• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2023

This paper presents an investigation of variables that cause spurious cracking in numerical modeling of concrete fracture. Spurious cracks appear due to the approximate nature of numerical modeling. They overestimate the dissipated energy, leading to divergent results with mesh refinement. This paper is limited to quasi-static loading regime, homogeneous models, cracking as the only nonlinear mode of deformation and cracking only due to tensile loading. Under these conditions, some variables that can be related to spurious cracking are: mesh alignment, ductility, crack band width, structure size, mesh refinement and load increment size. Case studies illustrate the effect of each variable and convergence analyses demonstrate that, after all, load-increment size is the most important variable. Theoretically, a sufficiently small load increment is able to eliminate or at least alleviate the detrimental influence of the other variables. Such load-increment size might be prohibitively small, rendering the simulation unfeasible. Hence, this paper proposes two alternatives. First, it is proposed an algorithm that automatically find such small load increment size automatically, which not necessarily avoid large computations. Then, it is proposed a double simulation technique, in which the crack is forced to propagate through the localization zone.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.26 no.3A
• /
• pp.439-445
• /
• 2006

Analysis problems of tunnels whose geometrical dimensions are very small compared with surrounding media can be treated as infinite region problems. In such cases, even if finite element models can be applied, excessive number of elements is required to obtain satisfactory accuracy. However, inaccurate results may be produced due to assumed artificial boundary conditions. To solve these problems, a hybrid model, which models the region of interest with finite elements and the surrounding infinite media with infinite elements, is introduced for the analysis of infinite region. Three-dimensional isoparametric infinite elements with various decay characteristics are formulated in this paper and the corresponding parameters are presented by means of parametric studies. Three-dimensional tunnel analysis performed on a representative example verifies the applicability of hybrid model using infinite elements.

• Iberoamérica
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.407-439
• /
• 2010

Growth of researches addressing cross-culture in international business is exponential. This article reviews the extant researches around the national culture and describes the various conceptualization of culture through discussion of some of popular models of national culture. This article presented some of the most important issues in international business surrounding globalization, especially convergence and divergence of cultures and cultural changes. Global rapid changes in international business environment request the reconsideration of the assumption of cultural stability and the simple view of culture, which tends to examine the static influence of a few cultural factors in isolation form other cultural factors and contextual elements. This paper identifies a valid cultural grouping and proposes the following typology of the possible methodologies in international business; Ethnological description, Use of proxies, Direct values inference, and Indirect values inference. Rather than selecting a single methodology, it appears to be more appropriate to use multi-method in the cross-cultural international business research. It has been shown that cultural change is intertwined with socioeconomic-institutional variables, and that these variables may also add to determine culture contemporarily. This paper also explained the dynamics of culture as multi-level, multi-layer constructs. According to this model, we may understand how the dynamic nature of culture conveys the top-down-bottom-up processes where one cultural level affects changes in other level of culture.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.547-554
• /
• 2022

This paper studies the static stability of an axially graded column with the power-law gradient varying along the axial direction. For a nonhomogeneous column with one end linked to a rotational spring and loaded by a compressive force, respectively, an Euler problem is analyzed by solving a boundary value problem of an ordinary differential equation with varying coefficients. Buckling loads through the characteristic equation with the aid of the Bessel functions are exactly given. An alternative way to approximately determine buckling loads through the integral equation method is also presented. By comparing approximate buckling loads with the exact ones, the approximate solution is simple in form and enough accurate for varying power-law gradients. The influences of the gradient index and the rotational spring stiffness on the critical forces are elucidated. The critical force and mode shapes at buckling are presented in graph. The critical force given here may be used as a benchmark to check the accuracy and effectiveness of numerical solutions. The approximate solution provides a feasible approach to calculating the buckling loads and to assessing the loss of stability of columns in engineering.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.88 no.5
• /
• pp.501-519
• /
• 2023

This paper introduces a new hybrid structural connection joint that combines shear walls with section steel beams, fundamentally resolving the construction complexity issue of requiring pre-embedded connectors in the connection between shear walls and steel beams. Initially, a quasi-static loading scheme with load-deformation dual control was employed to conduct low-cycle repeated loading experiments on five new connection joints. Data was acquired using displacement and strain gauges to compare the energy dissipation coefficients of each specimen. The destruction process of the new connection joints was meticulously observed and recorded, delineating it into three stages. Hysteresis curves and skeleton curves of the joint specimens were plotted based on experimental results, summarizing the energy dissipation performance of the joints. It's noteworthy that the addition of shear walls led to an approximate 17% increase in the energy dissipation coefficient. The energy dissipation coefficients of dog-bone-shaped connection joints with shear walls and cover plates reached 2.043 and 2.059, respectively, exhibiting the most comprehensive hysteresis curves. Additionally, the impact of laminated steel plates covering composite concrete floors on the stiffness of semi-rigid joint ends under excessive stretching should not be disregarded. A comparison with finite element analysis results yielded an error of merely 2.2%, offering substantial evidence for the wide-ranging application prospects of this innovative joint in seismic performance.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 2024

The accurate prediction of grouting upward diffusion height is crucial for estimating the bearing capacity of tip-grouted piles. Borehole construction during the installation of bored piles induces soil unloading, resulting in both radial stress loss in the surrounding soil and an impact on grouting fluid diffusion. In this study, a modified model is developed for predicting grout diffusion height. This model incorporates the classical rheological equation of power-law cement grout and the cavity reverse expansion model to account for different degrees of unloading. A series of single-pile tip grouting and static load tests are conducted with varying initial grouting pressures. The test results demonstrate a significant effect of vertical grout diffusion on improving pile lateral friction resistance and bearing capacity. Increasing the grouting pressure leads to an increase in the vertical height of the grout. A comparison between the predicted values using the proposed model and the actual measured results reveals a model error ranging from -12.3% to 8.0%. Parametric analysis shows that grout diffusion height increases with an increase in the degree of unloading, with a more pronounced effect observed at higher grouting pressures. Two case studies are presented to verify the applicability of the proposed model. Field measurements of grout diffusion height correspond to unloading ratios of 0.68 and 0.71, respectively, as predicted by the model. Neglecting the unloading effect would result in a conservative estimate.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.16-29
• /
• 2024

Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, China is one of the world cultural heritage, is the largest ancient grottoes art group in the world, and is a natural and cultural place with outstanding universal value for mankind all over the world. Dunhuang music and dance derived from the murals of Mogao Grottoes is an artistic representation of its thousand-year-old glorious history and an indispensable historical material for research. As one of the iconic images of Dunhuang music and dance, the "rebound lute behind the back" dance posture has unique charm value both in the original mural composition and the stage image. This paper analyzes the characters holding pipa in Dunhuang murals by case analysis, comparative research and other relevant research methods, then studies the stage image and posture of "rebound lute behind the back", and finally analyzes the stage works of "rebound lute behind the back". It is concluded that the dance image of "rebound lute behind the back" is a dynamic stage art work gradually formed by artists from the static Dunhuang murals through refining, developing, processing and transforming. This is to revive the image of Dunhuang music and dance murals, to provide reference and reference for the inheritance and development of Dunhuang culture, and then to enhance and enrich the artistic value of excellent traditional Chinese culture and world cultural heritage.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.91 no.2
• /
• pp.227-238
• /
• 2024

Sparse regularization methods have proven effective in addressing the ill-posed equations encountered in moving force identification (MFI). However, the complexity of vehicle loads is often ignored in existing studies aiming at enhancing MFI accuracy. To tackle this issue, a double 𝑙₁ regularization method is proposed for MFI based on a response spectrum-based weighted dictionary in this study. Firstly, the relationship between vehicle-induced responses and moving vehicle loads (MVL) is established. The structural responses are then expanded in the frequency domain to obtain the prior knowledge related to MVL and to further construct a response spectrum-based weighted dictionary for MFI with a higher accuracy. Secondly, with the utilization of this weighted dictionary, a double 𝑙₁ regularization framework is presented for identifying the static and dynamic components of MVL by the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) method successively. To assess the performance of the proposed method, two different types of MVL, such as composed of trigonometric functions and driven from a 1/4 bridge-vehicle model, are adopted to conduct numerical simulations. Furthermore, a series of MFI experimental verifications are carried out in laboratory. The results shows that the proposed method's higher accuracy and strong robustness to noises compared with other traditional regularization methods.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.13 no.1 s.53
• /
• pp.135-144
• /
• 2009

The present paper represents experimental studies on the performance of concrete filled FRP columns. Eight scale-down specimens were conducted by quasi-static cyclic loading test. FRP thickness, concrete strength, horizontal rebar ratio, and diameter were selected as test parameters. The capacities of ductility for cyclic loading was evaluated and the damping ratio and failure mode from the stiffness reduction of each test specimen were compared.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.109-141
• /
• 2006

The central factor in the pecking order theory of financial structure is the asymmetric distribution of information between managers and less-informed outside investors. Myers and Majluf (1984) show that this asymmetry leads managers to prefer internal funds to external funds. Funds are raised through equity issues only after the capacity to issue debt has been exhausted. In contrast, according to static tradeoff theory, an optimum financial structure exists by the tradeoff between tax saving by debt and bankruptcy costs. This study examines the recent changes of Korean firms' financial structure and financing behavior and the determinants of financial structure. The sample of firms comes from the period of $1996{\sim}2004$, and the number of firms is 32,003. The major findings are as follows. First, in contrast with previous studies using US firms as sample, Korean firms have been using debt financing as their major financing instrument. Especially, the firms in the fund deficit situation relies much more on $long{\sim}term$ and $short{\sim}term$ debts rather than on equity issues. Second, as is the case with previous studies using US firms sample indicates, the financing deficit variable can not explain perfectly the net debt issue. However, compared with net equity issue variable, net debt issue variable is more closely related to the financing deficit variable. Third, when financing deficit variable is added to the current list of explanatory variables of financial structure determinants model, it has a significant and positive explanatory power. In addition, the coefficients of determinants are much improved. Thus, it is concluded that although pecking order theory is not perfect, it appears to be more useful compared to static tradeoff theory, at least in explaining the recent financing behavior of Korean manufacturing firms.