• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2016

Lightweight geopolymers are more readily produced and give higher fire resistant performance than foam cement concrete. Lowering the density of solid geopolymers can be achieved by inducing chemical reactions that entrain gases to foam the geopolymer structure. This paper reports on the effects of adding different concentrations of aluminum powder on the properties of cellular structured geopolymers. The apparent density of lightweight geopolymers has a range from 0.7 to $1.2g/m^3$ with 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10 wt% of a foaming agent concentration, which corresponds to about 37~60 % of the apparent density, $1.96g/cm^3$, of solid geopolymers. The compressive strength of cellular structured geopolymers decreased to 6~18 % of the compressive strength, 45 MPa of solid geopolymers. The microstructure of geopolymers gel was equivalent for both solid and cellular structured geopolymers. The workability of geopolymers with polyprophylene fibers needs to be improved as in fiber-reinforced cement concrete. The lightweight geopolymers could be used as indoor wall tile or board due to fire resistance and incombustibility of geopolymers.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.75-86
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• 2012

In this study, eco-friendly hybrid composite boards were manufactured from green tea, 3 kinds of charcoals and wood fiber for developing interior materials to reinforce the strength performances and the functionalities in addition to performances of the hybrid composite boards composed of green tea and wood fiber. The effects for the kind and the component ratio of raw materials on dynamic MOE (modulus of elasticity) were investigated, and static bending strength performances were nondestructively estimated. Dynamic MOEs were highest in the hybrid composite boards composed of green tea, fine charcoal and wood fiber on the whole. However, the difference caused by the kind of charcoals was small. These values decreased with increasing component ratios of green tea and charcoals. The hybrid composite boards using $E_1$ grade urea resin had the higher values than those using $E_0$ grade urea resin, however the difference between them markedly decreased than that of hybrid composite board composed of green tea and wood fiber, and it was found that these values were markedly improved than those of the hybrid composite boards composed of green tea and wood fiber. There were mostly high correlations with significance at 1% level between dynamic MOEs and static bending strength performances, and this means that the static bending strength performances can be estimated from dynamic MOE.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.188-197
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• 2020

Termites play an important role as decomposers of the forest ecosystem, while simultaneously causing enormous damage to wooden structures. Currently, two species of subterranean termites have been reported in Korea, and termite damage to historical wooden buildings is occurring nationwide due to climate change, forest fertility, and the locational characteristics of historical wooden buildings. Subterranean termites make their nests underground or inside timber. Termites move underground and access wooden structures through the lower parts of the buildings, adjacent to the ground. Once termites attack the wooden structures, it not only spoils the authenticity of cultural heritage structure, but also hampers structural stability due to the decrease in the strength of the material. Therefore, it is important to prevent termite damage before it occurs. Chemical treatments are mainly used in Korea to control and prevent the damage. In foreign countries, physical barriers are also used to prevent entry to wooden buildings, along with chemical treatments. Physical barriers involve installing nets or particles that termites cannot pass through in the lower part of the building, around the pipes, and between the edges of the building or exterior walls and interior materials. Advantages of a physical barrier are that it is an eco-friendly method, maintains long-term effect after installation, and does not require the use of chemical treatments. Prior to applying physical barriers, studies into the characteristics of termite species must be undertaken. In this study, we evaluated the minimum passage size that each caste of Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis can move through. We found that workers, soldiers, and secondary reproductive termites were able to pass through diameters of 0.7mm, 0.9mm, and 1.1mm respectively. Head height of termites was an important factor in determining the minimum passing size. Results from the current study will be used as a basis to design the mesh size for physical barriers to prevent damage by termites in historical wooden buildings in Korea.