suitable for analyzing complex geometries. In this study, the structural damage to a masonry arch bridge subjected to blast loading was investigated. A high-fidelity micro-model was created and the explosives were modeled using the SPH approach. The Johnson-Holmquist II damage model and the Mohr-Coulomb material model were considered to evaluate the masonry and backfill properties. Consistent with the principles of the JH-II model, the authors developed a VUMAT code. The explosive charges (50 kg, 168 kg, 425 kg and 1000 kg) were placed in close proximity to the deck and pier of a bridge. The results showed that the 50 kg charges, which could have been placed near the pier by a terrorist, had only a limited effect on the piers. Instead, this charge caused a vertical displacement of the deck due to the confinement effect. Conversely, a 1000 kg TNT charge placed 100 cm above the deck caused significant damage to the bridge.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.485-496
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• 2013

In recent years, frequent terror or military attacks by explosion or impact accidents have occurred. Examplary case of these attacks were World Trade Center collapse and US Department of Defense Pentagon attack on Sept. 11 of 2001. These attacks of the civil infrastructure have induced numerous casualties and property damage, which raised public concerns and anxiety of potential terrorist attacks. However, a existing design procedure for civil infrastructures do not consider a protective design for extreme loading scenario. Also, the extreme loading researches of prestressed concrete (PSC) member, which widely used for nuclear containment vessel, gas tank, bridges, and tunnel, are insufficient due to experimental limitations of loading characteristics. To protect concrete structures against extreme loading such as explosion and impact with high strain rate, understanding of the effect, characteristic, and propagation mechanism of extreme loadings on structures is needed. Therefore, in this paper, to evaluate the impact resistance capacity and its protective performance of bi-directional unbonded prestressed concrete member, impact tests were carried out on $1400mm{\times}1000mm{\times}300mm$ for reinforced concrete (RC), prestressed concrete without rebar (PS), prestressed concrete with rebar (PSR, general PSC) specimens. According to test site conditions, impact tests were performed with 14 kN impactor with drop height of 10 m, 5 m, 4 m for preliminary tests and 3.5 m for main tests. Also, in this study, the procedure, layout, and measurement system of impact tests were established. The impact resistance capacity was measured using crack patterns, damage rates, measuring value such as displacement, acceleration, and residual structural strength. The results can be used as basic research references for related research areas, which include protective design and impact numerical simulation under impact loading.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.625-633
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• 2015

In this study, a coupled probabilistic framework is developed to assess wind risk on apartment buildings by using the convolution of wind hazard and fragility functions. In this framework, typhoon induced extreme wind is estimated by applying the developed Monte Carlo simulation model to the climatological data of typhoons affecting Korean peninsular from 1951 to 2013. The Monte Carlo simulation technique is also used to assess wind fragility function for 4 different damage states by comparing the probability distributions of the window system's resistance performance and wind load. Wind hazard and fragility functions are modeled by the Weibull and lognormal probability distributions based on simulated wind speeds and failure probabilities. The modeled functions are convoluted to obtain the wind risk for the different damage levels. The developed probabilistic framework clearly shows that wind risk are influenced by various important characteristics of terrain and apartment building such as location of building, exposure category, topographic condition, roof angle, height of building, etc. The risk model presented in this paper can be used as tools to predict economic loss estimation and to establish wind risk mitigation plan for the existing building inventory.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.565-572
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• 2008

It is a trend to increase safekeeping properties in financial company as the world economy situation has been globalized and advanced. The development of a securable vault door resisting to malicious trespass is needed. Therefore, this study focuses on developing high performance concrete placed at the inside of the vault door, and all materials used in this study is easy to obtain in domestic considering economic competitiveness. The compressive strength over 170 MPa was targeted, and structurally strengthening was also planned in order to resist to over $3,000^{\circ}C$ heating by torch and extreme impact loading by hammer drilling machine. Several types of fibers and reinforcing structures were used in order to resist those external heating and loading. This purpose was required to satisfy UL 608 standard of a vault door. Consequently, the result from this study is expected to be applied to construction field of major facilities, which should guarantee the safety from an external attack such as terror.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.673-683
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• 2016

In recent years, frequent terror or military attack by explosion, impact, fire accidents have occurred. Particularly, World Trade Center collapse and US Department of Defense Pentagon attack on Sept. 11 of 2001. Also, nuclear power plant incident on Mar. 11 of 2011. These attacks and incidents were raised public concerns and anxiety of potential terrorist attacks on major infrastructures and structures. Therefore, the extreme loading researches were performed of prestressed concrete (PSC) member, which widely used for nuclear containment vessel and gas tank. In this paper, to evaluate the blast resistance capacity and its protective performance of bi-directional unbonded prestressed concrete member, blast tests were carried out on $1,400{\times}1,000{\times}300mm$ for reinforced concrete (RC), prestressed concrete without rebar (PSC), prestressed concrete with rebar (PSRC) specimens. The applied blast load was generated by the detonation of 55 lbs ANFO explosive charge at 1.0 m standoff distance. The data acquisitions not only included blast waves of incident pressure, reflected pressure, and impulse, but also included displacement, acceleration, and strains at steel, concrete, PS tendon. The results can be used as basic research references for related research areas, which include protective design and blast simulation under blast loading.

• Proceedings of the Korea Committee for Ocean Resources and Engineering Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.214-214
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• 2003

During a model test of Hutton TLP, a "ringing" response was first observed about 20 years ago. This phenomenon is a resonant build up over the time of wave period and this burst-like motion can cause the extreme load on the TLP tether. It is often detected in the large and steep irregular waves but the generation mechanism leading to the "ringing" is not yet well understood. According to the research since then, the higher order harmonic components may account for the "ringing" on the floating offshore structures. The main purpose of the present research is, thus, to measure the higher harmonic forces exerted on a vertical truncated circular column and to compare them with available data. A vertical truncated cylinder with a diameter of 3.5inch and a draft of 10.5inch is used as a test structure, which is a scaled model of ISSC TLP column. The cylinder is installed at a distance of 45ft from the wave maker in order to avoid parasitic waves created in the wave flap. Attached to the upper part of the cylinder are two force gages to measure the horizontal (surge) and vertical (heave) forces on the cylinder. The incoming waves are Stokes waves with a slope ranging from 0.06 to 0.24. The forces and waves are measured for 60 seconds with a sampling rate of 50 Hz. Among the recorded data, the first 10 waves are excluded because of transient behavior of the waves and the next The horizontal and vertical forces are analyzed up to 5th order harmonics. The horizontal forces are then compared to the values from the theoretical model called "FNV model". In addition, force transfer functions are also investigated. Major findings in this research are below. 1) The first order forces measured are slightly larger than the theoretical values of "FNV model" 2) The "FNV model" considerably overpredicts the second order forces. 3) The larger the amplitude and more extreme the wave slope, the smaller the predictions are compared to the experimental. 4) The higher harmonic forces are significantly smaller than the first harmonic force for all wave parameters. 5) The normalized forces vs. waves slopes are almost constant in the lower harmonics but vary a lot in the higher harmonics. 6) The trend of forces is more nonlinear in the horizontal forces than in the vertical forces as the wave slope increases. 7) The part of the results above is also observed by other researchers and confirmed again through the present work.