• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.2444-2451
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• 2024

This work demonstrates a new sol-gel approach for synthesizing PbO₂-doped zirconia using zircon mineral precursors. The streamlined methodology enables straightforward fabrication of the doped zirconia composites. Comprehensive materials characterization was performed using XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques to analyze the crystal structure, microstructure, and morphology. Quantitative analysis of the XRD data provided insights into the nanoscale crystallite sizes achieved, along with their relationship to lattice imperfections. Furthermore, the gamma-ray shielding capacity for the PbO₂-doped zirconia samples was estimated by the Monte Carlo simulation, which proves an increase in the gamma ray shielding properties by raising the Pb concentration. The linear attenuation coefficient increased between 0.467 and 0.499 cm^-1 (at 0.662 MeV) by increasing the Pb content between 11 and 21 wt%. By increasing the Pb content to 21 wt%, the synthesized composites' lead equivalent thickness reaches 2.49 cm. The radiation shielding properties for the synthesized composites revealed a remarkable performance against low and intermediate γ-ray photons, with radiation shielding capacity of 37.3 % and 21.4 % at 0.662 MeV and 2.506 MeV, respectively. As a result, the developed composites can be employed as an alternative shielding material in hospitals and radioactive zones.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.545-552
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• 2017

Ground subsidence can result in the formation of sinkholes, potholes, settlement of structures, and road subsidence. Road subsidence is described as the sudden collapse of the road surface into subsurface cavities caused by the loss of bearing capacity in the ground, such as the dissolution of limestone by fluid flow in the surface causing the formation of voids leading to subsidence at the surface. Road subsidence occurs about 665 times annually, and this incidence has been increasing until 2013. Damaged underground facilities, management negligence, and lowering of the ground water table have been the causes of road subsidence in Seoul. Seoul metropolitan government announced special management counter plans to relieve the anxieties and make the roads safe for passing. Construction sites, such as excavation works, need to be managed properly because they have strong potential to induce road subsidence. The aim of this study was to identify the main causes of road subsidence and suggest management plans. First, life cycle cost analysis revealed the daytime construction to be more appropriate than nighttime. In addition, by analyzing the limitations of using sand as a backfill material, it is proposed to use a flowable backfill material instead of sand. Finally, to reduce the blind spots, which is a problem in surveying the road pavement conditions of local governments, the road to be managed is divided into several zones, and a specialized agency is selected for each zone and a method of surveying the blind spots through collaboration is suggested.