• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.525-535
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• 2018

This study presents a new beam-column model comprising material nonlinearity and joint flexibility to predict the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete structures. The nonlinear behavior of connections has an outstanding role on the nonlinear response of reinforced concrete structures. In presented research, the joint flexibility is considered applying a rotational spring at each end of the member. To derive the moment-rotation behavior of beam-column connections, the relative rotations produced by the relative slip of flexural reinforcement in the joint and the flexural cracking of the beam end are taken into consideration. Furthermore, the considered spread plasticity model, unlike the previous models that have been developed based on the linear moment distribution subjected to lateral loads includes both lateral and gravity load effects, simultaneously. To confirm the accuracy of the proposed methodology, a simply-supported test beam and three reinforced concrete frames are considered. Pushover and nonlinear dynamic analysis of three numerical examples are performed. In these examples the nonlinear behavior of connections and the material nonlinearity using the proposed methodology and also linear flexibility model with different number of elements for each member and fiber based distributed plasticity model with different number of integration points are simulated. Comparing the results of the proposed methodology with those of the aforementioned models describes that suggested model that only uses one element for each member can appropriately estimate the nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.2
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• pp.211-225
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• 2024

Soft bending actuators have gained significant interest in robotic applications due to their compliance and lightweight nature. Their compliance allows for safer and more natural interactions with humans or other objects, reducing the risk of injury or damage. However, the nonlinear behaviour of soft actuators presents challenges in accurately predicting their bending motion and force exertion. In this research, a new comprehensive study has been conducted by employing a developed 3D finite element model (FEM) to investigate the effect of geometrical and material parameters on the bending behaviour of a soft pneumatic actuator reinforced with Kevlar fibres. A series of experiments are designed to validate the FE model, and the FE model investigates the improvement of actuator performance. The material used for fabricating the actuator is RTV-2 silicone rubber. In this study, the Cauchy stress was expanded for hyperelastic models and the best model to express the stress-strain behaviour based on ASTM D412 Type C tensile test for this material has been obtained. The results show that the greatest bending angle was achieved for the semi-elliptical actuator made of RTV2 material with a pitch of 1.5 mm and second layer thickness of 1 mm. In comparison, the maximum response force was obtained for the semi-elliptical actuator made of RTV2 material with a pitch of 6 mm and a second layer thickness of 2 mm. Additionally, this research opens up new possibilities for development of safer and more efficient robotic systems that can interact seamlessly with humans and their environment.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.273-286
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• 2001

Viscoelastic (VE) dampers have shown to be capable of providing structures with considerable additional damping to reduce the dynamic response of structures. However, the VE material appears to be sensitive to the variations in ambient temperature and vibration frequency. To minimize these effects, a new VE material has been developed. This new material shows less sensitivity to variations in vibration frequency and temperature. However, it is highly dependent on the shear strain. Experimental studies on the seismic behavior of a 2/5 scale five-story steel frame with these new VE dampers have been carried out. Test results show that the structural response can be effectively reduced due to the added stiffness and damping provided by the new type of VE dampers under both mild and strong earthquake ground motions. In addition, analytical studies have been carried out to describe the strain-dependent behavior of the VE damper. The dynamic properties and hysteresis behavior of the dampers can be simulated by a simple bilinear model based on the equivalent dissipated energy principle proposed in this study.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.219-242
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• 2018

In this study, static bending of an edge cracked cantilever nanobeam composed of functionally graded material (FGM) subjected to transversal point load at the free end of the beam is investigated based on modified couple stress theory. Material properties of the beam change in the height direction according to exponential distributions. The cracked nanobeam is modelled using a proper modification of the classical cracked-beam theory consisting of two sub-nanobeams connected through a massless elastic rotational spring. The inclusion of an additional material parameter enables the new beam model to capture the size effect. The new non-classical beam model reduces to the classical beam model when the length scale parameter is set to zero. The considered problem is investigated within the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory by using finite element method. In order to establish the accuracy of the present formulation and results, the deflections are obtained, and compared with the published results available in the literature. Good agreement is observed. In the numerical study, the static deflections of the edge cracked FGM nanobeams are calculated and discussed for different crack positions, different lengths of the beam, different length scale parameter, different crack depths, and different material distributions. Also, the difference between the classical beam theory and modified couple stress theory is investigated for static bending of edge cracked FGM nanobeams. It is believed that the tabulated results will be a reference with which other researchers can compare their results.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.87-102
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• 2010

This paper discusses new capabilities developed for the Virtual Penetration Laboratory (VPL) software package to address the challenges of determining Penetration Resistance (PR) equations for concrete materials. Specifically, the paper introduces a three-invariant concrete constitutive model recently developed by the authors. The Advanced Fundamental Concrete (AFC) model was developed to provide a fast-running predictive model to simulate the behavior of concrete and other high-strength geologic materials. The Continuous Evolutionary Algorithms (CEA) automatic fitting algorithms used to fit the new model are discussed, and then examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new AFC model. Finally, the AFC model in conjunction with the VPL software package is used to develop a PR equation for a concrete material.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.101-117
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• 2007

A new model predicting the nonlinear basic creep behaviour of concrete structures subjected to high multi-axial stresses is proposed. It combines a model based on the thermodynamic framework of the elasto-plastic continuum damage theory for time-independent material behaviour and a rheological model describing phenomenologically the long-term delayed deformation. Strength increase due to ageing is regarded. The general 3D solution for the creep theory is derived from a rate-type form of the uniaxial formulation by the assumption of associated creep flow and a theorem of energy equivalence. The model is able to reproduce linear primary creep as well as secondary and tertiary creep stages under high compressive stresses. For concrete in tension a simple viscoelastic formulation is applied. The material law is then incorporated into a finite element solution procedure for analysis of reinforced concrete structures. Numerical examples of uniaxial creep tests and concrete members show excellent agreement with experimental results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.227-245
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• 2006

The performance of a three dimensional non-linear finite element model for hyperelastic material considering the effect of compressibility is studied by analyzing rubber blocks under different modes of deformation. It includes simple tension, pure shear, simple shear, pure bending and a mixed mode combining compression, shear and bending. The compressibility of the hyperelastic material is represented in the strain energy function. The nonlinear formulation is based on updated Lagrangian (UL) technique. The displacement model is implemented with a twenty node brick element having u, ${\nu}$ and w as the degrees of freedom at each node. The results obtained by the present numerical model are compared with the analytical solutions available for the basic modes of deformation where the agreement between the results is found to be satisfactory. In this context some new results are generated for future references since the number of available results on the present problem is not sufficient enough.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.489-498
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• 2019

The thermo-mechanical bending behavior of the antisymmetric cross-ply laminates is examined using a new simple four variable trigonometric plate theory. The proposed theory utilizes a novel displacement field which introduces undetermined integral terms and needs only four variables. The validity of the present model is proved by comparison with solutions available in the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.109-117
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• 1995

This study is for the development of a model to convert a set of rotational bodies into the new theoretical design for the equivalent volume transformation between the geometric angles and the specific intensity in the traffic control material system, called the retroreflection system to guide the night driver for safety. There are five new models theoretically identified with the concept of the retroreflective performance and human environment of the night driver. The new system can evaluate the design in retroreflective transportation material system with better performance, safety, and economy.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.540-548
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• 2019

This study was conducted to develop insulation for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The developed insulation is based on the lamination technology and the radiation shielding technology of the satellite insulation. The insulation material is consisting of insulation material for conduction resistance, spacer, and radiation shielding material. The experimental apparatus consisting vacuum bell jar, pump, heater and temperature recording device has developed to verify the performance of the insulation. The experimental values were used as reference data for the modeling development. In this paper, heat transfer is assumed to be one- dimensional phenomena for the prediction of insulation performance and internal temperature distribution in high temperature region of SOFC. The developed model was used to compare the performance difference of insulation types according to composition materials. The analysis result shows that the insulation including spacer and radiation shielding has better heat insulation performance than other cases. In this study, the thickness reduction effect of about 20% was shown compared to the insulation including only conductive material. It is noted that the radiant shielding material should be carefully selected for durability, because SOFC insulation should be used for a long time at high temperature.