• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2017

Architecture constraints in buildings may typically cause irregularities in the distribution of stiffness and mass and consequently causes non-compliance of centers of mass, stiffness and strength. Such buildings are known as asymmetric buildings the distribution of strength and stiffness is one of whose main challenges. This distribution is more complicated for concrete buildings with RC shear walls in which stiffness and strength are interdependent parameters. The flexibility under the foundation is another subject that can affect this distribution due to the variation of dynamic properties of the structure and its constituting elements. In this paper, it is attempted to achieve an appropriate distribution pattern by expressing the effects of foundation flexibility on the seismic demand of concrete shear walls and also evaluate the effects of this issue on strength and stiffness distribution among lateral force resistant elements. In order to understand the importance of flexibility in strength and stiffness distribution for an asymmetric building in different conditions of under-foundation flexibility, the assigned value to each of the walls is numerically calculated and eventually a procedure for strength and stiffness distribution dependencies on flexibility is provided.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.169-188
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• 2015

There are two types of nonlinear analysis methods for building frameworks depending on the method of modeling the plastification of members including lumped plasticity and distributed plasticity. The lumped plasticity method assumes that plasticity is concentrated at a zero-length plastic hinge section at the ends of the elements. The distributed plasticity method discretizes the structural members into many line segments, and further subdivides the cross-section of each segment into a number of finite elements. When a reinforced concrete member experiences inelastic deformations, cracks tend to spread form the joint interface resulting in a curvature distribution. The program IDARC includes a spread plasticity formulation to capture the variation of the section flexibility, and combine them to determine the element stiffness matrix. In this formulation, the flexibility distribution in the structural elements is assumed to be the linear. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of linear flexibility distribution assumed in the spread inelasticity model. For this purpose, nonlinear analysis of two reinforced concrete frames is carried out and the linear flexibility models used in the elements are compared with the real ones. It is shown that the linear flexibility distribution is incorrect assumption in cases of significant gravity load effects and can be lead to incorrect nonlinear responses in some situations.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2017

There are two methods to model the plastification of members comprising lumped and distributed plasticity. When a reinforced concrete member experiences inelastic deformations, cracks tend to spread from the joint interface resulting in a curvature distribution; therefore, the lumped plasticity methods assuming plasticity is concentrated at a zero-length plastic hinge section at the ends of the elements, cannot model the actual behavior of reinforced concrete members. Some spread plasticity models including uniform, linear and recently power have been developed to take extended inelastic zone into account. In the aforementioned models, the extended inelastic zones in proximity of critical sections assumed close to connections are considered. Although the mentioned assumption is proper for the buildings simply imposed lateral loads, it is not appropriate for the gravity load effects. The gravity load effects can influence the inelastic zones in structural elements; therefore, the plasticity models presenting the flexibility distribution along the member merely based on lateral loads apart from the gravity load effects can bring about incorrect stiffness matrix for structure. In this study, the linear flexibility distribution model is improved to account for the distributed plasticity of members subjected to both gravity and lateral load effects. To do so, a new model in which, each member is taken as one structural element into account is proposed. Some numerical examples from previous studies are assessed and outcomes confirm the accuracy of proposed model. Also comparing the results of the proposed model with other spread plasticity models illustrates glaring error produced due to neglecting the gravity load effects.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on weight distribution and flexibility for trunk flexion. Method: Sixty participants who had no musculoskeletal disorders were recruited from a local university within six months of this study. The participants were randomly assigned to a PNF stretching group (N=30) and a static stretching group (N=32). For the pre-and post-measurement design, the left-right weight distribution, anterior-posterior weight distribution, and finger-to-floor distance (FFD) were measured before and after the stretching interventions. Result: The FFD results were significantly improved after the interventions, regardless of the group differentiation (p<0.05). The PNF stretching intervention significantly increased the differences between anterior and posterior weight distribution compared to the static stretching group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Both the PNF and static stretching interventions could improve flexibility for trunk flexion mobility. Although the PNF intervention improved the weight distribution in the anterior-posterior direction, further research is required to investigate the various PNF interventions on left-and-right and anterior-posterior weight distribution.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that difference in forefoot of shoe flexibility during the quick lunge from a jump smashing on the lower limbs and the plantar pressure distribution. For this 10 elite badminton players with over 10 years experience and right handed participated. Two kinds of badminton shoes were selected and tested mechanical testing for the forefoot flexibility. Motion analysis, ground reaction forces and plantar pressure distribution were recorded. It was required to conduct lunge movement after jumping smashing as possible as high. Photo sensor was located in 3 meter away from standing position and its height was 40 cm. Subjects were conducted to return original position after touching the sensor as under clear movement as possible as fast. Forefoot stiffness had an effect on shoe peak bending degree and peak bending angular velocity in propulsion phase. Forefoot flexibility had an effect on ankle plantar flexion and knee flexion moment. It appears that joint power on lower limb and peak plantar pressure were not influenced by the flexibility of shoes.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.95-106
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• 2024

Purpose: This study explores the effect on supply chain agility and logistics performance of building mutual trust between manufacturing companies that have adopted supply chain management. Previous studies have categorized trust into affective and cognitive types, and speed, flexibility, and responsiveness are recognized as subfactors of supply chain agility. Methodology: A survey gathered responses from employees of domestic manufacturing firms with supply chain management implementations. 254 valid responses underwent statistical analysis using structural equation modeling (SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0). Results: Affective trust positively influences speed and responsiveness but not flexibility. Cognitive trust positively affects speed, flexibility, and responsiveness. Supply chain agility positively impacts logistics performance. However, neither affective nor cognitive trust significantly influences logistics performance. Conclusions: The study suggests that cognitive trust based on capabilities is more important than affective trust for flexibility in corporate relationships, a subfactor of supply chain agility. However, trust alone cannot enhance corporate performance. This research is significant as it examines the roles of trust and agility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated the manufacturing business environment.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.239-258
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• 1996

This study deals with the measurement of relational norms, a safeguard for sustained exchange relationshipsim marketing channel systems. Here, the relational norm items are hypothesized to have a second-order factor model, in which mine observed items originate from the three first-order factors and the first order factors in turn originate from a second-order factor. The three first order construe comprising a higher order norm are mutuality(equity in the distribution of benefits and burdens over the course of the exchange on a long term basis), flexibility(expectation of friendly adaption for possible circumstance changes), and solidarity (the degree to which the preservation of the unique and continuing relationship is internalized by the exchange partners as being important in and of itself). 113 research questionnaires are obtained from four industries such as construction, telecommunication, iron, and electric ＆ electronic industries, Reliability and nomological. discriminant validity are tested, and in using the confirmatory factor analysis of Lisrel 7.16, and the chi-square difference test it is tested which has a better satisfactory fit to the data, the first-order model or the second-order one. The results of this study indicates that relational norms have a second order construct. In the electric and electronic industry the model as a while has a satisfactory fit to the data and the relevant first- and second-order factor loading to the mutuality is not significant. Same Results are happened to the flexibility in the telecommunication industry and to the mutuality and flexibility in the inn industry. In sum, the model lends support to our construct, but it is difficult to apply the measurement model to all kinds of industries.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.25-42
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• 2019

This research examined the mediation effect of Workforce Agility (WA) on the relationship between environmental uncertainty and operational performance. We manipulated the control variables that are known to be affected by employment flexibility. Employment flexibility is caused by idiosyncratic characteristics of Korean port system. The analysis was tested by Baron & Kenny's method. The result indicates that each path of the proposed model is significant. Furthermore, the mediation effect was checked with the Sobel Test. The research revealed that environment uncertainty poses an indirect effect on operational performance. Both supply/demand uncertainty and technological uncertainty affected operational performance through the mediation effect of WA. Most of the distribution centers located in Busan Newport Distripark are operated in a bimodal labor (human resource) system which includes both permanent employees (workers) and temporary employees (workers). This empirical research provides theoretical and managerial implications by suggesting ways to increase efficiency in distribution center operation through WA enhancement, and to improve the unloading labor system.

• Journal of the Korean Statistical Society
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.93-109
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• 2007

Gamma distributions are some of the most popular models for hydrological processes. In this paper, a very flexible family which contains the gamma distribution as a particular case is introduced. Evidence of flexibility is shown by examining the shape of its pdf and the associated hazard rate function. A comprehensive treatment of the mathematical properties is provided by deriving expressions for the nth moment, moment generating function, characteristic function, Renyi entropy and the asymptotic distribution of the extreme order statistics. Estimation and simulation issues are also considered. Finally, a detailed application to drought data from the State of Nebraska is illustrated.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.7-16
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• 2020

Purpose: Prior studies empirically examine how financial flexibility is related to required returns by using realized returns and considering cash holdings as net debts, but they fail to find consistent results. Conjecturing that inappropriate proxy of required returns and aggregation of cash and debts caused the inconsistent results, this study revisits this topic by using a refined proxy of required returns and separating cash holdings from debts. Research design, data and methodology: This study uses a multivariate regression model to investigate the relationship between required returns on cash holdings and financial leverage. The required returns are estimated using the return decomposition method by vector autoregression model. Empirical tests use US stock market data from1968 to 2011. Results: Empirical results reveal that both cash holdings and leverage are positively related to required returns. The positive relation is stronger in economic downturns than in economic upturns. Conclusions: Three major findings are drawn. First, risky firms prefer large cash balance. Second, information shocks in the realized returns caused failure of prior studies to find consistent positive relationship between leverage and realized returns. Third, cash and leverage are related to required returns in the same direction; therefore, cash cannot be considered as negative debts.