• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2024

The present research delves into the analysis of nonlinear free and forced vibrations of porous functionally graded (FG) shallow shells reinforced with oblique stiffeners, which are embedded in a nonlinear elastic foundation (NEF) subjected to external excitation. Two distinct types of PFG shallow shells, characterized by even and uneven porosity distribution along the thickness direction, are considered in the research. In order to model the stiffeners, Lekhnitskii's smeared stiffeners technique is implemented. With the stress function and first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), the nonlinear model of the oblique stiffened shallow shells is established. The strain-displacement relationships for the system are derived via the FSDT and utilization of the von-Kármán's geometric assumptions. To discretize the nonlinear governing equations, the Galerkin method is employed. The model such developed allows analysis of the effects of the stiffeners with various angles as desired, in addition to the quantitative investigation on the influence of the surrounding nonlinear elastic foundations. To numerically solve the problem of vibrations, the 4th-order P-T method is used, as this method, known for its enhanced accuracy and reliability, proves to be an effective choice. The validation of the present research findings includes a comprehensive comparison with outcomes documented in existing literature. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the numerical results against those obtained using the 4th Runge-Kutta method is performed. The impact of stiffeners with varying angles and material parameters on the vibration characteristics of the present system is also explored. The researchers and engineers working in this field may use the results of this study as benchmarks in their design and research for the considered shell systems.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 2024

Wood has different properties depending on the species or growth area. Therefore, in order to use wood efficiently, it is necessary to have a proper understanding of the characteristics of wood depending on the species and the appropriate use for them. In particular, in order to effectively use more than 1,000 species of woody plants in South Korea as wood, it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of various Korean domestic woods and make a database of them. In this study, the anatomical properties (length and width of tracheid, cell wall thickness), physical properties (specific gravity and shrinkage), mechanical properties (bending strength, compressive strength, tensile strength, shear strength, hardness), and chemical composition (ash, extract, lignin, total sugar content) of Korean red pine which was grown in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea were evaluated.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.73-91
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• 2024

This paper has focused on presenting vibration analysis of trapezoidal sandwich plates with a damaged core and FG wavy CNT-reinforced face sheets. A damage model is introduced to provide an analytical description of an irreversible rheological process that causes the decay of the mechanical properties, in terms of engineering constants. An isotropic damage is considered for the core of the sandwich structure. The classical theory concerning the mechanical efficiency of a matrix embedding finite length fibers has been modified by introducing the tube-to-tube random contact, which explicitly accounts for the progressive reduction of the tubes' effective aspect ratio as the filler content increases. The First-order shear deformation theory of plate is utilized to establish governing partial differential equations and boundary conditions for the trapezoidal plate. The governing equations together with related boundary conditions are discretized using a mapping-generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method in spatial domain. Then natural frequencies of the trapezoidal sandwich plates are obtained using GDQ method. Validity of the current study is evaluated by comparing its numerical results with those available in the literature. After demonstrating the convergence and accuracy of the method, different parametric studies for laminated trapezoidal structure including carbon nanotubes waviness (0≤w≤1), CNT aspect ratio (0≤AR≤4000), face sheet to core thickness ratio (0.1 ≤ ${\frac{h_f}{h_c}}$ ≤ 0.5), trapezoidal side angles (30° ≤ α, β ≤ 90°) and damaged parameter (0 ≤ D < 1) are carried out. It is explicated that the damaged core and weight fraction, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) waviness and CNT aspect ratio can significantly affect the vibrational behavior of the sandwich structure. Results show that by increasing the values of waviness index (w), normalized natural frequency of the structure decreases, and the straight CNT (w=0) gives the highest frequency. For an overall comprehension on vibration of laminated trapezoidal plates, some selected vibration mode shapes were graphically represented in this study.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2024

Objectives This study aims to comprehensively review research utilizing ultrasonography for assessing manipulative treatment on spinal diseases, with the goal of promoting the wider integration of ultrasound imaging into clinical practice. Methods A systematic search was conducted on three international databases (Embase, PubMed, Cochrane) up to July 23, 2023. The search included key terms such as ultrasonography, manipulation, and skeletal muscle. The inclusion criteria narrowed down the selection to studies specifically related to lumbar and cervical vertebrae. Results Eleven studies were included in the review, with 10 focusing on lumbar vertebrae and one on cervical vertebrae, all employing spinal manipulation treatment. Among the 11 selected studies, nine primarily focused on ultrasound imaging to measure muscle thickness, while two utilized shear wave elastography to assess muscle stiffness. Also, rigorous measures were taken to ensure the reliability of the ultrasonography data. Conclusions This scoping review highlights the limited but growing evidence supporting the use of ultrasonography to assess manipulative treatment for spinal diseases. Despite a scarcity of studies in South Korea, it is crucial to recognize the potential of ultrasonography in becoming a widely used and practical tool for evaluating the effectiveness of manipulative treatments in the near future.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.5
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• pp.437-452
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• 2024

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) have gained substantial attention from researchers due to their exceptional strength and thermal resistance. Their utilization in the aviation and automobile industries has significantly improved the efficiency of various structural components. Moreover, stiffened panels find wide applications in aerospace and automobile structures and these panels are frequently exposed to extreme environments. It is from this perspective that our research is focused on analysing the vibroacoustic response of stiffened functionally graded panels subjected to external dynamic excitations in a thermal environment. In the present research work, a finite element model is developed to conduct the dynamic analysis of functionally graded stiffened panels using the first-order shear deformation theory. Subsequently, a boundary element based model is also developed and coupled with the finite element model to investigate the sound radiation behaviour of those panels in a thermal environment. The material properties of FG stiffened panels are considered as temperature dependent, while the thermal environment is assumed to be acting as linearly varying through the panel's thickness. The present investigation aim to compare the vibroacoustic responses of different panels due to stiffener orientations, material compositions, power law indices and plate thicknesses at various temperatures. The research findings highlight the significant impact of addition of stiffeners, its orientation and material compositions on the sound radiation characteristics of these panels under thermal environments. The present numerical model can easily be employed for analysing the sound radiation behaviour of other types of flat or curved stiffened panels having arbitrary geometry and boundary conditions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.165-182
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• 2024

Grouted sleeve splice (GSS) is an effective type of connection applied in the precast concrete structures as it has the advantages of rapidly assembly and reliable strength. To decrease the weight and cost of vertical rebar connection in precast shear walls, a light-weight sleeve is designed according to the thick-cylinder theory. Mechanical behaviour of the light-weighted GSS is investigated through experimental analysis. Two failure modes, such as rebar fracture failure and rebar pull-out failure, are found. The load-displacement curves exhibit four different stages: elastic stage, yield stage, strengthening stage, and necking stage. The bond strength between the rebar and the grout increases gradually from outer position to inner position of the sleeve, and it reaches the maximum value at the centre of the anchorage length. A finite element model predicting the mechanical properties of the light-weighted GSS is developed based on the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model and the Brittle Cracking (BC) model. The effect of the rebar anchorage length is significant, while the increase of the thickness of sleeve and the grout strength are not very effective. A model for estimating ultimate load, including factors of inner diameter of sleeves, anchorage length, and rebar diameter, is proposed. The proposed model shows good agreement with various test data.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.91 no.6
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• pp.551-565
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• 2024

This study presents a methodical investigation into improving structural designs through the analytical examination of the dynamic behavior of functionally graded plates (FGPs) resting on viscoelastic foundations. By employing a four variable first-order shear deformation theory, the study computes non-dimensional frequencies for a variety of porous FGPs with diverse graded patterns and porosity distributions. Different gradient patterns of the plates are considered, and three distinct functions-sigmoid (S-FGM), exponential (E-FGM), and power-law (P-FGM)-are utilized to assess material performance in specific directions. The equations of motion are derived and solved using both Navier's method and Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions for vibration frequency are provided to validate the proposed methodology against existing literature. Furthermore, a comprehensive parametric analysis is conducted, taking into account various factors such as ceramic material, porosity distribution, gradient index, length-to-thickness ratio, gradient pattern, and damping coefficient. The findings suggest that enhancing the damping coefficient of the viscoelastic foundation can significantly improve the free-vibrational response of functionally graded material plates.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2024.07a
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• pp.85-92
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• 2024

Reinforced concrete modular integrated construction (MiC) has been widely used in Hong Kong nowadays, but the solutions for temporary tying of the side walls during the construction of the composite wall have still shortcomings. Based on a MiC project in Hong Kong, this paper proposes a new inner tie system for composite wall. The system components are installed on the side walls of precast modules without penetrating through the side walls. After the loop is rotated to contact the hook, the tying effect can be generated when the concrete is poured on site between the middle gap of two modules. This system replaces tie bolts penetrating through precast side walls, so that the modules' interior fitting-out can be fully completed in factory and the on-site construction has no adverse effects on the internal decoration. This paper mainly describes the mechanism of the system, FEA simulation and optimization of the member size, as well as tensile and punching shear tests to verify the reliability, safety and to get more information about failure mode of the system. The system will be further examined by assembling 1:1 mockup modules, and finally applied to a real MiC project soon. The system can also act as permanent tie bars for the composite wall to reduce the total wall thickness, save the structural cost and increase the usable area. Compared with other existing tying methods in the industry, the system is easy to install, reliable to take loads, adaptable to large construction errors, and has the potential to be widely used in future practical projects.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.369-383
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• 2024

Annular nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) in intelligent prosthetic hands enhance precision by serving as highly sensitive sensors for detecting pressure, vibrations, and deformations. This improves feedback and control, enabling users to modulate grip strength and tactile interaction with objects more effectively, enhancing prosthetic functionality. This research focuses on the electro-thermal buckling behavior of multi-directional poroelastic annular NEMS used as temperature sensors in airplanes. In the present study, thermal buckling performance of nano-scale annular functionally graded plate structures integrated with piezoelectric layers under electrical and extreme thermal loadings is investigated. In this regard, piezoelectric layers are placed on a disk made of metal matrix composite with graded properties in three radials, thickness and circumferential directions. The grading properties obey the power-law distribution. The whole structure is embedded in thermal environment. To model the mechanical behavior of the structure, a novel four-variable refined quasi-3D sinusoidal shear deformation theory (RQ-3DSSDT) is engaged in obtaining displacement field in the whole structure. The validity of the results is examined by comparing to a similar problem published in literature. The results of the buckling behavior of the structure in different boundary conditions are presented based on the critical temperature rise and critical external voltage. It is demonstrated that increase in the nonlocal and gradient length scale factor have contradicting effects on the critical temperature rise. On the other hand, increase in the applied external voltage cause increase in the critical temperature. Effects of other parameters like geometrical parameters and grading indices are presented and discussed in details.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.385-399
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• 2024

NEMS (Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices play a significant role in the advancement of prosthetic hands due to their unique properties at the nanoscale. Their integration enhances the functionality, sensitivity, and performance of prosthetic limbs. Understanding the electro-thermal buckling behavior of such structures is crucial since they may be subjected to extreme heat. So, in this paper, the two-dimensional hyperbolic differential quadrature method (2D-HDQM) integrated with a four-variable refined quasi-3D tangential shear deformation theory (RQ-3DTSDT) in view of the trace of thickness stretching is extended to study electro-thermal buckling response of three-directional poroelastic FG (3D-PFG) circular sector nanoplate patched with piezoelectric layer. Aimed at discovering the real governing equations, coupled equations with the aid of compatibility conditions are employed. Regarding modeling the size-impacts, nonlocal refined logarithmic strain gradient theory (NRLSGT) with two variables called nonlocal and length scale factors is examined. Numerical experimentation and comparison are used to indicate the precision and proficiency related to the created procedure. After obtaining the outputs of the mathematics, an appropriate dataset is used for testing, training and validating of the artificial intelligence. In the results section will be discussed the trace associated with multiple geometrical and physical factors on the electro-thermal buckling performance of the current nanostructure. These findings are essential for the design and optimization of NEMS applications in various fields, including sensing, actuation, and electronics, where thermal stability is paramount. The study's insights contribute to the development of more reliable and efficient NEMS devices, ensuring their robust performance under varying thermal conditions.