• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.681-697
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• 2009

Limited, noisy data in vibration testing is a hindrance to the development of structural damage detection. This paper presents a method for optimizing sensor placement and performing damage detection using finite element model updating. Sensitivity analysis of the modal flexibility matrix determines the optimal sensor locations for collecting information on structural damage. The optimal sensor locations require the instrumentation of only a limited number of degrees of freedom. Using noisy modal data from only these limited sensor locations, a method based on model updating and changes in the flexibility matrix successfully determines the location and severity of the imposed damage in numerical simulations. In addition, a steel cantilever beam experiment performed in the laboratory that considered the effects of model error and noise tested the validity of the method. The results show that the proposed approach effectively and robustly detects structural damage using limited, optimal sensor information.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1432-1440
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• 1997

The flexibility as well as the stiffness is required to perform mechanical function of a structure such as compliant mechanisms, which can be applied to MEMS(Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), flexible manufacturing devices, and design for no assembly. In this paper, the optimal design problem to achieve both structural flexibility and stiffness is formulated using multi-objective function, and the optimization problem is resolved by using Finite Element Method(FEM) and Sequential Linear Programming(SLP). Design examples of compliant mechanisms are presented to validate the design method.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.46-54
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• 1992

In this paper, behavior of rectangular storage structures under earthquake loadings are investigated. Linear sloshing is assumed in this study. The effect of the wall flexibility is considered. Eulerian and lagrangian approaches are presented. The Eulerian approach is carried out by solving the boundary value problem for the fluid motion. In the lagrangian approach, the fluid as well as the storage structure is modelled by the finite element method. The fluid region is discretized by using fluid elements. The (1 $\times$ 1)-reduced integration is carried out for constructing the stiffness matrices of the fluid elements. Seismic analysis of the coupled system is carried out by the response spectra method. The numerical results show that the fluid forces on the wall obtained by two approaches are in good agreements. By including the effect of the wall flexibility, the forces due to fluid motion can be increased very significantly.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.131-146
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• 2007

This paper presents the results of a study to show how the development of a crack alters the structural behavior of I-shaped steel beams and how this can be used to evaluate nondestructive evaluation techniques. The approach is based on changes in the dynamic behavior. An approximate finite element model for a cracked beam with I-shaped cross-section is developed based on a simplified fracture model. The model is then used to review different damage cases. Damage detection techniques are studied to determine their ability to identify the existence of the crack and to identify its location. The techniques studied are the coordinate modal assurance criterion, the modal flexibility, and the state and the slope arrays.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.191-204
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• 1996

The dynamic response characteristics with flexibility variations are examined for presenting the basic data for design of Tension Leg Platforms(TLPs)in waves. A numerical approach is based on the dynamic response analysis theory, in which the superstructure of TLPs is assumed flexible instead of the rigid body assumption used in two-step analysis method. The hydrodynamic interactions among TLP members, such as columns and pontoons are not included in the motion and structural analyse. The equations of motion of a whole structure are formulated using element-fixed coordinate systems which have the origin at the node of the each hull element.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.73-79
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• 1997

It is one of classical problems in the elastic theory to analyze contact stresses between elastic bodies. Concrete pavements under traffic wheel loads can be considered as one of these typical Problems. In the paper, Mindlin plate theory is used to consider the transverse shear effect, 8-node isoparametric plate bending element is adopted in this study, and an elastic plate resting on tensionless elastic half-space is analyzed by finite element method. The Boussineq's solution of elastic half-space is used to evaluate the flexibility of foundation. To obtain the boundary of contact area, the flexibility matrix of foundation is modified after each cycle of analysis iteratively. A Numerical example is presented by using these method.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.283-288
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• 2007

This paper presents an analytical prediction of Nonlinear characteristics of prestressed concrete bridges by strengthened of externally tendon considering the work sequence, using beam-column element based on flexibility method and tendon element. The beam-column element was developed with reinforced concrete material nonlinearities which are based on the smeared crack concept. The fiber hysteresis rule of beam-column element is derived from the uniaxial constitutive relations of concrete and reinforcing steel fibers. The tendon element represent the bonded tendon and unbonded tendon behaviors. Beam-column element and tendon element was be subroutine A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of RC and PSC structures was used. The proposed numerical method for prestressed concrete structures by strengthened of externally tendon is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.112-118
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• 2000

In case ESO(evolutionary structural optimization) which is one of topology optimization methods, the element removal ratio is fixed throughout topology optimization by 1 or 2%. As a result it has no flexibility for various types of structures and thus the rate of convergence might not be efficient. Thus various element removal methods were developed in order to improve the efficiency of ESO. In this paper, various element removal methods for ESO are compared with each other for a bracket and a short cantilever. In addition, a new improved bi-directional element removal method is suggested in order to obtain much better optimized topology. From the comparative results of the examples, it is verified that all of the developed various element removal methods are very effective, and the suggested element removal method is the most effective.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

Cerebral aneurysm is common lesion among adult population. Current methods for treating the disease have several limitations. Inspired by fern leaves, we have developed a new stent, called leaf stent, which can provide a tailored coverage at the neck of an aneurysm and thus prevent the blood from entering the aneurysm. It alone can be used to treat the cerebral aneurysm and therefore overcomes problems existing in current treating methods. The paper focuses on the numerical simulation of the leaf stents. The mechanical behaviour of the stent in various designs has been investigated using the finite element method. It has been found that certain designs provide adequate radial force and have excellent longitudinal flexibility. The performance of certain leaf stents is comparable and even superior to those of the commercially available cerebral stents such as the Neuroform stent and the Enterprise stent, commonly used for stent assisted coiling, while at the same time, providing sufficient coverage to isolate the aneurysm without using coils.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.12 s.255
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• pp.1509-1517
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• 2006

The intervertebral fusion was reported to increase the degeneration of the neighboring region. Recently, a new technique of inserting an interspinous process fixator has been introduced to minimize the degenerative change in the lumbar spine. This study analyzed biomechanical effects of the fixator in the lumbar spine, and designed a new prototype to improve flexibility of the fixator with a reduced size. The evaluation was based on the displacement, stiffness and von-Mises stress obtained from the mechanical test and finite element analysis. A finite element lumbar model of L1 to L5 was constructed. The finite element model was used to analyze intervertebral fusion, insertion of a commercial fixator and a new prototype. The range of motion of intervertebral segments and pressures at vertebral discs were calculated from FEA. The results showed that the stiffness of the prototype was reduced by 32.9% than that of the commercial one.