• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.319-330
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• 2005

Over the past few decades, much effort has been made to improve the mechanical and biological performance of HA, in order to extend its range of applications. As a major inorganic component of human hard tissues, hydroxyapatite bioceramic is regarded as being one of the most biocompatible materials. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed its excellent bioactivity, osteoconductivity and bone forming ability. However, because of its poor mechanical properties, its use in hard tissue applications has been restricted to those areas in which it can be used in the form of small sized powders/granules or in the non-load bearing sites. A number of researchers have focused on improving the mechanical and biological performance of HA, as well as on the formulation of hybrid and composite systems in order to extend its range of applications. In this article, we reviewed our recent works on HA-based biomaterials; i) the strengthening of HA with ceramic oxides, ii) HA-based bioactive coatings on metallic implants, iii) HA-based porous scaffolds and iv) HA-polymer hybrids/composites.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.233-245
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• 2008

For historical masonry structures existing in the Mediterranean area, structural strengthening is of primary importance due to the continuous earthquake threat that is posed on them. Proper retrofitting of historical structures involves a thorough understanding of their structural pathology, before proceeding with any intervention measures. In this paper, a methodology is presented for the evaluation of the actual state of historical masonry structures, which can provide a useful tool for the seismic response assessment before and after the retrofitting. The methodology is mainly focused on the failure and vulnerability analysis of masonry structures using the finite element method. Using this methodology the retrofitting of historical structures with innovative techniques is investigated. The innovative technique presented here involves the exploitation of Shape Memory Alloy prestressed bars. This type of intervention is proposed because it ensures increased reversibility and minimization of interventions, in comparison with conventional retrofitting methods. In this paper, a case study is investigated for the demonstration of the proposed methodologies and techniques, which comprises a masonry Byzantine church and a masonry Cistern. Prestressed SMA alloy bars are placed into the load-bearing system of the structure. The seismic response of the non-retrofitted and the retrofitted finite element models are compared in terms of seismic energy dissipation and displacements diminution.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.691-708
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• 2018

An innovative Hybrid Passive Resistive configuration for Truss Girder Frames (HPR-TGFs) is introduced in the present study. The proposed system is principally consisting of Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs) and Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) as its seismic resistive components. Concurrent utilization of these devices will develop an efficient energy dissipating mechanism which is able to mitigate lateral displacements as well as the base shear, simultaneously. However, under certain circumstances which the presence of FVDs might not be essential, the proposed configuration has the potential to incorporate double BRBs in order to achieve the redundancy of alternative load bearing paths. This study is extending the modern Direct Displacement Based Design (DDBD) procedure as the design methodology for HPR-TGF systems. Based on a series of nonlinear time history analysis, it is demonstrated that the design outcomes are almost identical to the pre-assumed design criteria. This implies that the ultimate characteristics of HPR-TGFs such as lateral stiffness and inter-story drifts are well-proportioned through the proposed design procedure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.308-311
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• 2004

It is reported that there is a limit in increasing heavy-weight impact noise isolation performance of the load bearing wall system apartments to meet the regulation of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation (MOCT). To increase the heavy-weight impact noise isolation performance, improvement in structural systems such as increasing concrete slab thickness and application of rahmen structure were proposed. In this study floor impact sound levels from toil apartments with two rahmen structure multi-story residential buildings were measured before the construction of the buildings finished. Measurements were made at living room and two bedrooms at each apartment when the finishing processes were finished. The average value of light-weight impact sound level from ten apartments was 56dB (L'$\sub$n,Aw/). The heavy-weight impact sound level was 44dB (L'$\sub$i.Fmax.Aw/) and the impact sound level of the impact ball was 41dB(L'$\sub$i.Fmax.Aw/), As a result floor impact noises at the rahmen structure system were lower than the regulation level.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to model and simulate the nonlinear lubrication performance of the sliding part between the piston and cylinder wall in a hydrostatic swash-plate-type axial piston pump. A numerical algorithm is developed that facilitates simultaneous calculation of the rotating body motion and fluid film pressure to observe the fluid film geometry and power loss. It is assumed that solid asperity contact, so-called mixed lubrication in this study, invariably occurs in the swash-plate-type axial piston pump, which produces a higher lateral moment on the pistons than other types of hydrostatic machines. Two comparative mixed lubrication models, rigid and elastic, are used to determine the reaction force and sliding friction. The rigid model does not allow any elastic deformation in the partial lubrication area. The patch shapes, reactive forces, and virtual local elastic deformation in the partial lubrication area are obtained in the elastic contact model using a simple Hertz contact theory. The calculation results show that a higher reaction force and friction loss are obtained in the rigid model, indicating that solid deformation is a significant factor on the lubrication characteristics of the reciprocating piston part.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2017

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the thermo-hydromechanical response of weathered granite soil. The effect of forced change temperature and relative humidity at the soil layer boundaries were monitored during heating. A series of load settlement test were performed on layers of compacted, unsatureated weathered granite soil with geosynthetic embedded at mid height before and after application of heat exchanger to the base of the soil layers. The results from this study indicated the potential for using embedded heat exchangers for the mechanical improvement of geotechnical systems incorporating weathered granite soil.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.425-434
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• 2019

The most effective passive vibration control and seismic resistance options in a reinforced concrete (RC) high-rise building (HRB) are the base isolation and the tuned mass damper (TMD) system. Many options, which may be suitable or not for different soil types, with different types of bearing systems, like rubber isolator, friction pendulum isolator and tension/compression isolator, are investigated to resist the base straining actions under five different earthquakes. TMD resists the seismic response, as a control system, by reducing top displacement or the total movement of the structure. Base isolation and TMDs work under seismic load in a different way, so the combination between base isolation and TMDs will reduce the harmful effect of the earthquakes in an effective and systematic way. In this paper, a comprehensive study of the combination of TMDs with three different base-isolator types for three different soil types and under five different earthquakes is conducted. The seismic response results under five different earthquakes of the studied nine RC HRB models (depicted by the top displacement, base shear force and base bending moment) are compared to show the most suitable hybrid passive vibration control system for three different soil types.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.585-599
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• 2023

Field monitoring techniques offer an attractive approach for understanding bridge behavior under in-service loads. However, the investigations on bridge behavior under high-speed train load using field monitoring data are limited. The focus of this study is to explore the structural behavior of an in-service long-span steel truss arch bridge based on field monitoring data. First, the natural frequencies of the structure, as well as the train driving frequencies, are extracted. Then, the train-induced bearing displacement and structural strain are explored to identify the effects of train loads and bearings. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis is performed for the impact factor of strain responses with respect to the train speed, train weight, and temperature to identify the fundamental issues affecting these responses. Additionally, a similar sensitivity analysis is conducted for the peak acceleration. The results indicate that the friction force in bearings provides residual deformations when two consecutive trains are in opposite directions. In addition, the impact factor and peak acceleration are primarily affected by train speed, particularly near train speeds that result in the resonance of the bridge response. The results can provide additional insight into the behavior of the long-span steel truss bridges under in-service high-speed train loads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.92 no.1
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• pp.25-52
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• 2024

In the current paper, the various responses of concrete rectangular liquid storage containers under seismic load, each isolated by a lead-rubber bearing subjected to bi-directional earthquake forces are investigated. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of isolation period, yield strength of the isolator and the effects of soil-foundation interaction for non-isolated and base-isolated tanks located on different soil types. In most cases, the value of base shear, base moment, wall displacement and hydrodynamic pressure is reduced by the effect of the isolators whose effective frequency is within the appropriate range. The sloshing displacement is amplified due to seismic isolation of the tanks for both tall and shallow tank configurations. Also, it is found that the seismic isolation technique is more efficient for the more flexible tank. Studying various soil types indicates that, unlike the responses of non-isolated tanks which change drastically for different soil types, the responses of base-isolated structures are less affected. Finally, it is observed that the variation in structural responses is not only related to the superstructure configuration and bearings properties but also depends on the earthquake specifications.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The development of compact tractors that can be used in dry fields, greenhouses, and orchards for pest control, weeding, transportation, and harvesting is necessary. The development and performance evaluation of power transmission units are very important when it comes to tractor development. This study evaluates the performance of a driving power transmission unit of a 50 kW multi-purpose narrow tractor. Methods: The performance of the transmission and forward-reverse clutch, which are the main components of the driving power transmission unit of multi-purpose narrow tractors, was evaluated herein. The transmission performance was evaluated in terms of power transmission efficiency, noise, and axle load, while the forward-reverse clutch performance was evaluated in terms of durability. The transmission's power transmission efficiency accounts for the measurement of transmission losses, which occur in the transmission's gear, bearing, and oil seal. The motor's power was input in the transmission's input shaft. The rotational speed and torque were measured in the final output shaft. The noise was measured at each speed level after installing a microphone on the left, right, and upper sides. The axle load test was performed through a continuous equilibrium load test, in which a constant load was continuously applied. The forward-reverse clutch performance was calculated using the engine torque to axle torque ratio with the assembled engine and transmission. Results: The loss of power in the transmission efficiency test of the driving power unit was 6.0-9.7 kW based on all gear steps. This loss of horsepower was equal to 11-18% of the input power (52 kW). The transmission efficiency of the driving power unit was 81.5-89.0%. The noise of the driving power unit was 50-57 dB at 800 rpm, 70-77 dB at 1600 rpm, and 76-83 dB at 2400 rpm. The axle load test verified that the input torque and axle revolutions were constant. The results of the forward-reverse clutch performance test revealed that hydraulic pressure and torque changes were stably maintained when moving forward or backward, and its operation met the hydraulic design standards. Conclusions: When comprehensively examined, these research results were similar to the main driving power transmission systems from USA and Japan in terms of performance. Based on these results, tractor prototypes are expected to be created and supplied to farmhouses after going through sufficient in-situ adaptability tests.