• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.487-506
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• 2023

Looking from the past to the present, the earthquakes can be said to be type of disaster with most casualties among natural disasters. Soil liquefaction, which occurs under repeated loads such as earthquakes, plays a major role in these casualties. In this study, analytical equation models were developed to predict the probability of occurrence of soil liquefaction. In this context, the parameters effective in liquefaction were determined out of 170 data sets taken from the real field conditions of past earthquakes, using WEKA decision tree. Linear, Exponential, Power and Quadratic models have been developed based on the identified earthquake and ground parameters using Krill Herd algorithm. The Exponential model, among the models including the magnitude of the earthquake, fine grain ratio, effective stress, standard penetration test impact number and maximum ground acceleration parameters, gave the most successful results in predicting the fields with and without the occurrence of liquefaction. This proposed model enables the researchers to predict the liquefaction potential of the soil in advance according to different earthquake scenarios. In this context, measures can be realized in regions with the high potential of liquefaction and these measures can significantly reduce the casualties in the event of a new earthquake.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.529-542
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• 2023

Wave propagation with high transverse deflection could affect the stability of the ball in its trajectory. For low stiffness balls similar to soccer and volleyball balls, the waves are more noticeable in comparison to other balls like ping-pong ball. On the other hand, the soccer balls are under heavy impact loads from shoots and contacting different objects in the field. The maximum recorded speed of a soccer ball after kicking is the 211 km/hr and the average maximum speed is around 112 km/hr. Therefore, in such speeds the aerodynamic forces become important which are directly related to geometrical shape of the ball. In this regard, the wave propagation in soccer ball is examined in the current study using large deformation shear deformable formulations. Classical relations of stress-strain components are taken into consideration along with minimum total energy principle. The final derived relations were solved by using harmonic differential quadrature method. The results are generally presented ion term of phase velocity as function of different influencing parameters of the materials, geometry and mass of the ball.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.3
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• pp.273-285
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• 2023

This study examines how the interaction between soil and a wind turbine's supporting system affects the optimal design. The supporting system resting on an elastic soil foundation consists of a steel conical tower and a concrete circular raft foundation, and it is subjected to wind loads. The material cost of the supporting system is aimed to be minimized employing various metaheuristic optimization algorithms including teaching-learning based optimization (TLBO). To include the influence of the soil in the optimization process, modified Vlasov and Gazetas elastic soil models are integrated into the optimization algorithms using the application programing interface (API) feature of the structural analysis program providing two-way data flow. As far as the optimal designs are considered, the best minimum cost design is achieved for the TLBO algorithm, and the modified Vlasov model makes the design economical compared with the simple Gazetas and infinitely rigid soil models. Especially, the optimum design dimensions of the raft foundation extremely reduce when the Vlasov realistic soil reactions are included in the optimum analysis. Additionally, as the designated design wind speed is decreased, the beneficial impact of soil interaction on the optimum material cost diminishes.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.465-477
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• 2023

In proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), proper thermal management of the stack and moisture generation by electrochemical reactions significantly affect fuel cell performance. In this study, the PEMFC dynamic characteristic model was developed through Simcenter AMESim, a development program. In addition, the developed model aims to understand the thermal resin balance of the stack and performance characteristics for input loads. The developed model applies the thermal management model of the stack and the moisture content and permeability model to simulate voltage loss and stack thermal behavior precisely. This study extended the C based AMESet (adaptive modeling environment submodeling tool) to simulate electrochemical reactions inside the stack. Fuel cell model of AMESet was liberalized with AMESim and then integrated with the balance of plant (BOP) model and analyzed. And It is intended to be used in component design through BOP analysis. The resistance loss of the stack and thermal behavior characteristics were predicted, and the impact of stack performance and efficiency was evaluated.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.503-516
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• 2023

A transfer cask serves as the container for transporting and handling canisters loaded with spent nuclear fuels from light water reactors. This study focuses on a cylindrical transfer cask, standing at 5,300 mm with an external diameter of 2,170 mm, featuring impact limiters on the top and bottom sides. The base of the cask body has an openable/closable lid for loading canisters with storage modules. The transfer cask houses a canister containing spent nuclear fuels from lightweight reactors, serving as the confinement boundary while the cask itself lacks the confinement structure. The objective of this study was to conduct a structural analysis evaluation of the transfer cask, currently under development in Korea, ensuring its safety. This evaluation encompasses analyses of loads under normal, off-normal, and accident conditions, adhering to NUREG-2215. Structural integrity was assessed by comparing combined results for each load against stress limits. The results confirm that the transfer cask meets stress limits across normal, off-normal, and accident conditions, establishing its structural safety.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2023

Wind and earthquake loads may cause strong vibrations in large-span cable-stayed bridges, leading to the inability of the bridge to operate normally. An improved Pounding Tuned Mass Damper (PTMD) system was designed to improve the safety of the large-span cable-stayed bridge. The vibration control effect of the improved PTMD system on the large-span cablestayed bridge under the combined action of earthquake-wind-traffic was studied. Furthermore, the impact of different parameters on the vibration suppression performance of the improved PTMD system was analyzed. The numerical results indicate that the PTMD system is very effective in suppressing the displacements of the bridge caused by both the traffic-wind coupling and traffic-earthquake coupling. Moreover, the number, mass ratio, pounding stiffness, and gap values have a significant influence on the vibration suppression performance of the improved PTMD system. When the number of PTMD is increased from 3 to 9, the vibration reduction ratio of the vertical displacement is increased from 25.39% to 48.05%. As the mass ratio changes from 0.5% to 2%, the vibration reduction ratio increases significantly from 22.23% to 53.30%.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.459-472
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• 2024

Nanotechnology is a popular field in the construction industry due to its multiple functions. It mitigates CO₂ emissions and enhances the desirable properties of concrete by replacing small amounts of cement with supplements. This study assess the sustainability impact of using two different nanoparticles partially replacing the cement with 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.0% of nano silica (NS) and 0.03%, 0.045%, 0.06% of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) in the green concrete mix developement. Nano-sized fragments at the atomic scale tends to modify the properties of concrete. Concrete may increase its strength, durability by adding nanocomposite materials, which will decrease the amount of nano and micropores in structural parts. The strength of the structural elements can be greatly improved and allowing them to withstand higher loads and resist deformation. It improved durability properties by 64.8% in water absorption, 56.4% in acid attack, 78.1% in sulphate attack, and 53.4% in chloride attack. There was an improvement in compressive strength of 37% and split tensile strength of 90%. SEM, FTIR, and XRD investigations have used to look at the microstructural characteristics of nanoconcrete dictated the microstructure characteristics may be made more consistent and dense by adding nanocomposite materials.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.385-398
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• 2024

As concrete dominates the construction industry, alternatives to traditionally used steel reinforcement are being sought. This study explored the suitability of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) as a substitute within rigid frames, focusing on its impact on section ductility and overall structural durability against seismic events. However, current design guidelines address quasi-static loads, leaving a gap for dynamic or extreme circumstances. Our approach included multiscale simulations, parametric study, and energy dissipation analyses, drawing upon a unique adaptation of modified compression field theory. In our efforts to optimize macro and microparameters to improve yield strength, manage brittleness, and govern failure modes, we also recognized the potential of CFRP's high corrosion resistance. This characteristic of CFRP could significantly reduce the frequency of required repairs, thereby contributing to enhanced durability of the structures. The research reveals that CFRP's durability and seismic resistance are attributed to plastic joints within compressed fibers. Notably, CFRP can impart ductility to structural designs, effectively balancing its inherent brittleness, particularly when integrated with quasi-brittle materials. This research challenges the notion that designing bendable components with carbon fiber reinforcement is impractical. It shows that creating ductile bending components with CFRP in concrete is feasible despite the material's brittleness. This funding overturns conventional assumptions and opens new avenues for using CFRP in structural applications where ductility and resilience are crucial.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.57-76
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• 2024

The management of waste tire rubber has become a pressing environmental and health issue, requiring sustainable solutions to mitigate fire hazards and conserve natural resources. The performance of waste materials in structural components needs to be investigated to fabricate sustainable structures. This study aims to investigate the behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced rubberized concrete (GRRC) compressive components under compressive loads. Nine GRRC circular compressive components, varying in longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios, were constructed. A 3D nonlinear finite element model (FEM) was proposed by means of the ABAQUS software to simulate the behavior of the GRRC compressive components. A comprehensive parametric analysis was conducted to assess the impact of different parameters on the performance of GRRC compressive components. The experimental findings demonstrated that reducing the spacing of GFRP stirrups enhanced the ductility of GRRC compressive components, while the addition of rubberized concrete further improved their ductility. Failure in GRRC compressive components occurred in a compressive columnar manner, characterized by vertical cracks and increased deformability. The finite element simulations closely matched the experimental results. The proposed empirical model, based on 600 test samples and considering the lateral confinement effect of FRP stirrups, demonstrated higher accuracy (R² = 0.835, MSE = 171.296, MAE = 203.549, RMSE = 195.438) than previous models.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.132-137
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• 2020

Lithium secondary batteries have become an important power source for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, laptop computers. Presently, commercialized lithium-ion batteries use a LiCoO₂ cathode. However, due to the high cost and environmental problems resulting from cobalt, an intensive search for new electrode materials is being actively conducted. Recently, solid solution LiMn_1-xNi_xO₂ have become attractive because of high capacity and enhanced safety at high voltages over 4.5 V. The Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ compounds were conventionally prepared by a sol-gel method, which can produce the layered Li-Ni-Mn-O compounds with a high homogeneity. And by adding a graphene 2wt% the first charge-discharge voltage profiles was increased over Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ compound. Also, the variation s of the discharge capacities with cycling showed a higher capacity retention rater. In this study, material lifecycle evaluation was performed to analyze the environmental impact characteristics of Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ & graphene 2wt% half-cell manufacturing process. The software of material life cycle assessment was Gabi. Through this, environmental impact assessment was performed for each process. The environmental loads induced by Li_1.6Ni_0.35Mn_0.65O₂ & graphene 2wt% synthesis process were quantified and analyzed, and the results showed that the amount of power had the greatest impact on the environment.