• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.337-362
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• 2015

This paper presents a feasibility study on structural damage alarming and localization of long-span cable-supported bridges using multi-novelty indices formulated by monitoring-derived modal parameters. The proposed method which requires neither structural model nor damage model is applicable to structures of arbitrary complexity. With the intention to enhance the tolerance to measurement noise/uncertainty and the sensitivity to structural damage, an improved novelty index is formulated in terms of auto-associative neural networks (ANNs) where the output vector is designated to differ from the input vector while the training of the ANNs needs only the measured modal properties of the intact structure under in-service conditions. After validating the enhanced capability of the improved novelty index for structural damage alarming over the commonly configured novelty index, the performance of the improved novelty index for damage occurrence detection of large-scale bridges is examined through numerical simulation studies of the suspension Tsing Ma Bridge (TMB) and the cable-stayed Ting Kau Bridge (TKB) incurred with different types of structural damage. Then the improved novelty index is extended to formulate multi-novelty indices in terms of the measured modal frequencies and incomplete modeshape components for damage region identification. The capability of the formulated multi-novelty indices for damage region identification is also examined through numerical simulations of the TMB and TKB.

• Journal of the Korean Physical Society
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• v.73 no.10
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• pp.1589-1595
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• 2018

Similarity index measures the topological proximity of node pairs in a complex network. Numerous similarity indices have been defined and investigated, but the dependency of structure on the performance of similarity indices has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the performance of similarity indices and structural properties of a network by employing a two-state random network. A node in a two-state network has binary types that are initially given, and a connection probability is determined from the state of the node pair. The performances of similarity indices are affected by the number of links and the ratio of intra-connections to inter-connections. Similarity indices have different characteristics depending on their type. Local indices perform well in small-size networks and do not depend on whether the structure is intra-dominant or inter-dominant. In contrast, global indices perform better in large-size networks, and some such indices do not perform well in an inter-dominant structure. We also found that link prediction performance and the performance of similarity are correlated in both model networks and empirical networks. This relationship implies that link prediction performance can be used as an approximation for the performance of the similarity index when information about node type is unavailable. This relationship may help to find the appropriate index for given networks.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.74-84
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• 2004

In this paper, a theoretical method was derived to redesign carbody members by substituting light-weight materials, and to estimate their structural characteristics. Some performance indices to estimate structural behaviors were derived in order to obtain equivalent designs in case of material substitutions under important design constraints of rolling stock, such as bending stiffness, natural frequency, bending and buckling strength. Validity of the theoretical method was evaluated by comparing its results with finite element results in some examples where the aluminium alloy was substituted for the structural steel. The numerical results of the examples show that the proposed method gives reasonable initial guesses for the material substitution designs.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.329-344
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• 2021

The use of structural control devices to minimize structural response to seismic/dynamic excitations has attracted increased attention in recent years. The use of magnetorheological (MR) dampers as a control device have captured the attention of researchers in this field due to its flexibility, adaptability, easy control, and low power requirement compared to other control devices. However, little attention has been paid to the effect of configuration and number of dampers installed in a structure on responses reduction. This study assesses the control of a five-story structure using one and two MR dampers at different stories to determine the optimal damper positions and configurations based on performance indices. This paper also addresses the fail-safe current value to be applied to the MR damper at each floor in the event of feedback or control failure. The model is mathematically simulated in SIMULINK/MATLAB environment. Linear control strategies for current at 0 A, 0.5 A, 1 A, 1.5 A, 2 A, and 2.5 A are implemented for MR dampers, and the response of the structure to these control strategies for different configurations of dampers is compared with the uncontrolled structure. Based on the performance indices, it was concluded that the dampers should be positioned starting from the ground floor, then the 2^nd floor followed by 1^st and rest of the floors sequentially. The failsafe value of current for MR dampers located in lower floors (G+1) should be kept at a higher value compared to dampers at top floors for effective passive control of multi-story structures.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.591-595
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• 2010

Conventional methods of model evaluation usually rely only on model performance based on a comparison of simulated variables to corresponding observations. However, this type of model evaluation has been criticized because of its insufficient consideration of the various uncertainty sources involved in modeling processes. This study aims to propose an extended model evaluation method using multiple assesment indices (MAIs) that consider not only the model performance but also the model structure and parameter uncertainties in rainfall-runoff modeling. A simple reservoir model (SFM) and distributed kinematic wave models (KWMSS1 and KWMSS2 using topography from 250m, 500m, and 1km digital elevation models) were developed and assessed by three MAIs for model performance, model structural stability, and parameter identifiability. All the models provided acceptable performance in terms of a global response, but the simpler SFM and KWMSS1 could not accurately represent the local behaviors of hydrographs. In addition, SFM and KWMSS1 were structurally unstable; their performance was sensitive to the applied objective functions. On the other hand, the most sophisticated model, KWMSS2, performed well, satisfying both global and local behaviors. KMSS2 also showed good structural stability, reproducing hydrographs regardless of the applied objective functions; however, superior parameter identifiability was not guaranteed. Numerous parameter sets could lead to indistinguishable hydrographs. This result supports that while making a model complex increases its performance accuracy and reduces its structural uncertainty, the model is likely to suffer from parameter uncertainty. The proposed model evaluation process can provide an effective guideline for identifying a reliable hydrologic model.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2017

Purpose - Market orientation is a key factor for business performance in today's fluctuating conditions. This study investigates whether the employment of innovation can improve the innovative capability and increase the performance by gaining competitive advantages or not. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of market orientation on the performance of small and medium size distributer enterprises (SMDEs) in Iran. Research design, data, and methodology - Customer orientation, Competitor orientation, and Inter-functional coordination have been regarded as market orientation indices to determine the effects of these indices on marketing innovation, gaining competitive advantages, and companies' performance as well. Data were collected from managers and experts in SMDEs in Iran. The structural equations modeling are used for analysis. Results - The results indicated that marketing innovation has been improved in competitive companies that enjoyed a high level of Inter-functional coordination among the various units. Besides, marketing innovation resulted in gaining competitive advantages regarding cost management, concentration, and differentiation in these companies. In addition, it was observed that SMDEs that obtain competitive advantages are equipped to reap superior performance. Conclusions - With cost management, differentiation and concentration are more likely to enhance the enterprise efficiency and effectiveness than other companies. Additionally, competitiveness, inter-functional coordination, and marketing innovation in SMDEs have a positive impact on marketing innovation.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2005

Information technology(IT) investment evaluation requires measurements from many perspectives. Except for the case of financial performance, these measurements mostly belong to the qualitative or intangible domain. The problem with IT investment evaluation lies in the fact that it is very difficult to define the qualitative properties against which to measure the performances. This paper addresses the issue of developing the set of performance indices, and defining the structural relationships between them, such that the IT investment evaluation can be done in a systematic, objective and comprehensive manner. We introduce the balanced scorecard strategy map as the backbone reference frame for the generation of performance indices and for the description of the relationships between them. Sample indices for evaluating projects from strategic perspectives are provided with a case example. A step by step follow through of the index generation process has been presented along with the case.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.229-244
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• 2015

H-infinity norm relates to the maximum in the frequency response function and H-infinity control method focuses on the case that the vibration is excited at the fundamental frequency, while 2-norm relates to the output energy of systems with the input of pulses or white noises and 2-norm control method weighs the overall vibration performance of systems. The trade-off between the performance in frequency-domain and that in time-domain may be achieved by integrating two indices in the mixed vibration control method. Based on the linear fractional state space representation in the modal space for a piezoelectric flexible structure with uncertain modal parameters and un-modeled residual high-frequency modes, a mixed dynamic output feedback control design method is proposed to suppress the structural vibration. Using the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, the initial populations are generated by the designing of robust control laws with different H-infinity performance indices before the robust 2-norm performance index of the closed-loop system is included in the fitness function of optimization. A flexible beam structure with a piezoelectric sensor and a piezoelectric actuator are used as the subject for numerical studies. Compared with the velocity feedback control method, the numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.307-326
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• 2010

This paper is concerned with the optimal seismic design of added viscous dampers in yielding plane frames. The total added damping is minimized for allowable values of local performance indices under the excitation of an ensemble of ground motions in both regular and irregular structures. The local performance indices are taken as the maximal inter-story drift of each story and/or the normalized hysteretic energy dissipated at each of the plastic hinges. Gradients of the constraints with respect to the design variables (damping coefficients) are derived, via optimal control theory, to enable an efficient first order optimization scheme to be used for the solution of the problem. An example of a ten story three bay frame is presented. This example reveals the following 'fully stressed characteristics' of the optimal solution: damping is assigned only to stories for which the local performance index has reached the allowable value. This may enable the application of efficient and practical analysis/redesign type methods for the optimal design of viscous dampers in yielding plane frames.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.225-237
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• 2012

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the flexural behavior of square hollow steel section (HSS) beams subjected to pure bending. Totally six unfilled and nine ultra high performance concrete (UHPC)-filled HSS beams were tested under four-point bending until failure. The effects of the steel tube thickness, the yield strength of the steel tube and the strength of concrete on moment capacity, curvature, and ductility of UHPC-filled HSS beams were examined. The performance indices named relative ductility index (RDI) and strength increasing factor (SIF) were investigated with regard to different height-to-thickness ratio of the specimens. The flexural strengths obtained from the tests were compared with the values predicted by Eurocode 4, AISC-LRFD and CIDECT design codes. The results showed that the increase in the moment capacity and the corresponding curvature is much greater for thinner HSS beams than thicker ones. Eurocode 4 and AISC-LRFD predict the ultimate moment capacity of the all UHPC-filled HSS beams conservatively.