• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.259-276
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• 2024

The undrained shear strength is widely acknowledged as a fundamental mechanical property of soil and is considered a critical engineering parameter. In recent years, researchers have employed various methodologies to evaluate the shear strength of soil under undrained conditions. These methods encompass both numerical analyses and empirical techniques, such as the cone penetration test (CPT), to gain insights into the properties and behavior of soil. However, several of these methods rely on correlation assumptions, which can lead to inconsistent accuracy and precision. The study involved the development of innovative methods using extreme gradient boosting (XGB) to predict the pile set-up component "A" based on two distinct data sets. The first data set includes average modified cone point bearing capacity (q_t), average wall friction (f_s), and effective vertical stress (σ_vo), while the second data set comprises plasticity index (PI), soil undrained shear cohesion (S_u), and the over consolidation ratio (OCR). These data sets were utilized to develop XGBoost-based methods for predicting the pile set-up component "A". To optimize the internal hyperparameters of the XGBoost model, four optimization algorithms were employed: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Social Spider Optimization (SSO), Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA), and Sine Cosine Optimization Algorithm (SCOA). The results from the first data set indicate that the XGBoost model optimized using the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (XGB - AOA) achieved the highest accuracy, with R2 values of 0.9962 for the training part and 0.9807 for the testing part. The performance of the developed models was further evaluated using the RMSE, MAE, and VAF indices. The results revealed that the XGBoost model optimized using XGBoost - AOA outperformed other models in terms of accuracy, with RMSE, MAE, and VAF values of 0.0078, 0.0015, and 99.6189 for the training part and 0.0141, 0.0112, and 98.0394 for the testing part, respectively. These findings suggest that XGBoost - AOA is the most accurate model for predicting the pile set-up component.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.247-260
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• 2014

Rock masses at the site for the $2^{nd}$ step construction of the KAERI Underground Research Tunnel (KURT) are divided into six units to establish a rock mechanics model that is dependent on the geological characteristics and degree of joint development. The site primarily consists of three granitic units (G1, G2, and G3), two dykes (D1 and D3), and a fault zone of poor rock mass quality (F3). The F3 unit crosses the tunnel at the beginning of the site of $2^{nd}$ step construction. The rock masses of each unit are classified by RMR (Rock Mass Rating), Q-system, and RMi (Rock Mass Index), all based on borehole logging data. The deformation modulus, rock mass strength, cohesion, and friction angle for each unit are calculated using established empirical relationships. The representative rock mass classification and geotechnical parameters for the rock mass units are established, and a rock mechanics model for the site is proposed, which will be useful in the design and stability analysis of the $2^{nd}$ step construction of KURT.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.199-210
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• 2004

In this study, the physical and mechanical properties of the weathered shale soils distributed in the Hwasun area have been measured in the laboratory. The physical and mechanical properties of the weathered shale soils in the study area as follows: the specific gravity is 2.66 to 2.68, the liquid limit is 36.39 to 36.92(%), the plastic limit is 18.53 to 19.48(%), the plasticity index is 17.44 to 17.86 and soil classification is CL. The maximum dry unit weight and optimum moisture content as calculated by compaction test is 22.5 to 23% and 1.58 to $1.61t/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. The result of direct shear testing show that cohesion in saturated and unsaturated conditions increases according to the increase of dry unit weight. Internal friction angle in an unsaturated condition increases with an increase of dry unit weight, but in a saturated condition, it increases after decreasing. When compares with engineering characteristics of tile weathered shale soils in the Daegu area (Kim et al., 1995), specific gravity is found to be similar, but the liquid and plastic limit of soil samples in this study area is slightly higher than those of soil samples in the Daegu area.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Bentonite has been generally used as vertical cutoff barrier material and reported to have several problems regarding its low workability, drying shrinkage cracking by particle cohesion, and ineffective waterproof ability under sea water condition. In this study, the particle sealant, the furnace slag coated by the mixture of bentonite, sepiolite and guargum, was developed to compensate these weak points and the hydraulic conductivity of the particle sealant was evaluated. Drying shrinkage cracking and swelling index was estimated to find the optimal mixing ratio of bentonite, sepiolite and guargum. The hydraulic conductivity of the particle sealants having different amount of sealant (bentonite-sepioliteguargum mixture) coating the furnace slag was estimated using the rigid wall permeameter and flexible wall permeameter. The results showed that drying shrinkage cracking was not found in the bentonite-sepiolite mixture with 20% sepiolite contents and the results from free swelling tests for the sealant having 1 : 0.025, 1 : 0.05 and 1 : 0.075 of weight ratios of bentonite-sepiolite mixture and guargum under simulated sea water condition were higher than those for the bentonitesepiolite mixture without guargum under tap water condition. These three sealants were coated on the furnace slag with 50% and 60% of sealant in the particle sealant and the hydraulic conductivity was estimated. In the cases of the particle sealants having 20% sepiolite in the bentonite-sepiolite mixture and 1 : 0.075 weight ratio of the bentonite-sepiolite mixture and guargum, the hydraulic conductivity from the rigid wall permeameter was below $1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ cm/sec under simulated sea water condition. The hydraulic conductivity of the particle sealant having $1.0{\times}10^{-6}$~$1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ cm/sec by the rigid wall permeameter was estimated using the flexible wall permeameter and found to be below $1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ cm/sec.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.1 s.50
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• pp.125-133
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• 2007

The environmental and geotechnical properties are investigated to the 8th landfill area made of only sewage sludge in Nanji-Do. To do this, the soils are sampled in this area, and leaching tests, heavy metal content tests, and so on are performed to research the environmental properties. As the result of heavy metal content tests, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Cr were leached from the sewage sludge. Because the leaching concentration of Cu is more than the standard value of California state, Cu content have to bring down during the recycling of the sewage sludge. Meanwhile, a series of tests concerning specific gravity, liquid and plastic limits, compaction, permeability and shear strength is performed to research the geotechnical properties. The sewage sludge is consisted of sand, silt and clay, and is classified into non-organic silt or organic clay with 42.3% of plastic index. As the result of compaction test, it is expected that the compaction effect according to variation of water contents is low relatively because the dry unit weight is low and the curve of compaction forms flatness. Also, as the result of direct shear tests, the cohesion is $0.058kg/cm^2$, and the internal friction angle is $14^{\circ}$. Taking everything into consideration, the various problems are happening in case of recycling the sludge like the cover layer of landfill and so on because the compaction is bad, and the shear strength is low. Also, it is expected that the ground water pollution caused by leaching the heavy metal into the sludge. To do recycling the sewage sludge in this site, supplementary and treatment programs should be prepared.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1389-1395
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• 2009

Generally, it takes a long time to purify wood vinegar, and it contains toxic compounds such as tar, methanol, phenol and benzopyrene. To reduce the toxicity of wood vinegar itself, we have developed a new purification method of wood vinegar using an oxidation-cohesion reaction and distillation with an active carbon. We have investigated the physico-chemical change (pH, specific gravity, refractive index and dissolved tar), the change of amount of toxic compounds (carbonyl group, phenol, benzopyrene and residual solvents) and organic acids (formic acid (FA), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA)) of the purified wood vinegar under the long term and accelerated storage conditions. Also, we have evaluated the effect of the purified wood vinegar on hair growth using an alopecia model of C57BL/6 mice. As a result, we could find out that the purified wood vinegar was stable and remained without decay under the storage conditions and benzopyrene, a carcinogenic agent, was not detected in the purified wood vinegar. After topical treatment of the purified wood vinegar solution or minoxidil (MXD) for 2 weeks to dorsal skin, the hair regrowth of the mice accelerated faster than that of the control, with no clinical signs. In conclusion, we could suggest a guideline for quality control of process to reduce the toxic compounds in wood vinegar and it might be a useful hair growth promoter in the treatment of baldness or alopecia.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.244-248
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• 2013

"Hwaseong 5ho" was developed by the method of Di-mon mating between monokaryotic strains derived from "Hwaseong 1ho" and dikaryotic strain "PSC109". The color of pileus was dark grayish brown, the shape of pileus was convex or infundibuliform. The length of stipe was longer and the thickness of stipe was some thinner than Suhan 1ho. Material properties of stipe of "Hwaseong 5ho" was higher in strength, hardness, chewingness and brittleness than Suhan 1ho, but similar in elasticity and cohesion. RAPD using URP-primer showed not the same between two strains. Days of primordia formation period were 22-27 days after spawning, that was a little later than Suhan 1ho. In the trial using culture box containing composted cotton waste, yield index of 'Hwaseong 5ho' was 16.6% higher than Suhan 1ho. The farm field trial were showed stable productivity in each different growing conditions.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.53-58
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• 2015

Engineers should take great care of characterizing the engineering properties of mudrock, because the uncemented mudrock can be considered as a hard rock in appearance. Therefore, the mudrock samples obtained from the cut slope in Gyeongki-do were tested to evaluate the strength characteristics of uncemented mudrock in this study. The performed tests are index properties, slake durability, and swelling tests for the classification of the mudrock for engineering practice. To evaluate the effect of water on the engineering properties of the uncemented mudrock, resonant column, triaxial compression and direct shear tests with various water contents were performed. With the increasing water contents, stiffness at very small to small strain region and the cohesion value of the strength parameters decrease. Based on the test results, engineers should take great care of evaluating the engineering properties of uncemented mudrock.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.19-25
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• 2009

The current study developed light-weighted mixed soil that can solve problems related with soft soil such as ground subsidence, sliding and lateral displacement of ground. By reducing weight of reclaimed soil through mixing phosphogypsum and recycled EPS beads with the weathered granite soil. A series of geotechnical laboratory tests including physical index test, compaction test, CBR test, and direct shear test were performed and engineering properties were reviewed in order to assess applicability of the light-weighted mixed soil for roads and abutment and various back-filling materials at the reclamation area. Based on the laboratory test results, it was found that the maximum dry unit weight of the light-weighted soil ranges $14.32{\sim}15.79kN/m^3$ and the optimum water content ranges 21.91~24.23%, which means there is 11~19.3% weight decrease effect when comparing with general weathered granite soil. Also it was found that the corrected CBR value ranges 10.4~18.4% satisfying the domestic regulations on road subgrade and back-filling material. In addition, as for shear strength parameter, cohesion ranges 10.79~18.64 kPa and internal frictional angle ranges $35.4{\sim}37.2^{\circ}$, which are similar with those of general construction soil and back-filling material used in Korea. So it can be concluded that light-weighted mixed soil with phosphogypsum can be used effectively for soft reclamation ground as actual filling material and back-filling material. From the current study, it was found that light-weighted mixed soil with phosphogypsum has not only weight reduction effect, but also has no special problems in shear strength and bearing capacity. Therefore, it is expected that phosphogypsum can be recycled in bulk as road subgrade and back-filling material at the reclamation area.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.427-438
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• 2023

We carried out a geological survey to classify the types of mass movement in Danyang Geopark (where various rock types are distributed) and analyzed the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of landslide materials using a series of laboratory tests. Debris flows occurred in areas of limestone/marble, shale, and porphyroblastic gneiss, and limestone/marble landslides were distinguished from the others through the presence of karren topography. Soil tests showed that soil derived from weathered gneiss, which has a higher proportion of coarse grains, has a higher friction angle, lower cohesion, and larger hydraulic conductivity than soils from areas of limestone/marble, and shale. Rock failure mass movements occurred in areas of phyllite, sandstone, and conglomerate and were subdivided into plane failure, block-fall, and boulder-fall types in areas of phyllite, sandstone, and conglomerate, respectively. The shear strength of phyllite is much lower than that of the other types of rock, which have similar rock quality. The slake durability index of the conglomerate is similar to that of the other rock types, which have similar degrees of weathering, but differential weathering of the matrix and clasts was clearly observed when comparing the samples before and after the test. This study can help establish appropriate reinforcement and disaster prevention measures, which depend on the type of mass movement expected given the geological characteristics of an area.