• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2010

In this study, the response surface method and experimental design were applied as an alternative to conventional methods for the optimization of coagulation tests. A central composite design, with 4 axial points, 4 factorial points and 5 replicates at the center point were used to build a model for predicting and optimizing the coagulation process. Mathematical model equations were derived by computer simulation programming with a least squares method using the Minitab 15 software. In these equations, the removal efficiencies of turbidity and total organic carbon (TOC) were expressed as second-order functions of two factors, such as alum dose and coagulation pH. Statistical checks (ANOVA table, $R^2$ and $R^2_{adj}$ value, model lack of fit test, and p value) indicated that the model was adequate for representing the experimental data. The p values showed that the quadratic effects of alum dose and coagulation pH were highly significant. In other words, these two factors had an important impact on the turbidity and TOC of treated water. To gain a better understanding of the two variables for optimal coagulation performance, the model was presented as both 3-D response surface and 2-D contour graphs. As a compromise for the simultaneously removal of maximum amounts of 92.5% turbidity and 39.5% TOC, the optimum conditions were found with 44 mg/L alum at pH 7.6. The predicted response from the model showed close agreement with the experimental data ($R^2$ values of 90.63% and 91.43% for turbidity removal and TOC removal, respectively), which demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach in achieving good predictions, while minimizing the number of experiments required.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2016

The reuse of spent coffee powder has been researched for environmental engineering applications such as adsorbents of organic/inorganic pollutants. In this study adsorption equilibrium tests and adsorption kinetics tests for the removal of aqueous organic pollutant (methylene blue) were conducted using spent coffee powder, granular activated carbon, and powdered activated carbon. It was found that the maximum adsorption capacity of three adsorbents followed the order of powdered activated carbon (178.6 mg/g) > spent coffee powder (60.6 mg/g) > granular activated carbon (15.6 mg/g). The results of adsorption kinetics tests also indicated that spent coffee powder had higher kinetic parameters than granular activated carbon for pseudo 1st and 2nd order kinetics. The high performance of spent coffee powder might be due to its porous surface like those of granular and powdered activated carbons and smaller particle size comparing with granular activated carbon.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.47-59
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• 2016

Rocking behavior of shallow foundation reduces the superstructure load during earthquake. However, because of deficiency of understanding of rocking mechanism and soil permanent deformation, it has not been applied to real construction. In this study, slow cyclic tests were conducted for embedded shallow foundations with various slenderness ratio via centrifuge tests. From the variation of earth pressure 'soil rounding surface' phenomenon which makes maximum overturning moment equal to ultimate moment capacity was observed. Rocking and sliding behavior mechanism was evaluated. Also, nonlinear behavior and energy dissipation increase as rotation angle increases. And ultimate moment capacity of embedded foundation is larger than that of surface foundation. Finally, adequate ultimate moment capacity can be suggested for seismic design through this study.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.899-905
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• 2008

Quality test for activated carbon(AC) filter used for drinking water purifier is now an obligatory test and the standard material for valid purifying amount in water purifier performance test has been changed from residual chlorine to chloroform according to the notice of Ministry of Environment in 2006. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the ingredients of AC filters by confirming chloroform removal rate of AC filter and conducting 4 adsorption tests (Iodine, methylene blue decolorization, phenol value, ADS value) for AC filters provided by manufacturers. With water pressure of $1kgf/cm^2$, 1,500 liters of prepared inflow went through to check chloroform removal rate. As a result, product with removal rate of below 60% from all products. On the other hand, 4 adsorption tests were conducted for filters in the market and filters from manufacturers. None of the products satisfied all 4 tests. In particular, they showed great shortage to the standard in phenol value and ADS value test. However, manufacturers' filter showed much better performance than filters in the market. Also, the result of valid purifying amount test for each of five products of appropriate product and inappropriate product based on filter quality test showed average 4,440 liters for appropriate product and average 2,620 liters for inappropriate product. According to the result, it is shown that the filter with good adsorption also had good chloroform removal efficiency and adsorption efficiency. Therefore, it is expected that customers can screen good quality product through obligatory conduct of filter quality test. However, it is considered that complementation in system is required for future inspection.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.14-27
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• 2006

The proper management of discarded electronic devices (often called electronic-waste) is an emerging issue for solid waste professionals throughout the world because of the large growth of the waste stream, and the content of toxic metals in them, most notably heavy metals such as lead. Notebook computers are becoming one of the major components of discarded computer devices and will continue to increase in the waste stream in the future. While the computers hold great promise for recycling, a substantial amount of this waste is often disposed in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) is commonly used to simulate worse case leaching conditions where a potentially hazardous waste is assumed to be disposed along with municipal solid waste in a landfill with actively decomposing materials overlying an aquifer. The objective of this study was to examine leaching potential of lead from discarded notebook computers using the scale-up TCLP, other standard leaching tests such as California waste extraction test (Cal WET), and the synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) and actual landfill leachates as leaching solution. The scale-up TCLP is a modified TCLP (where the device was disassembled and leached in or near entirety) to meet the intent of the TCLP. The results showed that the scale-up TCLP resulted in relatively high lead found in the leachate with an average of 23.3 mg/L. The average level was less than those by the standard TCLP and WET (37.0 mg/L and 86.0 mg/L, respectively), but much greater than those by the SPLP and the extractions with the landfill leachates (0.55 mg/L and 1.47 mg/L, respectively). The pH of the leaching solution and the ability of the organic acids in the TCLP and WET to complex with the lead were identified as major factors that controlled the amount of lead leached from notebook computers. Based on the results obtained by a number of leaching tests in this study, notebook computers may present a potential leaching risk to the environment and human health upon land disposal. However, further investigation is still needed to assess the true risk posed by the land disposal of discarded notebook computers.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.197-216
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• 2016

The increased speed of a train causes increased loads that act on the track substructures. To ensure the safety of the track substructures, proper maintenance and repair are necessary based on an accurate characterization of strength and stiffness. The objective of this study is to develop and apply a cone penetrometer incorporated with the dynamic cone penetration method (CPD) for investigating track substructures. The CPD consists of an outer rod for dynamic penetration in the ballast layer and an inner rod with load cells for static penetration in the subgrade. Additionally, an energy-monitoring module composed of strain gauges and an accelerometer is connected to the head of the outer rod to measure the dynamic responses during the dynamic penetration. Moreover, eight strain gauges are installed in the load cells for static penetration to measure the cone tip resistance and the friction resistance during static penetration. To investigate the applicability of the developed CPD, laboratory and field tests are performed. The results of the CPD tests, i.e., profiles of the corrected dynamic cone penetration index (CDI), profiles of the cone tip and friction resistances, and the friction ratio are obtained at high resolution. Moreover, the maximum shear modulus of the subgrade is estimated using the relationships between the static penetration resistances and the maximum shear modulus obtained from the laboratory tests. This study suggests that the CPD test may be a useful method for the characterization of track substructures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.3_4
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• pp.363-379
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• 2013

Dynamic displacement of structures is an important index for in-service structural condition and behavior assessment, but accurate measurement of structural displacement for large-scale civil structures such as long-span bridges still remains as a challenging task. In this paper, a vision-based dynamic displacement measurement system with the use of digital image processing technology is developed, which is featured by its distinctive characteristics in non-contact, long-distance, and high-precision structural displacement measurement. The hardware of this system is mainly composed of a high-resolution industrial CCD (charge-coupled-device) digital camera and an extended-range zoom lens. Through continuously tracing and identifying a target on the structure, the structural displacement is derived through cross-correlation analysis between the predefined pattern and the captured digital images with the aid of a pattern matching algorithm. To validate the developed system, MTS tests of sinusoidal motions under different vibration frequencies and amplitudes and shaking table tests with different excitations (the El-Centro earthquake wave and a sinusoidal motion) are carried out. Additionally, in-situ verification experiments are performed to measure the mid-span vertical displacement of the suspension Tsing Ma Bridge in the operational condition and the cable-stayed Stonecutters Bridge during loading tests. The obtained results show that the developed system exhibits an excellent capability in real-time measurement of structural displacement and can serve as a good complement to the traditional sensors.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2014

We describe a method for detecting slope instability in flume tests using pore pressure and water content data in conjunction with a statistical control chart analysis. Specifically, we conducted univariate statistical analysis on x-MR control chart data (pore pressure and water content) collected at several points along the flume slope, which we separated into three parts: upper, middle, and lower. To assess our results in the context of landslide forecasting and warning systems, we applied control limit lines at $1{\sigma}$, $2{\sigma}$, and $3{\sigma}$ levels of uncertainty. In doing so, we observed that dispersion time varies depending on the control limit line used. Moreover, the detection of instabilities is highly dependent on the position and type of sensor. Our findings indicate that different characteristics of the data on various factors predict slope failure differently and these characteristics can be identified by univariate statistical analysis. Therefore, we suggest that a univariate statistical approach is an effective method for the early detection of slope instability.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.175-183
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• 2010

Windows are widely used for natural ventilation of the various buildings. Especially high level windows as a part of industrial ventilation systems, play a crucial role in natural ventilation. Compared to mechanical ventilation system, natural ventilation has the advantage of lower installation and operating costs. In general, high level windows for industrial buildings have three types; louver type, 45$^{\circ}$ open type and 90$^{\circ}$ open type. Based on previous studies, it was found that the louver type and 45$^{\circ}$ open type are very effective in reducing rainwater penetration, but they did not have enough ventilation efficiencies. Preliminary tests were performed with the various types of windows. It was found that a 90$^{\circ}$ open double layer type window was the best among those which tested in our preliminary tests. Simulated rain was used to estimate the amount of rain penetrated through windows and to observe the paths of rain penetration. Various 90$^{\circ}$ open windows were tested to find the windows with minimum rain penetration and maximum ventilation efficiency.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.217-222
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• 2004

This study was conducted to estimate if the level of several chemical ingredients including alkanolamines or ethanolamines (EA) examined in the specific synthetic metalworking fluid (MWF) ‘A’ can cause anti-microbial activity and health effect. Three water-based MWF products (‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’) were studied every week for two months. Chemical ingredients such as formaldehyde, boron, EA, and copper were examined. In the sump where MWF ‘A’ was used, not only the total level of EA, monoethanolamine(MEA), diethanolamine(DEA) and triethanolamine(TEA), but also boron level were significantly higher than those of the other MWFs. ANOVA statistical tests indicated that levels of pH, alkalinity, boron, MEA, DEA and TEA in MWF ‘A’ were significantly higher than those in other MWF types. Correlation tests also found that levels of pH, alkalinity, boron, MEA, DEA and TEA in MWF ‘A’ are significantly correlated. We suggested the assumptions that excessive concentrations of EA, and borate at a high pH level, may cause anti-microbial resistance synergically. To demonstrate this assumption, additional study is needed to examine the relationship between the levels of microbes and excessive concentrations of EA, and borate at a high pH level.