• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

The phenomena that we experience in everyday life such as snow, rain, wind, and temperature are referred to as weather, and the average state of atmospheric phenomena that occur over a long period of time in a specific region is referred to as climate. In addition, significant variation of climate compared to the average state is referred to as climate change. Concrete structures can have various problems when exposed to elements. Among the problems, the freeze-thaw problem due to extreme climatic factors such as heavy rain and snowfall has become a particularly significant issue recently. The concrete that has been subjected to repeated freeze-thaw rather than too high or low temperature shows serious degradation of durability, and the performance of structures with degraded performance is difficult to recover. Therefore, in this study, concrete durability performance with respect to freeze-thaw from curing conditions change due to wind speed and sunshine exposure time. Concrete freeze-thaw experiment are performed. using wind speed and sunlight exposure time. Also, performance based evaluation through the satisfaction curve based on the freeze-thaw test results are performed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.571-578
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• 2015

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In this study, we investigated immune responses of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against TRAMP-C2 prostate cancer cells after activation by dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with TRAMP-C2 freeze-thaw antigen and/or PEP-3 peptide in vitro. Bone marrow-derived DC from the bone marrow of the C57BL/6 were induced to mature by using the cytokine of rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4, and loaded with either the freeze-thaw antigen or PEP-3 peptide or both of them. Maturation of DCs was detected by flow cytometry. The killing efficiency of the CTLs on TRAMP-C2 cells were detected by flow cytometry, CCK8, colony formation, transwell migration, and wound-healing assay. The levels of the IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\beta}$ and IL-12 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the unloaded DCs, the loaded DCs had significantly increased expression of several phenotypes related to DC maturation. CTLs activated by DCs loaded with freeze-thaw antigen and PEP-3 peptide had more evident cytotoxicity against TRAMP-C2 cells in vitro. The secretion levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\beta}$ and IL-12, secreted by DCs loaded with antigen and PEP-3 and interaction with T cells, were higher than in the other groups. Our results suggest that the CTLs activated by DCs loaded with TRAMP-C2 freeze-thaw antigen and PEP-3 peptide exert a remarkable killing efficiency against TRAMP-C2 cells in vitro.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2022

In this study, deep learning and k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) models were used to estimate the sorptivity and freeze-thaw resistance of self-compacting mortars (SCMs) having binary and ternary blends of mineral admixtures. Twenty-five environment-friendly SCMs were designed as binary and ternary blends of fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) except for control mixture with only Portland cement (PC). The capillary water absorption and freeze-thaw resistance tests were conducted for 91 days. It was found that the use of SF with FA as ternary blends reduced sorptivity coefficient values compared to the use of FA as binary blends while the presence of FA with SF improved freeze-thaw resistance of SCMs with ternary blends. The input variables used the models for the estimation of sorptivity were defined as PC content, SF content, FA content, sand content, HRWRA, water/cementitious materials (W/C) and freeze-thaw cycles. The input variables used the models for the estimation of sorptivity were selected as PC content, SF content, FA content, sand content, HRWRA, W/C and predefined intervals of the sample in water. The deep learning and k-NN models estimated the durability factor of SCM with 94.43% and 92.55% accuracy and the sorptivity of SCM was estimated with 97.87% and 86.14% accuracy, respectively. This study found that deep learning model estimated the sorptivity and durability factor of SCMs having binary and ternary blends of mineral admixtures higher accuracy than k-NN model.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.85-95
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• 2024

This study investigates the influence of nano-silica and basalt fiber content, curing duration, and freeze-thaw cycles on the static and dynamic properties of soil specimens. A comprehensive series of tests, including Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), static triaxial, and dynamic triaxial tests, were conducted. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was employed to examine the microstructure of treated specimens. Results indicate that a combination of 1% fiber and 10% nano-silica yields optimal soil enhancement. The failure patterns of specimens varied significantly depending on the type of additive. Static triaxial tests revealed a notable reduction in the brittleness index (IB) with the inclusion of basalt fibers. Specimens containing 10% nano-silica and 1% fiber exhibited superior shear strength parameters and UCS. The highest cohesion and friction angle were obtained for treated specimens with 10% nano-silica and 1% fiber, 90 kPa and 37.8°, respectively. Furthermore, an increase in curing time led to a significant increase in UCS values for specimens containing nano-silica. Additionally, the addition of fiber resulted in a decrease in IB, while the addition of nano-silica led to an increase in IB. Increasing nano-silica content in stabilized specimens enhanced shear modulus while decreasing the damping ratio. Freeze-thaw cycles were found to decrease the cohesion of treated specimens based on the results of static triaxial tests. Specimens treated with 10% nano-silica and 1% fiber experienced a reduction in shear modulus and an increase in the damping ratio under freeze-thaw conditions. SEM analysis reveals dense microstructure in nano-silica stabilized specimens, enhanced adhesion of soil particles and fibers, and increased roughness on fiber surfaces.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.187-199
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• 2022

The usability of waste materials as raw materials is necessary for sustainable production. This study investigates the effects of different powder materials used to replace cement (0%, 5% and 10%) and standard sand (0%, 20% and 30%) (basalt, limestone, and dolomite) on the compressive strength (f_c), flexural strength (f_r), and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of mortars exposed to freeze-thaw cycles (56, 86, 126, 186 and 226 cycles). Furthermore, the usability of artificial intelligence models is compared, and the prediction accuracy of the outputs is examined according to the inputs (powder type, replacement ratio, and the number of cycles). The results show that the variability of the outputs was significantly high under the freeze-thaw effect in mortars produced with waste powder instead of those produced with cement and with standard sand. The highest prediction accuracy for all outputs was obtained using the adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system model. The significantly high prediction accuracy was obtained for the UPV, f_c, and f_r of mortars produced using waste powders instead of standard sand (R² of UPV, f_c and f_f is 0.931, 0.759 and 0.825 respectively), when under the freeze-thaw effect. However, for the mortars produced using waste powders instead of cement, the prediction accuracy of UPV was significantly high (R²=0.889) but the prediction accuracy of f_c and f_r was low (R²f_c=0.612 and R²f_f=0.334).

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.487-490
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• 2011

We used X-ray tomography to carry out an experimental study to visualize the effect of freeze and thaw cycles on the gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A PEMFC has freeze and thaw cycles if the fuel cell is operating at a below-freezing ambient temperature. The cycle permanently deforms the fuel-cell capillary structures and reduces the ability of the cell to generate electric power and also reduces its service life. The GDL is the thickest capillary layer in the fuel cell, so it experiences the most deformation. The X-ray tomography facility at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory was used to observe the structural changes in GDLs induced by a freeze and thaw cycle. We discuss the effects of these structural changes on the power production and service life of PEMFCs.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2011

This research studies the behavior of the FRP-concrete interface subjected to two environmental substances. Frist is to investigate the behavior by the application of different bonding materials at the interface between FRP and concrete, second is to understand a long-term performance at the interface by Freeze-thaw actions. The parameters considered in this research are the maximum bonding strength and the effective bonding length at the FRP-concrete interface. In the first experimental phase, three types of specimens are fabricated and tested considering the number of applied bonding materials and the Freeze-thaw tests are performed to evaluate the behavior of the interface in the cycle range of 0 to 300 cycles. Finally, it is known that there is a 5~7% difference of the effective bonding length between applied bonding materials and the values for the maximum stress and the effective length under Freeze-thaw action are varied randomly as the freeze-thaw cycle is increased even though initial reduction of their capacities are occurred.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

In this study, a database was established by collecting experimental results on various concrete mixtures subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, based on which an artificial neural network-based prediction model was developed to estimate durability resistance of concrete. A regression analysis was also conducted to derive an equation for estimating relative dynamic modulus of elasticity subjected to freeze-thaw loads. The error rate and coefficient of determination of the proposed artificial neural network model were approximately 11% and 0.72, respectively, and the regression equation also provided very similar accuracy. Thus, it is considered that the proposed artificial neural network model and regression equation can be used for estimating relative dynamic modulus of elasticity for various concrete mixtures subjected to freeze-thaw loads.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.121-133
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• 2020

Globally, the frequency and intensity of abnormal climate events are increasing. Since this can directly damage lives and property, it is important to establish and implement an appropriate maintenance strategy in response to abnormal weather. Facilities built in cold regions where cold wave or heavy snow occurs frequently can be more damaged by freeze-thaw than facilities located in other regions. However, there are no clear criteria for quantitatively identifying the damage of freeze-thaw and how to cope with it. Therefore, based on the results of indoor freezing tests, the freezing conditions considering regional climate characteristics were selected as one day at -14℃, two days at -7℃ or three days at -5℃. As a result, it was confirmed that they were in the freeze-thaw environment in order of Daegwallyeing (8.3 times), Cheorwon (5.3 times) and Taebeak (4.9 times) in Gangwon region. Through this study, the evaluation criteria of freeze-thaw of road tunnels were newly proposed. The freeze-thaw evaluation criteria of the road tunnel presented in this study can be used for the quantitative evaluation and maintenance strategy of tunnels in cold regions.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2009

The effect of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) on the freeze/thaw condition durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) were investigated. For this purpose, three kinds of GDLs, such as, felt, paper and cloth types with different basic properties have been first prepared, then the changes in the properties and performance of cells was observed during the freeze/thaw cycles ranging from -30 to $70^{\circ}C$. The performance evaluations were conducted by using the single cells consisting of different GDLs. The performance degradation and the cell resistance increase could be directly correlated. The physical destruction of electrode was shown by SEM analysis. The mechanically supporting ability on the interface between the cell components can help enhancing the durability of PEFCs in the freeze/thaw condition.