• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.455-466
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• 2022

Despite the considerable lateral stiffness and strength of the Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF), it suffers from low ductility and low seismic dissipating energy capacity. The buckling of the diagonal members of the CBF systems under cyclic loading ended up to the shortcoming against seismic loading. Comprehensive researches have been performing to achieve helpful approaches to prevent the buckling of the diagonal member. Among the recommended ideas, metallic damper revealed a better success than other ideas to enhance the behavior of CBFs. While metallic dampers improve the behavior of the CBF system, they increase constructional costs. Therefore, in this paper, a new steel damper with flexural mechanism is proposed, which is investigated experimentally and numerically. Also, a parametrical revision was carried out to evaluate the effect of thickness, slenderness ratio, angle of the main plate, and height of the main plates on the proposed damper. For the parametrical study, 45 finite element models were analyzed and considered. Experimental results, as well as the numerical results, indicated that the proposed damper enjoys a stable hysteresis loop without any degradation up to a high rotation equal to around 31% that is significantly considerable. Moreover, it showed a suitable performance in case of ductility and energy dissipating. Besides, the necessary formulas to design the damper, the required relations were proposed to design the elements outside the damper to ensure the damper acts as a ductile fuse.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.509-518
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the effect of shear-key placement on the performance of grouted connections in offshore wind-turbine structures. Considering the challenges of height control during installation, we designed and analyzed three grouted connection configurations. We compared the crack patterns and strain distribution in the shear keys under axial loading. The results indicate that the misalignment of shear keys significantly influences the ultimate load capacity of grouted connections. Notably, when the shear keys were positioned facing each other, the ultimate load decreased by approximately 15%, accompanied by the propagation of irregular cracks in the upper shear keys. Furthermore, the model with 50% misalignment in the shear-key placement exhibited the highest ultimate strength, indicating a more efficient load resistance than the reference model. This indicates that tensile-load-induced cracking and the formation of compressive struts in opposite directions significantly affect the structural integrity of grouted connections. These results demonstrate the importance of considering buckling effects in the design of grouted connections, particularly given the thin and slender nature of the inner sleeves. This study provides valuable insights into the design and analysis of offshore wind-turbine structures, highlighting the need for refined design formulas that account for shifts in shear-key placement and their structural implications.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.90 no.4
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• pp.417-428
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• 2024

Nanocomposite-reinforced concrete systems have gained increasing attention in bridge construction due to their enhanced mechanical properties and durability. Understanding the transient dynamics of these advanced materials is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and performance of bridge infrastructure under dynamic loading conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive study of the measurement techniques employed for assessing the transient dynamics of nanocompositereinforced concrete systems in bridge construction applications. A numerical method, including modal analysis are discussed in detail, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and applications. Additionally, recent advancements in sensor technologies, data acquisition systems, and signal processing techniques for capturing and analyzing transient responses are explored. The paper also addresses challenges and opportunities in the measurement of transient dynamics, such as the characterization of nanocomposite-reinforced concrete materials, the development of accurate numerical models, and the integration of advanced sensing technologies into bridge monitoring systems. Through a critical review of existing literature and case studies, this paper aims to provide insights into best practices and future directions for the measurement of transient dynamics in nanocompositereinforced concrete systems, ultimately contributing to the design, construction, and maintenance of resilient and sustainable bridge infrastructure.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2024

The current study investigates the seismic performance of shear-dominant RC columns retrofitted with iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe SMA). Three RC columns with insufficient transverse reinforcement were designed and fabricated for lateral cyclic loading tests. Before testing, two specimens were externally confined with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets and self-prestressed Fe SMA strips. The test results showed that both CFRP and Fe SMA performed well in preventing severe shear failure exhibited by the unretrofitted control specimen. Furthermore, the two retrofitted specimens showed ductile flexural responses up to the drift ratios of ±8%. In terms of damage control, however, the Fe SMA confinement was superior to CFRP confinement in that the spalling of concrete was much less and that the rupture of confinement did not occur.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2024

Masonry arch bridges as a vital infrastructure were not designed for seismic loads. Given that masonry arch bridges are made up of various components, their contribution under the seismic actions can be very undetermined and each of these structural components can play a different role in energy dissipation. Iran is known as a high-risk area in terms of seismic excitations and according to the seismic hazard zoning classification of Iran, most of these railway infrastructures are placed in the high and very high seismicity zones or constructed near the major faults. Besides, these ageing structures are deteriorated and thus in recent years, some of these bridges using various retrofitting approaches, including sprayed concrete technique are strengthened. Therefore, investigating the behavior of these restored structures with new characteristics is very significant. The aim of this study is to investigate the cyclic in-plane performance of masonry arch bridges retrofitted by sprayed concrete technique through the finite element simulation. So, by considering the fill-arch interaction, the nonlinear behavior of a bridge has been investigated. Finally, by extracting the hysteresis and enveloping curves of the retrofitted and non-retrofitted bridge, the effect of strengthening on energy absorption and degradation of material has been investigated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.5
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• pp.507-524
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• 2024

Since the cost of reconstruction is very high and the structure may have been damaged by an earthquake, we must retrofit the structure. Therefore, the importance of studying this issue is very high in order to achieve the desired resistance against the regulations. The present study involved the numerical and experimental analysis of nine concrete frames, consisting of three concrete frames, three concrete frames with bracing, and three concrete frames with a TADAS damper. The purpose of this study is to strengthen the damaged concrete frame using braces and TADAS dampers. Observations were made of the frames as they were subjected to controlled displacement. Also, ABAQUS software was used to compare numerical and experimental results. According to the results, the software was sufficiently capable of modeling the studied frames. Additionally, a parametric study was conducted on the thickness and number of bending plates. Thickness increases from 8 mm to 12 mm, 8 mm to 15 mm, and 8 mm to 20 mm, increasing the base shear by about 6.7%, 11.1%, and 25%, respectively. Furthermore, increasing the number of plates from 4 to 5, 4 to 6, and 4 to 7 increased base shears by about 4.5%, 8.4%, and 14%, respectively.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2024

Buried box culverts are crucial elements of transportation infrastructure. However, their behavior under foundation loads is not well understood, indicating a significant gap in existing research. This study aims to bridge this gap by conducting a detailed numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method and Abaqus software. The research evaluates the behavior of buried box culverts by examining their interaction with surrounding soil and the pressures from surface foundation loads. Key variables such as embedment depth, culvert wall thickness, concrete material properties, foundation pressure, foundation width, soil elastic modulus, and friction angle are altered to understand their combined effects on structural response. The methodology employs a validated 2D numerical model under plane strain conditions. Parametric studies highlight the critical role of culvert depth (H) in influencing earth pressure and bending moments. Foundation pressure and width demonstrate complex interdependencies affecting culvert behavior. Variations in culvert materials' elastic modulus show minimal impact. It was found that the lower wall of the buried culvert experiences higher average pressure compared to the other two walls, due to the combined effects of the culvert's weight and down drag forces on the side walls. Furthermore, while the pressure distribution on the top and bottom walls is parabolic, the pressure on the side walls follows a different pattern, differing from that of the other two walls.

• Annual Conference of KIPS
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• 2024.10a
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• pp.1003-1005
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• 2024

This paper is a study on optimization of port container loading using digital twin technologies. It simulated and evaluated the performance of port container loading optimization using ML-agent's PPO (Proximal Policy Optimization) reinforcement learning algorithm. Through this, the study was conducted to help realize time and cost savings and energy optimization through efficient operation of containers in ports. In this algorithm, optimization was performed through the reinforcement learning process at 375,000 times.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.5 s.45
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• pp.63-74
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to assess the seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridge columns using inelastic finite element analysis. The accuracy and objectivity of the assessment process may be enhanced by the use of sophisticated nonlinear finite element analysis program. A computer program, named RCAHEST (Reinforced Concrete Analysis in Higher Evaluation System Technology), for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was used. Damage index aims to provide a means of quantifying numerically the damage in reinforced concrete bridge columns sustained under earthquake loading. The proposed numerical method for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete bridge columns is verified by comparison with reliable experimental results.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.95-103
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument of task performance evaluation for clinical nurses, thus testing the validity and the reliability of the scale. Method: Data was collected from 84 Head Nurses and 255 General Nurses. A conceptual framework, composed of 4 factors of meaning in task performance evaluation, was identified through review of the relevant literature. A total of 78 items were developed and were used on a five-point likert scale. Through factor analysis, items whose factor loading was below 0.50 were deleted, thus 35 items remained. To test the validity and reliability of the instrument, the SPSS 11.0 windows program was used. Result: The results of the factor analysis indicated that 4 factors were classified and the cumulative percent of variance was 67.54%. The results of the reliability test indicated that Cronbach's coefficient of the total 35 items was over 0.9176. The results of the factor analysis indicated that factor loadings of all items was over 0.50. Conclusively, the validity and the reliability of the scale were proven. Conclusion: This study was identified as a tool with a high degree of reliability and validity.