• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.665-683
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• 2006

The strength behaviors of Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) Composites can be greatly influenced by the properties of constitutive materials, the laminate structures, and load conditions etc, accompanied by many uncertainty factors. So the reliability study on FRP is an important subject of research. Many achievements have been made in reliability studies based on the probability theory, but little has been done on the roles played by fuzzy variables. In this paper, a fuzzy reliability model for FRP laminates is established first, in which the loads are considered as random variables and the strengths as fuzzy variables. Then a numerical model is developed to assess the fuzzy reliability. The Monte Carlo simulation method is utilized to compute the reliability of laminas under the maximum stress criterion. In the second part of this paper, a generalized fuzzy reliability model (GFRM) is proposed. By virtue of the fact that there may exist a series of states between the failure state and the function state, a fuzzy assumption for the structure state together with the probabilistic assumption for strength parameters is adopted to construct the GFRM of composite materials. By defining a generalized limit state function, the problem is converted to the conventional reliability formula that enables the first-order reliability method (FORM) applicable in calculating the reliability index. Several examples are worked out to show the validity of the models and the efficiency of the methods proposed in this paper. The parameter sensitivity analysis shows that some of the mean values of the strength parameters have great influence on the laminated composites' reliability. The differences resulting from the application of different failure criteria and different fuzzy assumptions are also discussed. It is concluded that the GFRM is feasible to use, and can provide an effective and synthetic method to evaluate the reliability of a system with different types of uncertainty factors.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.383-398
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• 2009

Applying nonlinear statistical analysis methods in estimating the performance of structures in earthquakes is strongly considered these days. This is due to the methods' simplicity, timely lower cost and reliable estimation in seismic responses in comparison with time-history nonlinear dynamic analysis. Among nonlinear methods, simplified to be incorporated in the future guidelines, Modal Pushover Analysis, known by the abbreviated name of MPA, simply models nonlinear behavior of structures; and presents a very proper estimation of nonlinear dynamic analysis using lateral load pattern appropriate to the mass. Mostly, two kinds of connecting joints, 'hinge' and 'rigid', are carried out in different type of steel structures. However, it should be highly considered that nominal hinge joints usually experience some percentages of fixity and nominal rigid connections do not employ totally rigid. Therefore, concerning the importance of these structures and the significant flexibility effect of connections on force distribution and elements deformation, these connections can be considered as semi-rigid with various percentages of fixity. Since it seems, the application and implementation of MPA method has not been studied on moment-resistant steel frames with semi rigid connections, this research focuses on this topic and issue. In this regard several rigid and semi-rigid steel bending frames with different percentages of fixity are selected. The structural design is performed based on weak beam and strong column. Followed by that, the MPA method is used as an approximated method and Nonlinear Response History Analysis (NL-RHA) as the exact one. Studying the performance of semi-rigid frames in height shows that MPA technique offers reasonably reliable results in these frames. The methods accuracy seems to decrease, when the number of stories increases and does decrease in correlation with the semi-rigidity percentages. This generally implies that the method can be used as a proper device in seismic estimation of different types of low and mid-rise buildings with semi-rigid connections.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1130-1147
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• 2014

Large size ships have a very flexible construction resulting in low resonance frequencies of the structural eigen-modes. This feature increases the dynamic response of the structure on short period waves (springing) and on impulsive wave loads (whipping). This dynamic response in its turn increases both the fatigue damage and the ultimate load on the structure; these aspects illustrate the importance of including the dynamic response into the design loads for these ship types. Experiments have been carried out using a segmented scaled model of a container ship in a Seakeeping Basin. This paper describes the development of the model for these experiments; the choice was made to divide the hull into six rigid segments connected with a flexible beam. In order to model the typical feature of the open structure of the containership that the shear center is well below the keel line of the vessel, the beam was built into the model as low as possible. The model was instrumented with accelerometers and rotation rate gyroscopes on each segment, relative wave height meters and pressure gauges in the bow area. The beam was instrumented with strain gauges to measure the internal loads at the position of each of the cuts. Experiments have been carried out in regular waves at different amplitudes for the same wave period and in long crested irregular waves for a matrix of wave heights and periods. The results of the experiments are compared to results of calculations with a linear model based on potential flow theory that includes the effects of the flexural modes. Some of the tests were repeated with additional links between the segments to increase the model rigidity by several orders of magnitude, in order to compare the loads between a rigid and a flexible model.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.127-142
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• 2021

Wind load acting on a standalone structure is different from that acting on a similar structure which is surrounded by other structures in close proximity. The presence of other structures in the surrounding can change the wind flow regime around the principal structure and thus causing variation in wind loads compared to a standalone case. This variation on wind loads termed as interference effect depends on several factors like terrain category, geometry of the structure, orientation, wind incident angle, interfering distances etc., In the present study, a three building configuration is considered and the mean pressure coefficients on each face of principle building are determined in presence of two interfering buildings. Generally, wind loads on interfering buildings are determined from wind tunnel experiments. Computational fluid dynamic studies are being increasingly used to determine the wind loads recently. Whereas, wind tunnel tests are very expensive, the CFD simulation requires high computational cost and time. In this scenario, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique and Support Vector Regression (SVR) can be explored as alternative tools to study wind loads on structures. The present study uses these data-driven approaches to predict mean pressure coefficients on each face of principle building. Three typical arrangements of three building configuration viz. L shape, V shape and mirror of L shape arrangement are considered with varying interfering distances and wind incidence angles. Mean pressure coefficients (Cp mean) are predicted for 45 degrees wind incidence angle through ANN and SVR. Further, the critical faces of principal building, critical interfering distances and building arrangement which are more prone to wind loads are identified through this study. Among three types of building arrangements considered, a maximum of 3.9 times reduction in Cp mean values are noticed under Case B (V shape) building arrangement with 2.5B interfering distance. Effect of interfering distance and building arrangement on suction pressure on building faces has also been studied. Accordingly, Case C (mirror of L shape) building arrangement at a wind angle of 45º shows less suction pressure. Through this study, it was also observed that the increase of interfering distance may increase the suction pressure for all the cases of building configurations considered.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.69-79
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• 1992

To estimate soil behavior and structural characteristics under the conditions of cyclic loading, freezing & thawing and initial state, several testing was performed and obtained following results. 1.After repeated freezing and thawing processes, original soil structure was destroyed and changed to globular structure from honeycomb or tube in its structure types. Also above processes resulted increasing the soil compression strain while decreasing the failure stress in stress-strain relationship and reached the soil structure into the mode of brittle fracture. Under cyclic loading conditions, soil cluster which was originally dispersed structure colloided with each other, seperated, and finally the soil failed due to the effect of overcompaction. 2.Through the stabilization processes seperated by four steps, the structure of soil skeleton was changed to quite different globular type. The degree of compressibility of soil was decreased in the normally consolidated zone, while the strength against external load increased due to soil particle stabilization. 3.Soil stress-strain chracteristics were largely influenced by repeated up and down processes of temperature. The maximum deformation was obtained in the case of temperature between 0 10˚C by the reseon of particle cluster reformation. 4.Soil compressibility was largely influenced by the optimum moisture content. Under freezing process, swelling could be found and its magnitude was proportional to the density of soil. 5.Density of soil was decreased as increasing the number or repeated freezing and thawing processes and the largest decreasing rate was found at the first turning point from freezing to thawing cycle.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.336-344
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• 2002

In this study, the flow and combustion characteristics of flat flame burner with twirler were investigated. There are several factors that define the characteristics of burner. Among them, the experiments was focused on swirl effect by four types of twirler in terms of flow structure, distribution of temperature and emission characteristics. In PIV(Particle Image Velocimetry) experiment, the less of swirl number, axial flow is dominant at the center. As swirl number increases, the flow develops along the burner tile and backward flow becomes stronger at center. From the combustion characteristics, as long as combustion load increases, blow-off limit was improved. But at the higher swirl number, the limit is decreased. At swirl number 0, the temperature is shown typical distribution of long flame burner. but swirl number increases, the temperature distribution is uniform in front of round tile. Therefore, the temperature distribution is coincided with flow structure. As excess air ratio increases, NO concentrations are high. But high swirl number gives rise to become low NO concentrations. The flame characteristics are comprised in wrinkled laminar-flame regime according to turbulence Reynolds number(Rel) and Damkohler number(Da).

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.601-621
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• 2014

Repairing and strengthening structural members by bonding composite materials have received a considerable attention in recent years. The major problem when using bonded FRP or steel plates to strengthen existing structures is the high interfacial stresses that may be built up near the plate ends which lead to premature failure of the structure. As a result, many researchers have developed several analytical methods to predict the interface performance of bonded repairs under various types of loading. In this paper, a numerical solution using finite - difference method (FDM) is used to calculate the interfacial stress distribution in beams strengthened with FRP plate having a tapered ends under thermal loading. Different thinning profiles are investigated since the later can significantly reduce the stress concentration. In the present theoretical analysis, the adherend shear deformations are taken into account by assuming a parabolic shear stress through the thickness of both beam and bonded plate. The shear correction factor for I-section beams is also included in the solution. Numerical results from the present analysis are presented to demonstrate the advantages of use the tapers in design of strengthened beams.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.12-22
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to select suitable planting base for the mat-type rooftop greening in order to popularize rooftop greening system easily. The experiment was conducted from 2004 June to 2005 May under several conditions; 4 soil depths under mats(2cm, 5cm, 10cm, 15cm), two soil mixtures(natural soil 80%+leaf mold 20%, artificial soil) and two light conditions(full sun place, 20% shaded place). In this experiment, 3 types of mats were used ; the herbaceous plants mat(11 plants inclusive of Lotus corniculatus L., Silene armeria L.), the lawn mat with Festica arundinacea and Sedum mat with Sedum kamtschaticum, Sedum sarmentosum, Sedum oryzifolium, Sedum middendorffianum. The result is as follows; in the mat-type rooftop greening, the herbaceous plants mat, lawn mat and sedum mat are the similar number of plant and effect of greening on soil depth 2cm, 5cm and 10cm, 15cm. So suitable soil depth of rooftop greening is 10cm for the load and economical factor. Thus the mat-type rooftop greening possible planting base depth of all 13cm as soil depth 10cm and mat depth 3cm. As soil mixtures, the number and growth of plants were better mat and 'natural soil 80% +leaf mold 20%' than mat and artificial soil. In herbaceous plants mat, Silene armeria L., Dianthus chinensis, Centaurea cyanus L., Lotus corniculatus L. are survival in full sun place and Silene armeria L., Dianthus chinensis, Centaurea cyanus L. are survival in 20% shaded place. In conclusion, selection of suitable soil mixtures and plants is possible extensive management rooftop greening with effect of continuous greening. The mat-type rooftop greening are lightweight and simple preparation without management and can popularize readily.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.9-14
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• 2014

Recently many efforts and researches have been done to cope with industrial facilities that require a low energy machines due to the gradual depletion of the natural resources. The fiber-reinforced composite materials in general have good properties and have the proper mechanical properties according to the change of the ply sequences and fiber distribution types. However, in the fiber-reinforced composite material, there are several problems, including fiber breaking, peeling, layer lamination, fiber cracking that can not be seen from the metallic material. Particularly, the fracture and delamination are likely to be affected by the thickness of the stacking laminates when the bi-material laminated structure is subjected to a load of the mixed mode. In this study, we investigated the effect of the thickness ratio of the difference in the CFRP/GFRP bi-material laminate composites by measuring the cracking behavior and the AE characteristics in a mixed mode loading, which may be generated in the actual structure. The results show that the thickness of the CFRP becomes more thick, the mode I energy release rate becomes a larger, and also the influence of mode I is greater than that of mode II. In addition, AE amplitude which shows the level of the damage in the structure was obtained the more damage in the CFRP with the thin thickness.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.98-105
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• 2012

The focus of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of joining parameter on the microstructure and mechanical properties of welds produced by friction stir lap welding. The dissimilar Al alloys, KS5J32 and AA6K31, were joined by friction stir lap welding technique under several welding conditions, and KS5J32 alloy was placed on the top of AA6K31 alloy. The tool rotation speeds were 1000, 1250, and 1500rpm, and the welding speeds were 100, 300, 500, 700mm/min, respectively. The results showed that two shapes of nugget, such as onion ring and irregular vortex type, were observed with various revolutionary pitch. In all welding conditions, fracture occurred at the soften region of bottom sheet(AA6K31) and the strengths were 64~78% of those of base metal. Fractured positions were classified into three types : HAZ, triple point, void depending on the revolutionary pitch. The actual thickness of specimen at the fractured location was decreased with decreasing heat input. A linear relationship exists between the effective thickness of fractured position and peak load.