• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1391-1404
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• 2015

A radially retractable roof structure based on the concept of the hybrid grid shell is proposed in this paper. The single-layer steel trusses of the radially foldable bar structure are diagonally stiffened by cables, which leads to a single-layer lattice shell with triangular mesh. Then comparison between the static behavior between the retractable hybrid grid shell and the corresponding foldable bar shell with quadrangular mesh is discussed. Moreover, the effects of different structural parameters, such as the rise-to-span ratio, the bar cross section area and the pre-stress of the cables, on the structural behaviors are investigated. The results show that prestressed cables can strengthen the foldable bar shell with quadrangular mesh. Higher structural stiffness is anticipated by introducing cables into the hybrid system. When the rise-span ratio is equal to 0.2, where the joint displacement reaches the minimal value, the structure shape of the hyrbid grid shell approaches the reasonable arch axis. The increase of the section of steel bars contributes a lot to the integrity stiffness of the structure. Increasing cable sections would enhance the structure stiffness, but it contributes little to axial forces in structural members. And the level of cable prestress has slight influence on the joint displacements and member forces.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2016

An electric wheelchair is a assistive device to maneuver on the ground. Tip-over of an electric wheelchair is increasing every year. Dynamic stability metric test item in KS P 7176 has not ensured safety of electric wheelchair on the slope. This study presents design the foldable electric wheelchair that can load in the car and analysis of tip-over measurement which is easily computed for electric wheelchair. Wheelchair frame is designed with a four-bar link mechanism for a foldable structure, and seat module, battery and power driving module can be separated. This analysis is performed during a maneuver on the ground by force-moment stability metric. Several elements, center of gravity position, rotational radius and acceleration, were evaluated how to affect stability metric. This stability metric can reduce tip-over of wheelchair and provide a clue to make of dynamic stability test item.