• Wind and Structures
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.231-251
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• 2018

The objective of the investigation is the analysis of wind-tunnel experimental errors, associated with the measurement of aeroelastic coefficients of bridge decks (Scanlan flutter derivatives). A two-degree-of-freedom experimental apparatus is used for the measurement of flutter derivatives. A section model of a closed-box bridge deck is considered in this investigation. Identification is based on free-vibration aeroelastic tests and the Iterative Least Squares method. Experimental error investigation is carried out by repeating the measurements and acquisitions thirty times for each wind tunnel speed and configuration of the model. This operational procedure is proposed for analyzing the experimental variability of flutter derivatives. Several statistical quantities are examined; these quantities include the standard deviation and the empirical probability density function of the flutter derivatives at each wind speed. Moreover, the critical flutter speed of the setup is evaluated according to standard flutter theory by accounting for experimental variability. Since the probability distribution of flutter derivatives and critical flutter speed does not seem to obey a standard theoretical model, polynomial chaos expansion is proposed and used to represent the experimental variability.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.85-112
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• 2011

Wind turbine structures are long slender columns with a rotor and blade assembly placed on the top. These slender structures vibrate due to dynamic environmental forces and its own dynamics. Analysis of the dynamic behavior of wind turbines is fundamental to the stability, performance, operation and safety of these systems. In this paper a simplied approach is outlined for free vibration analysis of these long, slender structures taking the soil-structure interaction into account. The analytical method is based on an Euler-Bernoulli beam-column with elastic end supports. The elastic end-supports are considered to model the flexible nature of the interaction of these systems with soil. A closed-form approximate expression has been derived for the first natural frequency of the system. This new expression is a function of geometric and elastic properties of wind turbine tower and properties of the foundation including soil. The proposed simple expression has been independently validated using an exact numerical method, laboratory based experimental measurement and field measurement of a real wind turbine structure. The results obtained in the paper shows that the proposed expression can be used for a quick assessment of the fundamental frequency of a wind turbine taking the soil-structure interaction into account.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.525-548
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• 2008

This article deals the theory for solving an inverse problem of plate structures using the frequency-domain information instead of classical time-domain delays or free vibration eigenmodes or eigenvalues. A reduced set of output parameters characterizing the defect is used as a regularization technique to drastically overcome noise problems that appear in imaging techniques. A deconvolution scheme from an undamaged specimen overrides uncertainties about the input signal and other coherent noises. This approach provides the advantage that it is not necessary to visually identify the portion of the signal that contains the information about the defect. The theoretical model for Quantitative nondestructive evaluation, the relationship between the real and ideal models, the finite element method (FEM) for the forward problem, and inverse procedure for detecting the defects are developed. The theoretical formulation is experimentally verified using dynamic responses of a steel plate under impact loading at several points. The signal synthesized by FEM, the residual, and its components are analyzed for different choices of time window. The noise effects are taken into account in the inversion strategy by designing a filter for the cost functional to be minimized. The technique is focused toward a exible and rapid inspection of large areas, by recovering the position of the defect by means of a single accelerometer, overriding experimental calibration, and using a reduced number of impact events.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2017

The underlying goal of the present paper is to investigate soil and structural uncertainties on impedance functions and structural response of soil-shallow foundation-structure (SSFS) system using Monte Carlo simulations. The impedance functions of a rigid massless circular foundation resting on the surface of a random soil layer underlain by a homogeneous half-space are obtained using 1-D wave propagation in cones with reflection and refraction occurring at the layer-basement interface and free surface. Firstly, two distribution functions (lognormal and gamma) were used to generate random numbers of soil parameters (layer's thickness and shear wave velocity) for both horizontal and rocking modes of vibration with coefficients of variation ranging between 5 and 20%, for each distribution and each parameter. Secondly, the influence of uncertainties of soil parameters (layer's thickness, and shear wave velocity), as well as structural parameters (height of the superstructure, and radius of the foundation) on the response of the coupled system using lognormal distribution was investigated. This study illustrated that uncertainties on soil and structure properties, especially shear wave velocity and thickness of the layer, height of the structure and the foundation radius significantly affect the impedance functions, and in same time the response of the coupled system.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.273-295
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• 2018

In this study, an investigation of a damage detection methodology for global condition assessment is presented. A particular emphasis is put on the utilization of wireless sensors for more practical, less time consuming, less expensive and safer monitoring and eventually maintenance purposes. Wireless sensors are deployed with a sensor roving technique to maintain a dense sensor field yet requiring fewer sensors. The time series analysis method called ARX models (Auto-Regressive models with eXogeneous input) for different sensor clusters is implemented for the exploration of artificially induced damage and their locations. The performance of the technique is verified by making use of the data sets acquired from a 4-span bridge-type steel structure in a controlled laboratory environment. In that, the free response vibration data of the structure for a specific sensor cluster is measured by both wired and wireless sensors and the acceleration output of each sensor is used as an input to ARX model to estimate the response of the reference channel of that cluster. Using both data types, the ARX based time series analysis method is shown to be effective for damage detection and localization along with the interpretations and conclusions.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2016

In this paper, a numerical procedure for the natural vibration analysis of plates with openings and carlings based on the assumed mode method is extended to assess their forced response. Firstly, natural response of plates with openings and carlings is calculated from the eigenvalue equation derived by using Lagrange's equation of motion. Secondly, the mode superposition method is applied to determine frequency response. Mindlin theory is adopted for plate modelling and the effect of openings is taken into account by subtracting their potential and kinetic energies from the corresponding plate energies. Natural and frequency response of plates with openings and carlings subjected to point excitation force and enforced acceleration at boundaries, respectively, is analysed by using developed in-house code. For the validation of the developed method and the code, extensive numerical results, related to plates with different opening shape, carlings and boundary conditions, are compared with numerical data from the relevant literature and with finite element solutions obtained by general finite element tool.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.351-373
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• 2014

This paper investigates the seismic response of lightweight acceleration-sensitive non-structural components (NSCs) mounted on irregular reinforced concrete (RC) primary structures (P-structures) using non-linear dynamic finite element (FE) analysis. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of NSC to P-structure vibration period ratio, peak ground acceleration, NSC to P-structure height ratio, and P-structure torsional behaviour on the seismic response of the NSCs. Representative constitutive models were used to simulate the behaviour of the RC P-structures. The NSCs were modelled as vertical cantilevers fixed at their bases with masses on the free ends and varying lengths so as to match the frequencies of the P-structures. Full dynamic interaction is considered between the NSCs and P-structures. A set of 21 natural and artificial earthquake records were used to evaluate the seismic response of the NSCs. The numerical results indicate that the behaviour of the NSCs is significantly influenced by the investigated parameters. Comparison between the FE results and Eurocode (EC8) predictions suggests that EC8 underestimates the response of NSCs mounted on the flexible sides of irregular RC P-structures when the fundamental periods and heights of the NSCs match those of the P-structures. The perceived cause of this discrepancy is that EC8 does not take into account the amplification in the dynamic response of NSCs induced by the torsional behaviour of RC P-structures.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.499-506
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• 2007

The tiny camera module used in a modern cellular phone requires precise assembly processes. To meet the requirement of high resolution and functionality, the number of parts used in a camera module becomes larger and larger. As the market grows rapidly, an automatic camera phone assembly process is required. However, diverse production line and short life cycle make it difficult to build an affordable assembly line. To attack this problem, a flexible and expandable lens assembly system is proposed. To save the manufacturing line set-up time, modular concept is adopted. Also, each module is designed to have intelligence to simplify the set-up process. The assembly system is built up on the standard flat-form that includes a vibration free base, air and electric supplies, and electronic controllers, etc. Furthermore, the assembly cell has the capability of handling tiny, thin, or transparent parts which are very difficult to identify without machine vision.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.659-671
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• 1998

Exercise of complete control on all aspects of any manufacturing / fabrication process is very difficult, leading to uncertainties in the material properties and geometric dimensions of structural components. This is especially true for laminated composites because of the large number of parameters associated with its fabrication. When the basic parameters like elastic modulus, density and Poisson's ratio are random, the derived response characteristics such as deflections, natural frequencies, buckling loads, stresses and strains are also random, being functions of the basic random system parameters. In this study the basic elastic properties of a composite lamina are assumed to be independent random variables. Perturbation formulation is used to model the random parameters assuming the dispersions small compared to the mean values. The system equations are analyzed to obtain the mean and the variance of the plate natural frequencies. Several application problems of free vibration analysis of composite plates, employing the proposed method are discussed. The analysis indicates that, at times it may be important to include the effect of randomness in material properties of composite laminates.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.279-289
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• 2014

Considering a rigorously fluid-structure interaction, a method for an earthquake response analysis of a floating offshore structure subjected to vertical ground motion from a seaquake is developed. Mass, damping, stiffness, and hydrostatic stiffness matrices of the floating offshore structure are obtained from a finite-element model. The sea water is assumed to be a compressible, nonviscous, ideal fluid. Hydrodynamic pressure, which is applied to the structure, from the sea water is assessed using its finite elements and transmitting boundary. Considering the fluid-structure interaction, added mass and force from the hydrodynamic pressure is obtained, which will be combined with the numerical model for the structure. Hydrodynamic pressure in a free field subjected to vertical ground motion and due to harmonic vibration of a floating massless rigid circular plate are calculated and compared with analytical solutions for verification. Using the developed method, the earthquake responses of a floating offshore structure subjected to a vertical ground motion from the seaquake is obtained. It is concluded that the earthquake responses of a floating offshore structure to vertical ground motion is severely influenced by the compressibility of sea water.