• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.361-368
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• 2020

The authors developed a new type of steel slit shear wall (SSSW) having the function of structural condition assessment through visually inspecting the out-of-plane deformation of the designed tapered links subjected to lateral deformation. To facilitate its practical application, this paper studies how to design dimensions of the tapered links. Two parameters, the width-to-thickness ratio of the tapered links and steel yield stress, were studied. The performance of structural condition assessment was affected by both parameters with the width-to-thickness ratio being the controlling one. Through both numerical and experimental study, the designed width-to-thickness ratio of tapered links for different levels of structural condition assessment was established considering the effect of different steel grades used. In practice, the dimensions of tapered links can be determined following the design equation provided. Finally, a design procedure for the proposed SSSW system is provided.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.450-465
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• 2021

In this study, an attempt has been made to investigate the water-entry characteristics of the high-speed parallel projectile numerically. The shear stress transport k-𝜔 turbulence model and the Zwart-Gerber-Belamri cavitation model based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes method were used. The grid independent inspection and grid convergence index is carried out and verified. The influences of the parallel water-entry on flow filed characteristics, trajectory stability and drag reduction performance for different values of initial water-entry speed (𝜈₀ = 280 m/s, 340 m/s, 400 m/s) and clearance between the parallel projectiles (L_p = 0.5D, 1.0D, 2.0D, 3.0D) are presented and analyzed in detail. Under the condition of the parallel water-entry, it can be found that due to the intense interference between the parallel projectiles, the distribution of cavity is non-uniform and part of the projectile is exposed to water, resulting in the destruction of the cavity structure and the decline of trajectory stability. In addition, the parallel projectile suffers more severe lateral force that separates the two projectiles. The drag reduction performance is impacted and the velocity attenuation is accelerated as the clearance between the parallel projectiles reduces.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.591-609
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• 2023

In some buildings, the lateral structural response of steel framed buildings depends on the shear walls and it is very important to study the behavior of these elements under near-field seismic loads. The link beam in the opening of the shear wall between two wall plates is investigated numerically in terms of behavior and effects on frames. Based on the length of the beam and its bending and shear behavior, three types of models are constructed and analyzed, and the behavior of the frames is also compared. The results show that by reducing the length of the link beam, the base shear forces reduce about 20%. The changes in the length of the link beam have different effects on the degree of coupling. Increasing the length of the link beam increases the base shear about 15%. Also, it has both, a positive and a negative effect on the degree of coupling. The increasing strength of the coupling steel shear wall is linearly related to the yield stress of the beam materials, length, and flexural stiffness of the beam. The use of a shorter link beam will increase the additional strength and consequently improving the behavior of the coupling steel shear wall by reducing the stresses in this element. The link beam with large moment of inertia will also increase about 25% the additional strength and as a result the coefficient of behavior of the shear wall.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.335-346
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• 2023

For structures with underground basement walls, the soil-structure-interaction between the side soil and the walls affects the response of the system. There is interest in quantifying the relationship between the lateral earth pressure and the wall displacement using p-y curves. To date, passive p-y curves in available limited studies were assumed elastic-perfectly plastic. In reality, the relationship between earth pressure and wall displacement is complex. This paper focuses on studying the development of passive p-y curves behind rigid walls supporting granular soils. The study aims at identifying the different components of the passive p-y relationship and proposing a rigorous non-linear p-y model in place of simplified elastic-plastic models. The results of the study show that (1) the p-y relationship that models the stress-displacement response behind a rigid basement wall is highly non-linear, (2) passive p-y curves are affected by the height of the wall, relative density, and depth below the ground surface, and (3) passive p-y curves can be expressed using a truncated hyperbolic model that is defined by a limit state passive pressure that is determined using available logarithmic spiral methods and an initial slope that is expressed using a depth-dependent soil stiffness model.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.5
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• pp.419-437
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• 2023

The use of reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls (SW) as an efficient lateral load-carrying system has gained recent attention. However, creating openings in RC shear walls is unavoidable due to architectural requirements. This reduces the walls' strength and stiffness, resulting in the development of wall piers. In this study, the cyclic behavior of RC shear walls with openings, reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in various patterns, was numerically investigated. Finite element analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS software was employed. Additionally, the retrofitting of sub-standard buildings (5, 10, and 15-story structures) designed based on the old and new versions of the Iranian Code of Practice for Seismic-Resistant Structures was evaluated. Nonlinear static analyses, specifically pushover analyses, were conducted on the structures. The best pattern of CFRP wrapping was determined and utilized for retrofitting the sub-standard structures. Various structural parameters, such as load-carrying capacity, ductility, stress contours, and tension damage contours, were compared to assess the efficiency of the retrofit solution. The results indicated that the load-carrying capacity of the sub-standard structures was lower than that of standard ones by 57%, 69%, and 67% for 5, 10, and 15-story buildings, respectively. However, the retrofit solution utilizing CFRP showed promising results, enhancing the capacity by 10-25%. The retrofitted structures demonstrated increased yield strength, ultimate strength, and ductility through CFRP wrapping and effectively prevented wall slipping.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2024

Non-uniform reinforced concrete brace facade systems are newly considered to improve seismic performance of reinforced concrete frame buildings under lateral load. For normal and high strength concrete of 30MPa, 80MPa, and 120MPa, the cross-sections of reinforced concrete brace facade systems were designed as different size with same amount of reinforcements. The strengthened frame systems were analyzed by a non-linear two-dimensional finite element technique which was considering material non-linearities of concrete and reinforcing bars under monotonic and cyclic loadings. From the study of non-linear analysis of the systems, therefore, it was provided that the proposed braced facade systems were reliable to improve laterally load-carrying capacity and minimize damages of concrete members through comparisons of load-displacement curves, crack patterns, and stress distributions of reinforcing bars predicted by current non-linear finite element analysis of frame specimens.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 2024

The accurate prediction of grouting upward diffusion height is crucial for estimating the bearing capacity of tip-grouted piles. Borehole construction during the installation of bored piles induces soil unloading, resulting in both radial stress loss in the surrounding soil and an impact on grouting fluid diffusion. In this study, a modified model is developed for predicting grout diffusion height. This model incorporates the classical rheological equation of power-law cement grout and the cavity reverse expansion model to account for different degrees of unloading. A series of single-pile tip grouting and static load tests are conducted with varying initial grouting pressures. The test results demonstrate a significant effect of vertical grout diffusion on improving pile lateral friction resistance and bearing capacity. Increasing the grouting pressure leads to an increase in the vertical height of the grout. A comparison between the predicted values using the proposed model and the actual measured results reveals a model error ranging from -12.3% to 8.0%. Parametric analysis shows that grout diffusion height increases with an increase in the degree of unloading, with a more pronounced effect observed at higher grouting pressures. Two case studies are presented to verify the applicability of the proposed model. Field measurements of grout diffusion height correspond to unloading ratios of 0.68 and 0.71, respectively, as predicted by the model. Neglecting the unloading effect would result in a conservative estimate.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.51-61
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• 2007

A series of three shear wall specimens were tested under constant axial stress and reversed cyclic lateral loading to evaluate the capacity of seismic retrofit proposed for the shear wall with the opening induced by remodeling. One specimen was tested in the as-built condition and the others were retrofitted prior to testing. The retrofit involved the use of carbon fiber sheets and steel plates (thickness ; 3mm) over the entire face of the wall. Specimens were 1/2-scale representations of a one-story wall in a Korean apartment building that was built in 1980. The test results showed that failure mechanism of specimens governed by shear fracture and the strength of specimens was varied with according to the retrofitting strategies.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.71-80
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• 2007

Because of the characteristics relating to high tensile ductility, High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (HPFRCC) are studied to be adopted in repair and retrofit of buildings. A series of three shear wall specimens was tested under constant axial stress and reversed cyclic lateral loading in order to evaluate the seismic retrofit that had been proposed for the shear wall with the opening. The retrofit involved the use of newly developed ECC and MDF(Macro Defect Free), both of which are sprayed through the high pressure pump, over the entire face of the wall. The results indicate that two difference types of retrofitting strategy make the different effects of a rise in the strength and ductility of each specimen.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.531-539
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• 2024

Sleep is one of the most essential physiological phenomena for maintaining health. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, are often accompanied by psychiatric or physical conditions such as impaired attention, anxiety, and stress. Medication used to treat insomnia have concerns about potential side effects with long-term use, so interest in the use of alternative medicine is increasing. In this study, we investigated the hypnotic effects of β-lapachone (β-Lap), a natural naphthoquinone compound, using pentobarbital-induced sleep test, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and western blot in mice. Our results indicated that β-Lap exerts a significant hypnotic effect by showing a decrease in sleep onset latency and an increase in total sleep time in pentobarbital-induced sleep model. The results of c-Fos immunostaining showed that β-Lap decreased neuronal activity in the basal forebrain and lateral hypothalamus, which are wakefulness-promoting brain regions, while increasing in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus, a sleep-promoting region; all these effects were significantly abolished by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), an adenosine A₁ receptor (A₁R) antagonist. Western blot analysis showed that β-Lap increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappa B translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus; these effects were inhibited by DPCPX. Additionally, β-Lap increased the mRNA levels of A₁R. Taken together, these results suggest that β-Lap exerts hypnotic effects, potentially through A₁R.