• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.581-595
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• 2010

This paper presents topology optimization of geometrically and materially nonlinear structures using a bi-directional evolutionary optimization (BESO) method. To maximum the stiffness of nonlinear structures under prescribed design load, the complementary work is selected as the objective function of the optimization. An optimal design can be obtained by gradually removing inefficient material and adding efficient ones. The proposed method can be applied to a series of geometrically and/or materially nonlinear structures. The results show considerable differences in topologies and stiffness of the optimal designs for linear and nonlinear structures. It is found that the optimal designs for nonlinear structures are much stiffer than those for linear structures when large design loads (which result in significantly nonlinear deformations) are applied.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.66-77
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• 1996

Optimal topology design is to search the optimal configuration of a structure which can be used as a shape at the conceptual design stage. Our objective is to maximize the stiffness of the structures and ribs under a material usage constraintl. The density of each finite element is the design variable and its relationship with Young's modulus is expressed by quadratic form. The configuration is represented by the entire density distribution, the structural analysis is performed by finite element method and the optimiza- tion is performed by Feasible Direction Method. Feasible Direction Method can handle various problems simultaneously, that is, mult-objectives and multi-constraints. Total computation time can be reduced by the quadratic relationship between the density and the material property and fewer design variables than Homogenization Method. Toplogy optimization technique developed in this research is applied to design the shapes of the ribs.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.687-693
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• 2011

Spring-mass models have been widely accepted to explain the basic dynamics of human gait. Researchers found that the leg stiffness increased with gait speed to increase energy efficiency. However, the difference of leg stiffness change with gait speed between the young and the elderly has not been verified yet. In this study, we calculated the lower limb stiffness of the elderly using walking model with an axial spring. Vertical stiffness was defined as the ratio of the vertical force change to the vertical displacement change. Seven young and eight elderly subjects participated to the test. The subjects walked on a 12 meter long, 1 meter wide walkway at four different gait speeds, ranging from their self-selected speed to maximum speed randomly. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected using three force plates and motion capture cameras, respectively. The vertical stiffness of the two groups increased as a function of walking speed. Maximum walking speed of the elderly was slower than that of the young, yet the walking speed correlated well with the optimal stiffness that maximizes propulsion energy in both groups. The results may imply that human may use apparent limb stiffness to optimize energy based on spring-like leg mechanics.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-67
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• 2010

A gradient-based evolutionary optimization methodology is presented for finding the optimal design of both the added dampers and their supporting members to minimize an objective function of a linear multi-storey structure subjected to the critical ground acceleration. The objective function is taken as the sum of the stochastic interstorey drifts. A frequency-dependent viscoelastic damper and the supporting member are treated as a vibration control device. Due to the added stiffness by the supplemental viscoelastic damper, the variable critical excitation needs to be updated simultaneously within the evolutionary phase of the optimal damper placement. Two different models of the entire damper unit are investigated. The first model is a detailed model referred to as "the 3N model" where the relative displacement in each component (i.e., the spring and the dashpot) of the damper unit is defined. The second model is a simpler model referred to as "the N model" where the entire damper unit is converted into an equivalent frequency-dependent Kelvin-Voigt model. Numerical analyses for 3 and 10-storey building models are conducted to investigate the characters of the optimal design using these models and to examine the validity of the proposed technique.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.76-84
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• 2021

In this study, an optimal stiffness model of the C-frame, which was supporting the mold and tool load, was proposed to obtain quality self-piercing riveting (SPR) joining. First, the load path acting on the C-frame structure was identified using topology optimization. Then, a final suggested model was proposed based on the load path results. Stiffness and strength analyses were performed for a rivet pressing force of 7.3 [t] to compare the design performance of the final proposed model with that of the initial model. Moreover, to examine the reliability of continuous and repeated processes, vibration analysis was performed and the dynamic stiffness of the final proposed model was reviewed. Additionally, fatigue analysis was performed to ascertain the fatigue characteristics due to simple repetitive loading. Finally, stiffness test was performed for the final proposed model to verify the analysis results. The obtained results differed from the analysis result by 2.9%. Consequently, the performance of the final proposed model was superior to that of the initial model with respect to not only the SPR fastening quality but also the reliability of continuous and repetitive processes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.1274-1277
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• 2004

The objective of this research work is to investigate into characteristics of bending stiffness and failure for the ISB ultra-lightweight panel with internally structured material. The expanded metal with a pyramid shape and woven metal are employed as an internally structured material. In order to investigate the characteristics, the specific stiffness and failure map are estimated using the results of three-points bending test. From the results of the experiment, the influence of design parameters of ISB panel on the specific stiffness and failure mode has been found. In addition, it has been shown that ISB panel with expanded metal is prefer to that with woven metal from the view point of optimal design for ISB panel.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.688-693
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• 2007

Most frame structures cannot be manufactured in a single-piece form. Ideally, when a structure is built up by assembling multi pieces, assembly at the joints should be rigidly performed enough to have almost full stiffness, which is difficult for practical reasons such as manufacturing cost and time. In this research, we aim to develop a manufacturability-oriented compliance-minimizing topology optimization using a ground beam model incorporating additional zero-length elastic joint elements. In the present formulation, design variables control the stiffness of zero-length elastic joints, not the stiffness of beams. Because joint stiffness values at the converged state can be utilized to select candidate assembly locations and their strengths, the technique is extremely useful to design multi-piece frame structures. An optimal layout is also extracted based on the stiffness values.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.117-122
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• 2002

Joint stiffness can affect the vibration characteristics of car body structures. Therefore, it should be included in vehicle system model. In this paper, a numerical approximation of joint stiffness is presented considering joint flexibility of thin walled beam-jointed structures. Using the proposed method, it is possible to optimize joint structures considering the change of section shapes in vehicle structures. The numerical approximation of joint stiffness is derived using the response surface method in terms of beam section properties. The study shows that joint stiffnesses can be effectively determined in designing vehicle structures.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.278-283
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• 1997

This paper proposes a systematic design method for axial(or thrust) magnetic bearings using optimal design methodology. The objective of the optimal design is to minimize bearing volume. The constraints include the bearing load capacity, linearized bearing stiffness and damping, the magnetic flux density, and geometric relations. In order to obtain design values which can be applied to fabrication of bearings, branch and bound method was introduced in the postprocessing procedure of optimal design results. Verification of the proposed design methodology was perfomed by an example.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2015

By increasing the vertical stiffness of the rail fastening system, the dynamic wheel load of the vehicle can be increased on the ballast track, though this increases the cost of track maintenance. On the other hand, the resistance acting on the wheel is decreased, which lowers the cost of the electric power to run the train. For this reason, the determination of the optimal fastener stiffness is important when attempting to minimize the economic costs associated with both track maintenance and energy to operate the train. In this study, a numerical method for evaluating the optimal vertical stiffness of the fasteners used on ballast track is presented on the basis of the process proposed by L$\acute{o}$pez-Pita et al. They used an approximation formula while calculating the dynamic wheel load. The evaluated fastener stiffness is mainly affected by the calculated dynamic wheel load. In this study, the dynamic wheel load is more precisely evaluated with an advanced vehicle-track interaction model. An appropriate range of the stiffness of the fastener applicable to the design of ballast track along domestic high-speed lines is proposed.